Interview with Southern Fiction Author Karen White

After playing hooky one day in the seventh grade to read Gone With the Wind, Karen knew she wanted to be a writer—or become Scarlett O’Hara. In spite of these aspirations, Karen pursued a degree in business and graduated with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, after leaving the business world to stay home with her children, she fulfilled her dream of becoming a writer and wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. This book was nominated for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award in 2001 in two separate categories.

Ms. White has since published eight more award-winning novels. Her next novel, The House on Tradd Street, will be released in trade paperback by New American Library, a division of Penguin Publishing Group, in November 2008.

When not writing, Karen spends her time reading, singing, playing the piano, carpooling children and avoiding cooking.

Ms. White lived in London, England for seven years and is a graduate of the American School in London. She now lives outside Atlanta with her husband, son and daughter and is busily at work on her tenth novel, a “grit lit” southern family drama set in Savannah, Georgia.

You can visit Karen’s website at www.karenwhite.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Karen. 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)?

I have written ten novels in four different genres, nine of them published and one destined to remain under my bed forever. I have two more books scheduled for 2009 and for 2010.

Unfortunately, my first four books are currently out of print, so I’ll only list the books available below:

The House on Tradd Street (to be published in November 2008)

The Memory of Water (March, 2008)

Learning to Breathe (March 2007)

Pieces of the Heart (April 2006)

The Color of Light (June 2005)

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 I wrote, In the Shadow of the Moon (August 2000), was also the first book I sold.

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 feel almost guilty saying this, but I sold this book to a mainstream publisher without having to even write a query letter! I entered the first three chapters into a writing contest because the first round judges were published authors. The finalist’s entries were sent to top New York literary agents. I ended up being a finalist and the judging agent offered to represent me. She sold it to the second publisher she sent it to.

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

Although I got off to a fast start, I have hit roadblocks along the way. When I was dropped by one of my publishers, I was devastated. But I had come to learn that the last authors standing seemed to be the most persistent. I refused to quit and kept writing. I also surrounded myself with positive people who cheered me on when the going got rough.

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

My first publisher was Dorchester Publishing. The money was awful as was the print run, but I was so very happy to be on the proverbial publishing ladder—albeit on one of the lower rungs. I will be forever grateful to my first publisher for taking a chance of a time travel novel written in first person and set in Georgia during the Civil War!

In hindsight, I might have made my agent shop it around some more, but in the beginning I was just so hungry to be published I probably would have paid them to publish my book!

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

I thought I’d ‘made it.’ (Looking back eight years later, I see how naïve that was <g>). My family took me out to a nice restaurant the day the book came out.

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

I had pretty pricey excerpt booklets printed. Considering how little my advance was and how small my print run, it would have made more sense to hang on to the money!

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

No. I’m very happy where I am now. I don’t know that I would be here if I hadn’t had my previous bumps in the road and learned from them.

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

I’ve had eight more books published since then and am contracted for four more. I’ve been proud of each and every book I’ve had published and hope that my writing has become stronger and more vivid with each book.

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?

Honestly, it couldn’t have been any faster for me! I think going to conferences to meet with agents and editors and entering contests are the FASTEST way to getting your manuscript in front of the right people.

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

With my last book, The Memory of Water, my book sales have finally reached the level I’ve been aiming for, and I continue to see an upward movement. I’m actually getting TV, radio, and print media coverage (like a real celebrity!). After seven novels, I feel like an overnight success!

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

Historical restoration of old houses. There’s a reason why an old house plays an important ‘character’ in all of my novels!

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

I’ve definitely combined them by including historical restoration in all of my novels. As an added bonus, my daughter is planning on studying historical restoration in college.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Hopefully still writing and publishing books, but with the added bonus of having New York Times Bestselling Author on the front of all of my books!

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

To borrow from Nike, JUST DO IT. There are many reasons why you don’t have time to sit down at the computer today. But you’ll never sell a book you haven’t written.

Technorati Tags:
virtual book tour, virtual blog tour, author interviews, southern fiction novel, southern fiction author, southern fiction book, The Memory of Water, NAL Accent, mental illness, South Carolina
Add to: | Technorati | Digg | del.icio.us | Yahoo | BlinkList | Spurl | reddit | Furl |

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.

