I realized when I was writing my first book, Inheritance and Other Stories, which also dealt a lot with Southern Missouri, that rural areas have an underbelly that I know all too well. I thought the best way to document that underbelly were snapshots, and to me, that’s essentially what poems are.

Jarod Powell – 23 May 2013

The Back Flap

With a passionate, sometimes deviant perception, Poor Man’s Imaginary Friend explores life’s gutters, as well as its cozy corners: teenage sex, moral ambiguity, black magick, family, and the occasional unexpected moment of clarity. Whether looking to the human experience with war and self-destruction on its mind, commentary on war itself, the psychological impact of selling sex, a play-by-play experience with meth use, or the simple but deep agony of living in a small town, these poems combine to form a biting, hateful, love note to the author’s place of birth, Southern Missouri.

About the book

What is the book about?

Poor Man’s Imaginary Friend is what I call, “my twisted little love note to Southern Missouri,” where I grew up. It’s a poetry collection, and it’s almost an industry requirement that poetry be exclusively personal. I’m primarily a fiction writer, so I’ve always hated that idea. There are personal poems in the book, but a lot of them are written in the voices of characters within that framework of living in rural America, and the characters themselves aren’t explicitly defined. I suppose it doesn’t really matter. They all have that common thread; they’re all from the same place, both in geographical and emotional terms.

At the same time, the characters’ experiences that are described here vary pretty wildly. In fact, I’ve organized the book into three parts, as much as it is possible to organize a book like this. Part one represents birth, and I don’t necessarily mean that literally. A spark of inspiration or an epiphany can mean birth, I think. Part two describes formative experiences, mainly specific to Southern Missouri, but not all of them. Meth use, teen prostitution, how traumatizing it is to be a teenager in and of itself, and sex, specifically sex involving teenagers–Hormones, I guess you could say. Part three is about aging and death. As we get older and reach adulthood, I think popular culture has taken its toll on us, programmed us in a way. Pop culture is another prevalent theme in the book. And then of course there’s death. Part three was primarily written when I was faced with the deaths of three people who were very close to me. All three happened almost simultaneously. I could have written a whole collection on that subject alone.

When did you start writing the book?

I never intended to be a poet, but I’d jot things down from time to time. It’s hard to say when I started writing it, because pieces of those little notes have turned up in this book a lot. I’d say 2009 is when I started jotting down these types of things, but I really didn’t get serious about organizing the pieces into a collection until about early 2012.

How long did it take you to write it?

All in all? Maybe a few months. Elaborating on what I said before, I wrote this book in the exact opposite way I usually write things. I like structure. There is no structure here. Let’s be generous, and say six months, maybe.

Where did you get the idea from?

I realized when I was writing my first book, Inheritance and Other Stories, which also dealt a lot with Southern Missouri, that rural areas have an underbelly that I know all too well. I thought the best way to document that underbelly were snapshots, and to me, that’s essentially what poems are. Poor Man’s Imaginary Friend is a hodgepodge of a bunch of different themes, subjects and even characters, but like I said, they all have that same common, geographical thread. You could say that these characters all know each other, and I’m including myself in that cast of characters.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Yes and no. Yes, in that there were subjects I wrote about that were emotionally dangerous for me to even think about, let alone get published for the world to see. I think that’s important, though. The saying is, “Write about people as if they are already dead.” So I treated every subject like it was a ghost. I had it in mind that if I was to write about these things, brutal honesty is the only way you can go to sleep at night, as a writer.

What came easy was the writing itself. I think if writing is not effortless for you, you either need to step away from the word processor for a few minutes and have a smoke, or you need to evaluate what you’re doing wrong.

What came easily?

The easiest parts of Poor Man’s Imaginary Friend were the poems about fond memories, and also the funny poems. The pop culture stuff was very easy to write, because that’s not something you need a Doctorate to understand. It’s useless information. But it also guides the population in ways most people wouldn’t believe.

I’ve worked in advertising as both a freelance copywriter and as a day job, as well as every other facet of media we consume today, and I can tell you, the mass media effects you, sometimes insidiously. Don’t believe for a second that it doesn’t. And not just advertising–music, television, and even literature. All of it’s subliminally influential. That concept excites me a lot, and I could go on for days, but I’ll spare you.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

The characters are technically fictitious, but, yeah, they’re real people. All of the prostitutes, lot lizards, drug addicts, psychotic teenagers that were written about? Those were my friends, once upon a time.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Without a doubt, William Faulkner is number one on the list. He writes very artfully about socio-economic issues, and his use of symbolism is the most impacting I’ve ever read, but done ever so delicately. I’d have to lump in Toni Morrison with Faulkner, too. They may seem like an odd pair, but trust me, they’re not so different.

Notes from Underground by Dostoyevsky was my introduction to the experimental novel, and that has stuck with me and my style since I read it almost ten years ago.

I also enjoy humor writers like David Sedaris. He writes how I speak, sometimes. He writes in a voice and manner that is accessible, but with strokes of genius.

I haven’t yet found a poet whose book I’ve opened and said, “This is it! This resonates!” I do enjoy Billy Collins, and a lot of the old Manic D Press poets.

I also write screenplays on assignment for a living, and so if you want the inside scoop on Hollywood, Joe Ezterhaus’s books are the ones you want to read. He names names. He doesn’t care. He’s a breath of fresh air.

I’ve been trying to ape Norman Mailer’s personal style and communication methods for ages, now, to no avail. He may have been petulant, but I just think he’s a badass. Same goes for Hunter S. Thompson.

Do you have a target reader?

For this book, no. If you’re a rural American, particularly in Missouri, you’ll identify with it right away. If you’re an urbanite or suburbanite, you’ll find it fascinating as sort of a sociological observation.

I will say two things about this. I guess you could call them disclaimers. I write pretty explicitly about sexual abuse, so if you’re a survivor, you may encounter “triggers” while reading it, so proceed with caution. Also, this book is not to be read as your child’s bedtime story.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I’ve said this in other interviews, but I call it “Letting the steam rise to the top.” Think of a tea kettle or a pot of boiling water. That tea kettle has to squeal for me to write anything. Otherwise, I’m completely useless. The steam I’m referring to, is of course, inspiration. You have to have to energy to write. If you try to write without it, your writing will suffer tremendously.

In the meantime, I want to stress that you should be writing things down constantly. It can be scribbles; it doesn’t matter. Inspirational thoughts are a lot like dreams: Once you wake up, it’s often forgotten.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I usually outline, yes. But not for this book.

Let’s say I’m writing a novel. Outlining a novel is somewhat similar to writing a screenplay, at least in the beginning. You need a beginning, middle, and end. That’s elementary.

