Yes, I write under many names: Megan Crane, Caitlin Crews, M.M. Crane, and Hazel Beck. But no matter the name, the story is always all mine. Why do I write under a variety of names? I have Reasons.
I discovered my first romance novel at the age of twelve in a bargain bin at the local five and dime. It involved swashbuckling pirates having grand adventures on the open sea, a heroine with a mind of her own, and a seriously masterful hero who swept her away no matter how clever she was.
I was immediately smitten with romance and all the romantic themes I could get my hands on. (I still am.)
I had grand plans to star on Broadway — preferably in Evita, just like the great Patti LuPone. Sadly, my inability to wow audiences with my singing voice required a back up plan, so I launched myself into academics instead. This was not a good fit for someone who liked lounging about and reading books a lot more than dissecting them in classrooms, but it did allow me to live in England for half a decade, so I can’t complain.
Writing (and finishing!) my first book was a relief. And actually publishing that book was one of the greatest thrills of my life.
Now I’m more than 100 books in, I’m still a romance fanatic, it still thrills me to see my books on shelves, and yes, I’m still plotting my Broadway debut.
If you’re new to my books, try starting here.
If you are looking for information for journalistic/editorial purposes, view my media kit.
Didn’t I read somewhere that you write Young Adult?
You did!
(It was probably Wikipedia.)
I wrote six young adult novels and one young adult novella a while back. But these were all work-for-hire projects, which means my name isn’t on them and I can’t tell you what they are. I can tell you that the first one I wrote hit the New York Times bestseller list, which was fun, if secretive fun. And that I got to play around in worlds that I didn’t entirely build from scratch myself, which I found a fascinating sort of writing exercise.
Maybe someday I’ll write some books in this genre under my own name. You never know!
What’s the chronological order of the Edge series?
The Edge series takes place over the course of a very busy year or so far, far in the future.
Edge of Obsession and Edge of Temptation take place more or less at the same time in early summer.
Edge of Control takes place later that same summer, edging into fall.
One Fine Winter Morning with Tyr and Helena (bonus scene) takes place in November.
A Deep and Dark December Evening with Gunnar and Maud (bonus scene) takes place in December.
“Need’s Edge,” in Edge of Ruin, takes place in January of the following year.
Edge of Power starts in March of that year.
“Danger’s Edge,” in Edge of Ruin, starts after the March equinox in the same month.
“Raider’s Edge, in Edge of Ruin, takes place in April.
What’s your favorite book of the ones you’ve written?
I won’t say I love all my books the same, because I don’t, but my feelings about them are complicated.
Some books I love while I’m thinking about them in advance. Some books I love while I’m writing them. Some books are pure torture all the way through, and I only have fond feelings for them when they’re in my hands. Some books I will hate forever, and other books make me grin for no apparent reason.
But I’d never want to weight a reader’s experience of a book one way or the other, so I don’t want to say which is which.
Interviews
And here are some other items of note:
- Video: A fun Valentines Day interview on 5 Things Friday.
- Video: The Gregory Mantell Show, it's not super new, but I'd still say all the same stuff on the subject of Frenemies.
- Caitlin discusses The Return of the Di Sione Wife with BookTrib.
- Video: My Process (as Megan and Caitlin, on Conversations with Cupid)
- Podcast: Action and Emotion (as Megan, with my husband Jeff, on the Nerd Out podcast)
- On Shame and the Romance Heroine (as Caitlin, on Dear Author)
- Falling in love with the Rodeo (as Megan, a guest on Jane Porter's blog)
