Meet Elle Kennedy, New York Times bestselling author from Canada who most notably wrote and published the popular Young Adult series Off-Campus.
Her Campus (HC): When did you begin writing?
Elle Kennedy (EK): I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. Before I could even hold a pencil, I was trying to tell stories to my family. When I was six, I wrote my first “book,” which was about 20 pages—my mom still has it somewhere around the house! Storytelling has just always been my favorite thing to do.
HC: Which character of yours do you relate to the most? Do you model any of your characters after people in your life?
EK: I relate to most of my characters in small ways. Sometimes I might take bits of my personality and include them when writing—other times, I’ll read over a book when I’m done and see parts of myself I didn’t realize I’d included! I try not to model my characters after real people, though, as there’s too much pressure in my head to get them “right.”
HC: What do you start with when writing a book?
EK: For some books, I’ll write a very detailed outline, with character sketches, plot points and backstories, especially if I’m writing a suspenseful romance with lots of sub-plots or suspense threads to keep track of. Sometimes, I might just have a random idea for a scene and somehow I’ll build a book off of that. For example, in The Deal, the very first scene I wrote was the first love scene.
HC: What advice would you give to people who want to begin writing?
EK: Just do it! Write often and be open to receiving feedback (and criticism) from people you trust. Don’t be married to your words. A book can and usually will go through many edits, so you have to be willing to revise or rewrite sometimes.
HC: How do you get started in publishing a book?
EK: When I first started, self-publishing wasn’t a thing, so the usual process was sending query letters to agents and hoping one would take you on. Then, that agent would shop the book to the publishers. However, most agents didn’t represent you if you were unpublished, and most publishers wouldn’t publish you without an agent…the catch-22. Only a few publishers accepted unsolicited (un-agented) manuscripts, and Harlequin was one of them. So that’s where I started submitting.
Nowadays, self-publishing has made it easier for talented authors who can’t find (or don’t want) an agent or publisher to showcase their work and find an audience. But if you want a traditional publishing deal, finding an agent is still the first step in that process.
HC: How did you feel after your first book got published?
EK: Stunned and ecstatic! I always wanted to be an author, so my first published book really was a dream come true.
HC: As a reader, we develop connections to characters especially when they are created in a universe like yours. As an author, do you feel a loss once you finish a novel or a series?
EK: It’s a bittersweet feeling. Sometimes I feel ready to move on to a new idea, especially if the series is a long one. But those characters always stick with me and sometimes I’ll go back and re-read certain books.
HC: Do you think you will ever revisit the Off-Campus/Briar University universe in the future?
EK: Maybe! I never say never, but I know right now I’ve got other ideas I want to explore, and two new series I’m working on—Avalon Bay for St. Martin’s Press, with the first book (Good Girl Complex) releasing February 2022, and a self-published series I’m not ready to announce yet!
HC: How did you work on collaborations with other authors; for example, the Him and Wags series’ with Serena Bowen?
EK: Step one: gush about how much you love their book. Step two: convince them to write with you! With Sarina, it started as an offhand comment about how we should co-write something one day. And the next thing I know, she’s sending me ideas and we’re brainstorming—and suddenly we wrote Him. Collaborating is fun because you always have someone just as invested as you are to brainstorm with when you’re stuck.
HC: When you began writing, did you think that you would grow such a following and publish books in multiple languages?
EK: I’m still amazed by it all, honestly. I love my international readers and seeing all the different foreign covers and editions out there in the world. It’s a surreal experience!
HC: What was your experience like getting published for the first time? Your books, especially the Off-Campus series, were published before BookTok exploded and now you and other authors like Colleen Hoover and Emily Henry have garnered a large fan base. How have you navigated the feedback and attention your books have received?
EK: I love the feedback and excitement I’m receiving from the readers! The attention, not so much; I’m a very shy and private person, so having a social media presence can be daunting. I love interacting with readers, especially on TikTok, but I’m good at taking breaks or big steps back if it ever feels like too much. I’ve been writing full-time for 13 years, so when it comes to bad reviews or attacks, I have a pretty thick skin and try not to let it bother me.
HC: What is your favorite genre to read?
EK: I love a good thriller! Mysteries and thrillers are my go-to genre.
HC: What is your comfort book/series?
EK: The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.
HC: Do you believe in writer’s block?
EK: 100-percent! It’s a very real thing. A couple years ago, I had writer’s block that lasted a year! Sometimes you just need to step back, think about other things and wait for the words to come to you.
HC: If you could have given your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
EK: Don’t stress about bad reviews or rejections. For every person who hates your book, there is a person who is going to love it.
HC: Who are your biggest supporters?
EK: My friends and family. I’m very lucky that I have an amazing support network!
HC: How do you define success? Do you believe that you are successful?
EK: I guess I’d define success the traditional way: the accomplishment of a goal or aim. In that sense, yes, I think I’ve found success in my life. I wanted to be a writer since I was little kid, and I achieved that goal. The rest of it is just the icing on the cake!
HC: Would you ever be interested in taking an intern? (Asking for a friend!)
EK: LOL! I have no idea what an intern of mine would even do! I’d probably just make you go to the dog park with me and my pups a lot.
Thank you so much, Elle Kennedy. Your books help a nervous and anxious person like me get lost in a whole new world and grow into the strong and confident woman I am today. Your books are truly inspiring, and I am so absolutely starstruck that my favorite author answered my email.
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