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I'm ending my week by welcoming a wonderful Aussie writer of romance to the blog to tell me a little about her writing journey so far. Check it out...  Renée Dahlia is an unabashed romance reader who loves feisty women and strong, clever men. Her books reflect this, with a sidenote of dark humour. Renée has a science degree in physics. When not distracted by the characters fighting for attention in her brain, she works in the horse-racing industry doing data analysis and writing magazine articles. When she isn’t reading or writing, Renée spends her time with her partner and four children, volunteers on the local cricket club committee, and is the Secretary of Romance Writers Australia.  The fourth book in the Merindah Park series will be out in May 2020. A rural romance series set around an emerging racehorse stud in Victoria, Australia, and the family desperately trying to make their racing dreams come true. Four siblings own the farm Merindah Park - John, Shannon, and twins Rachel and Serena. Since the death of their gambling addicted father five years ago, the siblings have worked hard to bring the farm back to prosperity. Each book works as a stand-alone, with the farm tying the series together. Learn about Renee's books here! Website Merindah Park Making Her Mark Two Hearts Healing Racetrack Royalty The Interview... Who are you and what do you write? I’m Renee Dahlia and I write romance, both historical and contemporary, and with a range of romantic pairings, eg not just heterosexual. My latest series is Merindah Park, a high heat Australian rural romance set on a horse farm. In June, I have a lesbian historical releasing with Carina Press called Her Lady’s Honor which will be the first in a new series. Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? I come from a family of story tellers but studied science at university to avoid having to do any writing. While growing up, we didn’t have a television, so I read a lot. Eventually, after a few different jobs, I ended up doing some writing for a magazine; basically taking a question, applying statistics to a data set and writing up the answer in a way that non-mathematically inclined people could understand. I discovered I enjoyed writing, and I ended up working as a freelance writer and data analyst. When I lost a couple of clients in 2016, I had some time open up in my schedule and I thought I’d try and write a book as a personal challenge. I wrote a romance because that’s what I love reading. How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown? When I finished writing the book I wrote as a challenge to myself, I figured I should do something with it. I attended a writers conference (RWAus) and pitched it to a few publishers. Escape (Harlequin Australia Digital) loved it, published, and suddenly I had a new career option that I’d never really considered before. That book was published in 2017, and I’ve now written 21 books (11 published, the rest in process). I still do some other freelance work, but as I focus on writing books, my freelance work is winding down. Balancing available time is always an issue.  What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable? The most enjoyable is easy. I’ve been really lucky to have my first ever book published, and to continue to have the support of Escape Publishing. Last year, I submitted a book to Carina Press (Harlequin USA/Canada) and that will be released in June 2020. The hardest thing is marketing – I’d rather just write more books – but the world doesn’t work like that, and I have to step outside my comfort zone and tell people about my books. It’s odd, because I’m a social media addict, yet I struggle to do actual marketing, as opposed to chatting to people. Would you go back and change anything? No, because every step in this journey has been part of a learning curve. When I first started writing my first novel, I soaked up information on writing craft from everywhere I could. I did every RWAus course they offered for about two years, and after that first conference where I pitched my book, I came home and completely rewrote it before I submitted it so I could put everything I’d learned into the book. Even the choices that have gone wrong – like the series I wrote for Harlequin Dare that got rejected – have been good in the long run. In the end, all writing is practice, and even rejected books are good practice. Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future? Five years ago, I hadn’t written a book, so I couldn’t have predicted I’d end up here. Who knows what the future will hold? My current plan is to write more, read more, and keep learning. I’m enjoying this career at the moment, so I’ll keep doing it while I can and while publishers keep saying yes to my books. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? Two things. Write. Read. (Both are excellent practice and help improve your craft). For writers who are looking at submitting work to publishers, my advice would be to read as many of the books recently published by your choice of publisher as possible. You’ll get a good sense of what that acquiring editor likes and whether you’ll fit. And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? - Aioli (fancy mayo!) Night or Day? - Day Inside or Outside? - Outside Dogs or Cats? - Horses Twitter or Facebook? - Twitter for news, FB for family, both for friends Ebook or Paperback? - Both Sun or Rain? - Sun Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - Keyboard Comedy or Drama? - Both Chips or Chocolate? - Chips 
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I'm thrilled to welcome a fabulous middle-grade author to the blog today who is celebrating not one, but TWO major career accomplishments today: A brand new book and a paperback release! Check it out...  Sandy Stark-McGinnis is a middle grade author. Her upcoming novel The Space Between Lost and Found will release April 28, 2020. Her debut middle grade, Extraordinary Birds, was a Kids Indie Next List pick.  Cassie’s always looked up to her mom, a vivacious woman with big ideas and a mischievous smile. Together they planned to check off every item on a big-dream bucket list, no matter how far the adventure would take them. But then Mom was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and everything changed. Now, Cassie tries to keep Mom happy, and to understand some of Dad’s restrictive new rules. She tries to focus on math lessons and struggles to come up with art ideas that used to just burst off her pen. When Mom’s memories started to fade, so did Cassie’s inspiration. And even worse, she’s accidentally pushed away Bailey, the one friend who could make it all okay. After the worst Mom day yet, the day she forgets Cassie’s name, Cassie decides to take action. It’s time for one last adventure, even if it means lying and taking a big risk to get there. Sandy Stark-McGinnis, acclaimed author of Extraordinary Birds, explores big questions – the kind that don’t always have answers – in a powerful story about family, friendship, and the memories that will always be part of us. The Interview... Who are you and what do you write? Teacher (currently 5th grade), Mom, writer of realist middle-grade Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? I started out as a film studies major. I fell in love with stories through movies. I was never a reader up until then. Because of film, I started to read more and found my way to poetry. I became a poet and that led to writing prose. How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown? The journey has been exciting! My debut year was amazing. My publisher, Bloomsbury, was incredibly supportive and I was lucky enough to do a lot of traveling for conferences, school visits and festivals.  