Author Spotlight – Page 11

Author Spotlight J.P. Ratto

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Debbie

Welcome to the Limitless Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors from Limitless Publishing. Today, I am chatting with Judy and Pete Ratto, husband and wife writing team known as JP Ratto, from Jupiter, Florida.

Thanks for joining me, Judy and Pete. Please take a seat and make yourselves comfortable.
I understand you have a novel that is just being released by Limitless today. Can you give me some details about it?

We had done all the research for self-publishing our novel, when a friend suggested we submit to Limitless. We were thrilled when they accepted our manuscript. EVERYTHING TO LOSE, a mystery/thriller, is the first in a series of Lucas Holt novels and our first collaborative effort. We have at least three Lucas Holt novels planned. The first, EVERYTHING TO LOSE is being released today, December 29^th. Two more in the initial trilogy are tentatively set for release in the Spring and Fall of 2016.

How exciting. 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?

Our immediate goal is to finish the two remaining Lucas Holt novels. We are considering an offshoot series showcasing one of the supporting characters. We love Lucas Holt and depending on the reception he receives from readers, we will continue to create more cases for him to solve.

That sounds like a great plan. As a romantic suspense/mystery author myself, I know how involved you can get with your characters. In my sequel to A Stone’s Throw published this past November by Limitless, I am creating lots of new characters that can have their storylines developed if I continue it as a series.

What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?

Our targeted reader would be anyone who reads mysteries and thrillers. We’ve intentionally written the book to appeal to both men and women. Hopefully, we’ve balanced description and character development with enough action and intrigue.

Excellent. I’m sure it helps that the two of you, a man and woman, are writing it.

What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?

Our advice is to read in the genre you are writing and learn all you can about the craft of writing. Then apply it to your own work. Whether a writer decides to self-publish or take the traditional route, the goal should always be to produce a polished story that will appeal to publishers and readers.

Very good advice.

What hobbies and interests do you have besides writing?

As we write full time, our writing takes up most of our days. We both love to read and make time for that. Twice a month we participate in a writer’s critique group attended by wonderful local authors. Judy paints watercolors and sings soprano in our church choir. Pete enjoys reading and photography. We spend time with friends and love a walk along the ocean.

Nice hobbies.

What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?

The best thing about being an author is when creative ideas flow and the setting and characters come alive to the extent that they practically write the story for you. There isn’t much that we don’t like about being an author—but if we never wrote another synopsis, we wouldn’t miss it!

As Pete is a outliner and Judy is a pantser, the toughest challenge is plotting the entire story before writing one word of the manuscript. We compromise with an outline that is very flexible.

Lol. I haven’t met an author yet who enjoys writing a synopsis. I can identify with Judy, as I tend toward being a pantster myself, but I’ve also done a bit of planning with my follow up book. I think a flexible outline is the most beneficial for writing. It sounds like you both bring different and yet complimentary styles to your working relationship.

Can you please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. so readers can connect with you.

Website: www.jpratto.com FB Author page: www.facebook.com/jp.ratto.1/

Twitter: @jandpratto Goodreads:

Our bio and the first chapter of EVERYTHING TO LOSE is on our website.

Thanks for the interview. It was very nice to talk with you both in the Limitless Library Lounge today, and I wish you the best with your your new book and those that follow. I’m also including your blog tour information that includes a giveaway that might be of interest to my readers.

☆҉☆‿➹⁀☆҉☆ #NewRelease #LimitlessPublishing #OneClick #KindleUnlimited

҉☆‿➹⁀☆҉☆

Celebrating the #NewRelease for Everything to Lose by @jandpratto and @limitlessbooks

#KindleUnlimitedDownloadFree

#OneClick

Amazon: http://goo.gl/KdCk4R

Amazon CA: http://goo.gl/xW2uY4

Amazon UK: http://goo.gl/0nSkhH

Amazon AU: http://goo.gl/Q86mDw

#AddToGoodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28024256everythingtolose

#Giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/81aa7894775/

Check out the great #TeaserPics and Read Chapter 1

http://goo.gl/hxLssr

BLURB

PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR LUCAS HOLT IS ON A MISSION…

Lucas Holt specializes in kidnap recovery. ExDelta Force and a former NYPD detective, he has

spent the last fifteen years burying himself in case files to cope with the unsolved abduction of

his daughter, Marnie.

