Spotlight On AdC's Ms. May C. A. Szarek
Spotlight On C. A. Szarek
USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author of romantic suspense and epic fantasy romance, C.A. loves to explore different genres. If it’s a good story, she’ll write it—no matter where it fits.
When she’s not buried in a book—writing or editing—you’ll find her with a strong cup of coffee and a furbaby nearby.
She has a deep love for storytelling, especially when it involves magic, romance, and hard-earned happy endings. Writing isn’t just her job—it’s who she is. Editing, too. She’s worked with countless authors to shape their stories, and loves helping good books become great.
At home, she’s surrounded by the best kind of chaos—three rescues who run the house. Milo, her Great Pyrenees, is gentle and big-hearted. Mia, her Pyrador, is an energetic wild child. And Millie, her tuxedo cat, rules it all with strong opinions (especially about lap space).
- A. also runs an Etsy shop, Paper Dragon Trinkets, where she creates handmade bookmarks and dragon-inspired accessories—a little magic from her hoard for fellow readers.
She’s a tattoo-loving, travel-chasing, coffee-obsessed book nerd—and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Do you have a new book or series?
I don’t have a new series, but I am working on book four of my King’s Riders series, and it’s called Dragon’s Call. I don’t have hard release date, but I hope to have it out by the end of 2026! It’s exciting because I get to finally write about DRAGONS!
Where did the idea for this story come from?
This book is Lucan’s story, who was in the previous books, and it’s finally his turn. But the story does have two couples, since Lucan’s bestie also finds his love in this book. It’s part action-adventure, like the other stories, and of course, a happily ever after, or two. LOL.
Who’s your favorite character in your new book or series? Why?
I don’t really pick favorites. I would say some characters resonate differently with me than others. I love them all, they are like my kids. I have always loved Lucan, who was only 13 in the first book, and I knew he would have a story, so I am glad it’s his turn.
Are there specific people or events that helped shape the story?
Not really. There are things that happen in the series that cause-and-effect the storyline, but each of my books is standalone within the series, so they are their own contained stories. It’s just that my characters all know and care about each other.
Do you get inspiration from personal experience or just plain imagination?
I am sure I get inspiration from the world around me, but it’s nothing on “purpose” as weird as that sounds. I am not a plotter—so I just sit down and write, it’s called being a “pantser” (writing by the seat of my pants) so I don’t plan what I write, and sometimes, I don’t know what is going to come out, LOL. Sometimes I know general scene facts, or what needs to happen next, but for me, I need the story form organically.
Have you ever driven down a road or gone on vacation and thought, wow, this would make an awesome story?
Oh, for sure all the time. But just because I have an idea doesn’t mean I have time for it, LOL.
Do you need silence or background noise when writing?
Music, but it can’t be familiar music that I know, so I won’t get swept up in the words.
How do you stay motivated?
The voices in my head. No, seriously. LOL. My characters talk to me, and let me know if I’m too lazy.
Do you take time off once a book is sent to the editor, or do you move on to the next story?
Really depends on what’s next and how driven I am to jump to the next story. Most times, when I finish a story, I grieve the couple, because their on-page journey is over. So it is always different, so sometimes it’s a week and sometimes it’s a month.
It’s time to sit back and relax. What’s your go-to?
Binging TV. Depending on the mood I am in as to what I want to watch but if I can’t find something new, I can always put Golden Girls or the original Charmed on.
Will you be attending any book signings or conventions?
Yes, I have several on deck in 2026. On May 3, I will be at Tupps Brewery in McKinney, TX for Get Lit Adult Book Fair. August 15, I will be at an event called Book Me Romance, in Fort Smith, AR at the Fort Smith Convention Center. September 5, I will be back close to home in Fort Worth, TX for the Muses of Storytelling, and the last thing for sure right now is Buns & Roses, in Garland, TX on Oct 18, 2026. However, if you want to see if I jump into any other 2026 events, you can always check out my Events page on my website: caszarek.com/in-person-book-events
Please give us the following contact information:
Personal web page: caszarek.com
Twitter.com/caszarek
Facebook.com/caszarek
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