Thanks to all those who voted for Between a Rock and a Hard Place in the P&E Reader’s poll category for best mystery and also to my wonderful publisher, Solstice Publisher. Although I came in #2, I am very proud to display my winner’s top 10 badge. There were a lot of great books running. I am pleased to have taken second place, and I owe it all to my friends, family, and fans. It means a lot to me.
Category: Books
Book Discussion Feedback on A Stone’s Throw
The first book of my Cobble Cove mystery series, A Stone’s Throw, was discussed today at my library, and I was asked to attend to open the discussion and answer any questions the readers had about me or the book. Because this was a local event, I decided to write a summary for my blog readers who who may have also read A Stone’s Throw or might be interested in learning more about the book and my writing.
I opened the discussion by explaining that the version of A Stone’s Throw published in November 2015 that the book group members had read is no longer available except for a ridiculous sum from third-party sellers because it is currently out of print. A new version will soon be released by my current publisher, Solstice Publishing, and will contain some fresh material, although the main plot and characters will remain the same. The new book will also feature a different cover. It will be available in both paperback and ebook editions.
Before I invited the book group members to ask questions, I spoke about five of the characters in the book and how I had created and/or named them. I explained that Alicia, my main character who is also a librarian, was based on me and also shared some of my personality traits such as being a bit hesitant to try new things and being afraid of letting go of the past. As the book progresses, Alicia becomes more open to change and realizes that “things happen for a reason.” The elderly character, Mac, is actually the first person who says this phrase in the book. I based him on a man I worked with in my college days at the C.W. Post library who ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch every day. In the book, Mac has a special recipe for PB&J sandwiches and, in the second of the series, I have included a recipe that won a contest that one of my readers submitted.
Mac’s first love who he never completely forgot, was named Carol after my mother-in-law who passed away a year before I wrote the book and to whom I dedicated it. The library cat, Sneaky, was modeled after my Siamese, Oliver. I even started a fun blog where Sneaky “interviews” cat characters from other books, but he also branches out sometimes and interviews real cats of authors or those with a special story to tell. For instance, he recently interviewed some cats who live at a winery. To read his blog, you can visit: https://sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com/
The last character I discussed was John, the widower and newspaper publisher with whom Alicia becomes involved with romantically when trying to locate her dead husband’s family in the small upstate New York town of Cobble Cove where she ends up working in the local library. Although John is not based on my husband or any particular man, he is named after a childhood friend who I was sorry to learn had recently passed away. In the new book, I’m adding a dedication to him along with the one for my mother-in-law.
Having given some background about my characters, I opened the discussion up to questions. Some that were asked related to the book; others to the writing and publishing process. Below are some of them along with my answers. I am always interested in readers’ comments and questions. If you have any that aren’t listed below, please post a comment. I also started a Facebook group where a different character from the series answers questions each month and also offers a contest. January’s host is John. The Cobble Cove Character Chat group is located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/748912598599469/
Here are the book discussion questions and answers. Some of them have been edited for clarification.
Was Gilly, Alicia’s friend, based on anyone you knew?
No. I have had a few friends and known women with similar personalities, but Gilly was not based on any particular person.
Is Cobble Cove a real town?
No. Although many of the towns mentioned in the book are real, Cobble Cove is fictional as is the nearby town of Carlsville. I decided to create a fictional place and populate it with quirky characters.
How long did it take you to write A Stone’s Throw?
It generally takes me six to eight weeks to write a first draft. I then edit and revise it a few times before submitting it to a publisher and that can take another two months. I also try to send it to beta readers, friends or fellow authors who give me feedback on it, before I submit it. After I submit it, if I’m offered a contract with a publisher, I’m assigned an editor. Sometimes I get one quickly, and other times there can be a wait. Once I start working with the editor, we go back and forth through a few rounds of edits before the book is published. So, you see, the writing itself is only part of the time it takes to publish a book.
Do editors change your work?
I’ve heard that some editors and publishers require some authors to make changes, but I’ve been lucky that the editors I’ve worked with have allowed me to review their suggested changes and decide whether I accept them or not. Working with an editor is a two-way street. I’ve found things my editors have missed and vice versa. Even after something is published, errors might be noticed. It’s good to let writing sit a bit before looking it over yourself and also important to have other people proof and edit it. You can go crazy revising and editing, so you have to get to a point where you’re satisfied enough with the manuscript to let it go.