But within those three acts, you also need plot points. I use five: Inciting incident, which spurns the action toward the end of the first act; Lock-In, which gets your story on track for the much longer, second act; First Culmination, which is the beginning of your rising action; Main Culmination, which will lead you directly to your climax; and your Climax, which will lead you to your resolution. Once that’s done, I come up with an eight-sequence structure. This is the map to my novel. It’s up to you how long the sequences are, but they must cover your book from beginning to end.

Then you can start plotting your chapters. I never get hung up on length, or chapter numbers, or any of that, until it’s actually time to start writing. And unless you’re a super-genius, without that outline you’ll be lost within 20 pages.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I definitely have the Fran Lebowitz syndrome. I edit as I go, but that is a very, very bad thing to do. I’m trying to break that habit. It’s okay to have a junk first draft. That’s what revision is for. Editing while you’re writing is very tempting, but it’s a colossal waste of your time.

 Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Yes, I do. Oddly enough, I listen to a lot of hip-hop and top 40 pop while I’m writing. It’s like aerobics. Do you want to listen to Neutral Milk Hotel or Kate Bush while you’re running? Probably not.

Also, the danger of listening to musicians with really good lyrics while you’re writing is that you may inadvertently steal their lyrics. I was listening to Lil Wayne’s The Carter III a lot while writing Inheritance, and upon revision, discovered one of my story titles contained a phrase from one of his songs. It wasn’t enough to infringe upon a copyright, but it got me thinking, should I be listening to stuff with lyrics I like while I’m writing?

Anyway, while I’m writing I listen to a lot of Kendrick Lamar. A lot of Jay-Z and Kanye. I’ll even admit to listening to Lady GaGa and Britney Spears sometimes. I also listen to old jazz and blues, like Skip James, or “alt-country”–or whatever they’re calling that genre now–Hayes Carll, Wilco, Ryan Adams.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Not for this book. I’ve had an agent in the past, and they do nothing for you that you can’t do for yourself, unless you’ve written the next Twilight. Same goes for film, really.

The problem with getting agents is most of the good ones won’t accept you without a referral. That’s not a problem for me, but it’s just a personal choice I’ve made. The cream rises to the top. If you’re going to do anything as an indie author, hire a marketing and PR team. Lack of exposure is the number one reason why books don’t sell. It may benefit you to get an agent, depending on what you’ve written. I wish you luck with that. It’s a mountain to climb.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

The process has been very complicated, so I’ll try to make this brief. I turned down three–yes, three–offers from small publishing houses. I didn’t like their terms. I don’t really like to answer to anyone. And I certainly don’t like my work modified.

Myself and a friend, who was a professor at a university and was interested in getting involved in the publishing industry, contacted me about going into business as partners on a small publishing imprint that focuses on experimental books. However, before we filed the paperwork, he suddenly passed away.

So our imprint, Arcana Press, is now solely mine, and I have three books by other authors coming out this year.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him, but life must proceed.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

A wonderful Graphic Designer by the name of Erica Carmack collaborated with me on the cover. It’s probably my favorite part of the book.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Oh, you have to have a marketing plan! Even if it’s just, “I’ll put an ad in this publication once I get this review,” or, “I’ll schedule this event around the time of the ad,” or “I have X amount of dollars to spend on a Facebook sponsored post campaign.” You have to have a plan. There are 300,000 books published each year. It’s a waste of your time to publish something no one will ever know about. If you can afford it, hire a marketing team. If not, buy some books on the subject. Even if you’ve been published by an indie publishing house, they probably aren’t going to do much at all to market your book. It’s pretty much up to you, and you alone.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Oh, man. where do you want to start? Feedback is important. Yes, you may want to become a writer, but you may not be at the level to where you’re publishable, just yet. Be extremely hard on yourself. But use that in a positive way, not a self-defeating way. Get the mind of an athlete. Map your plan of attack. Plan your “brand” as an author, and make it seem effortless. Learn how to speak publicly, because readings are important, and learn how to conduct yourself in interviews.

Learn everything you can about marketing and advertising, and that may even involve reading Psychology research papers.

And when it’s time to write, it’s time to write. Don’t resist the impulse, and harness that energy and blast it all over the page.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up on a farm in Benton, Mo., which is a small town 2 hours south of Saint Louis, Mo.

Where do you live now?

After traveling pretty much all over the West Coast working in film, I decided to live in Saint Louis, Mo. There aren’t enough artists here, and there won’t be if we all keep leaving.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I would like my readers to stay tuned, because big things are about to start happening, and not just in the literary aspect of my career.

What are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on my directorial debut, the feature film Hypnos, with Sweetsnake Productions. We expect it to be ready for distribution some time in 2014.

End of Interview:

For more, visit Jarod’s website or you could try friending him on Facebook.

You can get your copy of Poor Man’s Imaginary Friend (paper only) from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

Other than the two main characters who were completely cooked up in my head (and maybe taken from my own quirky personality at times) my characters were all based on someone I knew at the time. Loosely based, but they can see themselves in there, I think. We used to call each other by our character names at the bank. I miss those days…ok maybe I just miss the people. 

Erica Lucke Dean – 20 May 2013

The Back Flap

Banker Katie James has a serious thing for romance novels. She’d almost rather settle for a fictional boyfriend than risk her heart on a flesh-and-blood man. Besides, the only real guy she’s remotely interested in is her rich, unattainable client, the mysterious Cooper Maxwell.

Looking less like the ultra-conservative man she knows and more like a drop-dead sexy character from one of her books, Cooper crashes Katie’s 29th birthday party. But one too many drinks lands Katie in uncharted territory… Cooper’s bedroom!

Drunk on love, Katie dives headfirst into the relationship only to discover that Cooper is keeping secrets… dangerous ones. As if things couldn’t get worse, her meddling mother makes a surprise visit, digging up a whole new set of problems.

Who would have guessed having an assassin for a boyfriend would be the least of her worries?

About the book

What is the book about?

To Katie With Love is a funny, sweet, romantic story about Katie James, a shy wealth management banker with an obsession with romance novels, and a crush on her seemingly unattainable client, Cooper Maxwell.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing the story while I was working as a business banker for Bank of America several years ago. I was inspired by some interesting characters I worked with.

How long did it take you to write it?

I wrote the first chapter and tucked it away for about six months before the characters woke me up shouting at me to dig them out of the drawer. From that moment, it took me three months to write the first draft. And then the fun part started…the editing process.

Where did you get the idea from?

