Diana Rumjahn received her bachelor’s degree in social science from San Francisco State University and has worked at the university for over the past two decades. She is currently an administrator at College of Creative Arts, where she received the “Star of the Month Award.” She wrote, directed, filmed, produced and edited the international award-winning film Going Home, which has been shown worldwide. You can visit her website at www.dianarumjahn.com.

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

Diana: I am a first-time published author.

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

Diana: Choices For All. It was not published because my interests changed over time.

Q: 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?

Diana: I decided to self-publish it.

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

Diana: BookSurge is the publisher of Charlie and Mama Kyna. A friend of mine published her book with BookSurge and I decided to follow in her footsteps.

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

Diana: I felt that there was a lot of work still needed to be done in terms of promotion and I did not celebrate.

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

Diana: I informed everyone by internet.

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

Diana:  For Charlie and Mama Kyna, self-publishing was appropriate because I was in supervisory role throughout the process. I am very happy with the results.

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

Diana: I have not published since, Charlie and Mama Kyna. The experience of publishing and promoting a book has made me grown as an author.

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

Diana: My book won the Best Short Story For Children Award from The 39^th Annual Marin County Fair, Marin County, California. This award came 6 months after being published. Hopefully, the book will win more awards.

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

Diana: University Professor.

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

Diana: I would try to combine the best of both worlds.

Q: How do you see yourself in ten years?

Diana: I can’t see that far ahead while living in a big city.

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

Diana: Be persistent and prepare yourself for a lot of work.

Victoria Simcox

Author of The Magic Warble, Victoria Simcox, also known as Vicki, was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, to an Austrian immigrant mother, and a Dutch immigrant father. She has one older sister. When she was 7, Vicki moved with her family to British Columbia. Then in her early twenties to Western Washington, where she now resides in Marysville WA. She has been married for almost 20 years, and has 3 children. For the past 10 years, she has home schooled her children, and she also teaches elementary school art. Her other family members are, a Chihuahua, named Pipsy, 2 cats, named Frodo and Fritz, and 1 parakeet, named Pauly. She did have a pet rat named Raymond; when she started writing The Magic Warble, but sad to say, he has since passed away of old age. Vicki enjoys writing, reading, painting watercolors, good movies and just hanging out with friends and family. Her favorite author is C.S. Lewis, and one of her fondest memories is when she was 12. She would sit at the kitchen table, and read the Chronicles of Narnia to her mother while she cooked dinner. These magical stories were very dear to Vicki and she remembers wishing, If only I could go to Narnia like Lucy and Susan. Vicki hopes that maybe she can touch someone with her story in a similar way.  You can visit her website at www.themagicwarble.com or her blog at http://www.victoriasimcox.blogspot.com.

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

Victoria: I am published for the first time.

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

Victoria: The Magic Warble

The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox (Click on cover to purchase)

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?

Victoria: About 30 I’d say.

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

Victoria: The rejections made me feel down, and depressed of course, but I had done a lot of research before hand, and that had prepared me to expect many rejections. I learned that for first time authors, most of the time it doesn’t matter how good your work is, publishers are rarely going to take the risk of taking on a new author due to the costs involved in publishing.

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

Victoria: Two Harbors Press is my first publisher. They are a small publishing agency that does take on new authors, if they like their work, but they also expect the author to do most of the promotion of their book.

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

Victoria: It made me feel very happy. To me being published is a very big accomplishment. I didn’t do anything in particular to celebrate, just relished in the satisfaction of being a published author.

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

Victoria: I had a website created and a blog spot as well. Then I had my book reviewed by bloggers, who then posted the reviews on their blog sites. I also sent review copies to newspapers and stores to see if they wanted to carry my book. And I have been doing book signings and talks as well.

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

Victoria: I guess if there was a publisher that did all of my promoting that would be something I’d have wanted to begin with, but the reality of it is that would most likely never have happened to begin with being that I am new author. So I am doing the best I can with where I’m at now.

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

Victoria: No. I haven’t finished my second book in The Magic Warble series yet, and it is all that I am working on at present. As far as growing as an author, my passion for creating my story keeps growing stronger, and I write more then I used to. I hardly ever go a day with out writing at least 2 to 3 hours. Also I really truly appreciate the fans of my book. When they tell how they can’t wait for the next book, it’s so rewarding to me. I also like to encourage young people who want to write as well. There are a lot of kids out there wanting to be the next J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer and if I can build them up and give them encouragement and hope it also helps me grow as an author.

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?

Victoria: Really, I don’t see what I could have done different or speeded up. I was published in about 14 months from the time I started sending out my manuscript.

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

Victoria: Being able to here how my fans love my story and can’t wait for the next book. This shows me that I must have accomplished writing a pretty good story.

