C.D. Loken's Blog, page 39

Update!

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. My head is totally in the third book and I truly want to get it done this week. Keep your fingers crossed, I don't have much more to do and then it's off to the editor for proofing.

Exclusive Interview with Saxon Andrew

Saxon Andrew is the Best selling author of the seven book series "Annihilation", the four book series "Ashes of Realm" and his current two book series "Lens of time." You will find Saxon on the Amazon forums from time to time. That is where I had the pleasure and opportunity of learning of this author. It was quite apparent to me that he is a deeply respected contributor to all that come to the forum for advice and support. In fact, Saxon has become a true icon. But his enormous following is for good reason. Saxon has published thirteen books with another one expected out late August of this year. He is no stranger to success and his books continue to be listed on the Top 10 or 20 at Amazon.com. But regardless of how successful, or how busy, Saxon Andrew always makes time for fellow authors. It's easy to see why Saxon has such a loyal audience. I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did!

Me: Welcome to my blog Saxon! So I've given everyone a brief summary of your books. Obviously they are all Science Fiction. Why did you choose this genre?

Saxon: I have loved the idea of traveling the stars for as long as I can remember. Even before I went to school, I bribed my brother with my candy to read sci-fi stories to me. As I grew older, some sci-fi writers captured my imagination and took me to places in my mind that were nothing short of magical. From that time until the present I have sought science fiction authors that are able to rekindle that feeling. I fell in love with the books written by the early masters of science fiction. Once I took the leap of faith attempting to write, sci-fi was a very easy choice. The Annihilation Series actually happened by accident and it is a product of all that I’ve read over the years. I never intended for the series to be brought before the public’s eye but through the enthusiastic encouragement of close friends who loved the story, I took a leap and published the first three books on Amazon Kindle and really had very low expectations. To my shock, all seven books in the Annihilation Series became a number one bestseller at Science Fiction Series and Fantasy Series in the United States. The Second Series, Ashes of the Realm, repeated the success and also became a number one bestseller in the United Kingdom as well. I discovered that there were many sci-fi readers that liked the way I tell a story. My newest series, Lens of Time, has the first two books in the top ten. I honestly sit and wonder how this happened and I know there are many writers I’ve meet and observed who possess far greater writing skills than me but have not found my level of success. I’ve believed from the start that I have been blessed and I’m thankful for it. When I’m asked how I’ve done it, and I’m asked often, I always answer that critical element of successful writing is the story. I may not have the writing skills of many of my fellow authors but I do love to tell a story. The science fiction genre is where I feel most at home.

Me: Well your readers obviously love your writing! Which leads me to my next question. When did you decide to write? And why?

Saxon:Writing was an accident. I’ve never written anything but business letters and love letters to my wife. However, a friend of hers is a member of the Screen Writers Guild who writes research articles for bloggers. If they want information on the safety of the X-Games, she does the research and sends them the article. If they need it, she can write it for them. She found herself really behind two years ago and needed help. She asked me if I would write some articles for her to get her back on schedule. I told her she was out of her mind, “I am not a writer!” She wouldn’t back down. She kept saying, “You’re educated, you speak well, you’re bright, you can write.” I told her that writing just didn’t work that way. After two weeks of constant badgering, I agreed to sit down and write something and see how it went. If I liked it, I would help her. That night I found myself sitting at my laptop struggling on what to write; nothing came to mind. Then I thought about what I liked to read and I decided to write a science fiction story. I put my hands on the key board and the following sentence appeared, “He sat on the surface of the moon among the rocks, pebbles, and dust with his back against a crater wall.” I had no plot, no storyline, no idea where the story was going or how it would end. I just started typing. Four weeks later Love Conquers All was finished. Five months later I had the three books of the Annihilation Trilogy completed. They literally seemed to write themselves. The rest is history, I discovered that night I truly enjoyed writing.

