You know, I’ve met a lot of people in my time—starship captains, politicians, smugglers, and even the occasional pirate—but I don’t think I’ve ever come across someone quite like Kathryn LeBlanc. Or should I say Kathryn Mykel? Don’t worry, no secret identities here—just a writer who wears multiple hats (or should I say quilting bonnets?) and masters more than one literary universe.

Kathryn is an award-winning author who’s conquered not just one but two very different genres—cozy mysteries and wholesome historical romance. As Kathryn Mykel, she crafts lighthearted, laugh-out-loud quilting cozies that keep readers coming back for more. And under her own name, she spins heartfelt, clean romances that feel like warm cups of cocoa on a chilly evening. Whether it’s solving a murder between stitches or weaving together love stories, one thing is clear—Kathryn knows how to tell a tale.

But here’s the real kicker—she didn’t even start writing books until 2021! That’s right. In just a few short years, she’s penned nearly 40 books (yes, you read that right), won multiple indie book awards, and built a dedicated community of readers who can’t get enough of her stories. And if you think that’s impressive, just wait until you hear about her work ethic—early morning Zoom calls with fellow authors, daily writing sprints, and enough creative energy to power a warp core.

When she’s not writing, Kathryn’s quilting—because apparently, she doesn’t believe in half-measures when it comes to crafting things of beauty. And while I may not have much use for needle and thread on my ship, I can definitely appreciate the kind of precision, patience, and passion it takes to bring something new into the world, whether it’s a perfectly pieced quilt or a captivating novel.

So buckle up, folks, because Kathryn’s here to talk about her writing journey, the quirks that make her stories shine, and what’s coming next in her ever-expanding literary empire. And trust me, you’ll want to stick around for this one.

Want to check out her work? You can find her cozy mysteries as Kathryn Mykel here, and her clean romances as Kathryn LeBlanc here. You can also visit her website at www.authorkathrynmykel.com. Happy reading!

 Are you suiting up for the DCU, or is MCU more your speed? 

Ah, I’m a DCU fan—but I have to admit, I had to look up the acronyms! Shameful, I know. Fun fact: my writing coach once assigned me homework to watch all the Marvel movies in order to study character, story, and series arcs. My guy was thrilled. Me? Eh, not so much.

 Did Firefly get robbed, or was one season enough? 

Definitely gone too soon! I loved it. I’m a big Joss Whedon fan and an even bigger Nathan Fillion fan.

 What’s your go-to writing fuel? 

Hot chocolate, 100%! I’ve never been a coffee drinker. My main characters almost always drink hot chocolate in my books, while my secondary characters tend to be the coffee and tea lovers.

Are you a strict-schedule writer, or is it more of a "whenever inspiration strikes" situation?

I’m a full-time (and then some) author. Mornings are for writing, evenings are for editing, and everything in between is marketing, admin, and running the business side of things.

My daily routine? I wake up just before 8 AM and hop on a “co-working” Zoom call with a half-dozen other authors. We chat for about 30 minutes, then go off mic/camera and write until 10:15 AM, when we check in on our progress. Sometimes we’ll do another writing session together, sometimes we’ll split off.

From noon to 4 PM, it’s all book business. Then after dinner, I’m back at it, working anywhere from 8 PM to 1 AM—especially if I have a deadline or a new release on the horizon.

When did you first sit down and say, “Yep, I’m writing a book”?

I wrote my first book, Sewing Suspicion, in April 2021 when I was 43. I wanted something mobile, a way to earn income from anywhere. My writing coach challenged me to finish my first rough draft in six weeks—I met the challenge, but it took another six months to navigate everything from cover design to editing to learning the ins and outs of launching a book.

What’s your non-writing obsession?

That’s an easy one—quilting! But I only have one afternoon a week to indulge. My good friend hosts a Saturday morning quilting session, and she knows the rest of us workaholics wouldn’t get any quilting time if she didn’t make us set it aside.

How many books have you written, and do you have a favorite?

As of this moment? I’m releasing my 38th book in three years. By the time this interview goes live, I’ll have at least two more out, and I’ve got six books already lined up for 2025.

Do you get a lot of reader feedback?

I love interacting with readers, and my newsletter is all about engagement. I respond to dozens of emails daily—puzzle answers, weekend stories, book reviews, questions about the series. I even had an email exchange with an ARC reader that sparked new ideas for the second half of my Quilting Cozy Mystery series!

I read every review (yes, even the nerve-wracking ones), and while the praise is nice, I really value the deeper, thought-provoking feedback that helps me improve. My goal is always to create the best book I can with the tools and knowledge I have at the time.

Does writing leave you energized or absolutely drained?

Typing for hours is exhausting (and it’s not great for my eyesight lately), but the creative parts of authoring absolutely energize me.

