Your Name: Anne Carter
1. Where you are from and where are you now?
Although I was born in the Midwest, I have lived in So. California, where I still reside, nearly all my life.
2. How did you get started writing?
I took a creative writing class in middle school, and have been writing ever since. My first publishing credits were for short stories and poetry.
3. What do you do when you are not writing?
I dabble in photo editing and art, I own a small business and my number one job is parenting my three kids.
4. What would readers like to know about you?
That I am a pretty average person—except that I get asked if I personally research the romantic intimacy scenes in my books…
Seriously, like someone else I know, I am a lighthouse nut and find them enchanting and inspiring. I collect them, visit them, write about them. I even lived in one for a brief period while writing POINT SURRENDER.
5. What inspired your first book?
My first book, STARCROSSED HEARTS, is about the entertainment industry—movie stars, if you will. Since I grew up a stone’s throw from Hollywood, I was very focused on the movie and TV business. As an adolescent, I used to fantasize about being an “extra” on a movie production. That’s exactly where that first book starts.
6. How many books have you written?
Five published, three in process.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
STARCROSSED HEARTS, contemporary romance; A HERO’S PROMISE, (sequel) romantic suspense; IN TOO DEEP, contemporary romance; POINT SURRENDER, romantic paranormal mystery; and, writing as Pam Ripling, LOCKER SHOCK!, middle grade mystery.
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre?
I think most writers write in the genre they enjoy reading. My middle grade reader was inspired by my sons when they were in junior high school.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track?
Who said I did?
Actually, when I am writing a story and it becomes unfocused, I usually discover I’ve made a wrong turn and must backtrack to where I fell off-track.
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
Hopefully, one leads to the other. I write because I have to. The money I make is a lovely side benefit. I wish I could say it was enough to be truly motivating…
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used?
Print advertising; direct mail (postcards); press releases; personal appearances; radio interviews.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used?
Appearing/speaking in non-traditional venues, such as coffee houses, wine shops, dinner assembly stores; on-line events.
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?
My own website is located at www.BeaconStreetBooks.com.
14. Where can people order your books?
Print copies through Amazon.com at:
http://www.amazon.com/Point-Surrender-Anne-Carter/dp/1590805143/ref=pd_b...
E-Books available at:
http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/AnneCartereBooks.htm
15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?
My books are available in print and e-book (multiple formats)
16. Will you write more books?
I don’t see an end to it anytime soon.
17. What do you have in the works now?
CAPE SEDUCTION, romantic paranormal mystery;
THE GYPSY IN ME, contemporary romance (3rd in the StarCrossed trilogy)
OLD ENOUGH, middle grade reader
18. What does the future hold for you and your books?
I hope to be able to devote more time to my writing career in the coming year. More time to write and promote. I also feel the publishing industry is at a crossroads, is evolving. I believe whole-heartedly in the future of the electronic book reader. It’s taken much longer to “catch on” than I thought it would, but it hasn’t gone away. I personally read primarily e-books.
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
Develop an on-line presence through such avenues as MySpace, Author’s Den, my own website, and various romance reader sites.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?
Probably print advertising, where I did not secure repetitive exposure in the same media.
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh. For more information, visit – www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Promotional Interview with Judy Gregerson
Judy Gregerson was born at the very end of Long Island on a very warm and sunny summer day. Everyone was happy she made it because the cord was wrapped around her neck and there were a few scary moments before she popped out.
The rest of her life went a little better. She grew up in a town that shut down at 5 p.m. and got out as soon as she found a college that would accept her. That was SUNY Oswego and she attended school with famous people like Bruce Coville, Al Roker, and Jerry Seinfeld. Ok, only Bruce was there at the time and she didn’t know him. But it makes for good copy.
After college, Judy worked as a newpaper copy editor, a marketing assistant at Viking/Penguin, in the advertising department of The New York Times, and then had various jobs at an ad agency, doing public relations, and the likes. Finally, she worked herself into an ulcer and moved to the west coast.
Her first book was published in 1980 by Doubleday (a memoir) and she was named in Who’s Who in America that year. It really didn’t help her any. In fact, no one seems to remember.
Judy now lives in the Seattle area with her two daughters, husband, dog, cat, frog, gerbil, and two mice. She is currently seen doing yard work and getting the mold off her windows.
Your Name: Judy Gregerson
1. Where you are from and where are you now?
I grew up on the eastern end of Long Island but I live in the Pacific Northwest now.
2. How did you get started writing?
I played around with writing when I was a kid and then again in my early twenties, but I got serious about it when I was about 25 and started working on my first book.
3. What do you do when you are not writing?
I do a lot of research. I’ve also gone back to college to finish a new degree. In the summer, I travel a little. I read, watch TV, and hang out with my husband and my kids.
4. What would readers like to know about you?
Well, I take very seriously what I write and I only write about the things that are important to me. I try to write them in a way that everyone will see a part of him or herself in the character because I believe that emotions are universal and we all experience the same emotions, but to different degrees.
5. What inspired your first book?
I made a friend in NYC who had published a book and he convinced me that I could, too. I think that I needed someone to believe in me back then and when he did, I decided that I could do it. So, I sat down and started doing audio tapes which I later transcribed into my first draft.
6. How many books have you written?
I have two published books and probably 8 unpublished.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
Save Me! A Young Woman’s Journey Through Schizophrenia to Health, Christian, and Bad Girls Club, Young Adult/crossover.
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre?
I consider myself a coming of age writer because all my books are about that time in a person’s life. I feel most comfortable there, with a main character who’s about 17-21. The topic is usually something that has puzzled me or something I want to explore in greater detail and make more accessible to people. With Bad Girls Club, I wrote about parentification. Hardly anyone knows what it is, but they recognize it when they see it and they’ve probably seen it from time to time in their life. The idea that children can reverse roles with their parents and become the parent fascinates me. In fact, any kind of role reversal fascinates me, but I thought that readers would find it interesting, too. Also, I like to look at things from a new angle and bring something to the table that a reader wouldn’t have seen before. I think I’ve been successful in doing that.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track?
Ha! It can be hard. I have so much going on in my life right now that I’m probably horribly out of focus. But I’m also good at being disciplined when I have to, so if I have something to do, I can sit down and get it done. When I’m writing, I fully thrust myself into it and I can work 10-12 hours a day for 3-4 months. Then I pull away and digest what I’ve written before I go back to it.
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
Oh, it’s probably a bit of both. I enjoy the writing immensely. But who wouldn’t want to make money at it? In fact, I think that most people, if they were honest, would admit that they want to make money at it, even if only a little. I think an artist should be paid a fair wage. I have no problem with that.
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used?
I’ve used direct mail and email. I also belong to an authors’ marketing cooperative and did the AuthorBuzz program with M.J. Rose.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used?
I worked hard to figure out my niche markets and I contacted people who were movers and shakers in those areas to get endorsements and reviews. That has paid off for me big time because my niche markets have grown and are bigger than I thought they’d be.
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?
I’m not self published, so I don’t sell through my website. For one, I don’t want to get involved with the tax stuff. And my books are available on Amazon and will be in Borders and Barnes and Noble, so there’s no need to buy through me. People can learn more about my book at www.judygregerson.com and I have links to an independent bookstore on my page, as well as Amazon and B&N.
14. Where can people order your books?
Amazon, B&N, chains stores, indy bookstores. Basically, anyone who sells books can get mine. Bad Girls Club will be in the big chains this spring, so that would also be a good place to look for it.
15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?
Right now, just print.
16. Will you write more books?
I have a few in the works that are in various stages of undone. Sometimes I work on a book for several years, picking it up for a while and then leaving it for a time, then going back. I’ve never just written something, revised it, and called it done. My stories seem to require more time and depth and the more I revise, the more I see how I need to revise more. It’s a vicious circle really, but I do love to revise.
17. What do you have in the works now?
I have a coming of age story about a girl whose mother deserts her in a grocery store parking lot and leaves her behind with a very eccentric extended family and never returns. I have another book done about a girl who lives in a trailer park and who’s trying to find her place in the world.
18. What does the future hold for you and your books?
Well, I am hoping that Bad Girls Club will reach the teen and adult audiences who really need to read it and that I build a strong readership for my next book. People who have read Bad Girls Club ask me when my next book is coming out, so I need to get that sold and out there so I can get to work on the next.
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
I think that sending out ARCs really helped a lot. I was fortunate in that I had enough to send to librarians and reviewers (online) and that so many of them were very generous in reviewing it quickly and gave it great reviews. That created a momentum and buzz for my launch, which was quite successful. Bad Girls Club stayed in the top 10 on 5 Amazon Bestseller Lists (New Releases) for almost 3 months.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?
Oh, I had a few media contacts that really didn’t work out, but that kind of stuff is so iffy anyway. You hope that the media bites. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. I did have one large national newsletter go out with a blurb about my book but they failed to mention my name, email, website address or anything else that would have made it possible for them to find the book and then when I discovered the error, they wouldn’t correct it. That was pretty sad, but stuff like that happens.
Synopsis for Bad Girls Club
Destiny has a secret. She’s been told not to tell anyone what happened to her, her little sister, and her mother at Crater Lake. Or that her mother is mentally ill and hits her little sister.
But the secret is killing her and every day she remembers the bad thing she did at Crater Lake. Her boyfriend, Joshua, and best friend, Chloe, don’t understand. When she pulls away from them, and refuses to leave the house, they don’t realize that she’s trying to fix the mistake she made. They only know that she’s slipping away.
But trying to hold her family together doesn’t work. Destiny feels a darkness in the house and when Mom gets out of the psychiatric hospital, it takes over. First it attacks her little sister, and then it comes for her.
Destiny has to choose whether to expose the lies and the darkness or tell the truth about what happened at Crater Lake.
Can the truth really set her free? Or will she remain what her mother has always called her--a bad girl?
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh. For more information, visit – www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm.
The rest of her life went a little better. She grew up in a town that shut down at 5 p.m. and got out as soon as she found a college that would accept her. That was SUNY Oswego and she attended school with famous people like Bruce Coville, Al Roker, and Jerry Seinfeld. Ok, only Bruce was there at the time and she didn’t know him. But it makes for good copy.
After college, Judy worked as a newpaper copy editor, a marketing assistant at Viking/Penguin, in the advertising department of The New York Times, and then had various jobs at an ad agency, doing public relations, and the likes. Finally, she worked herself into an ulcer and moved to the west coast.
Her first book was published in 1980 by Doubleday (a memoir) and she was named in Who’s Who in America that year. It really didn’t help her any. In fact, no one seems to remember.
Judy now lives in the Seattle area with her two daughters, husband, dog, cat, frog, gerbil, and two mice. She is currently seen doing yard work and getting the mold off her windows.
Your Name: Judy Gregerson
1. Where you are from and where are you now?
I grew up on the eastern end of Long Island but I live in the Pacific Northwest now.
2. How did you get started writing?
I played around with writing when I was a kid and then again in my early twenties, but I got serious about it when I was about 25 and started working on my first book.
3. What do you do when you are not writing?
I do a lot of research. I’ve also gone back to college to finish a new degree. In the summer, I travel a little. I read, watch TV, and hang out with my husband and my kids.
4. What would readers like to know about you?
Well, I take very seriously what I write and I only write about the things that are important to me. I try to write them in a way that everyone will see a part of him or herself in the character because I believe that emotions are universal and we all experience the same emotions, but to different degrees.
5. What inspired your first book?
I made a friend in NYC who had published a book and he convinced me that I could, too. I think that I needed someone to believe in me back then and when he did, I decided that I could do it. So, I sat down and started doing audio tapes which I later transcribed into my first draft.
6. How many books have you written?
I have two published books and probably 8 unpublished.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
Save Me! A Young Woman’s Journey Through Schizophrenia to Health, Christian, and Bad Girls Club, Young Adult/crossover.
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre?
I consider myself a coming of age writer because all my books are about that time in a person’s life. I feel most comfortable there, with a main character who’s about 17-21. The topic is usually something that has puzzled me or something I want to explore in greater detail and make more accessible to people. With Bad Girls Club, I wrote about parentification. Hardly anyone knows what it is, but they recognize it when they see it and they’ve probably seen it from time to time in their life. The idea that children can reverse roles with their parents and become the parent fascinates me. In fact, any kind of role reversal fascinates me, but I thought that readers would find it interesting, too. Also, I like to look at things from a new angle and bring something to the table that a reader wouldn’t have seen before. I think I’ve been successful in doing that.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track?
Ha! It can be hard. I have so much going on in my life right now that I’m probably horribly out of focus. But I’m also good at being disciplined when I have to, so if I have something to do, I can sit down and get it done. When I’m writing, I fully thrust myself into it and I can work 10-12 hours a day for 3-4 months. Then I pull away and digest what I’ve written before I go back to it.
