About Celeste Fenton:
I’m a widow, mother of twin sons, proud grandmother, semi-retired professor, and lifelong lover of stories, dogs, and small towns with big character. My writing is shaped by years spent in education, a fascination with intrigue, an appreciation for the mysteries of the heart, and—let’s be honest—a wildly active imagination.
I grew up in a small Florida town with one IGA grocery store, a diner where everyone gathered over coffee and blueberry pie, and no McDonald's in sight. Back then, I couldn’t wait to leave for the big city life I saw on TV. Now that I live in a city, I find myself drawn back to small towns—traveling to new ones whenever I can, sometimes for a month at a time. Go figure.
I’ve been to all 50 states, co-owned an educational consulting business, and had a long career in both secondary and higher education. When my beloved husband was alive, we loved to travel—and I still carry that spirit with me. These days, my big projects are writing my Mysteries of a Heart series, building a media presence, and bingeing YouTube tutorials so I can tackle DIY home projects with more optimism than skill.
In between writing and marketing, I take walks with my spoiled Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and happily spoil my grandchildren even more.
What inspires you to write?
A few things, really. Sometimes it’s the big stuff—the resilience of the human spirit, the way people survive heartache, loss, and grief and still manage to move forward with grace and grit. But more often, it’s the little things that catch me off guard: a mother absentmindedly stroking her child’s hair while waiting in line at Target, a toddler melting down over a toy, or the way my dog lights up the moment I walk through the door. When I’m sad, she quietly rests her head in my lap—and somehow, that always says more than words.
Lately, my granddaughter has taken an interest in writing, and I’ve found such joy in helping her structure her stories. I look at my youngest grandson and marvel at the little human he’s becoming—how much knowledge he’s soaking up in that busy toddler brain. And my oldest grandson? He’s always been an old soul, and watching him grow into the kind, thoughtful young man he is now makes me wonder: who will he become over the next ten years?
That’s what inspires me most, I think—the way people change, grow, stumble, and rise again. Life is full of stories. I just try to catch a few of them on the page.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
That’s a tough one—mainly because I love to read everything and I bounce between genres depending on my mood (or the weather… or the snack I’m eating).
When I’m in my mystery or mystery-romance phase, I reach for C.J. Box for tight plotting and layered characters, Janet Evanovich and M.C. Beaton when I want laughs with my murder, and Nora Roberts when I’m in the mood for a little danger and a little spice.
When I’m feeling romantic, you’ll find me curled up with a Bridgerton novel or anything by Lisa Kleypas—she never misses. And when I want something more introspective or literary, I reach for Elizabeth Berg, Elizabeth Strout, or Amor Towles. Their writing stays with me long after I’ve finished the last page.
Basically, my nightstand is a genre buffet—and I’m not even sorry.
Tell us about your writing process.
My writing process starts with observation. I notice things—small, everyday moments that spark something deeper. A conversation overheard in line at Target, a gesture between strangers, a heated discussion at an HOA meeting. One of the scenes in Captive Heart between Darcy and Artemis was inspired by my own dog and the cat down the street from us. Those details stick with me, and over time, they percolate. I jot them down on whatever I have handy—a napkin, a post-it, my journal, or the notes app on my phone.
Once an idea takes shape, I sketch out a basic outline: the story, the characters, and how I imagine their arcs. But that often changes as I get to know them. The more I write, the more real they become—until they start talking back, lobbying for more page time, and occasionally hijacking the plot.
After the first draft, I go through and patch the plot holes, layer in character development, and try to turn the rough story into something meaningful. Then my editor steps in—she’s sharp-eyed, honest, and keeps me grounded (which is helpful, because I’m the world’s worst at editing my own work; my brain fills in what should be there, not what actually is). We usually go through three or four rounds of revision, back and forth. I’m also lucky to have a trusted group of beta readers who give thoughtful, honest feedback before the final version takes shape.
Writing, for me, is part intuition, part craft, and a whole lot of listening—to the characters, the story, and the world around me.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Oh, I listen—they just don’t always return the favor.
Lola is particularly snotty when she doesn’t get her way. Gabby gives me the silent treatment when she’s mad. Gail and I mostly drink wine together and avoid responsibility. And Abe? Pssst… she might be my favorite. But don’t tell anyone—especially not Jay. He’s already cocky enough.
They’re all noisy in my head, competing for attention like it’s a dinner party and I forgot to make dessert. Writing them is less about control and more like herding cats. With secrets.
What advice would you give other writers?
Write the story that’s calling to you—even if it’s messy, even if it scares you, even if you have no idea where it’s going. Especially then.
Don’t wait until you feel ready. You’ll never feel ready. Write anyway. Time is ticking, it’s not waiting.
Give yourself permission to be terrible in the first draft. That’s what editing is for. (And if you’re anything like me, you’ll need a good editor who doesn’t let you get away with your own nonsense.)
Also—read widely. Learn from everyone. Celebrate your weird. And for the love of plot twists, don’t compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s finished novel. Everyone's writing journey is unique.
And finally: caffeine helps. So does a dog. Or wine. Or all three. And chocolate fudge brownies.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
For me, self-publishing was about two things: control and time.
After a long career in education, I didn’t want to wait a year (or three) for someone else to decide whether my story was worth telling. I knew I had something to say, and I didn’t want to spend the next decade chasing gatekeepers. Self-publishing gave me the freedom to shape my own path—to make creative choices, set my own timeline, and connect directly with readers who enjoy the kind of stories I write.
My advice to new authors? Explore all your options. Traditional publishing, hybrid, indie—there’s no one-size-fits-all path anymore. Know your goals, do your research, and trust your gut. If you want full creative control and you're willing to learn the business side, self-publishing can be an incredibly empowering route.
Just remember: whether you’re indie or traditionally published, you are still the captain of your story.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think the future of book publishing is wide open—and honestly, that’s exciting. We’re living in a time where readers can discover books in dozens of ways: bookstores, BookTok, Instagram, eBooks, audiobooks, indie press, and yes, even that little free library down the street.
Self-publishing has leveled the playing field in many ways, giving writers more control and faster paths to readers. At the same time, traditional publishing still offers reach and credibility for many authors. I don’t see one replacing the other—I see room for both.
What amazes me most is how rapidly the industry has changed. Just ten years ago, the idea of launching a writing career from my kitchen table was laughable. Now it’s not only possible—it’s happening—to me!
What really matters is connection. Readers want authentic stories, strong voices, and characters that stick with them. Whether a book is printed by a major house or uploaded from a laptop at the kitchen table, I believe good stories will always find their audience. The future of publishing? It's flexible, fast-moving, and full of opportunity—for writers who are willing to be brave, learn the ropes, and write from the heart.
What genres do you write?: Cozy Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Mystery Romance, Women's Fiction, Book Club Fiction, Mystery
What formats are your books in?: eBook, Print, Both eBook and Print
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Celeste Fenton Home Page Link
Link To Celeste Fenton Page On Amazon
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
