Lana Ferguson: On Will-They-Won’t-They Romances
Author Lana Ferguson discusses the process of writing her new romance novel, The Nanny.
Lana Ferguson is a sex-positive nerd whose works never shy from spice or sass. A faded Fabio book cover found its way into her hands at 15, and she’s never been the same since.
When she isn’t writing, you can find her randomly singing show tunes, arguing over which Batman is superior, and subjecting her friends to the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings. Lana lives mostly in her own head but can sometimes be found chasing her corgi through the coppice of the great American outdoors. Find her on Facebook and Instagram.
In this post, Lana discusses the process of writing her new romance novel, The Nanny, the surprises in the publishing process, and more!
Name: Lana Ferguson
Literary agent: Jessica Watterson at SDLA
Book title: The Nanny
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Release date: April 11, 2023
Genre/category: Romance
Elevator pitch for the book: A woman discovers the father of the child she is nannying is none other than the man she got too close to only to disappear during her days on OnlyFans.
What prompted you to write this book?
I wanted to explore the dynamic of two people with a shared past that they don’t immediately connect suddenly experiencing forced proximity. I like the tension that comes with “will-they-won’t-they” romance, of two people who are obviously attracted to each other but also in a position that makes them hold back.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
The entire process from story conception to publication was around 14 months. Originally, there was no OnlyFans element. It was added not only to give Cassie and Aiden’s shared past a little something different (I loved the idea of two people who have already been intimate and yet don’t know it suddenly have to interact daily and discover each other all over again in a different way), but also as an opportunity to portray sex work in a positive way, something that can sometimes be lacking in the media.
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
The entire process was a learning experience. I have to believe that, like me, someone new to this industry might believe that the process involves only “writing a book,” but there are so many tiny elements happening behind the scenes. Publishing is an entire network of little moving parts that all work cohesively to put out (what one hopes) is a good book. From PR to copy edits to social media outreach … I learned quickly that writing the book is only step one. It’s been a long process, but a fun one.
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
I think the biggest surprise for me was discovering the amount of unyielding patience my friends have for me. After the 16th time of asking, “Could you read this and tell me if it’s terrible?” one would think they would abandon me, but they still love me (mostly).
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
I hope that readers will have a laugh, a sweat, and a little swoon. All I can ever ask for with one of my works. If I’ve given you that, it’s enough for me.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
Allow yourself to bask! With deadlines and pressure to deliver something that people will enjoy, there are oftentimes moments where we get so stressed that we don’t allow ourselves even a tiny moment to just bask in the experience that is writing a book. It’s a major accomplishment, and I am more than guilty of not taking the proper time to relish it.
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Editor of Writer's Digest, which includes managing the content on WritersDigest.com and programming virtual conferences. He's the author of 40 Plot Twist Prompts for Writers: Writing Ideas for Bending Stories in New Directions, The Complete Guide of Poetic Forms: 100+ Poetic Form Definitions and Examples for Poets, Poem-a-Day: 365 Poetry Writing Prompts for a Year of Poeming, and more. Also, he's the editor of Writer's Market, Poet's Market, and Guide to Literary Agents. Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