What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? I think the hardest part is learning not to compare yourself with others and continuing to believe in your stories and your voice. And the most enjoyable? The most enjoyable has been meeting other authors, booksellers, librarians, teachers, people who work in publishing, and readers from across the country. Would you go back and change anything? I don’t think so! Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future? I just want to continue to be in a position to write and publish books. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? Stay present. Keep writing. And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? - Ketchup Night or Day? - Morning Inside or Outside? - Outside Dogs or Cats? - It used to be dogs, but now it’s cats. Twitter or Facebook? - Twitter Ebook or Paperback? - Definitely paperback Walk or Drive? - Walk Sun or Rain? - Rain Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - Both. It depends on where I am in the process. At the beginning, it’s more pencil and notebook. Once I’m writing a draft, it’s keyboard. Comedy or Drama? - Drama Chips or Chocolate? - Cookies w/chocolate chips (Always with coffee!) Check out today's brand new author interview...  Jamie Adams fell in love with books at an early age. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott opened her imagination and sparked a dream to be a writer. She wrote her first book as a school project in 6th grade. A graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature as well as member of American Christian Fiction Writers, The Writing Desk and several critique groups she spends most of her time writing, reading or learning more about the craft near to her heart. She and her family live in the Ozarks surrounded by forest and wildlife.  Lilly Fletcher’s last duty to her recently deceased employer is to deliver his orphaned grandchildren from Omaha, Nebraska to their uncle on Cold Creek Mountain. The final step of the journey requires securing a guide, which is not an easy task for a governess who prides herself on being independent. Ex-scout Hayden Dawson has been grieving the tragic loss of his family for several years. When he’s asked to take a fancy governess from the city along with her wards up the mountain, he refuses at first since he has a ranch to run. However, outnumbered, by his foreman and his meddling childhood teacher, he’s coerced out of retirement for one last trip. When the ride up Cold Creek Mountain doesn’t go as planned, can these two wounded hearts work together to protect the children? Can Lilly find the strength to leave her wards behind or does God have a better path for her future? The Interview... Who are you and what do you write?
Hi, I’m Jamie Adams and I write Western Romances. Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? I love books. As a child, I made up stories before I could read on my own. As an adult, I rarely get a good night’s sleep because I lay awake acting out stories in my mind. I have a strong desire to write. I grew up watching westerns with my father who was a real-life cowboy. After I was married and had children of my own, I discovered a fanfiction site devoted to one of the westerns I’d watched with as a child. It was there I got up the courage to share my stories. The readers were so encouraging and have a big part in my taking the first step toward becoming an author. How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown? There have been some twist and turns along the way, but every step has been a part of the learning process. After sharing stories online, I joined a writer’s group and met some amazing writers who helped me sharpen my skills. From there I self-published several books. This past summer I sent a manuscript to Anaiah Press and thankfully caught the attention of one of their amazing editors. Each phase of the editing process was like checking off a new item from my bucket list. What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable? The process of getting to that “first book sold” stage is so slow. I encouraged myself by keeping in mind that each no was one step closer to hearing YES. The writing, rewriting, sending the synopsis, and then waiting for months to hear back is a bit nerve wracking. The most enjoyable part of writing is hearing a reader say how much they love the story. It’s a relief to know the craziness going on inside my head isn’t total nonsense. Would you go back and change anything? No, not a thing. Each step of the way has brought me friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future? I have a sequel to Cold Creek Mountain in the works and am working on a time travel western that has been fun to write. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? Read what you like and then write what you know. Writers are people who love to read. I write westerns because that’s what I know and enjoy. There’s a ton of information on writing but one of the best things you can do is find a critique group that will help you grow as a writer. And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? - Usually Mayo but both on a hotdog bun. Night or Day? - Whichever one allows me to sleep. I work weird hours and sleep when I get the chance. Inside or Outside? - Inside Dogs or Cats? - Don’t hate me – Neither. I’m not an animal person. Twitter or Facebook? - Facebook Ebook or Paperback? - Both Sun or Rain? - Rain for writing, sun for most ever other time. Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - Keyboard Comedy or Drama? - Depends on the mood. Chips or Chocolate? - Chocolate I'm back with another fab author interview today talking about the ins and outs and the ups and downs of their journey to publication! Check it out...  Kerelyn Smith is a writer of literary, speculative, and children’s fiction. By day she is a software engineer but she gets up in the wee hours of the morning to write. She lives in Seattle, WA, with her partner and dog, and enjoys hiking, gardening, and overcomplicating things. Mulrox and the Malcognitos is her first novel.  A bad idea is nothing to worry about… until it knocks on your door. Mulrox the ogre harbors a secret desire to become the world's greatest poet. Unfortunately, all of his ideas are rotten. But when his terrible ideas come to life, Mulrox soon finds himself on a quest to protect the very ideas he loathes-the malcognitos as they call themselves. Accompanied by his sassy pet toad, quirky neighbor, and a hoard of mischievous bad ideas, Mulrox must travel to the malcognitos' realm, uncover the mystery of the beast hunting them, and return home in time to deliver the best poem of his life. Fans of L. Frank Baum, Bruce Coville, and Roald Dahl will delight in this middle-grade fantasy novel about embracing your imperfections. If you like prophetic rodents, spellbinding sneezes, and ferocious sheep, you'll love this book. Join Mulrox and his friends for a wild ride full of antics, strange new creatures, and lots of bad poetry. The Interview... Who are you and what do you write?
