An Interview with Children’s Book Author Jason Alter

John Fastramp and the Dakota 3000 Challenge began as nightly bedtime stories for Jason’s children. At the urging of friends and family Jason turned the adventures of John Fastramp and his friends into a novel which was recently published and is now available from Amazon and Borders.com.

Jason Alter graduated from Alfred University with a dual B.A. in Biology and History. He earned a M.S. in Microbiology from Texas A&M University and his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Binghamton University. He currently is the Marketing Director for Aureon Laboratories which provides prognostic tests for cancer recurrence.

Jason lives in Stamford, Connecticut with his wife, two children (Ross and Lindsay) and his dog, Yogi.  You can visit his website at http://johnfastramp.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Jason, can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

This is the first time I have published a book. However, I have written numerous articles for trade publications for work. The title of my book is, “John Fastramp and the Dakota 3000 Challenge.” It is based on ~10 years of bedtime, cliffhanger stories for my two children.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

Same as above.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

I had many rejections; I don’t remember the exact number but on the order of 10-15 rejections. After these rejections I decided to self-publish the story.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

I felt frustrated. I had a book that children loved but I could not interest publishers. The worst case were publishers who returned the manuscript without reading it! To overcome the disappointment I reminded myself of the many successful writers who struggled to make their mark.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

My first book was self-published via BookSurge, a division of Amazon. I chose BookSurge because they offered a menu of editorial services that I felt would make the book stronger. Also, because Amazon and BookSurge are affiliated, online distribution via Amazon was assured.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

It felt tremendous to actually hold the book in my hand. The story began as bedtime stories for my children and it was very gratifying for them and me to see it in book form. I think we went out to dinner to celebrate.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

I have done many things for promotion. But, the first thing I did was to prepare a press release and pitch the story to numerous newspapers. I succeeded in placing four articles in local papers after the book was released. I also sent notes to colleges I attended and asked them to mention it to alumni.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

I might have tried the traditional publishing route a little longer. This is because there is still an incredible and unfortunate stigma to self-publishing that adds obstacles to your success.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

I have not published again but I am working on an adult novel.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I learned a lot about self-publishing and many of the tricks necessary to become successful pursing that option. Also, I would change the timing of hiring an illustrator and begin to work on the art side of the book earlier in the process.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

Two major accomplishments: first, seeing my book on book store shelves is tremendously fulfilling. Second, my book was translated into Braille for visually-impaired students and I was asked to do a reading. This was one of the most gratifying experiences associated with the writing process.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

I have another profession as a marketing profession for life science products and services.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

No. But, I would give my marketing career to become a full-time author.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Still working at my day job but continuing to write as my passion.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Borrowing from Thomas Edison, “Becoming a successful writer is one percent inspiration and 99% perspiration.” Nothing done well is easy and becoming a well-known, established writer is no exception. Hang in there!

An Interview with Lupus Expert Marilyn Celeste Morris

Although she was raised as a Military Brat, Marilyn Celeste Morris was born in her grandfather’s house in Toronto, Texas, a small Southern Pacific Railroad Section six miles west of Alpine. Perhaps as an omen of what would be the next twenty years of her life, the railroad’s abandonment of this settlement shortly afterward left her with no “permanent” home.  Schooling consisted of Dependents’ Schools while overseas, in Seoul Korea, 1946-47 and Linz, Austria (1949-1952) and various schools stateside. A rarity for a Military Brat, she was fortunate enough to have attended all three high school years and graduated at Lawton Senior High School, Lawton OK. Further education was attained at Cameron State College, Lawton OK, Tarrant County College, Fort Worth TX, and North Texas State University. She received an AAS Degree in Mental Health in 1995.Morris began her writing career as a guest columnist in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and for ten years wrote a weekly humor/human interest column for a weekly newspaper in the Fort Worth TX area.

She has taught creative writing at Tarrant County College, Fort Worth TX, survived numerous book signings and speaking engagements; and is experienced in interviewing on both radio and television. Her first novel, Sabbath’s Room, a paranormal murder mystery was published in 2001. 

In August 2002, Once a Brat was released. Described as “part travelogue, part therapy session,” she relates sometimes hilarious, sometimes wrenchingly sad experiences of an Army officer’s daughter from 1938 to her father’s retirement in 1958.

Her other non-fiction book, Diagnosis: Lupus, The Intimate Journal of a Lupus Patient, chronicles her intensive three-year, five doctor search for diagnosis and treatment of her baffling symptoms, her struggles with God and society, her anger and frustration (“But you don’t look sick!”) vividly expressed in her daily writings from first symptoms to current remission.

All three books are available on Amazon.com or a local bookstore can order them for you.

When not writing or editing emerging writers’ manuscripts, Morris enjoys searching for former classmates and true to her Brat heritage, she has a suitcase packed under the bed, ready to travel at a moment’s notice.  

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Marilyn.  Can you start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?  

I’m happy to say I’m multi-published:  Three books in print and one in limbo right now, due to the publisher’s bankruptcy.  But that’s a whole ‘nuther story. 

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why? 

My first book that I ever submitted, and which was accepted on the first try, is Sabbath’s Room, a murder mystery set in the Texas Hill Country.  It is, however, different from the first few drafts, the final manuscript being much longer and involved than the first, even though the plot was basically the same.  I just wasn’t sure where it was going with the first draft.   

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?  

Well, like many a new writer, I fell for the Publish America’s promises and it was published.  I had done some editing for a military brat friend in VA who had his novel, Skinny Dipping, based on his own experiences as an army brat, and he got his book accepted.  So I figured if he can do it, so can I. 

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?  

