Kathleen Willey — wife, mother and Democratic political activist — was working as a White House volunteer when, in 1993, President Clinton sexually assaulted her in the Oval Office. On the same day, her husband of 23 years committed suicide.

Four years later, she was drawn into the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit and subsequently, the Monica Lewinsky scandal, when she was forced to testify against Bill Clinton.

Despite being targeted by the Clintons for daring to tell the truth and becoming the focus of media smear campaigns, terror tactics, and witness intimidation, Ms. Willey has pursued a successful career in real estate, and is a popular commentator on political affairs. She currently lives in Virginia.

Kathleen is the author of TARGET: CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON (World Ahead Media).

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Kathleen. 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)?

Target: Caught in the Crosshairs of Bill and Hillary Clinton is my first book.

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

While the idea for “Target” was percolating in my head for years, this was the first time I sat down to write a 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?

My experience was a little different, because the publisher of my book encouraged me to write it.

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

While I haven’t endured that aspect of a writer’s life, I know several people who have…and it’s tough! Persistence and just not giving up are the ways they’ve dealt with it. This is a difficult business, particularly when you are a first-time author.

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

I met Eric Jackson, CEO of World Ahead Media several years ago. His company had published several books critical of the Clintons, and I knew that he was both sympathetic to my story and anxious to help me tell it. “Target” came out November 2007, timed for the presidential primaries.

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

I don’t need to tell the writers out there how much of a sense of accomplishment is attached to publishing a book! And of course, this was a story that I felt strongly had to be told, a story that needs to reach as many people as possible. As for celebrating, I kicked off my publicity on the Sean Hannity Show. There’s no place like New York when it comes to acknowledging a big milestone.

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

I worked with a publicist, which I think is a must for this type of book. I know a lot of people in the media myself and of course put the word out, and was gratified by the response. The opportunity to do a “virtual book tour” was helpful as well, particularly because blogs offer a great route to readers who don’t necessarily pay attention to typical mainstream media outlets. I’ve done over 150 interviews with more to come.

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

My route wasn’t as circuitous as most…but I sure respect those writers whose journey has taken months or years!

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

I can’t recall who said it, but a few years ago an author said that promoting her books was harder than writing them in some ways. She felt that as important as promoting your book is, it’s exhausting and takes time away from your next book, and I can see how that is true. I have plenty of ideas for a book to follow “Target,” but at this point I am concentrating on it exclusively, beyond writing some editorials on the election and the candidates.

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?

One of the main issues for me was deciding the best time for the book to come out. When would it have the most impact? I also wanted it to be absolutely up-to-date in terms of the Clintons and the 2008 elections. At one time I was aiming for a 2006 release, but once I decided 2007 would be more timely, it changed the rhythm of my writing. I was able to go more in-depth on issues, something that wouldn’t have been possible if I’d stuck to the original release date idea.

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

I am proud that “Target” has not only sold well, but has the potential to influence the 2008 primaries and election. That was my goal, and I believe I’ve succeeded.

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

Cold as it is in Virginia right now, I’d like to be doing anything that has a beach setting to it!

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

Writing is by no means the easiest thing in the world, but it is a wonderful way to express yourself while potentially influencing thousands of people. I’m fortunate in that I enjoy my primary job, which is in real estate. Writing is a great adjunct to that.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Happy – particularly if I am successful in helping end the Clinton dynasty.

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

Writers are well-known for their tendency to stay at home (the better to create their own worlds), but getting out, meeting people and telling them what you are up to is in some ways just as important as the writing itself. A great book proposal isn’t enough these days – you need to sell yourself as well.

Tags: virtual book tour, Kathleen Willey, Target: Caught in the Crosshairs of Bill and Hillary Clinton, Hillary Clinton, primaries, president+clinton