Hi, Kate! Super honored to be here with you today. I’m Kerelyn Smith. I work as a software engineer at a start-up in Seattle, but the rest of my time is devoted to writing and other bookish activities, like hoarding books. I’m moving houses at the moment and being forced to confront the massive amount of books I own. (I’m sure 20 plus boxes of books is normal. It’s normal right?) I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I’ve lived all up and down the west coast. Very happy to have found my way back to the Pacific Northwest. I'm loving all the trees and rain! I write literary, speculative, and children’s fiction. My debut novel, Mulrox and the Malcognitos comes out March 29th. Tell us a little about the book. Mulrox and the Malcognitos is a middle-grade fantasy novel about Mulrox, an ogre who desperately wants to be the greatest poet in the world, but everything he writes is awful. Then the worst thing he can imagine happens: his terrible ideas come to life. The malcognitos, as they are called, are annoying, wild, and troublesome, but worst of all, they need his help. Mulrox soon finds himself on a quest to save the very ideas he loathes, accompanied by his sassy pet toad, quirky neighbor, and a hoard of mischievous bad ideas. The book is a raucous, fun adventure, but at its heart, Mulrox’s story is about finding your voice and embracing your imperfections. How has the journey to this point been? Like most writers, I’ve been telling stories since I was very little. I majored in English literature at school, took many creative writing courses, and have joined several writing groups along the way. But it was around the time I graduated from college that I developed a serious writing habit. Every morning I get up early and spend the first hour or so of my day writing before I head off to work. I’ve been doing that for over a decade now, and I think that practice, more than anything else, has helped me. What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? Writing is incredibly hard. There are so many things to learn, so many areas in which to focus, so many levels. I know that writing well will be a life-long journey and I’m only just beginning. This is part of what makes writing so draining and frustrating, and also part of the appeal. But I think the hardest parts for me have been mental challenges. I’m terrified to put a book out into the world. Mulrox is my third full-length novel, but the first I wanted to publish. The first two did not work. There are some great things about them, but they just never came together. I worked on the second novel for 7 years and made it through countless drafts. But I just couldn’t figure out how to make it come to life. During that time, I convinced myself I was not interested in publishing, that I only cared about writing the best book I could. About three years ago, my mindset changed. I wanted to be braver. I wanted to share my ideas with others. To be a part of the great cycle of writers and readers that is always growing and changing. So I started writing Mulrox. What’s different about Mulrox and the Malcognitos? I like to write about what I'm currently grappling with as a way to fully explore those thoughts and then put them aside. Writing Mulrox has changed me. His internal journey is a personal one for me, and one I think will be familiar to many writers and creatives. Mulrox is so hard on himself and everything he creates. He stops himself, self-censoring before he even gets started. Over and over again, I get caught up trying to make things perfect from the start. I always have to remind myself to focus on the immediate goal, to come up with lots of off-the-wall ideas and reassure myself that I can grow and evolve them over time. I think people would usually call this type of paralysis, perfectionism. I have never considered myself to be a perfectionist, but this is a label that gets applied to me a lot. I’m a messy person, more interested in creativity than rules. As a kid people used to say “I got really into my art”, which was a nice way of saying I got more paint on me then on the canvas. Everything I create has so many mistakes, so many messy edges that I don’t see how I could possibly be considered a perfectionist. On the other hand, I get it. I'm a bit of a workaholic. Mulrox went through something like 11 drafts before I worked with an editor, and will have gone through something like 17 before it reaches you. I have a hard time saying something is good enough, letting go. I’ve seen advice that tells you to split your writer-self from your editor-self. Allow your inner-writer pure creativity and freedom and then train your inner-editor to be critical. The trouble I've found is being able to come back as one person who is content with the final product. I dream big, and then I fall short. I think others can relate. What we create is not exactly what we hoped it might be. The notion of this creative ideal, I think is simultaneously what drives us, and what makes us crazy. But these ambitions can hamstring us, and keep us from our goals. Early on in the book, Mulrox receives a vision, telling him that he is destined to write the greatest idea of all time and become world-famous. This vision haunts him, as it promises him everything he’s ever wanted, but encourages him to belittle all of his other ideas--the malcognitos who Mulrox is slowly growing to care for and value. The journey Mulrox and I are on, is to find beauty in what we create, both the good and the bad, and to learn to respect our malcognitos. I’m still a work in progress, but writing Mulrox has helped me. I hope the book can help others to find a bit of peace and acceptance as well. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? This is the advice I tell myself. Edit! Edit like crazy. But find a way to love your malcognitos as much as your wonderful, perfect, shiny ideas. You’ll never get anywhere without a million terrible ideas. They are a part of you and the process. As much as you can, embrace them. And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? - Mustard Night or Day? - Day Inside or Outside? - Outside Dogs or Cats? - Dogs Twitter or Facebook? - Twitter Ebook or Paperback? - Paperback Sun or Rain? - Rain Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - Keyboard Comedy or Drama? - Comedy Chips or Chocolate - Yes I'm welcoming another fab author to the blog today to discuss their journey to publication as they anticipate the release of their second book very soon! Here we go...  Tammy Bird is a suspense/thriller author. She lives in North Carolina with her wife and two cats. By day, she pours her heart into helping students fulfill their educational dreams. By night she sinks into her own rhythm and voice, creating new characters and new stories for anyone who will listen. Tammy’s work is rarely defined as sweet or cozy, and she likes it that way. She is not here for sweet or cozy. She is here for the beautiful swirl of hard and gritty fiction where good people are sometimes bad and bad people are sometimes good and no one is safe from the psychological makeup of those around them—or from their own. You can connect with Tammy on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/tammybirdauthor/ Instagram @tammybirdauthor and Twitter @Tammy_Bird. You can also visit her website at https://tammybird.com.  