interview with Author Steve Westover

Deirdra: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Steve: I had never thought about writing a novel until I woke up one morning a couple of years ago with some characters in my mind. I told my wife about the story and she encouraged me to write it down. I was a bit intimidated because I had never written anything “creative” before and I didn’t know if I could do it. The entire time I was writing this first FBI thriller, Defensive Tactics, I kept wondering if I could really write a novel and if it would be any good. I viewed the whole process as an experiment but I found that I love it.

Deirdra: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?

Steve: It was surprisingly easy, which kind of spoiled me a little. After completing the novel I sent it off to three publishers in Utah. I quickly received the dreaded denial letters from two, but then a couple of months later I received an approval from Cedar Fort. I signed the contract in April and the book was printed and released by August. It all happened VERY fast and as a brand new author with no experience in the world of publishing I found that there was a steep learning curve for the marketing and release of the book. The whole thing was very exciting.

Deirdra: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

Steve: While I was writing my first book I took many months off during the writing because I was discouraged and I didn’t know how to proceed. Ultimately I realized I just needed to jump back in and start writing again. With my new book, Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island, the writing went really fast. I started writing and was submitting the book within 4 months. The discouraging thing this time was getting an acceptance letter to publish. This was really confusing to me because I considered the story to be better than my first, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. I completed extensive edits, shopped the manuscript around to agents and publishers and then was thrilled to once again to get a publishing contract.

Deirdra: Can you tell us a little about your book Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island

Steve: Growing up in Oregon I camped in the mountains many times as a scout and loved it. I knew I wanted to write a “camping” story where the kids had to save the day. I started with the question, “What would happen if all of the adults at Crater Lake disappeared?” How would the kids survive? I then did some research and learned the fascinating legends about the mysterious powers surrounding Crater Lake and I decided to use those legends as the explanation for how the adults disappeared. There is much more to Crater Lake than just appears on the surface. An ancient evil lurks beneath and Ethan and his friends must decipher the legends and clues as they gather artifacts to free their parents from the Prison of the Lost. This is a fun fantasy that can also be a little spooky.

Deirdra: Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?

Steve: My wife and daughter. From Day 1 my wife has encouraged me and supported me even when I didn’t think I could write a novel. She read as I wrote and gave great feedback that influenced my writing and the story. My 13 year old daughter also played a huge role, particularly with Crater Lake, as she was part of the target audience I was writing for. It was fun to have her beg for the next chapters and it really pushed me to keep writing. She also made great suggestions and it has been a fun, family experience. My wife and daughter also provide the illustrations that are found inside Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island, which I think is REALLY cool.

Deirdra: What is your favorite snack to have while you are writing?

Steve: I have a hard time eating when I write because I’d always be licking my fingers which would make my keyboard all sticky. Gross. So honestly, I don’t snack while I write, which is weird because I snack every other moment of the day.

Deirdra: Besides writing what other talents or hobbies do you have?

Steve: I write my own music and play enough piano and guitar to accompany myself when I sing. Unfortunately, I’m not very good. My family’s favorite song, that I’ve written, is called the Pathetic Song. I wrote it in college when I was going through a dry spell getting dates. “Pathetic” is very appropriate and I sing this one with a heavy country twang.

Deirdra: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?

Steve: Denial of a manuscript doesn’t always reflect on the quality of the writing or the story. It can be discouraging to get denial after denial, but the real trick is finding a good match between your story and the right publisher or agent. You may have a great story and you may be a fantastic writer, but the publisher may not be looking for your kind of book at the moment. Don’t take it personally. Persevere and don’t be afraid to ask people for help. Seek feedback, listen and develop a plan for success.

Deirdra: What are you working on now?

Steve: I’ve got a few projects going right now. Crater Lake is intended to be the first book of a trilogy which means I have 2 more Crater Lake books to write. I also have a contract on the sequel to Defensive Tactics which is a mixture of FBI thriller and National Treasure type treasure hunt set around LDS church history in Missouri. I have also completed a young adult dystopian novel called The Aborted about a future slave race that is created when the government harvests abortion victims and grows them to serve the Citizens. In this story, the main character learns the truth about who he his, where he came from and what his role is, and decides to fight back.

Deirdra: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?

Steve: Crater Lake will be released in early March and can be pre-ordered online at Barnes and Noble, Walmart and of course Amazon at this link. http://www.amazon.com/Crater-Lake-Battle-Wizard-Island/dp/1599559609/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327076688&sr=1-7

I love interacting with readers on Facebook and on my blog. http://westoversleftovers.blogspot.com/

Deirdra: Any final words you would like to share?

Steve: I just want to say that I love your blog and the opportunity it provides for readers to get to know the authors and learn about their books. Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island is a fun fantasy adventure that everyone, from the middle-grade reader right up to mom and dad, can read and enjoy together.

interview with Author Cheree Alsop

Cheree Alsop is the mother of a beautiful, talented daughter and two amazing twin sons who fill every day with light and laughter. She married her best friend, Michael, who changes lives each day in his Chiropractic clinic. Cheree is currently working as a free-lance writer and mother. She enjoys reading, riding her Ninja motorcycle on warm nights, and rocking her twins while planning her next book. She is also an aspiring drummer and bass player for her husband’s garage band.

