Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Lavoie.
Hi Paige, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi there! My name is Paige Lavoie, and I’m a Halloween-loving Orlando local who writes stories about misfits, monsters, and falling in love. I grew up in a haunted house in the suburbs of Michigan and as a result, I absolutely adore cozy autumn moments and all things cute and creepy.
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but the thing that got me into storytelling was discovering webcomics in the early 2000s. Very much a mall-goth I found inspiration in things like Emily The Strange, Invader Zim, Edward Gorey, and Tim Burton and drew up my comics and posted them on a Yahoo GeoCities website (as well as MySpace!) lol definitely dating myself.
I also wrote a lottttt of fanfic, mostly LOTR self-insert, which honestly, can you blame me? Eventually, my doodles became a comic series, and while I loved creating, I found my favorite part of the process was writing not drawing.
I think it makes sense that nearly two decades later I’ve swung back around to writing fantasy and paranormal romances, like my campy Mothman series “I’m In Love With Mothman.” But I love how titles like “Our Own Little Underworld” honor my days of being a shy goth girl drawing in the local cemetery.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think self-doubt has always–and will always be a struggle for me. I wish there was an easier way to quiet that little voice that says I’m not good enough, and while having a writing community, friends, and a supportive husband helps that inner battle isn’t always easy.
Things like seeing five-star reviews or getting tagged in amazing posts featuring my books are the most surreal feeling, and I’m just truly grateful to anyone who reaches out to tell me that I story I’ve written has provided them with a laugh, and escape or comfort. It’s the best feeling in the world.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
During the pandemic, I needed something to work on that felt like it was just for me. I had this silly idea of creating a romance starring the cutest cryptid–Mothman. A classic story really, a Girl ditches her life on social media, moves to the woods, giant forest monster falls on her roof…
My inspiration for the book was classic small-town romances, (think cheesy Christmas movies) with a paranormal spin. I have to tell you, I haven’t had so much fun writing something since I was a teenager and it’s surreal. I signed with my publisher 4 Horsemen Publications the same year I began writing for a three-book deal following the characters and the “Mothman In Love” series was born.
Since then it’s been sold in select B&N across the U.S., Indie Bookstores, and sold out at the Mothman Festival. and I’ll be celebrating the release of the second in the series I’M ENGAGED TO MOTHMAN at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn (one of my dream bookstores) on Nov. 17th!
When I started writing a romance novel about Mothman all I knew was it made me feel happy, I’m so glad it’s given others the same feeling. It’s all more than I could have ever hoped and reminds me always to chase the ideas that bring me joy. (even if they might sound silly to someone else!).
Do you have any advice for those just starting?
Go to writing events! I know it seems scary, but it’s a great way to meet new friends, learn, and grow as a creator.
Reader events like YALLfest and Books Gowns and Crowns, are so much fun and a great way to engage in your bookish fandoms while discovering new authors, going to panels and most importantly making friends!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.paigelavoie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paigelavoieauthor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaigeLavoieAuthor
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@paigelavoieauthor