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
Oh, it’s probably a bit of both. I enjoy the writing immensely. But who wouldn’t want to make money at it? In fact, I think that most people, if they were honest, would admit that they want to make money at it, even if only a little. I think an artist should be paid a fair wage. I have no problem with that.
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used?
I’ve used direct mail and email. I also belong to an authors’ marketing cooperative and did the AuthorBuzz program with M.J. Rose.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used?
I worked hard to figure out my niche markets and I contacted people who were movers and shakers in those areas to get endorsements and reviews. That has paid off for me big time because my niche markets have grown and are bigger than I thought they’d be.
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?
I’m not self published, so I don’t sell through my website. For one, I don’t want to get involved with the tax stuff. And my books are available on Amazon and will be in Borders and Barnes and Noble, so there’s no need to buy through me. People can learn more about my book at www.judygregerson.com and I have links to an independent bookstore on my page, as well as Amazon and B&N.
14. Where can people order your books?
Amazon, B&N, chains stores, indy bookstores. Basically, anyone who sells books can get mine. Bad Girls Club will be in the big chains this spring, so that would also be a good place to look for it.
15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?
Right now, just print.
16. Will you write more books?
I have a few in the works that are in various stages of undone. Sometimes I work on a book for several years, picking it up for a while and then leaving it for a time, then going back. I’ve never just written something, revised it, and called it done. My stories seem to require more time and depth and the more I revise, the more I see how I need to revise more. It’s a vicious circle really, but I do love to revise.
17. What do you have in the works now?
I have a coming of age story about a girl whose mother deserts her in a grocery store parking lot and leaves her behind with a very eccentric extended family and never returns. I have another book done about a girl who lives in a trailer park and who’s trying to find her place in the world.
18. What does the future hold for you and your books?
Well, I am hoping that Bad Girls Club will reach the teen and adult audiences who really need to read it and that I build a strong readership for my next book. People who have read Bad Girls Club ask me when my next book is coming out, so I need to get that sold and out there so I can get to work on the next.
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
I think that sending out ARCs really helped a lot. I was fortunate in that I had enough to send to librarians and reviewers (online) and that so many of them were very generous in reviewing it quickly and gave it great reviews. That created a momentum and buzz for my launch, which was quite successful. Bad Girls Club stayed in the top 10 on 5 Amazon Bestseller Lists (New Releases) for almost 3 months.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?
Oh, I had a few media contacts that really didn’t work out, but that kind of stuff is so iffy anyway. You hope that the media bites. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. I did have one large national newsletter go out with a blurb about my book but they failed to mention my name, email, website address or anything else that would have made it possible for them to find the book and then when I discovered the error, they wouldn’t correct it. That was pretty sad, but stuff like that happens.
Synopsis for Bad Girls Club
Destiny has a secret. She’s been told not to tell anyone what happened to her, her little sister, and her mother at Crater Lake. Or that her mother is mentally ill and hits her little sister.
But the secret is killing her and every day she remembers the bad thing she did at Crater Lake. Her boyfriend, Joshua, and best friend, Chloe, don’t understand. When she pulls away from them, and refuses to leave the house, they don’t realize that she’s trying to fix the mistake she made. They only know that she’s slipping away.
But trying to hold her family together doesn’t work. Destiny feels a darkness in the house and when Mom gets out of the psychiatric hospital, it takes over. First it attacks her little sister, and then it comes for her.
Destiny has to choose whether to expose the lies and the darkness or tell the truth about what happened at Crater Lake.
Can the truth really set her free? Or will she remain what her mother has always called her--a bad girl?
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh. For more information, visit – www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Promotional Interview with Marilyn Meredith
Marilyn Meredith is the author of Smell of Death. This is a bit about her latest book ----
A missing child, strange burglaries, the murder of a mother and her daughter disrupt the peaceful beach community of Rocky Bluff. Officer Stacey Wilbur assists Doug Milligan with the investigations and she finds herself breaking her long-standing rule of never dating anyone who works for Rocky Bluff P.D.
PROMOTIONAL INTERVIEW WITH MARILYN MEREDITH
You have been invited to share your promotional experience with others who visit the Inspired Author Self Promotion web pages. Inspired Author is a great resource for writers who want to learn more about writing, freelancing, working at home, promotion and much more. We invite you to visit www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion.
Your Name: Marilyn Meredith (also F. M. Meredith)
1. Where you are from and where are you now?
I grew up in Los Angeles CA, married a sailor and traveled to Virginia and Maryland, lived many years in Oxnard CA near the Port Hueneme Seabee
Base, and now we're in Springville CA which is located in the foothills of
The Southern Sierra.
2. How did you get started writing?
I drew stories even before I could read or write, thanks to my mom listening
to soap operas on the radio. I've been writing stories ever since I knew how.
In junior high, I wrote and printed and sold my own magazine. Also wrote plays for the neighborhood kids to star in.
3. What do you do when you are not writing?
Most of my day is spent in front of the computer. If I'm not actually writing, I'm doing promotion. I also do writing for others--including ghost writing. By
evening, I'm ready to read or watch TV. My husband and I try to go to a
movie every week or so. I have a big family, so I do spend time with them
kids and grandkids and greats when possible. I'm also active in my church.
4. What would readers like to know about you?
I'm one of these people who never gives up, despite many, many rejections
over the years, two publishers dying who were publishing my books, getting
tangled up with a couple of crooked publishers, I kept going.
5. What inspired your first book?
My first book was an historical family saga based on my family's genealogy.
My sister did the genealogy and I was so fascinated by what she found out and all the unanswered questions, I decided to some research into the places and times the family was there and try to figure out why they moved from here to there. It was fascinating--and I wrote a book about each side of my family.
6. How many books have you written?
That I'm not sure about. What I do know is I have over 20 published books, and two that I have contracts with my publisher.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they? I have so many I'll just tell you about the latest ones. Anyone who'd like to know all the titles is welcome to go to my website: http://fictionforyou.com The very latest is Smell of Death, in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series written under the name F. M. Meredith. The latest in my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series is Judgment Fire, and that one is written by Marilyn Meredith. These are crime fiction or mystery
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre?
Mysteries are what I like to read so that's what I've been focusing on.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track? This is something I've never had a problem with. I raised five kids and wrote despite whatever was going on--and there was always plenty going on. I wrote when I babysat grandkids. I wrote when I was caring for six developmentally disabled women. I can be interrupted and go write back to whatever I was in the middle of doing.
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing? If I were writing to make money, I'd have quit long ago. I have to write and that's why I keep doing it. I always hope someone will enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoyed writing it.
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used? Book signings, library talks, presentations to service and women's groups, mailings of postcards and letters, bookmarks, my website, talking about my books on the lists I belong to.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? I always have a book launching in my hometown. I think that Virtual book tours are unique though this is my second one. I do several blogs on a regular basis. I sell books at craft fairs.
13. Do you sell through a website? Yes. If so, what's the address? http://fictionforyou.com
14. Where can people order your books? From the above website and Amazon. com and if you want an e-book of Smell of Death, go to http://www.tigresspress.com
15. What format are your books - e-book, print, audio etc? All of my books are in print as trade paperbacks and also as e-books.
16. Will you write more books? Of course. I'm about half way through a new one.
17. What do you have in the works now? I expect a new Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery to be out in August of this year. And of course, I'm busy promoting.
18. What does the future hold for you and your books? I have no idea. I know what I have planned--but I really can't see into the future. My husband and I will be attending Love is Murder in Chicago, EpiCon in Portland, Public Safety Writers Conference in April and Mayhem in the Midlands in May.
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books? One time I was invited to speak at an AAWU luncheon along with several other authors. The others were all young and quite famous. I told my husband the only way I could compete was to be funny. I was and after the luncheon everyone rushed to my table and I sold over $800 worth of books.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books? Bookstore signings seem to be the least profitable. Sometimes it's difficult to get paid. However, anytime you can meet people and get your name out there it is worth it.
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh. For more information, visit - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm.
Would you like to read a bit of the book? Here is an excerpt from Chapter 1 ---- visit http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2008/02/smell-of-death-by-marilyn-meredith.html
A missing child, strange burglaries, the murder of a mother and her daughter disrupt the peaceful beach community of Rocky Bluff. Officer Stacey Wilbur assists Doug Milligan with the investigations and she finds herself breaking her long-standing rule of never dating anyone who works for Rocky Bluff P.D.
PROMOTIONAL INTERVIEW WITH MARILYN MEREDITH
You have been invited to share your promotional experience with others who visit the Inspired Author Self Promotion web pages. Inspired Author is a great resource for writers who want to learn more about writing, freelancing, working at home, promotion and much more. We invite you to visit www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion.
Your Name: Marilyn Meredith (also F. M. Meredith)
1. Where you are from and where are you now?
I grew up in Los Angeles CA, married a sailor and traveled to Virginia and Maryland, lived many years in Oxnard CA near the Port Hueneme Seabee
Base, and now we're in Springville CA which is located in the foothills of
The Southern Sierra.
2. How did you get started writing?
I drew stories even before I could read or write, thanks to my mom listening
to soap operas on the radio. I've been writing stories ever since I knew how.
In junior high, I wrote and printed and sold my own magazine. Also wrote plays for the neighborhood kids to star in.
3. What do you do when you are not writing?
Most of my day is spent in front of the computer. If I'm not actually writing, I'm doing promotion. I also do writing for others--including ghost writing. By
evening, I'm ready to read or watch TV. My husband and I try to go to a
movie every week or so. I have a big family, so I do spend time with them
kids and grandkids and greats when possible. I'm also active in my church.
4. What would readers like to know about you?
I'm one of these people who never gives up, despite many, many rejections
over the years, two publishers dying who were publishing my books, getting
tangled up with a couple of crooked publishers, I kept going.
5. What inspired your first book?
My first book was an historical family saga based on my family's genealogy.
My sister did the genealogy and I was so fascinated by what she found out and all the unanswered questions, I decided to some research into the places and times the family was there and try to figure out why they moved from here to there. It was fascinating--and I wrote a book about each side of my family.
6. How many books have you written?
That I'm not sure about. What I do know is I have over 20 published books, and two that I have contracts with my publisher.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they? I have so many I'll just tell you about the latest ones. Anyone who'd like to know all the titles is welcome to go to my website: http://fictionforyou.com The very latest is Smell of Death, in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series written under the name F. M. Meredith. The latest in my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series is Judgment Fire, and that one is written by Marilyn Meredith. These are crime fiction or mystery
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre?
Mysteries are what I like to read so that's what I've been focusing on.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track? This is something I've never had a problem with. I raised five kids and wrote despite whatever was going on--and there was always plenty going on. I wrote when I babysat grandkids. I wrote when I was caring for six developmentally disabled women. I can be interrupted and go write back to whatever I was in the middle of doing.
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing? If I were writing to make money, I'd have quit long ago. I have to write and that's why I keep doing it. I always hope someone will enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoyed writing it.
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used? Book signings, library talks, presentations to service and women's groups, mailings of postcards and letters, bookmarks, my website, talking about my books on the lists I belong to.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? I always have a book launching in my hometown. I think that Virtual book tours are unique though this is my second one. I do several blogs on a regular basis. I sell books at craft fairs.
13. Do you sell through a website? Yes. If so, what's the address? http://fictionforyou.com
14. Where can people order your books? From the above website and Amazon. com and if you want an e-book of Smell of Death, go to http://www.tigresspress.com
15. What format are your books - e-book, print, audio etc? All of my books are in print as trade paperbacks and also as e-books.
16. Will you write more books? Of course. I'm about half way through a new one.
17. What do you have in the works now? I expect a new Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery to be out in August of this year. And of course, I'm busy promoting.
18. What does the future hold for you and your books? I have no idea. I know what I have planned--but I really can't see into the future. My husband and I will be attending Love is Murder in Chicago, EpiCon in Portland, Public Safety Writers Conference in April and Mayhem in the Midlands in May.
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books? One time I was invited to speak at an AAWU luncheon along with several other authors. The others were all young and quite famous. I told my husband the only way I could compete was to be funny. I was and after the luncheon everyone rushed to my table and I sold over $800 worth of books.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books? Bookstore signings seem to be the least profitable. Sometimes it's difficult to get paid. However, anytime you can meet people and get your name out there it is worth it.
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh. For more information, visit - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm.
Would you like to read a bit of the book? Here is an excerpt from Chapter 1 ---- visit http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2008/02/smell-of-death-by-marilyn-meredith.html
Promotional Interview with LaConnie Taylor-Jones
Your Name: LaConnie Taylor-Jones
1. Where you are from and where are you now?
I'm a native Memphian and for the last twenty-four years, I've lived in Northern California.
