Evolution of a Sad Woman: Interview with Mystery Suspense Author Gale Laure

Gale Laure, a native Texan, is the international selling author of Evolution of a Sad Woman, a mystery, suspense, thriller  and romance novel .   She resides in a small suburban town in the Houston area with her husband and family.  Laure’s hobbies include genealogical research, movies, creating stories for the children around her, involvement in her church and people watching. As mysterious as her  book, Laure writes under a pseudonym.  Adamant about maintaining her privacy and the privacy of her family, she keeps her identity a mystery!

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

Hello.  I am so pleased to be here.

Yes, I am a first time published author.   My debut novel is Evolution of a Sad Woman.

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

My debut book, Evolution of a Sad Woman, is a mystery, suspense, thriller and romance novel.  It is published selling as a trade paperback, ebook and Kindle ebook.

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 do not remember exactly how many.  I had saved my rejection letters but they were ruined by hurricane Ike when my home was destroyed.  There were quite a few though.  Some of them gave me a lengthy explanation.  Mainly it was because of the trend at the time.  The genre of my book was not popular.  Others just did not like my book.

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

Any rejection is devastating to an author.  I believed in my book.  It took time to overcome the blows.   You must decide for yourself that not everyone will like what you write.  But if you like what you write, then you support your work.   Authors have a lot of people to satisfy.  There are editors, publishers, critics and readers to please.  It is not an easy profession.

Evolution of a Sad Woman by Gale Laure (click on cover to purchase)

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

Trafford Publishing is my publisher.  They were in Canada.  Now they are in the U.S.  Right after my rejection letters, family tragedy struck.  I had to spend time with family members and gave up the writing dream for a while.  During this time, I received a letter from Trafford.  I simply put it aside.

Later when I resumed my writing bug, my husband remembered them and the letter.  They are a Print on Demand publisher.  The thing I liked about them is that my book will never be dropped.  They archive the books. Fifty years from now if someone wants to purchase my book, they can print it.  I went with Trafford for that reason.   They also had amazing contacts in the industry.

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

When my first book arrived, I ran around the house with roaring laughter. I held my book, Evolution of a Sad Woman, close to my heart.  I was all alone.  Actually I liked it that way.   When I write, I like to be alone.  It was fitting.  I thought about my characters.  I thought about their romance, their mystery, and their passion.  It was my day!

Later my husband took me out to dinner at Outback.   I love their blooming onion.  I smiled throughout dinner.  It was a glorious day!

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

I have done so much.  Wow!   I suppose the first thing was to email all my friends and family.  News releases were sent out.  I mailed postcards to bookstores.   I had a launch/celebration party hosted in an art gallery in my hometown.   I had bookstore signings of my mystery, romance and thriller novel.  I attended the Book Expo America in Los Angeles.  It was a fantastic adventure.  And I gave out a lot of business cards to everyone who would take one.

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

No.  I have been happy.  However right now, Trafford is going through a transition.  A larger company has bought them out.  So everything is up in the air.  I can only hope I like the new changes.

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

No.  My next novel is due out in 2010.  I was slowed down for a year when we became homeless for a while after the hurricane Ike destruction.  We lived in a hotel for a couple of weeks and then moved to a furnished apartment.  Most of my files, book research, notes, clothes, everything were destroyed.    My next novel is The Bunkhouse, a sci-fi, historical, suspense, romance and mystery novel.

Have I grown, most definitely.  Every day I learn something new.   I love this industry because there is always something new to learn.  Things are always changing.

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 do not think I would have done anything different.  The rejections actually reinforced my belief in my novel, Evolution of a Sad Woman. One editor believed in my novel so much she went up against a panel of other editors for me.  However, she was alone.   I received a rejection from her, but with an explanation of how much she liked my book. It was not that it was a bad novel; it was not the successful trend of the time.  Once I waited a little while, things changed.

I do not believe I made any mistakes.  I believe every thing that happened has brought me to this place.  I would not do anything different.

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

Wow!  Each day for me is an adventure and an accomplishment.  When I check my book sales, I feel elated when they are up.  When I visit a bookstore and see my novel on the shelf, I smile deep in my heart.  At a library when my novel is checked out, it is grand!  Every email from a reader thrills my soul.   One reader told me how she cried when she read my book.  The ending of my novel surprised other readers.  They always tell me to get to work on the next one.  They eagerly await my next novel.  That feels great!