Do you make a lot of outlines and notes before you write or let the plot and characters develop as you write?
There’s a term for people who do a lot of preparatory work before they write. They are called plotters. The opposite are pantsters who “work by the seat of their pants.” I fall in to the latter category, although I try to create character sketches and a flexible plot to start. I often don’t know who-dun-it until more than midway through the book. In my second of the series, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, I ended up killing off a character I had not planned to have murdered. I figure if I surprise myself, I’ll probably surprise my readers, too.
Do writers need a lot of real life experience to draw from to be good writers?
I believe that’s helpful, but there are other ways of gaining experience than actually living them such as research. For instance, for my second book, I spoke with pediatricians and new mothers to gather some facts about babies. I have a daughter, but I couldn’t remember the things she was able to do or not do at six months old. Real-life experience is always useful, though. If you are writing about something you’ve never done, like skydiving, you might want to try it, so you can accurately describe it in the book. But if you’d rather not jump out of a plane, you could talk with a skydiver for the info. If you haven’t been to a certain country you’re setting a scene in, you may want to travel there, but if you can’t afford to do that, reading about it or speaking to someone who lives there, could be a good substitute.
Is it very hard to get published?
The problem with getting published is that there’s so much competition. Publishers and editors receive thousands of submissions a day, and many of them end up in the slush pile, even if they are promising work. It takes authors many years to establish themselves and build a fan base. There are pros and cons to self publishing, landing an agent, being at the right place at the right time, etc. I currently have a wonderful publisher. They are small but have been around for nine years which is a long time in the small press business. I’d love to have my books published by a large publisher, so they would be distributed more widely and in additional formats. I have one I’m currently querying with agents, but I’m happy with my progress so far. I love writing. I like editing. I’m not too fond of promoting because I have a hard time pushing people to buy my book, but I realize writing is a business and to continue to publish I need to show sales.
How do writers get paid?
If you publish with a small publisher, like I do, you usually get a statement of your book sales and then receive payment through Paypal or a check for the royalty amount which is less than what the publisher receives. Like any small business, you usually spend more money on promotion the first few years than you make back in royalties. If you publish with a large publisher, you may get an advance which you keep but which you need to earn out before you start earning additional royalties.
Besides the questions the book group members asked, people also made some comments. I always find it interesting to hear what people take away from reading my books. One person thought the epilogue was too neatly tied up and would’ve been better placed in the second book, while another really liked the epilogue and love how I tied together all the subplots. One person said they had trouble keeping track of the characters and their relationships with one another, but another person thought the characters were easy to follow and that the book was an easy and quick read. Someone suggested I submit the books to the Hallmark channel (several other people have told me my series would fit there, so I’m giving this some consideration).
Along with the positive comments, I received a few negative ones which I took as constructive criticism. One person thought I featured the police officers in the book as too stereotyped eating donuts and not pursuing the investigation seriously. I explained that one of the reasons for this was my attempt at putting some comic relief into the plot, but I assume it didn’t work for this reader. Someone else thought the character of John was not likable at the beginning and seemed to be hiding something, but as they read the story, they realized it was because I was trying to make his behavior suspicious to test Alicia’s trust and have the reader question whether he was a bad or good guy.
I was thankful that I had the opportunity to interact with the library book club group, and I hope some of the feedback I presented here might be of interest to other authors and readers.
Author Spotlight Natalie Silk
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.
Looking Back to 2016 and Forward to 2017
When the year ends, it’s very common for people to reflect on what they accomplished in the previous twelve months and what they’d like to achieve in the future. As I look back at 2016, I realize how blessed I’ve been both personally and professionally. Not only did I publish my third book and several short stories, but I wrote two other novels that I hope to publish in 2017. More importantly, I’ve made many new friends among fellow authors and readers and strengthened the friendships I already had. My family and library co-workers have been supportive of my endeavors, and I’ve begun to actually feel like an author and not someone whose hobby is writing. 