Cheree and Michael live in Utah where they rock out, enjoy the outdoors, plan great adventures, and never stop dreaming.

Please check out Cheree’s other books at www.chereealsop.com

Deirdra: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Cheree: I grew up on a farm in Delta, Utah, where I learned the value of hard work and the joy of working with animals. I dove into books at a young age and started writing my own books not long after that. I used to read in the trees in our yard and fell in love with the escape books offered and the chance to experience other lives and adventures far beyond my little world. The first book I ever wrote was a Western hand-written in a notebook that I finished when I was fifteen. It wasn’t very good, but it made me realize that I could indeed finish something I started writing, and it showed me the exhilarating experience of developing my own worlds and characters.

Deirdra: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?

Cheree: I began collecting rejection letters early on with my writing. I went to writer’s conferences, which I highly recommend to anyone interesting in writing, I pitched to agents, sent queries, and sent manuscripts to both publishers and agents, but the rejections continued to pile up. Despite a few promising letters, I eventually realized that if I wanted to get published, I would have to take matters into my own hands. Self-publishing was the best decision for me because I like having control over my books and seeing what I can make of them. It’s not the easiest path, but it is very rewarding.

Deirdra: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

Cheree: As much as I like to say I took every rejection happily, it did get a little frustrating sometimes when I also didn’t hear any reason as to why the books were rejected. Before self-publishing became more streamline, I thought going through an agent and a publisher were my only options, so I kept trying. I just told myself that each rejection got me that much closer to being published, and in a way, it was true!

Deirdra: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is good enough to write a book about it?

Cheree: I have several pages of ideas in a notebook that I’m just dying to get to! When the right idea strikes, it sits at the back of my mind and pesters me until I at least write down a synopsis so it doesn’t get lost. When I’m caught in the middle of an idea, it’s such a great feeling knowing that it could eventually turn into a book!

Deirdra: Can you tell us a little about your newest book Crimson.

Cheree: The Silver Series is one that I knew I would eventually write. It’s a series about teenage werewolves trying to survive in today’s world. I love putting myself in my characters’ shoes and wondering how it would be to deal with the normal struggles of growing up along with the additional challenges of being a werewolf.

I’ve always been fascinated with wolves in general, and so the transition to writing a werewolf series was a smooth one; though for some reason I was always against the idea. I never wanted to be a cliché writer, and so my werewolf books don’t just center around life as a werewolf. Instead, they focus on the different aspects that being a werewolf might bring with it. Wolves are one of the few animals who chose a mate and stay with them, usually for their entire lifespan. I felt that this offered a deeper side to werewolves that hasn’t been greatly explored. Wolves are also fiercely loyal and are very territorial, which lends to confrontation and self-sacrifice in difficult circumstances.

Crimson is the third book in the series. It’s about a teenage boy named Kaynan who dies in a car accident and awakens a werewolf. Burdened with heavy guilt over his sister’s death in the same accident, Kaynan escapes with a blind girl named Grace who gives him purpose and direction. Kaynan and Grace seek shelter with a pack of werewolves who brave dangerous odds to help them. Kaynan is given the ultimate chance to make up for his poor decisions, but dying again might be the only way to redeem himself.

Deirdra: Do you ever experience a snag in a story, a form of writer's block? If so, how do you deal with it?

Cheree: If I get a snag, I go for a ride on my motorcycle or in a car (depending on the weather). Driving helps clear my mind and I listen to my playlist (if I’m in the car), and it helps refocus my writing.

Deirdra: What kinds of inspiration do you use during your story creation periods?

Cheree: Music is my muse. I create playlists before I write each book. The songs in the playlist capture the emotions I want to reflect in the stories. I might listen to a song a hundred times while I writing one particular scene in the book, and if I read it again and feel the same emotion, I know I’ve captured what I wanted to for that section of the book.

Deirdra: Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?

Cheree: My husband has made the greatest difference by far. He reads every book before I release it and helps me to iron out the snags and rough spots so that the final copy is complete and smooth. He gives me ideas when I’m stuck, and he’s the master behind several of my titles! It’s great to have someone so supportive of my writing. He believes in my stories and where they’ll take us, and he’s behind me every step of the way. Several members of my family also read each copy and catch the glaring errors. It’s amazing to have so much support behind my writing.

Deirdra: I know you are a mother to three kids (two of which are young twin boys!) How do you balance your family time and writing time?

Cheree: Robin Hobb, one of my favorite authors, told me once that you never have more time to write than you do right now. At the time I had a newborn baby (she is now 9), and since then the twins (who are now 2). I try to catch time to write every day, even if it’s just for ten minutes. I write when they’re playing or sleeping, and if I don’t get a chance during the day, sometimes I stay up late just to get some ideas down. My biggest goal is to never let an idea get lost and so I try to write when the ideas are flowing the strongest.

Deirdra: What is your favorite snack to have while you are writing?

Cheree: Chocolate, haha. Sometimes if I write at night it’s the only thing that keeps me awake. Thank goodness for chocolate!