The Book of Promises Flashpoint Publications YA Coming of Age Coming Out Suspense The Interview... Who are you and what do you write? Who am I? Wow. That's a tough one right off the bat. In addition to being a mom, a mimi, a wife, and an educator and speaker, I am a fifty-something author with stories to tell. I love the short story and spend quite a bit of time on that genre. I dream of editing an anthology of short stories with an "appearances versus reality" theme. Novels are hard, but oh so rewarding. My first novel, Sandman, is an adult psychological thriller. My third novel, tentatively titled, Protege Once Removed, is the sequel to Sandman. I recently finished my second novel, The Book of Promises, that will be out May1. It is a young adult suspense. Did you have any surprises with book two? I don't know about surprises, other than one of the characters does something I had no idea s/he was going to do, but I can't tell you about that. It would spoil the surprise. LOL. I do have a funny story about the title. It was originally called only, Book of Promises. When the cover was created, the artist used, The Book of Promises. I was so smitten with the way she used the bleeding heart in the title and how it looked just as it was that I decided not to mention or correct. Instead, I changed the title on my end. Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? I wish I could say I have written my whole life, but I have not. I have loved reading my whole life, and my dad was always sneaking in ways to create stories together, but it was not until my late thirties/early forties that I really found my love for short story writing and not until my fifties for novel writing. How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown? I am a high school dropout with a PhD. That about sums me up. I was a lost soul for so many years. I fought drug addiction, an abusive family, early marriage and divorce, waiting tables to survive and raise three kids, and just barely hanging on. And then I met a woman who believed in me and saved my life. She was a literature professor. She paid for my GED, guided me through applying for grants and securing sitters and learning to love myself. It was her love of writing that sparked my own. I am forever grateful for her presence in my life. Once that spark was ignited, life changed. I found my voice and started publishing in literary anthologies. Then I discovered short stories and found a home for a few of those in anthologies. And then I found GCLS about four years ago. If your readers are not connected to this group, they should be. I have never felt more accepted and loved than I have with this group. I wrote the first draft of Sandman during my year in the GCLS Writing Academy. What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable? Marketing is actually the most central answer to both of those questions. I didn't realize the time commitment AFTER the book is published. I love doing it. The connections I make are phenomenal. But, oh my goodness how nice it would be to be able to pay someone to do a portion of it for me.  Would you go back and change anything? Oh so many things, but I try not to dwell on that. What is done, is done. Forward movement is always best. Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future? I would like to have my wish-list edited anthology completed and at least three more novels, maybe 5-10 more short stories published and a few speaking gigs completed. I am enjoying the ride. I just want to keep going. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? Right now, take a piece of paper and pen and write down what motivates you. Why do you want to do this? What makes your heart race and your tummy tickle? Post this somewhere you will see it. When you want to quit, and you will, read it. Read it and keep going just one more day. And MOST importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? - Neither, typically, though I will use a bit of ketchup on a hotdog. Night or Day? - Day. Nights have always been a weird time for me and my anxiety. Inside or Outside? - Inside. Do writers do outside? Dogs or Cats? - Cats are easier to care for, and I am currently all about ease, so cats. But I love dogs, and I do want another one someday. Twitter or Facebook? - Twitter all day long. I think it is the forced character count. It feels doable. I can write and read and connect with a lot of people in a shorter amount of time, and the witty tweets make me smile. Ebook or Paperback? - Words are words. If I am out and about with no paperback, I know I can pull out my phone and read whatever wonderfulness I have downloaded. Sun or Rain? - I love a chilly, sunny day. Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - I start with pen and pencil in my notebook of ideas. Once I have a rough outline of a story, I switch to the keyboard. Sometimes I will print out chapters if I am struggling to get them right. It resets my brain. Comedy or Drama? - I like both. I think it is a mood thing. Chips or Chocolate? - Chips. I am a saltaholic. I'm thrilled to introduce you to a fabulous author from my neck of the woods today, or at least from this side of the world anyway. Here we go...  Sue Copsey writes middle-grade fiction, and also adult fiction under the pseudonym Olivia Hayfield. Her children’s ghost story The Ghosts of Tarawera was a Storylines Children’s Literature Trust Notable Book, and The Ghosts of Moonlight Creek was shortlisted for the Sir Julius Vogel Award in the best YA novel category. In 2019, Sue won the New Zealand Society of Authors/High Spot Literary Pitch Perfect competition with her adult fiction Wife After Wife, a contemporary retelling of the story of Henry VIII and his six wives. High Spot secured a two-book deal with Little Brown UK, and Wife After Wife was also picked up by Penguin Random House in New York. Originally from England, Sue is now based in Auckland, where she works as a book editor. She is married with two children.  ***Glamour, infidelity, murder*** Divorced, murdered, died, divorced, suicide, survived... Wealthy, devilishly handsome businessman Harry Rose is head of Rose Corporation, No. 18 on the Forbes rich list, and recently married to wife number six. But now, with business in the spotlight and his love life under scrutiny, Harry's perfect world has the potential to come crashing to the ground. From eighties young gun to noughties ginger billionaire, there's a reason why Harry's many wives have found him impossible to resist. But behind the money, sex and glamour lies a truer tale of infidelity, conspiracy and lies - and Harry's ex-wives want him to pay... Loosely based on the trials and tribulations of the most infamous historical playboy of them all, this tale of glamour and serial monogamy will leave you deliciously entertained. 'A delicious read for anyone looking to sink into a big juicy story about love, lust, betrayal and other unfortunate consequences of the heart' Renee Rosen, bestselling author of PARK AVENUE SUMMER The Interview.. Who are you and what do you write?