I suppose the most wonderful feeling was when I was at the Book Expo America.  I did a book signing.  Once when I looked up, all these people were in a long line.  I asked why they were all in this line.  The lady from Trafford told me it was to get my autographed book.  What a rush!   I signed so fast my hand became cramped.  But I just shook it off, smiled and kept going.  That moment was when I knew I was an author!

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

Psychiatrist.  I love human beings and the human mind.  It has always fascinated me.

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

No.  I would never give up being an author.  My little mystery, thriller, suspense, romance book, Evolution of a Sad Woman, has given me so much pleasure.  I feel very happy.  Psychiatrist would be my second choice.  Author will always be my first.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Writing.  I have so many books in my mind that must be told.  Evolution of a Sad Woman is only my first book.  The Bunkhouse will be my second.  Alana – Evolution of a Woman is my third.  Kizzy’s Diary is my fourth.  Time in Vieux Carre is my fifth.  Do you see where I am going here?  They go on and on.   There are many more!

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

Being an author is a lot of work.  Writing the book is only the beginning.

Do not give up!  Dreams do come true!

I want to thank you for this interview.  I enjoyed your questions.  It has been a pleasure.

For more information about Gale Laure visit www.galelaure.com (website), www.evolutionofasadwoman.com (blog), or the following:

• www.twitter.com/wwwgalelaurecom

• www.authorsden.com/galelaure

• www.facebook.com/Author.GaleLaure

• www.goodreads.com/galelaureauthor

• www.myspace.com/galelaure-author

Interview with Mystery Suspense Author John Knoerle

John Knoerle’s first novel, Crystal Meth Cowboys, was optioned by Fox for a TV series. His second novel, The Violin Player, won the Mayhaven Award for Fiction. His new novel, A Pure Double Cross, is Book One of the American Spy Trilogy. John lives with his wife in Chicago. You can learn more about John Knoerle at www.bluesteelpress.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, John. 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 currently have three books in print. “Crystal Meth Cowboys,” which was optioned by Fox for a TV series, “The Violin Player,” which won the Mayhaven Award for Fiction, and my new title, “A Pure Double Cross.”

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

“Crystal Meth Cowboys” was published by Blue Steel Press.

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

If you believe in yourself you put your head down and just keep going.

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

My style has become more taut and streamlined. People are busy, they don’t have time for flowery descriptions and tangential diversions.

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?

In retrospect I think that I might have concentrated on a central character, built a series as I am doing now with Hal Schroeder.

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

I have always thought I might be a good architect. There is a certain similarity to designing a building and creating a book.

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

I think being a good author is so demanding that it requires your full attention.

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

If you can’t snag a publisher consider self-publishing. With Print on Demand the prices are reasonable.

Virtual Book Tour: Interview with Fantasy Suspense Author Bruce Skye

A former technical writer, detail is important to Bruce Skye. His research for the Deathsong Chronicles included medieval armor and fortresses, as well as Celtic names and magic. “If you create a world, it must be consistent. And that’s what I strive for Grayrider’s world to be. I’ve built a database of material for each of the Deathsong Chronicles. Those databases aid me in keeping the world the same from book to book.

“When I wrote Grayrider, I followed the advice of Stephen King. I did not write the book following any sort of outline. I have no more idea than my readers do when I write a novel what will happen in the midst of the story. It makes it more exciting for both the readers and myself.”

You can visit his website at www.bruceskye.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Bruce. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

This is my first published novel. And the title of my book is Grayrider.

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

The name of my first novel was The Right to Fight. I was told by one literary agent the book—although it was a modern day suspense work—was boring.

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 sequence of events to the publication of Grayrider went this way:
1. After receiving the “boring” comment from the agent mentioned above, I started sending Grayrider to a few agents.
2. A large literary agency in New York liked Grayrider and decided to represent me.
3. My agent referred me to Eloquent Books who also liked my fantasy novel. And thus, the book was published.

