DarkLight On.... Amy Hutton!

Welcome, Amy!

You write romantic comedy but are now delving into the paranormal. What attracted you to both of these genres?

My two favourite genres have always been horror and romance. I’m a big fan of both across all media – books, movies and TV. I had written some light horror short stories just for fun, and when I first decided to try to write something longer, I thought that’s what I would do. What I didn’t realise was, until I was in the thick of it, that I was actually writing a love story with big R romance at its core.

My light horror became a paranormal romance as it unfolded in front of me, and when it was finished, I knew that was what I wanted to write. Romance with a bit of spook. I’d discovered I love writing love. But I’d also discovered I have a naturally funny voice. I can’t help but have fun with banter and situations, even in darkness – letting a little comedy and romance lighten the story.

So, I launched into this idea that I would write romance through a paranormal gaze, but when I was working on my second manuscript - a follow up to my first, now paranormal romance - the opening scene of Sit, Stay, Love downloaded into my brain and would not leave me alone. So eventually, I gave in, pushed the other story aside and wrote a sweet and sexy Aussie romcom with humans and the pets that save them. Then I had a small-town romance idea. So… I wrote that — which very nicely came second in the Emerald. Then I got a book contract for Sit, Stay, Love, quickly followed by another two-book deal one of which would be the second book in the Sit, Stay, Love Universe called Love from Scratch. After that was delivered, I wrote another story in the SSL Universe. But when my publisher and I were discussing this and it being my third book, my original paranormal romance came up in the conversation. I had worked on that story – the first one I ever wrote – over and over in between everything else. Having it beta’d and professionally edited, improving and changing it as I grew as a writer. I had entered it in several competitions, and it won and placed in quite a few. I had pitched it and had a few material requests but no further interest because paranormal, at the time, was not in favour– at least not in the trad publishing world. At one point I was going to indie publish it and even worked up a cover idea and had it formatted. But when Sit, Stay, Love got picked up – I put my paranormal romance on hold to focus on the trad publishing deal. Now, all of a sudden, my publisher wanted to read it, the story that started my journey, my heart story to be honest, and much to my surprise, she decided that should be my next book. So, I’ve circled back to paranormal romance! Except, I also have a few other ideas outside of the paranormal world, so now I think of myself as a romance author – and wherever the love takes me, that’s where I’ll go.

Are you a plotter? Pantser? Or somewhere in-between?

I think you can see from the first question, that initially; I was definitely a pantser! Now I would say I’m somewhere in between. When writing to a contract, I had to submit my concept to my publisher, so she at least had a little bit of an idea of what I was writing! That’s how I approach all my ideas now. I don’t break them out, I don’t work out all the things that are going to happen or break them into chapters. I don’t really plan anything – I’m incapable of that level of organisation. But I do write an elevator pitch and a blurb, even if just very rough, that gives me some idea of what the story is and where it might go, though not the nuts and bolts of it. Then with the idea sort of locked, I start to write and find the characters and the voices, letting the story flow in the direction it flows. I also edit as I go. Not intensely, but I like the first draft to be pretty clean. I like to know that if I handed it off to someone, they would be able to read it, even if it was still a bit messy here and there. I absolutely cannot do a vomit draft. It stresses me out too much, and I find it too overwhelming when it comes to draft two.



How did your former work as a TV Producer help you in your writing?

For a long time, I worked exclusively on promoting movies. Making promos and trailers for them, and sometimes little mini docos. I have seen a lot of movies! When promoting movies and TV shows, you listen out for dialogue grabs that help to tell the story. You get quite tuned into that – and of course the story itself. To me, I think, through this, my TV work has helped me in two specific ways. Structure. That’s something I’ve never had a problem with and in the three books that have gone through edits with my publisher, the structure hasn’t changed. I’ve never had to move stuff around or change anything substantial, and I think picking through movies and TV for the elements that can nail the story for the audience, and building something that can tell that story, engaging the audience in thirty seconds, has helped my structuring skills. Dialogue. I have listened to sooo much dialogue over the years, and I have also written scripts to be read by voiceover artists — words to be spoken. I think these two things have given me a bit of a dialogue knack. It’s something that I often receive feedback on; that my dialogue feels natural. I will also say the other way my other career has assisted me is in producing marketing material. I worked in promotions and marketing, I did full on graphic courses, went to Facebook headquarters for courses on FB and Insta campaigns, produced for all the social streams as well as TV, can edit video, so those skills have been an unexpected gift!