I was in this smoky bar doing karaoke one night, waiting for my turn to go up and sing, and I realized there weren’t any hot guys (other than my husband) in the crowd. I wrote chapter one on a bunch of napkins. But the characters didn’t begin to take shape until I was in my office at the bank interacting with clients. A lot of interesting, amusing things happen in a bank.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I think the biggest struggle came tying chapter one to the rest of the story. Then one day it just came together.

What came easily?

The dialogue came pretty easily. I love writing dialogue.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Other than the two main characters who were completely cooked up in my head (and maybe taken from my own quirky personality at times) my characters were all based on someone I knew at the time. Loosely based, but they can see themselves in there, I think. We used to call each other by our character names at the bank. I miss those days…ok maybe I just miss the people.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I think it’s vital for a writer to read. That’s truly where you learn the craft from reading others. It’s not that you model yourself after them, but I know I get inspired every time I read a book. It’s something about the magic you’re surrounded by when you read. It transports you someplace else, and for me, it makes me want to create a new world of my own. I love so many authors, from Jane Austen to Stephen King and just about everything in between. It all depends on the mood I’m in.

Do you have a target reader?

I think my target reader would be someone who likes a good romantic comedy. I wrote the book as if I was watching a movie play out in my head, and several of my beta readers have said they felt that when they read it. One even called Katie an American Bridget Jones.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I used to say I flew by the seat of my pants when I wrote. And maybe that’s still true to some degree, but nowadays, I like to have somewhat of a game plan going in. I’ll write up a plot for the book before I set out to write. But in the end, it just depends on the characters and how their story plays out for me.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Lately, I’ve been doing a little outlining. Not a formal outline or anything. It’s more of a rough idea of what happens first, where they go next, and where I want them to end up at the finish line.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I’m one of those crazy people who edits as I go. I’ve tried to force myself to just keep moving forward, but I guess I’m stubborn. I work each chapter to death before moving to the next.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I totally listen to music while writing. Often that’s what sets the tone for the scene I’m working on. For To Katie With Love, I listened to John Mayer, Michael Buble, and Josh Kelley has this amazing song, Hey Katie, that just makes the characters snap to attention.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I did submit this book to agents early on, and probably too early on because it was before I’d done any real editing. I got some interest, but ultimately, I went with Red Adept Publishing because it was the best fit for me.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

It’s very difficult to get published these days as an unknown author. Basically, the stars have to align, you have to mind the cycle of the moon and probably consult the tarot cards…but seriously, I wasn’t interested in self-publishing, but I was excited about the prospect of a small publisher. We needed each other. A small publisher needs good writers with great stories, and a new author needs someone willing to take a chance on them.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did it you do it yourself?

Red Adept Publishing uses Streetlight Graphics for their covers, and I think they do amazing work. I’m very pleased with how this cover turned out. It’s exactly as I envisioned it.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I like to wing it. At my core, I’m still a fly by the seat of your pants kinda girl. But I’m really trying to come up with a plan. Plans are good, right?

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a small town in Upstate New York, then moved to Pennsylvania my senior year of high school.

Where do you live now?            

I live in the mountains of North Georgia, but I still consider myself very much a northern girl.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I still sing karaoke once a week. I live on a farm with my husband, my giant dog, and an assortment of animals that have been known to try to eat me. But that’s another story for another day.

What are you working on now?

My next project is Suddenly Sorceress, a paranormal chick lit/romance. I’m very excited about it. After that, I have a few more stories screaming at me to let them out. As long as the voices keep talking to me, I’ll keep writing them down.

End of Interview:

You can find out more about Erica on her website. Or follow her on twitter.

Get your copy of To Katie With Love from Amazon US (paper or ebook), Amazon UK (paper or ebook), or Barnes & Noble.

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As someone who loves reading all different types of literature, I suppose my target reader is a person like me. First has romance, a young adult main character, suspense, cool futuristic technology, and a moralistic dilemma: does anyone have the right to take another person’s life?

Chanda Stafford – 16 May 2013

The Back Flap

Seventeen-year-old Mira works on a farm in the ruins of Texas, along with all of the other descendants of the defeated rebels. Though she’s given her heart to Tanner, their lives are not their own.

When Socrates, a powerful First, chooses Mira as his Second, she is thrust into the bewildering world of the rich and influential. Will, a servant assigned to assist her, whispers of rebellion, love, and of a darker fate than she’s ever imagined.

With time running out, Mira must decide whether to run to the boy she left behind, to the boy who wants her to live, or to the man who wants her dead.

About the book

When did you start writing the book?

I actually started writing this book about three years ago, in the fall of 2010. I am a huge proponent of NaNoWriMo and it was my project for that year.

How long did it take you to write it?

The first mistake-ridden draft was finished in nine days, but it took a heck of a lot longer to edit.

Where did you get the idea from?

I totally blame it on The Secret. I was at a friend’s house and we were watching that movie when the idea struck me. The movie wasn’t the most appealing to me, so I zoned out and started day dreaming. As my mind wandered, I thought about the likelihood of transferring one’s mind to another person’s body.  The characters organically sprung from that, as if they were just waiting for the idea to hit me before coming to life.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The editing, definitely. I think I gave my editors at Red Adept Publishing a run for their money, that’s for sure! It was a great deal of hard work, but the book would never have worked as perfectly any other way. Even though it’s difficult, I’ve learned there is something satisfying in editing and in watching the novel all come together like some ornate tapestry, where once I started with a mere handful of threads.

What came easily?

The first draft came pretty easily for me. With NaNoWriMo breathing down my neck, and the grand idea to write two novels in a month, I wanted to just get it all out at once. It worked! The second book, luckily, will never see the light of day.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Entirely fictitious, except for one character’s name. Mira’s name came from my experiences teaching in Arizona when my students would say, “Mira,” to get me to look at something or pay attention. I’ve always loved that word so thus, when it came time to name my character, Mira was the obvious choice. It really fits in with how I hope readers see her and come to understand her journey.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I read so many books and encounter so many different authors, it’s hard to keep track of them all! However, all of them have helped me as a writer. From my favorite young adult authors, I’ve learned how to create drama and set a quick pace. I’ve also learned to create more depth in my stories, because many young adult readers love a complex, multi-faceted story. I also enjoy some humorous authors, especially those who can make me stop reading just to laugh out loud. The strange looks I get are totally worth it!

Do you have a target reader?

As someone who loves reading all different types of literature, I suppose my target reader is a person like me. First has romance, a young adult main character, suspense, cool futuristic technology, and a moralistic dilemma: does anyone have the right to take another person’s life?