Me: I'm sure every author reading this can relate to struggling on a plot or storyline. It's not easy at times to find the right kind of inspiration to keep you focused. Besides your love of Science fiction; what else inspires you?

Saxon:I have a Facebook page for the Annihilation Series where I talk with readers that have liked the page and talk to me about my stories. Their excitement about the books they’ve read and the new books being released is what makes my day. They’re even voting on what they would like to see written after the Lens of Time is completed. I’ve decided to follow their decision. They inspire me to continue to create stories. However, if I truly need to be inspired, I need look no further than into my beautiful wife’s eyes. Doc taught me that long ago.

Me: Aw, so you're a romantic? (Pause for me to take a big sigh!) Okay, I'm ready to continue. You mentioned Doc. Who are some of your favorite authors and what if any impact did they have on your writing?

Saxon:The list of authors I like would be longer than what has been written so far; however, there is one that made the biggest impact on my writing. I read a science fiction series when I was fifteen years old by E.E. (Doc) Smith titled, The Lensmen Series. It was one of the early space operas and I can still remember Kimbal and Clarissa and their enduring love story. The battle scenes, the chases, the evil forces arrayed against them, and the trials they endured were second fiddle to the love story embedded in the story. I’ve always felt that pure love written such that any age can read it is what makes a story great. My stories are, at their heart, a love story. I believe in heroes that are larger than life and a stage bigger than the universe. That comes from Doc. I am so thankful for his story those many years ago and one day the biggest complement I hope to receive is the same acknowledgement from a future author.

Me: I can already hear the Pitter Patter of my audience's hearts! Heck, I don't even read Science Fiction, and yet my finger is already itching to download your series this very minute! But I better get back to the interview first. Ok, now that we understand there is a little love within all the battles in your stories, let me ask you this. What, if any, resources do you use to write your books?

Saxon:I violate every fundamental rule taught to aspiring authors. I don’t use the tools that most are trained to use; story outlines, plot diagrams, character descriptions, time lines, etc., etc. I still sit down at the key board and just start typing. Somehow, a story emerges. Some of the things that allow me to do this are the things that I’ve done in my life. I have a BA degree with a double major in psychology and sociology. I’ve studied individual and group behavior and all of their manifestations. I have a Master’s degree in Education with a Social Science doctrine. I’ve been a classroom teacher, a high school coach, a Social Worker for the Welfare Department, a salesman for AT&T, a sales manager, sales trainer, and I’ve opened and run my own business. I’m a father with wonderful children and I have a wife that knows me better than I know myself. However, I do write science fiction and those readers require; no, they demand accuracy in data and they insist the elements of the universe you create be consistent. I have always been absolutely astounded by the size of the universe we live in. I have read so many books about just how big our creation is and that knowledge has helped me immensely. Please allow me to digress for just a moment. In 2006, our scientists were able to view through their telescopes a new kind of supernova in a galaxy 250 million light years away. They named it a hyper nova. I won’t bore you with the details of the blast but here is what amazes me. They watched that explosion for two weeks as it got stronger and stronger. Here’s what most people don’t understand. Light travels at 186,212 miles per second. It took 250 million years for that light to finally arrive at Earth. We’re watching the explosion as if it’s happening right now but the explosion actually happened before the dinosaurs ruled the earth. And that galaxy is really not that far away. It’s information like this that fuels my stories. I use several internet search engines to fact check my data or answer any questions that might arise. Wikipedia is a very good friend of mine.

Me: It's becoming more and more obvious why your audience keeps growing, and why you've become such a successful author in your genre. Not only do you have a vast knowledge AND interest of what you write about, but it sounds like you've had an amazing career and a loving and supportive family to boot! Let's talk about that more for a moment. First your career. You are currently working on a book right now. Tell us a bit about that and whether you write part time or full time?