What’s a trap new writers fall into?

Oh, that’s a good one! I’d say one of the biggest traps is thinking it’s easy. Writing a book? That’s one thing. But publishing and selling a good book that actually makes money? That’s a whole different level of work.

What’s your writing Kryptonite?

Procrastination.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I always meet deadlines, and I thrive under pressure. But I am the world’s best procrastinator. Right now? I should be writing, but instead, I’m having a blast answering these interview questions. My author friends laugh because, even when I’m "procrastinating," I still manage to get an absurd amount done.

Do you write under your own name, or do you use a pen name?

I write under two names—Kathryn Mykel and Kathryn LeBlanc. And I’ve got a third pen name in the works, but I can’t spill the details on that one just yet!

Do you chase originality, or do you focus on what readers want?

I try to hit a sweet spot—marketable books that will sell and original, quirky twists that make them stand out.

I love mashups. I’ll take two or more unrelated concepts and make them work together. If you sat in on my writing group, you’d hear me say, “I need a really bizarre idea for insert story plot here.” My fellow authors (who write across all genres) give me the wildest suggestions.

One time, they gave me four or five completely ridiculous ideas, and by the final paragraph of the book, I had managed to include all of them. Was it my best book ever? No. But was it a blast to write? Absolutely.

Writing is usually a solo gig, but do you have an author crew?

Oh, 100%. My author friends are invaluable. Each of them has different skills, creative insights, and life experiences that I don’t, and we all lean on each other.

One of my biggest weaknesses? Digging deep into character motivation. Luckily, others in my circle excel at that, so I get to learn and grow from them. We’ve all made each other better writers.

Do you write standalones, or are your books all connected?

Most of my books can be read as standalones, but I love slipping in connections between series. Some are obvious—recurring characters, shared locations—but others are hidden Easter eggs for my longtime readers.

For example, in my cozy mysteries, my characters are constantly reading the same book—Beach Brawl. It pops up all over the place. And guess what? I finally wrote it. So now, my characters aren’t just reading a made-up book—it’s real, and readers can get their hands on it, too!

What’s the best money you’ve ever spent as a writer?

Three things:

1. Newsletter builders. I use them almost every month and have built a strong reader base over time.
2. BookFunnel. I use it daily for newsletter swaps, promotions, and ebook distribution (especially for my Kickstarter campaigns).
3. Premade book covers. I often write to cover—meaning I’ll come up with a story concept after buying a cover that speaks to me.

What formats do you write in?

I write across multiple formats:

• Short stories (30–50 pages) – Usually for anthologies with Aconite Cafe. They’re great for craft development and exposure.
• Novellas (~100 pages) – Cozy mystery and wholesome historical romance.
• Full-length cozy mystery novels (~175–200 pages) – Readers call them "quick reads," but they’re packed with story.

Are you self-published, traditionally published, or both?

Self-published all the way. I can’t speak to traditional publishing, but I love having total control over my books.

How many unfinished or half-written books do you have?

Unfinished books? Just one. And it was the first book I ever started writing. I hit the halfway point, showed it to my writing coach, and they pretty much told me, “Yeah, no.” So I scrapped it and started my Quilting Cozy Mystery series instead.

But if you’re asking how many premade covers I have waiting for books? Forty-eight. I accumulate them faster than I can write!

What’s coming next?

I’m rolling out Quiltload of Trouble, the second book in my new Heatherton Series, exclusively on Kickstarter. In the spring, I’ll launch my third campaign for When Quilts Fly.

After that, 2025 is all about wrapping up my Quilting Cozy Mystery series, with Patchwork Perils and Seaming Uncertainty both on the way!

And there you have it, folks! Kathryn LeBlanc—quilter, storyteller, and self-professed procrastination powerhouse—has given us a peek behind the curtain of her writing life. From her caffeine-free, hot-chocolate-fueled writing marathons to her ever-growing stash of book covers waiting for their stories, she’s proof that creativity comes in many forms (and sometimes, in fabric).

If you love cozy mysteries with a quilting twist, clean romance with heart, or just want to see what 48 unwritten book covers might eventually turn into, you know where to find her. Check out her work under Kathryn Mykel for quilting cozy mysteries and Kathryn LeBlanc for wholesome romance.

Want to stay in the loop? Grab a book, sign up for her newsletter, and don’t be shy—she loves chatting with readers!

📚 Website: www.authorkathrynmykel.com

📚 Amazon (Cozy Mysteries – Kathryn Mykel): Click Here

📚 Amazon (Clean Romance – Kathryn LeBlanc): Click Here

That’s a wrap for this interview, but if I know Kathryn, she’s already off plotting her next book—or “procrastinating” by making more work for herself. Either way, I can’t wait to see what she does next!