We chat with author Anna E. Collins about Worst In Show, which is a rivals-to-lovers romcom following a woman ready to do whatever it takes to save her grandpa’s shop—even if that means training a wild pup for a dog show, side-by-side with her greatest rival.
Hi, Anna! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Sure thing. I’m a former high school teacher turned author, and while I’ve always loved writing, I didn’t start writing full-length fiction until my thirties when I moved to the US from Sweden. I currently write romantic comedies and women’s fiction for two different publishers, and I love genre jumping because of the the variety it offers. When not writing, I like baking, singing with my daughter, drawing, and hanging out with my dog (and my family) here in our woodsy corner of the Pacific Northwest.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I still have a few short stories I wrote growing up—most of them reflecting teenage angst I’m afraid—and I wrote a lot of songs when I was younger. I often found it easier to express myself in writing. My love for reading came from my parents who were both teachers, had lots of books at home, and encouraged regular trips to the library, which remains one of my favorite places to this day. I read voraciously from a young age, preferably series wth strong female protagonists like Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Praire.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Disregarding early children’s books, Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian was my first big reading experience that really stayed with me.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Twilight. Maybe that sounds odd, but the escapism it provided when I was a new mom made me want to create fictional worlds of my own.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Boys in the Boat by James Daniel Brown about the UW rowing team in the 1930s Olympics. It’s nonfiction and a story of resilience that I think about quite often, especially living in the Seattle area.
Your latest novel, Worst in Show, is out August 13th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Dog-friendly, Lighthearted, Romantic, Banter-y, Fast-paced
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect a rivals-to-lovers adult romance with competing pet stores, an amateur dog show, secret online identities a la “You’ve Got Mail,” pranks, sweet family relationships, and enough pup shenanigans to last you until Christmas!
Where did the inspiration for Worst in Show come from?
I couldn’t have written Worst in Show if not for my sweet goldendoodle, Archie, to whom the book is dedicated. The mix of smart and silly, the extra love and laughter, the tricks and activities—Archie is echoed in all of it. Add to that that I really enjoy writing romantic couplings that start in delicious antagonism, and Worst in Show was born.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing the grand gesture in the finale (that I won’t give away here) because it shows Leo outside his comfort zone in what I think is a really comical situation. I also love writing dialogue and banter in general and infusing the relationships with honesty to see where that takes the characters.
What do you love about the romance genre?
Where else do you get a Happily Ever After? There’s a comfort in knowing the characters will work out their problems even though their lives can seem pretty challenging at times. I also find human relationships fascinating, so writing romance gives me an excellent opportunity to explore those deeply personal dynamics on the page.
What’s next for you?
After Worst in Show, I have another women’s fiction title coming out in February with the working title The Night of the Crash and then another romcom next August that I’m currently revising. After that, hopefully many more sparkling book ideas and happy readers!
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?
Oh, so many good ones. I discovered Anabel Monaghan this year and devoured all three of her books. Under a Flaming Sky by Daniel James Brown taught me about fire storms and stayed with me a long time. You With a View by Jessica Joyce, and Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood were also five star reads. Right now I can’t wait to read Liane Moriarty’s new one, Here One Moment.