Deirdra: Besides writing what other talents or hobbies do you have?

Cheree: I love to ride my motorcycle, I play the bass in my husband’s garage band, and I love to travel. But most of all, I love spending time with my family.

Deirdra: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?

Cheree: I would echo Robin Hobb’s words and say that you'll never have more time than you do right now to write- write in all the spare moments. It'll come together eventually, but write whenever you have that gut feeling to do it. Don't let the ideas slip between your fingers. And above all, believe in your dreams. They really do come true.

Deirdra: What are you working on now?

Cheree: I’m currently working on book two of The Shadow Series and editing book four of The Silver Series. There’s also a book about Shifters called Stolen that’s almost ready to be published and will herald a new series of its own.

Deirdra: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?

Cheree: Please go to my website at www.chereealsop.com The books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords, and the links are at my website.

Deirdra: Any final words you would like to share?

Cheree: Thank you very much for the opportunity to be on your website. I greatly appreciate your time and for those that have read this interview. I hope others can enjoy my books the way I enjoy the escape and adventure offered by other authors.

Book Synopsis:

Silver: Silver, book one of the Silver Series, is a coming of age story about a teenage werewolf whose father is murdered. He has to come to terms with his new life, new school, and new friends while trying to prevent more killings. Attempting to make peace with the territory’s pack and falling in love with a werewolf hunter’s daughter make his new situation even more perilous.

Black: Black is about a werewolf raised through the atrocities of a werewolf fighting ring. He is rescued and given the chance at a new life, but haunting reminders of his past follow him as he tries to make a fresh start. He has to confront his dark history in order to protect the girl he loves, or let himself be swept away into the pain and humiliation of the arena once more.

Crimson: Crimson, the third book of the Silver Series, is about a teenage boy who dies in a car accident and awakens a werewolf. Burdened with heavy guilt over his sister’s death in the same accident, Kaynan escapes with a blind girl named Grace who gives him purpose and direction. They seek shelter with a pack of werewolves who brave dangerous odds to help them. Kaynan is given the ultimate chance to make up for his poor decisions, but dying again might be the only way to redeem himself.

Galdoni: “This is the Arena, and here we live to die.” These are the words carved into a holding cell where genetically-altered gladiators, the winged humans called Galdoni, are trained to fight. Kale, rescued by three high school students and nursed back from the brink of death, is given the chance to experience life as a human. When he is captured, he has to use what he learned in the world outside the Academy in order to free the other Galdoni and return to the human girl he loves.

Shadows: Duskies are born in a dangerous world as servants of the lords of light and shadow, but when creatures known as the Sathen threaten all the races, a Duskie named Nexa finds herself caught in the middle of a perilous journey to save her people and unite the races as one. Facing dangerous odds, prejudice, and violence, Nexa finds strength in those around her and, ultimately, love.

Interview with Reader Eileen

Deirdra: What are your favorite kind of books to read and why?

Eileen: I like to read paranormal romance and dystopian because it’s just so fun to immerse myself in the fantastical world that the authors create. Real life is so boring sometimes, and it’s a big relief to get to escape to the fantastical world that the awesome authors create.

Deirdra: How many books on average would you say you read a year?

Eileen: It really depends on the length. If it’s around four hundred pages, then I’ll read a hundred books.

Deirdra: What is the most recent book you read? Can you tell us a little about it?

Eileen: I most recently read the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins because I saw an awesome trailer for it and my classmates read it and started gushing about it. It basically is about how Katniss’s sister gets chosen to compete in the Hunger Games, an annual competition that requires you to kill ruthlessly and those who don’t win die. A boy and girl are chosen from each of the twelve districts. Katniss takes her sister’s place, and Peeta Mellark, the boy from her district chosen to participate in the Hunger Games, is the one drawn to compete. And afterward, Katniss and Peeta end up being contenders to win.

Deirdra: What is the most disappointing thing authors do?

Eileen: Personally, I hate it when people repeat phrases over and over again. Thesauruses are made for a reason, and I hate it when authors repeat “said” or something like that over and over again throughout the story. Another thing that disappoints me is when the character is forced to make stupid decisions and it’s so obvious that they’re doing the wrong thing, but they remain oblivious.

Deirdra: Who are your top five favorite authors?

Eileen: My top five favorite authors would have to be Julie Kagawa, author of the Iron Fey series; Bree Despain, author of the Dark Divine series; Rachel Hawkins, author of the Hex Hall series; Cassandra Clare, author of the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series; and Ally Condie, author of the Matched series.

Deirdra: How do you feel about e-books?

Eileen: I feel so-so about them. As a big fan of reading, I personally like to have the book in my hands so I can look at the cover and obsess over it. Sometimes, if I’m really obsessed, I’ll just hug the book, and you can’t exactly do that when it’s an e-book. And if you happen to want to refer back in the book because you missed a part that might have been important, it’s extremely hard to do so on a Kindle.

Deirdra: If you could give a message to authors what would it be?

