L.V. Lewis's Blog, page 30
May 4, 2013
How to Know if a Publisher is Reputable - Part 1
Reblogged from The Write Savage:
Is publishing a good publisher?
I get this question all the time, usually from authors wanting to know if a publisher is reputable. Nowadays, the publishing environment is such that anybody can put up a website and call themselves a publishing house. As a result, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of small publishers out there who will publish your short story or novel.
Read this authors. It would behoove you to know what you're getting into with a publisher.
April 29, 2013
Katie Ashley (NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author) – One Day Sale!
Sale written on paper tags isolated
@ DmitryRukhlenko
FILE ID #1110213
In honor of the release of Katie Ashley’s “Dont Hate The Player,” all of her books are on sale,
April 30, 2013 ONLY!!!
Grab them while they’re on sale TODAY!!!
BRENDA JACKSON INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY STILL GOING TILL FRIDAY, MAY 3RD!!
CLICK BELOW TO ENTER!
April 28, 2013
Interview with Bestselling Author Brenda Jackson and Giveaway, Part Deux
A prompt writing exercise on Facebook landed me the unprecedented opportunity to interview bestselling romance author Brenda Jackson (What A Westmoreland Wants, Bachelor Unclaimed, One Winter's Night, A Brother's Honor)!
Due to the length of the interview, I had to split this into two parts. This is the final installment.
At the end of each part of the interview, I am giving away a bundle of Ms.
Don't forget to read my Brenda Jackson Interview and enter the Giveaway at the end. One lucky winner has already won a prize package of Brenda Jackson's books and mine for Part One of the Interview!
April 27, 2013
Sneak Peek Sunday ~ “Under These Restless Skies” by Lissa Bryan
SNEAK PEEK SUNDAY
A sneak peek into UnderThese Restless Skies by Lissa Bryan
Summary:
Journey back in time to Tudor England with a tale of romance, intrigue, and the Celtic legends of the selkies.
Will Somers has spent his life alone, thinking himself unlovable. Emma is a selkie, one of the immortal fae-folk of the sea. When Will finds her sleeping on the beach, he seizes this unexpected chance to have a wife and family of his own. He steals her pelt, binding her to him until the day he willingly returns it.
Emma has never experienced life on land, and can barely contain her excitement and curiosity. She has to learn to adapt quickly to human customs, for Will is headed to the glittering, dangerous court of Henry VIII to serve as the king’s royal fool. It’s a world where a careless word can lead to the scaffold, and the smallest of gestures is loaded with political implications.Anne Boleyn is charmed by Emma’s naiveté and soothing selkie magic, and wants Emma for her own fool. Can Will protect her from the dangers which lurk in every shadow? Theirs is a vocation that provides them some protection, but in Henry VIII’s court, no one is safe. Circa regna tonat: Around the throne, the thunder rolls.
Excerpt:
“Your majesty, Lady Pembroke, Master Richard Fermor and Will Somers.”
“Rise,” the king said. Will glanced at him quickly. He saw a large, but still muscular man with thinning reddish-blond hair, dressed in a dark brown velvet doublet, ornamented with pearls and gold frogs. The king had gained weight in the last few years and to disguise it, he had widened the shoulders of his surcoats. His eyes were small, a piercing blue-gray. Will caught a glimpse of them before he lowered his own eyes to stare at the floor.
“So, Fermor, you have brought me a fool.” The king’s voice was low and gruff and he didn’t sound terribly interested. The lady seated at his side wore a French hood and an initial pendant attached to her strand of pearls, the letters AB twined together. She wore a dressing gown of brilliant scarlet, trimmed in ermine. It was raiment that only the highest nobility was entitled to wear, but Anne Boleyn was now royal in all but name. Just weeks ago, the king had created her Marquess of Pembroke, the highest noble title in the land. She idly patted the small dog in her lap.
“Aye, your majesty,” Fermor said. “If it pleases your grace.”
“Well, fool, what can you do?”
Will was startled. He hadn’t expected the king to actually speak to him. “I – I can juggle, your majesty,” he croaked. “I can make jests, tumble, and sing a little.”
“Let us see it, then.”