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

It’s difficult, I must admit. But I believe in my work; I have what I call “The Review Committee”, which is a group of readers who go over my material before I ever send it to my agent. If they don’t like it, I don’t send it out. It’s their affirmations which made me decide to try to get published to begin with. I remembered their comments to keep going when I received rejections.

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

Grayrider was published on October 28, 2008. I didn’t choose Eloquent Books, my literary agent recommended the publisher to me.

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

I’m afraid I’m a bit odd in that regard. My first concern was will I succeed as an author? Will people read my work? And I’ve never taken the time to celebrate. I keep thinking I’ll take myself out to dinner to celebrate sometime, but I never seem to get around to it. There’s always something else which takes priority.

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

I built my website, http://www.bruceskye.com.

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

No, actually, I wouldn’t. It’s been a tough road with so many rejections the first few years. But just sticking with writing and trying to get my books sold has seen me through.

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

As I previously mentioned, this is my first published novel. The second volume in this series is completed and my agent has it now. I’m hoping to have that book published in 2009. I’ve grown in terms of believing in my ability to write a good, suspenseful tale which readers enjoy. I’ve also grown in my ability to write better stories and characters. Practice makes perfect; I’m composing the third book in the series even now.

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?

Well, I think I would have simply written Grayrider and forgotten about the several years I put into the failed modern day suspense novel. I would have avoided the mistake of contacting literary agents not interested in new writers.

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

I’ve been getting wonderful reviews for Grayrider on Amazon. That, to me, is a great accomplishment; when people enthusiastically want to read more of your work.

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

That’s a hard question! If I did anything else, I suspect I would be a scriptwriter.

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

I honestly don’t know if I’d give up being an author for that. In a way, I am combining the two. I’m working on a movie script for Grayrider currently.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

In ten years, I hope to have a New York Times #1 best seller.

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

If you write fiction, find a successful author you really like. Emulate that writer’s style in the stories you create. And keep writing! Practice is what makes you better, which is what the creator of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry told writers. You are no different than an Olympic athlete preparing for competition. So hone your skills through practice. And you will succeed.

Virtual Book Tour: Interview with Mystery Suspense Author Bruce Cook

Bruce Cook, who also writes under the pen name Brant Randall, has earned credits as writer, producer, or director on eleven independent feature films as well as
commercials. He has written more than twenty screenplays, including the films Husbands, Wives, Money & Murder; Line of Fire; and Nightwish.

Since 1973 he has taught at a number of film schools, including USC, UCLA, and Los Angeles City College. Among his thousands of former students are Matt Groening (creator of The Simpsons), actor Laurence Fishburne, Paramount VP of Marketing Lucia Ludovico, numerous directors and producers, six Academy Award nominees and winners, and twelve Emmy nominees and winners.

In 1996 Dr. Cook was invited by ABS-CBN, the largest television network in the Philippines, to teach a series of seminars on improving the production techniques of the film and TV industry. While there, he addressed an assemblage of 2,000 Filipino film industry professionals.

He later returned to the Philippines to conduct a market study on Southeast Asian film production and helped design a motion picture soundstage. While on location, he researched the background for his novel Philippine Fever.

Dr. Cook holds degrees in Physics, Mathematics, Film Education, and Communications. He worked as a laser physicist on the Apollo Project. He and his wife live in Castaic, California.

After discovering that there were four other authors named Bruce Cook, he published his second novel, Blood Harvest, under the pseudonym Brant Randall. His third novel, Tommy Gun Tango, will be published in July 2009. Bruce and Brant will collaborate on that one.

For more information, please visit http://www.brucecookonline.com/

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

Blood Harvest is my second novel, and published under my pseudonym Brant Randall.

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

Philippine Fever was my first completed novel. It was preceded by two unfinished volumes.

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 sent the ms to several agents who all rejected it with little or no comment. I eventually found an agent who sent it to the major publishing houses in New York. In short order I had seven rejections, but some of them included words of encouragement while claiming the project was not right for them.

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

I had written nearly 30 screenplays and directed six movies before I attempted my first novel. Hollywood is a very competitive place so I had already experienced dozens of rejections before I sold my first script. It was painful and ego-shrinking the first time it happened. My “child,” the offspring of my imagination, had been critiqued and criticized and cut down to size.

