Authors in the Spotlight 2/9

In today's Authors in the Spotlight, we have author T.D. Edwards!

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Name: T.D. Edwards

How long have you been published? I’ve been published for almost eight years now. I published my first novel in the fall of 2009.

What is the worst part about being published? For me, the worst part about being published is that I second-guess myself a lot. After publishing a project, I always tend to get cold-feet and wonder if it is good enough. My confidence has grown over the years though, particularly since my writing has improved tremendously since the first novel I published.

What is the best part about being published? The best part about being published has to be the overall feeling of accomplishment. I love the moment when I am able to hold a physical copy of my book in my hands. It makes me feel that all of my hard work has paid off.

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 am self-published for the most part. Recently, however, I had the opportunity to ghostwrite a novel for a publishing company. 

 

The high of self-publishing is definitely maintaining control over every aspect of my book. I like setting my own deadlines, writing precisely the story I want to tell, choosing when to release my book, and deciding what the cover should look like. The low, however, is not having the means to advertise to the extent a publishing company can. The publishing industry is very convoluted, so it can be difficult to get your work to stand out.

 

While the novel I ghostwrote for a fledgling publishing company isn’t exactly the same as being traditionally published, there were some similarities. I enjoyed only having to focus on writing the story and allowing them to take care of the rest. However, I would have like to have more input on the final product, for there were some things I wished were done differently.

What is the name of your book(s)? My latest novel is called Lunacy’s Core.

Was it/they easy for you to write? I wish it had been easy to write! The Lunacy series has been an ongoing project for me for over 10 years! I’ve written lots of stories and books in-between, yet I always came back to it, changing and rewriting it numerous times. I’ve lost count of how many evolutions the storyline has gone through. It wasn’t until about two to three years ago that I finally found the precise direction I wanted for the story, and decided to make it a trilogy. I think it was worth it in the end though, because I’m finally happy with the ending result.

What’s the hardest part about writing a book? Finishing the first draft is the hardest for me. Once I’ve simply gotten a complete draft of the story written, everything else falls into place.

What is the easiest part about writing a book? I don’t think there is an easiest part. It’s a lot of work the whole way through. The phase I enjoy most though, is editing. That’s where I can take what I’ve written it and polish it into something impressive.

Where can interested readers purchase a copy of your book? Lunacy’s Core is available on Amazon, Kindle, and BarnesAndNoble.com.

Do you have any future projects in the works? Is there a tentative release date? The sequel to Lunacy’s Core, which is called Lunacy Shared, is in the works right now. There is no release date yet, but it will be out sometime this year, and I plan to do GoodReads giveaways for both books.

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Yes! Your readers can Like T.D. Edwards on Facebook. I also welcome readers to connect with me on GoodReads. And my website. 

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Join me next week as I bring you more authors!

 

Authors in the Spotlight 2/7

In today's Authors in the Spotlight, we have authors Stephen Morris and Callie Hunter!

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Name: Stephen Morris

How long have you been published? My first novel came out in July, 2012.

What's the worst part about being published? The worst part is that I can no longer go back and keep polishing my work. You are forced to let go of the work, send it out into the world, and then go on to your next project.

What's the best part about being published? The best part is seeing the physical book, an object that is the result of all your research and thinking and concentration and typing and editing efforts. There is an objective reality that you can point to and say, “I did this!” You weren’t just spending all those years daydreaming and staring into space for nothing!

Are you self-published or did you go through a publishing company? My novels are self-published. My nonfiction works are published by traditional academic publishing companies.

*What are the highs, if any? The high of writing is escaping into another world, an alternate reality and living new adventures vicariously through your characters.

*What are the lows, if any? The difficult work each day of finding the doorway into that alternate reality. Making the transition from mundane work and surfing the Web to actually writing is a difficult transition for me, each and every time. Beginning to write each day and setting aside my laziness never becomes any easier for me.

What is the name of your book(s)? Storm Wolf was released in September, 2016. The Come Hell or High Water trilogy came out in 2012 and 2013.

