Meet Pam Godwin of Grain Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pam Godwin.

Hi Pam, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I attended UMKC for a bachelor’s in computer science, which led to my financial engineering career at American Century Investments. During my tenure there, they offered a one-month sabbatical to their employees. I took mine in 2008 and used the time to write a fiction novel. I’ve always been a voracious bookworm, so writing a novel was a natural progression. The sabbatical gave me a jump-start to do that. For the next five years, I submerged myself in creative writing classes and critique groups, attended writer’s conferences, queried literary agents, and studied the marketing side of the business. In 2012, I self-published my first fiction novel. Two years later, I left my career at American Century and became a full-time writer. I’ve published thirty novels in eight languages and have been listed on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestsellers lists. With over a dozen publishing contracts, I’m a hybrid author of traditional and indie publications. But I owe my success to the explosion of self-publishing in 2011. The launch of KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) and the adoption of eBook devices paved the way for new authors like me who didn’t fit into the rigid mold of traditional publishing.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Transitioning from my investment career to a full-time writer was one of my biggest struggles. Plagued by panic attacks, anxiety, and no sleep, I managed both careers for years, working twenty hours a day, seven days a week, with no holidays or vacations. Leaving the security of my nine-to-five job was terrifying. It felt impossible. But the combined workload and endless publishing deadlines forced me to make a choice.

I haven’t looked back. That said, my hours have stayed the same. Self-employment makes it challenging to separate my personal life from my professional one. I don’t have paid leave, my income is inconsistent, and the success of my business depends solely on me. I struggle with turning off the computer at night and walking away from publishing offers when I’m already overtaxed.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I write fiction novels in the romance genre. The versatility in my stories sets me apart from other romance authors. I’m not locked into a specific trope or genre. I write westerns, historical pirates, apocalyptic science fiction, love triangles, forbidden relationships, suspense, and psychological thrillers with cartels, mafia, and other unsavory characters. The one constant among all my books is the core love story.

Who else deserves credit for your story?
Social media influencers play a huge role in helping readers discover my books. A single Tiktok can reach millions, so when they create viral videos recommending my books, it has a stunning impact on my business. Fellow romance authors are incredible advocates as well. They use their platforms to promote my brand to their audiences. As writers, we’re also readers, so reading and recommending each other’s work is a powerful and positive way to use our voices. Family and close friends are my greatest cheerleaders. They tread beside me through the sleepless nights and stress of deadlines, through the good, the bad, and the ugly, always pitching in when I need help and encouraging me during the darkest moments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pamgodwin.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/pamgodwinauthor
• Facebook: facebook.com/pamgodwinbooks
• Twitter: twitter.com/pamgodwinbooks
• Other: tiktok.com/@pamgodwinauthor