Authors – Page 3 – Ruff Drafts

Author Spotlight: Women’s Fiction Author J. Schlenker

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Debbie

Welcome to the Literary Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors. Today, I am chatting with J. Schlenker from Olive Hill, Kentucky.

Thanks for joining me, Jerri (I hope you don’t mind my using your first name here). Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.

How long have you been published? What titles have you published? Please give details.

I don’t mind you calling me by my full first name at all. I’ve been published since December 2015. My three books are Jessica Lost Her Wobble, The Color of Cold and Ice, and The Missing Butler and Other Life Mysteries (A Collection of Short Stories). They are all Self-Published.

Congratulations. I have a small publisher, but I admire those who do it themselves.

Tell us a little bit about your books.

In my short career I would say I write mainly women’s fiction. I would categorize both “Jessica Lost Her Wobble” and “The Color of Cold and Ice” as women’s fiction, mainly. Both have women going through transitions in their lives. Although, “The Color of Cold and Ice” also has men going through transitional stages. “The Missing Butler and Other Life Mysteries” (A Collection of Short Stories) is a hodgepodge. However, the stories, I think, would appeal to the middle-aged or older woman. Should I say ‘more mature’ woman?

I am currently working on two new books: “The Innkeeper on the Edge of Paris” – A woman leaves her marriage and job in the US and travels to France and stays in an old inn where she has strange dreams and encounters a ghost, and meets a man. “Sally” – Historical Fiction about a woman I met when I was 8. She was 103 at the time. She was born in 1858 into slavery.

All your books sound interesting. Women’s fiction is a very popular genre.

Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

I’m not one of those people who put goals out there, but as a writer, I want to write something that I’m happy about, something that causes someone to think, or smile, or cry in a good way. I would hope to see my books as book club pics and in every library.

Those are excellent goals; and, since I’m a librarian, I like your desire to have your book in libraries. One of my goals is also to touch readers and make them think and feel.

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

The mature woman or mature male for that matter.

I think my Cobble Cove mystery series also appeals to mature readers because of the age of the characters. The main ones are 40+, although I’ve tried to introduce college-age characters as well as children into the series recently.

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

First off, write what’s in your heart, what you are inspired to write.

I agree with that. Many writers are influenced by what they think the public wants to read. I believe you have to write what you feel or it won’t come across as genuine.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

Finding the right words? After that, there was beta reading (I’ve lucked out on that one – I’ve found some great people who give me the feedback I need) and editing (the editing takes more time than the writing, on my part. My editor goes through it quickly – I lucked out on finding a good editor, too.). What does that leave? Formatting, getting it ready for publication. I’m self-published. So, I had to figure out to get it out there. I’m technologically impaired. So, up until recently, as I’ve had lots of practice doing this now, the formatting was the hardest. Now, I’m back to finding the right words as being the hardest.

Yes, editing takes a lot more time than writing. I don’t think people realize that until they’ve published a book. The first draft is just that, a draft. You have to mold it into the final product and that takes a lot of work. Beta readers and editors can help, but only you know what you want your work to convey.

Have you taken any writing or publishing classes? If so, please provide information about them and if you feel they helped you further your professional skills.

Yes, and yes, they’ve helped a lot. I belong to several writing groups which is helpful. We use writing prompts and critique each other’s work. I’ve taken around ten online writing classes. They are available through my library. I’ve learned a lot through them. I also met one of my beta readers through one of them.

I think you are referring to the Gale Courses, Jerri, and I believe you took some of the ones I took through my library with Eva Shaw. Gale Courses is a database that is offered nationwide through libraries. They have wonderful writing and publishing classes but also many other courses.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

Art, Yoga, being with my family

Very nice. Your covers definitely show your art talent.

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

Making myself write, the self-doubt.

Self-doubt is a biggie for most authors including myself.

Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. and include some book cover graphics and author photos if possible.

https://www.facebook.com/J.SchlenkerAuthor/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14763892.J_Schlenker

https://athursdayschild.wordpress.com/

Thanks so much, Jerri. It was a pleasure having you here and learning more about you and your writing. Best wishes to you.

Author Spotlight, Authors, Books, New Releases

Author Spotlight: Stephen St. Clair

Posted on January 28, 2017 by Debbie

Welcome to the Literary Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors. Today, I am chatting with Stephen St. Clair from Council Bluffs, Idaho.

Thanks for joining us, Stephen. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.

How long have you been published?

I was first published last September with a short story. I now have a full-length book out.

Congratulations.

Please give details about both your published works.

Tales from the Wondrous Attic appeared in Realms of Fantastic Stories Vol. 1, and my own title- Kindred Souls: Voyage of the Scotsmen. Both are with Solstice Publishing.

Tell us a little bit about your books — what genre you write, if you write a series, any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress.

So far, I have written in fantasy and historical romance genres. A sequel is in the works for Kindred Souls: Voyage of the Scotsmen. No date set for release or completion at this point.

Very nice. I believe my short story, The Path to Rainbow Bridge, was also in the same Solstice anthology as yours. I have a mystery series with Solstice, but I also like to write other genres. My short historical romance, The Seashell and the Stone, is being published in February in their Cupid’s Arrow anthology. Two of my Cobble Cove mysteries should also be published in the spring.

Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

My interests are writing fantastic tales that take people out of their normal, everyday life and puts them in a world that grants them reprieve, dare I say a different adventure outside of their own normal life. I hope to continue to write and gain some sort of positive notoriety for what I write. I want to learn to write better and have a better marketing plan for everything I put out.

I think most readers enjoy immersing themselves in a good book to escape the daily routine. Improving one’s craft and planning marketing strategies are two important parts of being an author. I wish you luck with those goals.

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

If I write in a specific genre, I hope to attract new readers to my book. It’s hard for the average reader to step outside of the author-comfort zone. I hope that most people that pick up my book are already into that kind of genre, but if not, I hope they will give my book a chance.

I hear you completely. It’s difficult for new writers to reach an audience initially; but, with persistence and more publications, a good author will eventually attract readers.

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

Don’t be afraid, learn to craft your stories with passion and a sense of adventure, and try your hand in different genres. you never know what might come from them.

I agree, as I like to experiment with different genres myself. I think it helps one grow as an author.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

I blame April Erwin. She’s the one who got me in touch with Solstice. I also blame my wife, she’s the one who kicked me in the proverbial writing pants and said “You’re not done! You have more stories to tell!” My biggest challenges were staying put long enough to actually write something.