Let me tell you:  There’s nothing quite like holding your first published book in your own sweaty little hands.  You’ve been accustomed to seeing the words on 8.5 by 11 white paper, but looking at these very same words bound in a trade paperback size, complete with cover art and a back cover, with your name on the spine, is magical.  I didn’t care about all the flap I was hearing about PublishAmerica.  By golly, I had done what some people only thought of doing:  I got my work published.  And that was good enough for me.  I celebrated by calling everyone I knew emailing all over the place, and then I contacted Barnes and Noble, which was scheduling a”New Texas Authors” night and added myself to the list of about five other new Texas authors.  That’s a great way to celebrate, and after the event, about 10 of my friends and I went to dinner.  Pretty sedate, huh?  But it was just fine with me.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

I scheduled a book signing with Barnes and Noble and I felt like a “real” author then. 

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

Probably not, which may surprise those who are still smarting from the PA experience.  I’m too damned old to wait around for an agent to miraculously choose my manuscripts, and too broke to pay a vanity publisher to put my works in print.  I went with PA for my next two books, and would have gone with them for my fourth, but they declined to accept it, stating my sales were not sufficient to justify them taking on another book of mine.  I figured it was their loss. 

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

I had my second book, Once a Brat, the story of my life with my army officer father all over the world from my birth in 1938 until his (our!) retirement in 1958.  Then I sent them my third manuscript, Diagnosis: Lupus:  The Intimate Journal of a Lupus Patient, taken from my own experiences over about a five year period both before and after I was diagnosed with the disease in 1988.  When I sent my fourth manuscript, The Women of Camp Sobingo, another novel, and was turned down, I then signed with the now bankrupt Mardi Gras Publishing and it was put on line as an e-book.  I had second thoughts about this novel being on-line, as it is lengthy and involved in its story of four army wives isolated in a military compound in Seoul, Korea, immediately after the end of WWII.  I felt I had grown a lot as an author, so I considered this as an experiment and I was not happy with the idea of it being an ebook, and I told them that,  so they released me from our contract effective Sept. 1, 2007.  This was before the bankruptcy rumors got started, so I don’t believe my work will be held by the Trustee as “intellectual property.” I currently have this novel with another print publisher, waiting for their backlog to clear.  I know I’ve grown as a writer since my first novel came out, from experience and because I also freelance as an evaluator/editor for a publisher, watching for use of point of view, setting, plot and pacing, dialogue, etc.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up?  What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I really feel like I did what I had to do to get published.  I’m getting older by the day (aren’t we all?) and I didn’t want to wait around for a miracle to happen.   As for mistakes, well, I’ll paraphrase what one agent bluntly told me:  “First novels should be taken to the back yard and set ablaze.” She was right.  I can see holes in the plot of my first novel so big you could drive a truck through them.  But it’s another learning experience, each time I work on a manuscript.  I’m learning all the time.   

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published? 

I am pleased to say that my self-help book, Diagnosis: Lupus, has been given the distinction of being listed as “Recommended Reading” by the Education Committee of the Lupus Foundation of America.  At our last symposium, copies of my book were raffled off to some in attendance.  Half the proceeds of the sales will be donated to the LFA.   

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

I would be a teacher.  I feel like I am, sometimes, when I’m editing, and I have done some substitute teaching in our local school district.  I would have chosen to become a college level English or History teacher.   

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds? 

I’ve combined both my loves.  Although I must say, being an author is a lot safer and less exhausting than trying to control unruly middle school kids who may be armed and dangerous all day.  I truly admire our teachers who face these situations every day.  They aren’t paid nearly enough.   

How do you see yourself in ten years? 

Still alive. <G> Still writing.  Still being published and well-paid.  (This is a dream, isn’t it?) 

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Keep writing.  Decoupage your rejection slips on all your trash cans.  Work hard at improving your writing, because your first drafts are going to be turned down immediately as such.  Get a good editor to point out your errors before you send your manuscript off to a hard-hearted, nameless editor at a publishing house.  Start calling yourself a writer, because you are “one who writes.” Then when you are published, then you can call yourself “an author.” It can happen.  If I did it, so can you.   Marilyn Celeste Morris may be reached by email at marilyncmorris@sbcglobal.net to schedule a speaking engagement or arrange for editing services.  See also www.freewebs.com/graceworksproductions for excerpts of all of her three books. 

An Interview with Christian Fiction Author Sydney Molare’

Mississippi native, Sydney Molare’, is a veterinarian who got “bitten” by the writing bug a few years ago. An avid reader (4 – 5 books/week), her aim is to create works she’d like to read herself. Her book collection is as eclectic as she is. This cross-genred author has published books in the short story, mystery/suspense, romance/erotica and young adult/mainstream realms with more to come. Please visit her online at www.sydneymolare.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Sydney! Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

I am a published author with five works of my own and appearing in five anthologies with my next anthology to be published January 2008 by Kensington. It’s entitled, Satisfy Me Again. I have been blessed to be published traditionally, self as well as ebooks. Audio is the only frontier I haven’t mastered yet….but it’s coming!

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

Somewhere In America, a collection of short stories, was my first foray into the writing world. But like many others, I have my rejection story. I’d polished (boy, was I naïve as to what polished meant back then) up my stories after friends encouraged me to have them published, sent them off to a big name publisher in New York City and just knew they’d be beating down the door, offering me a six-figure contract in no time. Well…it didn’t happen quite that way. Instead, I got a nice letter back informing me that short stories as a debut were a no, no for an unknown author. Gasp! My best bet was to write a novel then submit it via agent, of course, and even then I might not make the cut. Was I bummed out or what?

