Victoria Wells is a Philadelphia native. She has been an avid reader since childhood. Wells’ interest in writing took root while taking a creative writing course in college. Her most memorable assignment was the rewriting of the last chapter of The Color Purple. Though she did very well in this course it would be years before she would pen a novel.

Professionally, Wells earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Nursing from La Salle University. Over her seventeen-year career as a nurse, Wells has written, lectured, and presented at national conferences extensively on sickle cell disease. Her dedication to caring for patients with this disease earned her the Regional and National 2005 Nursing Spectrum’s Nurse of the Year Nursing Excellence Award in Clinical Care. Wells’ dedication to the nursing profession and work in the African American community organizing and running a free Hypertension Clinic at her church in 2006 earned her the Movers and Shakers Award and a Citation from the City Council of Philadelphia.

Using writing as a tool to escape the hassles of everyday life, Wells decided to pen a novel. In November 2006 self-published debut romance novel, A Special Summer was released. After receiving positive feedback Wells decided to submit her manuscript for traditional publishing. In August 2007, Xpress Yourself Publishing made an offer to re-release A Special Summer, March 4, 2008.

Wells works as an adult nurse practitioner. She is married and the proud mom of three children. You can visit her website at www.victoria-wells.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Victoria. 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)?

Thanks, Beyond the Books. A Special Summer is my first published novel which was released on March 4, 2008.

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

A Special Summer. The title of the book holds a significant meaning. It’s assumed that I’m referring to the season when in actuality I’m not. The reader gets the true understanding of the title once they’ve read 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?

Originally, I self-published my novel before I decided to submit my manuscript to traditional publishing houses. I submitted to three publishing houses. I was rejected by one. However the others were interested in my story and I was left with making a decision on which one to go with.

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

It made me feel awful considering the fact the rejection letter I was sent stated my story had enjoyable aspects to it but didn’t fit their needs at the time. Fortunately after receiving the bad news a week later I received a letter from one of the other publishing houses expressing interest in my story.

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

Xpress Yourself Publishing was the company I went with because it’s a small publishing house with about a roster of 15 authors. The publisher was very accessible during my submitting process and continues to do so after being signed. I also appreciate the fact that the publisher allows the authors to have artistic creativity especially when it comes to choosing book covers.

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

It felt awesome. I couldn’t believe that someone was taking a chance on a new author. Sometimes I still can’t believe it. My husband and I went out to dinner and I drank raspberry martinis all night.

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

One of the first things I did was get bookmarks, brochures containing an excerpt and business cards made up and handed them out to any and everybody. If I was on the train, at work, church, or out shopping I made sure I had one of these promo items on me to hand out.

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

No. I have a lot of respect for self-published authors. It’s a lot of work promoting yourself. Being with a publishing house is hard work as well. However, from my experience the only difference is that as an author I seem to have more credibility now that I’m with a publisher.

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

I am constantly learning and growing as a new author. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learn is that self promotion is the key to spreading the word about my book. I quickly come to understand that promoting my work is a never ending process. Since by nature I’m shy and a background person, it took a while for me to “grow” into a level comfort when sharing my book with others.

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’m not sure if there’s anything I could have done to spend up the process. Once your manuscript is in someone else’s hand all you can do is sit back and wait. The one thing I would have done differently is submit my book to publishing houses before self-publishing. I wish I had had more confidence in my work.

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

Having Romance In Color rate my book a 4+ out of 5 and doing a feature interview on me in their New Face section for the month of May.

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

Although I love being an author, nursing is my first love. I would however, love to one day be able to devote more of my time to writing and work less hours as a nurse practitioner.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I see myself as a full-time writer with multiple romance titles!

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

If you have a story in your heart that you know will touch others, don’t give up on your dreams.

Peter Bowerman, a veteran commercial freelancer and business coach, is the author of the 2000 award-winning Book-of-the-Month Club selection, The Well-Fed Writer, and its 2005 companion volume, TWFW: Back For Seconds (both self-published; www.wellfedwriter.com). His books have become how-to “standards” on starting a lucrative commercial freelancing business – writing for businesses, large and small, and for rates of $50-125+ an hour. He chronicled his self-publishing success (52,000 copies of his first two books in print and a full-time living for over five years) in his third book, the award-winning 2007 release, The Well-Fed Self-Publisher: How to Turn One Book into a Full-Time Living. www.wellfedsp.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, Peter. 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)?

