Eva Pasco's Blog, page 46

Silver Linings!

When clouds loom overhead to obscure an Indie author’s visibility and credibility as a writer—I look for silver linings to offset sluggish sales or stagnant reviews.

This week I received my first royalty check representing eBook sales for September 2016. Since the Kindle Edition of my Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel, priced at $3.95, was launched on Sept. 20th, a stipend exceeding twenty bucks for a span of ten days is none too shabby!

I submitted the answers for a set of author interview questions to the Indie View which should go live in 4-8 weeks. My PDF file is in the queue for a review. http://www.theindieview.com/

I entered my book in two long-shot contests:

01/ 17/ 2017: AUTHORS TALK ABOUT IT - 2017 ATAI Book Award Contest in the category of General Fiction. Even if my book doesn’t win, it’s guaranteed a review/critique, promotion, and badge should it earn 4-5 stars.

https://authorstalkaboutit.clickfunne...

01/24/2017: IPPY (Independent Publishers Book Awards) in the category of Best Regional Fiction—North-East USA.

http://www.independentpublisher.com/

A BOOK REVIEW for ‘An Enlightening Quiche’ from “The Empty Pages” (Sushant Sawant) earned 4.5 out of 5 stars!

http://the-empty-pages.blogspot.in/20...

And, a silver lining on the home front:

Even though no one showed up for my author event at Pawtucket Public Library on Feb. 6th, which the director attributed to poor parking amenities, she informed me the autographed copy I gifted, plus the 7 copies that were ordered, have all been signed out!

If the weather holds out, I’ll be at B&N in Smithfield, Rhode Island on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 1 – 3 PM, along with 9 other local authors scattered throughout the store.

Whatever happens, I’ll look for a silver lining in storm clouds overhead.

Blazing Paperback Trails

Paperback writer, paperback writer.
Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
It took me years to write, will you take a look?

(Lyrics to “Paperback Writer,” a song recorded and released by The Beatles in 1966)

Since the publication of my second novel in the genre of Contemporary Women’s Fiction, ‘An Enlightening Quiche’ (Paperback – August 22, 2016; eBook – September 20, 2016), I’m ever grateful to those who’ve purchased the Kindle Edition at Amazon, or signed copies through my web page on Authors Den ever since I officially launched both editions late September.

Although I can view my Amazon sales rank, I do not have access to a detailed daily sales report because both the Paperback and eBook editions were uploaded by my publisher. So, I anxiously await a royalty report from them. Since royalty statements are received on a monthly basis, and the royalty earnings period listed on the statement is always two months behind the royalty processing date, I’ve been in the dark thus far. I’m currently awaiting a report representing October sales.

At this juncture, I’m also at a standstill with 15 reviews, hoping those forthcoming will materialize. I need to keep the faith. What I can’t see in cyberspace, I’ve made up for by blazing my own paperback trails through the process of procuring local book signings at libraries, bookstores, and senior centers in Rhode Island. This involves making telephone calls and following up to reach those who aren’t available at the time. Once I’ve piqued their interest, or scheduled an author event, I email pertinent press release information. Then, I make it a point of stopping by prior to my guest appearance to gift an autographed copy of my novel, poster, and flyer.

I’ve hosted three events so far. No one showed at the first. I sold two books at the second, and one at the third. For an unknown Indie who probably hasn’t sold a Kindle Edition in weeks, I’m thrilled!

Up-and-coming for February:

6th – Pawtucket Public Library

11th – Barnes & Noble in Smithfield (group author event)

16th – George Hail Free Library in Warren

18th – Cumberland Public Library (group author event)

25th – North Providence Public Library

Interestingly enough, I’ve received helpful tips from librarians which have enabled me to blaze new paperback trails. As a result, I’ve contacted two senior centers and scheduled Lincoln Senior Center (March 13). I’ll be following up on the feasibility to host an event at East Providence Senior Center in my home town.

Following up on another promising lead, I’ve joined a local guild—Association of Rhode Island Authors:

“ARIA hopes to become the definitive referral center for all local bookstores, libraries and readers seeking information about and presentations from Rhode Island authors. ARIA authors are available for speaking engagements, book signings, lectures, workshops and other activities that promote local writers and writing.”

http://www.riauthors.org/

I’ll attend my first informal meeting on February 9th and look forward to engaging with local authors and participating in future public venues for the purpose of selling books.

An Indie author who aspires to make a name for myself, it behooves me to blaze new paperback trails as a solo or joint venture.