Lol. I think many writers can relate to that. We need motivation from our friends and relatives and belief in ourselves. For me, it was my husband’s suggestion to self-publish my first book and then a patron at the library where I work who continued to ask if I was writing anything else. Had it not been for her and a series of events that followed, I would never have published with two publishers and currently have several short stories and a mystery series.

Have you taken any writing or publishing classes? If so, please provide information about them and if you feel they helped you further your professional skills.

I sat thru two college degrees and wrote paper after paper. Each one having their own praises and put-downs. You learn as you go.

Very true. I also have two degrees, one in English and the other in Library science. I also gained a lot of experience from writing for my college newspaper as well as taking several writing and publishing online classes.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I like to wood carve/wood burn(pyrography) I like to spend time with my wife and go hiking in the woods in hope of coming across some hidden city or alternate reality or dimension.

That sounds like fun especially the last part.

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

I like the most is seeing what I have created. The part I like the least is going over and fixing my errors. It’s a time-consuming monster that sucks the life out of you!

Yes, editing if very time-consuming. It usually takes even longer than the initial writing. I don’t mind it so much. It’s the Promoting and marketing of the book after and before that I think takes up the most time away from writing and that I least enjoy.

Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc.

stephenstclairwriter@gmail.com

@craftedquill on Twitter

stephenstclairwrit.wixsite.com/craftedquill

stephenstclair.webs.com

stephenstclairwriter.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for the interview and reciprocating by having me on your website and Facebook page. I wish you the best in your future writing endeavors.

Author Spotlight, Authors, Books, Solstice Publishing

Author Spotlight Natalie Silk

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Debbie

Welcome to the Literary Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors. Today, I am chatting with Natalie Silk from Illinois.

Thanks for joining me, Natalie. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.

Tell us a little bit about your books — what genre you write, if you write a series, any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress. If you have an upcoming release, please specify the release date.

I now have two books published, Stars’ Fire (with another publisher) and Snowfall’s Secret (with Solstice). I also wrote a short story, Synapse, for the latest SF anthology. I’m currently working on a third book with a tentative title of Storm’s Eye.

Very nice.

Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

I want one of my books to be read by as many youths as possible.

Good luck with that. Most authors want their work read by as large an audience as possible.

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

I love writing science fiction for young adults. When I was a tween there were no SF books for us (particularly girls). I’m glad things are changing.

Great point. My 12-year old daughter enjoys science fiction books, as do other girls her age today.

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

Don’t give up. Ever.

Excellent advice.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

There was no internet or self-publishing ebooks. In fact, there was no such thing as an ebook.

Interesting. It’s true that ebooks have made a big change in the publishing field.

Have you taken any writing or publishing classes? If so, please provide information about them and if you feel they helped you further your professional skills.

I took two writing classes in college to fill a prerequisite. I have to say there is a fine art in finding the right writers’ group.

I’m sure that’s true.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I love traveling, sightseeing, and camping in warmer months. I turn into a real snuggle bug in winter (knitting, reading, and watching movies).

I think a lot of us have seasonal hobbies. Yours sound like fun.

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

I love getting lost in my writing and the sense of accomplishment when I finish. The toughest challenge is getting my work published.

Yes, getting published is tough and selling your work afterwards is even more of a challenge.

Thanks so much, Natalie. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

My current work is Snowfall’s Secret. It’s a about a girl from another world who must live like any other tween on Earth (and she suffers from amnesia). Of course, she learns to enjoy shopping at the mall with her very own debit card and has a few secrets. At its core is the message that everyone has value and has something special to share.

The story was inspired by a dream I had when I was twelve. I saw five monks standing in a semi-circle. They were all wearing a triangle-shaped pendant with a red stone in the center. One of the monks looked at me and said, “You’re not ready,” and I woke. I had subsequent dreams of a girl with a pendant to the one the monks wore and I wrote them all down.

My favorite character to write about (funny how that turned out) was a secondary one to the story: Mrs. Margot Greenfield. I based her on a favorite childhood teacher.

By the way, my favorite genre to write is science fiction. Surprise! Just kidding.

My focus right now is science fiction for girls; but I’ve also wrote a short science fiction story and I’m still playing around with a short story that’s alternative history to give myself a mental stretch. I have this irrational fear that the last thing I finish writing will be my last. I wonder if I’m not alone.

I’m pretty ‘old school’ when it comes to my writing habits. The first thing I do is buy a brand new hand-sized spiral notebook and use it to write the basic story that’s mostly action punctuated here and there by dialogue. The little notebook helps me believe that I’m accomplishing so much. I then use my trusty laptop to write the second draft that looks as if I threw words down to see what sticks. The technical term I like to use is word hurl. Each subsequent draft looks a little more refined than the previous one. I then use the little spiral notebook to make notes and jot down ideas for the story.

I began writing when I was ten and back then we didn’t have home computers.

I was asked a while ago what I would do if I weren’t a writer; and I quipped that I would be an artist. I dug deep down and realized the truth is that I would be a very sad person without writing. My words are what ground me and keep me sane.

I’ve been asked advice by aspiring writers. I’m very, very flattered. But let me tell you, I’m still an aspiring writer. My advice is simple: don’t ever, ever (and I mean ever) give up.

Please reach out to me on:

Facebook Natalie Silk, Author

https://www.facebook.com/Natalie-Silk-Author-313822162074307/?fref=ts

Twitter @natalieasilk

Thanks again, Natalie. It’s been a pleasure having you as a guest. We both have in common that we started writing very young and have been published by Solstice Publishing. I’ve also done some Sci-Fic writing but for adults and not teens. I wish you the very best on your future books.

Authors, Books

Happy Holidays and Thank You for a Wonderful 2016

Posted on December 23, 2016December 23, 2016 by Debbie

Even though the year isn’t over, I want to thank you all so much for your support in 2016. They say actions speak louder than words; but, for a writer, all your comments, reviews, notes, messages, and kind remarks are equally treasured. Writing is a tough field, but all of you have made it worthwhile.

I look forward to 2017 and the words I will share with you then in my books and stories. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s!

Author Spotlight, Authors, Books, New Releases

Author Spotlight: YA Author Jill Van Den Eng

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Debbie

Welcome to the Literary Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors. Today, I am chatting with YA author Jill Van Den Eng from Appleton, Wisconsin.

Thanks for joining us, Jill. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.