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

Victoria: That’s hard to say because writing is what I love most, but if I had to choose something secondary, I’d say art teacher.

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

Victoria: I guess I’ve combined the best of both worlds, because I already do both.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Victoria:  I have big dreams. In ten years or hopefully way before then, I want be able to make enough money from my book royalties to retire my husband from his job. I’d like to see my books made into movies and I want to be able to travel more as well as give more to the charities I support.

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

Victoria:  If you truly feel that writing is your life’s purpose, then no matter how hard the publishing journey gets, or how frustrated you get when writers block may stop your creativity, or how low your self esteem may get, never give up. Even so, saying all this, don’t expect miracles to fall into your lap. You’ll have to search and work very hard figuring out what to do next, but I believe if you do this, an opportunity will show its self. Do a lot of research. The internet is a goldmine of information. I’ll leave you with a good quote: Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens. J. R. R. Tolkien

Watch the trailer!

Susan Chodakiewitz is a writer, composer and producer. She is the founder of Booksicals Children’s Books- Encouraging the love of reading through the arts. Through her company Booksicals she has created the Booksicals on Stage literacy program which is currently presenting musical performances of the picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House at schools, libraries, and special events.

Susan lives in Los Angeles in a lively household filled with music, three sons, a husband, a Dalmatian and lots of visitors. Susan loves picture books and when she wrote a musical based on one of her favorites, she realized it was time to start writing her own picture books. Too Many Visitors for One Little House is Susan’s debut book. You can visit her website at www.booksicals.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Susan.  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)?

Too Many Visitors for One Little House is my debut children’s book.

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 picture book together with my niece Lauren Grabois, a writer and elementary school teacher.  Lauren and I both had quirky Beta fish.  My fish—Jaws — was anorexic and would spit up its food.  Lauren’s fish– Mr. Blueberry– was paranoid and would hide under his rock and not come out for days. This became the basis for our first picture book: Mr. Blueberry and the Fish From Down the Street. We pitched Mr. Blueberry to several publishers but only got rejections. Feeling discouraged I decided to embark on a new project.

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 got around 12 rejection letters.  I revised the book after each one. The rejection letters actually helped me to fine tune the book and get it into the best shape possible.

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

I can’t say I did not feel a sweep of disappointment and frustration with every rejection.  Of course I felt discouraged but only momentarily.  I believed in this story.  I felt strongly that eventually this story would see the light of day, one way or another.

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

When I got the inspiration to write Too Many Visitors for One Little House I blurted it out in one sitting.  Then I spent one year re-writing and revising. I started sending out the book to editors. I got several passes on the book from various publishers.

Then at an SCBWI conference in Los Angeles, I got encouraging feedback from Editor Allyn Johnston who was at Harcourt at the time. She pinpointed exactly how I could improve the story and helped me to clarify the point of view. After I made revisions Harcourt ended up passing on the story. I was very disappointed but my resolve strengthened.  I believed that the story had heart.

I sent out the story to a few more publishing companies but in the back of my mind I was already formulating the idea for starting my company Booksicals. When I did not get any acceptance letters  I turned for advice to a former NY editor who now has a free-lance company called Picture Book People. I asked her advice: If I were to self publish which story had real potential.

She read the stories and replied that in her opinion Too Many Visitors for One Little House was a strong story with potential for success.

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

I was so excited to finally be able to say—my book has been released!

I booked a flight  to Arizona a few days later to visit my sister and parents and hand deliver them a book!  While I was there I did several author readings and was absolutely thrilled to share the book with the kids at school. I was quite nervous that the kids not react favorably, or be bored.  But I was thrilled to get such a positive reaction. The kids showered me with love and admiration and were just so excited about the book, the characters and the dog in the story.

In fact it was the kids themselves that helped me decide to write a sequel to Too Many Visitors and feature the dog as the main character. It took me by surprise when they kids asked me if I would write another book about the family.  I asked them to tell me which character they would want me to write the next book about.  Unanimously they all shouted – the dog!  That’s how the Dog Naming Contest was born and how I decided to write the sequel.

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

I am very fortunate to have the very talented and smart Phyllis Zimbler Miller from Miller Mosaic, as my marketing director.  Phyllis totally prepared me for the release of this book.

First and foremost – while the book was in the publishing process she helped me to build a WORD PRESS website with total content management.

Her step by step approach to internet marketing made it seem less overwhelming.  She guieded me to create a Face book account, then a Linkedin.

After constant prodding from her to start a TWITTER account I did, though it was completely GREEK to me.  But she persisted in prodding me and coached me in the secret powers of Twitter.  Today I can say that I actually have begun to ENJOY internet marketing and social media.  Who would have believed it.

It was Miller Mosaic that encouraged me to do a Virtual book tour  with  Dorothy Thompson Virtual Book tour at Pump up your Book promotion.