Do you have advice for aspiring writers?

There are a few things I think are important. Write and keep writing. If you really want to do this thing, you’ve got to keep writing. That’s the only way it works sadly! You’ve got to get the words onto the page. Do it how it suits you. People will tell you write every day, write to a schedule, do this, do that, but do it your way. It’s a creative process and we’re all different. But you have to write. Find your people. You’re going to have loads of questions and wobbly moments, so having people who get it and have your back and can be your support when you need it is super important. We all lift each other up. Keep learning and reading. These two things go hand-in-hand, because reading is learning. So do craft courses, read craft books, but also read — in your chosen genre, and outside of it too. Reading is essential to becoming a good writer. Start connecting with your readers now. The sad fact is, we are not just authors, we are marketers and promoters, event organisers, publishers and publicists, designers and retailers. We wear a lot of hats! Start developing ways to reach your readers early. Set up your social media now. Start talking books and reading and anything else that connects with your work. Be authentic. Choose a space you feel comfortable and focus on that. Don’t wait until the book is about to come out. Get it going now and start building your community.

Mostly, don’t give up. If you love writing you probably won’t anyway but keep going even when it’s tough. Write what is in your heart and don’t judge yourself on other’s success. Our journeys are all different. Focus on your own path and work on getting there.

I also want to say, when talking about trad publishing, as much as the ability to tell a fresh story is essential, so is luck. You need to get your story in front of the right eyeballs at exactly the right moment. With Sit, Stay, Love – I pitched that in 2022 when rom-coms were just popping. So I was lucky I had a fun, hopeful, rom-com when that was what readers, and consequently publishers, were looking for. With my paranormal – it languished for a few years because that genre was not ‘in’, at least not in Aussie publishing. Then all of a sudden, paranormal was coming back around. Ali Hazelwood, a mainstream rom-com writer, put out a paranormal that went off, and trad publishing was suddenly interested again. I just happened to have a paranormal romance with a rom-com vibe finished and ready to go just as the genre was coming back into the zeitgeist. That was very lucky and like I said earlier, very unexpected. Obviously, my stories had to connect with my publisher, and she had to see something in them to support them – but don’t underestimate timing and luck. Getting a book deal is equal parts talent. timing and luck.

What else can we expect from you in the future?

I have a couple of festivals coming up. I’m appearing at Storyfest in Ulladulla and a new Sydney festival that hasn’t been announced yet. I’m also running workshops through the Northern Beaches and Mosman College and Writing NSW.

My paranormal romance is out later this year. So, I’m in the process of preparing for that. It had a title and a release date which was locked and out there, but I had a change of publisher (my changed houses,) and when she looked at it, she pitched a title change and new release date. Both of which I thought were great. So that new title, release date and the very gorgeous cover will be released on May 26! Keep an eye on my socials! I’m also working on a follow up to that story, along with a sports rom-com and a paranormal rom-com series. So there’s a bit going on!



What are you currently reading/watching?

Reading: I’ve just finished Fan Service by Rosie Danan. Big rec for this – especially if you love Supernatural, Teen Wolf, The Vampire Diaries and extra especially if you’ve ever identified as fannish. I’m now reading Ali Hazelwood’s latest, Deep End. I’ve also just finished the ARC for Emma Mugglestone’s run club romance out through Penguin in a couple of months called In the Long Run.

