Penny Chapman asked Penelope Douglas:

Hi Penelope, you write very brave stories. Some like Corrupt, were very controversially for some readers. (Not for me I like it dark and dirty). But as an author myself, i wonder, if you're ever afraid to publish a story like that? Or a story with scenes like the steam room? I know not everyone will love what i write, but i'm really scared to publish my second book, because it is much darker than the first one.

Penelope Douglas Hey, Penny!

I am always scared of what readers will think. But as I release more books it gets easier to handle. Corrupt pissed a lot of people off, but a lot of people loved it, too. For many, it was their favorite book of 2015. To have that strong of a love for one of your books, you have to know you're going to get strong hate, too. At the end of the day, I wrote the book I adored with every fiber of my being, and it's the only book I've written where I wouldn't change a thing if I could go back.

And you should be scared. It means you care. But one thing I've tried to take with me through all of this is...if YOU like it, OTHERS do, too. You need to find your readers. Your tribe. You validate each other and you don't feel so alone or odd for liking what you like. Just don't try to be someone you're not or write things you don't like just to fit a mold or shock people. Do your thing, and there are no regrets.

xoxo Good luck!

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