Authors in the Spotlight 6/29

In today's Authors in the Spotlight, we have authors Nicole Shephard and Karen Salamone-Jourdan!

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Name: Nicole Shephard

 

How long have you been published? I have been published since 2013

 

What's the worst part about being published? The worst part about being a published author is being judged by family and friends for the language and actions of my characters. Seeing as I look innocent and write such hardcore books.

 

What's the best part about being published? The best thing about being a published author is having people from all walks of life read your book and discuss it with you. Major bonus is when a reader acts as if your characters are real people and is so into the story they can’t help but you take their anger out on you because of what certain characters do.

 

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? *What are the highs, if any? *What are the lows, if any? I have been on both sides of the fence. There were many times when I wish I was signed to a publishing company for things like exposure or the family aspect side of things but at the same time I love doing my own thing. One of the highs with self publishing is that I am able to choose my own covers, editor, date of release, and even what price I want to set my books at. On the other hand, while you may be signed, all of those things are up to the publisher and that is a real low for me.

 

What is the name of your book(s)? My books include: Down For The Count 1, Down For The Count 2, Down For The Count 3, KA$H KLAN: Only The Mob, The Family Man, Summertime Shootouts, (Coming Soon) My Crazy B****

 

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Being a person who never wrote or read a book in life it was a struggle to get into writing and actually finish any of those books. Sometimes I still don’t know how I wrote all of that.

 

What's the hardest part about writing a book? The hardest part about writing a book is actually finishing the book. I love to start a book but by the time I get to the halfway mark I am tapped out and have to push myself to finish.

 

What's the easiest part about writing a book? The easiest part about writing a book is deciding on a storyline. I have a million stories in my head.

 

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? All of my books are available on Amazon.

 

Do you have any future projects in the works? *Is there a tentative release date? My Crazy B**** is coming soon.

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 Name: Karen Salamone-Jourdan

How long have you been published? My first book came out in 2000, so almost 17 years

What's the worst part about being published? The fear that now the work is done, my readers won’t like it. You’re only as good as your last book.

What's the best part about being published? Knowing someone is reading something I wrote and maybe forgetting their troubles for a little while.

Are you self-published or did you go through a publishing company? My first book was through Author House. I’m now with True Beginnings. I’m much happier with True Beginnings.

*What are the highs, if any? It’s cool to see something you wrote in book form. That little high just never gets old.

*What are the lows, if any? Can’t think of any lows at all.

 

What is the name of your book(s)? My first book is Gabriel’s Gate; followed by Redemption and House on Ransom Road.

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Yeah it was. I’ve always had an active imagination and can take even an everyday event and turn it into something macabre

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Getting the plot twists to flow naturally rather than as an afterthought.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? Getting the words exactly right and not revealing the ending. I tend to surprise my readers with plot twists at the end that they never see coming, so I have to be careful. The clues are there, but unless you really look for them, you won’t see them right away until after the denouement.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? I usually just tell folks to search my name on Amazon. It’s easier for them and I get my royalties a little faster. LOL.

Do you have any future projects in the works? Yes! I’m working on two books at the same time. Dead Time and Revelations.

*Is there a tentative release date? Dead Time will have been released the end of January and Revelations shortly after that.

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? I’m on Twitter, of course as well as Facebook. Those are the two I use the most. I also have a web page started but just haven’t had the time to complete it to my satisfaction.

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Join me next week as I bring you more authors!