Eileen: I would tell them that they’re doing a very good job at writing books, only that if they want them to be even more successful, they should grab the reader in the beginning. There are so many books that are so slow in the beginning that I want to put the book down, but I force myself to read a few more chapters in, and I find that I actually like it. Some people will just put the book down, no matter how good the middle is supposed to be.

Deirdra: Have you ever thought about writing a book?

Eileen: I actually have written a book. It’s really bad, in my opinion, but it was fun to pretend to be in someone else’s shoes and write a story the way I would want it to be.

Deirdra: What other talents and hobbies to you have?

Eileen: I love to sing and perform whenever I can. I actually want to be a singer when I grow up, and I write songs and everything, but I’m still working on showing people what I’m made up. I might start up a YouTube account soon, though.

Deirdra: Where is your favorite place to read?

Eileen: I love to read in my bed. I have a super-bright lamp on my nightstand, and I use a Pillow Pet that I got a while ago for my birthday to cushion my head!

Deirdra: Do you have a favorite reading snack?

Eileen: If I tried to eat while I read, I would probably forget the food entirely, because whenever I read, I get so immersed in it that I forget about almost everything else around me. If I ever did snack while I read, I would eat something like crackers, so that I can just reach for them and never have to use a fork or something to get it into my mouth.

Deirdra: What books have made you cry?

Eileen: There are a lot. I’m a really big emotional person, and I’ll just start bawling if someone dies or something extremely devastating happens. I’ve cried in the Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa, at the end when Meghan and Ash were under King Machina’s tree. (Sorry, can’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read it! But it’s super good, so I highly recommend the Iron Fey series, starting with the Iron King.) It was sort of romantic and super-sad all at the same time. I also cried during The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, when toward the end when Ronnie and her dad, Steve, found out that Steve was going to die and there was no way around it. I think I got close to crying about ten times at the end of that book. I also cried at the end of Where the Red Fern Grows. I read that a year ago, and it was a book that I had to read for my LAL class, so I can’t remember the author. But I remember the main character’s dogs died, and the dogs were the main feature in the book. My class read it during school, and while the audio book played behind me, I was fighting tears, but in the end I succumbed to them. Everyone was staring at me, but all the other girls were bawling, too.

Deirdra: What books have made you laugh?

Eileen: Again, a lot of books have made me laugh. I’ve laughed whenever there were jokes, and a lot of books like to make jokes. Some are the Hex Hall books, because Sophie Mercer is super snarky and very jokey. Another one is the Iron Fey series, because Puck is always making jokes and doing really funny stuff. And I also laughed in the Hunger Games, when Katniss and Peeta started poking fun at everybody during the Games.

Deirdra: What kind of books are you looking to read next? What is on your reading list?

Eileen: I want to fit in more dystopian, because I just discovered it and I read a lot of paranormal romance. I want to read Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare, Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, Crossed by Ally Condie, Wither by Lauren DeStefano, and a lot more. There are a lot of new books coming out next year, and a lot are ones of a series that I’ve been eagerly anticipating. Some examples are Spellbound, the last one in the Hex Hall trilogy and Savage Grace, the last one in the Dark Divine Series. There’s also Insurgent, the next book in the Divergent series, and the Pretty Little Liars and Lying Game series. I have yet to read the next two books in the Pretty Little Liars series and for the third Lying Game book to come out.

Deirdra: Is there any other message you would like to give the literary community?

Eileen: I would just say to keep reading, and for any authors out in the world to keep trying. Even if the odds seem against them, or if their book seems wrong, they should keep trying. You never know; it could turn out to be the next Harry Potter. And that includes anyone who doesn’t even want to be an author, and wants to be something else. You should always keep trying, no matter what. As a last note, you should always read, because it’s great, in a way. You should find books that you truly enjoy, and just read.

Thank you so much, Eileen. It’s a real honor to get your insights.

interview with Author James Hutchings

Deirdra: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

James: I think I've wanted to do something creative since I was a teenager. But I've tried several different things, such as music and filmmaking, before I finally settled on writing. To be honest, if it turned out that I was actually better at, say, painting than writing, I think I'd be happy to change. So in a sense I still haven't decided.

Deirdra: What is your writing and educational background?

James: I did a Bachelor of Arts majoring in creative writing and media, but I didn't do anything with it after graduating. Years later I created a fantasy city called Teleleli or Telelee as a background for role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. Once I finished I realised there wasn't any demand for it. My ex suggested I write stories instead, and that's how I got started.

Deirdra: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?

James: Since I self-published it (on Smashwords and Amazon), this was just a matter of getting the document ready and uploading it. The hard part of self-publishing isn't getting published, it's writing it in the first place and then getting anyone to read it. There are thousands upon thousands of self-published authors out there, and of course they're all trying to get their book noticed.

Deirdra: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

James: I get discouraged a lot. Usually it's when people don't like something I've written as much as I do, or when I get stuck on something. One thing I do is make a point of writing every day, even when I don't feel like it. This helps get through temporary slumps. I think if you wait for inspiration to strike it never will. Often I start with the attitude that "I'm really tired and I can't think of anything. I'll just write a token amount so I can say I did something today," and actually end up having a good idea and getting a lot done. I usually have several things that I'm working on at the same time. This helps with getting stuck, because I can leave what I'm working on and do something else instead. The danger with this is that starting something can be more fun than finishing it, and so you run the risk of having lots of half-written pieces that you never finish.