Interview with Historical Fiction Author Andrew Jalbert

Award winning freelancer Andrew Jalbert has been a professional archaeologist and scuba instructor for over 15 years. During that time, he has worked throughout the Great Lakes, the Caribbean, Central America, Southern Africa, the Florida Keys, and Hawaii. His work focuses on tropical subjects–both above and below the water–and he is a regular contributor to scuba diving, natural history, fitness, and travel magazines. Andrew currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin. You can visit his website at www.jalbertproductions.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Andrew. 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)?

Although I have been publishing articles in magazines for the last ten years or so, West Across the Board is my first book, as well as my first work of fiction. I am working on a second novel that–with some luck–should be completed in early 2009.

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

When I was in my early 20s, I started work on a book titled, “Within.” At the time, I was working for an archaeological research company that was excavating a turn of the century burial site near a poor farm that housed victims of the Spanish influenza. I often wondered about the stories behind the people whose bones we were analyzing and began work on a fiction piece that chronicled several people from the time of contracting the illness to their deaths and later, the archaeologists who uncovered them. I still think it was a pretty good story, but the truth is, I was pretty young and hadn’t yet developed the writing skills necessary. It still sits on my hard drive and one of these days, I’ll think about revisiting 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?

As I recall, my rejections numbered somewhere around 70. While that number sounds high (and it is) I’ve heard countless stories of successful authors whose numbers were much higher. Needless to say, it can be an extremely humbling experience!

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

This is a great question, and one I’m sure every author has struggled with. I think the task of finding a publisher can be as daunting as writing a manuscript, perhaps even more so. Chances are, most authors write a book because…well…they’re writers. But being a writer doesn’t make you a marketer. Writing a book and marketing a book to a publisher are two very different animals. In my case, I made countless mistakes during the marketing process, however I learned something from each of them and I feel confident that when I pitch my next novel, I will be more prepared.

In hindsight, writing and trying to publish my first book was a great test of my tenacity. As a freelance writer, I’d already been exposed to rejection letters and managed to push through them to become a regular contributor to several magazines. But when I decided to write and pitch a novel, I wasn’t prepared for the quantity of rejections. There was a period of several months in which I seemed to get at least one “dear author” rejection letter every day. And using the word “letter” is being generous. Often, the rejections would be a Xeroxed, quarter sheet of paper (mailed back to me with the postage I provided) with a few sentences saying they weren’t interested.

After enough rejections, I was faced with an unsettling question: Was my novel any good? I, like so many other writers, had put so much time, energy and thought into it that an answer of “no” was utterly deflating. I may have had a bit of an advantage when faced with this question because I’d published quite a few magazine articles before, but there are only so many rejections you can face before the question is asked. My answer–and ultimately “how I overcame the blows”–was to go with a small POD publisher and see what the readers and reviewers thought before deciding.

Now, a year later, I’m glad I made that decision. Reviews from magazines, newspapers and book reviewers have been very good and the feedback from readers has been touching. I am already well into my second novel and had I given up on the first one, I never would have started.

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

As I just mentioned, I decided to go with a POD publisher. I chose iUniverse because I liked the quality of their products and they offered great editorial services. It was important to me that readers had a variety of easy choices when purchasing my book and iUniverse made it available for sale in several locations including Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The only down side is that much of the marketing burden fell on me.

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

Truthfully, the first thing I felt when I opened up my box of author’s copies and picked up the book was relief. I was relieved that it was finished and that I’d seen it through. West Across the Board had made the transformation from an idea to a reality and that was somehow calming. The book was a tangible thing now and I could get to work on marketing and getting reviews. Don’t get me wrong, these things made me nervous, but the process seemed much more controllable. The question I’d talked about earlier (Was my novel any good?) would be answered soon enough, but at least I’d finished it. And that was a lot easier to swallow than never getting it out there and always wondering.

Shortly after its publication, my wife Becky planned a surprise party for me at a local Jamaican restaurant. When I showed up, I found all of my friends and family waiting for me with gifts and copies of the book for me to sign. Writing can be a lonely experience, so having everyone close to me show up with heart-felt congratulations was a great way to start things out.

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

Initially, I did what most authors probably do: I sent emails to everyone I’d ever met asking them to read it. While that sounds like a fairly unambitious first step, it was a good start. Most of them bought it, read it, recommended it to their friends and so on. Within a couple of months, I was going to book clubs that had chosen my novel to read. During this time, I was also contacting book reviewers, magazines and newspapers to review he book which also turned out to be a great marketing strategy.

With an eye on online sales, I also set up pages in popular networking sites such as MySpace and sites that catered to book readers and authors. This too proved successful. By networking with other authors, reviewers and people who had an interest in my novel’s setting (the book takes place in the Florida Keys) I was able to get the word out and ultimately sell more books.

