Lisa Regan is a suspense novelist. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. She is a member of Sisters In Crime. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter.
Her latest book is the crime thriller, Aberration.
Visit her website at www.LisaRegan.com.
Book Synopsis:
FBI analyst Kassidy Bishop is assigned to the “For You” killer’s task force after a series of sadistic murders bearing the same signature arise in different parts of the country.
The homicides are both calculated and savage, occurring in different states, but bearing the same signature: the words “for you” scribbled at each crime scene. The case chills Kassidy, bringing back memories of her own encounter with a violent criminal five years earlier.
Kassidy’s mentor, legendary agent Talia “The Confessor” Crossen knows the task force assignment is Kassidy’s chance to prove to her colleagues that she belongs in the Behavior Analysis Unit. For five years, other FBI agents and profilers scoffed at Kassidy’s appointment to the BAU, believing she was only offered the position in exchange for her silence about the brutal assault that almost killed her.
The stakes rise when the task force links the killer’s signature to Kassidy. As more and more bodies turn up, Kassidy must delve into her past and the mysterious death of her twin sister, which holds the key to uncovering the killer’s identity.
The closer Kassidy comes to finding the killer, the closer she comes to a deadly confrontation that could cost her everything—including her own life.
Purchase your copy at AMAZON
Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Lisa. Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?
Aberration is my second novel. My first novel, Finding Claire Fletcher was published in December 2012.
Q: When you were published for the first time, which route did you go – mainstream, small press, vanity published or self-published and why or how did you choose this route?
I went with a small press. I was on submissions for a long time and Sapphire Star Publishing offered me a contract, so I took it!
Q: How long did it take you to get published once you signed the contract?
Eight months.
Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?
It was the most amazing feeling. It’s very hard to describe—total overwhelming excitement. I was very euphoric for weeks! For me, I had been writing since I was eleven years old and then it took me eight years between the time I started writing my first novel and the time it was published so it was a very long, hard road. It was very gratifying to have it finally in the hands of readers. To celebrate, we had a huge launch party/signing in the banquet room at our local Applebee’s. We had a great turn-out.
Q: What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?
Besides my launch party, I did a Goodreads giveaway.
Q: Since you’ve been published, how have you grown as a writer and now a published author?
Having been through the editing process twice, there are a lot of things I see in my own work that I wouldn’t have noticed before which is great because I can change them before they go out to critique partners. Things that have mostly to do with pacing, placement of certain details, the order in which things are revealed and being more specific in my descriptions.
Q: What has surprised or amazed you about the publishing industry as a whole?
How much things have changed since I started writing my first book. Back then e-readers didn’t exist and self-publishing was extremely taboo. Now if you don’t have some kind of online presence, you’re not going to sell any books. Also, self-publishing is becoming more and more popular and accepted and so we get to hear from a lot of talented authors that we may never have discovered otherwise. I think that’s fantastic!
Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being a published author?
When something I’ve written resonates with a reader on a personal level—whether they relate to what I’ve written or they start taking extra precautions in terms of their personal safety. Also, whenever people have a very emotional reaction to my work, then I know I’ve done my job.
Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?
First and foremost, don’t give up. This business is incredibly hard. You need to be in it for the long haul if you want to be successful. When it seems like utter madness to go on, that’s exactly when you should renew your efforts. Second, don’t be in this for the money because this isn’t a high-paying industry. Third, keep honing your craft and trying to get better. Last, remember: there are many roads to publication these days. You should consider them all and choose the one that fits you best.
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