• Home
  • Get Savannah’s Weekly Email!
  • Get to Know Savannah
  • Get Your Book Swag
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Savannah Scott Romcom Author

What’s in a name? A pen name, that is

August 30, 2021 By Patty 4 Comments

30 Aug

I’m doing something new … and that’s almost always a good thing.

Writing my first romance

In April of 2020, in the middle of a pandemic, I discovered my love for writing fiction. I had this character in my mind for almost a year prior, but I didn’t know if I could write a story that could hold together. Up until that point, I had written non-fiction to bless moms on my blog, in journal articles, in co-authored parenting books, in my book for parents of preteens and teens, and my book and devotional in the Slow Down, Mama set. 

But, in April, I took the risk. Some writer friends encouraged me, and I sat down to craft the story of a photojournalist who has sworn off men until she meets a buttoned up executive with a dream he hasn’t shared with anyone. Kat and Jack’s story (Love’s Second Chance) was published June 2020, and I was smitten with writing clean romance. I write all my clean romance under the name Patty H. Scott. 

My first series

The rest of that Unforgettable Love Stories series flowed out at the rate of a story every two months. I wrote about a fireman and a school teacher in a friends-to-lovers story called The Fireman’s Perfect Match. Then I wrote about a Texas Rancher who falls in love with a woman who works in the trendy fashion industry in Los Angeles in an opposites attract, interracial romance, Romancing the Rancher. After that I wrote my first enemies to lovers story in Not Falling for My Boss. And I wrapped up that series with Winning the Single Mom’s Heart, a story of Madison and Michael in a second chance love story that readers loved. 

My second series

After finishing that series, I had a yearning to write a small-town series where all the books and characters would be interrelated even though the stories would be stand-alone reads. I had certain elements of the beach town in mind, so I made up the fictional town of Cypress Cove and set four books there in the Calloway Inn Series: Someone to Hold (opposites attract), Someone to Love (friends-to-lovers), Someone to Kiss (age-gap with a woman who loses her vision), and Someone to Keep (fake romance with a man and woman recovering from addiction). 

A funny story

In the middle of writing that second series, I started imagining a Romcom (romantic comedy) I wanted to write. I read some books about writing comedy and I would jot down random scenes as they occurred to me. I had conversations with other authors I respect about the shift in focus from clean romance to romcom. By nature, comedy pushes limits.

Why have a pen name?

I knew some aspects I might draw upon in romantic comedy wouldn’t be as tame as most of what is in my clean romance. If you think of Dry Bar Comedy (clean comedy acts you can see online), that’s the kind of content I’m talking about. But, that may not appeal to all readers who want to read clean romance.

And some of the readers who might come to know me through reading my romcoms, may not be interested in clean romances.

I will never include premarital sex or descriptions of sexual encounters beyond kissing in my books. All my books will stay PG and closed door. Going into this shift, though, I knew my romcoms would push more boundaries because that’s what comedy does. And I wanted to be true to what readers expect from me.

What you see is what you get

One of the things we authors have to grapple with is the necessity of building trust with our readers. We need to be clear through our covers, our blurbs (descriptions of our stories) and our content as to what we are writing. When a reader picks up a book, a writer wants them to find what they came to read. When we present one thing and deliver another, we break the reader’s trust. And that’s something I never want to do. 

Imagine picking up a book with a scene of a sweet couple standing on the seashore holding hands, you anticipate a clean romance with a happily ever after. But when you start reading, the first scene is a graphic murder and the story contains the mystery that ensues as the police hunt down the criminal. You would be shocked and disappointed … and ultimately, you wouldn’t trust that author’s books again. The next time you saw a sweet cover on one of their books, you would not buy it (if you don’t enjoy murder mysteries and you are looking to read clean romance). 

That kind of misrepresentation hurts both readers and authors.

Because my two genres will have slightly different content and my comedy will push the limits more than my clean romance, I decided to take on a pen name for my romantic comedy. I’ll be writing those books under the name Savannah Scott.  

I want to help you know what I’m offering when you pick up one of my books. When you choose to read a book by Patty H Scott, I want you to know you’re getting clean romance with swoon-worthy kisses, relatable characters in a setting you’d like to call home.

When you pick up my romcoms by Savannah Scott, I want you to know that you are getting a story laced with humor and where I might push some limits for the sake of comedy. I want you to trust I won’t ever cross lines or go behind closed doors. You’ll be getting stories that will make you laugh, smile and give you all the feels including the happily ever after you long for. 

Love Laughter and Happily Ever After

When I write, I hope you find books that delight your heart and help you escape real life a little. I’m writing love, laughter and the happily ever afters you crave.

If you want to hear about my books, get sneak peeks into my writing before it is released, and get recommendations of other clean romances and clean romcoms I recommend, you can sign up for my weekly Sweet Reads email. I love connecting with you!