2. How did you get started writing?
The one thing that catapulted me into the writing world was my husband. In the spring of '03, I was in bed reading a novel that was horrible. It was pass midnight and I think my husband was tired of hearing me whine about the book because he said, “Honey, if you can write a better book, do it, but baby, turn out the lights.” I took him up on the challenged and I've never looked back.
3. What do you do when you are not writing?
I'm trying to successfully juggle the responsibilities of wife, mother, and consultant.
4. What would readers like to know about you?
I want readers to know that I take my writing very seriously and will give them nothing less than the very best story I can possibly write.
5. What inspired your first book?
The inspiration for this story came from my experience as a health educator. For the last fifteen years, I've taught health education primarily to African American women in community-based settings. Oftentimes, before I can lecture on the risk factors associated with chronic diseases disproportionally impacting African Americans, I have to deal with the soci-economic deterrents women face. Unfortunately, abusive relationships top the list.
6. How many books have you written?
I've completed two full length novels and I'm just about to wrap up my third.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
When I'm With You is the title of my debut novel. My second book, which is scheduled to release April 1st is entitled, When A Man Loves A Woman. We've selected the title for the third book and it's, If I Were Your Woman.
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre?
The romance genre chose me years ago! In fact, I flunked an organic chemistry midterm after staying up all night to read my first romance novel. The topics for my stories come from my experiences as a health educator.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track?
I set goals for myself whether personal or professional and use The SMART Goal Setting Technique to keep me on track:
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
Right now, I definitely do it for the love of writing. However, I'm preparing myself so that I can make a comfortable living from writing.
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used?
My marketing covers a broad spectrum of promotion techniques including: book signings, blog touring, and book club appearances, to name a few. So far, all are working very well.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used?
Virtual touring is a new marketing concept I'm embarking upon and I must admit I'm enjoying it a lot!!
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what's the address? If not, why not?
No, my book is distributed by Kensington Books so there isn't a need to sell it via my website.
14. Where can people order your books?
Readers can find my book at all of the major bookstores and on-line at Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles.com, Books-A-Million.com, to name a few.
15. What format are your books - e-book, print, audio etc?
My books are in mass market print.
16. Will you write more books?
Absolutely!!! There are simply too many stories inside of me that need to be told for me NOT to write.
17. What do you have in the works now?
Right now, I have two other Works in Progress that are not connecting stories, so I plan to stay pretty busy in 2008.
18. What does the future hold for you and your books?
I'm truly looking forward to the years ahead!! My greatest desire is to continue to develop dynamic characters and write the stories from my heart.
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
Partnering with experienced authors in the romance genre.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?
Hmmm, so far, I've done it all and it's been successful!! However, if I try something in the future and it doesn't work, I'll stop back by and share it.
Check out LaConnie's website at http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/ to see how you can win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.com!
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh. For more information, visit - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm.
1. Where you are from and where are you now?
I'm a native Memphian and for the last twenty-four years, I've lived in Northern California.
2. How did you get started writing?
The one thing that catapulted me into the writing world was my husband. In the spring of '03, I was in bed reading a novel that was horrible. It was pass midnight and I think my husband was tired of hearing me whine about the book because he said, “Honey, if you can write a better book, do it, but baby, turn out the lights.” I took him up on the challenged and I've never looked back.
3. What do you do when you are not writing?
I'm trying to successfully juggle the responsibilities of wife, mother, and consultant.
4. What would readers like to know about you?
I want readers to know that I take my writing very seriously and will give them nothing less than the very best story I can possibly write.
5. What inspired your first book?
The inspiration for this story came from my experience as a health educator. For the last fifteen years, I've taught health education primarily to African American women in community-based settings. Oftentimes, before I can lecture on the risk factors associated with chronic diseases disproportionally impacting African Americans, I have to deal with the soci-economic deterrents women face. Unfortunately, abusive relationships top the list.
6. How many books have you written?
I've completed two full length novels and I'm just about to wrap up my third.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
When I'm With You is the title of my debut novel. My second book, which is scheduled to release April 1st is entitled, When A Man Loves A Woman. We've selected the title for the third book and it's, If I Were Your Woman.
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre?
The romance genre chose me years ago! In fact, I flunked an organic chemistry midterm after staying up all night to read my first romance novel. The topics for my stories come from my experiences as a health educator.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track?
I set goals for myself whether personal or professional and use The SMART Goal Setting Technique to keep me on track:
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
Right now, I definitely do it for the love of writing. However, I'm preparing myself so that I can make a comfortable living from writing.
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used?
My marketing covers a broad spectrum of promotion techniques including: book signings, blog touring, and book club appearances, to name a few. So far, all are working very well.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used?
Virtual touring is a new marketing concept I'm embarking upon and I must admit I'm enjoying it a lot!!
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what's the address? If not, why not?
No, my book is distributed by Kensington Books so there isn't a need to sell it via my website.
14. Where can people order your books?
Readers can find my book at all of the major bookstores and on-line at Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles.com, Books-A-Million.com, to name a few.
15. What format are your books - e-book, print, audio etc?
My books are in mass market print.
16. Will you write more books?
Absolutely!!! There are simply too many stories inside of me that need to be told for me NOT to write.
17. What do you have in the works now?
Right now, I have two other Works in Progress that are not connecting stories, so I plan to stay pretty busy in 2008.
18. What does the future hold for you and your books?
I'm truly looking forward to the years ahead!! My greatest desire is to continue to develop dynamic characters and write the stories from my heart.
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
Partnering with experienced authors in the romance genre.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?
Hmmm, so far, I've done it all and it's been successful!! However, if I try something in the future and it doesn't work, I'll stop back by and share it.
Check out LaConnie's website at http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/ to see how you can win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.com!
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh. For more information, visit - www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm.
Promotional Interview with Cheryl Kaye Tardif
You have been invited to share you experience with our readers.
Name:
Cheryl Kaye Tardif, bestselling author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention
1. Tell us about yourself – where you are from, how you got started writing, what you do when you are not writing (or anything you want our readers to know)
I was born in Vancouver, BC, but moved around a lot as a child. I even spent 3 years in Bermuda, which was a slice of heaven and where I was first really encouraged to pursue my passion for writing. As a teen, I became one of the youngest paid journalists in BC and wrote a weekly column titled Masset Meanderings. But fiction?particularly horror, suspense and mystery?was always my true passion.
I am now a full-time author. I write most days, although sometimes I’m writing articles, blog posts or press releases, and other days I am working on the current novel. I consider myself a full-time promoter of my work, blogging regularly and creating exciting events and contests every month.
When I am not writing you can usually find me watching TV. I am a CSI, Medium, Law & Order, Lost, Journeyman addict, to name a few. And of course, I also enjoy reading!
2. What inspired you to write your first book?
When writing the original edition of Whale Song in 2003, I was inspired by a native legend that I had heard many times while growing up on the Queen Charlotte Islands, which is north of Vancouver Island and very isolated and wild. The legend says that if you see a killer whale close to shore, it is really the reincarnated soul of a loved one who is coming to say goodbye. I think that is such a beautiful vision and a peaceful way to look at death, and as a child, I spent many days walking the beaches and waiting to see a killer whale. That legend is the heart of my novel Whale Song.
3. How many books have you written?
I have written 6 novels (3 published, 2 unpublished, 1 was stolen) plus 2 children’s picture books (unpublished). My most noted works are my published novels: Whale Song (2007), The River (2005) and Divine Intervention (2004). They each explore various degrees of mystery or suspense.
4. How do you decide on their topic?
That’s a tough question. Sometimes the title comes to me first and once I dwell on that, the story plot will often unfold. Many times a character comes to mind, one with a particular problem or challenge. Or the entire plot just “comes to me”. I often say that I don’t pick the plot…it picks me.
5. What works best to keep you focused and on track?
I am an obsessive note keeper. I have notes on post-its stuck to my computer, my desk and walls. These notes help to keep me in line. If I know I have deadlines, I will leave a note for myself at the end of the day, so that I won’t forget come morning. I sometimes have specific days set aside for certain things. The key for me is that I must always accomplish at least three major things each day.
6. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
Money? You mean there’s money in this profession? ;)
Fortunately, I write because it is something I feel compelled to do. The story plots come at me at full speed and take over my thoughts, so maybe I don’t have a choice. I’m thankfully in the position where I have the time to write without feeling obligated to go out and get a job. Writing has been my full-time passion for 4 years now, and I must say, I can’t imagine doing anything else. It has taken more hard work, dedication and commitment than any of my past professions. Writing has been my dream for decades, and I am finally living my dream. As for the money, it will follow…eventually.
7. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used to gain visibility for you and your book(s)?
I started with a website, an absolute MUST-HAVE for any serious author. I have done numerous book signings, probably over 300 in the past 4 years. I’ve lost count. I’ve sent out press releases to media contacts via fax and email. I’ve visited schools, libraries, book clubs and writers’ groups. I’ve even spoken at writers’ conferences in Canada and the US. I’ve also offered review copies to book clubs and reviewers. And I’ve appeared on TV, radio and in newspapers and magazines.
8. What are some unique methods?
I’ve held some unique contests via my websites and blogs. My current contests are Calling All Janets and Create a Corpse (my most popular to date!) I blog about many different topics related to my novels, sometimes obscure but always tied to some aspect of my books or promotion. I’ve taken part in forums and chats, sometimes about writing in general, sometimes about specific topics found in my books.
In August of 2007, I organized a 1-month virtual book tour and held a 44 prize giveaway on my birthday. I participated in an online book fair, a crazy reality TV game show for writers, and Celebrity Chefs, where I cooked up some Strawberry Dumplings.
9. Do you sell through a website?
I advertise my books on my website, but I direct all of my sales to bookstores or Chapters, Amazon, Barnes and Noble etc. For those who enjoy having autographed and personalized books, I offer free bookplates to anyone who orders my books. They just have to email me. This is especially great for those who want to give someone one of my books as a gift.
My main websites are:
http://www.cherylktardif.com
http://www.whalesongbook.com
10. Do you plan on writing additional books?
Again, I don’t seem to have a choice. This is what I do, what I am. I am happiest when I am writing. I’ve completed my fourth novel Children of the Fog and it is being considered at this time by Kunati Books, the publishers who took Whale Song. I am now working mainly on Divine Justice, with Submerged and The 6th Plague to follow.
And I am currently looking for an agent! ?
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh, author of the Book Promo 101 Series.
Name:
Cheryl Kaye Tardif, bestselling author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention
1. Tell us about yourself – where you are from, how you got started writing, what you do when you are not writing (or anything you want our readers to know)
I was born in Vancouver, BC, but moved around a lot as a child. I even spent 3 years in Bermuda, which was a slice of heaven and where I was first really encouraged to pursue my passion for writing. As a teen, I became one of the youngest paid journalists in BC and wrote a weekly column titled Masset Meanderings. But fiction?particularly horror, suspense and mystery?was always my true passion.
I am now a full-time author. I write most days, although sometimes I’m writing articles, blog posts or press releases, and other days I am working on the current novel. I consider myself a full-time promoter of my work, blogging regularly and creating exciting events and contests every month.
When I am not writing you can usually find me watching TV. I am a CSI, Medium, Law & Order, Lost, Journeyman addict, to name a few. And of course, I also enjoy reading!
2. What inspired you to write your first book?
When writing the original edition of Whale Song in 2003, I was inspired by a native legend that I had heard many times while growing up on the Queen Charlotte Islands, which is north of Vancouver Island and very isolated and wild. The legend says that if you see a killer whale close to shore, it is really the reincarnated soul of a loved one who is coming to say goodbye. I think that is such a beautiful vision and a peaceful way to look at death, and as a child, I spent many days walking the beaches and waiting to see a killer whale. That legend is the heart of my novel Whale Song.
3. How many books have you written?
I have written 6 novels (3 published, 2 unpublished, 1 was stolen) plus 2 children’s picture books (unpublished). My most noted works are my published novels: Whale Song (2007), The River (2005) and Divine Intervention (2004). They each explore various degrees of mystery or suspense.
4. How do you decide on their topic?
That’s a tough question. Sometimes the title comes to me first and once I dwell on that, the story plot will often unfold. Many times a character comes to mind, one with a particular problem or challenge. Or the entire plot just “comes to me”. I often say that I don’t pick the plot…it picks me.
5. What works best to keep you focused and on track?
I am an obsessive note keeper. I have notes on post-its stuck to my computer, my desk and walls. These notes help to keep me in line. If I know I have deadlines, I will leave a note for myself at the end of the day, so that I won’t forget come morning. I sometimes have specific days set aside for certain things. The key for me is that I must always accomplish at least three major things each day.
6. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
Money? You mean there’s money in this profession? ;)
Fortunately, I write because it is something I feel compelled to do. The story plots come at me at full speed and take over my thoughts, so maybe I don’t have a choice. I’m thankfully in the position where I have the time to write without feeling obligated to go out and get a job. Writing has been my full-time passion for 4 years now, and I must say, I can’t imagine doing anything else. It has taken more hard work, dedication and commitment than any of my past professions. Writing has been my dream for decades, and I am finally living my dream. As for the money, it will follow…eventually.
7. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used to gain visibility for you and your book(s)?
I started with a website, an absolute MUST-HAVE for any serious author. I have done numerous book signings, probably over 300 in the past 4 years. I’ve lost count. I’ve sent out press releases to media contacts via fax and email. I’ve visited schools, libraries, book clubs and writers’ groups. I’ve even spoken at writers’ conferences in Canada and the US. I’ve also offered review copies to book clubs and reviewers. And I’ve appeared on TV, radio and in newspapers and magazines.
8. What are some unique methods?
I’ve held some unique contests via my websites and blogs. My current contests are Calling All Janets and Create a Corpse (my most popular to date!) I blog about many different topics related to my novels, sometimes obscure but always tied to some aspect of my books or promotion. I’ve taken part in forums and chats, sometimes about writing in general, sometimes about specific topics found in my books.
In August of 2007, I organized a 1-month virtual book tour and held a 44 prize giveaway on my birthday. I participated in an online book fair, a crazy reality TV game show for writers, and Celebrity Chefs, where I cooked up some Strawberry Dumplings.
9. Do you sell through a website?
I advertise my books on my website, but I direct all of my sales to bookstores or Chapters, Amazon, Barnes and Noble etc. For those who enjoy having autographed and personalized books, I offer free bookplates to anyone who orders my books. They just have to email me. This is especially great for those who want to give someone one of my books as a gift.
My main websites are:
http://www.cherylktardif.com
http://www.whalesongbook.com
10. Do you plan on writing additional books?
Again, I don’t seem to have a choice. This is what I do, what I am. I am happiest when I am writing. I’ve completed my fourth novel Children of the Fog and it is being considered at this time by Kunati Books, the publishers who took Whale Song. I am now working mainly on Divine Justice, with Submerged and The 6th Plague to follow.
And I am currently looking for an agent! ?
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh, author of the Book Promo 101 Series.
Promotional Interview with Chris Hoare
Your Name:
Christopher Hoare.
Where you are from and where are you now?
I was born in London, England and am now a Canadian Citizen living in a small community in Alberta against the Rocky Mountains.
How did you get started writing?
I wrote some articles about the desert for a local English language newspaper while I worked in Libya. At the same time, a historical scenario grew in my mind – an attempt to create real characters at the time of the arrival of the Saxons in Roman Britain. I left Libya and moved to Canada, and after my first winter’s work, set up residence in a truck-camper and spent the summer traveling and attempting to write that early novel.
What do you do when you are not writing?
There’s not a lot of time left over. I belong to a number of online social sites where I join discussion groups about writing and publishing. I also belong to several writing groups where I take part in reading and critiquing other writers’ work. I’m secretary of a local political party constituency and prepare for election campaigns, as well as participate in community activities and the local senior’s centre.
What would readers like to know about you?
I really don’t know. Perhaps I might offer a lesson about changing times and perceptions. When I started working as a surveyor in oil exploration, in 1963, I believed I was involved in noble work that fuelled almost every aspect of modern society. When I retired about four years ago, I had become one of the desecrators of wilderness and polluters of the world, and yet I did exactly the same things. It’s interesting how fluid perceptions are – and how distant they can be from reality.
What inspired your first book?
this might be one of the things I don’t want readers to know – . I was young and arrogant and believed I could write this real story about a time in history that had been muddied by popular acceptance of Arthurian myth. I also believed that I could write a purer truth by keeping myself away from every other school and fashion in literature. I believe it can be called ‘learning the hard way’. The novel that finally resulted earned a few polite rejections, and I learned it was better to stand upon the shoulders of those who had gone before. But I still write from my own perception of the craft and of the business and prefer to strike out in directions that others haven’t seen.
How many books have you written?
I have two tallies here. Actual books that exist and can be picked up by a member of the public and read number two: Deadly Enterprise and The Wildcat’s Victory, the first two stories of my Iskander series. Books that were completed but never went anywhere, starting with Wyrd’s Harvest in 1968, number five or perhaps five and a half. There are also two more Novels under contract that will appear over the next twelve months and two and a half that I’m still working on. The halves are actually one novel that was once accepted but not published, re-written a few times, and is now waiting for me to summon the energy to plunge into it again.
What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
There are the two Iskander novels I name above, as well as Arrival, the prequel to them, and an as yet un-named sequel. The Iskander series are about Gisel Matah, the tough and clever young security officer from a group of modern people marooned in a 17th century alternate Earth. The genre is science fiction and the science is sociology – because the plots all weave around the impact of the two groups upon one another – as seen through Gisel’s turbulent career.
I also have a fantasy called Rast under contract. It has a clash between a magic kingdom and a mechanistic group of empire builders. It’s somewhat of a satire on materialism and somewhat an allegory stemming from my indoctrination in imperialism through my childhood in 40s and 50s Britain. The characters include a prince who must become a sorcerer-king, his sweetheart who must fight for her right to marry him, a militaristic bully, and a deadly magic that eventually destroys its practitioners.
How do you decide on that topic or genre?
I’ve tried writing about real world experiences in oil exploration, but everything comes out either dull and boring or ludicrously exaggerated, so the novels that work best for me are all some form of speculative fiction.
How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track?
When have I ever been on track? I have two novels going at once, I also do my volunteer work as well as the odd survey job, like locating and marking a new fence line for a property standing on its end on the side of a couple of mountains. I’m taking up meditation again – partly because one novel depicts it extensively and partly to centre myself more securely in this chaotic world.
Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
Gee, I hope I’m writing to at least break even. A way to go on that, yet. I write because I cannot not write. Sometimes I get away from writing into some other business or activity, but I always find myself obsessed with stories and have to write them.
What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used?
I’ve done a few readings and book signings. I haven’t done a real audit on the financial details but I don’t think the time spent or the fuel used to get there have been repaid by the resulting book sales. I guess one has to write off the time and cost as necessary exposure, but I don’t intend to do very much more.
What are some unique methods of marketing you have used?
I have joined almost all of the online social networking sites and then participate in groups – mostly, but not all connected with reading and books. I don’t yet know how many sales have followed from this, but I feel I can connect with more potential readers online than I ever could in the sparsely populated area where I live.
Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?
Not a website of my own, my publisher’s website has more traffic than mine ever could. In addition my books are also available from Amazon as paperbacks and Kindle editions. You can locate all of them through my author page on Double Dragon – http://www.double_dragon_ebooks.com/eAuthor.php?Name=Christopher%20Hoare
Where can people order your books?
The links on Amazon are; Deadly Enterprise http://tinyurl.com/yryhs7 http://tinyurl.com/35rlrz
The Wildcat’s Victory http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1554045398
What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?
From Double dragon and Fictionwise they can be downloaded in e-book formats; they are available from Amazon as POD paperbacks and Kindle downloads.
Will you write more books?
Until the pallbearers carry me away.
What do you have in the works now?
I have a SF novel about a professor of cybernetics who is now abbot of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery that explores some new aspects of space travel, and another story in the Iskander series where Gisel is the military governor of a city filled with spies and rebellion.
What does the future hold for you and your books?
I’m hoping for a steady increase in readership as my list of novels increases. I anticipate publishing many more novels with e-book publishers because the titles remain available years longer than would any new author’s works published conventionally and sold through bookstores.
What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
I bugged my publisher at Double Dragon until he agreed to place my POD paperbacks with Lightning Source, which simultaneously makes them available as online orders from Amazon and available to bookstores through Ingram. This gives me the opportunity to promote in many available formats.
What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?
So far, it’s been to place copies in local stores that are not dedicated booksellers. While it may have been one more way to place the books before the public, most of the copies in such venues were bought while I was actually present in the stores, either book signing or speaking with the proprietor.
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh. For more information, visit – www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Christopher Hoare.
Where you are from and where are you now?
I was born in London, England and am now a Canadian Citizen living in a small community in Alberta against the Rocky Mountains.
How did you get started writing?
I wrote some articles about the desert for a local English language newspaper while I worked in Libya. At the same time, a historical scenario grew in my mind – an attempt to create real characters at the time of the arrival of the Saxons in Roman Britain. I left Libya and moved to Canada, and after my first winter’s work, set up residence in a truck-camper and spent the summer traveling and attempting to write that early novel.
What do you do when you are not writing?
There’s not a lot of time left over. I belong to a number of online social sites where I join discussion groups about writing and publishing. I also belong to several writing groups where I take part in reading and critiquing other writers’ work. I’m secretary of a local political party constituency and prepare for election campaigns, as well as participate in community activities and the local senior’s centre.
What would readers like to know about you?
I really don’t know. Perhaps I might offer a lesson about changing times and perceptions. When I started working as a surveyor in oil exploration, in 1963, I believed I was involved in noble work that fuelled almost every aspect of modern society. When I retired about four years ago, I had become one of the desecrators of wilderness and polluters of the world, and yet I did exactly the same things. It’s interesting how fluid perceptions are – and how distant they can be from reality.
What inspired your first book?
this might be one of the things I don’t want readers to know – . I was young and arrogant and believed I could write this real story about a time in history that had been muddied by popular acceptance of Arthurian myth. I also believed that I could write a purer truth by keeping myself away from every other school and fashion in literature. I believe it can be called ‘learning the hard way’. The novel that finally resulted earned a few polite rejections, and I learned it was better to stand upon the shoulders of those who had gone before. But I still write from my own perception of the craft and of the business and prefer to strike out in directions that others haven’t seen.
How many books have you written?
I have two tallies here. Actual books that exist and can be picked up by a member of the public and read number two: Deadly Enterprise and The Wildcat’s Victory, the first two stories of my Iskander series. Books that were completed but never went anywhere, starting with Wyrd’s Harvest in 1968, number five or perhaps five and a half. There are also two more Novels under contract that will appear over the next twelve months and two and a half that I’m still working on. The halves are actually one novel that was once accepted but not published, re-written a few times, and is now waiting for me to summon the energy to plunge into it again.
What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
There are the two Iskander novels I name above, as well as Arrival, the prequel to them, and an as yet un-named sequel. The Iskander series are about Gisel Matah, the tough and clever young security officer from a group of modern people marooned in a 17th century alternate Earth. The genre is science fiction and the science is sociology – because the plots all weave around the impact of the two groups upon one another – as seen through Gisel’s turbulent career.
I also have a fantasy called Rast under contract. It has a clash between a magic kingdom and a mechanistic group of empire builders. It’s somewhat of a satire on materialism and somewhat an allegory stemming from my indoctrination in imperialism through my childhood in 40s and 50s Britain. The characters include a prince who must become a sorcerer-king, his sweetheart who must fight for her right to marry him, a militaristic bully, and a deadly magic that eventually destroys its practitioners.
How do you decide on that topic or genre?
I’ve tried writing about real world experiences in oil exploration, but everything comes out either dull and boring or ludicrously exaggerated, so the novels that work best for me are all some form of speculative fiction.
How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track?
When have I ever been on track? I have two novels going at once, I also do my volunteer work as well as the odd survey job, like locating and marking a new fence line for a property standing on its end on the side of a couple of mountains. I’m taking up meditation again – partly because one novel depicts it extensively and partly to centre myself more securely in this chaotic world.
Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
Gee, I hope I’m writing to at least break even. A way to go on that, yet. I write because I cannot not write. Sometimes I get away from writing into some other business or activity, but I always find myself obsessed with stories and have to write them.
What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used?
I’ve done a few readings and book signings. I haven’t done a real audit on the financial details but I don’t think the time spent or the fuel used to get there have been repaid by the resulting book sales. I guess one has to write off the time and cost as necessary exposure, but I don’t intend to do very much more.
What are some unique methods of marketing you have used?
I have joined almost all of the online social networking sites and then participate in groups – mostly, but not all connected with reading and books. I don’t yet know how many sales have followed from this, but I feel I can connect with more potential readers online than I ever could in the sparsely populated area where I live.
Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?
Not a website of my own, my publisher’s website has more traffic than mine ever could. In addition my books are also available from Amazon as paperbacks and Kindle editions. You can locate all of them through my author page on Double Dragon – http://www.double_dragon_ebooks.com/eAuthor.php?Name=Christopher%20Hoare
Where can people order your books?
The links on Amazon are; Deadly Enterprise http://tinyurl.com/yryhs7 http://tinyurl.com/35rlrz
The Wildcat’s Victory http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1554045398
What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?