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

Not to sound cliché, but if I knew then what I know now…Let’s just say that I will be taking a more refined approach when pitching my next book. But knowing what I knew at the time about the publishing process (which wasn’t much) I probably did the best I could. I simply needed to be a bit more patient. Writing a book takes a lot of time and when it’s finished (or should I say when I thought it was finished) I was in too much of a hurry to get it out there.

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

Since the publication of my novel, I’ve continued to publish magazine articles and am currently working on my second book. I don’t think it’s possible to go through the process of writing and publishing a book without growing as an author. The truth is, writing is a lot of hard work and the more you do it, the better you get. I’ve become much more aware of my specific strengths and weaknesses as a writer. Consequently, I’ve been able to work on and improve my shortcomings.

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 would have gotten editors and book writing coaches involved much sooner and perhaps most importantly, I would not have submitted work before it was ready. Looking back at some of the work I submitted too early, I often find myself cringing. In spite of this, it was a great learning experience that I hope will pay off in the future.

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

With regards to my novel, I would say that seeking and getting good reviews has been the most validating accomplishment since publication.

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

I’ve always wanted to be a writer and the career path I chose (archaeology–both terrestrial and underwater–and scuba training) provided me with the experiences I needed to start down the path to a part-time freelance career. My very first publication was for a dive magazine. As my specialty for water and tropical related subject matter developed and I traveled to more locations, I branched out into travel, fitness, and natural history magazines. Somewhere along the way, I got the idea for a novel set in the same tropical environments I was writing articles about. So in the end, the careers I chose were a nice fit for someone hoping to make writing a full time career.

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

Although I’ve combined my career with writing, I hope to someday be able to write full time. Realistically, if this were to happen, it would most likely include a combination of freelance writing for magazines and selling novels. I still really enjoy traveling and writing articles and don’t see I time when I phase that out.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

With some luck, I hope to have written a few more books and be living part of the year in the tropics, either the Dutch Antilles or perhaps the Florida Keys. I’ve always been most productive as a writer in those environments (largely because I’m surrounded by the settings I tend to write about) but I’ll just have to wait and see what unfolds. I’m happy where I am right now however, and if nothing changes, I would still count myself lucky.

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

The first thing I would say to aspiring authors is to get others involved. Self-critiquing your work is possible to a certain degree, but in the end, you’ll be best served by working with editors, coaches, and even critique groups. Find someone who will give you honest feedback (and I’m not talking about your friends or your mom!) If you don’t already have an editor (which most first-time authors don’t) you should plan on getting one. There are countless services out there, some better than others. Also, consider a writing coach. With so much time looking at your own work, things are often missed that an outside party will catch. I tried to be as open as possible to their suggestions and in almost every case, they were right on target. Having others involved also makes the process less lonely. It can be un-nerving having someone read your work at first, but if you plan on writing a book for the masses, you’ll have to get used to it.

Finally, I would say that you’ll need patience, endurance, and realistic expectations. Statistics show that only a small fraction of submitted books ever make it to publication. Have a backup plan. If you’ve gone through all the right steps (including having the manuscript professionally critiqued and edited) and you can’t find a mainstream publisher, there are smaller presses and other routes you can take to get the book in print. Keep at it and let the readers and reviewers decide.

Technorati Tags:
virtual book tour, virtual blog tour, guest blogger, historical fiction novel, historical fiction author, Florida Keys, Key West books, chess, fishing books, ocean novels, Caribbean, tropical storms, Andrew Jalbert, West Across the Board
Add to: | Technorati | Digg | del.icio.us | Yahoo | BlinkList | Spurl | reddit | Furl |

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.

Interview with Military Historical Fiction Author William Hay

William Hay graduated from Carleton University in 1988 with a Degree in Law and Criminology. He moved to Kingston Ontario where he has pursued a career in Law Enforcement. Through his career William has been an active amateur writer. His short story ‘A Woman Scorned’ won Best Short Story at Kingston’s Scene of the Crime Festival in 2007 and was published in ‘Kingston Life Magazine’. ‘The Originals’ is Williams’ first novel.

You can visit his website at http://www.williamhay.net/.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Bill. 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)?

‘The Originals’ is my first published novel. This whole experience is a new, but exciting one for me.

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

As it happens the title of my first book has changed a number of times, but at present it’s called ‘The Cause of Honour’. It’s another historical fiction about Canadians in the First World War, on a similar premise and design as ‘The Originals’, but on a much larger scale.