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

For first drafts, I like to get them written in a short period of time. Then I go through the manuscript and make an outline of what I’ve written. After that’s finished, I rearrange the outline as I see fit until everything goes together the way it should. Once that’s done, it’s on to revising the manuscript.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Usually, I outline after I write. It’s kind of backwards from most writers, but I always have a general idea of how the story goes together. I love being a discovery writer, because it’s very exciting to me, and it’s like if I’m learning about the story myself as I’m writing it.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I wait until I’m finished with the first rough draft, although I probably should start earlier. I put my editor through so much, I really should buy her chocolate, wine, or maybe a gift certificate for therapy after everything I put her through.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

It really depends on what’s going on in the story. Often, I’ll listen to movie soundtracks or I’ll make a specific playlist for the work in progress. For this book, I listened to a lot of Mumford and Sons and The Fray for the more emotional parts.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No, I chose to submit it directly to a publisher.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

It was actually an interview Lynn, the owner of Red Adept Publishing did on the Dead Robot’s Society Podcast. She really impressed me with her knowledge and expertise, so I submitted my novel to be professionally edited by her. When it came time for my book to be edited, she offered me a contract, instead.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did it you do it yourself?

My amazing book cover was done by Streetlight Graphics. It fits in with the book perfectly and I love it.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Right now, we’ve got a blog tour, and we’re also using local, indie booksellers, as well as various social media avenues to help promote and sell the book.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

1. Learn from (and listen to) your editors—they’ll thank you for it later. You learn something new every step of the way.
2.  Don’t be afraid to just go for it. What’s the worst that can happen?

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up between the pages of a book. What else is a kid supposed to do during the nine months of a northern Michigan winter?

Where do you live now?

I traveled for a bit, but now I’m back in Michigan. However, my husband and I are planning on migrating south this summer and finding a state where a snow blower isn’t considered as essential as a fridge.

What would you like readers to know about you?

That I love to hear from you!

What are you working on now?

Right now, I’m splitting my time between another young adult novel, this one more of a current, but darker novel with lions and tigers in it, and an urban fantasy where mythological creatures have come to life. There’s even a Bigfoot named Earl. What’s not to love about that?

End of Interview:

You can find out more about Chanda on her blog.

Get your copy of First from Amazon US (paper or ebook), Amazon UK (paper or ebook), or Barnes & Noble.

 
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Genre-wise, Dead Size is many things: a dark comedy, a psychological fantasy, a murder mystery, a police thriller, a love story. In a word, it’s different. There’s something for everybody… while perhaps not being for everybody.

Sawney Hatton

The Back Flap

Gulliver Huggens has issues. He watched his family perish in a tragic car accident as a child. He doesn’t know how to win the heart of the girl at the coffee shop. And he shares his home with a clan of mischievous tiny people.

Yet these all turn out to be the least of his troubles.

A secret race of Giants dwelling in the neighboring mountains wants Gulliver to exterminate all the Little People… or else. When folks in his hometown begin brutally dying, Gulliver must make a hard choice. But choices have consequences. And consequences, he’ll learn, come in all terrible sizes.

About the book

What is the book about?

My novel Dead Size is about a troubled young man who finds himself a pawn in a war between the clan of mischievous tiny people who live inside his house and a secret race of giants inhabiting the neighboring mountains.

Genre-wise, Dead Size is many things: a dark comedy, a psychological fantasy, a murder mystery, a police thriller, a love story. In a word, it’s different. There’s something for everybody… while perhaps not being for everybody.

When did you start writing the book?

Spring of 2008.

How long did it take you to write it?

Four years, which was at least two years longer than I had anticipated. I’d quickly discovered having a full-time job and being a perfectionist are not conducive to the most efficient writer’s work ethic.

Where did you get the idea from?

Great question. I honestly don’t remember. The idea may well have been implanted in my brain by E.T.s. This might also explain my profound dislike of space travel. Maximum 1 carry-on? What B.S.!

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Only the parts between the beginning and the end. Did I mention I am a perfectionist?

What came easily?

Starting the book.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

They are fictitious, but like most authors, I’m sure all of my characters share some traits of the people I have known or met throughout my life… except Bogey Wiener. That bastard will never be commemorated in my work!

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I am influenced first and foremost by compelling storytelling. I was weaned on horror, particularly Stephen King and John Saul, and have since grown to appreciate satire (e.g., Christopher Moore, Jerzy Kosinki, and Torsten Krol) and thrillers (e.g., Robert McCammon, John Connolly, and Joe R. Lansdale), elements of each winding up in Dead Size.

Do you have a target reader?

Those who appreciate original storytelling. I don’t write cookie-cutter genre fare.   

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so, can you please describe it?

I write whenever I have the time AND the mood strikes me. I never force myself. I won’t write crap just for the sake of writing; I’ve found that creates much more work for me later when I’m editing. Fortunately, I’m often in the mood to write.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Dead Size was adapted from an original feature screenplay I had penned that was deemed by my agent too challenging to sell to producers. Using the screenplay as the book outline streamlined my writing a lot.

Even if I didn’t have a screenplay to adapt, I’d still map the whole story out in advance in as much detail as possible. Narrative problems are much easier to fix in the outline stage than they are when encountered 3/4 of the way into writing the novel, forcing you to rewrite god knows how much.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I tend to edit as I go so I don’t have to edit as extensively after I’ve completed the first draft. That said, it still took me almost a year to polish Dead Size enough where I felt it was publishable.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes. And I strongly encourage other self-published authors to do the same. You should treat your writing like a business. As such, you need to invest in your business, and hiring a professional editor ensures a level of quality control for your product (i.e., your book) that you would likely lack the objectivity to properly do yourself.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No. Music distracts me when I’m writing. I will, however, listen to all varieties of music—from The Beatles to Captain Beefheart to Butthole Surfers—before I get to work or when I’m taking a break, to help inspire me or just to lubricate my brain.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes. One agent. She passed.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I was attracted to the world of publishing almost as much as I was to writing. Marketing can be equally as creative, and the results equally as rewarding. Self-publishing also affords you control over how you want your book presented: you choose the cover art, blurbs, advertising, and the overall strategy of how you promote your book.

Several people had warned me against this route, saying that it would compromise my credibility with traditional publishers, but I guess I possess an entrepreneurial spirit. I’m not against traditional publishing; I just didn’t have the patience for it. As of this writing, I’m not sure if my DIY path will pay off, but if I fail, at least it’ll be on my terms.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

My book cover was designed by a graphic designer, utilizing the website 99designs.com, a “design marketplace” where you set your price (minimum $299), describe your project, and graphic designers from all over the globe compete to come up with a winning design. A fun process.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

My marketing plan targets the 3 R’s—readers, reviewers, and ‘riters (yeah, yeah, I know, just go along with me here). After I had my website up and running, and my Twitter and Facebook author profiles created, I published my ebook on Amazon, composing a (hopefully) enticing description for it.

