Interview with Fiction Author Michaela Riley

Michaela Riley was born in 1960 and grew up in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia in a town that borders the Ohio River and is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills.

As a child Riley would spend most of her time reading every book she could carry home from the school library. She admits, “Being a writer was a fairytale for some else’s life. Then I found a story that needed to be told.”

Riley left West Virginia to join the Army in 1981 and quickly realized that the quiet life of West Virginia was very different than the screaming platoon sergeant. She decided early in her military career that she would go to college and that law was her first career choice.

During her college years and after completion of her active duty tour during the Gulf War, she supported herself in a variety of healthcare positions. She plans on retiring from the Army Reserves this year and smiles as she says, “It was the best job and career I have ever had. I love my country.”

Nearly twenty six years later Riley has completed a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and a Master of Business Administration degree. She has been practicing as a Registered Nurse for almost twenty years and is the CEO of her own Professional Development Company.
Riley began to pursue writing when she was had the misfortune of spending time in a local court room. Research revealed increasing rates of plea bargaining and malicious prosecution. “I have always been an advocate for people in need. When your right to speak for yourself is prevented, something has to be done. The story must be told, everyone has a story. Writing has become something I am passionate about and I am working on two other fiction novels.”
Riley lives near the Eastern Shore of Virginia. She has a son (born in 1977) and a Labrador retriever. When not writing, Michaela gardens, cooks, and enjoys the outdoors with her family. Her favorite pastime is spent reading, going to movies or walking on the beach.

You can visit her website at www.michaelariley.com. 

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

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

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

The first book written was entitled “No Voice”. This is actually the first draft of Embittered Justice. The name was already registered with another author so I had to change the title and some elements 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?

No rejections for Embittered Justice, received 5 offers to publish the book. What an amazing feeling!

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

The first book, Embittered Justice was published by Publish America. The publisher was chosen because it came down to price and they were free. There are numerous publishers out there and selecting a publisher is a difficult task. My first choice was Tate Publishing, unfortunately their offer came after I had already signed a contract with Publish America.

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

It felt surreal; like it must be someone else’s life…it was and still is amazing to get to tell a story that can invoke feeling and passion for the subject matter. Celebration was a bottle of wine with some very supportive friends, talking about the process of getting published.

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

Much to my chagrin, the publisher did not handle marketing…they did list the book on various sites, amazon and barnes and noble. The rest has been my choice. Creation of the web site, placing ads, blogs, radio advertising and virtual tours have been the first level of promotion with press releases. It has been a very busy two months!

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

Yes and no. Being a first time author doesn’t afford the luxury of having a large selection of publishers. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share Embittered Justice with readers. I am certain I would have waited for the contract from another Publisher if I had this to do over again.

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

No other books published at this point but plan on releasing the sequel to Embittered Justice in the fall of 2008.

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?

Definitely recommend getting the book professionally edited before submission. If at all possible get some book reviews when the editing is completed. Once a book and cover goes to print it is difficult to make changes.

What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

Would have avoided the first print of Embittered Justice with typographical and grammar errors. The realization that the publisher didn’t do this came when I held the book in my hands for the first time. Wow, what a lesson to learn.

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

I have an increased awareness and knowledge about the publishing and book promotion aspects of first time authors. I am writing an e-book to help other first time authors get this accomplished in an easy to follow plan. It has been a journey that has prepared me for writing and promoting many books.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be? I have had many professions before this, registered nurse, soldier, manager, CEO, now author. I don’t want to do anything else but write and have the opportunity to inspire others.

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

This is the best of both worlds! I can still practice nursing and write. I love my life!

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Several best selling books, speaking engagements, e-books…loving life. Sharing my life with family and friends at the beach house.

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

Dream, imagine and believe it can be possible! It’s okay to not live life by the standards of others. Being an author is an incredible opportunity to tell the stories that inspire and have changed us to be the people we are today. Publishing has changed so much that virtually anyone can get published. Make the decision to finish that book, create the life you want now.