I started ‘The Cause of Honour’ in 2002, using our family computer, scrap of paper or my work computer (during lunch hour and breaks of course!), and found it to be a frustrating experience. Vicki, my wife, detecting how disgruntled I was over this and how much I indeed wished to put my creative juices into writing, purchased a laptop for my Christmas present in 2004.

After completing the first draft of ‘The Cause of Honour’, I elected to write a shorter story, sort of a snippet of a subject I found interesting during my research about Canadians in the First World War. Hence, ‘The Originals’ was born.

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?

Before going down that long path where rejection letters await, I did research of writers like myself, just starting out. But I went beyond experiences writers offered and searched the internet for any insight agents and publishing companies themselves could offer, because many writers have a dismal look on their prospects. It was depressing to read through some of the steps I apparently needed to take and the disappointments waiting for me. One writer’s strategy was to prepare a whole smattering of submissions, and then fire them off to as many publishing companies as he could. He had a magic number of ‘50’ rejections before being accepted. Ouch!

I followed one simply strategy: I researched publishers who publish the material I’ve written. This led me to a company which specializes in historical fiction. As bizarre as it might seem, my first submission was accepted. My ego gets carried away as I’d like to think it was because of how well-written it was, but I expect the specialization of this particular company played a significant part in getting my novel published.

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

Chronicler Publishing is a Canadian-based company in Evansburg, Alberta. Charles Goulet, the company’s founder and owner, is the Editor-in-Chief and an author himself. He and his team read through the initial three chapters of the novel and the chapter-by-chapter synopsis I included, for several weeks, then decided to take on ‘The Originals’.

As I mentioned earlier, my research led me to the conclusion, it’s more beneficial to find a publisher who has shown interest in your topic previously. Having looked at what this company specializes in as well as having a quick look at the other novels they’ve published, led me to Chronicler.

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

Seeing the novel I’d toiled over for so many months in print, gave me a feeling of great accomplishment. It was a goal of mine for many years, going back to University, to become a writer of fiction. Holding a book authored by my own hands was a riveting moment. I’ve had few others that can match it.

How did I celebrate this momentous event in my life? As I recall, I rented a movie, bought a pizza and spent a quiet evening with my family; my new novel sitting at my work station like a trophy from a successful hockey tournament. That was celebration enough for me. Since then, each day I spend at my lap top writing, my novel is never far away and supplies all the encouragement and motivation I need to keep creating.

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

One word: Website. Once it was confirmed ‘The Originals’ was edited and in print, the pressure was on and anyone who had my ear, including my publisher, told me to start a website. I’m computer savvy and know my way around a key board and any Micro soft programming, but the internet? That’s another animal entirely. I found a web company; got to work and www.williamhay.net  became a reality.

Since working with my website I’ve used ‘Face book’ and ‘Google-ads’ to push the site and it seems to be working, although I’m always hoping for more activity. During a search for more ideas of promoting my novel, I came across Virtual Tours. A very enticing manner of promoting your novel during the internet age and for those of us who are unable to tour bookstores, this is a great alternative.

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

I enjoy writing, but I’m not much for marketing. As much as I know how important it is if a writer wants to get their work out into the public, it is the least-enjoyable aspect of the whole experience. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’d rather write than sell.

With that in mind, I’ve given some thought that I should have gone the route of attempting to obtain an agent before I sent my submission out directly to a publisher. That way this all important, marketing scheme would have been handled by someone who already had connections and/or expertise in the process of getting my novel sold. Unlike the United States, Canada does not have many literary agents and obtaining one is very difficult. It seems most authors have chosen to go without the help of an agent north of the border.

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

I presently have several projects on the go; one has been submitted for possible publication. The experience of having ‘The Originals’ published and going through the polishing and editing process, has taught me how to prepare my novel for submission. I know my writing is better and much cleaner because of what I learned in having ‘The Originals’ published.

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 number one thing I lacked early on was persistence. I still have several projects which I failed to complete. If I had persisted and finished these early projects, and had confidence in my abilities; I might have published a novel years ago.

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

Since being in high school I wanted to write, in fact, during my fathers move from our family home some years back, I came across several short stories I’d written. If I could do it all over again, I’d have become a journalist or continued further education in my favourite subject area: history.

