Author Interview: Historical Fiction Author Andrew Feder

On a sunny spring morning, when the birds were chirping and singing, Andrew Feder was born in Hollywood, California, looking like a cross between a Nordic and Asian baby. His father would later sarcastically say that he was adopted from Korea just after the war (like he was a war baby).
He grew up in a typical dysfunctional Jewish family in San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles.

He later studied at San Diego State University.

He then went for one year to the University of Haifa in Israel where he lived on a kibbutz and met his ex-wife (he has three children from this marriage). He completed his studies at UC Davis in Viticulture and Enology.

Having lived several lives in one, during the eighties he lived in Israel first for a short period in a settlement on the West Bank and later on a Moshav near Haifa for six years as a grape farmer. There in Israel, he studied Kabbalah (jewish Mystics) under guidance of the renowned holy man known as “The Mo’ah.” During his religious studies, he was quite pious as an orthodox observant Jew.

After returning to the United States, for the next ten years, he was a contractor and owner of a construction company. Shortly after his return he continued his studies of Kabbalah and metaphysics under the guidance of renowned psychic, mystic and healer, Janeau St. Clair and her husband, Elliot Atlas.

In the nineties, he drove a cab and a limo during hiatus while working as an Assistant Director in the film industry.

At the end of the nineties, he moved to Las Vegas from Los Angeles which, for one year, he was (and hates to admit it) a “damn” telemarketer selling long distance, and for the past eight years he’s been a graphic artist.

During his college years, he wrote several editorials and short stories. Much later, during the so-called mid-life crisis, he evolved in his development to include writing both novels and poems along with subsequent screenplays.

He is also the host of the radio show “When Pigs Fly” on BBSradio.com.

He is the author of the novel, “When the Angels Have Risen” which you can check out at his site at www.andrewfeder.com. He is also the author of the novel, “The Heretic,” which you can check out at his site at www.andrewthehertic.com.

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

Both of my books were published by Authorhouse.

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

My first book published was “When The Angels Have Risen” in May of 2005.

And “The Heretic” was recently published in October of 2007 but released in December of 2007.

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

My first book completed is called “Spirit” which was about to be published in 2001 but unfortunately due to 911 the contract was cancelled. I plan on having this book released in 2010.

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?

The rejections were many for “When The Angels Have Risen” because of the controversial content, but I also found that it was hard to have an agent and being first time published. This was of course due to the fact that most advances for first time published authors are less than ten thousand dollars, so the common commission of ten percent for an agent would make it economically unattractive. So I finally went it alone for my first two novels that were published.

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

At first, sort of down which is normal I guess… But I felt compelled to get it out no matter, and with great perseverance and patience it came to being.

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

Authorhouse, because I had control from the get go. From design to content, I did not want nothing curtailed because of the important message within my book, “When The Angels have Risen.” This was not just a matter of economics, but what I felt needed to get out for the public to understand and take its content for what it is – a message.

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

One word – an adrenaline rush! Okay that’s two words and celebrated it with an exquisite dinner at the sushi bar with my daughter and son-in-law. And you got to love sushi. Well I do anyway.

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

First I would set up my website. Then Reviews… Reviews… Reviews… Get Reviewed! I started sending out hundreds of e-mails and then sending out my book to be reviewed.

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

My first book was a learning lesson of what not to do and to do. But when all said and done, I would have taken the route that I took for my second published book that is- first set up a website and then after it is up get reviews. And then after the reviews came in I would start my publicity campaign like events, postings, radio interviews, internet advertising and etc.

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

As I mentioned, I would have taken the same course of which I am doing for my second published book, “The Heretic” including testing my target audience and lining up my objectives while always allowing for adjustments.

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?

First I would have gotten my book properly edited from the beginning. Then I would have never taken the agent route. It was a big waste of time and energy. Who better to pitch your book than you, the author, right? So I would either get published from print-on-demand publisher or a self-publisher or any publisher who is receptive to my book. The easy part is really getting it in print. The hard part is publicity.

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

It has been a rewarding experience. From the many booksigning events, radio show interviews and general publicity, it has opened doors for new and rewarding endeavors along with the truly great experiences in meeting new and intriguing people on this path. So besides the monetary benefit it has been a spiritual reward in itself.

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

Like a duck in water, I would love to be a movie Producer and Director.

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

Since I enjoy writing and I also enjoy the creative process of making a movie, I would do both.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Since its 2008 and ten years from now would be 2018, I would be hopefully meeting some enlightened ETs along with writing, lecturing, teaching and maybe making movies.

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

First as a writer you are an artist. Sculpture and stroke like an artist on canvass. You should always write from the heart. You have to have thick skin, because you will be cruelly criticize some will be just and some unjust. And lastly and most important – never ever and I mean never give up your dream no matter what others might say. You are you dream!!! So stay with it and make it a reality like a surfer on wave enjoy the experience of implementing your dream.