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

I am so happy with the path I am in.  I totally enjoyed the publishing process I went through with Too Many Visitors and especially enjoyed working with illustrator Veronica Walsh. However the process requires a lot of self-discipline and attention to detail.

To have your own publishing company one has to be ready to take artistic control, market, promote and do everything it takes to be successful.

With my background in theater and producing I felt I was ready to take the plunge.  Having your creative destiny in your own hands is very exhilarating and I’m thrilled to have decided to forge ahead with Booksicals.

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

I worked very closely with illustrator Veronica Walsh to develop the characters sketches. We had long conversations about the back story of each character, their personality quirks dressing style, pet peeves, flaws and weaknesses.  Veronica sent me multiple character drafts.

Wearing both the hat of author and publisher, I had input in every aspect of the book from cover and illustrations to book design, including which font to use.  Working closely with the illustrator taught me so much about the writing process and I’m sure will help me in the future with character development.

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?

Every part of the process is for growth.  Every book is different, each path for each book is different and you learn different things.  I can’t say there would be any mistakes to avoid, only things to learn.

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

Creating the musical to the book Too Many Visitors for One Little House set me on a very exciting trajectory.  The whole idea of introducing reading and encouraging reading through the arts is totally exciting.  I think the greatest accomplishment is feedback I’ve been getting from parents telling me  that after reading the book and hearing or seeing the musical  their kids want to read the book over and over!  That is a great accomplishment in my opinion.

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

Writing children’s books and producing theater.

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

I’ve feel I’ve found the path to combine both my passions. And of course  I love working with kids.  They bring out the creativity in me.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Writing books, publishing, running workshops for kids, teachers, theaters.

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

Never give up and don’t take no for an answer.

With the release of her first book, “Ashley’s Unforgettable Summer,” Grace Reddick has joined the rank of published authors. She has collected friends and memories along the way. She say’s enduring friendships play an important role in her life.

Grace was born and grew up in Savannah, GA and moved to Ellabell, GA in 1970. She is a born again child of God, and has been a member of Faulkville Baptist Church since 1995.

She is a member of the International Society of Poets, a member of The Christian Pen and a member of Authors Den. Grace has donated books to all the school’s and libraries she has been invited to. She wants children to have access to the book, and believes that reading is a vital part of learning.

Grace has always loved to write for her own pleasure. She began to journal many years ago, and found it to bring healing for her mind and spirit. It also enabled her to seek and express her inner self.

Grace has written poetry for the local paper, as well as articles and poetry upon request. She had always admired writers, and hoped that one day she would be able to achieve that same prestige . After a short period she put her writings aside for several years. She wasn’t quite sure why, maybe the timing wasn’t right. Last year Grace realized that she should pursue the talent that God had given her. She once again began to create a story, populate it with characters, and act out the ideas that were buzzing around in her head.

You can visit her website at www.grace4books.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Grace. 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 first book, and I’m currently writing another, also for children. The title of the book is “Ashley’s Unforgettable Summer.”

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

This is the first book that I have written.

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 did not seek out the mainstream publisher. I went with Xlibris, a vanity press.

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

Using Xlibris I didn’t have this problem.

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

Xlibris sent me a couple of emails after seeing my profile on Yahoo. I chose to go with them because I knew it could take several months, or longer to be accepted through the traditional way of publishing.

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

I was beyond excited. I feel as if I am now living my dream.

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

I called the local television stations and appeared on all of them.

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

I truly believe that I would have. This has turned out to be quite expensive, with all of the add on’s.

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

Currently this is the only book I have published, and it has been a learning experience. Without any writing experience, I had to learn along the way. I subscribed to almost anything that had to do with writing, and applied all that I could. I had the story, I just didn’t know how to put it down on paper correctly.

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?

If I had taken courses, preferable online, I probably would have completed the book sooner. I wasn’t exactly thrilled over the changes my editor suggested. However, I did take his advice, on everything.

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

Experience, knowledge and confidence. I continue to learn and achieve each day.

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

There is no other profession that could possibly give me the fulfillment and gratification that writing has.

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

I don’t believe anything could compare, at least for me.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I strive for a life of total success, financial, discipline and balance. I strive also to become an author of diversity.

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

If you give yourself permission to tap into that pool within you, you will always write what you know. The only knowledge that’s unique to you, is the knowledge of your heart. Write from those places that no one else can, and you will touch readers in ways that no one else ever will.

Technorati Tags:
virtual book tour, virtual blog tour, children’s book, children’s book author, Grace Reddick, Ashley’s Unforgettable Summer, online book promotion, book publicity, author publicity, book promo
Add to: | Technorati | Digg | del.icio.us | Yahoo | BlinkList | Spurl | reddit | Furl |