I’m Sue Copsey, book editor and author of ghostly adventure stories for kids. But! I’m also Olivia Hayfield, (younger, far more glamorous) author of Wife After Wife, a modern retelling of the story of King Henry VIII and his six wives. Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? Where – England. I moved to New Zealand in 1995. When – as soon as I could hold a pencil. My imagination was ridiculous – it still is. I lived mostly in my head; my bike was my pony, my walk to school was through an enchanted forest, my toys came to life at midnight. Now, as I go on my morning run down at Auckland Harbour, my head is full of the likes of Henry VIII and William Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth 1st, wondering what they’d be like if they lived today, holding imaginary conversations with them. When I was nine, my teacher sent one of my poems to Warwickshire Country Life magazine, and my life as a published author began … but there was quite a gap before I was to resurface. I always wanted to be a writer, but my parents sensibly told me to get a proper job and think about that later. Turned out to be sound advice. However, I found jobs that allowed me to write. I was a press officer at London Zoo, and then moved into publishing, firstly for Dorling Kindersley in London, and more recently as a freelancer in New Zealand. Along the way I’ve written several children’s books, sometimes for publishers I’ve been working for, sometimes for myself. Recently I turned my hand to writing adult fiction, and incredibly found myself with a two-book deal with Little Brown UK, and an offer from Penguin Random House in the US. All quite astonishing and ridiculously exciting. How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown? Ups and downs, like a rollercoaster. Cliché but true. I’d been writing children’s non-fiction for a while as part of my job as an editor, but had always wanted to write stories too. Having worked in publishing for a while my expectations were realistic! So I was thrilled when my first kids’ novel was picked up by a new publisher … which quickly went under. I retrieved the unsold copies, and had to learn quickly about marketing and distribution. This in fact turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as I was able to pass on this knowledge to my author clients who were thinking of self-publishing. I went on to self-publish the second and third in the series, and one of those won a Storylines Notable Book award which was a wonderful moment for me. Then … see next question! What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? I wrote a middle-grade book which I think was my best yetl. It sat around on various publishers’ desks for two years and is still languishing. I love that book, and I’ll get round to publishing it myself one day, if I have to. The up side was that I was so disheartened by the whole experience I swore off writing any more kids’ books, wrote an adult one, and am now an internationally published adult fiction author! And the most enjoyable? I’ll never forget the phonecall from my agent telling me we’d had an offer for Wife After Wife from Penguin Random House in New York. I may have screamed. But the most sublime moment of all was finishing the sequel, Sister to Sister. I’d been stuck, I didn’t know how to end it. I tried ending after ending, but nothing felt right. It has to feel right. And then it came to me in a dream - it was like watching a scene from a movie. It was incredible, magical, perfect! I have no idea how that happened. When I wrote what I’d dreamed, I cried. A strange kind of ‘enjoyment’, maybe, but other authors will relate. Would you go back and change anything? I’d take English at uni instead of following my dad’s advice and studying business. But otherwise I wouldn’t change a thing – I’m always aware that I’m very lucky to have a working life that revolves round books, my own and other people’s. Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future? Now that I’ve finished the sequel to Wife After Wife, there’s a definite ‘where to next’ thing going on. I’m hoping I’ll be able to carry on writing my modern retellings of history, as I’m a complete history nerd and there are so many fascinating characters who I’d like to drop into modern day and see how their lives would play out. It depends if my publisher wants more … fingers crossed. We’ve had interest from film and TV in both books, so I’d quite like that to happen! What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? Most of us look back at our early stuff and wince, because we hadn’t yet mastered the craft of writing. As an editor, time and time again I see the same issues with first-time authors: wordiness, repetition, clunky sentences, information dumps, dialogue that doesn’t sound natural. It’s basic stuff, and the good news is, most of it is easy to rectify. So take a creative writing course, find a mentor – get quality feedback. Learn how to punctuate dialogue, how to write a killer opening paragraph, how much backstory to put in your first chapters; learn about point of view. Follow the rules until you’re good enough to break one or two with confidence. Read lots, in your preferred writing genre. Work out why a book is great, note how and why an author keeps you turning those pages, how they make you care about a character, how they get in that emotion, make your heart race, move you to tears. Don’t despair if your first book is rejected by all and sundry – write another one! Oh, you said one piece of advice. Sorry. And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? - Mayo Night or Day? - Night Inside or Outside? - Outside Dogs or Cats? - Cats Twitter or Facebook? - Facebook Ebook or Paperback? - Paperback Sun or Rain? - Sun Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - Pencil and notebook Comedy or Drama? - Drama Chips or Chocolate? - Chocolate I'm starting the week with another awesome author interview today. Check it out...  A lifelong Sherlockian, Richard T. Ryan is the author of four Sherlock Holmes adventures: "The Vatican Cameos,” “The Stone of Destiny,” “The Druid of Death” and “The Merchant of Menace.” His fifth Holmes novel, “Through a Glass Starkly,” will be released later this year. Among his other credits are “The Official Sherlock Holmes Trivia Book," a book on Agatha Christie trivia and the well-received murder mystery “Deadly Relations,” which has been produced twice off-Broadway. He pursued his graduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, where he majored in medieval literature. An avid reader, he grew up devouring the mysteries of John Dickson Carr and others of that ilk. He has been involved with newspapers and magazines for nearly 40 years and has spent the better part of the last three decades working for the Staten Island Advance in a variety of editorial capacities. He retired as the paper’s publications manager  Sherlock Holmes agrees to help Inspector Lestrade recover a priceless jewel-encrusted dagger that has gone missing. However, what Holmes initially believes to be a simple theft turns out instead to be his first encounter with a master criminal, whom Watson dubs "The Merchant of Menace." Soon Holmes finds himself matching wits with a man who will steal