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

Well, the story didn’t end with that rejection letter. I’d been reading (probably too much) on the Web about how to publish your own book. The more I read, the more I liked what I read. So, I spent $600 of my hard earned dollars and went with an outfit that sounded like it had its stuff together—First Books.

Please get up off the floor.

It’s funny now but back then, I believed in them; thought they held the keys to book superstardom. Yeah, right.

Anywho, I mailed off the $600 certified fund dollars and after much wrangling about the cover, the errors they inserted plus additional fees to change the cover to some semblance of what my book was actually about, I had a proof. Yes, 1 book. Was I happy? A little, but the proof had some errors and issues that of course, took more money to correct before it was ready for purchase. I sold ~ 100 through First Books.

I finally wised up, learned the game completely and reissued it under my press: Fishbowl International, Inc.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

As an overachiever, I am NOT used to rejection. Things tend to come easily so reading this letter definitely took my confidence down a notch or two. I mean, could all my friends and family be lying? Was I really a poor writer?

So I took things back to the drawing board. I got the manuscript edited by eyes other than my own, paid more money for a glossy cover, found a publisher that didn’t ask for my left kidney up front and set up shop. It was a wonderful decision, especially whenever I sell a ton of books at a book fair.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

As you read before, I was a willing victim of First Books. The ads were polished in an area that was relatively new to all and I was drawn in and willingly consented to any and everything. Never again, though.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

I felt “accomplished;” like I was truly a writer. I remember calling my mother and taking the book over for her to look at. She “oohed and aahed” then baked me a coconut cake, my favorite.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

The first thing I did was place some expensive ads in a number of print magazines. I wanted to get the word out and placing ads was a suggestion given. I don’t think I sold a book from the two thousand I spent. Since then, I’ve learned to use the internet effectively. Placing ads on sites that cater to the book I’m pushing at much more reasonable cost. As we live, we learn.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

Sure. I would have created my company and published from the door. The greatest profit I’ve earned has come from my self-published books. Of course, distribution can be a pain, but the payoff is very nice in the end.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

I’ve been published traditionally as well as in e-book format since that time. I’ve grown tremendously as an author. I’ve learned networking is the key, rudeness should never be part of an author’s life especially on tour and no one, and I do mean no one, can sell a book you truly believe in more effectively than you could.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I inundated myself with so many opinions (many conflicting) that instead of sifting through the mass of information, I hoped on the bus with the loudest horn. Which, as is usually true, isn’t always the best fit. I believe that if I had researched the industry thoroughly, found an agent that understood my quirky mind, I may have been a traditionally published author from the door.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

I won the 2006 Mississippi Best Author Award in Fiction. It was voted on by the public so of course I was honored and beaming as I accepted.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

I don’t believe I need any more professions. I’ll tell anyone, I already have four jobs—veterinarian, real estate professional (yes, I have licenses in that also), writer and a mother. I’m booked solid…until.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

I’m dog-paddling and at times, gulping gallons of water, but I’m combining all the worlds.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I plan to be on top of the writing game, traveling all over meeting new fans and enjoying being primarily an author.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

This is Sydney’s Writer Trinity: patience, persistence and pushing. Patience because timing is everything, as I learned; persistence because like the squeaky wheel gets the oil, the name that is seen often, often gets bought; and pushing because if you don’t take the initiative in your writing career…no one else will. Not a publicist, not an agent, not publisher. In the end, the buck will stop with you so learn it early and act accordingly.

An Interview with Romantic Fiction Author Nelson Pahl

Nelson Pahl is a Bronte Prize-winning and Maurier Award-winning author signed to the independent publishing house, Cafe Reverie Press. He is a former FIS World Cup Freestyle Team member and a graduate of Hammond College. You can visit his website at www.nelsonpahl.com or his blog at www.nelsonpahl.blogspot.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Nelson. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

Bee Balms & Burgundy is my debut title, released this past October. My second book, Two for Tuesday, is due for release in December.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

Bee Balms & Burgundy. It won this year’s Bronte Prize.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

Actually, although I live paycheck to paycheck in the indie realm as a writer, I never had any rejections. Just the opposite, in fact. My plan all along was to establish a strong independent/small press, with authors I loved to read. I knew that today’s indie/small presses were fast-becoming talent boutiques, and I had my eye on a few other writers,
people with which we’re currently negotiating or in fact publishing. When I say the opposite happened, I mean that I’ve had three mid-level publishers and major subsidiaries, both in the U.S. and Canada, offer healthy advances to publish Bee Balms & Burgundy. I don’t say this to appear in demand or overtly talented. I say this to denounce a misperception in today’s fiction realm: independent/small presses can offer advantages that the rejection houses (major houses in New York, LA, Toronto, and London) simply cannot offer, such as retaining full ownership of all your content, you have final say and control over any movie rights, you can jump ship and sign with another publisher at any time, your book gets to market much faster, and, oftentimes, you receive larger royalties per unit sold. I’m sorry I don’t have a sad story in regards to rejections. Yet, I do think I offer an inspiring story–especially because I now make my living merely writing books.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

My rejections weren’t in regards to publishing, but every time you’re rejected for a review or an article or a radio spot or a bookstore or a signing or an ezine collaboration, and you handle those things mainly by way of your own hand, it hurts and its frustrating. But, I keep in mind that I have a talent not many share in this day and age; I tell myself that some day all the rejecters will be on hands and knees and begging to know me–even if that does sound a little delusional (lol.) When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

My press, Cafe Reverie Press, published me–for obvious reasons.How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

Very good. My mother took me out for dinner.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

The first thing we did was align with a charity and then write and distribute a few e-news releases/ezine articles; the media loves and needs charity in its news. You find your heartwarming angle and you can sell the news. If I did it again, I’d start in the real world instead of online. If you’re willing to put just a little bit of money into your campaign, you can end up with guaranteed press. There are a lot of ingenious firms and angles out there today.