How long have you been published? What titles have you published and with which publisher? Have you self-published any titles? Please give details.

My debut YA novel, “Divided Moon,” was published in 2012 by Solstice Publishing. The companion novel to that, “Gangbanger,” was just released November 15, 2016, also by Solstice Publishing.

I have not self published any titles, as I don’t have the time or money to do something like that. I have published in newspapers, periodicals and online sources as a journalist.

Very nice, and congratulations on your new release. As you know, I also publish with Solstice Publishing and also Limitless Publishing. My first book, however, was self-published by Booklocker.com. I’ve also written articles for magazines and online publications.

Tell us a little bit about your books. If you write a series, any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress.

I write realistic YA fiction. I like to say they are contemporary, coming of age stories, but have seen “Divided Moon” classified as historical fiction since it is set in the 1990s, as is “Gangbanger.” They are set in the 1990s for a reason (I promise, I am not afraid to write about smart phone technology). Both stories feature main characters who are first generation Hmong in America. They live this divided life in which their immigrant parents want to keep the culture of their homeland and culture alive while their kids grow up in American culture.

I received good reviews for “Divided Moon,” and many say it made them think. The companion novel, “Gangbanger” just hit the street on November 15, 2016, and I am excited to hear what readers think. This story follows Moon’s brother, Ze, and his story as he breaks rank. It was an emotional story to write, that came largely from my gut and knowledge of that bond of friendship that is so strong when you are a teen.

Your series sounds very interesting.

Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

I have a lot of stories to write. I do feel like I am an “issue” writer who likes to cast light on things that people may not be aware of or never thought about much. I am pleased when I hear someone say my book made them think or informs them on something they didn’t know existed. I guess that is my goal, bringing forth things we may not otherwise see to better understand the people around us. That is the point of communication.

As a librarian as well as an author, I agree completely.

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

I don’t have a “type” of reader. I love them all. I wish more people would read my books. Being published by a small press has some disadvantages, one of them being outside of the library market. I make an effort to donate books to my favorite libraries so more people have the opportunity to read them. Although then I worry and want to check them out a few times so they don’t toss them for taking up too much space.

I know what you mean about small presses having the drawback of limited distribution, although there are some pluses to them, as well. I’m currently seeking wider distribution and formats for my psychological thriller that I am querying with agents. As far as small press books being outside the library market, I somewhat disagree with that. As a librarian who orders books for our fiction and mystery collection, I’m aware that many good, small press books are not ordered by libraries because they are not generally reviewed in library journals such as Booklist and Publisher’s Weekly. However, patrons can request that books not owned by their libraries be purchased. Donating is an option, but not always the best one for an author although exposure is important.

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

Revise, revise, revise. Don’t be afraid or offended by critique. It is so important to see the flaws in your work so that you can improve it. Writing a story is bringing the reader on a journey, you want them to get “lost” in the book, almost in a trance where they can’t put it down. That is what makes reading fun! You can’t get there without a heck of a lot of work on story and prose and generous feedback.

That’s good advice, although you can’t please every reader. I’ve found that editing and revising often take longer than the initial writing which is just a rough draft.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

Like a lot of writers, I would say the biggest challenge in the beginning is the rejection. It is hard to hear no over and over again, but it is part of the process. Even established authors with published stories get rejected. At least the published authors I know. I often take rejections as opportunities to make the work better and I appreciate it when editors and agents offer advice and reasons the story didn’t resonate with them.

That’s very true. I feel the same.

Have you taken any writing or publishing classes? If so, please provide information about them and if you feel they helped you further your professional skills.

I have taken tons of classes and workshops. I highly recommend the Summer Writer’s Festival at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, as this was a fun place to take a class for a weekend or a week for not much money, and they often have week long or weekend classes that can target what you are writing with good faculty. For those writing for children, I highly recommend joining SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). I have been to regional and national conferences, and they are invaluable for making connections with fellow writers and illustrators, as well as agents and editors.

Yes. Classes and conferences can be extremely helpful for authors especially those connected with professional associations.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I am a Master Gardener Volunteer, although I feel this is a misnomer. I have done the classwork (and got a 99.5% on my final exam), have a garden, and do the volunteer and education to keep my license, but I feel like a noob. I have some advice, but mostly, I am learning from those around me. My goal is to get to a place where I can truly help others with gardening advice.

Nice.

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

What I like most is my books. I love them all so much! What I like least is marketing. I am still learning about that portion of it, and wish I could give a free copy to everyone, while still making a living off this.

I also find marketing a challenge, and I believe most authors do, as well. They would rather write than promote. Unfortunately, if you can’t sell your books, publishers will no longer back you.

Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. and include some book cover graphics and author photos if possible.

Blog: www.jillysbookblog.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JillVanDenEng

Twitter: @MoonOverMadison

Instagram: jill.vandeneng

Author Spotlight, Authors, Books

Author Spotlight: Marie Lavender

Posted on November 10, 2016November 10, 2016 by Debbie

Welcome to the Literary Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors. Today, I am chatting with Marie Lavender from Indianapolis, Indiana.

Thanks for joining me, Marie. Please have a seat and make yourself comfortable.

How long have you been published? What titles have you published and with which publisher? Have you self-published any titles? Please give details.

I have been officially published since 2010, though I did have two stories published in a university anthology back in 2005. I’ve released 22 titles under the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, fantasy, romantic suspense, mystery/thriller, science fiction, literary fiction and poetry. Some were published under different pen names, but I’m working on moving all of those previous titles under one name. I’ve also had poems and stories published in anthologies. Yes, some of my books were self-published. Others were through my publisher, Solstice Publishing. Solstice found me in 2012, and my first book with them, a historical romance titled Upon Your Return, was released in February of 2013. From then on, I released Magick & Moonlight, a romantic fantasy; Upon Your Honor, book two of the Heiresses in Love Series; Second Nature, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy and book one of the Blood at First Sight Series; A Little Magick, a children’s fantasy and book two of the Magick Series; and Second Chance Heart.

Here is my bio:
Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title – winner of the “Broken Heart” themed contest and the “I Love You” themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers’ Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers’ Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial’s Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader’s Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.
Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series.

It sounds like you have quite a diverse writing career. Tell us a little bit more about your books — any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress. If you have an upcoming release, please specify the release date.