Saxon: I’ve just completed the third book in the Lens of Time series and will publish it by August 20th if all goes according to plan. I still own a business but in reality, I am now a full time writer. I guess this is what they mean by loving your work and the most remarkable thing is getting paid to do it. Sometimes, things do have a way of changing your life in the most unexpected way. Like I said; I am truly blessed.

Me: And your family life? What do you do outside of writing?

Saxon: My life is probably the simplest it’s ever been. My last two children graduated from college last year and are no longer living at home. I golf three times a week with good friends and the strongest club in our bags is a pencil with an eraser. I’m going to play in Golf dot com’s World Amateur Tournament in three weeks along with six friends and three thousand other golfers in Myrtle Beach. This is a highlight of my year and I’ve attended the last ten years. I spend time sitting on the beach. I live less than thirty minutes from some of the world’s best beaches and I really enjoy turning on Pandora in my iPad and sitting back under my beach umbrella and watch all the tourists stroll by. I have always enjoyed watching people and I live in the perfect place to do that. Some of my characters come from people I’ve observed.

Me: WOW! I'm sure other author's reading this blog envy you! I know I do! But it isn't always easy being an "indie" author. Why did you choose to self publish over traditional publishing?

Saxon: I actually did self-publish the first book in print but it was not successful. I tried to get a publisher to look at it and was told, “Thanks, but no thanks.” I went to Barnes & Noble and asked if I could put my books in their store locally. I was told by the manager that independent authors were not sold in her store and to leave and quit wasting her time. Borders said no but gave me a telephone number to call. It was a fax line. One day it was answered and it was located in the city’s bus garage. I attempted to get online reviewers to take a look at my books and they told me that they didn’t waste their time with Indies. Everywhere I turned, I met brick walls. I lost a lot of money going that route. I mentioned earlier that I feel I’m blessed. Here’s another reason why. A friend of mine sent me an email about a class on how to publish an eBook on the internet. I mentioned it to my wife in passing and she told me I was going to attend that class. I really put my foot down and told her we had lost enough money already and I was not going to go. She could just forget it. Well… after the class, I learned that publishing on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Apple, and other vendors was really quite simple and not as expensive as a print book. I published the Annihilation Trilogy on Amazon in April of 2011 and Love Conquers All was number one in May. It took me nine months to finally admit that I’m a writer and today I’m proud to say it. I no longer have a desire to publish a print book. I’ve determined that for an independent writer, digital publishing is the best route to take.

Me: That is what a lot of new author's go through when they attempt the traditional route. So that aside, you decided to self publish and have gained much success. Now I'm going to throw you a curve ball. Can you name three things that helped you to succeed with self publishing?

Saxon: This is really a hard question. However, I’ll give it a go. 1-I learned that it’s critically important that you learn the rules of the business you’re going to use to publish your books. Learning the lay of the land and the pitfalls you’ll encounter is absolutely necessary to have success. For example, you are given thirty days on Amazon’s hot new release list when your book is first published. You’ll lose two of them immediately when you publish your book because if you publish it on July 10th, Amazon starts the clock the day before. One day gone. It will also take Amazon about twenty four hours to make a new book available for purchase and there goes the second day. Those days on the Hot New Release List are critical to success. It is the first opportunity to have your book closer to the highest ranked books. I also discovered that if you don’t list your book in their categories (genres) initially, they will never appear on a new release list. Also, many of the categories you have to choose from are not listed on the genre lists for kindle books; they’re only used for print books. You can have your book listed where it will never be seen by those looking for eBooks. That’s just a couple of examples of many pitfalls awaiting a new author. 2-I immediately joined the KDP authors forum after I published my first book. I wish I had done it long before they were ready for publishing. The information I learned from the authors on the forum was invaluable. Many issues wouldn’t have happened if I had just availed myself of their knowledge earlier. There are so many authors on the forum that do want to see others succeed and I owe a lot of my success to their guidance. I pay that forward now and do what I can to help new authors. 3-After a lot of stress and worry, I learned that authors are going to get negative reviews and if you can’t take criticism, don’t publish. Some of the harshest reviews will be from readers that literally hate your work. Stephen King said it well, “I can write a great book or I can write a bestseller. I can’t do both.” No book will meet the needs of every reader. If your book is written at a college reading level, lower levels will hate it. If you write at a reading level of most Americans, the college level readers will hate it. Choose your target audience and be prepared for what follows. A new writer needs to understand that lesson up front and anticipate it. In the case of my first book, it seemed readers either loved it or hated it. The five star reviews outnumber the one stars but not by much. However, in spite of negative reviews, Love Conquers All is still in the top twenty after a year and a half. A new author should understand that negative reviews will not stop a book from selling. My sales went up every time I received a negative review. Isaac Asimov, who wrote the greatest science fiction series of all time, as chosen by the Hugo Committee of Science Fiction Writers, has more than seventy one star reviews. His books are fifty years old and are still in the top twenty. I learned that the best thing an author can do is just write another book and trust the story will speak for itself. A good story will overcome most obstacles. I also found that I became a better writer. My later books were better than the previous ones. There is no better way to promote your book than another one. If readers like the first, they will look for other works you’ve done. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received was, “shut up and write.” Every time I published a new book, the others got a boost.