Multiple self-published author:

The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Freelance Writer in Six Months or Less (www.wellfedwriter.com)

The Well-Fed Writer: Back For Seconds: A Second Helping of “How-To” For Any Writer Dreaming of Great Bucks and Exceptional Quality of Life

(www.wellfedwriter.com)

The Well-Fed Self-Publisher:

How to Turn One Book into a Full-Time Living. (www.wellfedsp.com)

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

The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Freelance Writer in Six Months or Less

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 only made a half-hearted effort to land a publisher, leaning toward self-publishing from the beginning. So, I think I got one “non-response” from a publisher (no formal rejections) before taking on the job myself. I have ZERO regrets over my ultimate strategy, as I’ve easily made 4-5+ times as much money by self-publishing than I ever could have through a publisher. All the while keeping control of the timetable, the creative process and all rights to the books (AND related products, which have proved in many cases to be quite profitable in their own right). I’ll give you an example…

What could you create as a companion ebook to sell with your book? After writing The Well-fed Self-Publisher, I assembled a 100-page ebook called The Well-Fed SP Biz-in-a-Box, containing “virtually every piece of marketing material used in the course of marketing my successful titles.” I sell it for $20 extra with my book ($30 standalone) as an automatic ebook download – a steal, according to most buyers, but that makes it an easy “impulse buy.” Other than the time it took to create it, I have ZERO costs.

So instead of roughly $14 net profit on a $20 book sale off my site (still light years better than I’d have gotten through a publisher), in 60-70% of the cases, buyers purchase both, giving me a $34 net profit on a $40 sale (roughly $6 cost for book production costs, plus shipping to me and the final customer.) Sweet.

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

The one “non-response” elicited from me, at most, a “So what? Their loss. My gain.” I had little faith in a publisher to do the best job of marketing my book (NO one will EVER care about your book as much as you will…). When an author is accepted by a publishing house, one of the biggest – and most unpleasant – surprises they have is discovering how little marketing and promotional support that publisher actually gives them, and by extension, how much of it falls to them. Way I figured it, if I was going to have to do most of the marketing myself, I might as well be making most of the money.

Authors seeking a conventional publisher for the books would be wise to consider that publisher in much the same way as an entrepreneur would consider an investor or venture capitalist. Aside from the money that entrepreneur would receive from the VC, would he also expect the VC to do much or ANY marketing of his product? Never. Ditto here. Consider a publisher an “investor” in your book, fronting you the money in return for keeping the lion’s share of the profits, with the overwhelming bulk of the marketing falling to you.

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

Again, I went with the publisher in the mirror… ;) I had a sales and marketing background and figured I could do at least as well, if not a better job of marketing my good than a publisher. And I absolutely believe that with ever fiber of my being today. An author can potentially do anywhere from at least as good to a far better job of shepherding his or her own book to commercial success in virtually every aspect of the publishing process.

Of course, I often hear, “I don’t know anything about marketing and book promotion.” Well, I firmly assert that commercial success as a self-publishing author is far more about a process than an aptitude – far more about a lot of things you have to do than some way you have to be. None of those things are particularly difficult – they just have to get done.

Because I realize most people don’t come from a marketing background, I devoted an entire chapter of TWFSP to developing a “marketing mindset” – minus the angst and stress. NOT book promotion – that’s covered in the bulk of the rest of the book – but rather grasping the fundamentals of sales and marketing to better understand book promotion. Chapter title? “Learning to Love S&M… (Sales & Marketing).” It just feels like the other sometimes…

Of course, my focus isn’t simply self-publishing. It’s profitable self-publishing. Self-publishing by itself, as a process, is obviously feasible. People do it all the time. And in most cases, they do it like clumsy, sloppy clueless amateurs. And as a result, they go nowhere, reach virtually no one, and make no money. Which is why “self-publishing” gets a bad rap – and in the overwhelming percentage of cases, that rap is well deserved.