Was it/were they an easy write for you? There is a similar dynamic to writing every chapter insofar as writing the first half or two-thirds of each chapter is like climbing up a rock wall by your fingernails only to finally crest the ridge and then writing the rest of the chapter is like sledding down a mountainside. You reach a critical mass where finally the effort required tips and—viola!—you fly down the other side of the mountain you were struggling so hard to climb.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Hardest? Getting started in the morning!

What's the easiest part about writing a book? Easiest? Drinking another cup of coffee as I plan the next scene—or even the next paragraph!

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? All my books can be found on my Author Central page.

Do you have any future projects in the works? I am working on a non-fiction project about Byzantine history up through the tenth century and have several novels at various stages of development. The two that are furthest along are one set in Ireland that follows up loose threads from Come Hell or High Water; I am also working on a supernatural thriller set in 1600s Prague and involves the Ottoman Turkish merchants there so it gives me the opportunity to explore Muslim and Turkish magic, occult practices, and folk beliefs as well as the Czech tales of Turkish ghosts in Prague.

*Is there a tentative release date? I hope the nonfiction will appear sometime in 2018; the next novel should appear in 2018 or 2019 as well. (Egads! Did I just write that?? Can it really be nearly 2020?!?!)

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? I have a blog and more information about all my books at www.stephenmorrisauthor.com and I am also on Twitter.

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Name: Callie Hunter

Tentative date for first publication? Oh, I've got no idea. 😊

Will you self-publish or go through a traditional publisher? Most likely self-publish.

*Why? I like the freedom of self-publishing and to maintain full control, however, a traditional publisher can really capture a wider audience. It is difficult to create interest in your work when self-published without giving books for free, in my experience. Currently, the thought of sharing my work with a traditional publisher is still frightening. One day, I’d love to be assigned to a publisher but for now, I’m learning the basics of self-publishing.

Was making that decision a difficult one for you to make? Yes and no.

*Why? The fear of rejection keeps me from submitting, also the knowledge that my work isn’t quite ready. The larger projects are safely tucked away while smaller projects take form. The confidence in my writing is a beautiful thing to achieve, but it’s also very difficult to maintain.

What is the name of your book(s)? I am working on a series called Still Searching, and the first installment is called Russian Roulette. There are many projects needing an edit, a re-write, and to be completed; sadly, it’s been a troublesome few years and my writing has suffered.

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Some of them were easy, they flowed without having to consciously put effort in. The characters were strong, could guide the story, and even leave me surprised. Since my writer’s block came three years ago, it has been difficult to shift it. The ideas are there, they’re just hiding. I hope to get them down on paper again soon.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Filling the gaps between A-Z. I dislike planning every aspect of the story. The characters can usually bring the story from milestone to milestone. When the brick wall comes it can be difficult to climb over it.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? Falling in love with my characters. A lot of emotion and love goes into them. When they take form and begin to run wild it becomes an addiction to write, to see where they are taking the story. I know where it’s going vaguely, but the details come when the characters are ready to unfold.

Where will future readers be able to purchase their copy of your book(s)? Amazon Kindle store.

Do you have any other projects in the works? I started a thriller called Hide and Seek four years ago and I hope to return to it as soon as inspiration comes, and I can overcome the struggles I faced when writing the story.

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Facebook and Twitter

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 Join me on Thursday as I bring you author T.D. Edwards!
 

Authors in the Spotlight 1/26

In today's Authors in the Spotlight, we have authors Larry Garner and Peris DeVohn Edwards!

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Name: Larry "Animal" Garner

How long have you been published? 4 years

What's the worst part about being published? The worst part of being published is the people reading my books expecting me to have a new one for them in a short time frame (weeks or months).  😊

What's the best part about being published? I love being able to have my stories read and enjoyed.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? I am self-published through Createspace, a subsidiary of Amazon.

*What are the highs, if any? I don't have to send a truckload of manuscripts out and sit at home waiting for responses. I also get to have a very hands-on approach to marketing, cover design, and interior design.

*What are the lows, if any?  I have an almost nonexistent budget for marketing. I have no "team" to lean on. Obviously, if one was to be published by an established publishing house, they would have more support.