Hogging Ground!

Groundhog Day is fast approaching on February 2nd. According to tradition, if it is cloudy when Pennsylvania’s Punxatawney Phil emerges from his burrow on this day, spring will arrive before the vernal equinox. If it’s sunny, the groundhog supposedly sees his shadow, signifying we’ll have winter weather for six more weeks.

Regardless of what emerges, this Indie author continues hogging ground by procuring local library and bookstore signings on Rhode Island soil. Having emerged from the depths of a mild winter through two January author events, I wind down the month at Rogers Free Library in Bristol on the 26th.

Hogging more ground in February, I’m headed to:

Pawtucket Public Library on the 6th (7:00 – 8:30 PM)

Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Smithfield group author event on the 11th (1:00 – 3:00 PM)

George Hail Free Library on the 16th (6:30 – 8:00 PM)

Cumberland Public Library group author event on the 18th (1:00 – 4:00 PM)

North Providence Public Library on the 25th (10:30 AM – 1:00 PM)

Not content to rest on my laurels, and determined to hog even more ground, I’ve contacted the directors of a few more local libraries. Thus far, I have procured a signing for March 4th at Harris Public Library in Woonsocket. I appreciate one director’s honesty in letting me know that a group author event would yield better results in that neck of the woods, so I’m down for the summer or fall in Burriville. Yet another director informed me that the library is too small and current policy prohibits book selling, although she gave me a lead to follow by contacting senior centers.

A point well-taken, I contacted the Lincoln Senior Center, located in the town where I was a longtime resident and had taught for 29 years. I now have a signing scheduled for March 13th.

Hogging ground, I intend to contact more senior centers, and inquire about landing a signing at the other Barnes & Noble bookstore in Middletown, Rhode Island. This groundhog is undeterred in her determination to emerge from the shadows of obscurity. Local turf is a great place for an Indie author to expand one’s territorial reach.

The Second Signing

Harmonica: [facing three men] And Frank?
Snaky: Frank sent us.
Harmonica: Did you bring a book for me?
Snaky: Well... looks like we're...
[snickers]
Snaky: ...looks like we're shy one book.
Harmonica: [shaking head] You brought two too many.
*(Spoof on movie quotes from ‘Once Upon a Time in the West’)

Since having recently written Byte #91: “A Shift in Focus,” where I cite my short-lived writer’s depression for experiencing a no-show at my first book signing event at one of my local libraries, I’ve had a turnaround.

The “Second Signing” took place on January 18th from 7 – 10 PM at Barrington Public Library with four in attendance, two of whom purchased an autographed paperback of my Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel, AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE.

While far from the glitzy extravaganza of New Jersey housewife, Teresa Giudice’s cookbook signings where attendees wait in a line wrapping around a bookstore, I’m calling the shots for success on an Indie author’s terms. When one of the four gals stated she intended to sign out my book and I mentioned having gifted a copy, the Community Services librarian pointed out that the library also ordered three copies, and all four are on hold for readers!

Since my novel takes place in northern Rhode Island and the plot is infused with its historic landmarks, geographic entities, and regional culture—I am achieving my dream of creating a ripple effect of interest in local communities. Thus far, I will be hosting six more book signing events throughout the months of January and February.

Besides celebrating a turnaround by tempering my definition of success, I’ve also come up with a foolproof method for hitting the road:

*Folding shopping cart for transporting 12 books in their original box to preserve each book’s integrity. Even though I think packing 12 is excessive, I won’t travel with less. I don’t unpack every book on site as it looks too presumptuous. Should demand ever exceed supply, I will record the name and address of potential buyers and mail them a copy without charging a shipping fee.

*Large tote bag pre-packed with swag and staples:

Small plastic bin containing bookmarks and signing pens

Informational flyers folded and sealed inside a Ziploc bag

Pad

11 in. x 14 in. acrylic sign holder (encasing a photo of my book cover) for placement on a table. At the ready for group author signings, I have a laminated poster to call attention to my table.

Medium-sized change purse to store cash payment, and coins to make change

Bottled water

Reading glasses


Book-Signing Inscriptions: I preface each with— (Name), thank you for acquiring a copy of my novel. I personalize the second paragraph by referencing some aspect of my book, such as—May you enjoy your stay in northern Rhode Island’s fictitious mill town of Beauchemins.

*Always, no matter what—verify the spelling of the person’s name!