But your self-publishing story doesn’t have to end that way. Success isn’t easy or cheap, but it’s do-able. I’ve done it and countless others have done it as well.

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

As any successful author will tell you, “Writing the book is the easy part.” The feeling of starting with an idea for a book, turning it into a superior finished product, taking that book to market and ultimately turning it into an income stream that provides a full-time living for multiple years is pretty indescribable.

I actually didn’t have some big release party, but will probably do that for my next book, the updated edition of The Well-Fed Writer, due out in late 2008/early 2009.

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

Promotion starts long before you have a published book in your hand. I launched my first book’s web site (www.wellfedwriter.com) a good year before I had books in hand. I contacted 60-70 web-based entities prior to the book’s release (and roughly 300-350 more in the years since), securing commitments to review my book when it came out. All of which was part of an almost exclusively online marketing approach I too with my books.

As I saw, my book (and all three for that matter) are “niche” books – they’re not going to appeal to the mainstream audience. Bottom line,

if you’re a relatively unknown author of a niche book (or even an unknown author of a mainstream book), by and large, the mainstream media (MSM) just don’t care about you. Go ahead, send endless press releases to already inundated media folks, but your progress on that front will likely be glacial.

I bypassed MSM, opting instead for a 4-step Internet-based approach:

1) Identify target audiences

2) Determine where audiences gather online.

3) Contact sites (request reviews, interviews, placement of a promo blurb, ask to write articles or be a guest blogger (like this!), etc.

4) Take massive action. A few dozen review copies won’t build a full-time income. Think hundreds, and you’ll reap magical word-of-mouth advertising – the gift that keeps on giving.

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

Absolutely not. I’m quite happy with my decision to self-publish. There’s no way I could have generated the income I have through a publisher. In fact, I’ve been contacted twice since the first book came out by two publishers (one a household name), asking if I’d be interested in exploring a publishing deal with them. Not interested. In both cases, after chatting with them, it was clear there was no way they could come close to offering me anywhere near as good a deal as I was pulling off on my own. Not that I wasn’t flattered… ;) Feels pretty good to turn down a publisher.

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

I’ve self-published two more books since then, working on a fourth, and have spun off a bunch of related products/initiatives as well: an ezine (great strategy for keeping your buying public close; now in its seventh year of monthly publication), a blog, ebooks, teleseminars (and accompanying CDs), coaching, speaking, seminars, etc.

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 question underscores the reality that most authors perceive themselves to be at the mercy of The Publishing Kingdom. And I disagree. Once within that kingdom, many find that the emperor has no clothes: paltry royalties, up to two years to publication, the loss of creative control and relinquished book rights. And the afore-mentioned “do-it-(almost-all)-yourself” marketing equation. All to earn – in most cases – far less than a buck a book.

I discovered the power of using Interns (to handle the promotional grunt work) on my second and third books, and wish I’d thought of that for my first. Would have saved me a ton of time, and allowed me to focus on the things I had to do. How did I use interns?

I used interns – at about $9 an hour – to build my review copy list for books #2 (TWFW: Back For Seconds) and #3, The Well-Fed Self-Publisher (TWFSP). In both cases, we started from an existing review copy list, building on it by brainstorming other avenues. I set her up with several standard cut-’n-paste email pitches (one for folks on the existing list and a second for new additions).

For each book, over the course of a summer, she built a list of 150 firm Yes’s (i.e., “Yes, we’d love to get a copy of Peter’s upcoming book”), agreeing to promote the book in any number of ways. Along the way, I’d always pick up a handful of invites to speak at this or that conference (paying expenses and speaking fee).

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

As mentioned above, turning a book from idea to income makes you feel pretty good. On a more conventional level, having my first book end up as a selection of Book-of-the-Month Club (and two others), while winning a few awards, felt awfully good. Book two was a triple-award-finalist and The Well-Fed Self-Published snagged two awards as well. Always nice when your work is validated my your peers.

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

Artist or musician (neither of which I’m close to doing!). Just seems like those folks seem to be the most fulfilled (and yes, sometimes, the most messed up!)