Deirdra: What is your writing schedule like?

James: I make myself write every day. I think if I tried to write, say, three times a week, that would actually be harder. If it's three times a week it's too easy to put it off and say that you'll do it later. If it's every day you 'have' to write now.

Deirdra: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is good enough to write a book about it?

James: Some ideas just pop into my head, without me knowing where the idea comes from. I carry a notebook with me everywhere I go, and write down ideas as they occur to me. I don't think I have more or better ideas than anyone else, but people who don't write don't bother putting their idle thoughts down. Other ideas come from experiences in my life. For example a while ago I found three injured birds in the space of a few weeks. I took all of them to the local vet. As I was carrying one of them, I thought that the woman at reception might wonder where I was finding all these injured birds, and that was the inspiration for my story 'Lost, Feral or Stray'. Of course other fiction is a big inspiration. In some cases it's obvious. I've done poems directly based on stories by HP Lovecraft and other writers for example. In other cases it's more subtle: for example the city of Teleleli or Telelee is partly based on Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar, Terry Pratchett's Ankh-Morpork, and Port Blacksand in the Fighting Fantasy series. I never know when I start how much mileage I'm going to get out of an idea. I try not to have an amount of words in mind when I start. As a result I have a lot of stories that are very short. Deirdra: Can you tell us a little about your book _The New Death and others_? James: It's a collection of stories and poems, 63 pieces in all. It's only a bit over 41,000 words in total, so most of them are quite short. Most of the stories are fantasy, but there's some 'general fiction' in there as well. The style ranges from funny to very grim. I'm much more influenced by older writers like Tolkien and Robert E Howard. In fact I've never read any of the Harry Potter, Twilight or Game of Thrones series. I have a pretty big free sample on the Smashwords page, and reading it is a much better way to find out about it than having me tell you about it.

Deirdra: How many beta readers review your manuscript before you send it to your editor?

James: I'm my own editor. However, I know that a lot of self-published books are very badly edited, and I do everything I can to be the exception. I spend a lot of time on Critique Circle and Scribophile, two websites where you read other people's work and offer suggestions, in return for getting the same done to your own manuscript. I'm also on an email list for the same purpose, and I have a face-to-face critique group, which currently meets twice a week. I think that getting your work regularly critiqued is absolutely essential. Unfortunately a lot of writers spend months or years working in isolation. Then they finally show it to other people, thinking that this is the last step before publishing, and find that their work is nowhere near ready to publish. I think that getting used to showing your work to other people, and responding to criticism are 'core skills' for a writer; almost as essential as being able to spell (and Word can fix your spelling, but it can't fix your plot holes).

Deirdra: What do you hope readers will get from your books?

James: I don't know if I have a 'message'. I certainly have opinions, and those opinions most likely come out in my writing. But In the end I'm out to entertain people, whether that be making someone laugh with a pun that's so dumb it's funny, or making you sad that a character died.

Deirdra: What is your process of brainstorming a story? Do you just sit down and write, waiting to see what happens next? Or do you outline first?

James: I write mostly short pieces, so I can get away with just sitting down and writing it as I go (albeit usually with a rough idea of what's going to happen in my mind). However I usually start with an idea, and might write down (or rather type in, since I mostly write on a computer) roughly what's going to happen first. Sometimes it's a mix, where I'll have an idea for what should happen next, and so write that down before I get to it, but not have a complete plan for the story. Or if I get stuck with just writing it, I'll step back and write a plan for the rest of the story.

Deirdra: Besides writing what other talents or hobbies do you have?

James: My other main hobby is coding online games. I spent several years writing an online game called Age of Fable (www.ageoffable.net). I don't have any plans to do more on it, but it's still online, and you can play it for free. I'm currently working on an online 'card' game, like Yu-Gi-Oh or Pokemon. I've also done a few smaller projects. For example I did an online version of the computer game Oregon Trail.

Deirdra: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?

James: Nowdays anyone can self-publish. If you can make a Word document, you can have an ebook on Smashwords or Amazon. However that means that if your work is no good, no one's going to stop you. I'd recommend that people get onto Critique Circle (www.critiquecircle.com) and/or Scribophile (www.scribophile.com), put their work up, and listen to what people tell you. Don't 'defend' your work against people's 'attacks'. They aren't attacks, they're helping you. I've found that the people who defend their work have a strong tendency to have the worst writing, I suppose because they're not making the changes they need to make. Also I'd point out something I didn't know when I started. It doesn't matter if you're going to self-publish, but it is important if you want to be published by a regular publisher, or if you want to submit stories to magazines. Most places won't publish work that's already been published. And most places count putting a story on the internet as publishing it. In my opinion that's silly, but that's what they do. Scribophile and Critique Circle are exceptions, because google doesn't index them and you can't see any stories without logging on. However there are writing group websites out there where, if you put a story on the site, that counts as the story being published. That seems like a really terrible way to set things up, but they're out there. I'd also say that getting a book out isn't the final step. It's just the start of the work of self-promotion. This is true even if you're not self-publishing: I'm told that authors are expected to pretty much arrange their own book signings and so on (if you just want to have a book out to show family and friends then this doesn't matter, of course). Finally, there are a lot of sharks out there, who make their money from authors and not from readers. They will make all sorts of promises about how they're going to promote you and help you, but these are lies. Authors do not pay publishers, ever, and if they're asking you to pay then it's a scam. Of course if you're self-publishing you might end up paying someone to design a cover for you, or you might pay for internet advertising, but those are different things. You might also pay a printer to print your books if you want to get physical books rather than ebooks - but in this age of the kindle and print-on-demand I don't know why you'd want to. Preditors and Editors (www.pred-ed.com) is a good website to look at, and you can get good advice at the forums of Critique Circle.