The move I’d most recommend is finding a charitable tie-in, mine is breast cancer, and then create your news angle and approach your local news outlets. Sounds cliché, but
if you live in a city of 100k to, say, 600k, they’re dying for people like you. It’s such a manageable size with only so many potential stars. Yet, those cities have to fill newspapers, radio shows, and TV news broadcasts just like their counterparts in larger cities. If you live somewhere more vast, a major metro area, find your section of the metro and begin there. Find a community newspaper or smaller radio show or a local retail outlet or a charitable program that needs an expert in your market/industry/genre, and create the next big thing; make yourself into a hero, into a bona fide HOME-GROWN star. Then, you can take that press nugget and ease into other markets. “Hey, look at what kind of press he gets in Moline? He should be on the cover of the Arts section in Des Moines. Put him there!” Now, that’s a little melodramatic, but you get the point. It’s all image, you know? It’s not like today’s Hollywood is brimming with talent; the town simply sells “image” by the boat-load.
Get it?

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

Not a chance. I love where I am and who I am in this realm. I’d much rather be a Muskie in the neighborhood pond than a minnow in Lake Michigan, you know? I matter here.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

My second book, Two for Tuesday, comes out in December. I’ve become even more efficient with my writing. Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I don’t know that I have precisely the same issues as most writers trying to get published, but I’d offer this: I’d quit the nit-picking earlier in the process. Oftentimes, that first story is very difficult to give up; you want to make it perfect, hence you perpetually pick at it. My friends and family kept telling me, “You have to let go of it now; you have to start somewhere, and it’s important to leave room to improve.” That was really hard to swallow, but I eventually took their advice. (After much more nit-picking, of course.)

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

I’ve won several awards, including the Bronte Prize (Bee Balms & Burgundy) and the Maurier Award (Two for Tuesday), beating out some of America’s best-selling major publishing house authors in the process. The little guy does matter, I guess.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be? Running an international chain of raw vegan markets/boutiques.Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

No, I wouldn’t quit writing.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Still writing…while running that international raw vegan market/boutique chain from its Santo Domingo headquarters.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Stay focused, find your angle, and NEVER quit improving; there’s no point of writing if you’re not going to evolve. Activate EVERYTHING!!

An Interview with Magical Fantasy Author Theresa Chaze

Theresa Chaze has been described as the woman who plays with dragons, especially the dragons of the mind. She leads her readers to magical realms and others worlds. Her work is based on her philosophy that all peoples can live together in peace as long as we come from respect, not only for ourselves but those who follow different paths or beliefs. Whether fiction or non-fiction, Ms Chaze uses her talent to help others find the path to healing and take back their own power. In many ways, she is a life coach who helps others find alternative life paths and regain their passion. Her work has been compared to Marion Zimmer Bradley and Anne McCaffrey with an adult version of Harry Potter mixed in. Theresa Chaze’s major works so far include the first two novels of the Dragon Clan Trilogy , a ebook of Shadows, Out of the Shadows and Into the Light, and a free fantasy ebook called, Sisters, Mother, Daughters. Her screenplay, Never Can Say Good-bye, is one of the 2006 winners of the Gloria Film Festival. She publishes an ezine called, Messages From the Universe, which is available on her site www.theresachaze.com.

 

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Theresa. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

My novel Awakening the Dragon was originally published as Dragon’s New Home through Publish America. For legal reasons, I reedited and renamed it Awakening the Dragon–Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy. Although it started as a way to free the publishing rights, it actually made the book much better. Last year, I released Awakening the Dragon and the sequel, Dragon Domain–Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy. However, once again I chose the wrong publisher. This summer I started my own publishing house called Valkyrie Publishing. Awakening the Dragon–Book One (978-0-9798406-0-9) was released in September. Dragon Domain–Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (978-0-9798406-1-6) became available the end of November. I also have an ebook of Shadows called Out of the Shadows and Into the Light available on my website. It is a Wiccan and Pagan book of wisdom that describes the Earth based religions and gives rituals for the modern day world. If you want to know what Wiccans and Pagans believe or how they worship, Out of the Shadows will give you the information you are looking for. In addition, there are rituals for both the novice and experienced practitioner.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

I started a novel back in when I first graduated from High School. It made me realize how little I knew about the writing craft. I still have it and eventually will finish it.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

Too many to count. Originally, I was published through Publish America, then it was Pagefree. Both were very frustrating and disappointing experiences. Last spring, I did the research and learned that it was not as complicated or expensive as I thought. That’s when I started Valkyrie Publishing. I had toyed with the idea becoming the next POD publisher. However, I realistically looked at my account experience and admitted that I didn’t have the resources to do it properly yet. So instead of publishing others’ work, I am a consultant to help them do it for themselves.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

When I was 16, I wrote my first short story. At the time, I though it was the best thing since sliced bread. When it was rejected, I stopped writing for three months. Looking back, an act of the Goddess couldn’t have gotten it printed. It was a good story, but it was sent out hand written with many technical errors. However, once I started writing again, I never really stopped. Although sometimes I did have to slow down. I kept going by keeping writing. Every piece is a little better as I got more experience.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

I didn’t really choose them. Publish America chose me. Evidently, they got my information from my US Copyright. It was not my best decision.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

Originally, it was wonderful. It was a validation of a lot of hard work. I called everyone I knew, then went to lunch.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

When I first started, I was very inexperienced. Even though I had media experience, I hadn’t been able to translate it into book promotions. Once I started joining writing groups, I was able to build a bridge between the publishing and broadcasting experience. Most writers are prepared for all the hard work that comes after the book is finished. Writing is the easy and fun part. The real work comes afterwards as you create a brand name for yourself and reach your target markets.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