What is the name of your book(s)?  My first novel is "D-E-D, DEAD", and was a finalist (one of three) in the crime/thriller genre at the Colorado Book Awards in 2013. It was the sole self-published work nominated. It is the story of an ex-outlaw biker who has an attack of conscience over his club's trade in meth and young women. He plans his actions carefully and strikes out against the club when the opportunity arises. Now on the run from the club, the cops, and the DEA, he flees to southern TN where he holes up at an old friend's farm. A chance happening brings the war against the club back to his attention, and he enlists the aid of some locals to bring the story to a explosive conclusion. 

"DED Reckoning: Vengeance takes a road trip", the sequel to the first novel, finds Hammer on the road under an assumed name, riding through the Mountain West. A spur-of-the-moment trip into Colorado to see a great-uncle sets events in motion that will rock the peaceful San Luis Valley as Hammer and friends take on the evil folks who make and sell meth to their neighbors and families. There is mayhem, action, plenty of snarky humor, and sexy shenanigans leading up to a wild ending.

Was it/were they an easy write for you? I write without any outline or firm plot in mind. I allow the characters to tell me the story, and I write it down as they do. The writing comes easy for me.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? The editing, re-writes, and other work associated with turning the story into a published book are the tasks I'm not so fond of. 　

What's the easiest part about writing a book? The easiest part for me is flying along, writing down what I see as the "movie in my head". I've had many experiences throughout my life, not all of them worthy of re-telling, but substance for ideas and scenes inside the larger work. I enjoy putting all those pieces together into a coherent whole.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? My books (printed) are available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Putnam, many other booksellers, but I prefer to sell them on my website; I have PayPal buttons for both books there, and I get to personally dedicate and sign each book sold through the website. Both books are available on Amazon and other sites as ebooks, and Smashwords has both titles in every format available for any e-reader or pc.

Do you have any future projects in the works? I am currently working on a project car and will start the third book in the "Hammer" trilogy as soon as it is finished. I also have a few other book idea that I plan to write as time allows.

*Is there a tentative release date?  No tentative date as yet, but I expect it to be ready by early 2018.

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? My Facebook page is Author Larry "Animal" Garner. My publishing company is Two Fingers and a Thumb Enterprises. My author website is http://larryanimalgarner.com

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Name: Peris DeVohn Edwards

How long have you been published? First published writing was in 2015

 
What's the worst part about being published? Once your work is out to the world it's out there, there's no turning back which is scary yet exciting at the same time.

 
What's the best part about being published? The best part is that I know my writings will change someone's life for the better and that God is using me for a purpose that's bigger than me.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? I've done both. This time with my own personal book, I am self-published.

*What are the highs, if any? You control and own all of your work, you're your own boss.

*What are the lows, if any? You do all the work, which isn't bad, it just takes a little longer and you have to learn a little bit about everything.

What is the name of your book(s)? 365 Days Of Happiness

Was it/were they an easy write for you? No it was not an easy write, took me 4 years to complete it.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Staying focused and on task. Making time to write no matter what and channeling all of your energy into that one project.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? It's about me, it's real, so I don't have to make something up I just have to find the words for it.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? On amazon.

Do you have any future projects in the works? A poetry book.

*Is there a tentative release date? Sometime in 2019 after I graduate from paramedic school first.

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Facebook and Instagram

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Join me next week as I bring you more authors!

Authors in the Spotlight 2/2

In today's Authors in the Spotlight, we have authors Allysa Hart and Sidney Reetz!

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Name: Allysa Hart

How long have you been published? My first book, Adopting Katie, came out November 1st, 2016.

What's the worst part about being published? Marketing. I absolutely hate it. It takes a ton of time and it feels like it doesn’t help.

What's the best part about being published? Holding my book in my hand for the first time was an absolute dream come true.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? I go through a small publishing company called Twisted Hearts Productions. I got all of the perks of a publisher and I don’t have to give up any of my creativity. I got to have final say in everything as well as create my own cover. It could not have been anymore perfect.