Book-Signing Protocol: I always follow up with a thank you note to the librarian who orchestrated the event to show my appreciation for everything they’ve done to assure its success—informing the media, creating flyers, corresponding with me, and offering their hospitality.

In closing, a shout out to all librarians and bookstore managers who support Indie authors!

A Shift in Focus

From my perspective, the cardinal sin of greed is perpetuated by a selfish obsession to siphon pity from any and all of those around us. That much ventured, let it be known I’m not looking for sympathy, suggestions, or surety because I’ve come to grips with writer’s depression on my own terms by easing up on self-criticism for sluggish sales and book reviews. I’ve also granted myself a pardon for no one showing up at my first library book signing event despite all the advance publicity set forth in area newspapers and social media.

The short-lived triumphs amidst the plenteous pitfalls and pratfalls of an Indie author are best summed up by Hyman Roth, the fictional antagonist in 'The Godfather, Part II':

“This is the business we’ve chosen.”

“Good health is the most important thing. More than success, more than money, more than power.”

My shift in focus is also predicated on what my Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel has merited since its publication (Paperback – August 22, 2016; Kindle Edition – September 20, 2016):

Underground Book Reviews “Perfect Pitch Pick” (October, 2016)

Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Seal (November, 2016)

Current Ranking: 1st out of 71 books in the category “Books Set in Rhode Island” & holding steady in 8 other categories (Goodreads)

Thirteen 5-Star Reviews and two 4-Star Reviews at Amazon

Whether my next several book signing events at local libraries and Barnes & Noble prove to be just as dismal, I take pride in having taken the initiative to procure each one. I am honored to show up with paperbacks, bookmarks, signing pens, and flyers. Here’s why, corroborated by the closing excerpt from Joel R. Dennstedt for 'Readers' Favorite' review--

“And though this work has been labeled simplistically as “contemporary women’s fiction,” make no mistake: this is a psychological, literary novel, and a wonderful, highly challenging masterpiece of writing.”

Adversity

'Cause you've got ADVERSITY
Walk, against ADVERSITY
Talk, through ADVERSITY
Smile, despite ADVERSITY

(My detour around “"Personality," a 1959 R&B/pop hit with music and lyrics by Harold Logan and Lloyd Price)

Apart from getting no major publishing deal with a cash advance, yet having to absorb the costs associated with self-publishing: professional editing services, formatting, and designing—an Indie author’s lack of direction for marketing one’s books is my greatest ADVERSITY. Yet, I seek to promote my recent launch, Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel, ‘An Enlightening Quiche,’ every single day on social media by sharing author interviews, posting recent reviews or awards, conducting giveaways, and procuring/publicizing book signing events (7 library signings and 1 at Barnes & Noble – January and February).

This week’s forays to overcome my adversity of obscurity:

01/09 - Author interview/giveaway conducted by Kester Nucum for LILbooKlovers:

http://tinyurl.com/zaet47l

01/12 - I submitted my novel for consideration of meriting an IPPY Award for the category of “Regional Fiction: North East.” One of the oldest, most established independent book awards in operation, the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs) are well known and respected in the book industry.

http://tinyurl.com/hel59ra

01/14 - I’m hosting a book signing event at Greenville Public Library in Greenville, Rhode Island.

http://tinyurl.com/h3o9ppw

Having prefaced this blog about ADVERSITY, I’ll wrap it up by including an excerpt on the subject, gleaned from an author interview conducted by Ty Findlay, and posted on Facebook 01/11:

What was your greatest adversity?

The first adversity affecting the writing process occurred during the drafting of my second novel which I had begun while awaiting publication of my debut novel. I’ll define this adversity as an “occupational hazard” of a newbie Indie author discovering I had to market and promote my first novel. So, having written three chapters for the second, I set the manuscript aside, fully intending to get back to it—soon!

Punching a time card in 2008, I began binge writing my way out of obscurity by adding dimension to the art of storytelling. Having grown up in the Sixties, I drew upon those experiences to compose my first Memoir, “A Mini Tribute” (to Twiggy), and submitted it for publication at ‘The Sixties Official Site.’ When the webmaster graciously invited me to write more, and offered to set up my own page there, I eagerly accepted and turned out a Memoir every week for approximately two years, totalling100. I then composed over two dozen “Retro 60s Flashbacks” to add to my repertoire at “The Sixties with Eva Pasco” page. Far out! Celebrating ten years on the web, earning the accolade, “Baby Boomer’s Top Choice Sixties Website,” I’m proud to be an integral part.