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

I think I’ll always write in some form or fashion, so for me, I’d love to combine two together. Yeah. That’d work. ;)

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I don’t make ten-year plans. I follow my interests in all things. I’ve let my businesses evolve on their own terms and at their own pace, minus a lot of goal setting. Sticking too close to The Plan can have you miss out on a lot. So far, it’s worked for me. It’s NOT about drifting aimlessly. It’s about knowing your general direction and moving in that direction in a variety of ways.

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

Yes. Just remember that that day doesn’t have to be in someone else’s hands. If you like the idea of holding the reins of your own publishing journey, know that it’s doable. And if like the idea of following a proven game plan, I invite you to come visit www.wellfesp.com.

ATTENTION: This interview is being brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion. As a special promotion for Peter Bowerman’s book, THE WELL-FED SELF-PUBLISHER: HOW TO TURN ONE BOOK INTO A FULL-TIME LIVING, 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 Peter’s blog stops during his virtual book tour in June. Leave a comment below to have a chance to win one of these prizes! For more stops on Peter’s tour, visit www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com.

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.

Edythe Denkin, PhD, is a Certified Marriage Counselor. Her most recent book, Relationship Magic, is a set of tools in parable form for those wanting to keep or rekindle the love and communication in their relationships. Dr. Denkin understands that “Happily Ever After” does not just come naturally. It takes communication, honesty, and empathy. This book is based on her work with Imago Relationship Theory.

The host of “Catch Your Kids Doing Things Right,” a four-part television series in which she taught many of her techniques to a wide audience, she has been trained and certified as an Imago Relationship Therapist by Dr. Harville Hendrix, best-selling author of Getting The Love You Want, et al.

Edythe is also the author of Why Can’t You Catch Me Being Good?, a best-selling book from Adams Media that shows how to raise self-confident and well-behaved children.

Edythe has embraced a spiritual quest and a personal calling to help people find their childhood triggers and help them reclaim their emotional freedom and happiness.

A graduate of Temple University, Denkin began her career as an Elementary School teacher. She went on to receive her Masters Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport, and her PhD from Walden University. She has over thirty years experience as a therapist and relationship expert, specializing in marriage and child therapy, and is also a teacher, coach and motivational speaker. She is a member of the Institute For Relationship Therapy and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Denkin was recently honored by the University of Bridgeport with a Most Distinguished Alumni Award.

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

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

Relationship Magic is my second book. My first book came out in 2000.

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

Why Can’t you Catch Me Being Good? was my first book and it was published.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

I went through over 20 publishers before Adams Media called me to discuss my manuscript.

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

I knew that the book was worthwhile and needed. I just wasn’t going to let their rejections get me down. I wasn’t going to let them stop me. I just kept going until I found a publisher who saw how much the book was needed.

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

I had an agent who was having trouble with his own child and he felt that Adams would be a good fit.

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

It was so much fun. I had a feeling of accomplishing what I set out to do, but I didn’t actually have a celebration, I knew the real work was just beginning.

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

The first thing I did was get myself a publicist. It was over $2000 a month and they got me on TV, radio and the newspaper.

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

The whole book industry has changed since 2000 and now I’d be more flexible in my expectations. Today, I have chosen to start my own publishing company, Destiny Press.

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

Destiny Publications has published my next book, Relationship Magic. I am much more confident as a writer now and I have a lot less anxiety about the publicity and marketing. I can get the message out on TV and radio and I feel like I know what I am doing.

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?

Using an agent and working one step as a time was the best way to go. I don’t look at anything as a mistake, but as things I have learned. I learned that once you set a goal, you have to get yourself out there. Never give up.

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

As a therapist, my first book has given me the credibility and respect among my colleagues and my community that I was looking for. I now speak to large groups and am able to get my message out there. That was always my goal.

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

I love being an Imago relationship therapist. It offers me an opportunity to help people make progress in their lives and it is very rewarding.

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

Yes, I have been able to combine them. Both my books and my profession allow me to teach others how to make a difference in their relationships and families.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

I will have my own nationally syndicated radio show and be a best selling author and speaker.

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

I say go for it. Never give up. Keep at it until you find the publisher that will see what you see in your book. Winners never quit. Quitters never win.