Yes and no. It has been a long, hard row to hoe, but I like where I have ended up. The only thing I would change is that I would have learned computers sooner. By refusing to embrace my inner techno-geek, I delayed my success.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

Very much so both as a writer and a publisher. I have expanded into non-fiction both locally and online. I am a contributing writer to the local newspaper and a content writer for a psychic service as well as writing press releases not only for myself but other writers. I publish a monthly ezine called Messages from the Universe, which has a readership over 1200. With my fiction, my characters have become more defined and honest as I have grown as a person. Each of them, even the evil ones, are aspects of myself. The better I know myself, the better I can translate them on paper.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I could have been less stubborn, especially when it comes to the technical end. Storylines and character–the creative aspects were always easy for me. I created stories like most people breathe. What I had issues with was the technical end. Spelling, punctuation and grammar do count. No longer are editors willing to smooth out the rough spots and publishers won’t look past the technical boo-boos at the story, no matter how great it is. It I had been more willing to listen, instead of digging in my heels, I probably would be further along.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

Having the courage to believe in myself and fight for my rights. Many times, it would have been very easy to just give up and lead a mundane life, but it wouldn’t have made me happy. It’s not so much of my trying to be J. K. Rowlings, even through we write in similar genres, but being able to tell a story that others will find interesting enough to want to read.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

I worked in television for over six years. It is what I received my second BA for. I think I would go back to it. I loved the work. Hated the politics. The hurry up and wait sets up strange situations. I love to edit video and audio.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

No, not again. For all six years, I tried to do them both. For most of that time, I was successful, but I didn’t produce many written projects. I’m 49 years old and no longer willing to give up on having what makes me happy.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I see myself as a successful writer and publisher with at least two dozen books and as many screenplays. It would be nice to have an Oscar.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Keep writing. Have faith in yourself, but learn as much about the industry as you can. The more you know, the better prepared you will be to do the work. Although the act of writing is very important, it needs to be balance with living life. The best stories and characters are created through the interaction with the world. If you cloister yourself away, you will rapidly run out of material and loose touch with what your readership wants.

Tags: Beyond the Books, author interviews, book publicity, Theresa Chaze, Awakening the Dragon, magical fantasy

Interview with Fantasy Suspense Author Cat Muldoon

 

Cat Muldoon sharpens her claws and her wit daily. Her varied interests include singing, teaching, cooking, archery, and mythology. Naturally, she loves reading and writing as well.

Most of her stories are romance, paranormal, futuristic, science fiction, fantasy, and suspense. But with Cat, you never know what she’ll dream up next. She does, literally, dream up stories at times. She has a couple of humorous horror stories looking for a home, but is finding that people who want the stuffing scared out of them don’t want quirky people or funny bits in their tales.

She also converses with her characters, which is one reason they are so lively. You won’t find any cardboard cut-outs in her stories. This makes for interesting times if one of them is out of sorts and she, being of optimistic nature, thinks they need to get an attitude adjustment and move on with life.

The cast of her first novel Rue the Day: The Undercover Heir, Book 1 are quite anxious for her to get on and write the second in the series, all except for Aislinn, who isn’t looking forward to some of the things that will happen to her, and the two or three men who…OOPS! Talking out of turn — That’s for another day.

Cat’s favorite stories are those that captivate you and keep you in suspense. She enjoys romance stories IF they are interesting tales with strong, well-developed characters and twisty plots.

She’s not taken to gushy romance scenes but will acquiesce under the duress of her characters if necessary. She also realizes that people know what parts go where, so she isn’t inclined to graphic scenes either. It is more fun to tantalize and involve all the senses.

And yes, Cat adores felines. She has two of them. Feel free to Email her at Cat@CatMuldoon.com or visit her on MySpace at www.MySpace.com/CatMuldoon

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Cat. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

Rue the Day: The Undercover Heir, Book 1 is my first novel. I have a couple of short stories in anthologies. “Tired Old Cinnamon” is in Echoes of the Ozarks, Volume II, ´and “Seal Skins” is in WomanScapes. Another story, “Katrina’s Horror” is in the Storyteller Magazine summer issue.

Most of my work is in the mythic/fantasy/paranormal realms, but I do occasionally write a common day story. I’ve dabbled in very short horror, but I can only manage it with a lot of comedy. That’s “Katrina’s Horror.” “Seal Skins” is about the Selkie of Celtic lore, who are seal in the sea and can take off their sealskin and take on a human likeness on land.

Rue the Day is set mostly in Faerie and a little in the modern world, in the Ozarks of Missouri. One of the interesting things about this book is that even people who don’t typically like fantasy enjoy the book. I don’t know if it’s just the way I write, or if it’s the fact that my critique group didn’t like fantasy but kindly put up with Rue the Day…then they all decided they liked the book.

If you would like to invite a Cat (Muldoon) to your book club, I can attend virtually via conference line and even show you how to serve a Faerie feast to make it an event. Write Cat@CatMuldoon.com for details and let me know how many books you need shipped to you so I can invoice you and set up a date.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

Rue the Day: The Undercover Heir, Book 1 is my first book. I wrote it in under 4 months. Actually, I only meant to write a short story and did not have plans to write a novel. The characters had other ideas! I only meant to write a short story.