First order of business was finding people to review it. The IndieView has a great list of prospective reviewers you can query. Don’t shy away from hitting up your family, friends, and/or co-workers to share their thoughts about your opus on Amazon, Goodreads, etc.

Next, I needed to find readers. I took advantage of Amazon’s KDP Select program to offer my ebook free for 5 days. This netted me over 6,000 downloads, each one a potential reader and reviewer. (Though, realistically, only a fraction of these free-downloaders will probably read my book.) The aftermath of this promotional period has seen a respectable bump in sales of Dead Size.

Currently I’m contacting fellow authors I enjoy reading to ask them for blurbs for my book. These I will add to my Amazon listing and to future editions of my novel.

All of these serve to help increase the visibility of your book, the #1 priority of any newbie writer.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

If you’re a new author testing the rugged landscape of self-publishing, remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Building up your author platform and visibility takes time, typically several weeks to a few months. Do it well and you should see a boost in your book’s sales.

About You

What are you working on now?

Something completely different from Dead Size… a noir-inspired YA novel for adults.

I really don’t make things easy for myself.

End of Interview:

For more about Sawney, visit his website or Goodreads page.

Get your copy of Dead Size from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

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I have an ideal process … What usually happens is something a little different, because life often doesn’t let us achieve our ideals. But it’s very important to have goals, isn’t it?

Michael J. McCann – 9 May 2013

The Back Flap

First there was the car accident that claimed his beloved wife. Then came the gruelling months of recuperation from his injuries. Now his constant companions are ghosts seeking worldly release. His new home is haunted by the ghost of a young girl demanding his help. His friends and neighbours are under attack by strange, destructive forces. Who is the Angry Man who haunts his dreams … and what does the demon controlling him want of Simon Guthrie?

About the book

What is the book about?

The Ghost Man is the story of Simon Guthrie, a former celebrity chef whose life changes drastically when he’s involved in a car accident that kills his beloved wife and leaves him with a serious head injury. He undergoes a near-death experience in which he encounters a malevolent presence, and after his release from hospital he discovers he has become a passive medium who attracts ghosts trapped in this world. He moves to the country to build a new life, only to find that his new home is haunted by the ghost of a young girl begging for his help against the same malevolent presence he encountered in his NDE, and the demon spirit behind it all.

When did you start writing the book?

I began the research for the book in late 2006, but I didn’t actually begin to write the manuscript until March 2007.

How long did it take you to write it?

After beginning the manuscript in March, I worked on it full time until October, when I finished the first draft. Revisions took another two months, and it was completed in December 2007, meaning it took nine months altogether to write.

Where did you get the idea from?

After leaving public service, I took a year to research my family history. My ancestors emigrated from Ireland in the early 1840s and settled in North Crosby township, Ontario, Canada, just above the village of Westport. I gathered a great deal of information from census returns in the national archives, church records, and various municipal records stored in the basement of the local museum in Brockville and the library in Westport. When I was finished, I had a lot of material about the history of Westport and the surrounding township, and wanted to write a book about it. My son suggested instead that I write a ghost story because he was very interested in the paranormal at that time. So I decided to combine the two subjects into one.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Because it was my first novel, it took a little time for me to develop good narrative techniques. Last year I re-acquired all rights to the book from the original publisher, and this winter I spent a month revising it, focusing on tightening up the prose and improving the dialogue. I was surprised to see how few contractions I used in the original, for example, and I was equally surprised to discover how far I’ve come in terms of writing technique.

What came easily?

My stories are always driven by characters. Most of them begin with a character, and the plots follow afterward. The Ghost Man was no exception, in that the central characters came to me almost fully developed right out of the box, as it were, and their stories seemed to tell themselves.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

My characters are almost exclusively fictitious. I would never write a “roman a clef” where the characters are based on real people because I believe this is an invasion of privacy. I may borrow one or two traits from someone I’ve seen in the mall or someone I’ve worked with in the past, but the characters as a whole are not based on these people at all.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Since becoming a full-time author I’ve cut down a great deal on reading the newly-published books that are out there because I want to focus on my own work without worrying about what other people are writing. One exception, though, is Lee Child. When I’m having difficulty writing a particular scene or chapter, it’s usually because I’m trying to do too much or say too much. I’ll grab one of Child’s Reacher novels and read a few pages to remind myself how to write simply. “The man pulled a gun. Reacher said nothing. The man stepped forward. Reacher kicked the gun out of his hand.” Great stuff, simply said.

Do you have a target reader?

Yes, I do. I’ve done a fair bit of research into the target audience for my work, whether it’s supernatural fiction or crime fiction. Sisters in Crime, for example, sponsored a study in 2010 that showed the target audience for mysteries is overwhelmingly women over the age of 50. The target audience for the television program Supernatural, as an example in the horror/suspense/supernatural genre, is women between the ages of 18 and 34. I think it’s safe for me to assume that my target reader is female and, depending on the genre, either middle-aged or at least college-aged.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I have an ideal process, then there’s what usually happens. I’m generally a morning person, and so in my ideal process I hit the keyboard at around 9:00 AM, work until lunch time, browse the internet for forty-five minutes, then work until about 3:00 PM. Depending on the season, I then go outside to do background reading and relax, or catch up on book marketing chores on the Internet. What usually happens is something a little different, because life often doesn’t let us achieve our ideals. But it’s very important to have goals, isn’t it?

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I’m a very strong believer in outlining. I don’t think that authors should write as though they’re the reader “discovering” the story as they go along. I think this approach leads to writer’s block, disjointed story lines and a lot of other traps that could easily be avoided with a well-crafted plan all set to go before you begin to tell your tale.

