Interview with R. Leigh, Author of THE WINDS OF ASHARRA

Author R. Leigh is a mystery to local neighbors, appearing enigmatic and ageless, and wearing an ever present red crystal pendant. Some have guessed this author’s secret other-worldly origin, speculating that the tales of Asharra might somehow be true. Outskirts Press does not confirm this and will not comment on rumors that the manuscript for this novel appeared in their offices out of nowhere.

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

Welcome to Beyond the Books, R. Leigh. 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)?

Thank you. My published novels are 3 Passports to Paradise , a science fiction novel published in 1999 (now out of print) and The Winds of Asharra, a combination fantasy and romance novel, just recently published. I’ve also done a handful of sci-fi/fantasy short stories for obscure regional markets.

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 shopped 3P2P around to a couple of publishers before deciding to go with an obscure startup micro press so the rejections were few. Given the brief length of 3P2P (really more of a novella), I quickly decided that it might be more appealing to a smaller niche publisher.

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

I look at rejections a little differently than most people. While I still might be subject to a brief flash of frustration, to me, it is all about the book finding its “proper” audience. If a particular venue is not “right”, it might have far more to do with the particular style or type preferred by a publisher than anything to do with the individual novel submitted.

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

3P2P was published in 1999 by a small micro press which is now out of business. It was a startup which aimed to target new sci-fi authors. That seemed to be glove fit at the time.

Ten years later, I chose to self publish the 600 page opus, The Winds of Asharra (with Outskirts Press) because I instinctively knew that I had created something very difficult to classify. It has more than enough fantasy elements (intelligent trees, evolved felines, musical dragons, etc..) to be considered a fantasy, but enough sizzle to be seen as a romance (with multiple happy couples by the end). It also spends considerable time outlining a complicated alien philosophy and culture . In short, it would appeal to several different demographics across genres (fantasy, romance, New Age) but it would be difficult to market due to this very reason. I did not even attempt to pitch it to traditional publishers as of result of this.

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

I was of course elated at the prospect and I recall that my spouse and I went out to dinner at a local restaurant, something expensive with all of the trimmings. I can’t recall more since it was so long ago, but I can still recall the feeling of elation and euphoria.

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

No, but perhaps I would have chosen a publisher who would still be around, one with more resources to support the work.

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

Publishing The Winds of Asharra in late March has been a monumental event in my life, both as an author and as a person. I definitely did grow and change significently during the almost ten year gap between novels. When I was “away” from writing during that time, I was experiencing life in many unusual ways and in several unusual locales, amassing experiences and widening my viewpoint on life in general. That was more than evident when I felt compelled to write The Winds of Asharra (called WOA by its fans).

If my first novel had been crafted by the numbers, a serious product of one hemisphere of my brain, then WOA was the complete opposite. It flowed freely from me, almost effortlessly, in direct contrast to the previous novel. Given the fact that WOA is 608 pages, compared to the paltry 178 of the previous work, I found that amazing.

Yet, more important to me was the fact that WOA was something of a nexus for development in my life (and even the life of my spouse). The Winds of Asharra, is not only a combination fantasy and romance novel. It also contains a complex fantasy philosophy (the Asharran ways) and culture. I confess that my own worldview (and that of my spouse) is a mirror image of the mystical yet optimistic ways of the Asharrans. If my talents as an author grew at all in those ten years, it is reflected not only in the unique characters and setting in WOA (making it difficult to even properly classify) but also the underlying worldview both in the novel and my own life, thanks to my life experiences.

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?

Actually, other than picking a publisher that would have remained solvent, I don’t think I would have done anything differently. At that point in my life I was writing with my head and not my inner being. I was a different person then and my decisions were in tune with who I was, someone following the established rules (especially when they made sense). I don’t think anything could have increased the speed of things since I had to grow as a person and I simply did not have the depth of life experiences at that time.

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

Since I am now following an Asharran type of worldview, one of non-competitiveness (perhaps a bit rare for an author) my accomplishments are subtle inner ones rather than grandiose outer ones. Just feeling that there is a “world” and a “cast of characters” so rich and complex at my disposal thanks to WOA, ready to share their adventures in future novels, is my proudest accomplishment.

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

Difficult question. Perhaps college professor as I like to talk as well as write (can’t you tell?)

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

I am thrilled where I am now and content on a variety of levels. If it sounds almost mystical then you are reading it correctly. While WOA can be viewed as pure entertainment or perhaps as a genre bending work, appealing to both fantasy and romance fans, it is also much more. While intended to be entertainment, it also speaks to the reader and reassures him/her not to give up their ideals. We say in the book (in Asharran terms) that the only way to fail is to give up. By that definition, I know I will not fail.

I suppose long winded book promotion might qualify as pseudo-professorial but seriously, I would not change anything. I am thrilled with what I am doing.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

With any luck, I will be working on number 10 in the Winds of Asharra series. It is odd and perhaps due to the strange and easy way that WOA flowed onto my computer, but I honestly have no desire to write any other locations or characters. I have found a universe that is truly Home (the very definition of my world, Asharra) and I think it would take at least ten years to fully explore all of the nooks and crannies that my characters are pointing out to me.

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

Sure. Appropriately, it’s also something that the main character is told: Learn as much as you can, and then spend as much time forgetting it all. After learning the nuts and bolts of your craft, learn to trust your inner mind and your heart. Don’t write about what you know. Write about what you feel. For me, that is the adventure, the romance and the optimism of the world of Asharra. As my characters say, I’ve allowed myself to be carried along by the Winds, and in doing so, anything is possible. Again, you can only fail if you give up. There is no other definition for me.

Thanks for having me here.

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!

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

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