Creative Coffee Chats: Meet Indie Author Kalli O’Connor

Welcome to another installment of Creative Coffee Chats–a series of Q&A-style interviews with creators of all kinds, where we discuss their craft and creative processes.

For many people, the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 marked the start of some interesting new hobbies. Some took up cake decorating (guilty!), others tried gardening for the first time. 

In Kansas City, one avid reader and lifelong writer decided to begin writing her first novel under the pen name Kalli O’Connor. The result? As of 2025, Kalli has three published novels (with a fourth on the way), one short story, and thousands of followers on social media. 

As one of those followers, Kalli and I connected on Instagram shortly after I launched From Heart to Byline. After checking out her books and reading the first installment of her Love ReVamped series, I just knew I had to interview her for this column. 

Though she actually has an MBA in music business, Kalli said, “I feel like writing and publishing a book has given my life purpose. It's the first time in my life where my creativity flows, people enjoy it, I'm expressing myself, and it just feels right.”

We talked books, bold moves, and her journey into self-publishing her first novel…just to prove she could! Read on to find out how she builds her steamy fictional worlds and what's next for her growing audience.

What was it like to write a novel during the pandemic?

It started out great, but not going to lie, it got tough quick with the pandemic stress of still working a full-time job (but now from home). I also got married that year, so trying to plan an event during all of that–and then trying to write a book. 

Writing a book is totally different than song lyrics, correspondent work, or newspapers. It was a bumpy learning curve and my first book is not my best. However, I'm so proud of it; I’m proud of everything I learned during that process and the foundation it created for me becoming an author.

Who has been your biggest supporter during your publishing journey?

My husband is, without a doubt, my biggest supporter. I've always wanted to be my own boss, and I've dabbled in various craft and side jobs, but I still have my corporate day job. 

Since day one of encouraging me to pursue the idea of being an author, he's been my grounding force. When I hit roadblocks, freak-outs, panic attacks, he calms me and brings me back down. While we are still waiting for me to hit the level to do it full time, he's also helped take on some responsibilities like my website, newsletter, and more to help free up more time for me to write. 

He always makes comments of, "When I'm doing this full time.” Not if–but when. He's my biggest hype person and he helps me have faith in myself, too. 

What was the deciding factor in self-publishing versus traditional publishing?

There are pros and cons to both. I went with self-publishing primarily because it is faster and I want to learn all the processes, plus you keep more royalties typically. I'm also currently exclusive to Amazon because its most cost effective when starting out. However, I'm passionate about wanting to learn how to do things and building a more solid foundation. 

I'm already planning to go wide with my next series, and I hope in the next two-to-four years to have some standalone books I can query out to publishers.

You mentioned that you have a degree in music–how have you incorporated your love for music into your work?

I have a Spotify account where I make playlists to match the vibes of my novels, I've also helped make playlists for some book events. And then specifically in my novels, while I don't call out the exact songs, I do describe some club experiences. I go to a lot of concerts and festivals so those experiences will probably show up in my future works as well. 

The second book of your Love ReVamped series just released in June–congratulations! Do you feel like your writing has evolved since that first novel in 2022? 

Thank you! And oh my gosh, yes! With Don't Judge a Book by its Cover, I got into a bad loop of writing, reading what I wrote, and re-writing it. I was exhausted and mentally done by the time that book actually released two years later. 

Evolving Hope was a bit better, but I was still learning my way. I did a rough outline and then once the character Tilly came into it, I realized my single vampire book is now a series. 

But I still struggled with how to start and end the book. I actually took some writing workshops specifically around upping tension, great beginnings, and took some beta reader feedback on the ending, so I have to say Emerging Devotion is without a doubt the best book I've written to date. 

There is still so much I want to learn. Even in life, I enjoy finding ways to challenge myself to improve, and my writing is no different. 

What's next for you?

I’m currently writing Adapting Compassion, which is the third and final book in my Love ReVamped series. 

I've started outlining my next series. It’s a horror-meets-romance, “why choose?” reverse harem between a girl and some monsters from another dimension. I also have a rough outline for a dragon series but I want some more experience with world building so I'll have some standalone books releasing before that series. 

ABOUT THE BOOK: Emerging Devotion (Book 2 of the Love ReVamped Series)

When your life gets turned upside down, your priorities are forced to shift, can your devotion still emerge?

Tilly’s tired of his long immortal life. He’s lost all hope and desire of ever finding his mate and has instead devoted himself to protecting humanity from the worst of his kind. Though he fears he’s losing grasp of his own sanity and might very well become the evil he fights against.

Elena grew up constantly moving from military base to military base, with a loving family but never permanent roots. She’s embarking on her own life to create the stability and connections she’s always craved. She’s got a great job, co-workers, her pick of men, and perhaps even a genuine friend. But her life’s rocked to its core when she’s forcibly taken along with other vampires.

Seeing the failed experiments going on around her, Elena tries to free herself only to end up in a worse situation. She’s battling her urges to handle everything on her own while also fearing who she can trust. Tilly follows the unending pull and becomes determined to help save Elena, first from the facility and then from himself. Together they discover zombie like vampires from the failed experiments and realize they have far more to worry about than each other.

Can they stop the spread of evil before it takes over the world? Will they be able to trust themselves and their growing connection enough to work together to do so?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kalli O’Connor is an indie author crafting spicy, suspenseful, and fantastical romance with a dark edge. Neurodivergent and pansexual, she writes to help readers feel seen, valued, and empowered. Her stories explore healing, transformation, and the beauty found in even the most broken places. When not writing, she’s chasing live music, wandering new cities, or curled up with a good book and her pets.

CONNECT WITH KALLI

https://kallioconnor.com/ 

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(Note: Trigger warnings for all Kalli’s book are listed on her website)

Facebook VIP Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kallioconnorvipreaders 

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090404685708 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kallioconnor/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kallioconnor/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22581861.Kalli_O_Connor/ 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/31ts2gyywd2caglhu5icvaj6r37e?si=427c578d6bb04bc2 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kallioconnorromance/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0B7GQXHHC 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kalli-o-connor  

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