I am a multi-genre author, so you’ll see my books in various genres. I often cross genres. In both my published books and works-in-progress, you’ll notice comedies, historical tales, paranormal, science fiction, dystopian and time travel stories, as well as general romance. I’m currently editing Directions of the Heart, a contemporary romance/romantic drama collection of four tales. And I hope to finish Blood Instincts, a futuristic paranormal romance/urban fantasy and book two of the Blood at First Sight Series, sometime in 2017.

Releasing on November 15th is Blue Vision, a sci-fi romance and book one of the Code of Endhivar Series.

You certainly are busy, congratulations on your upcoming release.

Blurb for Blue Vision

Brooke Sanders just wants to get away from her life for awhile. A remote cabin in Montana fits the bill. She doesn’t expect to encounter a mysterious stranger with unusual blue eyes, or events that cannot be explained…

Colin Fielding is on a mission – scout a planet and return home to Endhivar. Simple really. What he doesn’t anticipate is that fate has a pretty twisted sense of humor. Suddenly, this human calls to him, every part of him, like the call of a true mate, and he can’t deny the connection as he gets closer to her.

Little do they know, someone is out to do them harm, as well as the world Brooke holds so dear. Can they stop what’s coming before it’s too late? Or will the universe lose a perfect gem?

Book Trailer

https://youtu.be/3JjUnh1R344

Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

Well, as aforementioned, I plan to totally revise and re-release some titles from my backlist. I hope to have Awakening, a paranormal thriller collection, done in 2017. Other backlist titles to be released include Dark Secrets, a romantic suspense collection; First Target, a romantic mystery collection; The Game, an international romantic suspense saga; and Ms. Lavender’s Collection of Ramblings, a literary fiction and poetry collection. Also, I’d like to finish up the Magick Series with the final title in the trilogy, Magick Sunrise, another romantic fantasy with a somewhat futuristic angle. There may even be a Valentine’s romance, titled Project Cupcakes. Additionally, I hope to launch into two new series, The Misfits Series, a six-book romantic comedy series set in San Francisco; as well as the Witches of Moonhaven Series, a six-book historical romance/fantasy series about a coven of witches in the time of the European witch trials.

How will I do it? I guess I’ll just keep hacking away at the computer until it’s all finished. With 117+ works-in-progress, I’m not likely to run out of ideas for future projects!

And I thought the 11 manuscripts I found from writings I did in my twenties would be too much to handle. You are inspiring.

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

Anyone who is open to entering new worlds is welcome to read my books!

I’m sure that’s a wide audience.

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

Never lose your joy for writing. When the “business” of being an author drags you down, you’ll need to go back to that time and time again, to renew your energy and live in the moment of the story as you follow the muse down unknown paths.

I like that. It’s very true. Although we authors are involved in so many tasks besides writing, it’s the writing that keeps us going as well as the readers who read our books.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

I received a lot of rejections from literary agents and publishers before I found the right publisher. But I learned to be persistent, to never give up on my dream.

That’s the most important thing. If you want something enough, you will keep striving for it against the odds.

Have you taken any writing or publishing classes? If so, please provide information about them and if you feel they helped you further your professional skills.

Yes, I have. I actually took Creative Writing in middle school, high school, and then also majored in Creative Writing in college. Additionally, during my senior year at the university, I took a ‘literary editing and publishing’ class. It was a way to let us dip our toes in the water of publishing without running into the usual barriers. Of course I think taking a writing class helped me develop my writing skills. I would definitely suggest it too. In lieu of that, however, reading in the genre you plan to write in can give you an idea of the way those books are structured.

Yes, writing courses can be helpful; but, as you said, reading is also very important. I’ve always been an avid reader and, as a librarian and author, it’s helped me a great deal personally as well as professionally.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I love reading books, working on creative projects (like graphic design or even experimenting with home decor), and shopping! I also like cooking, listening to music and collecting gel pens.

Gel pens? I never thought of them as collectibles. I guess they make good ones for authors.

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

I have two favorite parts. One, I love being in the midst of writing a story, when the characters are talking to me and the plot is flowing perfectly. Secondly, I love hearing from fans that enjoyed a book, and especially when their interpretation is spot on, like they totally get the way the character came out on the page, the way he or she was intended. I really feel like I did my job well then.

I’d have to say the toughest part for me is still editing. Knowing what you should get rid of or change is hard on a writer. It’s like when a teacher critiques your child. Your first reaction is denial or even anger because that’s your kid. You love your child, and you would never try to change him or her. And you don’t like it when people say bad things about your kid. But you take a step back and realize Tommy might really benefit in the long run by studying or improving upon his skills. Let’s consider another analogy. Editing for me is like when you clean your house. You know you have to go through those steps to get to the other side and have a better looking place, but the work to get there is a real chore. When I first receive my editor’s comments on a manuscript, I groan a bit at all the scary marks across the page but then I quickly get over myself. I know this is just a necessary step on the way to making this the best product for my readers.

I share the same favorite parts about my writing that you do. I love when a story and characters come together as well as the twists and turns I try to feature in my mysteries. I also equally enjoy meeting readers and hearing their complimentary feedback about my writing. It’s very motivating. I also don’t love editing, but promoting is the toughest part for me because I have a hard time selling myself and my writing.

Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc.

Website: http://marielavender.com/
Blogs: http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
Graphic design company: http://www.ambrosiainnovations.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos

Wow! You are really well represented online. It was a pleasure to have you on Ruff Drafts, Marie, and best wishes again on your book releasing next week.

Authors, Books, Cozy Chat, Cozy Mysteries

Cozy Chat with Charmain Zimmerman Brackett

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Debbie

It’s my pleasure to have cozy mystery author, Charmain Zimmerman Brackett for a cozy chat today.

Hi, Charmain. Thanks for joining us on Cozy Chat. Have a seat and help yourself to some tea while we talk.

Thank you, Debbie.

Can you please give us some information about your books or current series?

I have two books in Grace’s Augusta Mystery Series. The first is Murder Under the Magnolias and the second, which is being released today, October 27, is Murder En Pointe.

The series takes place in my hometown of Augusta, Ga. In the first book, I thought about a special event that happens the first week of every April. There’s a prestigious golf tournament here, and it brings in a lot of visitors from all over the globe. I began to surmise what else might be taking place in my cozy town during this tournament. Anywhere there’s lots of money flowing, there’s bound to be a variety of vices as well, and that led me to plot out a murder on the fringes of the tournament.

