Before being discovered by an agent and a publishing house, Amy Daws sold approximately 350,000 copies of a single book, turned another into a movie, and reached No. 1 on Amazon’s best-seller list—all from her kitchen table in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

She has built a seven-figure income while enchanting over 110,000 followers on Instagram and more than 150,000 on TikTok, in addition to producing her own audiobooks.

In her decade-long career, Daws has authored and self-published over 20 titles, focusing on adult contemporary romance—or as she candidly labels it, “smut.” Her narratives showcase classic romantic tropes that delight readers and keep them eagerly turning the pages. When will the main characters finally kiss?

Daws acknowledges that she’s adept at drawing suspense for her readers, but she has now attracted the notice of an international publisher. After ten years of self-promotion, she has officially partnered with HarperCollins, widely recognized as one of the “Big 5” publishing houses (the others being Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, and MacMillan).

Transitioning from self-publishing to a major publisher is a significant milestone, and it’s not often that a prolific writer like Daws makes such a shift. Colleen Hoover is another recent example of this leap.

“We’re huge fans of Daws’ work,” states John Jacobson, her editor at Canada-based Canary Street Press, which operates under HarperCollins.

The publisher plans to launch her next book from a new series in the coming year, as well as re-release some of her earlier works with fresh covers in paperback, e-book, and audio formats.

“There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing your books on the shelves of retailers like Target and Barnes & Noble, and we are thrilled to help Amy achieve that,” Jacobson adds. “New readers will get to discover her work.”

‘The queen of girl talk’

For Daws, marketing is nearly as crucial as writing itself.

“I’m more than just a writer,” explains 41-year-old Daws, who resides in South Dakota’s largest city with her husband and their 12-year-old daughter. “I’m also an entrepreneur. Success brings added responsibilities, so I handle the marketing, advertising, writing, design work, and overall creative direction. It’s vital to stay visible as an indie author, and I feel it’s quite competitive out there, making it important for me to be involved in every aspect.”

This also involves forging connections with her fans. Much like a love interest in her stories, she remains fiercely loyal to her readers.

“Readers will wait for hours for a photo with her and for her to sign their books,” recalls Tricia Derbyshire, a fan from Chicago who met Daws at a book expo in 2022 and has since read her entire catalog. “They even bring her gifts. Amy has an incredible ability to captivate new readers with her vivaciousness and humor.”

Jill Degen, a reader who participated in a book club with Daws, expresses that the characters in her books come alive as if they are her closest friends.

“Her quick-witted humor and romantic storylines make her books so captivating,” Degen notes. “She truly is the queen of girl talk.”

Jacobson, Daws’ editor, mentions that they have had their eyes on her talent for a long time, charmed particularly by her humor.

“Getting a genuine laugh out of someone is tough, and Amy excels at it,” Jacobson observes.

However, Daws injects a complexity into her characters that keeps readers engaged.

“Amy is wonderfully intricate beneath all the fun, often addressing deep personal.

“It’s about tackling difficult subjects,” explains Jacobson, who reached out to Daws via email earlier this year to inquire if she had inked a deal with a publisher yet.

Jacobson was the one showing interest in Daws more than she was in the publisher.

“The essential element is that undeniable chemistry between characters – that thrill you’re looking for – and Amy embodies that,” Jacobson notes. “I believe readers will connect with Amy on a profound level, regardless of the circumstances.”

In Great Company

Daws will seamlessly integrate into the lineup of authors when her work hits the shelves of national retailers.

Markell Boysen, the manager at Barnes & Noble in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, remarked that their store has seen a surge in spicy romance novels and that their top-selling national authors include contemporary romance writers.

Boysen highlighted authors like Penelope Douglas, Lauren Asher, and Elle Kennedy, whose steamy works have developed a demanding audience that can never seem to get enough.

Although Daws mentions that some of her peers are capable of “publishing five books a year,” she feels no pressure to rush her writing. With a publisher backing her and a devoted fan base, she can take her time.

“It’s thrilling to see my progress, yet I’m equally happy with where I currently stand,” Daws reflects. “This journey has allowed me to embrace my lifelong dream of being a mother.”

Recommended Reads

Here’s a list of Daws’ published works, categorized by series:

London Lovers, her debut series

• “Becoming Us”
• “A Broken Us”
• “London Bound”
• “Not The One”
• “Challenge”
• “Endurance”
• “Keeper”
• “End Goal” (a short story)
• “Surrender”
• “Dominate”
• “Payback”
• “Blindsided” (this title gained immense popularity on TikTok, reached No. 1 on Amazon’s best-seller list, and has sold over 330,000 copies and counting)
• “Replay”
• “Sweeper”
• “Strength”