Share
Pin
Tweet
Share

Filed Under: Sweet Clean Fiction

About Patty

I write to encourage your heart, feed your soul, and give you wisdom for your life. Motherhood is my passion. I've been married to my surfer/skater husband for over 20 years.  We have two boys and a home full of neighbor kids most days.

« Our Real Friends-to-Lovers Story
Friend(shipped): A small town, friends-to-lovers romcom [First Chapter] »

Comments

  1. Nita says

    August 31, 2021 at 9:49 AM

    I’m really looking forward to your romcoms. I love the clean, but I think I’ll gobble up the romcoms!

    Reply
    • Patty says

      November 8, 2021 at 1:51 PM

      I am so glad, Nita. I think you will really love it! It was so fun to write. I’m looking forward to you getting a chance to read this story!

      Reply
  2. Valerie says

    December 18, 2021 at 5:39 AM

    I just finished reading “Friend(shipped) and loved it. I didn’t want to put it down. I appreciate that it is a clean romcom, and funny it was. I often laughed out loud. When I ordered it I also pre-ordered “Battle(shipped).” I am anxious for it to come out. Keep writing those romcoms!

    Reply
    • Patty says

      February 12, 2022 at 12:32 PM

      Thank you so much, Valerie! I love hearing this. Rob and Laura’s story will be a little different (of course … all stories are!), but there is still a good bit of humor and so much swooniness (That’s not a word, but hey). They have the second-chance, enemies-to-lovers thing going for them and I love the way Rob fights to win Laura back. I can’t wait to get it into your hands!
      Blessings ~ Patty (Savannah)

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi, I’m Savannah …

I’m a Zumba dancing, coffee sipping, road tripping girl and I love writing closed-door romcom!

My stories make you laugh, smile, and sometimes keep you up past your bedtime chanting the famous reader mantra, “just one more chapter.”

I hope you find your next sweet escape in one of my books.

You can read more about me on my “Get to Know Savannah” page.

I love hearing from you! Sign up for my weekly email, join my reader group on Facebook, or follow me on Instagram so we can connect more often.

Want to talk books, books, books?

I'd love to bless you with my weekly sweet reader email!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

I’d love to connect with you on Social Media …

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Yep. You heard that right. I have a reader group Yep. You heard that right. 

I have a reader group on FB. And I pop in there a few times a week. And the readers love one another and even pop in there when I’m not there. ❤️

We share books, humor, and encouragement. ❤️

And, today I read for six minutes on a “come as I am” LIVE VIDEO (in my ball cap and flannel shirt with no makeup … because that’s what I’m looking like today). 🤪❤️

I read a section from Brooks’ prologue which is from when he and Gabriela first met (three years ago) at the engagement of Aiden & Em (from Townshipped). ❤️

It’s a scene that sets the tone for the insane chemistry between Brooks and Gabriela in Cruiseshipped. There’s banter and humor. And it’s me, reading. ❤️

Wanna hear it? 

Hop over to Savannah (Patty) Scott’s Sweet Reader Group on Facebook. Ask to join. I’ll let you in. You’ll love this sweet group of readers. ❤️ 

And then find a cozy spot and curl up for a little story time. With heart. And heat. 😉😂❤️ But clean. Always closed door. Always. 

All my links, including the link to my FB group, are in my bio! ❤️

#savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #cruiseshipped #cruiseshippedbook #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #readaloud #authorreading #bookexcerpt #romcomreadersofinstagram #bookstagram #sweetromance #sweetromcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #authorlive #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #cruiseshipromance #shipboardromance #smalltownromancebooks
Welllll …. Here it is!! One month. The shortes Welllll …. Here it is!! 

One month. The shortest month of the year (you’re welcome), until this sweet baby is in Amazon and KU. 

I’m smitten with the cover, and I hope you are too!

We’ve got … 
🐄 the small town of Bordeaux Ohio
💍 Memaw and Bill’s wedding 👵🏼 👴🏻 
🛳️ a cruise
🌴 the Caribbean
🎉 shenanigans
💃🏻a sassy, bold, Puerto Rican MFC 
🔥 a hot fireman
💋 hotter kisses

Mark your calendars … or go preorder. 
March 1st — CruiseShipped. 
Put the Bon in your Voyage! 

And, meanwhile feel feee to catch up on the series with any of the other books. All stand-alone reads. All on KU … and the first three are out in audio. 🌊❤️🛳️🥰

#coverreveal #bookcoverreveal #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #closeddoorromance #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #romcomreaders #bookstagram #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #forcedproximityromance #cruiseshipped #cruiseshippedbook #newrelease #authorreel #amwritingromcom #firemanromance #firemanromancereads #vacationromancebooks
#wipwednesday Can I tell you how excited I am to #wipwednesday

Can I tell you how excited I am to show you the rest of this cover? 