Me: You've just given my audience a pretty amazing perspective Saxon. It's never easy putting something you've put your heart and soul in, out to the public, only to receive a negative review. But knowing the success you've had, I hope everyone can learn from your experience and move past that. It's been really great to chat with you and I'm so grateful that you took the time to do this interview. I look forward to hearing from you on the forum and gaining even more advice from the #1 ICON! But for those new authors wanting to delve into the magical world of "Self Publishing" and choose not to check you out on the forum; do you have any final advice?

Saxon: Go to a class that teaches how to publish an eBook and learn how to do it right. Make sure you pay attention to all the elements a book requires for it to have a chance of success. Elements such as the cover choice, formatting, and editing are critical. There are more than three million eBooks for sale on Amazon. Two million three hundred thousand have not sold a copy. My good fortune is a blessing. However, there are things you can do to increase your odds. There is a thread on the author’s forum titled, “Ways to move Kindle Books off the shelf.” There are more than fifteen hundred posts on that one thread and valuable advice for a new author. Get on the forum and read it. It will help your planning. My last bit of advice is important. The one thing I did that gave me the confidence to publish was the feedback from a reader who did not know me. All my friends and family loved my books but how could I really know if they were just sparing my ego? Give your book to readers that don’t know you. Seek their feedback and listen to it. That reader demanded to know where my book had come from and insisted that the next story be sent to them as soon as possible. After three more readers verified her feedback, I had the nerve to put the books out. They also recommended some changes that I made before publishing.

That's the end of my exclusive interview with Saxon Andrew. You can find his books on Amazon.com author page Saxon's author page

An exclusive interview with the Best Selling author of the science fiction series "Annihilation" -author Saxon Andrew

As I stated on previous posts I wanted to "give back" to other successful authors who have helped me so much. My interview with Marti Talbot was so successful and caused an overwhelming overload in my "inbox" and now I would like to offer my readers a HUGE opportunity to read my interview with the infamous "Saxon Andrew" best selling author of the science fiction series "Annihilation" This author does not need any promotions, nor does he require a review from an audience such as mine. His work stands on its own precedence. But I do ask you to check back soon for an "exclusive" interview with an author that truly can offer so much to both readers and authors.

Third book!

Can I be a bit prejudice here. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE my third and final book of this series. A part of me is sad reading the final galley over and making a few minor changes, but the biggest part of me is soooooo happy! I have lived with these characters and their story in my head for years and finally I get to set them free! It's a great joy, almost like raising a child. On one hand you're sad to let them go and the other you want the them to succeed beyond your wildest expectation! I hope this book reaches my readers hearts! God Bless!

Yes, that's right FREE!