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

What a great question! By publishing ‘The Originals’ and writing these stories, I have, in fact, combined the best of both worlds. I spend most of my spare time studying history, in particular military history. As I learn about real people and their achievements and/or failures, I often recognize the makings of a good story. Writing historical fiction has given me an outlet for all the knowledge I’ve retained over the years and I’m constantly coming up with ideas for new projects.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I have several projects on the go as we speak and my goal is to deliver a novel for public purchase every one to two years. My hope is to be able to retire in ten years, and using the foundation I hope to lay with the string of novels I have in the works, my plan is to write full time. Being able to do what you love full time is everyone’s dream isn’t it? I love to write and am striving to get myself to that point. My mind is constantly running through plots and story lines I haven’t started writing yet; makes it hard to work at times! It will be a relief to be able to sit in my home office and let my imagination run wild!

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

Stay at it. At times that means being tough on yourself. Most of us can write, certainly, but the work necessary to complete an entire novel goes well beyond just the ability of putting a sentence and a paragraph together.
Remain focused on your goal and dedicated to your purpose. Getting that first novel completed will be one of the most satisfying moments you’ll ever have.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing you in print!

*******
THE ORIGINALS VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR ‘08 will officially begin on March 1, 2008 and continue all month. If you would like to follow William’s tour, visit http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/  in March. Leave a comment on his blog stops and become eligible to win a free copy at the end of his tour! One lucky winner will be announced on this blog on March 31!

*******
William’s virtual book tour is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours at http://www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.com/  and choreographed by Jean Lauzier.

Interview with Paranormal Author Deborah Woehr

Deborah Woehr is a writer, designer, and problogger who lives in San Jose, California with her husband and two children. She earned her A.S. in Computer Graphics in 1993 and began writing in 1997, publishing one short story and several articles. Currently, she is a freelance writer for Syntagma Media. In 2006, she edited and published the 2006 Writer’s Blog Anthology, a collection of essays and poems written by bloggers. Her novel, Prosperity, will be available on Amazon in February. You can visit her website at www.deborahwoehr.com.  

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Deborah. 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 third published book. I published the 2006 Writer’s Blog Anthology, which is a collection of blogged essays and poems by the writers I met that year. Earlier this year, I self-published a “blook” (a book written on a blog) entitled God’s Last Twilight.

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

Black Roses. This was my very first attempt at writing a novel. It was about a serial killer who stalked a successful real estate agent/mom. The main reasons I didn’t query publishers for this book was because it was poorly written, and I felt that there were/are too many serial killer novels in the bookstores already.

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 didn’t really give traditional publishing much of a chance because I had heard too many horror stories from writers who managed to make it past the “iron gate.” However, I wrote queries to two New York literary agencies just so I could gain the experience of writing query letters. The first one-line rejection slip came within a few months, while the second came a year and a half later.

I decided to research the POD industry as an alternative. This was back in 1999. I wasn’t impressed with what I saw on these sites, and the books I ordered were poorly designed and unedited. I kept on working on my novel while keeping one eye on the POD industry and researching the option of self-publishing.

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

When one published writer told me that getting my novel was akin to winning the Lotto, I almost gave up writing. That stung worse than the rejection slips. After I calmed down, I went back to work. Any fantasies I had about becoming the next Stephen King or Dean Koontz vanished.

As the years passed by, I kept reading everything I could find about the POD industry, self-publishing, and traditional publishing. The more I read, the more I decided that the traditional route wasn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. No matter which publishing route you take, you still have to do all the marketing yourself if you hope to sell any copies of your book.

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

I signed up for an account with Lulu in 2003 but waited until I was ready to publish my anthology so I can watch this company and read what writers experienced. When I learned of the overwhelming satisfaction, I decided to test their service with the anthology in 2006. I was so pleased with the quality of the book and their ISBN distribution service that I decided to use them to self-publish Prosperity.

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

I experienced a mixture of excitement and mild anxiety. Seeing my name on the cover of that anthology gave me such a feeling of accomplishment. Knowing I had to market it made me nervous because it was such a diverse collection of genres.

I don’t remember how I celebrated when I successfully published the anthology, except that I sent an email to all of my friends and relatives. I did the same thing when I published Prosperity. After I shot off that email, I treated myself to an evening of mindless TV with my family. I was just so relieved to have this book written and published after an embarrassingly long time.

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

With the anthology, I listed the ebook version on every free ebook site I could find. The modest sales ultimately came from Amazon purchases.

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

No. Lulu has been a fabulous service as well as an economical one. I loved the process of designing my own books from cover to cover. I had total control over the editing, interior layout, and design. This was a perfect opportunity to utilize my art degree, which I began gathering dust when I started a family.