Deirdra: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?

James: The ebook is sold on Amazon and Smashwords: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Q8Q8DY Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92126 Amazon has it for the kindle, and Smashwords has it for the kindle as well as a lot of other formats. It's also on a few other sites like Barnes & Noble, but those two are the main ones.

My blog is http://www.apolitical.info/teleleli

interview with Author Melissa Ann Goodwin

Melissa Ann Goodwin treasures fond memories of a happy and carefree childhood growing up in beautiful Andover, Massachusetts. She is especially grateful for the many wonderful teachers there, who encouraged her to read the books that inspired her to become a writer. She now lives in Santa Fe, NM, with her husband, artist J. Richard Secor. Melissa has written many stories, poems and articles for children’s magazines, and her non-fiction work has appeared in national magazines that include Guideposts’ Angles on Earth, Caring Today and The Caregivers’ Home Companion. The Christmas Village is her first novel for children.

The Christmas Village story summary: When Jamie Reynolds comes to his grandparents' Vermont home for Christmas, he just wants things to go back to the way they were before his dad disappeared. Time and again he is drawn to Grandma's miniature Christmas village, where he imagines that life is perfect. Late one night, the village comes to life before Jamie's eyes, and his fantasy of escaping into it becomes very real indeed. He discovers that the village is called Canterbury, where the year is 1932. Jamie becomes fast friends with Kelly and Christopher Pennysworth, and is taken in by Ida, who runs the local boarding house. But he also makes a dangerous enemy of the mysterious and menacing Jim Gordon, whose return to town is nothing but trouble. As Jamie desperately races against time to find his way back home, he is suddenly faced with a terrifying choice: to go ahead with his plan to leave, or to stay and help his friends, at the risk of never going home again. The Christmas Village is an adventure the whole family will love, filled with suspense, secrets and surprises to the very last page.

The Christmas Village is available in paperback from Amazon.com and select independent bookstores and as a Kindle e-book on Amazon.com. It is also available for a wide variety of digital downloads (Nook, Kindle, IPad, etc. from Smashwords.

There is a really fun video book trailer that my nephew, a film student at Columbia created:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my9vTx-Z-sk

Links:
Amazon.com: www.amazon.com/Christmas-Village-Melissa-Ann-Goodwin/dp/1463646259/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317906903&sr=8-1

Smashwords page:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95060


Blogs and Facebook:

Book blog: http://thechristmasvillagebook.blogspot.com
My personal blog: http://writeryogini.blogspot.com
The Christmas Village Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Christmas-Village/243381569015162



Interview


Deirdra: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?
Melissa: As a kid I loved to read – everything! I have a very distinct memory of being around age eight or nine, having just read, The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne, and thinking, “I want to write books like this.”


Deirdra: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?
Melissa: Even though I knew that I wanted to be a writer from a young age, I didn’t really get down to it until about 10 years ago (age 45!). Before that, I worked in the corporate world for 25 long, tedious, painful years. Did I mention tedious? And painful??
I started by writing stories and articles for children’s magazines and expanded to writing for magazines that deal with aging and caregiving, because I worked for a non-profit in that field. I was fortunate because my work was accepted quickly and often. So, in a way, it took a long time for me to get published because I started so late, but once I got going, things happened quickly.
I started working on The Christmas Village about four years ago. It was sporadic, because my parents were failing and it was a sad time for my family and me. Then last year, I committed to finishing the book by fall. I did finish, and fairly quickly, two agents offered to represent it. I chose one, and earlier this year we edited and got it ready for publishers.
About two months into the submission process, I started to think seriously about self-publishing. I could see that the traditional route might be possible, but that it would take a long time and would most likely drive me crazy. A friend of mine has successfully self-published three books and he offered to be my mentor. So I decided to take the leap and do it myself. It couldn’t have been easier and smoother. The book is doing really well, and I have absolutely no regrets.

Deirdra: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?
Melissa: My discouragement actually occurred more during the long time in my life when I wasn’t writing. I felt like I was letting myself down; that I wasn’t fulfilling the promise of my potential. Once I started writing, I had enough regular success to keep me encouraged. I sometimes feared that the dream of seeing my books in print might not happen, but honestly, deep down I always believed it would.