I actually do two outlines, a detailed outline in which I describe each scene as I visualize it, and a shorter one that’s more like a chart, in which I can see at a glance where I am in my plan. The longer one, depending on the novel, might be eight or ten pages long by the time it’s done. It’s very much like a visualization technique in which you imagine yourself succeeding at a specific task and visualize each step in completing that task. Professional athletes use this technique, and so do actors and musicians. Very important.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Once I begin writing the first draft, I try to push all the way through until the end. At this stage of the game it’s important to get the story down, to allow the characters to move through their scenes and speak their lines in a steady flow. Unless I realize I’ve just written something completely awful that needs to be thrown away and rewritten right away, – which happens, of course –  I leave the improvements to the revision stage. Get the story down first; then go through it again to make it look and sound better.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I was a professional editor in a previous lifetime, so I do the first copy-editing pass myself, before my beta readers see the manuscript. I want it to be as clean as possible for them. I then give it to my wife, who’s also my business partner. She was a professional editor as well, and she goes through it and makes an amazing number of corrections. She’s an expert on punctuation, for example, and for our house style we’ve decided to use the Oxford comma in the crime fiction but not in the supernatural fiction. Additionally, we use American spelling and usage in the crime fiction because it’s set in the United States, and Canadian spelling and usage in the supernatural fiction because it’s set in eastern Ontario. Editing, I find, occurs on two levels. One level involves correct use of the English language in its written form, and the other has to do with style choices. We make sure there are no errors in the former instance, and strive for consistency in the latter.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No. Early on I tried it a few times, but I love music so much I pay attention to it instead of my work. Ideally – here we go again! – my writing environment is silent and allows for complete and total absorption in the task at hand.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes, I queried agents over a two-year period while looking for representation for my novel Blood Passage.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Agents are now the gate-keepers of the publishing business, having taken over that role from the publishers themselves. As such, they’re completely flooded with queries. I set a time frame for myself in which to find representation. When the deadline passed, I formed my own company and published Blood Passage. I’m not exactly getting any younger, and since I don’t write a particularly good pitch, I understood it wasn’t going to be in the cards for me.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I do them myself. Boy, I’m breaking all the indie rules here, aren’t I? I had to teach myself how to use InDesign to build the book blocks for my book, so I decided I might as well teach myself how to use it to complete the cover templates at the same time. I enjoy it very much. I use Photoshop and other graphics tools, and have discovered that stock photography is an important resource. This is where I make good use of the professionals.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

A little of both, in all honesty. I’m just about to complete my second year as an independent author, and in that time I’ve published four novels, if you count the re-publication of The Ghost Man. Before taking the plunge I did a great deal of research on independents who had been successful in their careers, such as Amanda Hocking, Scott Nicholson and John Locke, and I borrowed things from their models I thought might also work for me. With each book I’ve experimented a bit with different marketing techniques and observed the results. I’ve discarded some things and added others, looking for the best combination of approaches. I’m still very early in the game, though, still building a platform from which to market future books. It takes a long time, and a lot of hard work.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Make sure you’re a good writer before you think about publishing anything. Put all your effort into developing your craft before you ask people to read what you write. Pay attention to detail in your prose. Write simple sentences in uncomplicated paragraphs that tell your story clearly and cleanly. Keep a dictionary at hand and use it without hesitation, along with a copy of Fowler’s Modern English Usage.  Don’t bother with a thesaurus; use words that everyone understands and appreciates.  Just use the dictionary to make sure it’s the correct word. With all my experience, I still keep the dictionary next to me and use it constantly. Writing is a craft, so approach it with the respect it requires.

Beyond that, persist. Keep writing. Bear in mind we all start out writing the worst drivel you could imagine, but the secret is to write yourself through that phase into a place where your natural storytelling gifts begin to dovetail with that craftsmanship I’ve been talking about.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

Where do you live now?

I now live in Oxford Station, south of Ottawa.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently writing the fourth novel in the Donaghue and Stainer Crime Novel series, which should be published this summer. After that, I’ll write the next novel in the new line of supernatural fiction which we’re publishing. Hopefully, it will be available in time for Halloween 2013.

End of Interview.

For more from Michael, visit his website, blog, or Goodreads page.

Get your copy of The Ghost Man from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).

That was my secret plan. I knew I was going to be a self-published author one day, so I shopped around for illustrators and married one. (Kidding! I was really hoping for an editor.)

Laurie Boris – 7 May 2013

The Back Flap

Landing in the emergency room nearly unconscious from pneumonia, sixty-five-year-old Estelle Trager is forced to admit that she’s been living with potentially malignant tumors in both breasts…for five years. Now her son Adam and his wife, Liza, know about her deadly secret. Adam is hurt and outraged to learn that his mother had intended to take this to her grave. But Estelle, who watched her mother and grandmother suffer from breast cancer in the days when no one dared speak its name, has no intention of putting her family or herself through the horrors of cancer treatment. Estelle decides there is only one solution: ask Liza, the thirty-three-year-old daughter-in-law she once called a godless hippie raised by wolves, to kill her.

A horrified Liza refuses and keeps the request—among other things—a secret from her furious husband. But she tells his charismatic younger brother, Charlie, a close friend from college with whom she shares her own confidences, despite Adam’s serious case of sibling rivalry. Armed with nutrition textbooks and her neighbor, a savvy nurse, can Liza win over her mother-in-law and convince her to consider other options before the cancer, the secrets, and Estelle’s determination to end her life win out?

About the book

What is the book about?

Don’t Tell Anyone is about a family who has just discovered that their matriarch, venerable Jewish mother Estelle Trager, not only has advanced breast cancer but knew about it and had intended to take it to her grave. Now that her secret’s out, she feels the only solution is to ask her daughter-in-law, Liza, whom she’d once called a godless hippie raised by wolves, to kill her.

When did you start writing the book?

It began as a NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) project in November 2004. The first one I ever tried. It’s a totally crazy process, but one I’d recommend every writer try at least once.

How long did it take you to write it?

I completed the first, skeletal, 50,000-word draft over that month. After I let it sit for a while, I fleshed it out over several years and many, many drafts.

Where did you get the idea from?

My mother-in-law tried to conceal her breast cancer, not out of any kind of malice or passive suicidal intent, I now believe, but out of fear that she was unequipped to handle the treatment. When a medical emergency of a different stripe “outed” her, she was about one notch from untreatable, and required aggressive action. It was a shocking, painful time for our family. As the daughter-in-law, I was rushing around so much during that period, seeing to everyone else’s comfort, that I never got to spend too much time processing why she made the choice she did. This book was an effort to help me understand. I gave the situation to a fictional family and let them fight it out. But I didn’t want to write the “traditional” cancer journey. Many other authors have done it so well. So I tipped it over a bit. What would a family do with a loved one who is hell-bent against treatment? What would it take to convince her to give survival a chance?

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I’m laughing as I think of this because my writing group frequently criticized all the arguing that went on during the story. I don’t handle anger very well in my personal life. In fact, I’m pretty horrible at it. I want to run off and hide until the shouting stops. So it was really tough for me to just let a character marinate in his or her rage and even occasionally explode.

What came easily?