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

I’ve just recently self-published Prosperity. As far as growth is concerned, I’ve learned that typing “THE END” isn’t the end of a book’s journey. The author must buzz about it well before it’s published (say 1 to 3 years). Thanks to the Internet and its technology, new authors have a much wider playing field than they did when I first started writing. I’ve learned (and am still learning) how to use it to my best advantage.

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?

That’s a tough question to answer because I still feel very new at this. I’ve made many “beginner” mistakes when designing my books, but I’ve learned from them. I don’t think I’ll ever publish a book at Christmastime again, because I found myself rushed with the publishing process.

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

I became a freelance writer shortly after I published the anthology, writing for a major blog network. Another accomplishment involved my first production of a one-piece book cover. Oh, and I designed a simple website for my husband’s family business.

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

A graphic designer. My favorite subject in school was art. When I began attending night school to earn my degree, I pictured myself landing a job with an ad agency or a publishing house. My life took several turns, and I became a writer. But I never lost my passion for art.

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

I plan on combining these two worlds by the end of 2008, although I won’t limit myself to book design.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I see myself publishing another book or two, while freelancing as a writer and designer on a full-time basis.

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

Check out all the publishing options that are available and figure out which one works for you. Before you publish that book, start networking with as many people as you can and focus on building friendships instead of selling. That’s very important! Once you earn their trust, you won’t need to ask them to buy your book.

*******

PROSPERITY: A GHOST STORY VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR ‘08 will officially begin on Feb. 1, 2008 and continue all month. If you would like to follow Deborah’s tour, visit http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/. Leave a comment on one of her stops and become eligible to win a free copy at the end of her tour! One lucky winner will be announced at www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.blogspot.com  on February 29!

*******

Deborah’s virtual book tour is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours at http://www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.com/ and choreographed by Dorothy Thompson.

Technorati Tags:
virtual book tour, virtual blog tour, virtual author tour, book promotion, paranormal author, ghost story, Deborah Woehr, Prosperity, Pump Up Your Book Promotion
Add to: | Technorati | Digg | del.icio.us | Yahoo | BlinkList | Spurl | reddit | Furl |

Interview with BAD GIRLS CLUB Author, Judy Gregerson

Judy Gregerson, author of the young adult fiction novel, Bad Girls Club (Blooming Tree Press, July ‘07), was born at the very end of Long Island on a very warm and sunny summer day. Everyone was happy she made it because the cord was wrapped around her neck and there were a few scary moments before she popped out.

The rest of her life went a little better. She grew up in a town that shut down at 5 p.m. and got out as soon as she found a college that would accept her. That was SUNY Oswego and she attended school with famous people like Bruce Coville, Al Roker, and Jerry Seinfeld. Ok, only Bruce was there at the time and she didn’t know him. But it makes for good copy.

After college, Judy worked as a newpaper copy editor, a marketing assistant at Viking/Penguin, in the advertising department of The New York Times, and then had various jobs at an ad agency, doing public relations, and the likes. Finally, she worked herself into an ulcer and moved to the west coast.

Her first book was published in 1980 by Doubleday (a memoir) and she was named in Who’s Who in America that year. It really didn’t help her any. In fact, no one seems to remember.

Judy now lives in the Seattle area with her two daughters, husband, dog, cat, frog, gerbil, and two mice. She is currently seen doing yard work and getting the mold off her windows.

You can visit her website at www.judygregerson.com  or her blogs at www.imdumbfounded.blogspot.com  and www.thebadgirl2007.livejournal.com.

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

This is my second book. My first book, Save Me! A Young Woman’s Journey Through Schizophrenia to Health was published by Doubleday a LONG time ago. I took an 18 year break and came back to writing about 10 years ago. Of all the novels I worked on, BAD GIRLS CLUB which was just published this year, was about the third or fourth, and it was bought by Blooming Tree Press a year and a half ago.

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

Save Me! A Young Woman’s Journey Through Schizophrenia to Health, Doubleday.

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 first book was bought by the first editor who looked at it. I thought I’d gone to heaven. I also thought that was the “norm” of selling books. Boy was I wrong!

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

Well, with this book, which took much longer to sell (5 years), I spent a lot of time venting to my husband. I did my share of acting like an angry author and several times I decided to quit. Actually, I decide to quit about two times a year. Just being able to do that and then go back to it is very helpful for me. It allows me to let go, stop caring, stop fussing, stop complaining, and get on with my life. Then when I come back to it, I’m rid of all that. I can move on.

