Author Spotlight – Ruff Drafts

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

Thanks for joining me, Alexandra. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.
Can you please share with us how long you’ve been publishing with Limitless and what titles you’ve published with them? Have you self-published any titles or published with another publisher?

Please give details.

I’ve been with Limitless since September 19^th of this year. They’re publishing my debut novel, “Exit Wound.” Which comes out today!

Congratulations on your new release. Tell us a little bit about your books — what genre they are, if you write a series, and any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress.

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

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

Great plans. Would you describe your goals as a writer to us. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

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

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

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

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

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

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

What hobbies and interests do you have besides writing?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amooreauthor

Instagram: @a.m.author

Tumblr: http://themusingsofalexandramoore.tumblr.com

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

Welcome to the Limitless Library Lounge where I will be interviewing fellow authors from Limitless Publishing. Today, I am chatting with J.A. Kerr from Glasgow authorspotlight , Scotland.

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

Can you please share with us how long you’ve been publishing with Limitless and what titles you’ve published with them? Have you self-published any titles or published with another publisher? Please give details.

I’ve been with Limitless Publishing since May 2015 and published two titles The Braille Club July 2015 and The Braille Club Unbound releasing 1^st Dec 2015. I self-published The Braille Club on November 2014, and learned so much in the process. The feedback was positive and the reviews were good but my book was lost in a vast sea and I was struggling to market it. Comments about the need for further editing and more marketing in general made me consider a publisher. Since then I haven’t looked back. Limitless Publishing has taught me so much and I hope my writing has improved as a result.

That’s wonderful. Tell us a little bit about your books — what genre they are, if you write a series, and any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress.

I am currently writing my third book in the Braille Club Series. My genre is contemporary romance or erotic romance, it’s both really. My current work in progress the Braille Club Undone has me sitting at 50k+ words, so more than half-way through. A continuation of the main characters story, with fresh and familiar characters from the previous book. The Braille Club Reborn will be the last book in the series and I have a current outline but still much work to be done. I’m very proud of My NEW RELEASE The Braille Club Unbound 1^st December. I feel with all the editorial advice, my writing flowed better as a result. My first book The Braille Club is where the story starts and introduces you to all the characters which I have come to think of as my friends.

Sounds like you are quite busy. I can relate to an author’s characters beginning to feel like friends. I am currently working on my sequel to “A Stone’s Throw” that released in November, and I’m finding it interesting to develop the main characters more fully in the second book and add new ones.

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

I want to finish my series and I want it to be successful. I think I’m like any author in the sense, if people are buying my books it’s because they want them and that’s a great feeling. Happy to do whatever it takes to spread the word and build my brand. In fact I spend a lot of my time on promotional work because if people don’t know…then they can’t buy my books. Thereafter, I’d like to try romantic suspense. This is a genre that really appeals to me and I’d like to explore it further.

Great goals. I write romantic suspense myself, although some people consider my work cozy mysteries because I don’t feature a lot of gore or sex. I like to write what I read, as I’m sure you do.

This ties in with the last question. What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?

My novels are 18+ and I think more female orientated but open to all. I think everyone who likes romance with an edge to it, will like the series. It is primarily a love story with passion and sexual discovery. I hope readers will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Yes, I think most authors want readers to feel the same enthusiasm for their books as they do. I notice Limitless has a diverse group of writers. Their authors write adult, New Adult, YA, Mystery, Horror, etc., so there’s something for every type of reader.

Most aspiring writers are looking for advice from those who have broken into the field. What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?

Don’t give up. I know everyone says it but present the best quality manuscript you can even if it take a couple of years of painstaking editing, it’s worth it in the end. Take a writing course. Learn the basics of Point of View, scene breaks, unnecessary words etc. Hone your craft.

I agree completely, J.A. Before I published “A Stone’s Throw” I took several online courses through the library where I work. I discussed these classes in a previous post.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I love to read. When I’m not writing, I’m reading. I like to go to the theatre. I’m lucky because there is a small theatre that does lunch time performances in Glasgow’s West End called A Play, A Pie & A Pint (I have wine and the pie’s yummy). Wine and lunch included with the 50 minute performance and I’ve seen some fantastic plays. Films are next, I’ve just seen Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks which I would recommend. Lastly, I enjoy going to my local wine bar at the end of the week and having a nice glass of fizz—bliss!

Lol. You sure know how to find fun ways to relax after working hard at your writing.

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

I love when the story comes to me and I’ve got to write, it’s the best feeling in the world. I hate when I have to edit. But I’m much stricter with myself now. I edit every 5 Chapters. It also helps to refresh my memory as I normally have 3 or 4 different storylines. My toughest challenge is when my story stalls. I’ve got to be patient and do other things until it starts to flow again. It’s always a bit of a nail bitter as I never know when it will start again once it’s stopped.

I think most authors can relate to that. Editing is sometimes harder than writing. I’ve also begun to edit as I write my sequel because I went through too much pain with the first. It’s important to let the words flow but when they don’t, you need to step back like you said.

That was a great interview. Can you please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. so readers can connect with you.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1KQ7K1c

Amazon Com: http://bit.ly/1MMslDU

The Braille Club Unbound UK: http://amzn.to/1XbQogj

The Braille Club Unbound Com: http://bit.ly/1OTlMRI

website: http://www.thebrailleclub.com

Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/1IGNYyy

Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/1KQ7z5V

Unbound Book Trailer http://bit.ly/1lXq9in

Instagram thebrailleclub

Tumblr thebrailleclub

Facebook Author Fan page: http://on.fb.me/1DyZ8sZ

Facebook Book Fan page: http://on.fb.me/1UsyfLR

Facebook Author page: http://on.fb.me/1IMHe1T

Goodreads : http://bit.ly/1UneIMS

What a great list. I see you are very active on social media. That’s wonderful. Are you having any special upcoming promotions?

Yes, I’m having a Goodreads giveaway from 10th December until 10th Jan. Participants can enter to win a signed copy of The Braille Club and book swag consisting of a bookmark (double sided), wine charms (bells are are a major theme throughout the book) and a necklace with a key (Key Holders are members of the Braille Club hence connection) and double sided keyring.

Very nice. Thanks again for joining me in the Limitless Library Lounge today, and good luck with your books!