TV: Well, I’m watching The Last of Us, The Studio, trying not to binge through You on Netflix. But mostly right now I’m watching ER! I had to get Max to watch The Last of Us, and as I’d just finished The Pitt (amazing if you haven’t watched it) I saw ER there and thought I’d check it out and now I’m on season 9! It’s been a fascinating time capsule. It starts in 1994 and it’s now 2005 – so they now have mobile phones. Flip ones with pull-up aerials!

Movies: I just saw Thunderbolts*, which was super fun, and Sinners, which is a must see. SO GOOD! I’m hanging out for Final Destination Bloodlines, and The Conjuring: Last Rites, (though I was underwhelmed by the trailer.) But mostly I’m busting to see the new Lilo and Stitch live action! I will be there on opening day!



What other ways do you fill the creative well?

I love producing graphics in Canva and spend a fair amount of time doing that. I read all the time – there’s always a book or two on the go. I’ve been lucky enough to have been asked to read quite a few ARCs this year, so that’s been fun. I also love going to author events, launches and chats, to hear about other writers' processes etc. I always find that inspiring. I randomly do crafty things too. But they are very random.



Tell us about your latest release.

My last release was Love from Scratch – a sexy rom-com about an actor, the out-of-work chef who minds his anxious dog, and the cranky cat that brings them together. It’s set on the Sunshine Coast. Is sweet, funny, deals with long held traumas, and has some spicy spice…some of which is in the kitchen (and I don’t mean the kind that goes into the food!) It was an Editor’s Pick in the 2024 Spotify Wrap.

Next up is my paranormal romance - out later this year. Which I can’t tell you the title of until after May 26! The story is set in the US leading up to Halloween, in a small, picturesque town. It’s about a psychic ghost hunter and a paranormal investigator who come together to look into a famous haunting at a historic home and are dragged into a mystery that spans generations. It’s spooky/swoony and a little spicy. Ghosts, and witches and kisses, oh my!

Socials:

Instagram, TikTok, Threads, X, BlueSky - @amyhuttonauthor

Facebook – Amy Hutton Writes

Website – amyhuttonauthor.com

Love from Scratch

Book 2, Sit, Stay, Love

In the follow-up to Sit, Stay, Love – Opposites attract in this laugh-out-loud rom-com about a heart-throb actor, the grumpy woman who minds his dog, and the cat that steals his heart. 

Ethan James has a problem: he’s about to start shooting a movie and he needs someone to mind his anxious dog, Harry. This film could make or break Ethan’s career, and he knows he has to give it all his attention, but Harry’s new minder turns out to be more of a hindrance than a help. She’s gorgeous and funny, and throws so much shade in his direction that Ethan can’t think straight. 

Hazel Conor has a problem: she’s just lost her job as a sous chef at the fancy beachside restaurant she uphauled her life for. And if she doesn’t get another job soon, she won’t be able to afford food – or worse, cat food, and then her grouchy cat Kevin will finally murder her in her sleep. So when she sees an ad for an easy dog minder job, she goes for it. 

Hazel finds everything about Ethan annoying; he’s flashy, flirty, and a total charmer. She probably wouldn’t look at him twice if it wasn’t for her cat. Because Kevin, the cat who hates everyone, is totally smitten with Ethan James. And with each purr, cheek rub and head bump that Kevin bestows on Ethan, Hazel begins to wonder if there’s something her cat can see that she can’t. 

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Amy Hutton

Amy is a former award-winning TV producer who now spends her days writing swoony love stories. When not busy toying with her character’s emotions, she’s probably hanging with her rescue dog Buffy, or lost in the pages of her latest favourite romance read. Amy is in a long-term relationship with Disneyland. She loves to travel, adores anything Star Wars, and has an unwavering commitment to Hallmark Christmas movies.

A Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of Australia and Romance Writers of New Zealand award winner, Amy’s debut romance Sit, Stay, Love was published in August 2023, with the follow up Love from Scratch published June 2024, both through Simon & Schuster Australia. Her next book, a spirited new romance will be out through Simon & Schuster Australia around Halloween 2025.  If you love love, check out Amy’s books.