Murder En Pointe is about a Russian ballet troupe visiting Augusta when the star ballerina is killed. I have three adult children who spent a lot of time dancing. Two of my adult daughters teach ballet, and both my youngest daughter and my son plan to audition as dancers for cruise lines. Since it’s been an important part of all of our lives, I wanted to integrate it into a book. I also have an idea formulating on book three.

Those sound wonderful. It’s always helpful to use real life experiences to generate ideas for a book. Would you like to share an excerpt from your new release?

Yes, Thank you, Debbie. Here’s one from Murder En Pointe:

I walked around and listened.

Silence – an eerie silence, at that.

I seemed to be alone, but for some reason, I felt like someone was watching me. I felt a shiver down my spine. I’d never heard of a phantom at this theater. I felt the urge to get out of there as fast as I could. I wanted to run.

I put my hand on the door handle and paused as I felt another shiver. That urge to run was even stronger. I knocked on the door and waited. Despite the feeling of dread, I opened the door, and what I saw as I entered the dressing room shocked me. I saw a woman lying on her back on the floor. It was Aleksandra. Wearing a beautiful, silk, Asian-inspired robe, the same leotard and tights from earlier, and a pair of pink pointe shoes on her feet, she lay motionless.

I stepped back and paused for what seemed like an eternity. Of course, it was probably only a few seconds. I couldn’t scream, but my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. When I finally got my bearings, I placed the flowers on the makeup counter in front of the wall of mirrors and then stared into the reflection. There was something written in Russian in red lipstick on one of the dressing room mirrors. Another mirror was broken and several of the light bulbs that surrounded it were broken as well. Bloodied glass shards lay on the counter and pulverized purple eye shadow glittered on the floor. Several containers littered the carpet as though Aleksandra had entered a massive struggle right before her violent end.

I noticed a second pair of pointe shoes beside her. Saturated in blood, the shoes’ ribbons were laced around her neck, and orchid blossoms were scattered atop her still body. There was blood on her hands, which were resting by her side. It was odd. It didn’t seem like a natural position. My own hands started shaking as I took it all in. I felt dizzy. Where was my phone? I rummaged through my purse until I found it. Speed dial 2 for my husband.

“Hey, baby. I was just getting ready to call you,” I heard Drew on the other end of the call.

I continued to stare.

“Grace? Are you there?”

“Drew” was all I could say.

“What’s wrong?”

“Could you come to the dressing rooms at the Bell?”

The words seemed to be stuck in my throat. I tried to clear it.

“What’s the matter, Grace?”

“I think there’s been another murder.”

“I’m on my way.”

Do you write any other genres than cozies?

Yes. I’ve written three YA science fiction fantasy books (The Key of Elyon, Elyon’s Cipher and Elyon’s Light), two illustrated children’s books (Little Pearl’s Circus World, which won the 2015 Georgia Author of the Year Award in children’s literature, and Nutcrackers and Pirates: A Boy’s Journey into Dance), an inspirational contemporary fiction stand-alone (Fixed in the Tempest),and the Victoria James’ cozy mystery novella series, which has six stories in it. The first in the Victoria James’ series is Murder at Twin Oaks.

My debut novel, The Key of Elyon, won the 2014 Yerby Award for Fiction at the Augusta Literary Festival.

Nice. You seem talented in many genres.

How did you get started in writing?

I don’t remember when I first started writing. I think I always have. I wrote some for both my high school and college newspapers. When I was in college, people automatically assumed that I would be a teacher because my major was English. I had a huge fear of speaking in front of people or even talking to people I didn’t know. I knew I couldn’t stand in front of a group of students on a daily basis. This fear led me to a career in journalism. The irony was that while I could hide in a crowd, I still had to talk to people I didn’t know.

Very interesting. I, too, worked on my college newspaper where I won a journalism award. I also was an English major and didn’t want to be a teacher. I became a librarian instead. I also dislike speaking in front of groups, but I’m beginning to get more comfortable with it as I’ve been doing author talks at libraries.

What are your hobbies besides writing?

I hope this doesn’t come across as rude or arrogant, but writing has never been a hobby. It’s the only career I’ve ever known. I have written for newspapers and magazines since I graduated college nearly 30 years ago.

As for hobbies, I started doing community theater in 2006 as a way to combat my fear of being in front of people. I’ve been in several plays and loved every minute of it. My favorite role was Glinda the Good in the Wizard of Oz, and yes, I got to fly in a bubble. It was amazing.

The Wizard of Oz was one of my favorite movies, and I also read all of the Oz books. Like you, I’ve written for newspapers and magazines. My first articles were about cats when I joined the Cat Writer’s Association, and I am still a member today.

Is there anything else you’d like readers of this blog to know about you and/or your books?

I consider myself to be a Southern writer. I’m from the South, and my characters are from the South. But I don’t want my characters to come across as caricatures who explode with “Southern sounding sayings” all the time. While they may say these things, it’s not designed to be cutesy. It’s part of who they are. My characters are based on real people with real feelings and complex personalities.

I think those types of characters are the best because they are more realistic to readers who can identify with them. I, too, am a character-oriented writer.

Can you please list your social media links and book links?

www.facebook.com/thekeyofelyon

https://twitter.com/CZBrackett

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXRCE49

http://charmainzbrackett.com/

Thanks so much. I’ve enjoyed having you on Cozy Chat, Charmain. Best wishes to you on your new release and future books.

Author Spotlight, Authors, Books

Author Spotlight: Alex Pilalis

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Debbie

Welcome to the Literary Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors. Today, I am chatting with Alex Pilalis from Dublin, Ireland.

Thanks for joining me, Alex. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.

How long have you been published? What titles have you published and with which publisher? Have you self-published any titles? Please give details.

I self-published a couple of children’s story books around 5 years ago or so, but my first release with a publisher was my fantasy adventure novel Island Legends: The Awakening of James Island, in January of 2016. Since then I’ve released a few short stories, all with Solstice Publishing.

I would say I’m mostly a fantasy writer, although I try to expand a little into action and adventure, and most recently, horror. My ‘main’ books, as I see them, is the Island Legends series, the first of which is The Awakening of James Island. I’m currently around half way through the second book, with the aim of writing around six or seven books in the series.

I have a short horror story, The Boyfriend, coming soon as part of a horror anthology called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, released October 28th. It’s about a guy who meets the perfect girl, but then starts to realize that she may not be so perfect when strange things start to happen around her.