JANET MAXWELL JUST CAN’T LET GO…

After the death of Janet’s husband and son in a tragic car accident, she hopes Holt’s expertise

can locate the daughter she gave up for adoption seventeen years ago. Janet knows her actions

will have explosive repercussions for the girl’s father— presidential candidate, Todd Grayson.

With no family, hope of finding her only daughter is all she has left. Or is there a more sinister

motive?

THERE’S NO GREATER INCENTIVE FOR A FATHER THAN PROTECTING HIS

DAUGHTER…

On a mission to bury the constant reminder of his failure to recover Marnie, Holt agrees to

Janet’s proposal. But at what cost? When his inquiries lead to news of the death of another

woman, Holt can’t shake the feeling something is off about the whole case. And when new

evidence surfaces about Marnie’s disappearance, finding her and finding Janet’s daughter

become the same treacherous mission.

Crooked candidates, hired mercenaries, and his own life on the line—will Holt find it inside him

to risk everything in the line of duty?

THERE’S NO TELLING HOW FAR YOU’RE WILLING TO GO WHEN YOU HAVE…

EVERYTHING TO LOSE.

Author Bio

JP Ratto is a husband and wife collaborative writing team. EVERYTHING TO LOSE is the first

of a threebook series featuring private investigator Lucas Holt.

Judy began writing full time six years ago. She attended Hofstra University’s Writing Intensive

in the summer of 2010, and participated in a Hofstrasponsored writing and critique group from

2009 to 2012. She has written an upper middlegrade fantasy adventure and a children’s

mystery chapter book. Judy also does freelance editing.

Pete Ratto, a former member of the U.S. Navy serving half his enlistment with the U.S. Marine

Corp, is a retired corporate accountant and is now writing full time.

Both are avid readers of mysteries, thrillers and suspense. Active in a critique group made up of

local authors, they enjoy discussions on all aspects of the craft of writing. Pete enjoys

photography, writing and going to the beach. In her spare time, Judy paints watercolors and to

her husband’s delight, cooks an occasional dinner. They have a son and a daughter, both grown

and living in New York. Pete and Judy live in southern Florida with their cat, Gillian.

☆Connect With the Author☆

Website: http://www.jpratto.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jandpratto

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jandpratto

Publishers Profile: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/jpratto/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14721366.JP_Ratto

☆҉☆‿➹⁀☆҉☆ #NewRelease #KindleUnlimited #DownloadFREE ҉☆‿➹⁀☆҉☆

Hosted by #EnticingJourney

Author Spotlight, Authors, Books

Author Spotlight Elizabeth Roderick

Posted on December 15, 2015December 15, 2015 by Debbie

Welcome to the Limitless Library Lounge where I will be interviewing fellow authors from Limitless Publishing. Today, I am chatting with Elizabeth Roderick from Shandon, California.

Thanks for joining me, Elizabeth. 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 got my first contract from Limitless mid-September, 2015. I have no other published books. I have a lot of other books written, but I’ve only been pitching agents and editors for a little over a year, so I feel lucky to have found a publisher so soon, especially one as wonderful as Limitless.

Congratulations. Can you please tell us a little bit about your book — what genre it is and any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress.

My upcoming publication with Limitless, Love or Money, will release on January 12, 2016. That one is a single-title LGBT erotic romance/crime thriller.

I also have a series of seven YA contemporary fantasies written. Those were my first books, so they need revision. I additionally have an adult contemporary single-title, a YA contemporary duo, and a YA contemporary romance. The YA romance is in revision stage, the other two are being looked at by agents right now.

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?