From Double dragon and Fictionwise they can be downloaded in e-book formats; they are available from Amazon as POD paperbacks and Kindle downloads.
Will you write more books?
Until the pallbearers carry me away.
What do you have in the works now?
I have a SF novel about a professor of cybernetics who is now abbot of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery that explores some new aspects of space travel, and another story in the Iskander series where Gisel is the military governor of a city filled with spies and rebellion.
What does the future hold for you and your books?
I’m hoping for a steady increase in readership as my list of novels increases. I anticipate publishing many more novels with e-book publishers because the titles remain available years longer than would any new author’s works published conventionally and sold through bookstores.
What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
I bugged my publisher at Double Dragon until he agreed to place my POD paperbacks with Lightning Source, which simultaneously makes them available as online orders from Amazon and available to bookstores through Ingram. This gives me the opportunity to promote in many available formats.
What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?
So far, it’s been to place copies in local stores that are not dedicated booksellers. While it may have been one more way to place the books before the public, most of the copies in such venues were bought while I was actually present in the stores, either book signing or speaking with the proprietor.
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh. For more information, visit – www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Promotional Interview With Patricia Guthrie
1. Where you are from and where are you now?
Hi all. I’m from Lynbrook and Smithtown, New York. I’m now live in
Park Forest, Illinois.
2. How did you get started writing?
I guess it had to come sooner or later. I worked in the theater (opera) where I translated (from many languages) and in interpreted many operas to perform. It was only a manner of time and a summer break (from teaching to start writing my own stories)
3. What do you do when you are not writing?
I love to ride my horse, play with my dogs (collies) surf the net, read and watch television (History and biography channels, CNN, Fox, and History International. Occasionally there will be a decent movie, but I do have other things to do too.
4. What would readers like to know about you?
Oh dear. About me? I used to be an opera singer. I sang in Europe for several years and I taught in a day treatment center for emotional disturbed children. Something interesting thing I do occasionally with my dogs is therapy/social work with people with schizophrenic disabilities. That was interesting watching people who wouldn’t speak at first, to now being more gregarious including playing cards with us. They love the dogs.
5. What inspired your first book?
A friend and I were having lunch in a small, fairly empty restaurant talking about a friend we though might be abused by her husband. The idea of an abused woman who kills her husband came to mind. I decided to write the story. You understand I’d never written before--knew nothing about craft issues. Well, the story was written on an old computer 250 (or something) then when I transferred to a new Asti computer, I realized I didn’t know how to transfer properly. Hmm. Lost the whole ms. (yes I took it to a professions) It was just as well. I rewrote the story, but still it sits. It’s okay. It needs to. LOL
6 How many books have you written?
Lets see: Matt’s Murder, Guardian Angel, Legacy of Danger, Romeo vs Juliet, In the Arms of the Enemy, Waterlillies Over my Grave. That makes six. Arms has been published by Light Sword Publishing, Waterlillies Over My Grave will come out in the Fall 2008. I’m working on Legacy that is in the fourth rewrite. It’s my inspiration. Everytime I work on it, another idea comes to mind and up pops another story.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
See above for titles. Matt’s Murder was mystery with romantic elements, Waterlillies is a paranormal romance, the rest are romantic suspense.
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre?
I grew up on Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew, Dorothy Sayers. I love mysteries, especially cozies. Then I started to read romantic suspense, those novels whose romance and suspense are intricately tied in with each other. I was hooked.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track?
That’s my hardest challenge. Keeping myself focused is hard for me. I try to work project by project. And I have friends who keep my prodded. I can force myself, but when I do I have a tendency to force the writing as well. I do believe , though if you force it, you can change the text easier than if it were a blank page. LOL
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
I have spoken to enough people in the publishing business, including authors, to realize it will take many years before I can expect to make money. So, at the moment, money isn’t coming into the equations. (at least money coming in)
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used?
Traditional marketing methods I’ve used have included blitz sending out flyers, setting up book stores, websites www.patriciaanneguthrie.com, www.paguthrie.blogspot.com, and www.myspace.com/paguthrie and www.authorsisland.com and www.authorsden.com
12. Non traditional marketing methods I’ve used are: book signings at horse barns, dog obedience seminars, restaurants, The Texas Book Festival and Essence of Motown, Blog Tour with Nikki Leigh (which is starting to become traditional) radio spots on the internet.
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?
I sell through my publisher: Lightswordpublishing (www.lightswordpublishing.com)
www.amazon.com, www.borders.com Barnes and Noble, Waldenbooks, and most online bookstores.
Most of the websites will click you into LightSwordPublishing.
14. Where can people order your books?
See above for websites. You can also order them in major books stores and the books are in some of the stores.
15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?
My books are in trade paper back.
16. Will you write more books?
Yes. I have one in the fourth (and hopefully last) stages and one that’s been outlined. So there are two. There are other ideas.
17. What do you have in the works now?
Legacy of Danger (to be named later) has been in the works since the late 1990’s. It’s a story that has never left me. Won’t go away. So I’ll finished that. Paranormal. And the next one is (at the present) Crossing the Line another stories involving romance, deceipt, murder and horses. I love writing about horses. I’ve seen situations where I’d love to have the horses be the heroes. So, not sure exactly where I’m going, but you might see that.
18. Well, I hope my books find another home. Like our kids, off to college then off to jobs and their OWN homes. I’d like my books to have a job on the shelves of bookstores and become dear companions of millions. (LOL)
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
Hard to say. It takes a while to judge the success of a specific activity. I’m hoping our blog tour will be one of them. I also sold a lot of books at a “vet worming day” at our barn. Sold ten books.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?
I suppose the days I did nothing. Again, you never know. Some of the book signings didn’t generate many immediate sales, but who knows down the line?
These were great questions. I really enjoyed talking to all of you. Any questions:
Patguth@aol.com Please email me.
For more information about Patricia's virtual book tour - visit her tour home page http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Patricia+Guthrie
To order your copy, visit http://www.amazon.com/Arms-Enemy-Patricia-Guthrie/dp/0979203082
Interview by Nikki Leigh, author of the Book Promo 101 Series. www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Hi all. I’m from Lynbrook and Smithtown, New York. I’m now live in
Park Forest, Illinois.
2. How did you get started writing?
I guess it had to come sooner or later. I worked in the theater (opera) where I translated (from many languages) and in interpreted many operas to perform. It was only a manner of time and a summer break (from teaching to start writing my own stories)
3. What do you do when you are not writing?
I love to ride my horse, play with my dogs (collies) surf the net, read and watch television (History and biography channels, CNN, Fox, and History International. Occasionally there will be a decent movie, but I do have other things to do too.
4. What would readers like to know about you?
Oh dear. About me? I used to be an opera singer. I sang in Europe for several years and I taught in a day treatment center for emotional disturbed children. Something interesting thing I do occasionally with my dogs is therapy/social work with people with schizophrenic disabilities. That was interesting watching people who wouldn’t speak at first, to now being more gregarious including playing cards with us. They love the dogs.
5. What inspired your first book?
A friend and I were having lunch in a small, fairly empty restaurant talking about a friend we though might be abused by her husband. The idea of an abused woman who kills her husband came to mind. I decided to write the story. You understand I’d never written before--knew nothing about craft issues. Well, the story was written on an old computer 250 (or something) then when I transferred to a new Asti computer, I realized I didn’t know how to transfer properly. Hmm. Lost the whole ms. (yes I took it to a professions) It was just as well. I rewrote the story, but still it sits. It’s okay. It needs to. LOL
6 How many books have you written?
Lets see: Matt’s Murder, Guardian Angel, Legacy of Danger, Romeo vs Juliet, In the Arms of the Enemy, Waterlillies Over my Grave. That makes six. Arms has been published by Light Sword Publishing, Waterlillies Over My Grave will come out in the Fall 2008. I’m working on Legacy that is in the fourth rewrite. It’s my inspiration. Everytime I work on it, another idea comes to mind and up pops another story.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
See above for titles. Matt’s Murder was mystery with romantic elements, Waterlillies is a paranormal romance, the rest are romantic suspense.
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre?
I grew up on Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew, Dorothy Sayers. I love mysteries, especially cozies. Then I started to read romantic suspense, those novels whose romance and suspense are intricately tied in with each other. I was hooked.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track?
That’s my hardest challenge. Keeping myself focused is hard for me. I try to work project by project. And I have friends who keep my prodded. I can force myself, but when I do I have a tendency to force the writing as well. I do believe , though if you force it, you can change the text easier than if it were a blank page. LOL
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
I have spoken to enough people in the publishing business, including authors, to realize it will take many years before I can expect to make money. So, at the moment, money isn’t coming into the equations. (at least money coming in)
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used?
Traditional marketing methods I’ve used have included blitz sending out flyers, setting up book stores, websites www.patriciaanneguthrie.com, www.paguthrie.blogspot.com, and www.myspace.com/paguthrie and www.authorsisland.com and www.authorsden.com
12. Non traditional marketing methods I’ve used are: book signings at horse barns, dog obedience seminars, restaurants, The Texas Book Festival and Essence of Motown, Blog Tour with Nikki Leigh (which is starting to become traditional) radio spots on the internet.
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?
I sell through my publisher: Lightswordpublishing (www.lightswordpublishing.com)
www.amazon.com, www.borders.com Barnes and Noble, Waldenbooks, and most online bookstores.
Most of the websites will click you into LightSwordPublishing.
14. Where can people order your books?
See above for websites. You can also order them in major books stores and the books are in some of the stores.
15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?
My books are in trade paper back.
16. Will you write more books?
Yes. I have one in the fourth (and hopefully last) stages and one that’s been outlined. So there are two. There are other ideas.
17. What do you have in the works now?
Legacy of Danger (to be named later) has been in the works since the late 1990’s. It’s a story that has never left me. Won’t go away. So I’ll finished that. Paranormal. And the next one is (at the present) Crossing the Line another stories involving romance, deceipt, murder and horses. I love writing about horses. I’ve seen situations where I’d love to have the horses be the heroes. So, not sure exactly where I’m going, but you might see that.
18. Well, I hope my books find another home. Like our kids, off to college then off to jobs and their OWN homes. I’d like my books to have a job on the shelves of bookstores and become dear companions of millions. (LOL)
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
Hard to say. It takes a while to judge the success of a specific activity. I’m hoping our blog tour will be one of them. I also sold a lot of books at a “vet worming day” at our barn. Sold ten books.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?
I suppose the days I did nothing. Again, you never know. Some of the book signings didn’t generate many immediate sales, but who knows down the line?
These were great questions. I really enjoyed talking to all of you. Any questions:
Patguth@aol.com Please email me.
For more information about Patricia's virtual book tour - visit her tour home page http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Patricia+Guthrie
To order your copy, visit http://www.amazon.com/Arms-Enemy-Patricia-Guthrie/dp/0979203082
Interview by Nikki Leigh, author of the Book Promo 101 Series. www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Promotional Interview with Stacey Klemstein
Your Name: Stacey Klemstein
1. Where you are from and where are you now?
Where am I from?—that’s a trickier question for me than for most, I suspect. My father is a Lutheran minister, and just like military brats, PKs (pastor’s kids) get moved around a lot. Champaign-Urbana, IL; Columbia, SC; Wilmington, NC; Columbia, SC (again!); Rockford, IL; Hillsboro, IL; Mt. Zion, IL; and Peoria, IL—all before the age of eighteen! The longest I lived in any one place was when I was in college, Valparaiso, Indiana. So, that place is very much home to me still.
I now live in the northern Chicago suburbs, close to the border of Wisconsin.
2. How did you get started writing?
I’ve been making up stories in my head for as long as I can remember. I once asked my mom to write down a story that kept playing in my mind over and over again because I didn’t yet know how to write the words!
As a child, I frequently got in trouble for “telling tall tales.” It took me awhile to understand that holding conversations with people in my head and making up a more interesting version of reality were not things everybody else did. And beyond that, it was years before I realized that’s what writers did. It never occurred to me that books came from people who sat down and wrote them. Books were always just doorways to me, tickets to elsewhere. I had never stopped and thought about who was on the other side of the door, so to speak, holding the door open, handing me that ticket. Once I figured that out, I was hooked. I HAD to be one of those people.
But I didn’t get serious about writing until college when a short story class required me to actually finish a piece of fiction. I was great at starting, not so good at figuring out the middle and the end. But once I finished that first piece of fiction, albeit because the threat of a bad grade loomed over me, then I knew I could do it and from then on, it became an addiction—the good kind!
3. What do you do when you are not writing?
I’ve a voracious reader, of course. But I’m love television, too, and I’m not ashamed to admit it! There’s some really smart writing going on in television these days. Battlestar Galactica (best show ever) and the new show Life come to mind immediately. And of course, I enjoy making my own mini-marathons with my Roswell, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, SG-1 and Veronica Mars DVDs.