Blurb for The Boyfriend

Mary might be everything that Andy has been looking for; bright, sexy, interesting, and very keen on him. Not usually having much luck with the ladies, Andy might rightly be cautious about this flirtatious young girl who thinks they were fated to meet – especially when things start to take a darker turn, as he gets to know Mary more.

What Andy discovers next shocks his whole existence. Can he successfully navigate his relationship with Mary and still keep his life?

If you thought relationships were tough, wait until you meet Andy and Mary.

Dark Light is about angels fighting demons in modern day London. It’s a bit of an homage to 80s/90s action films, about an angel (who is a big, muscle-bound hero) who falls in love with a human woman, and the consequences that leads to. I enjoyed writing it and I hope people find it to be a fun, action-packed ride full of twists and suspense.

Dark Light Blurb

Grounded to Earth, angels have been battling demons for centuries.

Camael believes that this year will be a turning point in the ongoing war, but when he unexpectedly falls in love with a human woman, the balance between good and evil shifts far greater than any of them could have imagined.

When the sun sets, which force will come out stronger?

A shorter story is Custody of the World, a somewhat tongue-in-cheek fantasy story about a Druid facing off against a Witch, for a final battle to determine the fate of the world. But the Druid and Witch are also ex-lovers. So while they’re throwing magic and trying to kill each other they’re also arguing and bringing up old relationship issues. It was very fun to write.

Those all sound very interesting. I also have a story included in the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep anthology. It’s a horror tale called, Knowledge is Power, that I wrote a long time ago. I write mostly mysteries, but I like to try my hand at different genres. This was one of my few attempts at horror.

Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

I first got into this writing ‘gig’ to bring to life my Island Legends series, so that’s definitely my priority, especially considering the time-consuming scope of them. Although I’ve found that writing shorter stories can be a lot of fun too, and I enjoy padding out my catalogue with different genres and tones. I hope to meet a lot more authors and people in the community, to become fairly well known in some writing circles, and some day complete my book series.

We seem to have a lot in common, Alex. I am working also working on a series, the Cobble Cove mystery series; but, as I said, I also try writing different genres.

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

Anyone who is a fan of fantasy, really. The Island Legends series is somewhat of a cross between Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, so you have a big fantasy journey, but with people running around with swords and throwing magic, with spaceships around them. It definitely has some science fiction to it too, so I’m hoping to attract fans of that genre also. In general I don’t really think of an age group for my writing, I’d say it goes from YA and up, as I feel it’s fairly easily accessible, but also can be quite mature and dark in places.

A couple of my works is definitely for mature readers. Dark Light has a steamy sex scene (my only one) and The Boyfriend has some dark and scary psychological moments.

You sound like quite a versatile writer. I normally don’t write scenes with explicit violence or sex, and most of my readers consider my mysteries cozies, but I do have another in the works that’s a psychological thriller. No explicit scenes in that one either, though.

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

The old adage of ‘never give up’ is definitely a good one. It took me around ten years to fully complete The Awakening of James Island, writing very on and off – but now I’m more in the writing zone I can release a couple of short stories a year, while focusing on the second book in the series. Take inspiration from your life, as only you have the experiences you have and can make your story unique, and studying some basics of storytelling definitely helps – three act structures, character arcs, pacing, conflict, themes etc.

I agree completely. I always wonder about authors who can spit out four books or more a year. Either they don’t work full-time or they don’t do much research. I think quality suffers at such a writing pace. I find one or two books a year is more reasonable for myself. I also write short stories in between and articles as well as my blog. I also like to draw from past experiences and fictionalize them to create more realistic themes.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

I learned the hard way that there is so much more to writing than just putting words to paper, and pretty much learnt how to write while I was writing my first book, so there were many, many iterations of it. Using too many words and being overly descriptive was probably my first obstacle. It helps to be able to see the pacing of your scenes as an overview too, to know when to slow down and explain/describe things or when to just keep moving forward. Even things like the size of your paragraphs, and not blocking out a page with walls of text, is something to consider. I’ve found that many different readers can interpret the same sentence differently, so being very clear and concise with my writing is definitely important. Sometimes I might think that a sentence is well written, but find four different reactions to it from readers and try to see where the misunderstandings came from. And of course I’m still learning, always discovering a new trick, and still developing my author voice.

I think we authors are always learning and that’s what makes writing such an intriguing challenge. I still have difficulty creating a strong opening. The last third of my books tend to pick up in pace, and my endings are usually strong. However, readers today like to get to the gist of the mystery early. I tend to take time develop my characters which is sometimes a good thing especially in cozy mysteries and series.

Have you taken any writing or publishing classes? If so, please provide information about them and if you feel they helped you further your professional skills.

I’ve never really taken any classes or courses. It’s mostly been through different articles and forums online, but the most helpful thing I’ve done is put my work out there for others to read and critique. Wattpad has been a huge help to find readers, and Critiquecircle is the most valuable for receiving detailed critiques. I usually post chapters there and critique other writers’ chapters. Critiquing other people’s work is actually a great learning process too.

I know many Wattpad authors and was tempted to join, but I knew I couldn’t devote any additional time with something like that when it’s hard enough to keep up with my blog, social media postings, etc. I have taken online writing and publishing classes through Gale Courses through my library, but I haven’t had time to take any additional ones lately.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I’m an animator by profession, working on children’s television shows. I’m currently working on a couple of show ideas and short story ideas, with the aim of getting something into production. I am also creating art assets for a mobile game concept. I also enjoy working out, various gym sessions and classes – it definitely helps to counter all the sitting around I do on a daily basis! At some point I’d like to go back to creating children’s story books, or even a tween novel.

Very nice. Since I’ve been writing, I’ve also taken up exercise videos and walking in the morning when the weather is nice. It definitely helps to get up from behind the computer when you sit at it at work all day and also write at it.

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

I love the cathartic process of putting your thoughts and feelings into your work. It can be a really great way to express yourself, and really does benefit your writing when it comes from a deep place within you. I’m a big fan of planning and storytelling, and working out how a story will play out. I also try to leave things a bit open so I have some room to let things happen organically – seeing things change as you write, like you have no say in the matter. It’s a cliché for sure, but characters do sometimes speak for themselves, and you get them in a situation and you feel that doing something feels more natural and organic than what you had originally planned for them to do. It’s great that you can get surprised while writing a story, like how a reader gets surprised while reading.