The way it started came about on a misty morning. I thought of all the stories about passing through the mists to Avalon or Faerie or other realms, and I thought of a woman separated from her true people, Lynn. Unbeknownst to her, her people have been seeking her for her entire life, and when a man she does not know tries to convince her to go away with him, she is quite naturally suspicious.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

I went through about 8 rejections. This didn’t bother me, really, as rejection is simply part of the game. I also tried some agents but never found someone I had a good fit with. Wings is a small press. My book came out 2 years after I completed it.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

I must be weird. I don’t take the rejections badly at all. I expect them and figure I’m one no closer to a yes. I don’t expect to get a Yes every time, and sure I would have loved for a large publisher to take the book, but the rejection did not at all bother me. As I said above, that is simply part of the game. What bothered me was they would take months just to say “no” and I was never sure anyone really even read the first page.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

Wings Press published it. I had heard good things about them and thus submitted. I waited 4 months for the approval and a year to go into print. My fabulous cover was done in the fall of last year. I never got an editor until less than 2 weeks before press.

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

I screamed and jumped around and went to dinner with friends. It is exciting to sign a contract.

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

I honestly don’t recall what the very first thing was. I also set up a MySpace blog, had my website overhauled by someone who knows what he’s doing. It was hard because as I said, I didn’t get an editor, so didn’t have an ARC (advance reader copy) early enough to get cover reviews. 2 of them did more of a summary of the book than a review. I thought the idea was to give an opinion that might entice a reader to read. SO that was disappointing.

A number of things didn’t happen until the end, so all the plans I had that could have been done in advance didn’t happen as planned. All in all, it was more exciting to get the yes than to get the book in hand because of the various delays. This being my first novel, it is all new to me.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

Yes. Now I know a few more people and might have more options.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

I’ve had several short stories published and have sent a bunch more around. I have an anthology of stories ready to go. I am also about to launch a story of the month so that people can read a short story and even, if they like, take on a small writing challenge.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

The early days were only a couple of years ago for me, and I honestly thought I was writing a short story. It’s hard to say for sure what I might do, whether I would try harder to find an agent or take a different small press or what.

The folks at Wings are great, don’t get me wrong, but with a small press come certain challenges. They are perfectly ethical and fair to the author, but perhaps take on too many projects to keep up properly with the books. I do have someone in mind that I may pitch the anthology to.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?

For me being published is my greatest accomplishment in terms of writing. I’m glad to get some short stories placed and look forward to having more time to write the sequel to Rue and some other things I have in mind.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

Writing, speaking, and encouraging authors would be a great career for me.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

I would love to spend my days writing and speaking.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

The Undercover Heir series is done and I have 3 other books in print or scheduled for print. That is my desire.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Keep the dream alive and don’t spend thousands of dollars on a vanity press. There are so many other options, but if you do decide to self publish, get yourself an editor. Also realize you’ll do better if you can speak to groups, visit libraries or book clubs, do “drive by” signings, ask boutique shops to carry your books, and blog to develop a following.

Tags: Beyond the Books, online book promotion, virtual book tour, book publicity, Cat Muldoon, Rue the Day

An Interview with Psychological Mystery Author Roberta Isleib

New Jersey born clinical psychologist Roberta Isleib took up writing mysteries to justify too much bad golf. Her Cassie Burdette series was nominated for an Agatha and two Anthony awards. Her new series debuted in March with DEADLY ADVICE, starring a psychologist/advice columnist. PREACHING TO THE CORPSE will follow in December 2007. Roberta is the president of Sisters in Crime International.  You can visit her website at http://www.robertaisleib.com

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Roberta.  Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

My seventh book will be published in December 2007, PREACHING TO THE CORPSE.  

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why? 

FINAL ROUND was a prequel to the Cassie Burdette golf mysteries. This was the book that landed me an agent (Paige Wheeler of Folio Literary) and sold a 3-book series to Berkley Prime Crime. However, in Final Round my main character was caddying for a guy on the men’s professional golf tour, with aspirations to play herself—once she got her act together. The editors at Berkley decided they wanted to start her out playing golf in the first book of the series. After a lot of grousing to my husband, I put the book in the drawer and started on SIX STROKES UNDER. I was able to use a lot of the backstory from Final Round in the series and also realize that I’ve grown a great deal as a writer! 

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it? 

It was no picnic, but I did find an agent and she did sell my book to a mainstream publisher. None of it came easily or quickly. I studied Elizabeth Lyon’s The Sell Your Novel Toolkit and Jeff Herman’s Writer’s Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents. I contacted agents who had interests like mine (mystery, sports, psychology), or who had some feature in their personal background that made me think we might connect. I hired an independent editor to give me fairly inexpensive but useful feedback on my manuscript-she directed me to several agents. I attended mystery conventions and talked with people there about the process. I attended the International Women’s Writers Guild “Meet the Agents” forum in New York City. I groveled in front of everyone I even remotely knew connected with the publishing business. And I suffered through multiple rejections and shouldered gamely forward, my skin toughening by the hour. After a good year’s worth of rejections, Paige Wheeler offered to represent me. It took her another 8 months and a number of rejections before she sold it to Berkley. 

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows? 

Each rejection was a kick in the gut. I gave myself a day or two to wallow, then moved ahead.  Publishing is an extremely competitive field right now. Writers sell themselves short if they don’t spend as much time as possible learning the craft and polishing their work before they start to submit it. I still work with a group of readers who critique my manuscripts and I’ve spent a fair amount of my (admittedly small) income hiring an editor to help me learn more about writing, plotting, and breathing life into characters. 

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them? 

SIX STROKES UNDER, 2002, Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin) 

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate? 

I was absolutely thrilled. I threw an enormous book launch party at the local bookstore, RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison CT. I invited everyone I knew. They had to move the event to the library across the street because 200 people came. I gave a talk about the book and getting published and we all drank champagne and ate cake. It was a wonderful, wonderful night. 

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time? 