Deirdra: What is your writing schedule like?
Melissa: For me, it doesn’t work to be strict about schedule. I’m self-motivated, so I don’t feel the need to set goals for a certain number of hours or words written. I write until I’m tired – that might be two hours or it might be five. I actually think that rest and escape from a project is very important. I often take several days off and then come back to my writing with a sense of lightness and renewed energy.




Deirdra: Can you tell us a little about your book The Christmas Village?
Melissa: It’s about 12-year-old Jamie, whose world has fallen apart because his father has left under rather mysterious circumstances. Jamie is hurt and furious with his dad. He and his mother decide to spend the holidays with Jamie’s grandparents in Vermont. Grandma has one of those miniature Christmas villages, and Jamie becomes fascinated with it because he imagines it to be a place where everything is perfect, bad things don’t happen and nothing ever changes. He wishes he could live there, and …..

Magically his wish comes true, and from there it’s an adventure to get him back home in time for Christmas. Along the way, his experiences teach him some important things about people, life, family, friends and forgiveness.

Deirdra: What do you hope readers will get from your books?
Melissa: Well, first of all it’s a good adventure filled with suspense and surprises all the way to the end, so I hope that readers of all ages will be thoroughly entertained. Kids will love the magic, the adventure, and the fact that the kids are the heroes. Adults will like the nostalgic feeling and the positive and hopeful themes. They’ll be able to feel good about the messages the book has for the children in their lives.

Now a little more personal question I noticed your husband is an artist. What is a marriage like with two incredibly creative and talented people? Do you ever compete artistically against each other? Do you work on projects together? How do you manage a creative life-style and a creative marriage?

Melissa:
When we first met 30 years ago, we worked for a bank! We both worked in the corporate world into middle age. Our careers took up most of our time, so I don’t think we even knew the depths of each other’s creativity until much later.

Dick started painting when he retired early from banking at age 54. I started writing when I left the corporate world 10 years ago. I think that because we worked at other things for so long, we realize that no one thing in life should be everything, all the time. Now we have pretty good balance – we are industrious for a while and then we like to goof off.

We never compete and we are each other’s greatest supporters – which includes being each other’s most honest critic. We depend on each other to say when something isn’t quite right. Sometimes we react defensively, which is human nature. But usually, once we’ve thought about it, we realize the other person picked up on something that needed fixing.





Deirdra: Besides writing what other talents or hobbies do you have?
Melissa: I love to read, of course. But I also enjoy gardening and I really to decorate! If I could have lived parallel lives, I would have lived one as an interior decorator.

Deirdra: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?
Melissa: You can do it! If other life demands are getting in the way of your writing, don’t despair - look how late I got started! I’ve learned that everything counts and I honestly believe that my book is better for having the benefit of my life experiences. And, I’d tell them that the world of writing and publishing has changed in ways that empower writers and enable them to be the masters of their own destinies. You can choose to stick to the traditional path, or to publish on your own. One is not better than the other, but now you have real choices. Don’t be scared to make them.

Deirdra: What are you working on now?
Melissa: My next book will be young adult historical fiction, inspired by my mother’s experience as a 14-year-old in England at the start of WWII.
Deirdra: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?
Melissa: My book is available in paperback and e-book on Amazon, and for every kind of digital download on Smashwords.

Deirdra: Any final words you would like to share?
Thank you so much for letting come here and visit with you. I love how the world of blogging has opened the doors for people to connect and share their common interests. I can’t wait to chat with your followers, answer any other questions they might have for me, and make some new friends.

Interview with Author/Editor Nicole Zoltack

Deirdra: What made you decide a career as an editor?

Nicole: First and foremost, I’m a writer but as a writer, you also have to be an editor and self-edit your own novels. When I saw some epublishers were looking for editors, I thought it would be a great experience for me. By reading and editing other people’s stories, you learn what works and what doesn’t. I work as both a content and a line editor for MuseItUp Publishing, and a content editor for eTreasures Publishing. Finally, I’m a freelance editor for Passionate Writer Publishing. It’s very rewarding work to be an editor and help an author make his/her story the best it can be.

Deirdra: When you are not wading through massive amounts of query letters what do you like to do in your spare time?

Nicole: Family is very important to me. I’m married to a wonderful man (we just celebrated 4 years!) and I have two wonderful sons that keep me on my toes! The oldest is three soon, the youngest is one. And in February, another one will be coming - another boy. I really hope the next one (our last) will be a girl! I also love to watch movies with my husband. And, of course, I love to read!

Deirdra: How does one become an editor?

Nicole: You don’t have to have a degree in English, although I’m sure that would help. My degree is completely unrelated to my writing and editing careers. Basically, any writer can become an editor. Start out small and help other writers by being a beta reader and critique partner. Learn or relearn all of the grammar rules. Take a course, if you need too. Then you can start to apply for editing positions at smaller publishers and work your way up.

At two of the publishing houses that I work for, I’m paid a portion of the royalties; at the other one, I get paid a flat fee for each manuscript.

Deirdra: What is the most challenging obstacle editors encounter when working with authors?

Nicole: Some authors are easier to work with and willing to learn than others. I think the biggest challenge is to have an open channel of communication between the editor and the author. Communication is a two way street, though, so I would say that authors that are hard to get a hold of are the most challenging ones for editors.