I do get that dreaded blank page feeling at times. But once I’m writing, even feeling that it’s not great, I know I can see things better when I look over them again later. The trick is to just get words down, keep things moving, and edit later. I’d say my toughest challenge is to constantly improve myself and my work, always striving to learn something new or consider something from a new angle. And I just hope that people find my work and enjoy what they read!

I can definitely identify with all of that. While I don’t plan much except basic themes and character sketches in my writing, I enjoy going where the words take me and, as you said, like surprising myself with where I end up. I also make it a habit to write without censoring or editing my thoughts.

Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. and include some book cover graphics and author photos if possible.

Social media links

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Island_Legends

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/14099200-alex-pilalis

Website: www.pilalis.net

Book links

(no link yet for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep/The Boyfriend)

Island Legends: The Awakening of James Island: getBook.at/IslandLegends

Dark Light: getBook.at/DarkLight

Custody of the World: getBook.at/CotWORLD

I am also including my author bio

Author Bio

After completing an Art Foundation course and a BA in Digital Arts, Alex Pilalis pursued his interest of animation with an MSc in Computer Animation and an online course with Animation Mentor. He is currently an animator on children’s television shows.

Alex began his publishing journey with two children’s story books, “Three Wishes” and “Where Dreams May Go,” and was spurred on to write and create more.

As a big science fiction and fantasy fan, and heavily inspired by classic adventure stories such as The Lord of the Rings, the Star Wars films and Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Alex felt a great urge to tell his own story. Being an avid gamer, he spent the majority of his time growing up developing a video game adventure concept, and to this day has amassed hundreds of A4 pages, several filled notepads, dozens of word documents and a detailed Wiki, collecting all the ideas and images of the world as it progressed and became what it is today. Feeling the overwhelming need to bring the story to life and out into the ether, somehow, Alex decided to use his passion for writing and storytelling and turn the game into a novel, which has become Island Legends: The Awakening of James Island. Doing so has allowed him to delve into the character’s minds and bring them to life so much more than he ever thought possible back when he was designing hit-point percentages of sword attack combinations, and the result is a much more mature and complicated story than his younger mind could have ever conceived.

Originally from London, Alex currently lives and works in Dublin, Ireland.

Thank you, Alex. I wish you all the best in your current and future writing. It was a pleasure to have you on the blog.

Author Spotlight, Authors, Books, New Releases

Author Spotlight: Jannette Fuller

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Debbie

Welcome to the Literary Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors. Today, I am chatting with Jannette Fuller from Clover, South Carolina.

Thanks for joining me, Jannette. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.

How long have you been published? What titles have you published and with which publisher? Please give details.

I’ve only been published for a few days. My debut novel released on October 21^st, 2016. Transgression (Book One in the Ambrosial Acres Series) is published by Solstice Faith Imprint.

Congratulations!

Tell us a little bit about your books — what genre you write, if you write a series, any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress.

I write young adult entwined with mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. And I write from a Christian perspective intended for a wider audience.

I’m currently working on Delusion (Book Two in the Ambrosial Acres Series).

Sounds very nice.

Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

In the next few years, I plan to finish the Ambrosial Acres Series. I also have plans to write novellas for some of the supporting characters: Trent and Tirzah. I love them–they’re spunky and nutty! In order to reach my goal, I’ll keep jotting down notes inside my journal until I have enough content to start writing their stories.

Good idea to use your characters in other works. I’m a character-oriented writer myself.

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

Ooh. Good question. I wanted to write about spiritual warfare and the consequences of our choices, but without boring my readers to tears. Meaning, I didn’t want to throw Scripture at them left and right, making them feel as if I were preaching to them.

Honestly, I think my books are suitable for Christians, non-Christians, and anyone young at heart. Plus, I think a lot of people enjoy supernatural elements as well as a good mystery. 🙂

I agree. My first book featured some paranormal elements and my Cobble Cove mystery series are cozy mysteries.

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

What helped me while writing my first book was to change my intentions. Instead of stressing myself out by writing what I think would be picked up by an agent/publisher, I was determined to write the story within my mind. Keeping that extra pressure to write what I thought would sell was kept at bay. And because of that Transgression is now available to the public.

That’s an interesting point. I said basically the same thing when asked on my recent radio interview what I would suggest to another author to make their writing easier. I said they had to listen to their own voice and write what was in their heart and not what they thought would sell. I think, if you do that, it will not jeopardize your marketing efforts. If you write what you feel, the rest is bound to come.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

Forming a habit of daily writing, structuring my novel, filling in the gaps where content was needed, redundancy, and refraining from over editing as I wrote. To sum it up–EVERYTHING.

Lol. So true.

Have you taken any writing or publishing classes? If so, please provide information about them and if you feel they helped you further your professional skills.

No, I haven’t. In fact, wanting to become a writer didn’t happen until my mid-thirties. I was currently taking online classes through Liberty University when this unexpected passion ignited within me.

After reading the entire Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, I pulled up Microsoft Word. But nothing happened. I just stared at a blank screen. Lol! Seriously, it’s true. Not knowing where to begin, I searched the Internet and came across Writer’s Digest. It was the place where I was introduced to all things writing. The place where I made my first author friend as well: Tetonia Blossom.

Writer’s Digest is great. I took one of their courses years ago and still read their magazine. I also took online writing and publishing courses more recently through my library’s Gale Courses. I think writing courses are optional for authors, but they can’t hurt. I learned more through my editing work on my college paper and, of course, from other authors — both those I read and those with whom I network.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I love working out, it helps burn off the anxiety, including calories. Which is always a plus! Staying active in general makes me feel better, less guilty for sitting in front of a computer screen for hours. Let’s see…I love Netflix, baking (cupcakes, especially), joy riding, shopping (well, duh), and hanging out with my family. We love to watch movies, play board games, and hang out.

Nice. I also try to exercise through walking or doing exercise videos.

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

For me, the best part about being an author is creating stories and watching them take shape, growing into finished products. It’s even more wonderful when the day arrives for your story to be birthed into the world. Yay!

I feel the same way. I believe creating a book is like having a baby. It’s not easy, but it’s certainly worthwhile.

Thanks so much for the wonderful interview, Jannette, and please share your links for our readers.

If you have the time, I’d love for you to visit me at:

My Website:

http://www.jannettefuller.com/

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M2ZZRVC

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13895419.Jannette_Fuller

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/jfuller3

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/jannettefuller/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jannettefuller/

Thanks so much! Best wishes to you on your current and upcoming books and series.