My year in review starts in January 2016 when I gave my first author talk at the Hicksville Public Library on my first Cobble Cove mystery, A Stone’s Throw. Not having had any previous public-speaking experience, I was very nervous. It was the day before a major snowstorm, but more people attended than I imagined. I thought many of them would be shopping for food or staying home. Those that came were patrons I already knew who were interested in hearing about my book. I found that I was among friends and my fear of talking in front of an audience diminished. I even started enjoying myself.
In March, I spoke again. This time, at my local Barnes and Noble store to a small group composed of several of those who attended my library talk as well as a few friends and co-workers. Their support meant so much.
June was a busy month, as I traveled to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut to attend the MASE (Mystic Author Signing Event) with other authors of my past publisher. Although I did not talk at this event, it was my first time at a signing. A few weeks later, I was one of three local authors who attended the Levittown Library’s Summer Reading opening festival and signed books in the “Author’s Garden.” While I did not sell many books at either of these events, I met some wonderful people including local authors and now good friends, Lisa Diaz Meyer and Kimberly Amato. The month capped off with my being awarded the Cat Writer’s Association Glamour Puss Award sponsored by Hartz Corporation for my article, “Brush your Cat for Bonding, Beauty, and Better Health.” 
In August, I signed with Solstice Publishing for my second Cobble Cove Mystery, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, and spoke at the Levittown Library’s summer closing program.
In September, the C.W. Post Pioneer newspaper published an article about my books. I was especially thrilled to be featured in the paper that I had worked on as a secretary and Features editor when I attended college.
In October, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, was published, and I gave an author talk at the North Bellmore Public Library.
An article bout my mystery series appeared in the Hicksville News in December, a week before I spoke there again about my new book and my publishing journey. Right before Christmas, Between a Rock and a Hard Place 
was #18 on Amazon.com’s Top 100 list for cozy mysteries.
I already have some plans for this year and quite a few dreams.
In January, I will give an introduction to my mystery series for the Hicksville Library book club who will be discussing Between a Rock and a Hard Place.
In February, my short historical/paranormal romance, “The Seashell and the Stone” will be published in an anthology of love stories by Solstice Publishing.
In April, a local church book group will be featuring Between a Rock and a Hard Place for their book discussion, and I will be attending the talk.
In May, I head out to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the Cat Writer’s Association Conference.
In June, I will be attending Book Expo America in New York City.
I also plan to publish Written in Stone, Cobble Cove Mystery #3 and Sea Scope, my standalone psychological thriller that I am querying with agents in the hope that they will recognize it as worthy of a contract with a large publisher. Of course, I also have many ideas for new stories, books, and articles.
I want to thank you all for being part of my 2016 and hope you will stay with me as I continue my writing journey.
Happy Holidays and Thank You for a Wonderful 2016
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!
Don’t Miss My Tours, Giveaways, and Holiday Promotions
This has been a very busy week for me. I’ve been involved in a Facebook blog hop and will start another tomorrow. I’ve also had a week-long blog tour on Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book and presented an author talk at my local library. Because I want everyone to have a chance at the prizes and promotions I am offering, I have summarized them below. Most are ending very soon, so hop to it and enter a few or all of them. Good luck, and thanks for your interest.
XMAS HOP!
48 eBooks ! 2 swag packs ! $10 Amazon gift card! & an eBook gift of YOUR choice up for grabs! Today, December 11, is the last day to enter for all prizes that will be awarded on Monday, December 12, by all participating authors including myself. Don’t miss out. Check my Facebook author page for details and how to enter: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/
Newsletter Contest for a silver locket. To participate, you just need to subscribe to my author newsletter by filling out the pop-up form on my website at https://debbiedelouise.com. One winner will be announced on Thursday, December 15. I am giving away a duplicate necklace through the rafflecopter in my blog tour with Escape to a Good Book with Dollycas that ends today, December 11. Below are all the stops the tour has made. Each stop features a chance to enter the giveaway:
December 5 – Books, Dreams, Life – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT
December 6 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW
December 7 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW
December 8 – Omnimystery News – INTERVIEW
December 9 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT
December 10 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
December 11 – Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
Starting tomorrow, December 12, I am one of over 100 authors participating in the Aurora Publicity Holiday Hop. Check my Facebook author page on Wednesday, December 14, for information on how to enter my contest and the prize I will be offering. https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author. For more details and to enter all the other author contests and giveaways going on the entire week, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1101537709967416
Thanks to the local folks who attended my author talk on Friday, December 9. Here is a photo from the event.