In fact, the first script never sold at all and I “suffered,” developing my aura as an “artist.” The aura and a part time job put groceries on the table.

After half a dozen sales of scripts that were made I finally achieved a more balanced perspective. I consider this the most important thing I have learned as a writer. Here it is—
My scripts, books and movies are not my “children.” They are creations: some good, some bad, some better than others; some ahead of their time, some behind. But in every case they were not ME, they were not my “babies.” (I have real children who are now grown men. One of them is the author Troy Cook.)

These creations exist apart from me, just as Beethoven’s symphonies are not the man and Emily Dickenson’s poems are not the woman.

Publishers are much like film producers. They may like “art” but they keep their jobs by putting out projects that appeal to a larger public than just their own tastes.

Having adjusted my attitude, I then adjusted my working pattern. I joined a writer’s critique group. I cannot overstate the value of having other writers look at, respond to, critique, and make suggestions for improvement to my work.

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

Philippine Fever was published by Capital Crime Press. After the majors had rejected the ms, my agent was out of ideas about seeking a publisher. I asked if she minded if I pursued small presses. She didn’t so I began talking to editors from small presses whenever I met them—usually at writer’s conferences.

Three small presses offered to publish Philippine Fever. The monetary differences in the offers were not great. I made my choice based on how well my book matched their catalog.

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

It felt great. It is very satisfying to see a large project completed, especially one that no one has forced you to do. It exists because of your act of will.

To celebrate I Googled myself…and discovered that there were three other authors named Bruce Cook. Surprised (and a little horrified at the coincidence) I then researched how common my name really was. My university had granted degrees to 35 other Bruce Cooks. There were four others in the film industry. There were three Bruce R. Cooks of the exact same age with PhDs.

When I got to Bruce Cook the porn star I realized it was time to come up with a pseudonym for my next novel. That pretty much ended the celebration stage.

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

I sent Advance Review Copies to better known writers I had met at conferences, asking for blurbs to put on the cover. A number of them were very kind in their comments. They taught me by example to lend a hand to new authors.

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

No. Now that I have had a chance to share war stories with numerous authors, I think small presses offer a distinct advantage over the industry giants. To wit, more personalized attention to editing, input to cover design, better attention to promotion for new authors.
And better royalties.

That’s right, better royalties. Though advances are larger for midlist authors at the big houses, the actual payout of royalties seems to be worse, because the royalty per book is less and because the big guys hold onto royalties the author has earned as a cushion against possible future returns from bookstores.

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

My third book, Tommy Gun Tango, is due out in July 2009. My growth as an author has come from hearing directly from readers. It has taught me what seems to connect with them and what things just irritate folks (though I thought they were precious).

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?

I should have adapted some of my existing screenplays, since the basic story, structure, and dialog were already there. I needed to finish a book to prove that I could do it (since they are triple the length of a script).

What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

I should have paid more attention to writers in my critique group who were failing, analyzed why there projects were not working. I might have avoided some of those same mistakes.

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

My first novel, Philippine Fever, was a finalist as best mystery in 2007 at USA BookNews. It was also under consideration as a movie at Sony and New Line Cinema. Their reasons for ultimate rejection were enlightening.

My latest, Blood Harvest, was the winner of the best mystery category at USA BookNews in 2008.

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

I have already been a laser physicist on the Apollo Project; a mathematics professor at school specializing in aerospace engineering; a film director, writer, editor, sound designer, cameraman; a film professor. Plus the usual mix of jobs you take while in college. I think writing crime novels is finally my real job.

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

The jobs I had provided the grist for the writing mill.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Older, heavier, less fleet of foot, a great-grandfather, retired from teaching aspiring film makers—but best of all I will have a backlist of 12 novels.

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

Stop reading this blog and start writing.

Interview with Literary Fiction Author Linda Merlino

Life is our daily teacher. One lesson begets another and then another.

Once-upon-a-time life kicked me off my writer’s path and led me to pursue a more practical profession. My childhood dream of becoming a journalist was silenced.

