Biography
Kristina Rienzi is a Jersey Shore local, new adult author, certified professional coach, and the former president of Sisters in Crime-Central Jersey. An INFJ who dreams beyond big, Kristina encourages others (and herself) to embrace the unknown through her stories about fierce women risking their lives to become who they were always meant to be. When she’s not writing or drinking wine, Kristina is spoiling her three fur-beasts, dissecting true crime stories, singing (and dancing) to Yacht Rock Radio, or rooting for the WVU Mountaineers. She believes in all things paranormal, a closet full of designer bags, weekly manicures, the Law of Attraction, aliens, angels, and the value of a graduate degree in psychology.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What books have you written?
Here’s the list in order of my most recent work:
2019
Unleash the Wicked – COMING SOON!
2018
2017
30 Shades of Dead: A collection of mysteries to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Sisters in Crime
2016 (Relaunched 2018)
Breaking Evil: Ensouled Series, Book 2
2015
Twisted: A Short Story Collection
To Preserve, Protect and Defend: A Twisted Short Story
Again: A Twisted Short Story
Train Girl: A Twisted Short Story
Luring Shadows: Happy Endings Resort Series, (standalone) Book 7
2014 (Relaunched 2018)
Choosing Evil: Ensouled Series, Book 1
2. Do you outline or free write your stories?
A little bit of both. Plotting helps me with the mystery elements in my stories. I’m not married to plotting, though. I create the general story premise and potential conflicts, and then I let the characters lead. When I plot too tightly, I get stuck in the rigidity of the story. On the flipside, when I don’t plot enough, I get lost along the way. A healthy balance of both, along with a boatload of flexibility, works best for me.
3. Is there a central theme to your books, or all they all different?
Each story I write has its own message and lesson to be learned. But if I had to pick one theme to apply to all of them, I’d say it would be my tagline: Embrace the Unknown. My stories ultimately are about fierce women becoming who they were always meant to be.
4. How long does it take you to write a book?
It depends on what I’m writing. Short stories are in my blood, I’ve been writing them all of my life, even before I began writing professionally. With a short, I can get a story done in less than one week. Of course, I’ll spend the next month editing it, but it’s a fairly quick writing process. For a novella, I can write the first draft in a month or two, and with a month plus of revisions and edits, it takes approximately three months. Now, a novel is entirely a different animal. It takes about three to six months to write the first draft, and then several months of heavy revising and editing. All in all, it’s about one year from start to finish.
5. Do you have a publisher or are you self/indie-published?
Indie! The Ensouled Series (Choosing Evil & Breaking Evil) was originally published with a small press publisher, Frost Books, but I obtained my rights back in 2018. Those stories, along with the rest of my work, are under publishing company, Indigo Hawk Group.
6. Do you have a publishing team or do you do it all on your own?
I have a fabulous team of people helping me. I could never do it all on my own! My author assistant is Kate Tilton, she helps with my administrative items, marketing and also connecting me with readers. My editor and proofreader is Christie Stratos with Proof Positive, she makes sure my books are in perfect shape before publishing. My cover artists are The Killion Group (Among Us) and Kari March Designs (all my other books). They both do fabulous work! Last, but not least, my publicists are Mickey Mikkleson and Avery Olive from Creative Edge, they help get the word out about me and my books. Any and all success I owe to these amazing pros. I really couldn’t do this author gig without them!
7. How do I get a signed copy of one of your books?
Just fill out this form and I’ll drop them in the mail to you.
8. What are you working on now?
A new-adult paranormal story: Unleash the Wicked.
9. Who is your favorite author?
Oh, there are just so many! If I had to pick those at the very top of my list, I’d say, Stephen King, Lisa Gardner, Lisa Unger, Lisa Scottoline, Jonathan Maberry, Karin Slaughter, Harlan Coben, Jenny Milchman, and Ania Ahlborn. I admire thought-provoking, unique storytelling.
10. What’s your advice to new writers?
Turn off your internal editor and just write. Get the words down, write your terrible first draft, and then rewrite it a few more times until it’s readable. Share it with a professional writer or editor who will be honest, and then do whatever is needed to make it the best book you can write right now. Most importantly, no matter what anyone says, never give up.
11. Tell me a random non-writing related fact about yourself.
I’m a B-Horror movie junkie. The more ridiculous and gory the film, the better.