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

Doubleday published my first book. I chose them because I heard that the editor there was looking for new writers. So, I figured I’d give it a shot. I was pretty green, so I told her in my query to make a decision fast because I wasn’t going to wait too long before I sent it out somewhere else. Of course, I said it in a much nicer way than that, but I truly believed that the book would sell fast and I didn’t want to wait around too long. I heard from Doubleday in a month and had a contract within 3 months.

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

It was very affirming to publish my first book. I went to dinner with friends and drank sangria and ate prime rib. But, when a book is publishing, nothing really happens. The sky doesn’t open up and angels don’t come and sing to you. It’s kind of a dead day other than what you feel inside.

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

I did nothing. Back then, publishers didn’t want authors doing anything. I think they assumed that you’d screw it up.

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

I liked Doubleday. They were very good to me. They wined and dined me and they did a great job on my book. I was listed in Who’s Who in America that year, probably my editor nominated me, but I’m not sure. I wouldn’t do it differently.

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

My latest book, BAD GIRLS CLUB, was published this summer by Blooming Tree Press, a young indy press in Austin, Texas. My writing changed a lot between book one and two. I became more literary in the sense that I learned how to use symbolism and setting as a character, although my book isn’t really literary fiction. I learned to write deeper, explore a theme more fully, and to develop characters more fully. This is all good; it makes for better 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?

You know, I’ve thought about all that for a long time and I’ve rolled it around my brain. I don’t think there was anything that I could have done differently. It’s a process that you have no control over, which is what makes it so darned hard. You’re at the mercy of the gods and you just have to keep trying and keep waiting. I always try to do my best, so I’m not the kind of person who walks around thinking, “Darn, I could have done that better.” I just do my best. And then I let things fall where they may, which might be in my favor or might not. There’s no telling.

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

I’m starting my own radio show on internet radio in the spring. That came out of nowhere and it wasn’t something I could ever have dreamed up. I fell into it and it’s a whole new area for me to explore. I’m really excited about it. I’ll be able to interview authors and talk about books.

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

A psychoanalyst. That’s really what I should have become. But it seemed like so much work and so much college. I recently went back to college to get a degree in Human Development which will open the door for me to work with troubled teens. I’ve waited a long time to do this (I’ve been raising kids who are now grown) and I’m kind of excited about it. But I won’t go beyond a B.S. I don’t like school that much.

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

I think that I’ll probably always write or be writing something, no matter what I do. I’m not one of those writers who HAS to write. I write when I want, what I want. I took an 18 year break between my first and my second book, so that tells you a lot. I don’t fit the profile that people throw out for a writer. In fact, some would probably tell me that I’m not really a writer since I don’t HAVE to write. But, I don’t care. I write when I have something to say and when I don’t, I don’t write. To me, it’s more about having something to say than just producing books. I’d probably be an agent’s nightmare.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Hopefully, still alive. But honestly, I have no clue. I want to sell another book or two. I have one finished that I’m trying to find an agent for and I have another that is about a third done. But books take me time. I can’t crank them out in a year. I might work on them for several years. Or five years. Or more. So, hopefully, I’ll have sold another book or two. I’ll be rich and living in Tahiti.

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

Learn not to connect your worth with your writing. If you do, it’s deadly. Your writing is your writing. Your value is rooted in other things and if you can separate them, you can ride out the storms in trying to sell a book or publish one. Also, be yourself. Do it your way, do it when you want, and the only time to really listen is when several people are telling you the same thing. Take note when that happens and think about what they’re saying. Otherwise, just go for it and be willing to ride it out because it can take some time.

***

ATTENTION!!! Buy one of Judy’s books at AMAZON, send US an online copy of the receipt before January 31 and she will send you an autographed bookmark, PLUS other incentives including free ebooks from Pump Up Your Book Promotion! Click HERE to find out what other incentives you can receive!

Judy’s virtual book tour is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours at http://www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.com/ and choreographed by Cheryl Malandrinos.

Tags: Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours, online book promotion, author publicity, virtual book tour, book promotion, Judy Gregerson, Bad Girls Club, domestic violence

Interview with Historical Romance Author Carole Whang Schutter

Carole Whang Schutter was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaii and is an evangelical Christian. Carole has been a motivational speaker to live audiences, and on TV and radio shows. She now occupies her time writing, skiing and hiking in Aspen.