After much thought and many words of advice from trusted authors, I chose to place my first book back on KDP select again. My first promotion is July 28th. Purchase the first book in the series for FREE! See links on the right hand side of my blog!

Second Book has been submitted!!!

I feel such a sense of relief! The second book of the series has finally been uploaded to all my sales sites and I'm currently waiting for acceptance. Now on to the finishing touches of the third, and another chapter of my life will be complete!!

New Book Cover

You might have noticed I took the second book cover off my blog. After a very long deliberation, I've decided to change it. I know it's at the last minute, but my heart just wasn't in the original one. I love Amber Major's work! The first book cover is a dream I've had since the inception of this series and I couldn't believe it when she produced the EXACT replica that was in my mind so long ago. And though she did everything I asked on the second one and it turned out perfectly, I just don't feel it anymore. I've gone over and over this second book a thousand times and there is so much more to it than the first. I want the second cover to reflect the heartache and torment that truly describes the next book so completely. I've decided to surprise all my fans so I will not be putting the new cover out until the book is published. That should be the beginning of this week-excluding Monday in which I turn the old age of 46! GOD BLESS to everyone!

Second book

So the second book in the series is almost completed. I've put the final touches on it and sent it back to my beta readers/editors and hopefully it can get out by first of next week! I'm so excited. I've also been devoting every minute to the third and final book of the series. The cover is complete and I hope to post it on my blog tomorrow! Cross your fingers folks it's almost a wrap!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

Thank you to all that protect our country and make America safe!

Marti Talbott/author of Highlander Series/review and interview

Of Scottish and English descent, Marti Talbott lives in Seattle and has written several full length novels including Seattle Quake 9.2, The Promise, Broken Pledge and Suspects. She began writing the Highlander Series in August of 2009. The first five books are a collection of 20 short stories followed by Betrothed, The Golden Sword, Abducted, A time of Madness, Triplets and now Secrets. To be notified when new books are available, visit her website - Marti Talbott's Stories at: www.firstchapterproject.com The first book in the Highlander Series My Review: I always try to avoid reviews on books I choose to read as I often find them far too gushy and overzealous or quite the opposite, far too critical, either way they somehow spoiled my enjoyment of the book from the start. I hope mine does not for you, because this book is just too good to pass up. I have always loved this genre and because I too am from Scottish and English heritage,anything regarding the royalty and clans fascinates me. I read books to escape into another place and time. To feel as if I am right there with the characters of the story. I was not disappointed when I began the first story which was an intriguing, yet humorous portrayal of a English heroine(ANNA) and the handsome and honorable clansman (Kevin). Now that's not to say there weren't some issues. Along with some minor grammar errors and missing words, I found the beginning moved a bit too fast for my taste. Once a character was introduced I became truly involved and wanted to learn more, but suddenly I was pushed on to another and another and soon I began to feel frustrated. But the plot was so intriguing that I forgave the author, (by the way I have yet to read ANY book without editing errors)and continued on. I was glad that I did. As the story opened up, so too did my heart and I found myself feeling so many emotions. One minute I would be laughing hysterically, and the next reaching for a Kleenex. I hadn't planned on reading the entire book in one night, but to my dismay I couldn't put it down and continued on with the other two stories. I couldn't believe how seamlessly they blended together, and I was overjoyed when some of my favorite character's returned or heartbroken when some were lost. These stories have much adventure, and even more romance, but it wasn't the kind of romance I usually find in books of this genre. There is no sexually explicit material whatsoever, and truth be known I didn't miss it at all. How refreshing to read a novel that keeps you within the plot instead of distracting you with all the meaningless fluff. I have an imagination and trust me, this author tantalized mine completely and left me feeling quite satisfied without ALL the details. It was the kind of "first loves" that everyone fantasizes about. The kind where there is humorous bantering, and a battle of wits, and you just want to slap one or both of the character's for being so stubborn...and than finally...well no spoiler alert here folks! The bottom line is this first book in the series is free, but you best get your pocket book out because you aren't going to be able to stop at just one. I'm already halfway through the second, and will be placing the remainders on my wish list for when I have more time to read. I promise you that you will be hooked the moment you turn the first page and the love story between the characters, Kevin &Anna, Rachel &Connor and Charlet & Blair will capture your heart and lift your spirits and make you believe that maybe, just maybe, happy endings really do exist!

