Author Chat with Samantha M. Bailey

Hi book lovers!

It’s been a while since my last author chat, so I’m really excited to have my friend and thriller writer Samantha M. Bailey on the blog today to tell us more about her latest book, A FRIEND IN THE DARK! It’s hard to believe we’ve been pals sharing this writing journey for over a decade now. I have fond memories of Sam coming out to readings and launches in Toronto and hanging out with her and my husband afterwards. She’s a talented writer and stalwart friend. I love all her books and I know you will too.

Thanks so much to Sam for taking the time and I hope you all enjoy!

A xo

AK: While your book is about many things, I love that it stars a middle-aged woman having a sexual awakening of sorts, we need more books like this! What inspired you to include this aspect and explore female sexuality? 

SMB: Thank you! I’ve always been fascinated by female sexuality. As I thought about Eden, one of my main characters, I envisioned her as a woman who never had a sexual awakening when she was younger because she felt shame and discomfort about her desires. She believed being “good” meant crossing off all the “supposed tos” in life, diminishing her sensual identity and putting her own needs last. Her partner, Dave, also shares these uncomfortable feelings. Now that Eden is alone, and lonely, remembering Justin, the one man who ever compelled her to lose her inhibitions, I wanted to explore how a middle-aged woman would approach lust and desire for the first time. A woman who’s finally letting herself feel this very overwhelming, addictive urge, because it’s a vital and healthy part of life, at every age. But because she’s taking risks without the experience to protect herself, and wants to believe that she can trust this man she used to know, she puts herself in danger.  

AK: Where did the idea for the book come from? 

SMB: The pandemic sparked a lot of artistic inspiration, I think. It led me to contemplate how very deep and close our online connections have become, because of the isolation we experienced. As well, anyone who develops a bond through shared goals and journeys can very quickly become attached to a person behind a screen. It feels like a safe space. I was quite inspired by my deep friendships with other authors. Without even talking to someone face to face, we reveal our most private thoughts and feelings to each other because we understand each other. But how well do we really know who we’re talking to?  

AK: For those that are curious, what would you say are the biggest differences between traditional and digital publishing?

SMB: This is such a good question. Digital publishers do provide and distribute physical copies of their books, but the focus is online. I absolutely love the team at the traditional publisher of my first two books, from the editing to marketing, publicity, and sales, and I’m equally thrilled with my experience at my digital publisher for my subsequent two. I do think that digital publishers have great insight into the mysterious algorithm we all talk about and how to reach a very wide audience. The price point for digital books is also appealing to readers. But I don’t think one model is better than the other. I think it depends on the author’s goals for each specific book. For me, my goals with A FRIEND IN THE DARK and HELLO, JULIET have been for more US readers to find me, and hopefully enjoy my books. 4. Your book was an Amazon First Reads selection, yay! Can you tell us a little about what that experience was like? It was wild! I am so honored and fortunate that A FRIEND IN THE DARK was chosen for Amazon First Reads, because it helped me achieve the goal I mentioned above of reaching a wider US audience. And though the number of people suddenly reading my book felt daunting at times, it was a gift. I’m very grateful for the readers who already knew me and my work and for all the new people I’ve met through the experience.

AK: What’s next for you?

SMB: My next domestic thriller, HELLO, JULIET, is out April 29, 2025 with Thomas & Mercer. It was so much fun to write, perhaps the most fun I’ve ever had with a book. For the first time, I was able to travel for research, and it’s set in LA. I went during the Canadian winter, which was excellent timing on my part. I don’t have the official description yet, but it’s about Hollywood, fame, longing to belong, and the deadly price of becoming extraordinary. More to come soon! 

Samantha M. Bailey is the USA TODAY, Amazon Charts, and #1 international bestselling author of WOMAN ON THE EDGE, optioned for TV series adaptation, WATCH OUT FOR HER, and A FRIEND IN THE DARK. Her novels have sold in twelve countries. She lives in Toronto, where she can usually be found tapping away at her computer or curled up on her couch with a book. Samantha’s next domestic suspense, HELLO, JULIET, will be published in April 2025. You can connect with her on Instagram at @sbaileybooks and on Facebook at @samanthabaileyauthor.