anything – if the price is right. Moreover, this thief will go to any lengths, including blackmail and murder, to achieve his desired goal. As Holmes comes to understand his adversary, he begins to realize he can only react to the Merchant because he has no idea where this criminal mastermind will strike next. All Holmes knows for certain is the Merchant seems to specialize in rare, one-of-a-kind articles. From the British Museum to the Louvre to Blenheim Palace, Holmes finds himself in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. Set against the backdrop of early Edwardian England, the Great Detective and his Boswell encounter an array of luminaries from the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough to a young Winston Churchill. For fans of Conan Doyle's immortal detective, the game is always afoot. However, this time around Holmes must try to bring to justice a villain who might well be the next Napoleon of Crime. The Interview... Who are you and what do you write? I am a retired newspaper editor, and I now write Sherlock Holmes mysteries. When I’m not working as a “consulting editor” for MX Publishing in London, I do some freelance editing. Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? I first began to take writing seriously when I was a graduate student at the University of Notre Dame. After finishing school, I taught writing and English on both the high school and college levels for more than a decade before I became a journalist. During my years as a newspaperman, I found myself writing articles every week, but the books came much later.  How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown? After any number of false starts, I finally finished my first novel four years ago when I was 63. As I said, I have written all my life, but I had never finished a novel until then. Since that time, I’ve managed about a book a year. For me, the writing is the best of all worlds. I’m naturally curious, so I really enjoy the research. However, it can be frustrating at times; as a result, there are moments when the writing actually sometimes seems easier by comparison. What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable? I don’t plot ahead of time, preferring to write organically. As a result, I often paint myself into corners and have a devil of a time getting out. I think I get the most joy just from knowing people have enjoyed my work.  Would you go back and change anything? Absolutely! As I said, I started several books over the course of my life but I never finished any. I wish I had been more dedicated to the craft when I was younger and I wish I had more confidence in myself. However, I think maturity has made me a better writer, so there is a bit of a trade-off. Where would you like to be in 5 years’ time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future? I’m retired, so I’m just taking each day as it comes. Within the next few weeks, I’m hoping to begin work on a novel set in the medieval period and bring that to fruition. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? Believe in yourself. If you have a story to tell, get it down. The rough spots can always be smoothed over in subsequent drafts. The important thing is to get that first draft completed.  And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? - Depends on the dish. Night or Day? - Play during the day; write at night. Inside or Outside? - Inside Dogs or Cats? - Dogs, but I have nothing against cats. Twitter or Facebook? - Twitter ebook or Paperback? - ebook Sun or Rain? - Sun Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - Keyboard Comedy or Drama? - Drama Chips or Chocolate? - Chips I'm welcoming another self-published author to the blog today who's celebrating the release of their first book this week! Here we go...  Rachel Hobbs lives in soggy South West Wales, where she hibernates with her bearded dragon and her husband. By day she is a dental nurse at a small local practice. By night, she writes.  For her, it’s her late grandma’s legacy. For him, the mother of all black arts spoils, granting one demon the power of a God. Immortality. When occult-magnet Ruby falls victim to Demon Lord Drayvex’s viperous allure, she loses a sentient dark relic to his light fingers and appetite for power. Like calls to like. But when Drayvex himself loses the relic to a traitor to the throne, Ruby coerces him – the tyrant king with a soft spot for humanity – into helping her save her pokey old world village from becoming a ground zero of mass demonic carnage. Both invested in reclaiming the relic, the one thing Ruby and Drayvex agree on is that it’s in the wrong hands. Co-existing in a precarious arrangement between predator and prey, to save the planet they both love for different reasons, they must become a formidable double-team in the face of an apocalyptic takeover. Now, the fate of both human and demon alike rests with a killer that walks between worlds, and a woman with a curse in her bloodline. The Interview... Who are you and what do you write? Hello! My name’s Rachel, and I write dark fiction. I’m still discovering who I am as an author, so watch this space. But I like to write about monsters that aren’t quite as monstrous as they would have you first think, and heroes that when pushed, twist in delicious, dark ways. My debut dark fantasy, Shadow-Stained, is about a young woman with a complicated past, and the Demon Lord who is so used to getting his own way that when she openly opposes him, it turns his world upside-down. Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? I first started writing fourteen years ago as a troubled teen. I didn’t know then what I know now, that I have two neurological conditions called narcolepsy and parasomnia, and I felt like I was losing my mind. At my lowest point, I found escape in what would one day become Shadow-Stained. This book is very personal to me, because throwing myself into writing it changed my life. Enter Drayvex, a presence so vivid and real in my mind that I almost mistook him for a delusion. His character haunted me, whispered in my ear when I least expected it, pervade my every thought. When I first committed myself to uncovering his story, it was to make him go away. But the more I wrote, the more his story sucked me in. Before I knew it, I was writing my first novel. I guess we know who won that one! How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown? Shadow-Stained started life as a collection of scenes and disjointed conversations. These were the things that gripped me and refused to let me go. When I first committed to turning them into a novel, I had no idea what I was doing. Since then, I’ve spent the past few years rewriting the same book over and over, using the time between each draft to work on something new and exciting or better my craft. It’s taken me a long time to get here, but I’m finally at a place where putting my work out there doesn’t feel like a huge mistake. What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable? Writing that first draft was a steep learning curve. I wanted to give up more times than I can count. I agonised over difficult scenes, words that didn’t reflect the vision in my head. The story felt so much bigger than me, and so far beyond my capabilities as a new writer. By the time I’d made it to the end of that draft, I was a different person. Writing my first book was the most challenging and rewarding thing. Little did I know that the hard work had only just begun! I think the most enjoyable part of the process for me is when I’m nearing the end, and I’m looking back on everything I have and thinking, ‘phew. It is good after all.’ Because I have no true perspective on the worth of my words until I can step back and see them from a distance. Would you go back and change anything? Everything that I have been through to get here has made me a better writer. The good has inspired me to keep pushing forward and through the bad or unpleasant, I’ve learned valuable lessons that I wouldn’t otherwise have learnt. I wouldn’t change a thing.  Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future? I’d like to establish a reader base who look forward to each new book I release. You see, I wrote Shadow-Stained for myself. The next book I write will be for me, too, obviously. But I’m ready to share my stories with the world and hopefully, give something back. There are so many authors growing up that changed my life. Books continue to change me as a person, and those special few will be with me always. What greater honour could there be than to know that your books have done the same for someone else? What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? Writing is hard. You will fail, a lot. You will learn from your mistakes and you will grow, both as a writer and a person, because nothing ever grows within the confines of your comfort zone. I, myself, have learned to associate that uncomfortable, vulnerable feeling with personal growth. Also, I see the words ‘aspiring writer’ floating around quite a bit. In my opinion, if you write on a regular basis, you’re a writer. That’s it. Don’t aspire, be a writer! The world needs your words. And MOST importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? - Ketchup, every time. Night or Day? - Day. I’d miss the sun too much. Inside or Outside? - Inside. Dogs or Cats? - Cats. Although I actually prefer reptiles. Twitter or Facebook? - Twitter. I lurk daily. Ebook or Paperback? - Ebooks, if only for convenience. Sun or Rain? - Definitely sun. Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - I’d be lost without my keyboard! Comedy or Drama? - Comedy. Chips or Chocolate? - Major chip lover here. I'm DELIGHTED to welcome a fellow Australian author to the blog today, who is celebrating her second book release this week! Check it out...  Sandy is a writer, traveller and hopeful romantic with a lengthy bucket list, and many of her travel adventures have found homes in her novels. She’s also an avid reader, a film buff, a wine lover and a coffee snob. Sandy’s first novel, a romantic comedy set in Greece and inspired by her real-life love story, was published in June 2019 by One More Chapter (HarperCollins). In 2020, two follow-ups to One Summer in Santorini hit the shelves: That Night in Paris in April and A Sunset in Sydney in June. A stand-alone Christmas novel, The Christmas Swap, will be published in October.  Note to self: don't sleep with your flatmate after a curry and three bottles of wine… especially if he's secretly in love with you and wants you to meet his mum. Cat Parsons is on the run. She doesn't do relationships. After ten years of singlehood even the hint of the ‘L' word is enough to get Cat packing her bags and booking herself onto a two-week holiday. A European bus tour feels like a stroke of genius to dodge awkward conversations at home. But little does Cat realise that the first stop will be Paris, the city of love itself. Joined by new friends, Cat has got two weeks, eight countries and a hell of a lot of wine ahead of her. As they discover hidden treasures and the camaraderie of life on the road, will Cat find a new way of looking at love? Discover the beauty of Europe's most romantic cities in this uplifting and laugh-out-loud novel for fans of Samantha Parks, Alex Brown and Mandy Baggot. The Interview... Who are you and what do you write?
I am a traveller who loves romantic fiction, so that’s what I write – travel romcoms with a measure of heart. I base my stories in places I’ve travelled to, and explore the heart – what makes it sing, what breaks it, and what mends it. Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? I started writing seriously in 2017 and self-published my first novel just ahead of leaving for a one-year sabbatical. While on sabbatical, we lived in Bali, the US, the UK, and Portugal, and I wrote the second and third books in the series. I also queried publishers and agents, and on arrival back to Australia, I secured a 2-book publishing deal with HarperCollins UK and a UK-based agent. How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown? It has been a wild ride. My debut novel, the one I’d previously self-published, was edited and renamed and came out in June 2019. Since then, I have secured a second 2-book deal and by the end of 2020, all four books will be out in the world! As I also work fulltime, I spend at least 2 hours a day on author work, usually before work, and a good chunk of my weekends. And by ‘author work’, I mean, writing, editing, social media engagement and marketing. With 1 book out already and 3 more coming in quick succession, there is always work to do. What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable? Juggling two jobs has been challenging at times, and there are sometimes stretches of time where I have to step away from the computer and refuel mentally and emotionally. The most enjoyable aspect has been seeing books out there and hearing from people who have enjoyed them. Would you go back and change anything? I have learned from every stage of my experience to date, so no. Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future? Five years from now, I’d like to be a fulltime author. In fact, I am hoping to get there in the next 2-3 years. And, with my books set in gorgeous destinations, I will continue to travel and conduct research for the next stories. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? Forget the so-called ‘publishing rules’. I self-published, then got a publishing deal by querying my book. Many authors think this is an impossible route to publication, but the ‘rules’ are nebulous. Get your book out there, get readers, get feedback, and keep knocking on doors. I have dozens of rejections. But it only takes one ‘yes’. And what we all want to know... Ketchup or Mayo? - Ketchup – always, especially for fries Night or Day? - Love me a morning! Inside or Outside? - I’m a homebody who loves nature, so both Dogs or Cats? - Cats – we don’t have one at the moment, but may foster one again soon Twitter or Facebook? - Twitter is my jam ebook or Paperback? - I never thought I’d say this, but ebook – of course, I love holding my own paperbacks! Walk or Drive? - Walk – we live in the city, so don’t own a car Sun or Rain? - Sun – always! Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - Keyboard for writing, a notebook for musing Comedy or Drama? - Love a good laugh Chips or Chocolate? - Chocolate – the darker the better I'm pleased to welcome a vampire-loving, self-published hippie author to the blog today to find out more about their journey to publication! Here you go...  