The dialogue. It’s always what I hear first, what I feel most comfortable writing. And I was surprised that Estelle’s memories came so easily, as if she were whispering them to me.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

I borrowed a smidge from my late mother-in-law for Estelle: her health situation, mainly. And like Estelle, she was a bitty little thing, smoked like a fiend, and made a mean pot of chicken soup. The neighbors began as an amalgam of the great people in my own neighborhood. If I ever had to live off the grid, I’d starve. Fortunately, I have people within shouting distance who own tools, know how to fix things, and accept six-packs, pizza, and heartfelt gratitude in return.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

John Irving, Anne Tyler, Joyce Carol Oates, Ian McEwan, and TC Boyle are my contemporary favorites and probably the authors who have influenced my writing the most. I’ve edited more than a few Oates-like sentences out of my early novels. She’s monstrously talented. After reading two of her novellas, Black Water and Zombie, I wanted to applaud. John Irving blends humor into dark subjects in a way I really admire and strive for. TC Boyle and McEwan make me want to raise the bar on my own writing because they make literary fiction accessible and write such terrific, flawed characters.

Do you have a target reader?

Someone who appreciates a thoughtful book he or she won’t immediately forget after the last page. I have a particular person in mind when I write, someone who has read my work for years, even the early attempts. I want to write a story he’ll enjoy.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I don’t write every day but strive for “touching” my work-in-progress at least a few times a week. Early mornings are best. Rather than seeing a scene develop in my head, I hear the characters talking, and let them tell me the story. This is probably why my early drafts read like rough screenplays. Sometimes I use guided meditation or character interviews to get me deeper into the story and the characters’ heads. I fill in the gaps and add setting and description in subsequent drafts, which I share with a critique group. This is probably why it takes me so long to finish a novel.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I blob the whole first draft out first. Then I outline. I’ll summarize each scene on index cards and mush them around until a story takes shape, marking what needs to be cut, added, or moved.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I try very hard to kick that critic off my shoulder as I’m writing the first draft. Sometimes I even type with my eyes closed. When I’m done, I’ll edit.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes, for the final draft. The biggest misconception about editors is that their own writing is perfect without outside help. I still miss things, especially as I read the story for the fifth, sixth, seventh, twenty-ninth time.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

A little instrumental music —Miles Davis, Radiohead, others—is soothing while I edit my own work. When I write, however, I need complete silence to hear the characters. I’ve even resorted to earplugs.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I did, for my first few novels. I shopped my first one around before it was ready. I was too inexperienced and too drunk on my own excitement to know that, however. Nearly 150 agent rejections later, I learned a few things.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

After writing for almost twenty years and trying to place my novels through traditional channels, I had to face a few facts about the marketplace versus what I love to write. My work is what is sometimes charitably called “quirky.” Which is often translated by agents into, “I can’t sell this.” I’d all but given up trying to sell my manuscripts when a small press gave one of my favorite stories a chance. After that, I gave self-publishing a try. I wanted to see if I could do it. I loved the idea of having total control over my product. This teamed up very well with a story that was too close to my heart to let anyone change a word.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

My husband, an illustrator and web designer, did the cover. He’s designed all my covers. That was my secret plan. I knew I was going to be a self-published author one day, so I shopped around for illustrators and married one. (Kidding! I was really hoping for an editor.)

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have a rough marketing plan. Because of the touchy subject matter in Don’t Tell Anyone, I’m angling toward book clubs, personal appearances, blog posts where I invite discussion, sometimes even one-on-one conversations. But I’m always looking for new opportunities.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Try not to forget why you started writing in the first place. This is why I love challenges like NaNoWriMo; it brings me back to my roots. It’s so easy to get caught up in author ranks, sales figures, what everyone else is doing, what your website looks like, if enough people are following you on social media. Sure, most of that stuff is important, since no one else is doing it for us (unless you have a decent budget for a publicist.) But if you let the craziness consume too much time and energy, you’re not getting the next book done. You’re not doing the vital work of editing and revising to make it the best product you can. You could lose sight of the passion and spark that made you want to sneak away nearly every waking moment to write your stories. And that will show in your work.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I spent my childhood in Hopewell Junction, New York, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town near a major IBM installation. It was tough to make friends because their families kept getting transferred. “IBM” grew to stand for “I’ve Been Moved.” So I read a lot of books.

Where do you live now?

Ironically, after all these years of moving about, I now live an hour away from my birthplace, near Woodstock. It’s a beautiful area, right between the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I like to make people laugh and I joke around a lot. You might not know that from some of my books.

What are you working on now?

Another contemporary novel, this time set in the backdrop of the weight loss industry, a subject near and dear to, well, a little lower than my heart. This is the one I’ve spent years trying to convince myself not to write. So…now I have to. I’ve triple-dog-dared myself.

End of Interview:

For more from Laurie visit her website, follow her on twitter, or like her page on facebook. You can also find Laurie’s take on books, publishing, and the life of an author  in her frequents posts on Indies Unlimited.

Get your copy of Don’t Tell Anyone from Amazon US (paper or ebook), Amazon UK, (paper or ebook), Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords.

I was looking for somewhere to bind my book so it would look nice. I found Createspace, and when I saw the Publish button, I thought, why not?

Imogen Rose – 6 May 2013

The Back Flap

There was just one little difference—my reflection was not separated from me by silver-coated glass. She could have been my twin, except I didn’t have one. No, she was me.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Portal Chronicles is a “what if” story. What if you could go back to that moment in time when you made that crucial decision that forged your path of life? What if you could go back and change it? My series chronicles the repercussions of a mother doing just that. The mother, Olivia, constructs a time-travel portal to escape an unhappy marriage and find her long lost love. The Portal Chronicles is about how her decision’s ripple effect turns her daughter Arizona’s life upside down. The first book, Portal, starts off with Arizona suddenly finding herself in a completely different life and the fifth and final book (the book tour book), Fusion, is about her realization and coming to terms with her mother’s decision.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing Fusion this January.

How long did it take you to write it?

I wrote the first draft in just over two weeks.

Where did you get the idea from?

Me? I let my characters take over when I start writing. It’s like watching a movie. I am just the clumsy typist who tries to describe what I am seeing.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

This book was actually very easy through and through, even down to the editing process. It could be because it’s the fifth book in the series.

What came easily?

All of it. The whole process from writing to publishing has been so much fun.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

  That’s an odd question from you, Professor Kunz. Can a character be entirely fictitious? Some part of oneself always seeps in. They are, after all, part of your soul.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I read a lot when I was younger. (TV sucked when I was growing up in Sweden.) I grew up reading Astid Lindgren, Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie, and PG Wodehouse. Later on, I discovered George Orwell, James Patterson, and Michael Crichton, to name a few. I love reading all kinds of books.

