Q&A With Erin Knightley 

Erin Knightley is the USA Today Bestselling Author of historical romance and several of her books are part of different series. Erin has a new release titled Hildy Dannaher Goes Off Script available now, wherever you get your books! 

Q: Erin, welcome to Book Notions! Would you please give a brief description of your work beginning with your new release Hildy Dannaher Goes Off Script? 

A: Thanks so much for having me! I’m so excited to have Hildy out in the world, especially since it’s my first foray into contemporary women’s fiction. It was a fun and challenging departure from my other books, which are largely Regency-set historical romance with a few contemporary romance novellas sprinkled in. 

Q: Where do your ideas for your books come from? What is some important wisdom you have for anyone wanting to write, especially historical romance and contemporary romance like you do? 

A: For Hildy Dannaher Goes Off Script, the idea was actually sparked by my family’s trip to Ireland in 2018! It was such a gorgeous, almost magical place, I really wanted to capture it in a novel. The idea of a woman journeying there in search of family was also a nod to discovering more about my ancestors on that trip. Other books have been inspired by settings as well. For example, the idea for the Prelude to a Kiss series, which is set at a fictious music festival in Bath, was planted after my first visit to that lovely city back in 2008. It was the first time I’d visited a place that legitimately felt like stepping back in time. It was very easy to imagine my characters dancing at the Bath Assembly Rooms or strolling down the limestone streets.

My bit of wisdom for anyone who wants to write is to read voraciously, and to write what makes your heart happy as opposed to following market trends. Readers can tell when your heart isn’t in it! 

Q: Is Hildy Dannaher Goes Off Script the start of a new series or a standalone novel? What was the transition like going from writing historical romance to then writing something completely different? 

A: Hildy is a standalone novel, which is a first for me! I always love sticking around a much-loved world for a few books, but this particular book felt perfectly complete all on its own. It was definitely a challenge writing outside of the historical romance bubble that I enjoy so much, but it was also freeing. Never once did I have to think about anachronisms or historical accuracy, which can sometimes bog down the writing process. It was so nice just to let the story flow! 

I think the one thing that I couldn’t quite give up completely was a little romance. Hildy is definitely a women’s fiction novel that focuses strongly on the themes of family and belonging, but I loved that this post-divorce, post-heartache woman was able to find a romantic connection when she least expected it! 

Q: Would you please provide social media links? The readers of the blog and I want to follow you and your work!

A: You can find me on Instagram (@erinknightley) or Facebook (facebook.com/erinknightley). I’m not as active as I once was on social media, but I do still love connecting with readers and fellow booklovers! You can also find me at erinknightley.com, or email me at erin@erinknightley.com. 

Q: Does Hollywood have the rights to your work? 

A: No – not yet anyway! My sister, Kara Holden, is actually an established screenwriter and we’d both love to be able to adapt Hildy’s story someday. We’ll see! 

Thanks so much for the interview, Bianca! It’s been great ‘chatting’ with you 🙂