My main goal (other than to just keep on writing) is to begin building a fan base, and to learn how to market and grow that fan base. I plan on pitching my adult contemporary to Limitless next, if the agent currently looking at it decides to pass; it isn’t a romance, like my upcoming publication, but it has similar LGBT and erotic themes, as well as crime thriller elements, so it would have a similar or identical audience and could help me hopefully achieve some momentum in the adult market.

I also want to find an agent and publisher for my YA contemporaries within the next few years. It is my goal to go “big” with these novels. The duo and the romance both have main characters with serious mental health disorders, but they are characters that I believe have appeal for a general audience; they’re compelling people with compelling stories that I think a lot of readers can identify with. I would like to introduce my characters and their stories to people who might shun folks in real life with their disorders, and make them look at the issue of mental health in a new light. It’s sort of a lofty goal as a writer, to make the public more comfortable around people who suffer from psychosis, but it’s something I feel strongly about.

And, of course, in the next few years I’d like to complete at least twelve more books. Since I wrote twelve in the last two years, I think that’s pretty doable.

Wow! Twelve books in two years. Did you ever sleep or eat – lol. Actually, I wrote A STONE’S THROW in two months and am working on the sequel which I should finish in another month. It’s the editing, selling, and promoting that takes so much time in my opinion. Your goals sound incredible, and I wish you luck with them.

What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?

My different genres would have different audiences, but I think most of my stuff will appeal to folks who like something a little dark. I have a lot of humor and lightheartedness in all my stories, but they still deal with stuff like addiction, incarceration, abuse, and mental health disorders.

It’s probably a good idea to add some humor to those type of books as long as it’s done in the right way.

What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?

Keep writing. Never give up. Believe in yourself. Know that what you’ve already written is beautiful, and that you will just get better and better with every word you write.

Excellent advice. All of us authors need to follow that, the ones new to the field as well as veteran writers. I think it’s common for authors to be self conscious of their works and sensitive to criticism, but they shouldn’t allow those feelings to interfere with their progress.

What hobbies and interests do you have besides writing?

I’m a musician. Since I left Seattle, I haven’t been in any bands, but I give lessons and still play just for fun (my daughter and I jam a lot). Guitar is my main instrument, but I play keyboards, bass, and a little drums. I write songs of my own, too. I also really enjoy cycling, running, hiking, ethnobotany, and mushroom hunting. I cook and bake a lot, and make my own recipes (my daughter and I are compiling a cookbook). I keep a garden and chickens.

My gosh those are some varied interests. You sound quite well rounded – lol. I love the idea of a mother/daughter cookbook. My daughter loves creating her own recipes, so that might be a fun project for us, as well, although I never have much time to experiment with recipes. I ordered my daughter a Kidstir breakfast kit for Christmas thinking we could do some of it together over her vacation break. She is always complaining that there’s nothing good for breakfast (she won’t eat cereal). I’m not sure I’ll buy the subscription, but I wanted to try it out with a sample kit. She might be a little old for it now (she’s 11) because the recommended age is up to 10, so we’ll see what she thinks of it.

What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?

My favorite part is drafting. I love being lost in a story. I’m a pantser, so I write for the same reason I read: to see what happens next. What I like least is marketing. I have no idea how to do it, and it frankly frightens me. I love interacting with people, but social media is rife with opportunities to be misinterpreted, or to say the wrong thing. My biggest challenge I think is to just keep believing in myself on my bad days. I’ve not had a lot of support from my family for my writing at times, because it can consume me so entirely, so that dynamic has been challenging, as well.

I can relate to all of that. I’m also a pantster, although I’ve tried to organize and plot the sequel to A STONE’S THROW a bit more because I had such a tough time editing the first book and have learned some things to avoid. I also dislike marketing and promotion, although it’s such an important part of the process. One thing I’ve found that helps is the great camaraderie among Limitless authors who are so wonderful about promoting one another. I suffer from self-doubt, too. I think most writers do. There are definitely issues in managing time with family and fitting in writing.