Do you have a target reader?

Anyone who loves a fun teen story.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I am a champion procrastinator and sometimes joke that I get most of my writing done during commercial breaks. Sadly, it’s not very far from the truth. Add Facebook to my TV watching, and it’s a wonder that I get anything written at all.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

No. Outlining seems like work, and I try to avoid that. What I really enjoy about this process is letting my imagination take over completely. I don’t impose any limitations on it, though I do edit out any erotica that sneaks into my YA paragraphs.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I wait until the end. Once I start writing, I don’t stop to reflect on anything in fear that I won’t be able to get back into the flow.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I do. My editor, Sue Bernstein, is a wonder. She knows my characters as well as I do and has even taken over some! Sue is a lawyer and pretty much morphed into Octavia as she was editing one of my books. I love how invested she is in my work. All my copyediting and proofing needs are taken care of by Red Adept Editing and Lala Price. Crucial to my editing process is my beta team. I couldn’t ask for better team than Al Kunz, Allirea Brumley, and Vickie Boehnlein.  They keep me grounded while making sure that my work is up to their exacting standards.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I don’t normally, though I am very inspired by music.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No, but when Portal was doing really well on Amazon, I was approached by a few. I am currently represented by Marc Gerald  (The Agency Group).

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I was looking for somewhere to bind my book so it would look nice. I found Createspace, and when I saw the Publish button, I thought, why not?

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

The Portal Chronicles covers are all made by me. The pictures of the moon were taken from my backyard in Jersey. The covers for my other series are made by either Phatpuppy or Najla Quambar.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

The market is fluid, so to an extent, whatever the strategy it needs to be flexible and adaptable. What worked two years ago does not work as well anymore. So it’s a constant challenge However, I always seek publicity through these book tours. They are fun, and I have gotten to know most of the bloggers over the years. They have become friends, and I like visiting with them. In addition to that, I market by any method I feel has potential at any given time.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors? a

Write a good book and have it professionally edited and presented. Get to know the market, make friends, and persevere.

About You

Where did you grow up?

All over the place, but mostly in Southern Sweden.

Where do you live now?

In the land of the Sopranos, Snookie, and the Housewives—New Jersey!

What are you working on now?

I am working on the next book in the Bonfire Chronicles –Uprising.

End of Interview:

For more Imogen visit her website, like her facebook page, or follow her on twitter.

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I think that generally in first books, writers tend to base their main characters off of themselves, which was what I did. 

Melissa Simonson – 2 May 2013

The Back Flap

Obsession is the dark side of love.

Iris Avery and her best friend, Estella, spend their time drowning in the empty excesses indulged in by their crowd of Upper East Side snobs until Estella’s sudden, shocking death.

Iris searches for answers in everything from philanthropy to hypnotherapy, feeling her existence is nothing more than a dark half-life full of guilt and repentance, but finds only endless questions. And several of them revolve around her when she discovers she’s connected to a high-profile murder.

Later, Iris begins hearing Estella’s voice whispering cryptic commentary in her head, and she can’t help but wonder if the hypnotherapy has been helping or hurting. Is her friend trying to warn her about something?

Bizarre packages pile up on her doorstep, and their meaning is obvious: Iris’s secrets aren’t so secret after all.

About the book

What is the book about?

I never know how to answer this question. Blood Echo isn’t a romance, but it deals with obsessive love, which in my opinion is a very powerful and dangerous thing. I want to say addictions as well, since my main character struggles with several.

When did you start writing the book?

I started it when I was twenty-two, so… about three years ago.

How long did it take you to write it?

It was an off and on process. It sat on my computer, unfinished, for about a year and a half. It wasn’t until February of 2012 that I started working on it again. From start to finish, it took a little over three years, but if we’re only counting writing time, it’s more like a year and a half.

Where did you get the idea?

Most of my ideas come from nowhere. They just happen. I remember I was sitting at my mother’s kitchen table one evening, doing God knows what, and I just got this flash of the prologue. It snowballed from there.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I think I struggle most with action scenes. I’m not sure why this is. Emotional scenes sometimes give me trouble, since I’m sort of an ice princess and generally pretty stoic.

What came easily?

Estella, a side character in Blood Echo, came easiest to me. Any italicized scene in the book just popped into my head; I didn’t need to think about what would happen in any scene involving her.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

They’re fictitious, with the exception of my main character. I think that generally in first books, writers tend to base their main characters off of themselves, which was what I did. I think the reason I did that is because it’s easier, when writing in a first person narrative, to put yourself in your character’s shoes.

 We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I’m not sure that any of my favorite authors have influenced how I write, since emulating different writing styles feels unnatural, but my favorite writers are Chuck Palahnuik, Jeff Lindsay, John Steinbeck, Meg Cabot, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

 Do you have a target reader?

I never thought about target readers, really. When I was finished with the book I figured Twilighters would like it, and only because of the vampiric theme. I also thought it was more aimed toward the YA crowd, but after a couple people said otherwise, I changed my mind.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Not really, unless ‘chaotic’ is a writing process.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Never. If I’m lucky, when I start a new manuscript, I’ll know the beginning and the end. It’s all that’s in-between that gives me trouble. Most of the time it’s as though there’s some invisible person telling me chunks of the story as I go—I never know what’s going to happen, until it does.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I don’t think I even know how to edit. I barely think I know how to write. But I revise and re-write often, especially because of the fact that I never outline. If something changes in the MS that contradicts what was said before, I’ll go back and tweak things.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Not while I write, but music is great at providing inspiration. Dozens of songs have influenced certain scenes in Blood Echo, everything from Thursday to Muse to Rise Against.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

In the beginning, yes, when I was bright-eyed and ignorant about what agents wanted and expected. I changed my tune pretty quickly, though, and the ones I did query always rejected me.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I didn’t know what Indie was, until about three months ago. I never formed some concrete decision to go indie. I just saw that Red Adept Publishing was accepting manuscript submissions and thought ‘What do I have to lose’?

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did it you do it yourself?

The cover was handled by a professional at Streetlight Graphics.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I pretty much wing everything I do in life. I’ve read a few articles on marketing and whatnot, but I’ve never been fond of being the center of attention, nor do I like talking about myself very much. Undoubtedly, this is something I’ll need to get over!

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

I don’t think I’m qualified to give advice since I sort of stumble blindly along, but I will say that you shouldn’t let rejection deter you too much. Developing thick skin is a must.

End of Interview:

For more from Melissa, visit her blog.

Get your copy of Blood Echo from Amazon US (paper or ebook), Amazon UK (paper or ebook), or Barnes & Noble.

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