Author Spotlight: Geoff Nelder and his Character, Dr. Menzies
Welcome to the Literary Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors. Today, I have a rare opportunity of not only speaking with an author but also one of his characters. I’ll be chatting with Geoff Nelder from The UK Chester. He says his town is near Liverpool and is swarming with lookalike 
Beatles. In addition to Geoff, I will be speaking with one of the characters in his books, Dr Menzies, who will introduce himself later..
Thanks for joining me, Geoff. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable. I understand one of your characters is arriving later, so let’s start with some general questions.
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 had to look this up but my first non-fiction article– The Criminal Propensity – was published in a college mag in 1968 and my first story the year after.
I’m not going to list all my 87 published stories: They’re here http://geoffnelder.com/publications/
None are self-published but most are with small indie-press
Wow! Almost 90 published articles that’s quite impressive. Can you 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.
Two of my novels are thrillers. ESCAPING REALITY is a humorous thriller set in Britain and Amsterdam; HOT AIR is a gold-award winner set mostly on a Spanish island. I was arrested twice in the research for this book. I didn’t know I was trespassing on Claudia Schiffer’s mound on Mallorca until a gun under my nose informed me.
EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEE is a science fiction wonder in which alien artifacts leaving Earth have to be persuaded to return to put right the timequakes they’ve triggered.
The ARIA TRILOGY is my proudest achievement. It is the only fiction that uses the concept of infectious amnesia. It doesn’t exist but imagine the ramifications if it did. Hence it is apocalyptic but there’s survival, hope and revenge built in.
XAGHRA’S REVENGE is a historical fantasy based on a real abduction in 1551 of the entire population of the island of Gozo. Their spirits seek revenge. To be published in 2017.
THE CHAOS OF MOKII already released in November 2016 by Solstice Publishing. A city exists only in the minds of its inhabitants. There’s fun, if you can get past the bouncer, and danger. Experimental sci-fi that is also metaphysical.
My gosh, they all sound awesome. I’m particularly interested in your trilogy that deals with infectious amnesia. What a creative idea.
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 goal is to be famous “because that’s the way to get more sex.”—Deep Impact.
I want to be regarded as a more literary than speculative writer but that needs work.
Seeing my fiction in films would be exhilarating. I already see them in my head, why not yours?
Lofty goals, but I think you have a good start.
What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?
No idea. Next. Seriously, it’s like when you send a story to publishers and five respond along the lines of ‘brilliant and unique concept, great characters, faultless writing, but it just isn’t a fit at this time / I don’t love it enough / we’ve just accepted a similar plot’ but finally one says, ‘where have you been, we want to make a whole book out of your short story. Do you have more?’ Readers are no different to editors in their subjective tastes. In short, I want to attract readers who enjoy mysteries, situations that characters find themselves in with no obvious escape and yet they know I’ll find a way out. That is usually in the field of speculative fiction. Not guns and monsters but landing on a planet with a friend and solving a problem or three. I need to attract readers like a flower attracts bees, and keep them buzzing for more.
I hear you about positive query responses without offers. I’m familiar with those. I love your analogy of readers and flowers.
What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?
Join a critique group and get all your submissions professionally edited, especially novels, before submitting to a publisher. I’m not just saying that because I offer editorial services. All my novels were critiqued then professionally edited before submission.
That seems like wise advice.
What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?
“Hey look! Dad’s trying to write a story. What are you writing about? Don’t hide it. I saw the words ‘nipples so long…’”
Lol. My 12-year daughter doesn’t read my work, but I read aloud when I edit so she’s heard some of it and is my worse critic, but she’s very proud of me and has given me some excellent marketing advice.