Thank you for a great interview. I’m sure readers will enjoy it. Can you please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. so readers can connect with you.

I’m @lidsrodney on Twitter.

https://www.facebook.com/elizabethroderickauthor/

https://elizabethroderick.wordpress.com/

http://pimentointhehole.com/

Thanks again for joining me in the Limitless Library Lounge today, and good luck with your new release and future books!

Author Spotlight, Authors, Books

Author Spotlight Alexandra Moore

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Debbie

Welcome to the Limitless Library Lounge where I will be interviewing fellow authors from Limitless Publishing. Today, I am chatting with Alexandra Moore, the pen name of Victoria A. Fillmore from New Braunfels, Texas.

Thanks for joining me, Alexandra. 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 since September 19^th of this year. They’re publishing my debut novel, “Exit Wound.” Which comes out today!

Congratulations on your new release. 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.

Exit Wound is a New Adult Suspense novel, and it’s a part of a series (Broken Promise Series) and it’s full of drama, heart-breaking conflict and obstacles and a bit of humor from the characters when they try to deal with the not-so-funny stuff.

I also write YA in multiple genres, and after I’m finished with the Broken Promise series I plan on finishing a YA series, which I want to submit to Limitless.

Great plans. 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?

My goal is to write as many books that will make readers think, inspire them, and make them feel that they are not alone. In the next few years, I hope to continue writing stories and coming up with the next big idea that will make readers feel they are represented in literature. My plans to reach these goals are to watch and pay attention to the needs of the readers—they’re so diverse, and everyone is different. But I want to be able to diversify my books so every reader will be able to identify with what they’re reading. No matter who or “what” they are.

Those sound like worthy goals for any author. This ties in with my next question. What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?

I’m hoping to attract young adults and adults—readers 16 and up. I think the people who would be attracted to my book the most are those who like drama, suspense, sitting on the edge of their seat and also those who want to find a character who can be realistic and relateable—one they can find that has something they can relate to.

I think many readers look for that type of combination in their reading material. What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?

Do not give up under any circumstances. If this is truly your dream—the one thing you can’t stop thinking about, talking about, dreaming about then don’t give up. If you believe in yourself and in your work, rejections will roll off of you, and you will find the right people to make your dreams come true. Trust your instincts!

Wonderful advice. In my recently published romantic suspense mystery novel, A Stone’s Throw, also by Limitless Publishing, I acknowledge a patron at the library where I work who urged me to write a second book after my first, self-published novel didn’t take off. I finally took this lady’s advice, and I’m happy I did. I have met so many wonderful authors, like you, who inspire and motivate me. I now write every day (halfway through a sequel), and A Stone’s Throw has been getting some great reviews since it released in Mid-November.

What hobbies and interests do you have besides writing?

Listening to music, drinking coffee, dreaming up my next tattoos. Writing was my main hobby, I don’t have anything else I really do! I watch TV (Game of Thrones wins my heart—same with Grey’s Anatomy) and I love watching Marvel Movies, or book-to-film adaptions.

What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?

What I love most about being an author is being able to share my stories and watching readers relate to them, fall in love with my characters and my stories. It makes me so happy! My toughest challenge is really forcing myself to not worry about things that are not in my control, especially if it has to do with the publishing process or writing process. I’m learning though!

Yes, getting compliments on our work is a great feeling. It makes it all worthwhile. Worrying is never productive.

Thank you for a great interview. I’m sure readers will enjoy it. Can you please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. so readers can connect with you.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralexandramoore/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amooreauthor

Instagram: @a.m.author

Tumblr: http://themusingsofalexandramoore.tumblr.com

Thanks again for joining me in the Limitless Library Lounge today, and good luck with your new release and future books!

Author Spotlight, Authors, Books

Author Spotlight J.A. Kerr

Posted on December 7, 2015December 7, 2015 by Debbie

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 authorspotlight , 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 1^st 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 1^st 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!