What is the name of your book(s)? Adopting Katie

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Well that’s a funny story. My publisher, who is also a close personal friend of mine, called me one day and told me she wanted me to write a short story for an anthology she was working to put together. I had been toying with the idea of writing for real and she thought it was the perfect opportunity. I was nervous as heck, but the story just came to me and I wrote it. The original count was around 12K. After submitting it to her she sent me an e-mail telling me that the story was too good to be hidden in an anthology and she wanted me to get all of the glory I deserved. I was totally cool with that, until she told me to increase the wordcount to 40K to make it a full-length novella. That scared me. I am not very detail oriented and tend to gloss over things to get to the parts I want to tell. Another good friend of mine spent months with me, going through the 12K and helping me to expand it to the required length. That was really really hard to do. The process for my second book has been significantly easier.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Editing the book

What's the easiest part about writing a book? Making the cover. lol

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? I am on Amazon, ibooks, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and kobo.

Do you have any future projects in the works? SO many! I am hoping for a release in March and May. Then I have some collaborations that are going to ROCK YOUR WORLD

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Facebook, Facebook Fanpage, Instagram, and Wordpress.

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Name: Sidney "That red headed devil woman" Reetz

How long have you been published? 2 Years

What's the worst part about being published? Time management! When you are a self-published author everything falls upon you or it doesn't get done. Not only do you have to get the writing done, but you also have to learn every part of the business; including taxes, business licenses, promotion, social-media, convention booking, blogging, ect. ect. My 'to do' list are never ending!

What's the best part about being published? The best part is having that final product in your hand. For me, there is no more fulfilling feeling than seeing your novel on the shelves for readers.
The second best part would be all the wonderful contacts I've made during this journey. There are so many talented people out there that are still undiscovered; true diamonds in the ruff!

Are you self-published or did you go through a publishing company? Self-published

*What are the highs, if any? I guess the ultimate high for any self-published author is the knowledge that you completed your novel on your own. You didn't just write the words and send your book off into some publishing companies multiple departments to be the next item on the list for them.

If you have an editor, cover artist or ebook formatter, you had to personally go out into the world to find them, test them, hire them, pay them and see your collaboration completed. However, the benefits I have reaped from building those working relationships with such people are some of my most treasured friendships. In the end, I get the honor of stitching all our combined work into the final product I get to hold in my hand.

*What are the lows, if any? The lows for a self-published author come from the fact that everything falls upon you. If you aren’t moving your novel forward, it won't move at all. You have to believe in your novel, you have to believe in you and you have to push yourself forward to see the project through. 

I won't lie, it's a hugely intimidating task. I've had to branch out into areas I had a zero knowledge base in and stumble my way through a maze of misinformation (or lack of information).

Even once you have your novel in your hands and complete, your job still isn't done. Ask any author, traditional or self-published, and they will say that promotion is the hardest part of the game.
The work seriously never ends.

But, as they say, if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. That is the driving force that pulls creative minds through all the red tape madness.

What is the name of your book(s)?
The Devil's Codex - Saints and Sinners Book One
From the Darkest Corner - Anthology
Fallen Saint - Saints and Sinners Book Two (Coming Summer 2017)
Solomon's Ring - Short Story (Scheduled for late 2017)

Was it/were they an easy write for you? My first novel, The Devil's Codex, was a very easy write for me. 

I'd previously tried to write only in third person and never really finished anything. I struggled with this for years until I tried a first person point of view project. BAM! I was on a roll and couldn't stop the words from flying.

That would be my first bit of advice for any writers struggling with completing a project. Sometimes flipping the point of view makes all the difference.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Ha! The characters! 

I'm not one of those writers who can control her creations. They are a force unto themselves. I can outline an entire book but if the character decides in the middle of a scene to go right instead of left, I have to follow them and go off the outline. It's always for the better though. The story comes out richer and more realistic if I just trust in them. 

What's the easiest part about writing a book? The first draft is always the easiest. It's the "fun" draft where you just let the characters play and write out everything that comes to your mind as you move through the narrative. Once it's out and on the page, you can always go back and clean it up, trim it down and streamline it; but you have to get it on the page first. 

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)?
Print books are available through my website, Ebooks are avalible via Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble.

 
Do you have any future projects in the works? *Is there a tentative release date?
Fallen Saint - Saints and Sinners Book Two (Coming Summer 2017)
Solomon's Ring - Short Story (Scheduled for late 2017)

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers?
Sidney Reetz Facebook, The Devil's Codex Facebook Page,Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr. 

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Join me next week as I bring you more authors! 