ATTENTION: This guest post is being brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion. As a special promotion for Edythe Denkin PhD.’s book, RELATIONSHIP MAGIC, 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 Edythe’s tour, visit www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com.

James is a tax attorney who served honorably in the United States Marine Corps’ Force Reconnaissance (akin to Navy SEAL program). James brings the same commitment and loyalty to his clients that he exhibited when he served our country. He is also CEO of White Diamond Properties, Inc. a real property investment acquisition firm and is on the Advisory Board of Wave Uranium Holdings (WAVU.OB), a development stage company that engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of uranium properties in the United States.

James is on the Advisory Board of Sognari International www.sognari.com/james which is an entrepreneur platform that has famed Michael Gerber involved and they are creating opportunities that are discussed in the book.

You can visit his website at www.3pillarsofwealth.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, James. 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 am published for the first time in a book and I have had published articles before so this is exciting.

My book is the “The 3 Secret Pillars of Wealth.”

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

“The 3 Secret Pillars of Wealth” is my first significant published work and hopeful to do more under the same brand.

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?

After hearing many stories of perseverance in finding a publisher after 23 or more rejections, I determined I would be better served to self-publish and save time. In addition, several of my colleagues that had a major publisher do their book had not control over their book or the ideas that were in them…the publisher retained proprietary control over everything.

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

I didn’t get rejected because I just went forward as a self-published author. The only rejections I have experienced were from publicists stating it was not a right fit or that they like to get started way before the published date which I didn’t really agree with.

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

I published it in league with Arbor Books who has an incredible package to get it done and many luminary authors did their first book with Arbor.

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

It made me feel accomplished and that if I never sold my first run, at least I had accomplished something I set out to do and so many say they would like to do but never get started.

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

I aligned with a company called Sognari International which is a seminar and entrepreneurial platform company. They had done a book singing for Michael Gerber and offered me the opportunity to hold a book signing in their Irvine, California facility. I think I had 150 attendees of which almost all of them purchased a book and the event was taped and broadcasted live on the internet.

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

This is hard to say. I think I have the credentials and the idea is unique enough where I could have attracted a major publisher and had them foot the bill but at the end I would have no control and if the book does well, I will be able to control a future deal.

I think I would have to say no, I wouldn’t choose another route.

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

Again, this is my first outing so stay tuned as I would love to answer this a year from 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?

I could have probably put away a marketing budget but it has to actually be quite large and then hire a great publicist to orchestrate some cross selling with others and get the word out prior to book delivery. However, this might not prove to be worth a lot so I don’t really regret anything.

Can you always avoid disease by having the ounce of prevention? Not always so you have to make sure you have the pound of cure and that’s where I’m at.

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

Attracting the right type of client and being able to just say no to the type of client that is not a good fit for me, my practice and the direction I want to take things.

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

This questions relies on my being able to look for where the grass would be greener and we all know how that works out. I think I am satisfied with my profession and being an entrepreneur allows you to be visionary in order to create value for the public and to continuously morph yourself and become what you want to be.

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

I’ve combined the best of both worlds because I could not have authored this book without having been an estate attorney and seen the flaws and difficulties that clients bring to the table as well as the triumphs and then search for that missing denominator that separates the two.

How do you see yourself in ten years?

Optionally retired and continuing work that inspires, educates and improves the lives of people.

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

Just member the Nike slogan and just do it. If you allow self-doubt to swallow you up and your inner perfectionist to talk you out of it or fail to release it, you have another form of procrastination which is a disease. I’m out to eradicate this disease since medical science can’t come up with a immunization for it.

ATTENTION: This interview is being brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion. As a special promotion for James Burns’ book, THE 3 SECRET PILLARS OF WEALTH, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour or $25 Amazon gift certificate to one lucky person who comments. Leave a comment below to have a chance to win one of these prizes! For more stops on James’ blog trail, visit www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is my first book, and I’m currently writing another, also for children. The title of the book is “Ashley’s Unforgettable Summer.”

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

This is the first book that I have written.

For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?

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

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

Using Xlibris I didn’t have this problem.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How do you see yourself in ten years?

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

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

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

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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-