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.
I loved Hope from Everyone Else’s Girl! When are you going to write her a book?
I love Hope too! But Hope is a remarkably self-possessed woman. She’s not going to have the kind of journey her sister Meredith did. She was born knowing exactly who she is. I think we can all rest assured that Hope is perfectly happy out there, conquering the world in her inimitable way!
I know contraception is covered in the Edge books, but what about preventing other, less savory things?
The Storms that wrecked the world are far in our future but are hundreds of years in the raiders’ past. And a lot of things happened to the world – and in civilization in general – before the Storms hit. Not to mention during their span of terror and mayhem. Advances in science and technology in a bid to stop what was happening, attempts to change the deadly course of the Storms; anything and everything to try to minimize or reverse all that destruction. During this period of doomed advancement, all sorts of diseases were severely limited or eradicated entirely. That means that after the Storms destroyed everything and so much of the population was diminished, STDs aren’t really a factor.
Short version: the folks in the pages of the Edge books are free of disease and can confine their concerns to, you know, living through the long, hot, delicious nights. If they’re lucky.
How did you go from writing Chick Lit (aka Rom Coms) to Romance?
You can actually read the book I wrote that bridged the two!
After I wrote my chick lit novels and before it even occurred to me to try to write straight romance, I wrote a weird book about a woman who travels back in time to 1987 to meet the man of her teenage dreams, rock star Tommy Seer. I Love the 80s is my hybrid book, falling somewhere between the two. I’m always going to love it, though I think the fact that it’s a little bit chick lit and a little bit romance is obvious– and maybe its weakness as much as its strength? Your call.
I love pictures. I take a lot of them.
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)
