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A $7M book deal, a bestselling series, and living on the Gulf Coast — now that’s worth writing about.
Meredith Wild. Photos by Sean Murphy Long barefoot walks on the beach holding hands with a gorgeous partner, a gold-flecked pareo slipping down a tanned shoulder, reflecting the last rays of the sun. And by day, a sun umbrella poked in the sand, an iced tea in the cooler, and a good book before taking a plunge in gentle blue waters from which she emerges refreshed, like a modern goddess-mermaid. The stuff of romance novels? Ask Meredith Wild, one of the most successful erotic romance novelists of our time. Meredith, who started collecting lucky elephants and Indian Ganesha figurines as a girl (her parents owned an auction house in the Midwest), has certainly had those elephants come through for her. Lucky she is indeed—though luck is always just a small part of huge writerly success. She made publishing headlines when she signed a seven-million-dollar book deal for Hacker, her best-selling series, and we’re talking a #1 New York Times bestseller.
Now living in her dream house along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, her days are much like the romance novels she pens. She’s a flip-flop wearer in a place she says feels like summer all year long.
Her downtime, sounding not unlike the aforementioned romance novel, is indeed spent with her partner walking on the beach, watching sunsets, and taking care of six cats (two are strays). Lest it sound like all leisure, she’s also the mother of three and runs a very successful publishing company. Not to mention she’s always at work—idea-catching for forthcoming novels to satisfy her legion of fans.
We met on video chat and had a long talk about books, travel, and life. Meredith, a former English major, looks much like a romantic heroine herself, with slightly tanned glowing skin, long blond hair, and sapphire blue eyes. Wearing a silver nose ring from college days that she recently found in her jewelry box, and a sleeveless blue top that matched her eyes, she was forthright and modest, intellectual and earthy, powering on as always though getting ready to plan a short winter vacation in the Bahamas before returning to rule her book empire.
I asked if she owns a corset, and indeed, she has one at the ready because you might find her (hint, hint) at an upcoming masquerade ball in Orlando. She’ll be garbed in a Marie Antoinette-type pannier dress and wearing a mask, as mysterious romantic characters have been known to do throughout the ages.
A book, a book sleeve (to protect it from the elements!), and a notebook in case I get any ideas during my downtime.
Certain series of mine I categorize as erotic romance. The Red Ledger series is considered romantic suspense. Right now, I’d say I write in those two subgenres.
I definitely write for myself—the story has to be intriguing for me personally. And I write for my loyal readers who have shared their thoughts about my work over the years, so I feel it’s important to give them a story they will enjoy.
My favorite beaches are Henderson Beach State Park in Destin, Florida, and Seven-Mile Beach, Grand Cayman.
I love a day at the beach when the water is calm and flat, and all you need to do is stick a big umbrella in the sand and pull out a good read. I could spend hours that way.
I haven’t written much erotic lately, and The Red Ledger was very much “fade to black” through much of the romance of the main characters. In general, I just try to stay true to the characters and the context of the book.
I often go back to The Passion by Jeanette Winterson. I’ve been really drawn to her writing over the years, and that one has always bewitched me.
Torn by Carian Cole. It’s a really emotional slow-burn story with a ton of intensity between the main characters.
Maybe the word sex gets caught in spam/content filters? Not sure.
Yes, I have some male readers, and several who have read The Red Ledger, as that has more suspense elements.
As a businesswoman, I enjoy exploring shifts in power dynamics and power play in most of the romance novels I write. I started writing my first novel with the goal of portraying an empowered and successful heroine.
Intelligence, creativity, sensitivity.
I love getting dressed up and having a romantic dinner out, ideally, in a big city I’ve never been to.
You’ll usually find me in some combination of black, which takes up most of my closet (not exactly beachy but a remnant from my many years living in New England). And I never leave home without a little Derek Lam 10 Crosby perfume—a gift from my partner.
I write under a pseudonym mainly to protect my privacy.
A flat in Paris or Prague, or a cozy beach town in Costa Rica.
I’ve only ever written contemporary romance, but historical is definitely my favorite subgenre, maybe because those were the first romances I read as a teenager or because of my enduring love for Jane Austen.