See above. I contacted the bookstore well in advance and told them how many people I thought I could bring in. I sent out press releases, kept a mailing list, attended conferences, networked like crazy. And you must have a professional-looking website. 

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published? 

Absolutely not. 

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author? 

Four more golf mysteries were published, along with my two books in the new series, DEADLY ADVICE and PREACHING TO THE CORPSE. These two books feature a clinical psychologist who writes an advice column. I work hard at improving my writing for each book—I never want to be the kind of author that people shake their heads over saying, “she started out strong, what happened?” 

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided? 

There are no shortcuts. I only wish I had started earlier—like taken the creative writing classes offered at Princeton when I was an undergraduate! But I wasn’t ready to write then and I sure am now. 

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published? 

I’ve just been installed as the 21^st president of Sisters in Crime. SinC was founded in 1986 by a small group of writers including Sara Paretsky and Nancy Pickard, and has grown to an international organization with over 3400 members.  Sisters in Crime began by monitoring review space in newspapers and pointing out potential biases to reviewers. The group found that a book written by a man was seven times more likely to be reviewed than a book by a woman, important because libraries and fans make choices depending on reviews.   Over the past twenty years, Sisters in Crime has continued to combat discrimination against women in the mystery field, educate publishers and the general public as to inequities in the treatment of female authors, raise the level of awareness of their contributions to the field, and promote the professional advancement of women who write mysteries. It’s an amazing organization! 

Would you give up your profession to be doing something else? 

I love what I’m writing now. I can highlight my background in psychology and write about folks in that field who are competent and caring, rather than the idiotic and downright hurtful professionals you often see in movies and on TV. 

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Maybe the author of 16 books, rather than 7—a grande dame of the mystery world! 

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day? 

Polish, polish, hone your craft. I know that traditional publishing is a hard road, but self-publishing brings its own problems, including distribution, getting reviews, and more generally, respect. There are some good reasons to go that route—if you have a niche market or a small audience—but make sure you know what you’re in for. Actually that advice works for any kind of publishing!  

Tags: Beyond the Books, author interviews, virtual book tour, Roberta Isleib, Preaching to the Corpse, psychological murder mystery

Interview with Epic Fantasy Author Jim Melvin

Jim Melvin, 50, was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., but spent more than forty years of his life in St. Petersburg, Fla. He now lives in Clemson, S.C.

Jim graduated from the University of South Florida (Tampa) with a B.A. in Journalism in 1979. He was an award-winning journalist at the St. Petersburg Times for twenty-five years and retired in 2004 to become a full-time novelist. At the Times, he specialized in science, nature, health and fitness, and he wrote about everything from childhood drowning to erupting volcanoes. But he spent the majority of his career as a designer, editor, and supervisor.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Jim.  Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published?

The six books that make up my epic fantasy series are my first published novels. But I was a journalist for 25 years and have published many features and columns.

Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

Book One is entitled The Pit and was available September 2007. Book Two (Moon Goddess) was available October 2007. Book Three (Eve of War), November 2007. Book Four (World on Fire), December 2007. Book Five (Sun God), January 2008. Book Six (Death-Know), February 2008.

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

I wrote my first novel when I was 20 years old. It was a Stephen King-like horror novel entitled Sarah’s Curse. An agent who was a family friend shopped it around, and though it received some nice responses, it never found a publisher. But I wasn’t overly concerned because I believed my second novel would be the one to hit it big. In the meantime, I started my career as a journalist at the St. Petersburg Times in Florida. For me, the rat race officially began. Soon I was working 50-hour weeks and raising a family – and there never was a second book. Twenty-five years later, I was fortunate enough to be able to semi-retire. In September 2004, I wrote the first word of Book One of The Death Wizard Chronicles, a six-book epic fantasy. Seven-hundred-thousand words later, I’m in the final revision process of Book Six. 

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it? 

My agent and I shopped hard for a publisher. First-time fiction is an extremely difficult sell nowadays, especially in the glutted genres such as epic fantasy. I received a lot of nicely worded rejections (about 10 in all) from the major houses. I was very lucky and happy to sign with Rain, which is a mid-sized, traditional house based in Canada (www.rainbooks.com).  

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows? 

A lot of successfully published authors would have you believe that the only secret to being published by a big house is to write a better book. I don’t believe that. For one thing, 80 percent of what you’ll find in the big bookstores doesn’t seem that great to me. For another, how can your work be truly judged when the editors at the big houses are so swamped, they don’t have time to read it? The rejections depressed me, but not because I believed my work wasn’t of high quality. It was because I believed that the odds were too highly stacked against me. I received a lot of nicely worded rejections from the major houses, most of which only have one or two slots for literally thousands of entries. In some regards, it would be easier to win the lottery, buy the publishing house, appoint yourself president, and then publish your book than it would be to gain an acceptance in the traditional manner. I know this is an unpopular point of view, but I’m just being honest in terms of how I feel.

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them? 

I signed with Rain in March 2007. Not only have they treated me respectfully, but they were willing to publish all my books in a very timely fashion. No waiting until 2009. That was as big a selling point to me as anything else.  

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

To be honest, I was at first more stunned than happy. Prior to my signing with Rain, the publishing process had been filled with pitfalls and disappointments. However, once it sank in that I had achieved my goal, I changed my attitude and became very excited. My wife and I went out to a fancy restaurant and shared a bottle of expensive champagne; and we liked the champagne so much, we did it again a couple of nights later!

What was the first thing you did as far as promotion when you were published for the first time? 

The first thing I did was to start up a blog. Since then, I’ve had more than 5,000 hits. I know I’m not setting records, but I’m pleased by the response in just a few short months.

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published? 

