Spotlight on Changeling Press; Treva Harte
Changeling Press turns 20 in 2024. To celebrate, we’re featuring Changeling Press authors all month at TRS.
Meet Treva Harte
Treva Harte has always been an overachiever. She also collects things. First, it was degrees. First a B.A. in English, then she decided to go back for a Master’s degree. Not content with that, she added a J.D. Since then she’s added a husband, also an attorney, and two children to her collection. She’s continuing her ways as an overachiever, writing her wonderfully offbeat tales of passion and possibilities — in her spare time.
Visit her website at www.trevaharte.com.
An Interview with Holly Hewson at TRS
HH: What inspired you to start writing and how did your journey with Changeling Press begin?
Treva: I’ve always been interested in writing. I used to draw pictures in my head to add to the story (fanfic?) before I could write. I’ve been friends with Margaret Riley since before Changeling Press was born…she was the one who introduced me to ebooks when they were in infancy and we both published together with new ebook publishers.
HH: Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you go from an initial idea to a finished manuscript?
Treva: Not really. I mull an idea over. The story I’m thinking about now has been years in the thinking about stage. Once I get going nowadays, I write fairly steadily, if not a lot per day. But it’s much clearer in my head than when I first started my writing career. Still pretty much a pantser though.
HH: Of all the books you’ve written for Changeling Press, which one is your favorite and why?
Treva: My favorite (and least favorite) is always my last book. I tend to kick the books out of the nest once I’m done with them. But I enjoyed delving into Regency history to do my Regency mystery romances in the Soliciting a Lady series. The hero and heroine are excellent at solving the mystery but sometimes they are not the ones who give the bad guy or lady what they deserve. The last book, The Surprise, has a mystery of its own but is also a look at whether the hero and heroine did the right thing in resolving some of those mysteries.
HH: Can you share a memorable experience or feedback from a reader that particularly touched or surprised you?
Treva: The biggest was when I was invited to the Pentagon to see a good friend get promoted. While there she thanked me and other authors for getting her through with their stories when she had to wait through a high-stress situation. I was so glad I helped although, of course, I had never thought that would be how.
HH: Changeling Press is known for its diverse genres. Is there a genre you haven’t written in yet but are curious to explore?
Treva: Not really. That is both good and bad for me—I don’t confine myself to just a few genres, so readers never know what they may get next.
HH: Do you have any unique writing rituals or habits that help you stay focused and creative?
Treva: Not really. It helps if the family is not in the house but I’ve been known to write through yelling, music, screams… I don’t play music while writing, though. I want to focus.
HH: What advice would you give to aspiring authors who dream of being published by Changeling Press?
Treva: Work on your craft, understand the genres, and finish the book! And don’t fear edits. I do editing at Changeling Press as well and every book we have there—including mine—gets edited.
HH: How do you see the future of digital publishing evolving, and what role do you think Changeling Press will play in it?
Treva: I wish I did. I could make a fortune. I’m just grateful I was on the front wave of authors who embraced hot romance and e-publishing when it was still ignored. I’m sure Changeling Press will adapt.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treva.harte
Instagram: @trevaharte
Website: www.trevaharte.com
email: trevaharte@hotmail.com
A special story about Changeling Press CEO, Margaret Riley
One of my first memories of Margaret Riley was the day we went off to an RWA national conference for the first time. I got to talk her down from her panic as we rode the really long, slow (this is starting to sound very wrong) escalator trip from the Metro to the conference’s hotel. She faced the wall and I did what I do—talked about everything (except how far it was to get to the ground.) That’s one of the safer memories. There are the teddy bears performing sex acts to show correct positioning in sex scenes and…never mind.