Her enduring interest in religion and passion for history led her to write “September Dawn,” her first screenplay written in collaboration with Director/Producer Christopher Cain which inspired the novel “September Dawn.” Currently, she is working on several screenplays, and a historical novel about her home state Hawaii.

You can visit her website at http://www.cwschutter.com/  or the movie’s website at http://www.septemberdawn.com/ .

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

Published for the first time. If one doesn’t count my first book which I did for myself and friends that I’m now redoing called Miracles Happen.

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

My very first book was something I wrote when I was a 13. The second when I was a senior in college. I don’t even remember the names. They were destroyed in a fire in the days before computers. The first book that I actually have is called “The Ohana,” which I am reworking. I was 29, didn’t know anything about publishing, sent a thousand page unsolicited ms. to Scott Meredith because I read he was the top agent in the US. He actually wrote back to me. Told me no one would publish a 1000 pages from an unknown writer but that he liked the books so much he encouraged me to write a 250 page book and become established, and then he felt with credibility behind me, he could get it published. In those days, it didn’t take much to discourage me, and I was a newly wed with a baby. So, I gave up writing for a long time.

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?

Maybe a dozen or more rejections. Then my agent suggested I self publish because no one could get the book out in time for the movie.

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

I was very disappointed. But I just encouraged myself in the Lord and didn’t let myself get too down.

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

Authorhouse. My editor, Kathi Macias suggested them. They had done a good job for her and she made money on her books.

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

I felt wonderful when I saw the final copy. No celebration though.

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

I hired a publicist that Kathi recommended.

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

I’m not sure. It’s easier to self-publish and the % is greater. But if I were offered a huge advance, it would be hard to turn down.

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

No, but I’ve sold another screenplay which hopefully will go into production next year.

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 would have read Kathi’s book Train of Thought before my first edit. I don’t know what I would have done differently except for that. I think one has to polish one’s book and write the way publishers want you to write. I think I’m more of a screenplay writer, put the important things in, make the story move quickly without leaving out the important stuff and pay a lot of attention to dialogue and script the action in an interesting way.

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

Getting great reviews. Except for one review by someone of a certain religious persuasion, my reviews have been great. It is satisfying.

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

Nothing. I love writing. I’ve always loved writing. Maybe I prefer screenplays, but not necessarily. It depends on the story. For me, everything is the story. My characters become very real to me. I laugh and cry with them. But it is the story that moves me to write.

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

I think I answered the question.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Still writing movies and books.

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

Never give up. Persist in all that you do. And although only 1.1% of all screenwriters actually have a movie made, many screenwriters make a living selling scripts that are never made. You could consider screenwriting. There are far less people you have to convince. Everything is the story, unless you are writing non-fiction. But whatever you do, write with passion. Be completely involved in what you write. Sometimes even great writers sometimes fall into a conundrum of formula writing and it shows. Be honest and real. But most of all, be persistent.

Tags: Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours, online book promotion, author publicity, virtual book tour, book promotion, Carole Whang Schutter, September Dawn, historical romance novel, Mountain Meadow Massacre, religious+terrorism

Interview with Romantic Comedy Author Diana Holquist

Diana Holquist loves to write. That’s pretty much all she does. Ask her family about the undone laundry, the un-bought groceries, and the fact that she rarely finds time to get dressed in the morning. Holquist believes that if you train your family right, they won’t notice any of these things. “Popcorn for dinner again, mom! Cool!” is often heard shouted around the Holquist household by her filthy children. 

Holquist’s first book, Make Me a Match, came out in September, 2006 from Warner Books.  Her second book, Sexiest Man Alive, was released October 2007.  You can visit her website at www.dianaholquist.com. 

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Diana. 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)?  

I have written two romantic comedies. My debut romantic comedy is Make Me a Match, published in 2006 by Warner Books. My second, Sexiest Man Alive, is out in 2007 also from Warner, which has changed its name now to Grand Central Publishing. I just sold them two more romantic comedies. The first, Hungry for More, will be out in 2008 and the next, still nameless, will be out in 2009. The first three books are romantic comedies written in a series.  I’m still not sure what the fourth will be.  Any ideas?  

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

The very first romantic comedy I wrote I called My Kind of Crazy. I stole that title from a country music song I heard on the radio. I’m still in love with that title, but my editors shoot it down every time.  That manuscript is now under my bed, waiting for really bad, too long, unpolished romantic comedies with awesome titles to come back in style.  Might be a long wait…