Susan is from Southern California and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Zaire in the late ’70s. She went on to earn her master’s in psychology and started in the field of Mental Health/Addictions at a street emergency shelter. She worked several years at County Mental Health, a University Medical Center, and at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She and her family moved to the cornfields of Illinois and became a therapist at a V.A. Medical Center. She became a widow at a young age, battled Lupus, and is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Her children, family and friends always encouraged her to pursue her dreams. She believes there is a Miranda in each of us struggling to make sense of an insane world. She married a widower who helps with editing and all the technical stuff. They live north of Seattle on the banks of the Stillaguamish River with two rescued tabbies, a Black Lab Retriever with criminal instincts, and a Pug who has a very high opinion of herself. She is a volunteer at an animal shelter, a Veteran’s museum, and the Unity Museum in Seattle. She loves Barbacoa tacos and consumes an inordinate amount of coffee.  The Miranda Chronicles Book I: Rare Blood Miranda Ortega moves from the cornfields of Illinois to L.A. to pursue fame, fortune, and a writing career. Her rare blood type and a Knight Templar ancestor put her at the center of a well-orchestrated plan by the Magus, the centuries-old vampire who rules over the undead. Baron Tristan Mordecai, a powerful, seductive, billionaire book publisher, draws her into the nocturnal society of Lamborghini driving, Chanel wearing, egomaniac assassins with a strict liquid diet. Miranda shocks the vampire world with her rebellious behavior. Copious amounts of her favorite adult beverage, coffee, helps her hang onto her sanity.  The Miranda Chronicles Book II: Rhapsody in Blood Miranda is fed up with the insanity of vampire society. She takes her triplets to the small Illinois farm town where she grew up, to get away from nocturnal maniacs like her husband Baron Tristan Mordecai. A rebellion within the undead world, jealous lovers, and crazed monk vampire hunters challenge her ability to protect her family. Conflicts with her seductive, unfaithful, arrogant husband are complicated by the arrival of a handsome and charming Mongolian bodyguard. Miranda’s coffee intake increases as she fights the centuries-old vampire patriarchy. The Interview... Who are you and what do you write?
I’m a hippie with a dark sense of humor. Working as an addiction therapist with people from all walks of life I began to see worlds within our world, some invisible to most. My job was stressful, and my personal life included a loving husband who was deteriorating due to Multiple Sclerosis plus our bright often surprising children. Writing about the secret world of nocturnal maniacs was a fun escape for my mind. I had completed my first book once, but the computer was fried during a lightning storm and I hadn’t made a copy. Through many life changes, including becoming a young widow and surviving breast cancer, I finished my first book thirty years later. Never give up on a dream, especially if it involves vampires. I published Rare Blood, then Rhapsody in Blood and Gift of Blood will be out this summer. Where did your obsession with writing about vampires begin? Blame it on watching Bela Lugosi movies, the godfather of the undead. So many great vampire movies since then. One of my favorites is Blade. Vampires are the rock stars of the horror genre. I could not imagine dating a zombie, but Count Dracula was easy. I would sit in my office after an emotionally draining counseling session and turn my thoughts to what if I had a vampire as a client. How would they like living in the modern world, etc. Would they think Blood Banks were the greatest achievement of our era? Wouldn’t computers make it easy to create new identities, protect their wealth, find deserving victims, or as they say “dinner”? How has your writing journey been? Like fireworks going off in my brain. I had no idea when I started how much it would add to my life. I started tearing up with joy when I got my first reviews. I laughed my ass off when my best friend said, “So this is what goes on in your head!” I really enjoy the company of writers. There’s something delightfully off about us. What are the hardest, and the most enjoyable parts of writing/publishing? Marketing and editing are time consuming but important. I was able to turn a marketing setback into a positive. A local market cancelled my request for a booth at the last minute saying they were church sponsored and vampire books were not appropriate for their event. Seriously? A policeman I was chatting with at a fair in another city said, “Use it! Put a sign up saying your book was banned.” Now I have a “Banned in Marysville” sign on my table and it has helped me sell a lot of books! People say things like, “I’m buying your book ‘cause it was banned. That’s so ignorant.” It turns out banned books are popular. The best part is when a nocturnal maniac fan sees a stack of Rare Blood and their eyes light up, “I love vampires!” A young woman with a goth look bought my book one morning at a fair and came back in the afternoon before closing to say she had difficulty putting it down. Would you go back and change anything? No. What are your plans for your nocturnal maniacs? Vampires are narcissistic, brilliant and easily bored. They hate to be ignored so I’m currently working on my fourth vampire book involving the next generation of mortals that are struggling to stay sane and alive while dealing with them. I wrote a story in a horror anthology, Tasting Evil, published by the Writers Coop of the Pacific Northwest last year. I’ve submitted another story for the new anthology, and some friends have encouraged me to write a fantasy novella. I’ve started the novella but somehow a vampire turns up to annoy the fairies, elves and witches. What advice would you like to pass on to writers? Go for it! No one else can tell your stories. Write what you enjoy reading. Have fun with it. Not everyone will be into your stuff, but some people will. If someone says only write about what you know ask if Tolkien knew a dragon. I’ve had people say they’d never read a vampire book, that’s okay, I’m writing for Dracula, Twilight, True Blood, Vampire Diaries, etc. fans. Whatever your genre, there’s someone out there who digs it. And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? - Mayo Day or Night? - Night Inside or Outside? - Outside Dogs or Cats? - Dogs and cats, my Tabby brothers, Lab Retriever, and Pug run my life. They are all around me while I write this. Facebook or Twitter? - Twitter ebook or Paperback? - Paperback Sun or Rain? - Rain (I live near Seattle) Keyboard or Notebook and Pen? - Keyboard with the cloud for back-up Comedy or Drama? - Comedy, always Chocolate or Chips? - Chocolate and coffee are essential to my existence |
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January 2021
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