Deirdra: What kinds of books are currently in demand?

Nicole: All kinds. As long as a book is well written, there is a place for it somewhere.

Deirdra: Are there any genres that publishers in general shy away from?

Nicole: Most publishers have their niche so it’s important to read their submission guidelines so you aren’t submitting a romantic suspense to a publishing house that only publishes fantasy and science fiction. It’s a waste of both your time and the publishers. There are so many publishers out there that you can find a publishing house for any genre.

Deirdra: Do you prefer to find your authors through query letters, live pitches or as references from other authors or agents?

Nicole: Through query letters. At two of the three publishing house, I’m not an acquiring editor, but for the other one, I do read query letters and manuscripts. Visit http://museituppublishing.blogspot.com/p/editors-call-for-submissions.html for what the editors are looking for specifically at MuseItUp Publishing. I mentioned paranormal, but really I’m up for anything that’s well written and interesting.

Deirdra: What’s the best part of your job?

Nicole: Helping an author make his/her story the best it can be.

Deirdra: What’s the hardest part of your job?

Nicole: Making the time to edit. With two little ones, it’s hard to find time for myself, let alone for my work.

Deirdra: Would you ever consider representing a new client who previously self-published? Why or why not?

Nicole: As I said before, I’m not really an acquiring editor, but I would have no problem working with a client who previously self-published. Some authors choose to only self-publish, some use it as a means to be published by a publishing house. In publishing, there are more options for authors than ever before.

Deirdra: How do you think the growing popularity of e-books will impact the literary market?

Nicole: I think ebooks are wonderful. The more options there are for readers, the better it is for authors. The literary market is going to have to change and expand to better include ebooks and epublishing.

Deirdra: On average, how many query letters do you receive each year?

Nicole: Me specifically? Not many, although I am involved with submissions at MuseItUp Publishing.

Deirdra: What advice would you have for someone aspiring to become an author?

Nicole: Read in your genre. Find a trusted beta reader and critique partner (or two or three). Polish and edit your story until it’s as perfect as you can get it. Then have another reader look at it. You can never have too many eyes on your story before you submit it.

Deirdra: What advice would you have for someone aspiring to become an editor?

Nicole: Make sure you know your grammar rules and be ready to defend yourself to an author who wants to break the rules for no good reason.

Deirdra: I also noticed from your blog that you as an author as well. When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Nicole: Since I was a little girl. I’ve been writing stories since I was six. I’ve always wanted to be an author.

Deirdra: What makes you passionate about writing?

Nicole: I love creating stories and making up lives for my characters. I’ve been reading a lot of picture books to my sons so lately, I’ve been working on some picture books. Now that is one tough market to crack from what I’ve heard, but I’m willing to try!

Deirdra: What is your writing schedule like?

Nicole: It varies from day to day. I’m very lucky that my two boys take a nap together every day from 2-5 or so, so that’s built-in time to edit or write. But sometimes real life and chores get in the way and I end up staying up until 2 am in the morning writing. I’m trying to get as much done writing and editing-wise before the next baby is born.

Deirdra: Can you tell us a little about Woman of Honor and Knight of Glory.

Nicole: Sure!

Woman of Honor is about Aislinn, a young girl who wants to become a knight to take her fallen brother's place. She's willing to give up everything for the Kingdom of Arnhem - her childhood, her life, even her heart.

Knight of Glory takes place immediately after the events in Woman of Honor. This book focuses on Sir Geoffrey, a knight who trained alongside of Aislinn. War has come to the Kingdom of Arnhem, and Geoffrey is trying to recruit allies in the fight. Along the way, he finds his heart torn between two different and mysterious ladies.

Deirdra: What do you hope readers will get from your books?

Nicole: I want to provide my readers an escape from their troubles and worries. I want them to love the characters, for them to immerse themselves into the world I created. Most of all, I want them to finish each story with wow, I'm glad I read that.

Deirdra: Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?
Nicole: Good question! I would have to say my mom. If it weren't for her sitting my sister and I down and giving us papers and pencils, neither of us would have grown up wanting to be a writer.

Deirdra: Besides writing what other talents or hobbies do you have?

Nicole: I love to sing. I was involved in choirs in high school and college and I miss it. I also enjoy horseback riding, but I've stopped my lessons for now until I'm done having kids. It's not a good idea to ride while pregnant.

Deirdra: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?

Nicole: Read, read, read, write, edit, polish, edit, polish, edit, polish. Writing isn't about writing so much as it is about rewriting and editing. It's a process.

Deirdra: What are you working on now?

Nicole: I'm waiting to hear back from beta readers on my MG fantasy story which I hope to start querying before the end of the year.

I'm also working on another MG fantasy. This one is an adventure story about a princess who likes to lie and loves to sneak out of the castle.

Deirdra: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?

Nicole: Here's the link to my books on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=nicole+zoltack&x=0&y=0

Deirdra: Any final words you would like to share?

Nicole: Never write to trends. Write the book of your heart. I also strive to write books that I would like to read.