Other than that, I spend time with my husband, Greg, and our two greyhounds, Joe and Walker.
4. What would readers like to know about you?
Oh, heavens, I have no idea! In the random facts category, my first (and worst) job was working as a cashier at a busy highway gas station. I still have nightmares about cleaning that bathroom. I can recite almost the entire Ghostbusters movie. And I’m a descendant of Margaret Scott, one of the women executed during the Salem Witch Trials (http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/victims.html).
5. What inspired your first book?
My very first book (said bottom drawer dweller, as mentioned below), a coming of age novel, was inspired by the close friendships I developed in college. I love it and treasure it for the meaning it has for me and those friends, and it was a good learning experience. But it would take some serious rewriting before I’d ever let anyone else see it!
My first published book, The Silver Spoon, was inspired by all the alien/human romances in books and movies over the years. I was intrigued by the idea of falling in love with someone whose culture was completely different than the one we know here. Can you ever really know someone who is so foreign to you? But isn’t that the case with any couple? You think you know someone well…until they do something that totally turns your understanding of who they are upside down.
I also wanted to blend the normal and abnormal. I didn’t want to set the story on another planet. I wanted the story to have the context of Earth and humans as a contrast to the alien culture. I was writing the first draft of The Silver Spoon when Roswell came on the air, in 1999, I believe, and that was a huge source of inspiration for me.
6. How many books have you written?
Six, I think. One of them, my first effort, is condemned to the bottom drawer forever. The next three are the ones being published, and the other two are drafts in progress.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
The Silver Spoon, Science Fiction Romance (available now). Eye of the Beholder, Science Fiction Romance (available February 2008). Bitter Pill, Chicklit Mystery (available May 2008).
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre?
Science fiction has been a part of my life forever. My dad is a huge SF/Fantasy fan, and I grew up watching Star Trek and Star Wars. But my favorite parts were always the love stories and, other than Han Solo and Princess Leia, there just weren’t enough of them. Almost all of my stories have a science fiction or paranormal bent (except Bitter Pill, which I wrote without that element just to see if I could), which usually happens on its own without that intention from me, so I guess you could say that genre chose me!
Science Fiction Romance (SFR) is an up and coming genre. In fact, when I started writing it, I didn’t even know that’s what it was called. Then I discovered Linnea Sinclair’s books (Finders Keepers, Gabriel’s Ghost, Games of Command) and realized I wasn’t alone in what I was trying to do. We are a dedicated few, both NY-published and small press, working together to further this genre. But we’re growing in numbers, and we know readers are out there. For all of you who loved the Liz and Max story on Roswell and sigh every time Kara Thrace and Lee Adama (or for that matter, Number Six and Baltar) on Battlestar Galactica get close to truly admitting how they feel about each other, SFR is what you’ve been looking for.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track?
At the end of every year, I try to make a plan for what I want to accomplish in the next twelve months. Of course, that changes, depending on market needs and on what happens to sell.
As for staying on track, with rare exceptions, I write every day. This works best for me when I’m in the middle of a project and can set a page goal for myself. At a minimum on a working day, I strive for one page. On the weekends, four or five pages a day. Of course, all that goes down the toilet when I get stuck on a certain scene or chapter! But I do my best.
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
I write because I love it, and I want to create stories that speak to me…and everyone else, too, I hope!
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used?
Postcards, bookmarks, print advertising, website, bookstore and library events.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used?
Actually, my background has worked well for me in that I have many “hometowns.” The local author approach seems to engender greater success. Wherever you can make a connection with people, that’s where you’ll get a better response.
I also look for connections in the book, other than the main topic. For example, when I’m in Wisconsin, I mention that a large portion of the action in The Silver Spoon takes place in that state. For my upcoming mystery, I intend to market to greyhound rescue organizations and owners because I have two of the dogs myself (my babies) and my main character in the story is also an adopter.
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?
My books are sold through amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, fictionwise.com and echelonpress.com.
14. Where can people order your books?
E-books are available at fictionwise.com. Here is the exact link:
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook46993.htm
Paperbacks are available in certain stores, depending on your location, but I always find it’s easiest to get my books at Amazon.com. Here is the exact link:
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Spoon-Zara-Mitchell-Story/dp/1590805488/ref...
Or, you can search under “Stacey Klemstein” at Amazon.com to find it easily.
15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?
My books are available as e-books and trade paperbacks.
16. Will you write more books?
Oh, heck, yes! When people ask me how many books I plan to write, I always say as many as I can!
17. What do you have in the works now?
I’ve always got multiple stories going at the same time! At the moment, I’m finishing up a YA paranormal—dead cheerleader needs the help of the scary school outcast to find her way to the afterlife and he needs her to keep the other ghosts from haunting him into utter craziness. I’m also mulling over ideas for the third and final book in my Zara Mitchell (science fiction romance series). And I’m trying my hand at writing a shorter SFR novel (probably a novella) that walks a little closer to space opera than what I usually write.
18. What does the future hold for you and your books?
I hope there will be many more books to sit alongside those that are already in print or soon to be in print. I really just love the life of an author, getting to write down all the stories in my head and share them with others.
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
Actually, the most successful promotional thing was something I didn’t do and I learned a quick lesson in that. Someone on Roswell Fanatics found my book and posted about it on the board, recommending it to other fans of the show. Word of mouth trumps all. Now I provide them with regular updates on the series, but I feel it truly opened a door that someone else initially recommended the book to them instead of me. Your best advocates, your best sources of promotion, are people who’ve read the book and feel comfortable recommending it others. But you’ve got to find those people and get the word out to them. So, I now concentrate on specific target marketing, rather than a broader, more “shotgun” approach.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?
I did one small author fair type event where I relied on the organizers for promotion instead of promoting individually. Lesson learned there is that no one promotes “you” as well as you.
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh. For more information, visit – www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
1. Where you are from and where are you now?
Where am I from?—that’s a trickier question for me than for most, I suspect. My father is a Lutheran minister, and just like military brats, PKs (pastor’s kids) get moved around a lot. Champaign-Urbana, IL; Columbia, SC; Wilmington, NC; Columbia, SC (again!); Rockford, IL; Hillsboro, IL; Mt. Zion, IL; and Peoria, IL—all before the age of eighteen! The longest I lived in any one place was when I was in college, Valparaiso, Indiana. So, that place is very much home to me still.
I now live in the northern Chicago suburbs, close to the border of Wisconsin.
2. How did you get started writing?
I’ve been making up stories in my head for as long as I can remember. I once asked my mom to write down a story that kept playing in my mind over and over again because I didn’t yet know how to write the words!
As a child, I frequently got in trouble for “telling tall tales.” It took me awhile to understand that holding conversations with people in my head and making up a more interesting version of reality were not things everybody else did. And beyond that, it was years before I realized that’s what writers did. It never occurred to me that books came from people who sat down and wrote them. Books were always just doorways to me, tickets to elsewhere. I had never stopped and thought about who was on the other side of the door, so to speak, holding the door open, handing me that ticket. Once I figured that out, I was hooked. I HAD to be one of those people.
But I didn’t get serious about writing until college when a short story class required me to actually finish a piece of fiction. I was great at starting, not so good at figuring out the middle and the end. But once I finished that first piece of fiction, albeit because the threat of a bad grade loomed over me, then I knew I could do it and from then on, it became an addiction—the good kind!
3. What do you do when you are not writing?
I’ve a voracious reader, of course. But I’m love television, too, and I’m not ashamed to admit it! There’s some really smart writing going on in television these days. Battlestar Galactica (best show ever) and the new show Life come to mind immediately. And of course, I enjoy making my own mini-marathons with my Roswell, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, SG-1 and Veronica Mars DVDs.
Other than that, I spend time with my husband, Greg, and our two greyhounds, Joe and Walker.
4. What would readers like to know about you?
Oh, heavens, I have no idea! In the random facts category, my first (and worst) job was working as a cashier at a busy highway gas station. I still have nightmares about cleaning that bathroom. I can recite almost the entire Ghostbusters movie. And I’m a descendant of Margaret Scott, one of the women executed during the Salem Witch Trials (http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/victims.html).
5. What inspired your first book?
My very first book (said bottom drawer dweller, as mentioned below), a coming of age novel, was inspired by the close friendships I developed in college. I love it and treasure it for the meaning it has for me and those friends, and it was a good learning experience. But it would take some serious rewriting before I’d ever let anyone else see it!
My first published book, The Silver Spoon, was inspired by all the alien/human romances in books and movies over the years. I was intrigued by the idea of falling in love with someone whose culture was completely different than the one we know here. Can you ever really know someone who is so foreign to you? But isn’t that the case with any couple? You think you know someone well…until they do something that totally turns your understanding of who they are upside down.
I also wanted to blend the normal and abnormal. I didn’t want to set the story on another planet. I wanted the story to have the context of Earth and humans as a contrast to the alien culture. I was writing the first draft of The Silver Spoon when Roswell came on the air, in 1999, I believe, and that was a huge source of inspiration for me.
6. How many books have you written?
Six, I think. One of them, my first effort, is condemned to the bottom drawer forever. The next three are the ones being published, and the other two are drafts in progress.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?
The Silver Spoon, Science Fiction Romance (available now). Eye of the Beholder, Science Fiction Romance (available February 2008). Bitter Pill, Chicklit Mystery (available May 2008).
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre?
Science fiction has been a part of my life forever. My dad is a huge SF/Fantasy fan, and I grew up watching Star Trek and Star Wars. But my favorite parts were always the love stories and, other than Han Solo and Princess Leia, there just weren’t enough of them. Almost all of my stories have a science fiction or paranormal bent (except Bitter Pill, which I wrote without that element just to see if I could), which usually happens on its own without that intention from me, so I guess you could say that genre chose me!
Science Fiction Romance (SFR) is an up and coming genre. In fact, when I started writing it, I didn’t even know that’s what it was called. Then I discovered Linnea Sinclair’s books (Finders Keepers, Gabriel’s Ghost, Games of Command) and realized I wasn’t alone in what I was trying to do. We are a dedicated few, both NY-published and small press, working together to further this genre. But we’re growing in numbers, and we know readers are out there. For all of you who loved the Liz and Max story on Roswell and sigh every time Kara Thrace and Lee Adama (or for that matter, Number Six and Baltar) on Battlestar Galactica get close to truly admitting how they feel about each other, SFR is what you’ve been looking for.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track?
At the end of every year, I try to make a plan for what I want to accomplish in the next twelve months. Of course, that changes, depending on market needs and on what happens to sell.
As for staying on track, with rare exceptions, I write every day. This works best for me when I’m in the middle of a project and can set a page goal for myself. At a minimum on a working day, I strive for one page. On the weekends, four or five pages a day. Of course, all that goes down the toilet when I get stuck on a certain scene or chapter! But I do my best.
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
I write because I love it, and I want to create stories that speak to me…and everyone else, too, I hope!
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used?
Postcards, bookmarks, print advertising, website, bookstore and library events.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used?
Actually, my background has worked well for me in that I have many “hometowns.” The local author approach seems to engender greater success. Wherever you can make a connection with people, that’s where you’ll get a better response.
I also look for connections in the book, other than the main topic. For example, when I’m in Wisconsin, I mention that a large portion of the action in The Silver Spoon takes place in that state. For my upcoming mystery, I intend to market to greyhound rescue organizations and owners because I have two of the dogs myself (my babies) and my main character in the story is also an adopter.
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?
My books are sold through amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, fictionwise.com and echelonpress.com.
14. Where can people order your books?
E-books are available at fictionwise.com. Here is the exact link:
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook46993.htm
Paperbacks are available in certain stores, depending on your location, but I always find it’s easiest to get my books at Amazon.com. Here is the exact link:
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Spoon-Zara-Mitchell-Story/dp/1590805488/ref...
Or, you can search under “Stacey Klemstein” at Amazon.com to find it easily.
15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?
My books are available as e-books and trade paperbacks.
16. Will you write more books?
Oh, heck, yes! When people ask me how many books I plan to write, I always say as many as I can!
17. What do you have in the works now?
I’ve always got multiple stories going at the same time! At the moment, I’m finishing up a YA paranormal—dead cheerleader needs the help of the scary school outcast to find her way to the afterlife and he needs her to keep the other ghosts from haunting him into utter craziness. I’m also mulling over ideas for the third and final book in my Zara Mitchell (science fiction romance series). And I’m trying my hand at writing a shorter SFR novel (probably a novella) that walks a little closer to space opera than what I usually write.
18. What does the future hold for you and your books?
I hope there will be many more books to sit alongside those that are already in print or soon to be in print. I really just love the life of an author, getting to write down all the stories in my head and share them with others.