 

Authors in the Spotlight 1/31

In today's Authors in the Spotlight, we have Wanda Murry, Wanda Luthman, and Geraldine Davis!

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Name: Wanda Murry
 
How long have you been published? 1st book was in 2011. 2nd book published November 2016

What's the worst part about being published? The first time was the money I extended but never recouped in sales.

What's the best part about being published? It is a dream accomplished.

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 did my first book through AuthorHouse. The high was having them do my cover which featured my only granddaughter at the time. It was beautiful and fit just right. The low was the cost to purchase direct from them wasn’t discounted enough; and because I am a horrible sales person, I have yet to recoup the investment made upfront. However, on my recent self-published book through Amazon’s CreateSpace I like the discount I receive as the author; the Author’s page I’m given, and the fact that there is no upfront costs associated with it.

What is the name of your book(s)? My Soul Cries…Holy, Holy, Holy (Developing Child-Like Faith Through Simple Inspirations) and Emotionally Charged: A Poetic Journey in the Issues of Life

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Yes, for both. The first was a compilation of inspirational texts that I began sending out in 2007. The second was poetry I’ve been setting on for 20-30 years that I’d never done anything with. 

What's the hardest part about writing a book? For me, it’s not chasing rabbits in my thought process as I am writing. I can veer off track with what I was intending to say at times with storylines that are better suited to a different book I have in mind or in the works.
 
What's the easiest part about writing a book? Writing when my thoughts are fresh – usually in the morning.
 
Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Amazon & CreateSpace
 
Do you have any future projects in the works? *Is there a tentative release date? Yes. I am starting work on the second “My Soul Cries” which will be daily inspirations which I tentatively hope to have out by the end of September 2017. I’m also working on a “Speak True Life” series of booklets that will deal with various biblical aspects for living a Christian life. I don’t have a tentative date for the series. 

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Facebook 

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Name: Wanda Luthman

How long have you been published? Since Oct. 2014

What's the worst part about being published? I can’t think of anything. It’s a dream come true for me!

What's the best part about being published? Realizing a lifelong dream and joining the Indie Community! They are wonderful people and I never knew this world was out there.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? I’m self-published.

*What are the highs, if any? The highs are when a child wants to buy my book and is excited for me to sign it to them personally. 

*What are the lows, if any? The lows are the rejections from bookstores and libraries. I had no idea before I was published that places for books would reject authors.

What is the name of your book(s)? I have 3 (2 are chapter books for ages 7-11 and 1 is a picture book for ages 0-5):
The Lilac Princess is my first chapter book.
A Turtle’s Magical Adventure is my second chapter book.
Little Birdie Grows Up is my newest book and it is a picture book.

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Yes and no. It’s easy for me to write when the ideas are flowing faster than my fingers can type. The editing part is a bit more difficult.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Editing. I want to be sure my book is the best it can be, so I agonize over editing.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? The easiest part by far is typing as the ideas are flowing. I get in a zone and it’s so much fun!

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? My books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble online, and they can purchase from me directly and I’ll be happy to personally sign the book(s)—they can reach me via my website or by email at wandalu64@gmail.com.

Do you have any future projects in the works? *Is there a tentative release date? Oh yes! I have 3 more books coming out this year! I hope to have Gloria & The Unicorn out early this year (2017) and Franky, the Finicky Flamingo out this summer and Dirk & The Dragon (the sequel to The Lilac Princess) out this fall.

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers?
You can follow me on my blog/website, my Facebook Fanpage, on Twitter, or on Amazon. 

Thank you so much for interviewing me today and helping me spread the word about my children’s books!

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Name: Geraldine Davis

How long have you been published? I had my first book, Suspended, published in 2012. My second book, A Traveler’s Journey, was published in 2013. 

What's the worst part about being published? Trying to get the work right in every way.

What's the best part about being published? Having others read your work and having them tell you how much they loved it and telling me how much they want to have more.

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 went through a publisher with, Suspended, but chose to do it myself for, A Traveler’s Journey. The publisher setup my advertising and book signing for my début. But I chose to do it myself for the second book because of health issues for the publisher and it gave me a chance to do it all for myself to see what it was really all about. It wasn’t that bad.