My Interview with Marti Talbott: ME: What inspires you to write? Marti: Each book had a different inspiration. For example, the Carson Series was inspired by stories my wonderful grandparents left behind, and I wrote Seattle Quake 9.2 hoping to warn my fellow Seattle citizens of the possible danger. Now, my inspiration comes from those who enjoy my writing. My grandfather was the inspiration for the first laird in the Highlander series. He was a huge Scot, strong, yet affectionate and gentle. ME: How long does it take you to write one novel? Marti: My first books, (The Carson Series, Seattle Quake 9.2 and Suspects) written while I still had a day job, took a year or two each. Since I retired, I have I manage to turn out a new book every two or three months. ME: Why did you decide to do "self publishing?" Marti: It was very kind of Amazon to invent the Kindle and encourage self publishing, just for people like me, who were sick of rejection letters and suffered severely limited opportunities. When I first heard about Kindle books, I did not hesitate to give it a try. I uploaded "Anna," the first short story, just to see how the system worked, and in one hour, three people bought it. Totally shocked, I quickly put "Anna" it back on draft, and added two more stories to make it book 1. Still, "Anna" was the beginning and I've never looked back. ME: Who is your mentor? Marti: I don't really have a specific mentor. My help and encouragement comes mostly from my readers. I try to make it easy for them to contact me either through my website, www.firstchapterproject.com ME: What one key piece of advice can you offer potential "indie" authors that you think would make a Huge difference in their success? Marti: Read! While this business looks simple, it is a business and knowing the industry is the key. Thousands of hints and pages of advice are freely available on the internet, and those who do not take the time to learn, learn the hard way. ME: What do you think makes a successful author? Marti: I confess I have made every possible mistake, from spelling, to grammar, to not choosing my titles wisely. In the end, it is the story, and perhaps the ability to hook the reader from the very beginning and keep them reading. ME: If there was one person you could say helped you attain the success you have, who would it be? Marti: Success is not one person, it is "word-of-mouth." One person reads it, loves it and tells all their friends, who, if you you are very lucky, recommends it to all their friends. ME: What do you do besides write? Marti: You mean there are other things to do in life? Writing is all consuming for some of us. I go to a family functions and invent characters, I sit outside in the sun and think up dialog. It can be quite maddening. ME: What inspired you to write the "Highlander series?" Marti: The Highlander Series began with "Anna,"one little story I wrote just for fun. I put it on my website and shock of all shocks, readers liked it. So, I wrote another and another until the stories numbered twenty. Ten thousand website hits later, I combined them into five volumes, published them on Amazon and have added six full length novels since. They include: Betrothed, Book 6, The Golden Sword, Book 7, Abducted, Book 8, A Time of Madness, Book 9, Triplets, Book 10, and Secrets, Book 11. The Viking was written after the first twenty short stories, yet it is a prequel that explains how the clan came into being. I am currently working on book 3 of the Marblestone Mansion series, which is also about the MacGreagors, this time in America. ME: What research did you do to make the series so realistic? Marti: Thank God for the internet. When I wrote the Carson Series some 30 years ago, I paid the Kentucky Historical Society for research material. These days, what I need to know is usually just a click away, and there are tons of good sites that helped me understand Scotland and their ways. I tried to look up everything, including Scottish names, available building materials, foods, and clothing. The rest, I fear, is my runaway imagination. ***THANK YOU Marti for being such an inspiration to all writers and for capturing the imagination of many readers. I appreciate you taking the time to do the interview and I wish you even more success with all your books!