In conjunction with the setting of Rhode Island in my first novel as well as the second I had put aside—‘An Enlightening Quiche’—it inspired me to write ezine articles on glorifying my state’s classic foods, historic landmarks, tourist attractions, and cultural idiosyncrasies. Each essay posted for posterity at Authors Den is prefaced with “Rhode Read.”

Between all of this writing frenzy and marketing the first novel, the manuscript lay dormant.

However, I’ll define the greatest adversities coming around the bend as “life’s hairpin turns” elaborated on in the interview.

http://tinyurl.com/hstwm8v

Despite setbacks, every prospective author must heed their own biological clock for determining when to write the story they are destined to tell.

The WRITE Turn in 2017

An Indie author, I continue to navigate my post-publication journey without a preconceived plan, empowered by determination to succeed. I’ve even redefined the meaning of “success” so I won’t fall into the trap of thinking I’m a failure based on a sporadic book sale here and there, ever grateful for those! Although brief moments of exhilaration are drowned by depressing elements which prevail in one’s life, I seize opportunities when they present themselves, pushing myself to the limit.

In that regard, the first week of 2017 took a WRITE turn:

01/03 – I was featured at author, Lucinda Dawn Moebius’ blogpost, “Your Next Favorite Author”:

https://mynextfavoriteauthor.blogspot...

What makes your book stand out from the crowd?

An excerpt from Joel R. Dennstedt’s 5-Star review for Readers’ Favorite indicates how my book stands out from the crowd—“As a stylistic practice in relating the story behind An Enlightening Quiche, Eva Pasco accomplishes a most difficult task for a writer, and she accomplishes it to perfection: not only using alternating voices, but having each voice alternate between the present and a remembered, expository past. The effect of such stylistic mastery is to create – breaking from the culinary theme – a sensationally intricate and complex tapestry as pleasing to the reader’s mind as such artwork is to expert eyes. And though this work has been labeled simplistically as “contemporary women’s fiction,” make no mistake: this is a psychological, literary novel, and a wonderful, highly challenging masterpiece of writing.”

01/07 – Commemorating the publication of my Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel, I’ll be hosting my first library book signing event at North Providence Public Library fortified with flyers, books, signing pens, and bookmarks.

http://tinyurl.com/jpbxgdj

Not knowing in advance how many will attend, I’m looking forward to connecting with potential readers in my native state. It will be an honor and privilege to address and autograph copies of a novel taking place in northern Rhode Island’s fictitious, French-Canadian mill town of Beauchemins where I’ve interwoven historic landmarks, geographic entities, and regional culture.

I’m encouraged by the weather forecast which forestalls precipitation in the form of snow until late evening—the perfect scenario for cozying up with a copy of my novel which radiates heat from all the friction between its covers!

Plunge or Plane?

A shout out to all diehard Rhode Islanders who will partake in Rhode Island’s 41st Annual Penguin Plunge on January 1, 2017, 12 noon at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett for the worthy cause of Special Olympics, RI.

All that thrashing in the brine will create a flash-in-the-pan splash preserved on all the local news channels.

An Indie author, I’ve taken a few too many foolhardy plunges into the brine for the worthy cause of marketing and promoting my recent release in the genre of Contemporary Women’s Fiction: AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE (Paperback – August 22, 2016; Kindle Edition – September 20, 2016).

Shared in a previous blog—my one-month Book Blast with “Pump Up Your Book” from November 7 – 30 was a bust, my being the only elephant loitering in the blog rooms! I also threw away more money I’ve yet to earn from book sales on paid promotional venues such as eBookSoda, People Reads, and The Fussy Librarian, though I’m inclined to stick with the latter in the upcoming year.

Rather than plunge headfirst into shark-infested waters, I intend to plane in 2017. For starters, I have three upcoming author interviews and three promissory book reviews—Long and Short Reviews; LILbooKlovers; The Empty Pages. I am also waiting in the wings for reviews from those still reading my novel, thus far having accrued two 4-Star and thirteen 5-Star reviews at Amazon.

I’ll be planing and soaring with high hopes at each local library book signing event I’m hosting throughout the months of January and February in the New Year. I’ll be sure to encourage attendees to consider inviting me to any future speaking engagements.

While I still can’t predict the potential for success from any marketing strategy I’m willing to try, nothing beats word of mouth in creating a ripple effect which is longer lasting and more profound than a momentary splash!

Words That Glisten

Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin'?
In the lane, words are glistenin’!