My sister outdid herself on this couple. And between @gigiblume and my sister and me, we got the background and fonts just the way I wanted them. 

Trust me. This cover is EXACTLY how I pictured Brooks and Gabriela. It has the vibes of their relationship, and the characters look exactly like I imagined them. 

So many hours go into designing a cover. My sister and I spend hours “fishing together,” as we call it. That’s the time we hunt the internet for a couple in a pose we want to use as a template for the couple’s stance. 

Then she or I (or both of us) will look for images of models online who look like I imagine the characters looking. 
This part is harder than it sounds. I have a very specific idea of each character.

In the meantime, I figure out what element of the story should be the background. Gigi and I hunt for line-drawing images that seem like what we’re looking for. Then we draw out our concept from there. Sometimes I do a rough draft. Sometimes Gigi does. Then we build on that initial concept. 

When my sister finishes her illustration of the couple (after hours of work on her part, and multiple passes by me for input), she sends me the illustration of the couple. 

Gigi places the couple over the background, adds the title and my author name, and then we tweak placement until we’re all happy. 

And, today, we’re all happy with this cover for CruiseShipped! 

I’ll be doing a full reveal tomorrow or Friday!!! 

#coverreveal #romcombooks #sweetromance #sweetromcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #amwritingromance #amwritingromcom #savannahscott #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #bookcoverdesign #newrelease #ilovemyreaders #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries
Ahhhh! These two!! The chemistry between Brooks + Ahhhh! These two!! 
The chemistry between Brooks + Gabriela made it hard for me to keep them apart at all. Whew! ❤️🔥

And even though this is #WIPWednesday , this is not actually still a WIP … sort of. 

The last words were written on Jan 23. CruiseShipped is with my story editor … soon to come back to me. 

And … this week … you’ll get: 

✅ a cover reveal! 
✅ ARC Team Sign-Ups
✅ Bookstagrammer Sign-Ups

I always love the current WIP most. It’s just a thing with me. But, honestly, this book has heart, chemistry, banter, deep friendships, culture, travel, and forced proximity, all with a happily ever after that will leave you smiling. 

#cruiseshipped #cruiseshippedbook #gettingshipped #hettingshippedseries #newrelease #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #romcombooks #sweetromcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #romcomauthor #amwritingromance #amwritingromcom #bordeauxohio #smalltownromance #beachromancebooks #travelromance #forcedproximityromance #puertoricanstories
This is a meet not-so-cute. Of course, Grumpy Gr This is a meet not-so-cute. 

Of course, Grumpy Grant couldn’t have a meet-cute. If there’s such a thing as a meet-crabby, this is it. 

I never knew I liked writing grumps. Grant was so much fun to write. The contrast between him and Jayme—with her optimism and spunk was delightful. 

And Grant’s daughter Fiona added so much to the story. Jayme takes Fiona on as a tutor. Of course, this means she has to see Grant many times each week. 

And it means she gets to know the man behind the broody exterior. 

Do you love grumpy/sunshine trope? 

#teasertuesday #tuesdayteaser  #doctorshipped #doctorshippedbook #gettingshipped #gettingahippedseries #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #smalltownromance #ohiolove #singledadromance #grumpysunshine #grumpysunshineromance #romcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #sweetromcom #bookstagram #bookishcommunity #newrelease #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #ilovemyreaders #singledadromance
#romcomauthor #amwritingromance
#amwritingromcom
This is not how it’s done. You don’t share a This is not how it’s done. 

You don’t share a book that won’t be out til summer in late January. 

But… I finished writing CruiseShipped on the 23rd. And I’ve had a week to recuperate from that massive project. I’ve plotted (loosely) the next series that will come after Getting Shipped. 

And I’m ready to step forward. This book was NOT in my plans. But, enough of you asked for Chris’ story that I gave it some thought. 

And Chris, in his chill, reserved, alpha way, asked for his story to be told. And the gal who falls for him (reluctantly) asked for her story to be told. 

So … here we go. I’m starting work on this book—the last book in the series that literally changed the trajectory of my career as an author, built a town so many of us wish were real, and brought us laughs and tears and HEAs. 

Ripped & Shipped … the story of an ex-military man and the woman who helps him move forward … hopefully coming in June. 

But, yessssss! CruiseShipped comes first. March first. And if my story editor is right, you are going to LOVE Brooks & Gabriela’s story. 

ARC signups open this week. Squuueeeeee! ❤️

#rippedandshipped #workinprogress #amwriting #authorlife #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #mysterymfc #militaryromancebooks #smalltownromancebooks #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #closeddoorromance #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #romanceloversofinstagram #romcomloversofinstagram
80s night 💜💕 80s night 💜💕
Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · Patty H. Scott · All Rights Reserved