What is the name of your book(s)? Suspended published 2012 and A Traveler’s Journey in 2013

Was it/were they an easy write for you? They we both pretty easy to write. I wrote, Suspended, because I needed an escape from a house full of family. My daughter was ill and needed to stay with me for a while to recover and she has six children that all had to stay as well. Writing gave me the getaway I needed. When I wrote, A Traveler’s Journey, I had become just gotten home from church with a sermon still swirling around in my head making me think about my own life choices. I needed to get it outside of me to take a better look at myself.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Not being able to connect with my new friends when the story is over.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? Truly, making or creating my new friends, giving them life and love. Then being able to put small parts of me into the storyline sometimes helps me to let go of some of the things that could be bothering me at the time I’m writing.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Amazon has both books and I understand that I can grab Suspended at Barnes and Noble’s website now.

Do you have any future projects in the works? *Is there a tentative release date? I have had to take a little time away from my writing due to life but I do have a couple of new writes coming up for late summer. One is a sequel for, Suspended, and another one that goes in a brand new direction for me. It will still be Christian fiction. 

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers?

Just Facebook.

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Join me on Thursday as I bring to you authors Allysa Hart and Sidney Reetz! 

 

Authors in the Spotlight 1/24

In today's Authors in the Spotlight, we have authors David McCaffrey, Christopher Sheriff, and Diana Karanja!

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Name: David McCaffrey

How long have you been published? Two years

What's the best part about being published? Knowing that there is someone out there, reading a story that was precious to you and that you worked hard on and that they’re enjoying it…hopefully! But actually, even negative reviews are always rewarding for two reasons: they can often provide you with valid suggestions you hadn’t considered to help improve your writing in future and secondly, it means that someone actual read something you wrote! Which is always exciting!

What's the worst part about being published? Trying to believe in yourself and that you perhaps have something worthwhile to contribute to the literary world. But then you have to try and take a step back and try and believe that your stories, your characters, your worlds you have created have given someone, maybe just one person a few hours of pleasure and escapism and then that makes is all worthwhile.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? Both actually. I initially found success initially via the crowd funding route with publishing house, Britain’s Next Bestseller. Following that, I went down the indie route with my second book, purely to try a different experience in relation to publishing. I found both rewarding and enlightening, learning a great deal about marketing, promoting and building your mailing list amongst other things. At the moment, I kind of hover between both worlds.

*What are the highs, if any? Definitely seeing the responses to your book, good, bad or indifferent and being able, certainly in regards to the indie publishing route, having more control over your product.

*What are the lows, if any? I haven’t experienced any…yet!

What is the name of your book(s)? My debut novel was titled Hellbound, the follow up was a novella prequel titled In Extremis with a third book in the series on the way titled Nameless. I was also the ghostwriter on Stephen Sayers first crime novel released last year called By Any Means Necessary

Was it/were they an easy write for you? The Hellbound Anthology were fairly straightforward, though I had to go to some dark places to get inside the head of the antagonists I was writing about and some of those thoughts and personality traits were hard to shake afterwards.

As for the ghost writing aspect, I did find it difficult initially as I was taking someone else’s ideas, someone else’s storyline and then trying to do justice to their vision. Initially, I felt I had to try and emulate other authors in that particular genre, but really struggled as you would because people like Martina Cole, Kimberley Chambers, Mel Sharrett etc. are masters at their craft. Once I took a step back and realised I just needed to write in my own way then it all became a great deal easier. It took me a little longer to get to know the characters than it normally would if they were my creation, but once I did I became just as protective of them as I would my own! And Stephen was very pleased with the end result and it has generated some really positive feedback. It was an honor to have been such an integral part of someone’s passionate idea.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? Developing the storyline. I work with a beat sheet, which I create for every book and which is a series of bullet points broadly outlining the plot. Then it’s simply a matter of going back into those bullet points and filling the gaps with detail.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Hmmm, probably ensuring, especially when it is part of a series, that your continuity is correct and you haven’t left any huge plot holes!

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? They are available via Amazon in the U.K. and Amazon.com.

They are also available at the following: www.bnbsbooks.co.uk, www.davidmccaffrey.net, and for the book I worked on with Stephen Sayers, here www.thesayers.co.uk.