Since I launched my Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel, ‘An Enlightening Quiche,’ in the latter part of 2016, my focus has been that of piquing the interest of potential readers into acquiring either an eCopy or Paperback. Then, hoping each will write a review to post at Amazon. Accrue! Accrue! Accrue!

Thus far, my novel is glistenin’ with two 4-Star and twelve 5-Star reviews. Onward and upward for the New Year!

Already hitting the ground running in preparation for 2017, I’m honored to have procured five library book signings in my native state of Rhode Island for January. I will host the first one on the 7th at North Providence Public Library.

An Indie author who strives for local recognition by glistenin’ in front of those who are listenin’, I’ll lead a discussion prior to signing books for those who wish to purchase any. Regardless, I will offer each guest a flyer of substance that glistens …

AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE by Eva Pasco:
Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Seal
Underground Book Reviews “Perfect Pitch Pick”
1st out of 70 books in the category “Books Set in Rhode Island” (Goodreads)

“We are always looking for the book it is necessary to read next.” (Saul Bellow)

I deemed it necessary to write the book I wanted to read next, where the lines of demarcation between fiction and non-fiction are seamless.

1 – My preferred writing genre is Contemporary Women’s Fiction which affords me the medium to tap into significant issues affecting the lives of women over-forty by creating characters who grapple with, confront, and overcome their personal dilemmas, thereby empowering them to make profound life changes for the better.


2- Set in northern Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley, the story is enriched with historic landmarks, geographic entities, and regional culture.

3- A longtime resident of Lincoln, Rhode Island, I loosely based my fictitious, French-Canadian mill town of Beauchemins on the village of Manville where I taught for 29 years, striving to preserve its charm, warmth, and folksiness.

4 - Fabricating my fictitious mill, “Brulé Bookbinding Co.,” I envisioned it by the minor Blackstone River Falls as its historical predecessor, “American Tourister Luggage,” now “Highland Falls”—a condo complex. I researched the founding of Albion, Rhode Island and the construction of the mill, substituting facts with fiction in the story.

5 - In construing the day-to-day antiquated operations of Brulé Bookbinding Co., I resurrected memories from my own college summer employment at Sidney-Higgins Bookbinding Co. which was part of the Wanskuck Mill complex on Branch Ave., Providence, RI.

*Since Word of mouth is one of the best ways to promote an Indie author’s book, I’d be most appreciative for you to post an honest REVIEW at Amazon. Should you loan a copy of my novel, please pass the message along.

Eva Pasco

Author: 'An Enlightening Quiche'
'Underlying Notes'

(Memoirs, Retro 60s essays, Rhode Reads, Blogs)

Authors Den:

http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco (Signed copies: $19.95 + $3.50 s/h)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/evapasco

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/EvaPasco

For speaking engagements/ book-signing events contact the author: eva.pasco@hotmail.com

2016 Author Interview Highlights

Tis the season to “wrap it up,” whether holiday presents or one of the final chapters in 2016 pertaining to my authorship of Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel, AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE, launched shortly after the Kindle Edition was published on September 20th. To my delight and appreciation, a Goodreads screen snapshot indicates my novel is holding its ranking in 9 nominated categories, 2 of which I’ll proudly share:

1st out of 11 books in the category “Must Reads by New Authors”

1st out of 70 books in the category “Books Set in Rhode Island”

https://www.goodreads.com/list/book/3...

Since it behooved me to rise above the ashes of obscurity as an author revving it up for my second novel, I took advantage of every opportunity available on social media—one of them—graciously accepting invitations to participate in a total of 19 author interviews! On that subject, I’m providing 5 Author Interview HIGHLIGHTS which I feel shed the most light on my writing, publishing, and me:

*From Jill Brock: https://jillbrockbooks.wordpress.com/...

1.What do you think makes a good story?

For me, it’s the blurred lines of distinction between fact and fiction by infusing and overlapping both so they’re indistinguishable.

*From AWESOME GANG:

http://awesomegang.com/an-enlighening...

2. Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.

At the age of twelve, I pounded the keys on my girly-pink Tom Thumb typewriter to compose several mysteries and serial spy thrillers under the auspices of a fictitious organization—I.N.T.R.I.G.U.E. Who knew I had a leg up on the popular Sixties TV series, ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’!