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’d already read two suffering shelves of how-to-write books and attended a million workshops at conventions before attending a Creative Writing class. First task: ‘Use a mirror to describe yourself.’ Good grief. I realized I could teach the classes better. So I did. Not that class but I found writers’ groups in my area were happy to pay me to give them writing craft workshops.
On the other hand, and it’s an enormous hand, contacts. Classes, especially at accredited universities or convention workshops run by famous writers, agents and publishers are a valuable way to network, network, network. Remember, it’s not who you know but who knows you.
I definitely agree with that. I’m planning to get more involved in conferences. Even though some are costly, if it’s a good one, it will be worth it in connections you forge.
What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?
I’m a crazy cyclist, knocking off 100 miles a week up Welsh hills. It’s while solo traveling that ideas inveigle their way into my head.
Walking seems to do the same for me, but I also get lots of ideas during my sleep at night and wake up ready to type them into my computer.
What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?
Writing can be hard work, but like all the creative arts, the most rewarding too. It’s rewarding yet scary to know you’ve put ideas, scenarios and weird characters into innocent readers’ heads. Funny though when you encounter a discussion where your story is being discussed, bringing out subplots you hadn’t thought about.
Disturbing too, when writing horror or fight and death scenes that you might give a potential torturer / murderer some ideas.
Those are some interesting thoughts. I do find it enlightening when my readers share what they are getting out of my writing. As far as giving murderers ideas, although I write mysteries that include people getting killed, they are cozy mysteries and not too violent. I also prefer to kill bad characters who deserve it.
Excuse me, Geoff. Someone has just joined us. I think it’s character.
HELLO THERE, DEBBIE, IS IT? Apologies for the shouting but I had to get that Geoff Nelder out of the way. My name is Dr. Antonio Menzies from Italy and I’m a main character in his crazed award-winning medical mystery ARIA TRILOGY. I’m asking and giving some answers because Nelder is too lazy to do this bit himself.
It’s great to have you here, Dr. Menzies. This is a first for me. Although I have another blog written by the cat character in my Cobble Cove mysteries, I have not yet had the pleasure of interviewing an author’s character during my Author Spotlights.
So, can you tell me a bit about Geoff’s latest book?
Nelder’s gone all historical fantasy in his latest novel. He holidayed in Malta, discovered my predecessors, Ottoman pirates, abducted the people of a whole island. Well, the spirits of those slaves are crying out for revenge, aren’t they? Hence XAGHRA’S REVENGE is finished and we’re looking at 2017.
That sounds quite exciting.
Does Geoff Nelder have to do any research?
Don’t mention research! He’s obsessed with getting stuff right. He has to name streets, towns, and rivers in the right places. I blame it on him being a geography teacher for 100 years. In ARIA he read every damn book on the brain, amnesia, Alzheimer’s, you name it. No don’t. So into research he emailed an astronaut, Leroy Chaio, for data on the struts of the International Space Station and get this, Leroy replied while he was in orbit!
As a librarian, I can relate to that. Even though I create some fictional towns in my books, I try to research the real places and other aspects of the stories to make them as realistic as possible.
Where does Geoff Nelder get his ideas from?
He steals his ideas from me. No question. Nelder says he oxygenates his brain while on his long cycling tours but I’ve no doubt at all that he sneaks a peek at my prescription pad and little black book for his ideas.
That could be right. I know my characters often persuade me to change scenes and even the identity of the killer(s).
How long on average does it take him to write each book?
I was in a pub the other evening and overheard a nerd book reader say, “I read Geoff Nelder’s ARIA: LEFT LUGGAGE in just a weekend.” What? I happen to know that poor old Nelder spent two years writing that first book in his ARIA trilogy. Granted much of that was in research and another half a year going through his critique group in the British Science Fiction Association, but even so, TWO YEARS to write a book is ridiculous.
I disagree. Although many authors seem to publish a book a year and some Indie authors publish 3 or 4 which I personally believe can’t be of the best quality, I know of authors I’ve read who have taken twenty years to write a book. While I don’t recommend that either, you can’t really rush the process. All authors work at their own pace. Personally, it takes me about two months to create the first draft. After that, it usually takes another two to four months to proofread, edit, revise, and research it before I submit it to a publisher. It usually works out to about a year between books for me. If I wasn’t working full-time and devoting additional hours to promoting and marketing activities such as blogging, newsletter writing, and social media, I might be able to do two a year.