Do you have any future projects in the works? Nameless, the next book in the Hellbound Anthology is due for release the end of March. I have another book lined up with Stephen due around October 2017 and a medical thriller called ‘The Warmest Place to Hide’ which is due towards the end of the year (sneak peek there as the title has never been shared before!).

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Readers can contact me via Facebook, Twitter, and e mail me at info@davidmccaffrey.net. I reply to every single message and e mail I get personally. I love engaging with readers and fans and feel it’s important that you make the time to get to know them. After all, the only reason I am here, doing what I love is because of them.

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Name: Christopher Sheriff

How long have you been published? I have been published for one month.

What's the worst part about being published? To be honest I can not think of any negative things about being published but if I had to I would say that seeing the lack of numbers on the report is discouraging sometimes.

What's the best part about being published? The best part of being published is that I can say that I accomplished it; I wrote a book and it is something I accomplished that no one else in my family has done. The pride, in a good way, is the best part of being published.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? I am self-published through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing

*What are the highs, if any? The highs of writing my first book were the day I hit publish on KDP, the first download and ending my first week with 300+ total downloads

*What are the lows, if any? The lows were some of the frustration of having “writer’s block” and feeling you should have a better result

What is the name of your book(s)? The name of my book is Three Rules to a Stressed-Less Life

Was it/were they an easy write for you? This book was fairly easy to write compared to what I have heard from others; it seemed to roll off my finger-tips and just appear on the screen.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? I would say that the hardest part of writing a book is simply just making the decision to sit down and make a conscious effort to start. The hardest part of any endeavor is getting started and once you take that first step the rest is easy.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? The easiest part of writing my book was actually the process itself as my book was one I had put into practice for some time now.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Amazon.com and Kindle App

Do you have any future projects in the works? I do; 1. How to Be a One Trick Pony, Using Your #1 Talent to Enhance Your Other Talents; and 2. How to Encourage Others, 5 Phrases Everyone Needs to Hear

*Is there a tentative release date? #2 should be released early Feb.; #1 should be released late March

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? My website will be up shortly the url is U-R-G-E.com; I can also be found on Twitter and on Facebook.

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Name: Diana Karanja

How long have you been published? I’ve had my short stories regularly published for about four years in the fiction page of a Regional newspaper, The East African. My first full length novel is only four months old in the market.

What's the worst part about being published? The feeling that perhaps I could have done better—perhaps added more plot twists, more imagery, even though deep down I know I gave it my best.

What's the best part about being published? That’s got to be having strangers buy and read my book. It feels great to get positive reviews from readers who have bought my book because it caught their eye, and not because they’re my family or my friends.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? Self-Published. 

*What are the highs, if any? Hitting the ‘Publish’ button on amazon. There is no feeling like that. I doubt I got any sleep that night. I had finally done after years of yearning to get my work out there.

*What are the lows, if any? The realization that I have to do the marketing myself. I’m a writer, not a business person, but with self-publishing, it doesn’t end with writing the novel. You have to wear the business hat, which can get tough for us introverts.

What is the name of your book(s)? Daniella’s Daughter

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Some bits were easy to write, the words forming faster than my fingers could type. And then there were the days when I wondered why I wanted to write a novel in the first place. Those were the days when getting a thousand words on paper was like wringing water from a stone.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Transitions and figuring out which scenes will work best to carry the story forward. 

What's the easiest part about writing a book? The easiest and most interesting part of writing a book for me is the initial foundation work of characterization and plotting. I love bringing my characters to life before beginning the actual writing. I enjoy creating a persona for them and when done right, the novel flows seamlessly.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Interested readers can purchase Daniella’s Daughter on Amazon. 

Do you have any future projects in the works? I do, though it’s title less for now. The novel explores the lives of two families who are torn apart after the discovery that their children were switched at birth. 

*Is there a tentative release date? Yes, in April (Fingers crossed).

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? I write weekly short stories for my blog, http://www.dianakaranja.wordpress.com

Thank you for your time and I look forward to reading more from you in the future! Thank you! It was a pleasure.

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Join me on Thursday as I bring you Larry Garner and Peris DeVohn Edward !