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?
Actually, the most successful promotional thing was something I didn’t do and I learned a quick lesson in that. Someone on Roswell Fanatics found my book and posted about it on the board, recommending it to other fans of the show. Word of mouth trumps all. Now I provide them with regular updates on the series, but I feel it truly opened a door that someone else initially recommended the book to them instead of me. Your best advocates, your best sources of promotion, are people who’ve read the book and feel comfortable recommending it others. But you’ve got to find those people and get the word out to them. So, I now concentrate on specific target marketing, rather than a broader, more “shotgun” approach.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?
I did one small author fair type event where I relied on the organizers for promotion instead of promoting individually. Lesson learned there is that no one promotes “you” as well as you.
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh. For more information, visit – www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Promotional Interview with Rebecca Benston
You have been invited to share your promotional experience with others.
Your Name: Rebecca Benston
1. Where you are from and where are you now? I’m originally from Springfield, OH and that is where I live now.
2. How did you get started writing? I started writing poems in elementary school, two of which made it into one of our school yearbooks. Woo-hoo.
3. What do you do when you are not writing? I work part-time at our local library. I am also the mother of one very silly four-year old girl.
4. What would readers like to know about you? I’m not sure. I used to be a Human Resources Manager and after about eight years or so of doing that, I realized that I hated my work. I wanted to spend more time with my little girl and I wanted to do something I enjoyed. I quit my job and complete restructured my life. Although it was hard on my husband and I financially, it has been a great move in terms of healthy lifestyles and peace of mind.
5. What inspired your first book? I’m a mystery lover. I wanted to write something that would capture the things I love about mystery. The twists, turns and outright craziness that are usually at the heart of a great caper. I wanted to create a story that would entertain me while I wrote and that would draw readers to my main character.
6. How many books have you written? I’ve written two.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they? Both books are part of the Rona Shively Stories mystery series. The titles are In the Wash and Under Lock and Key.
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre? It’s my favorite. Everything I love has something to do with mystery.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track? I haven’t. Sometimes I’m on track, sometimes I’m off. I have a four-year old, so I allow myself the flexibility of writing when it makes sense. I tried to write every day, but sometimes that doesn’t work out. I try to work on something writing related every day, but lately I haven’t been able to write as much as I would like.
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing? It’s definitely not for the money. I love to write and I love to talk about writing with my readers and with other writers. Writing opens up a whole new world for me.
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used? Calling bookstores, internet promotion, book signing events, etc.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? I’m not sure. I’m kind of running out of marketing ideas. ☹
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not? Yes, http://www.theronashivelystories.com or http://www.wordsiview.blogspot.com.
14. Where can people order your books? Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publishamerica, my websites.
15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc? Paperback
16. Will you write more books? Definitely.
17. What do you have in the works now? I’m working on the third book in the Rona Shively series. I’m also working on a short story featuring a supporting character from the series. I have a non-fiction project in the works as well. It’s about women’s self-esteem and will feature vignettes from women as well as information and commentary from myself on women’s issues today.
18. What does the future hold for you and your books? I hope it holds something great! Whatever it is, I’m just happy to be a part of things.
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books? Not being afraid to reach out and contact people.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books? I’m not sure anything qualifies. If I reach one person, I consider it successful. No effort is wasted effort.
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh, author of the Book Promo 101 series. For more information, visit – www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm.
Your Name: Rebecca Benston
1. Where you are from and where are you now? I’m originally from Springfield, OH and that is where I live now.
2. How did you get started writing? I started writing poems in elementary school, two of which made it into one of our school yearbooks. Woo-hoo.
3. What do you do when you are not writing? I work part-time at our local library. I am also the mother of one very silly four-year old girl.
4. What would readers like to know about you? I’m not sure. I used to be a Human Resources Manager and after about eight years or so of doing that, I realized that I hated my work. I wanted to spend more time with my little girl and I wanted to do something I enjoyed. I quit my job and complete restructured my life. Although it was hard on my husband and I financially, it has been a great move in terms of healthy lifestyles and peace of mind.
5. What inspired your first book? I’m a mystery lover. I wanted to write something that would capture the things I love about mystery. The twists, turns and outright craziness that are usually at the heart of a great caper. I wanted to create a story that would entertain me while I wrote and that would draw readers to my main character.
6. How many books have you written? I’ve written two.
7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they? Both books are part of the Rona Shively Stories mystery series. The titles are In the Wash and Under Lock and Key.
8. How do you decide on that topic or genre? It’s my favorite. Everything I love has something to do with mystery.
9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track? I haven’t. Sometimes I’m on track, sometimes I’m off. I have a four-year old, so I allow myself the flexibility of writing when it makes sense. I tried to write every day, but sometimes that doesn’t work out. I try to work on something writing related every day, but lately I haven’t been able to write as much as I would like.
10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing? It’s definitely not for the money. I love to write and I love to talk about writing with my readers and with other writers. Writing opens up a whole new world for me.
11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used? Calling bookstores, internet promotion, book signing events, etc.
12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? I’m not sure. I’m kind of running out of marketing ideas. ☹
13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not? Yes, http://www.theronashivelystories.com or http://www.wordsiview.blogspot.com.
14. Where can people order your books? Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publishamerica, my websites.
15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc? Paperback
16. Will you write more books? Definitely.
17. What do you have in the works now? I’m working on the third book in the Rona Shively series. I’m also working on a short story featuring a supporting character from the series. I have a non-fiction project in the works as well. It’s about women’s self-esteem and will feature vignettes from women as well as information and commentary from myself on women’s issues today.
18. What does the future hold for you and your books? I hope it holds something great! Whatever it is, I’m just happy to be a part of things.
19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books? Not being afraid to reach out and contact people.
20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books? I’m not sure anything qualifies. If I reach one person, I consider it successful. No effort is wasted effort.
This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh, author of the Book Promo 101 series. For more information, visit – www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm.
Promotional Interview with Beverly Stowe McClure
Tell us about yourself – where you are from, how you got started writing, what you do when you are not writing (or anything you want our readers to know)
I’m a native Texan, now living in the country about twenty miles from where I was born. My writing career is a surprise to me as well as it would be to most of my former teachers, if they knew. When I was a child, I hated to read. School book reports were a nightmare. Even though my eighth-grade teacher sent my poem “Stars” to a high school anthology, and it was published, I hated to write. Nevertheless, I attended Midwestern University, read a lot, and graduated with a teaching degree. I didn’t write until many years later when I decided children’s magazines were so neat and why couldn’t I write for them? So I did, mostly articles. And they were published. I was on my way.
When I’m not writing, I teach a women’s Sunday school class, play the piano, and read. I’m a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and also of our local retired teacher’s association, where I’m chairman of the community volunteer services. My husband and I used to travel, mostly to see our sons and their families, one on the east coast, the other on the west. Lately, my husband’s health has been bad, so we’re staying close to home. For now.
What inspired you to write your first book?
On a visit to our son and his wife in Charleston, South Carolina, we took a ghost walk tour of the historic district. Listening to the guide’s tales of the ghosts that supposedly resided in many of the old houses was the beginning. My first book, LISTEN TO THE GHOST, came alive for me. (This does not count several attempts on earlier books that shall forever remain buried in the closet.)
How many books have you written?
I have two published books: LISTEN TO THE GHOST and SECRETS I HAVE KEPT, both young adult. Three more books are under contract: REBEL IN BLUE JEANS (now an e-book, soon to be in trade paperback), CAVES, CANNONS, AND CRINOLINES, and I LIVE IN A DOGHOUSE, my first middle grade book. I also have several manuscripts making the rounds.
How do you decide on their topic?
Different ways. LISTEN, I’ve already mentioned. I wrote SECRETS, which has to do with genetics and miracle drugs, because I read an interesting article in the newspaper about 1000-plus-year-old seeds that sprouted when planted and also magazine articles about plants being tested for use as vaccines for diseases. REBEL is about the effect of divorce on teens, and the animals in it are based on my animals. On a visit to Vicksburg, Mississippi, we toured the Civil War battleground, and when I learned the citizens had lived in caves during the siege of Vicksburg, CAVES, based on journals and diaries of women who were there, tells their story. My middle grade character introduced himself to me one night by telling me he lived in a doghouse. So I went on to ask him “Why?”
What works best to keep you focused and on track?
I get in my “sanctuary,” as I call my writing room, and just tune out everything else and write for a couple of hours every morning. I’m pretty much a routine person and write everyday, except Sundays. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing? I’d love to make money, but I write because I have to, money or not.
What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used to gain visibility for you and your book(s)?
I’ve done library signings, book store signings, and rented booths at local affairs, such as our annual Whoop-t-do homecoming and Parkfest. I’ve had one school visit and hope to do more. My books are available on my Web site, and I have Live Journal and MySpace blogs. What are some unique methods? I’m searching for something different.
Do you sell through a website?
Yes. http://www.beverlystowemcclure.com
My books in print are also available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble (soon).
Do you plan on writing additional books?
I’m working on two at the moment.
Interview Presented by -
Nikki Leigh - Author of Book Promo 101
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
I’m a native Texan, now living in the country about twenty miles from where I was born. My writing career is a surprise to me as well as it would be to most of my former teachers, if they knew. When I was a child, I hated to read. School book reports were a nightmare. Even though my eighth-grade teacher sent my poem “Stars” to a high school anthology, and it was published, I hated to write. Nevertheless, I attended Midwestern University, read a lot, and graduated with a teaching degree. I didn’t write until many years later when I decided children’s magazines were so neat and why couldn’t I write for them? So I did, mostly articles. And they were published. I was on my way.
When I’m not writing, I teach a women’s Sunday school class, play the piano, and read. I’m a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and also of our local retired teacher’s association, where I’m chairman of the community volunteer services. My husband and I used to travel, mostly to see our sons and their families, one on the east coast, the other on the west. Lately, my husband’s health has been bad, so we’re staying close to home. For now.
What inspired you to write your first book?
On a visit to our son and his wife in Charleston, South Carolina, we took a ghost walk tour of the historic district. Listening to the guide’s tales of the ghosts that supposedly resided in many of the old houses was the beginning. My first book, LISTEN TO THE GHOST, came alive for me. (This does not count several attempts on earlier books that shall forever remain buried in the closet.)
How many books have you written?
I have two published books: LISTEN TO THE GHOST and SECRETS I HAVE KEPT, both young adult. Three more books are under contract: REBEL IN BLUE JEANS (now an e-book, soon to be in trade paperback), CAVES, CANNONS, AND CRINOLINES, and I LIVE IN A DOGHOUSE, my first middle grade book. I also have several manuscripts making the rounds.
How do you decide on their topic?
Different ways. LISTEN, I’ve already mentioned. I wrote SECRETS, which has to do with genetics and miracle drugs, because I read an interesting article in the newspaper about 1000-plus-year-old seeds that sprouted when planted and also magazine articles about plants being tested for use as vaccines for diseases. REBEL is about the effect of divorce on teens, and the animals in it are based on my animals. On a visit to Vicksburg, Mississippi, we toured the Civil War battleground, and when I learned the citizens had lived in caves during the siege of Vicksburg, CAVES, based on journals and diaries of women who were there, tells their story. My middle grade character introduced himself to me one night by telling me he lived in a doghouse. So I went on to ask him “Why?”
What works best to keep you focused and on track?
I get in my “sanctuary,” as I call my writing room, and just tune out everything else and write for a couple of hours every morning. I’m pretty much a routine person and write everyday, except Sundays. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing? I’d love to make money, but I write because I have to, money or not.
What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used to gain visibility for you and your book(s)?
I’ve done library signings, book store signings, and rented booths at local affairs, such as our annual Whoop-t-do homecoming and Parkfest. I’ve had one school visit and hope to do more. My books are available on my Web site, and I have Live Journal and MySpace blogs. What are some unique methods? I’m searching for something different.
Do you sell through a website?
Yes. http://www.beverlystowemcclure.com
My books in print are also available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble (soon).
Do you plan on writing additional books?
I’m working on two at the moment.
Interview Presented by -
Nikki Leigh - Author of Book Promo 101
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Promotional Interview with S L Connors
You have been invited to share you experience with our readers.
Name: S.L. Connors, Author
Tell us about yourself – where you are from, how you got started writing, what you do when you are not writing (or anything you want our readers to know)
I am a Jersey Girl at heart. I was born and raised in South Jersey and spent my summers hanging around the Jersey shore. It only made sense that I would pick up and move to South Florida and have been here and loving it over twenty years now.