Author Spotlight, Authors, Books

Author Spotlight: Kimberly Amato

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Debbie

Welcome to the Literary Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors. Today, I am chatting with Kimberly Amato from Hicksville, New York who I met at a local author signing at the Levittown Public Library this past summer.

Thanks for joining me, Kimberly. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.

Do you have a pen name that you use or do you write under your real name?

I write under Kimberly Amato, but I am working on a Graphic Novel/Comic so I am considering the pen name of K.C. Kompass.

How long have you been published? What titles have you published and with which publisher? Have you self-published any titles? Please give details.

I am 100% self-published since 2014. I wanted to go what many consider the normal route, but I was impatient. I had my first book, Steele Resolve, done and edited already. I had worked on it for over a year and wanted it released. I had emailed many agents and publishing companies with cover letters. They tell you a specific amount of time for a reply; but, at a certain point, I was months passed that. So I hired a company Deranged Doctor Designs to do my formatting and cover. Then I released it on my own to Amazon. My second Book, Melting Steele, was released the same way. Recently, I published a spoken word video on YouTube about the 2016 election. It has been getting positive feedback. In the end, you have to do what you feel is best for you and not be afraid to try something outside of your comfort zone.

That makes a lot of sense. Large publishers are so swamped with materials and most will not even look at authors without agents. The query process is so time-consuming. I’ve had a little luck with small publishers, and I recommend them to new authors. However, I am aware that some people who self-publish do quite well.

I love the crime/thriller genre – but I have several things outlined that span so many more. My series, The Jasmine Steele Mystery Series – or just the Steele Series for short – has Breaking Steele coming soon. After that is released, I am focusing on my Graphic Novel/Comic and In The Shadow of the Needle – a crime novel set in Seattle. I’ve also started outlining a new series based on my mother’s RV travels entitled Granny’s On The Go – a fun mystery in the vein of Agatha Christie and Murder She Wrote. I wish I had specific dates, but I am at the mercy of editing.

I can relate to that also. It sounds like you are quite a versatile author. I also don’t like to conform to one particular genre, although my series is considered a cozy mystery. I have a psychological thriller in the works that I’m also editing. Your Steele books sound very interesting, and I’m looking forward to reading them.

Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

My goals… I want to be able to write as my primary career. I want to create stories that are vivid, richly detailed and thought-provoking when meant to. I hope to continue to entertain people and have them truly enjoy reading. Over the next few years, I would love to have an agent and several books released. I am actively writing, outlining like mad and investigating my options in regards to agents that fit my needs and vice versa.

I create very sketchy outlines, but I know they work well for many authors. I also would love to write full-time, but I also enjoy my work as a librarian and hope to do both for quite a few more years. I’m currently working on presenting my psychological thriller to an agent once I have it polished and have crafted a good synopsis and query for it.

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

I know I have specific genres for different books, but I hope to attract any kind of reader. The fact is, everyone who is odd, different, part of the masses etc – everyone can understand the emotions in my books.

I think my Steele Series would be for anyone who enjoys crime mysteries with psychological undertones. My untitled Graphic Novel would be more for those who enjoy dark, super hero type of comics.

My ultimate goal is to entertain everyone with something I have written at some point in my life. A lofty goal, but I think it is possible.

I think that’s a great goal. I hope to attract more readers and that’s my main reason for hoping to publish with a large publisher one day. By having my work available in more formats and more widely distributed, I can reach more people.

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

Listen to your heart and head. People are going to tell you so many things from “It’s not what we’re looking for” to “This is exactly what we want!” or “You can’t write yourself out of a closet.” You have to be willing to listen to your head when it comes to the marketing, the money people might want from you and the reality of how good your story really is. Then you use your heart to ensure that you protect your product. It sounds overwhelming, but the simple truth is – no one protects your best interest other than you.

Very well said. I totally agree.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

I find it so difficult to believe in myself. I had my first book written. I had cold emails out to agents and publishers. I was getting rejections back from some and nothing from most. I was sitting here trying to figure out why anyone would care about Detective Jasmine Steele other than me. I put it on Amazon because I thought if my Aunt Christine (a published author herself) said it was good – it had to be worth a sale or two. I still struggle with my confidence in my stories, but I feel more comfortable about putting them out there.

That’s a common issue with most authors. I still feel nervous about how the “public” will receive my work, but I realize not everyone will love it but those that do make it all worthwhile.

Have you taken any writing or publishing classes? If so, please provide information about them and if you feel they helped you further your professional skills.

I took a creative writing class at Hofstra University but other than that, no. I went on to earn my Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College – so my writing was limited to various reports, psychological exams and things like that. I began acting and writing scripts for productions with my business partner in crime Michelle Tomlinson. I know it might not have been the normal way people go about writing novels – but I think it works for me.

I don’t believe there is a “normal” way for people to go about writing novels. I started with articles for my student newspaper at C.W. Post and then wrote for pet magazines. Every author has their own path to publishing. Yours sounds very interesting.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I love creating things. As I mentioned before I work with people on films and other endeavors. That helps keep my mind sharp on the work front. Truthfully, I love video games. I love the stories, the gameplay and being online with friends playing. That, gardening and minor house renovations always keep me relaxed.

Interesting. I used to be very active in the virtual world of Second Life where I met librarians from all over the world, and I still have a pet memorial center there. I have less time to participate at this point, but I still maintain that area. I wrote about it in my very first book, Cloudy Rainbow.

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

The least – marketing. I know I can do it but it can be overwhelming and so tiring. I think this could also be my toughest challenge. There are only so many hours in the day and marketing can demand all of it on certain days. Sometimes I just don’t have the patience for it, but it has to be done.

What I like most… the fact that people are giving me the opportunity to share these whacky ideas in my head. People spend their hard-earned money on my books. That feels amazing to me. Especially when I’m at an event and I get to meet people and other writers in person. I really love that part.

Yes, it’s great to meet readers and other authors, and marketing is definitely something most writers dislike because of the time it takes away from their writing. When I first began talking at libraries, I was a nervous wreck, but now I actually enjoy that part of marketing, the part where I connect in-person with people as opposed to the social media marketing which is also necessary.

Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc.

Website: http://www.KimberlyAmato.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KimberlyAmato

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KimberlyAmato

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Amato/e/B00RKJDIXA

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/KimberlyAmato

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KimberlyAmato/

Thanks so much, Kimberly. It’s been a pleasure. I wish you all the luck with your upcoming books and search for an agent.