Eeva Interviews Erotic Romance Author of Rannigan's Redemption, Pandora Spocks

Move over E.L. James and Jackie Collins, and make way for this superb erotic romance writer. 
Fifty Shades of Grey would be a better book if Pandora Spocks wrote it.


Pandora is not only superb in her craft, she likes helping other self published authors too. Always open to improving her work. Reason why her books are high quality. 

When I first read Pandora's book Luke & Bella, I was taken back to the time when I enjoyed the books of Jackie Collins. I outgrew erotica, but I'd gladly read any of Pandora's books. Why? What's so different about her writing? Like her tagline says, it's Smart and Sexy Erotica. Strong Characters. Tight writing. Amazingly hot love scenes. And emotional. Her stories are romantic heart-string tuggers. That's what I love about them. She uses words effortlessly, without pretense - and I can promise you that you'll keep on reading until the last page.

There are only a few books that have made me cry, and you have to understand that I've devoured books since I was 10 years old. That's a huge reading list. Fine Things by Danielle Steel is one. Now, I have to add Rannigan's Redemption: Finale to my list. Although I know how the Rannigan's Redemption Series was going to end, I was excited to see how she will write it. I was not disappointed. I could kill her, really. 70% into the book, I was bawling like a baby. Continuously, until the last page. And then, I had to go back to THAT scene just one more time, so I can cry some more.

After you read it, you'll know what THAT scene is.
You might want to get book 1 first, if you haven't yet. Go ahead, take it for a spin.



Ok, enough with the raving. On Authors to Watch, please meet Pandora Spocks.

Pandora Spocks, why did you choose that pen name? 

It’s a pun of Pandora’s Box, that fabled container from Greek mythology that has come to represent a source of endless complications and problems. I’m a redhead. (laughing) What can I say?

How did you get into self publishing? What was the catalyst?

I never started out with the intention of publishing. I began writing my stories online on various social media outlets. Then people seemed to like my work. After I posted my first story, Luke & Bella: Two Streets Over, chapter by chapter twice in its entirety, I thought that maybe I’d investigate the whole self publishing world.

Thank goodness you did. :)

Your bio says that you're happy with your own "Sir." Tell us a little about that and how it influences your writing.


My husband is my rock, my protector, my partner, my number one fan, the one who makes me believe that anything is possible. Having survived a very young, very bad marriage that lasted way too long, I like to call him my happily ever after. He restored me to the happy, fun girl that I was before my nightmare. When I write romance, I love to create strong, caring men and equally strong, determined women who, together, feel safe enough to be vulnerable with each other.

Tell us about Pandora Spocks, the woman. What makes you tick? What drives you?

I’m a wife, mom, step-mom, sister, daughter, friend. I’m a redhead who was raised in the South, so I can be stubborn. I love to laugh and I’m not afraid to laugh at myself. I care about fairness and equality, I’d like to see a whole lot more love in the world and a whole lot less hate. I love music of all kinds and nearly always have an inner play list. I love reading and I love writing, especially thoughtful, spicy romance. When I do something, I want to do my absolute best.

Your debut novel Luke and Bella was written like a pro. Do you edit your own books?

Wow, thanks! I do edit my own books. I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to writing. Editing my own work is sort of like trimming the Christmas tree—I can’t pass by without rearranging the decorations. I read and reread my work and change something every time. At a certain point, I just have to force myself to let it go. A new development, though. For the last book of Rannigan’s Redemption, I had author A. M. Manay do the proofreading.

How do you find self publishing so far? What's your biggest challenge?


Self publishing has been something of a journey with a learning curve for me. The truth is, I accidentally published Luke & Bella the first time. I sort of thought that when I uploaded the manuscript to KDP I’d have the opportunity to look it over, fiddle with formatting and that. All of a sudden, I had a book for sale. I’ve learned a great deal from my mistakes, and I’ve been blessed to meet a lot of very nice authors who have given me indispensable advice. My biggest challenge has been the whole marketing and promotion thing. It takes a lot of time and I’m not sure I’ve hit on the most effective methods just yet.

It's a long process, but you're on the right track. 
What are you doing to bring your books closer to your readers?


I’m taking this question as being related to marketing. I am involved in several author support groups on social media and we promote one another’s work on a daily basis. I post promotional articles on my author blog as well as on my personal blog. 

Tell us what being a self published Author means to you.

For me, being a self published author means that I’m able to put my work out there for readers when I’m ready. I don’t wait for acceptance letters or have to change my work to please a boardroom. I see the self publishing movement as doing for literature what YouTube and iTunes have done for music. The public now has access to a myriad of work they would never have known about previously.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years, as an author?

Whew! (big sigh) In 5 years, I’d love to see myself writing full time. Currently, I work a full time job and squeeze in writing (and marketing, promoting, networking) when I can. If I could get my sales up to the level of my current salary, I’d be what was in terms of my job. I have several stories that are already started and a very long list of ideas beyond that. 

Where do you get honest validation and feedback for your writing?

My husband is never hesitant to tell me exactly what he thinks. I value his input and his thoughts. I’m also a member of an author community. We read and provide feedback for each other and I’m beyond grateful for their support.

Which authors do you identify with and why?

I love Joanne Harris and Maeve Binchy for creating characters with depth and soul. I enjoy Maggie Carpenter, Amber Lea Easton, and Natasha Blackthorne who writes sexy erotic romance.

What is your favorite book? Name just one.

My all-time favorite book, no doubt about it, is Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. It’s a great story about love and family and forgiveness. I aspire to one day write something as beautiful as the prologue of that book.

For you, what is the best part about being a self published author?

I love pulling up Amazon (or iBooks, or B&N, or Kobo, or Smashwords) and seeing my book for sale right next to my literary heroes. It’s kind of surreal.

What's the worst part?

The marketing is hard. Business is not my background or education so I’m very much a fish out of water. Suddenly I’m ‘building a brand’. But I like to think I’m a quick learner.

Your romance series Rannigan's Redemption is complete. What's on the pipeline?

Yes, Rannigan is finished. It’s been a long labor of love. Currently, I have a couple of projects I’m working on kind of simultaneously.

First, my next novel is For Sparrow. I’m going back to the BDSM theme that was in Luke & Bella. In Sparrow, a woman’s husband dies suddenly. She finds herself not only grieving her husband but also the loss of the Dominant to her submissive. But as it turns out, he made provisions for her before his death.

Update: For Sparrow is now available. Get it here. 

My other project is a naughty little summer novella called Just One Night. It’s about a woman who is determined to recover from a nasty break-up but finding a guy for a one night fling.

If you could speak to all self published authors, what advise would you give them?

Gosh, where do I start?

• Just do it, don’t be afraid to jump right in.
• Surround yourself with great writers who can give you all sorts of input and advice.
• Don’t let slow sales discourage you. Keep on working.
• Follow successful writers and emulate what they do, marketing-wise.
• Don’t be too hard-headed to take great advice (Pandora!).
• Quid pro quo. Support other indie authors and they will support you.
• Pass along what you’ve learned.

Thanks for taking the time, Pandora. 
I won't wish you the best cause I know you will make it happen.



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