In high school, I wrote a romance novella which earned its place on a library shelf. The book, a sheaf of orange typing paper fastened together with mod magazine cutouts on the cover, caused quite a stir until it disappeared. The bulldoggish librarian who reluctantly allowed my Chick Lit in the library at the urging of several classmates, told me it was stolen. Years later, when thinking back, I believe she trashed my enterprise.

The rigors of college, and the demands placed on a rewarding teaching career, shelved further creative writing ambitions until I retired from the profession. With time on my hands, midlife restlessness reactivated my imagination.

Thus far, as a result of that revival, I’ve written two books in the genre of Women’s Fiction:

UNDERLYING NOTES (First Printing – 2007; Second Printing – 2009; currently available as a Kindle Edition at Amazon):

Carla Matteo copes with life by "taking to the bottle"--glass goddesses funneling perfume! During a midlife renaissance the "juice" offers incentive for Carla to find her own niche, while the ominous rose note in ‘Paloma Picasso’ forces her to confront a troubled past, redefine friendships, sort out matters of the heart, and come to terms with the tenets of her life.

AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE (Paperback – August 22, 2016 & Kindle Edition – September 20, 2016):

More than meets the eye at face value, Augusta Bergeron, stuck in a holding pattern, engages in morally destructive behavior she attributes to maternal abandonment. In for a rude awakening upon eggs-huming her mother’s QUICHE recipe, she unravels its significance and forsakes erroneous assumptions. ENLIGHTENED, Augusta feels compelled to redress all the havoc she’s wrought in the aftermath of a tragedy.

*From Mercedes Fox:

https://mercedesfoxbooks.com/meet-aut...

3. What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

If finding the right words to tell my story isn’t already hard enough, my latest book employs alternating first-person narratives through the eyes of two protagonists. Therefore, their voices must be true to characterization and their walks in life. My latest novel also demanded I be a stickler for details pertaining to backstories and the skeletal framework of history which I took liberties to deviate from for the story’s sake.

*From E. Rachael Hardcastle:

http://www.erachaelhardcastle.com/sin...

4. For Indies, book cover design and editing can be stressful and expensive. When I looked at yours on Amazon I initially thought of a cookbook due to the cover, however then realized it was far from. Can you tell us a little bit about your cover design (choice of image, etc.) and whether this was outsourced externally? Also, how did you cope with your editing process and did this go to an editor following your own amendments? Do you think the cost of editing puts Indies off outsourcing? Do you feel Indies are capable of doing everything themselves? Do you think that covers should reflect the genre they are to sell books?

Emma, you’re not the first to mention that my book cover made you think of a cookbook. The glossy cover design is entirely my doing, incorporating: a stock image; letter font, style, and color. I purposely avoided a “gendered” look, which, in my opinion, denigrates the genre of Contemporary Women’s Fiction treading on the territory of Literary Fiction rather than Nit Wit Chick Lit. (Slapping myself silly). Besides, the word “Novel” and the front cover blurb serve to dispel the notion ‘An Enlightening Quiche’ is a cookbook. Ever the optimist, I’m hoping its literary reputation will leave no doubt in anyone’s mind!

It is a matter of preference for the author to have their covers reflect book genre as a lure to sell. While potential readers may judge a book by its cover, and I have received many compliments on mine, content is what holds the reader’s attention to the last page.

I’m proud to divulge that I edited my own book in its entirety as I did my first novel published by an Independent Press in 2008. At the time I received my edited manuscript to implement suggestions, I noted edits which would have sorely compromised the integrity of my story. When I mentioned this to my publisher, he gave me carte blanche to proofread and edit my own work. I then went on to edit one of his works in progress. The experience served to make me even more proprietary of my work. Trust me, I can be my own harshest critic.

For me, proofreading and editing are an ongoing part of writing both during and afterward. I’ve lost count of how many times I had poured over the manuscript prior to submitting it for publication, and then three more times before I gave my publisher the go ahead to print.

Editing is a costly, but necessary expense for those who don’t have the stomach for it.

*From Laura Smith:

https://www.facebook.com/laurasmithau...

5. What’s the best compliment that you’ve ever received about your writing?

Honored to have received many compliments which I treasure, I’ll cite one of my most recent put forth in a review of AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE by Joel R. Dennstedt for READERS’ FAVORITE (recipient of a 5-Star Seal):

“One cannot know if such writing comes naturally to the author, or if she suffers from the agony of meticulousness required to produce such an exquisite work. The end result hearkens to the classics for its resemblance to such deeply thoughtful plotting, characterization, and the gorgeous prose used in its exposition.” https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...