Welcome to the Limitless Library Lounge where I will be interviewing fellow authors from Limitless Publishing. Today, I am chatting with J.A. Kerr from Glasgow
, Scotland.
Thanks for joining me,J.A. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.
Can you please share with us how long you’ve been publishing with Limitless and what titles you’ve published with them? Have you self-published any titles or published with another publisher? Please give details.
I’ve been with Limitless Publishing since May 2015 and published two titles The Braille Club July 2015 and The Braille Club Unbound releasing 1st Dec 2015. I self-published The Braille Club on November 2014, and learned so much in the process. The feedback was positive and the reviews were good but my book was lost in a vast sea and I was struggling to market it. Comments about the need for further editing and more marketing in general made me consider a publisher. Since then I haven’t looked back. Limitless Publishing has taught me so much and I hope my writing has improved as a result.
That’s wonderful. Tell us a little bit about your books — what genre they are, if you write a series, and any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress.
I am currently writing my third book in the Braille Club Series. My genre is contemporary romance or erotic romance, it’s both really. My current work in progress the Braille Club Undone has me sitting at 50k+ words, so more than half-way through. A continuation of the main characters story, with fresh and familiar characters from the previous book. The Braille Club Reborn will be the last book in the series and I have a current outline but still much work to be done. I’m very proud of My NEW RELEASE The Braille Club Unbound 1st December. I feel with all the editorial advice, my writing flowed better as a result. My first book The Braille Club is where the story starts and introduces you to all the characters which I have come to think of as my friends.
Sounds like you are quite busy. I can relate to an author’s characters beginning to feel like friends. I am currently working on my sequel to “A Stone’s Throw” that released in November, and I’m finding it interesting to develop the main characters more fully in the second book and add new ones.
Would you describe your goals as a writer to us. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?
I want to finish my series and I want it to be successful. I think I’m like any author in the sense, if people are buying my books it’s because they want them and that’s a great feeling. Happy to do whatever it takes to spread the word and build my brand. In fact I spend a lot of my time on promotional work because if people don’t know…then they can’t buy my books. Thereafter, I’d like to try romantic suspense. This is a genre that really appeals to me and I’d like to explore it further.
Great goals. I write romantic suspense myself, although some people consider my work cozy mysteries because I don’t feature a lot of gore or sex. I like to write what I read, as I’m sure you do.
This ties in with the last question. What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?
My novels are 18+ and I think more female orientated but open to all. I think everyone who likes romance with an edge to it, will like the series. It is primarily a love story with passion and sexual discovery. I hope readers will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Yes, I think most authors want readers to feel the same enthusiasm for their books as they do. I notice Limitless has a diverse group of writers. Their authors write adult, New Adult, YA, Mystery, Horror, etc., so there’s something for every type of reader.
Most aspiring writers are looking for advice from those who have broken into the field. What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?
Don’t give up. I know everyone says it but present the best quality manuscript you can even if it take a couple of years of painstaking editing, it’s worth it in the end. Take a writing course. Learn the basics of Point of View, scene breaks, unnecessary words etc. Hone your craft.
I agree completely, J.A. Before I published “A Stone’s Throw” I took several online courses through the library where I work. I discussed these classes in a previous post.
What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?
I love to read. When I’m not writing, I’m reading. I like to go to the theatre. I’m lucky because there is a small theatre that does lunch time performances in Glasgow’s West End called A Play, A Pie & A Pint (I have wine and the pie’s yummy). Wine and lunch included with the 50 minute performance and I’ve seen some fantastic plays. Films are next, I’ve just seen Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks which I would recommend. Lastly, I enjoy going to my local wine bar at the end of the week and having a nice glass of fizz—bliss!
Lol. You sure know how to find fun ways to relax after working hard at your writing.
What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?
I love when the story comes to me and I’ve got to write, it’s the best feeling in the world. I hate when I have to edit. But I’m much stricter with myself now. I edit every 5 Chapters. It also helps to refresh my memory as I normally have 3 or 4 different storylines. My toughest challenge is when my story stalls. I’ve got to be patient and do other things until it starts to flow again. It’s always a bit of a nail bitter as I never know when it will start again once it’s stopped.
I think most authors can relate to that. Editing is sometimes harder than writing. I’ve also begun to edit as I write my sequel because I went through too much pain with the first. It’s important to let the words flow but when they don’t, you need to step back like you said.
That was a great interview. Can you please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. so readers can connect with you.
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1KQ7K1c
Amazon Com: http://bit.ly/1MMslDU
The Braille Club Unbound UK: http://amzn.to/1XbQogj
The Braille Club Unbound Com: http://bit.ly/1OTlMRI
website: http://www.thebrailleclub.com
Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/1IGNYyy
Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/1KQ7z5V
Unbound Book Trailer http://bit.ly/1lXq9in
Instagram thebrailleclub
Tumblr thebrailleclub
Facebook Author Fan page: http://on.fb.me/1DyZ8sZ
Facebook Book Fan page: http://on.fb.me/1UsyfLR
Facebook Author page: http://on.fb.me/1IMHe1T
Goodreads : http://bit.ly/1UneIMS
What a great list. I see you are very active on social media. That’s wonderful. Are you having any special upcoming promotions?
Yes, I’m having a Goodreads giveaway from 10th December until 10th Jan. Participants can enter to win a signed copy of The Braille Club and book swag consisting of a bookmark (double sided), wine charms (bells are are a major theme throughout the book) and a necklace with a key (Key Holders are members of the Braille Club hence connection) and double sided keyring.
Very nice. Thanks again for joining me in the Limitless Library Lounge today, and good luck with your books!
Ruff Drafts 