Does your author have a favorite place to write?
As an idiot researcher, Nelder likes to write his stories in their setting. Hence if a scene is in Paris, that’s where you’ll find him, sat at an outside café table swimming in the language, atmosphere, and booze. I encourage this, especially with his science fiction. Go to the Moon I tell him. Often.
Ha, Ha. I’m sure he gets a laugh out of that.
What would Geoff Nelder’s reaction be if a character from one of his books came to life and turned up on his doorstep?
You’re kidding, right? I am here, you know.
Whoops, he’s coming back. I’m off
I must say that was an interesting conversation, Dr. Menzies. Now, back to Geoff.
Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. and include some book cover graphics and author photos if possible.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/geoffnelder
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/geoffnelder
Website: http://geoffnelder.com
Blog: http://geoffnelder.com/blog/
SF database about me http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/nelder_geoff
Geoff’s UK Amazon author page http://www.amazon.co.uk/Geoff-Nelder/e/B002BMB2XY
And for US readers http://www.amazon.com/Geoff-Nelder/e/B002BMB2XY
Geoff’s Author page on Amazon UK http://amzn.to/19EtTMe US http://amzn.to/1dtGsZJ
Great! It’s been a lot of fun having you both here, and your books sound wonderful. I wish you both the best on your next release. Is there anything else you’d like to add for our readers.
Most recent release to promote is THE CHAOS OF MOKII.
Imagine a city which exists only in the minds of its inhabitants. There’s everything you’d expect in a real city including fun and trouble. Olga, has to get past the bouncer then in Mokii she finds an intruder. He is trying to usurp the virtual city because there is financial reward from the advertising revenue beamed into the visitors’ minds. Can she thwart him?
Created as an ebook by Solstice Publishing read for only 99 pence or a dollar and a handful of cents.
Kindle ebook at http://mybook.to/ChaosOM
Author Spotlight: YA Author Jill Van Den Eng
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
Introducing Cobble Cove Character Chat
I have some exciting news to share, but first, I want to thank all those great authors who helped me and my characters host our Cobble Cove mysteries birthday party on Facebook this past week. The guest hosts did a wonderful job, and we had a great turn out of readers.
Now for the big news. My brilliant 7th-grade daughter came up with a great idea which includes all the characters from the Cobble Cove mysteries hosting a monthly event called Cobble Cove Character Chat on the first Wednesday of each month. There will be a different character each month. That character will “chat” with anyone who visits the page that day. The character will post some information about themselves, maybe share an excerpt from a book in which they appear, and also offer a contest, freebie, or something else of interest to readers. Those who visit the CCCC event page may ask any question(s) they want of the character of that month. Doesn’t that sound like a lot of fun? Why not drop by and check out the first chat on Wednesday, December 7?
The event page is located here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1826399190969939/
Pre-Orders Open for Solstice Publishing’s A Winter Holiday 2016 Anthology
The end of year holidays are filled with joy as decorations go up worldwide. Parades give everyone a chance to join with others in happiness. Families make plans to gather for meals and celebrations.
A season for joy…
A season for celebration…
A season for family…
Solstice Publishing presents eleven talented authors with a dozen stories that portray the winter holiday season in many ways. Each tale will fill you with wonder, joy, and a sense of earned togetherness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm8GCXvEYik&feature=youtu.be
Celebrate with K.C. Sprayberry, Donna Alice Patton, Johnny Gunn, Susan Lynn Solomon, Debbie De Louise, Elle Marlow, Leah Hamrick, Eden S. Clark, E.B. Sullivan, M.A. Cortez, and Rebecca L. Frencl this winter holiday season.
http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01N41UOYH
My story, Christmas with My Characters, is included in this anthology. Here is the blurb:
The characters from Debbie De Louise’s Cobble Cove cozy mysteries gather in the Cobble Cove library to celebrate the holidays. Each character receives a gift from the author; and Alicia, the main character, reads some excerpts from the first book, A Stone’s Throw, and the new release, Between a Rock and a Hard Place.
Ruff Drafts 