Is there another one? In January 2005, I acquired an agent, which most people say is even more difficult than getting published. After that, I followed my agent’s guidance. I don’t know what else I could have done.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author? 

All six books of my series are being published by Rain. During the writing of the series, I have grown considerably as an author. My style is a little different in Book Six than in Book One: smoother, less staccato. But it’s not so different that the reader will notice. In some ways, it has worked to my advantage that Book One of my series wasn’t picked up immediately. I’ve been able to go back into the earlier books and make revisions that the big-name guys such as Stephen Donaldson aren’t able to do. Once Donaldson finished Book One of his latest series, it went right to print. I’m sure that in writing Book Two, there were times he wished he could go back into Book One and make touch-ups.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up?  What kind of mistakes could you have avoided? 

The only thing I could have done differently to speed things up would have been to debut a standalone novel instead of a series. That would have made things easier on my agent and me. But The DW Chronicles were in my heart, and I went with my heart.

What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published? 

I rank two things equally: an impressive talk/reading/signing at the prestigious Times Festival of Reading in St. Petersburg, Fla.; and a very positive review from the Tampa Tribune, one of the largest newspapers in Florida.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be? 

I’d love to be an incredibly hot, sexy rock star with a fantastic voice who also can play about a dozen instruments.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds? 

This will sound crazy to most people, but I would rather be a best-selling novelist than a rock star. However, I’d rather be a rock star than a novelist who doesn’t sell very well. (Ha!)

How do you see yourself in ten years? 

Some people don’t like to be known for just one work or one role. But if I were known only for The Death Wizard Chronicles, I’d be the happiest person alive. The characters in my series are like family to me – and I love them.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day? 

Write from the heart. Pull no punches. Don’t try to guess what readers want to read. Write what you want to write, and then let the chips fall where they may. Write with passion about large issues. And cry real hard when you’re finally finished. Then, do your best to get an agent, and work hard every day at getting published. Even then, there’ll be no guarantees. But at least you’ll be able to look yourself in the mirror and know that you’ve given it your best shot.

Tags: Beyond the Books, author interview, Jim Melvin, The Death Wizard Chronicles, epic fantasy

Interview with Children’s Nonfiction Book Author Holly Fretwell

Holly Fretwell is a PERC Research Fellow, and an adjunct professor at Montana State University where she teaches economic principles, microeconomics, and natural resource and environmental economics. She also attended Montana State University as a student where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and master’s degree in resource economics. She worked with Northwest Economics Associates in Vancouver, Washington, examining timber export regulation in the Pacific Northwest and has consulted for organizations including Plum Creek Timber and the Center for International Trade in Forest Products (CINTRAFOR). As author and co-author of numerous articles on natural resource issues, her current emphasis is on public lands management and climate change policy. Fretwell has published in professional journals and the popular press including the Wall Street Journal, Journal for Environmental Economics and Management, Duke Environmental Law and Policy Forum, Journal of Forestry, and Consumer’s Research. She has presented papers promoting the use of markets in public land management and has provided expert testimony on the state of our national parks and the future of the Forest Service.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Holly.  Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published?  Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

 This is my very first book published though I have written several chapters for various books including The Untouchables: America’s National Forests, in Government vs. Environment. Eds Donal R. Leal and Roger E. Meiners. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Lanham, MD in 2002 and a forthcoming chapter in the Fraser Institute book, A Breath of Fresh Air. I have also written numerous publications for PERC, both Policy Series and Public Lands Reports. I have written a manuscript on public lands management that still awaits publication. 

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?   

 Whither the Federal Estate was the first full book I ever wrote. After pursuing nearly a dozen university presses, Whither the Federal Estate has found a potential home with one of them. Over the past several years it has made it through the peer reviewed editing process. Unfortunately, the publisher has now requested that I rewrite the first chapter which is a history of the public lands from a property rights perspective. They are uncomfortable with this chapter; even though it is well documented they have made it clear that I am not a historian. In my mind this chapter lays the foundation for the remainder of the book. 

 For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?  

I was more fortunate with SKY. I found a publisher, World Ahead Media, before writing that stuck with me. Though we did not always agree on what the final product should look like in the end we came out with an excellent summary of climate change that is easily understandable by kids aged 8 to 100. This synopsis not only teaches about climate change but also teaches how to become a critical thinker. 

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

 My perspective on the world is different than the perspective many people hold. Hence, rejection is expected and being asked to rewrite is not at all surprising. When your views of the world are not always ‘politically correct’ it does make publication a bit more tedious sometimes. 

When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?

World Ahead Media published SKY. I approached them because I had heard they were interested in publishing a children’s book on global warming. 

How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

 It is a fantastic feeling but publication came at the beginning of the school year which meant my teaching job was kicking in fast. Publication meant more work to promote the book which has kept me extremely busy throughout the entire semester. 

What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

 I have done lots of radio interviews. They are lots of fun but also time consuming. I had no idea the time and effort necessary to promote the book once the writing was finished.  

If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?

 I think as an author you have to realize some tradeoffs. I wrote SKY as a quasi partnership with World Ahead Media. I contacted them before writing, they were looking for a specific book, and we compromised to come out with a book that suited us both.  Whither the Federal Estate has been more frustrating for me as the manuscript was complete when I began seeking a publisher and I was quite happy with the book as it was. Some editing is certainly expected but rewriting chapters is a bit harder to agree to.  

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

 I have realized that sometimes you have to compromise but that you also have to hold onto your guns for issues important to you. Like any editor, a publisher can turn a book around to be something very different than intended as an author. Between the 2 books there have been some changes I have welcomed and others I have refused to comply with. Integrity is important!  

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up?  What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

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