I began my writing interest at a very young age-11 to be exact. I took writing classes in grammar school as well as Journalism and Creative Writing classes in high school, but soon life’s challenges and the need to make a living pulled me away from my creative side. Life kept me busy for quite some time. I picked up my writing again a mere eight years ago after loosing my beloved father and my very much loved Sheltie, Kazzy, both to cancer in the year 2000. I wrote to get through my heartbreaking losses. In February of, I believe, 2001 I joined Writopia’s Writers’ Village University(www.writersvillage.com) and my fate was sealed. I’ve written, critiqued peers, and have worked in editing ever since.
When I’m not working in some form of the craft, I enjoy home life with my husband of twenty-five years and my Sheltie, GypsyLee. I love gardening, fishkeeping, reading(dark fantasy and crime suspense best of all), and the outdoors. Music is on top of my list, as well.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I’d participated in WVU’s F2K free writing class late in the year 2000 prior to joining the WVU. My first novel was born of a characterization lesson where we had to characterize a person in an interview scenario. I loved the character so much I decided to write a novel around her and the scene I’d written for the class.
How many books have you written? Three and two halves *grin*
How do you decide on their topic?
I go with whatever comes to mind. I don’t really sit down and think about what I’m going to write. I write when an idea, character, or situation nags at me.
What works best to keep you focused and on track? Believe it or not, the band Linkin Park was a great motivator through writing Dancing on the Edge. The lyrics seemed to parallel the mood of the story.
I basically go with the flow. Once I get into a story deep enough it seems the characters are instrumental in moving things forward, so I guess I can say the motivational force is to see where they will take the story next.
Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
I write because I love it. It’s my stress release. It allows me to escape to my imaginary worlds. I can live through my characters adventures. Or just hang out with them like you would with friends. C’mon, we writers all know that once a character comes alive it is rather tough to control them. They will take over and the story is inevitably much better because of it.
What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used to gain visibility for you and your book(s)? This is probably the weakest link for me. I would rather just write, but I did make an effort to do some marketing for Dancing on the Edge. I had very nice and expensive announcement cards made up and sent maybe two to three hundred out and found that many of them didn’t make their destinations. I use my websites and have given peers mention on my sites, so I could gain mention on theirs. Word of mouth is a big tool. I tell everyone I possibly can and hand them some of those expensive cards that I seem to still have copious amounts. A lesson learned I’m sure. Next time I’m going with much less in the quantity department. Quality is always a concern. They really are very pretty.*grin*
I’ve contacted with the local library system but due to cut backs the only thing they could suggest is donation, which isn’t a bad thing and something I have to consider. I’m also considering doing some workshops at the local libraries, schools, and other interested groups. I’ve also contacted local newspapers to no avail. I have contacts with the local Barnes & Noble to discuss ways of getting my book on their shelves, and have emailed book sellers all over my state with mailers. Though it’s a slow process to make a name in this venue, I trudge slowly forward and take advantage of any opportunity I can.
What are some unique methods? See above.
Do you sell through a website? I link the interested party to the purchase sites.
Do you plan on writing additional books? Oh yeah! Lots?
Interview Presented By
Nikki Leigh - Author of Book Promo 101
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Name: S.L. Connors, Author
Tell us about yourself – where you are from, how you got started writing, what you do when you are not writing (or anything you want our readers to know)
I am a Jersey Girl at heart. I was born and raised in South Jersey and spent my summers hanging around the Jersey shore. It only made sense that I would pick up and move to South Florida and have been here and loving it over twenty years now.
I began my writing interest at a very young age-11 to be exact. I took writing classes in grammar school as well as Journalism and Creative Writing classes in high school, but soon life’s challenges and the need to make a living pulled me away from my creative side. Life kept me busy for quite some time. I picked up my writing again a mere eight years ago after loosing my beloved father and my very much loved Sheltie, Kazzy, both to cancer in the year 2000. I wrote to get through my heartbreaking losses. In February of, I believe, 2001 I joined Writopia’s Writers’ Village University(www.writersvillage.com) and my fate was sealed. I’ve written, critiqued peers, and have worked in editing ever since.
When I’m not working in some form of the craft, I enjoy home life with my husband of twenty-five years and my Sheltie, GypsyLee. I love gardening, fishkeeping, reading(dark fantasy and crime suspense best of all), and the outdoors. Music is on top of my list, as well.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I’d participated in WVU’s F2K free writing class late in the year 2000 prior to joining the WVU. My first novel was born of a characterization lesson where we had to characterize a person in an interview scenario. I loved the character so much I decided to write a novel around her and the scene I’d written for the class.
How many books have you written? Three and two halves *grin*
How do you decide on their topic?
I go with whatever comes to mind. I don’t really sit down and think about what I’m going to write. I write when an idea, character, or situation nags at me.
What works best to keep you focused and on track? Believe it or not, the band Linkin Park was a great motivator through writing Dancing on the Edge. The lyrics seemed to parallel the mood of the story.
I basically go with the flow. Once I get into a story deep enough it seems the characters are instrumental in moving things forward, so I guess I can say the motivational force is to see where they will take the story next.
Do you write to make money or for the love of writing?
I write because I love it. It’s my stress release. It allows me to escape to my imaginary worlds. I can live through my characters adventures. Or just hang out with them like you would with friends. C’mon, we writers all know that once a character comes alive it is rather tough to control them. They will take over and the story is inevitably much better because of it.
What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used to gain visibility for you and your book(s)? This is probably the weakest link for me. I would rather just write, but I did make an effort to do some marketing for Dancing on the Edge. I had very nice and expensive announcement cards made up and sent maybe two to three hundred out and found that many of them didn’t make their destinations. I use my websites and have given peers mention on my sites, so I could gain mention on theirs. Word of mouth is a big tool. I tell everyone I possibly can and hand them some of those expensive cards that I seem to still have copious amounts. A lesson learned I’m sure. Next time I’m going with much less in the quantity department. Quality is always a concern. They really are very pretty.*grin*
I’ve contacted with the local library system but due to cut backs the only thing they could suggest is donation, which isn’t a bad thing and something I have to consider. I’m also considering doing some workshops at the local libraries, schools, and other interested groups. I’ve also contacted local newspapers to no avail. I have contacts with the local Barnes & Noble to discuss ways of getting my book on their shelves, and have emailed book sellers all over my state with mailers. Though it’s a slow process to make a name in this venue, I trudge slowly forward and take advantage of any opportunity I can.
What are some unique methods? See above.
Do you sell through a website? I link the interested party to the purchase sites.
Do you plan on writing additional books? Oh yeah! Lots?
Interview Presented By
Nikki Leigh - Author of Book Promo 101
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Promotional Interview with Pamela Kinney
You have been invited to share you experience with our readers.
Name: Pamela K. Kinney
Tell us about yourself – where you are from, how you got started writing, what you do when you are not writing (or anything you want our readers to know) I am from Chesterfield, Virginia, which is a suburb of Richmond. I was always writing, starting making up and writing down on paper when I was eight. I got published when I was seventeen, with three poems in a poetry magazine, Hyacinths and Biscuits that was from Los Angeles. Got paid for them too—so cool to a teenager. When I am not writing? I have done acting for a living too, not in past couple years though. I also do costuming, make or sew costumes, mainly SF, Fantasy, Horror and historical, and wear them at conventions or other kinds of events. I also do crafts, read, send time with my husband, garden (in spring, summer and fall), spend time with friends, exercise at Curves, go to conventions, check out local events, movies and rent and watch DVDs.
What inspired you to write your first book? I do have four novels started, the urban fantasy working on now and another one almost finished. For first story though, well, I have these stories always in my head, begging to be written down and that’s what I do. The chapbook was my first book idea and since I had four fictional ghost stories written, I submitted the idea to Naked Snake Press and was accepted.
How many books have you written? A nonfiction book, Haunted Richmond, Virginia, published by Schiffer Books. I also have a collection of four fictional ghost stories in a chapbook, Beyond the Four walls published by Naked Snake Press. Then I have short stories (mainly horror) in four anthologies. All other stories were published in magazines or online webzines.
How do you decide on their topic? If an anthology had a basic theme then I had to write a story around that. Magazine and webzines, I looked at their submission guidelines, what they wanted, etc… and submitted. The chapbook was based on four ghost stories, none set within a haunted house. The nonfiction was all true paranormal occurrences set in Richmond, Virginia and its surrounding counties.
What works best to keep you focused and on track? I tell myself. It’s as simple as that. In the long run, it’s up to the author to police themselves, especially with a manuscript due.
Do you write to make money or for the love of writing? I do it for love. Bur I want to make money at what I love to do. Most of us, including me have had to do jobs we don’t like but do so in order to survive these days. I have alwys loved to make up stories and poems, so this is my job. My husband let me quit my job to do writing. Not everyone has a husband who supports you like that and I am thankful for him.
What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used to gain visibility for you and your book(s)? Reviews, interviews, especially locally. Book signings set up in book stores; apply to be a guest at a convention to do with my kind of writing. I even gave a copy of Haunted Richmond, Virginia to producer of local morning TV show—I saw other authors on there.
What are some unique methods? Set up signings in different type of locale, like in a coffee shop and at a psychic fair in a store that has to do with that sort of stuff. Online chats. Paranormal radio interviews.
Do you sell through a website? No. I do give links to where the books and others can be bought though. My site is the best way to keep up with me: http://FantasticDreams.50megs.com Also check out my MySpace at www.myspace.com/PamelaKKinney and blog at http://PamelaKKinney.blogspot.com as I do let readers know there too.
Do you plan on writing additional books? Oh yes. I’m working on an urban fantasy novel right now as I’ll be pitching it to an agent at a writer’s conference the end of September locally. Plus I have a story to write for a writer’s group I am with who is doing an anthology.
Interview Presented By
Nikki Leigh - Author of Book Promo 101
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Name: Pamela K. Kinney
Tell us about yourself – where you are from, how you got started writing, what you do when you are not writing (or anything you want our readers to know) I am from Chesterfield, Virginia, which is a suburb of Richmond. I was always writing, starting making up and writing down on paper when I was eight. I got published when I was seventeen, with three poems in a poetry magazine, Hyacinths and Biscuits that was from Los Angeles. Got paid for them too—so cool to a teenager. When I am not writing? I have done acting for a living too, not in past couple years though. I also do costuming, make or sew costumes, mainly SF, Fantasy, Horror and historical, and wear them at conventions or other kinds of events. I also do crafts, read, send time with my husband, garden (in spring, summer and fall), spend time with friends, exercise at Curves, go to conventions, check out local events, movies and rent and watch DVDs.
What inspired you to write your first book? I do have four novels started, the urban fantasy working on now and another one almost finished. For first story though, well, I have these stories always in my head, begging to be written down and that’s what I do. The chapbook was my first book idea and since I had four fictional ghost stories written, I submitted the idea to Naked Snake Press and was accepted.
How many books have you written? A nonfiction book, Haunted Richmond, Virginia, published by Schiffer Books. I also have a collection of four fictional ghost stories in a chapbook, Beyond the Four walls published by Naked Snake Press. Then I have short stories (mainly horror) in four anthologies. All other stories were published in magazines or online webzines.
How do you decide on their topic? If an anthology had a basic theme then I had to write a story around that. Magazine and webzines, I looked at their submission guidelines, what they wanted, etc… and submitted. The chapbook was based on four ghost stories, none set within a haunted house. The nonfiction was all true paranormal occurrences set in Richmond, Virginia and its surrounding counties.
What works best to keep you focused and on track? I tell myself. It’s as simple as that. In the long run, it’s up to the author to police themselves, especially with a manuscript due.
Do you write to make money or for the love of writing? I do it for love. Bur I want to make money at what I love to do. Most of us, including me have had to do jobs we don’t like but do so in order to survive these days. I have alwys loved to make up stories and poems, so this is my job. My husband let me quit my job to do writing. Not everyone has a husband who supports you like that and I am thankful for him.
What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used to gain visibility for you and your book(s)? Reviews, interviews, especially locally. Book signings set up in book stores; apply to be a guest at a convention to do with my kind of writing. I even gave a copy of Haunted Richmond, Virginia to producer of local morning TV show—I saw other authors on there.
What are some unique methods? Set up signings in different type of locale, like in a coffee shop and at a psychic fair in a store that has to do with that sort of stuff. Online chats. Paranormal radio interviews.
Do you sell through a website? No. I do give links to where the books and others can be bought though. My site is the best way to keep up with me: http://FantasticDreams.50megs.com Also check out my MySpace at www.myspace.com/PamelaKKinney and blog at http://PamelaKKinney.blogspot.com as I do let readers know there too.
Do you plan on writing additional books? Oh yes. I’m working on an urban fantasy novel right now as I’ll be pitching it to an agent at a writer’s conference the end of September locally. Plus I have a story to write for a writer’s group I am with who is doing an anthology.
Interview Presented By
Nikki Leigh - Author of Book Promo 101
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
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