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.

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Interview with Historical Fiction Author Catherine Delors

Catherine Delors was born and raised in France. She received her law degree from the Sorbonne and became an attorney in Paris at the age of twenty-one.

She moved to the United States and became a member of the California Bar. She worked at a few large law firms, then, after the birth of her son, set up her own practice. She now splits her time between Los Angeles and Paris.

She is also author of the historical fiction novel, Mistress of the Revolution (Dutton/Penguin, Mar. ’08). You can visit her website at www.catherinedelors.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Catherine. 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)?

Mistress of the Revolution is my first book. I just completed my second novel, also a historical set in France. It is scheduled for publication in March 2009, one year after Mistress of the Revolution. This second novel is still untitled. Or rather it has several working titles, none quite satisfactory yet. I am terrible at finding titles for my books.

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

Mistress of the Revolution is indeed my very first book, and it is coming out!

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, Stephanie Cabot, of The Gernert Company, sent it to ten publishers. Of those, three expressed strong interest in Mistress of the Revolution and made offers right away. This went much faster than I had anticipated. I was too thrilled to worry about the remaining publishing houses that had expressed little or no interest.

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

In my case, the rejection stage happened while I was querying agents. And did those rejection letters pour in! How did that make me feel? Let’s be honest: not great. It hurt. It was an ego-crushing experience. Sometimes I despaired of ever getting published. But I kept reminding myself that everyone was entitled to his or her opinion, even if that opinion was to dislike my book, or the concept behind my book. So I got over it and kept querying until I found an agent (actually I found two at the same time.). It feels all the more wonderful now to have positive feedback on Mistress of the Revolution.

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

Dutton, a division of Penguin, is publishing Mistress of the Revolution. I picked Dutton because they offered a two-book deal. Also I had a long, insightful conversation with Julie Doughty, who has become my editor at Dutton. My most important question to Julie was: “What changes do you suggest I make?” and I liked her response, which was: “Not much, but…”

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

It felt great, wonderful, the vindication of those long nights spent writing in bed on my laptop. My revenge over that agent who had written in response to my query that my novel was “unpublishable.” When Stephanie, my agent, called me to give me the great news, I was living with my son at my Mom’s, and both of them were as excited as I. We spent the evening talking about the future, all three of us. No champagne, no fireworks, but a sense of hope and new beginnings.

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

I flew to New York City to meet with Julie, my editor, and the other people at Dutton who would be instrumental in the success of my book. I knew that it was crucial to establish a personal connection with them. And I did! I had a great time too.

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

No, absolutely not. I was blessed to meet the right people at the right time.

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

My second book won’t come out until March 2009. It would be pretentious of me to say that I have grown as a writer, don’t you think? This second novel is also set in Paris, only a few years after the end of Mistress of the Revolution, but I did not want to write the same book twice. I write to challenge myself, not to boil the pot or to get stuck in a rut. So the tone of Book 2 is very different, somewhat darker, and it contains a lot of forensic detail, all based on the true investigation of a terrorist attack on Bonaparte. Like CSI set in 1800 Paris. My early readers tell me that they like my characters still better in the second novel. So I hope they are right in their judgment and I have grown as an author, but it is too early to tell…

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, those “early days” are barely over a year away, so they don’t feel like ancient history. Everything happens at a slow pace in publishing, and I am not sure that I, or any other writer, can do much to speed things up. I had to learn to go with the flow, to be patient, which is not at all in my nature.

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

Coming to grips with the sense of loss that accompanied my divorce. It became final around the time I found a publisher. Also, helping my son cope with many tough changes, and adapt to our new life.

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

Actually, like many other writers, published or unpublished, I do have a day job (you know, that pesky little detail about making a living.) I am an attorney, specializing in international law and immigration.

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

I have combined the best (and worst) of both worlds. Sometimes it feels like twenty-four hours is not quite enough to be a mother, an attorney and a writer, and manage to get some sleep as well, all in the course of one day. So I cheat on the sleep side of the equation. That’s life.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Ten years! I can’t plan that long ahead, so I will just share a fantasy with you. I see myself, ten years from now, sitting on a tropical beach, maybe in Tahiti, watching the sunset, sipping a Mai Tai. I am a full time writer now. My son has completed college, and he just sent me this wonderful, warm, insightful email telling me how great his life is. Then whenever I get island fever and long for smog and other perks of city life, I just hop onto the next plane to Los Angeles or Paris. Again, this is a fantasy, not a plan, but dreaming is cheap.

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

An entire section of my website www.catherinedelors.com  is dedicated to sharing my experience with other writers on their way to finding a publisher.

In a nutshell, my fellow writers, never give up your dream. Don’t get discouraged or bitter. Don’t blame others if you are not published yet. Instead channel all of your energy in striving to write better. Be nice to people. They can, and will help you in more ways than you can imagine.

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.

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