Years later, I became a single parent, not by choice but by necessity, and my most trustworthy partner became a ballpoint. The fiction in my head turned into words on yellow legal pad. I wrote anywhere, any time, on my dining room table, and on my lunch hour. No place was my sacred space. I wrote in my car during soccer practices, under an umbrella on rain drenched sidelines, in fast food restaurants and in chain hotels. I wrote during championship after championship in cities and states, from Jersey to Phoenix.

The quieted yearning to be a writer reawakened onto the pages of a novel. My first was self-published after five years of juggling work, kids and day-to-day. A flawed but beautiful story emerged onto paper and “Swan Boat Souvenir” enjoyed local acclaim and success.

I knew there was more to do, more to write and that the next book would be published traditionally, that the next manuscript would have the benefit of an editor and the advice of professionals. After months of writing, Belly of the Whale went from paper, to computer, to draft after draft and finally into the arms of Kunati Publishers.

My children are grown. My passion to write remains a constant. Each book I complete is dedicated to the magic of believing in my dream, to my son and to my daughters.

You can visit Linda’s website at www.lindamerlino.com.

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

Belly of the Whale is my debut novel in mainstream publishing. In 2003 I self-published a novel. This gave me the inspiration needed to pursue another project, this one focused on mainstream publishers.

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

The self-published book is still available through Amazon; Swan Boat Souvenir is the story of twin souls. My debut novel: Belly of the Whale released April 1, 2008 by Kunati, Inc is about a young woman with breast cancer.

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

Swan Boat Souvenir was published by First Books Library, currently renamed: Author house.

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?

Since I did not attempt to query or seek out professional help for Swan Boat I can only use my current experience with Belly of the Whale. It took about three months to find an agent and a publisher.

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

No matter how thick skinned we say we are, rejection stings. When those letters or emails came my stomach would ache for a short time and then I’d resource more and tell myself, wrong way and moved on to another possibility.

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

I will refer to my debut novel Belly of the Whale to answer these questions. Kunati, Inc is my publisher. The three men that make up this publishing house are geniuses. Formerly from Simon & Schuster Derek Armstrong and Kam Wai Yu invented the book trailer concept in the 80′s. James McKinnon is their editor and a brilliant one at that. I liked Kunati’s New Voice mission statement, they were not afraid to take a chance on first-time authors.

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

When the email came, December 18, 2006, I stood on a chair and screamed at the top of my lungs. I’ve been celebrating ever since, every day. I wake up and say to myself, how blessed you are Linda, your dream has come true. Yes!!!

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

Promotion has been a learning curve. Kunati is a strong resource for all its authors and they have hand-held us through the process. Internet marketing was the first step to promotion and continues to be huge.

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

No, mainstream is the way to go; one can only go higher from here.

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

Since Belly of the Whale just released I am still very focused on what needs to be done to promote and get the message out there. I have taken the leap from writer to author and have begun giving-back to other writers. I could not have succeeded without the support and encouragement of the writing community.

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 I do not see the way to speed things up. I believe that there is a season for everything. My life was on course, not perhaps the way I might have planned it to be, but on course. I tell groups and writer’s workshops to do their researching, do their homework, don’t query until you have a completed clean manuscript don’t add anything that isn’t requested…if an agent wants only a query then send only a query. Stay true to yourself and your belief in your gift as a writer. It will happen, be patient, keep writing.

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

My best so far has been to stand in front of a writing workshop class of 4rth and 5th graders and see their eyes go wide when I tell them I am a published author, that I wrote a book.

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

I have been in another profession for decades…that profession served its purpose, I am a writer, and I am ready to be that exclusively.

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

Beyond my steady job profession, I am also, a professional astrologer, this accomplishment blends well with my writing…it is time to be a writer, it is what I always dreamed I would be…

How do you see yourself in ten years?

In ten years, I see myself in a house not far from the water with a generous backyard, gardens of flowers, herbs and vegetables. There is a separate structure on the property, perhaps a barn with a loft where I write everyday…

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

Writing is an act of faith…don’t give up or give in…never.

ATTENTION: This interview is being brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion. As a special promotion for Linda Merlino’s novel, BELLY OF THE WHALE, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away one FREE virtual book tour or $25 Amazon gift certificate to one lucky person who comments on her blog stops during her virtual book tour in June. Leave a comment below to have a chance to win one of these prizes! For more stops on Linda’s tour, visit www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com.