Will’s hands trembled as he withdrew the balls from his bag. “If it pleases your majesty,” he started. He straightened his shoulders as best he could and said in his haughtiest tone: “I, Will Somers, am the best juggler in England.”
The king snorted and Will hoped it was from amusement. He fell into his act, bragging about his abilities while seeming to lose track of his juggling and keeping the balls in the air seemingly by accident alone. He was grateful that he had performed this particular act so many times because he thought he’d completely forgotten his lines, but they slipped from his mouth of their own accord and his limbs seemed to move themselves. The king guffawed a couple of times and he thought her heard Anne laugh at one point. He ended with one of the balls balanced on the tip of his nose before dropping it into his hands and sweeping low into a bow.
“Well done, Master Fool,” the king said, and he seemed a bit more jovial than he had when Will first entered the room, or perhaps it was simply wishful thinking on Will’s part. “But tell me this: I have fools already who can juggle and make jests. Why would I wish to have you at my court? What have you to offer they do not?”
The answer popped from Will’s mouth as though he had rehearsed it. “Because I will do something that none of your council, lords and ladies, ambassadors, servants nor soothsayers will do.”
The king lifted an eyebrow. “And what might that be?”
“I will tell you the truth, your majesty.”
Fermor gasped. Anne burst into laughter. “Oh, I do like him,” she said.
The king cast an amused glance at her. “Is that so, Master Fool? Then perhaps you are worth it after all.”
“But you must make an oath to me,” Will said.
The king flushed a little, but calmed when Anne giggled at Will’s audacity. “What?”
“You must swear it, as the word of a Christian king.” Will’s mouth was as dry as paper and his heart thudded wildly in his chest, but he continued. “You must swear to me, on your honor, that you will never hold it against me when I tell you the truth.”
The king stared at him, his mouth slightly agape, and then he burst into laughter. He slapped his knee and elbowed Anne, who laughed politely along with him, though she obviously didn’t find it as amusing as he did.
“You have my word,” the king said, as he accepted a perfumed handkerchief from one of his serving lords to wipe away the tears that had seeped from his eyes. “Or must I write it out and put my royal seal to it?”
“Your word is sufficient for me,” Will replied.
“I am flattered at your trust, Master Fool,” the king said solemnly, and burst into guffaws once again. “Go and have my steward find you rooms. Have you a wife?”
“I do.” Will thought quickly. He had to find a way to keep Emma away from court, but refusing lodgings offered by the king would be a gross insult.
The king waved a hand. “Bring her tomorrow. I wish to see what the wife of a fool looks like.”
“Much like every other wife in England,” Will said and that sent the king into laughter once more.
“Go, and come back on the morrow,” the king said. He waved a hand at the steward. “Find him some decent garb, and some for Milady Fool as well.”
Will bowed deeply and followed the steward from the room. “And for you, Fermor,” he heard the king begin before the door was shut behind them. Will’s knees gave out and he collapsed to the floor. His head swam in sick circles. He sat back on his heels and looked up at the steward. “Pray, pardon,” he rasped.
The steward smiled slightly. “You are not the first to react in such a manner.” He held out a hand and Will stared at it in surprise. The steward was a lord, and here he was, offering a hand to a baseborn commoner. Will took it gingerly and the steward helped him to his feet and drew him near.
“If ever a man needed to hear the truth,” the steward whispered, “it is that man in there.” He drew away again and his manner was once more brisk and officious. “Follow me.”
.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:.
Bio:
Lissa Bryan is an astronaut, renowned Kabuki actress, Olympic pole vault gold medalist, Iron Chef champion, and scientist who recently discovered the cure for athlete’s foot … though only in her head. Real life isn’t so interesting, which is why she spends most of her time writing.
Her first novel, Ghostwriter , is available through The Writer’s Coffee Shop (which is the least expensive option), Amazon, iTunes, and Kobo. Her second novel, The End of All Things , was released on January 24, 2013, and is available through TWCS,Amazon, and iTunes. She also has a short story in the Romantic Interludes anthology, available from TWCS, Amazon and iTunes. Her third novel, Under These Restless Skies, is scheduled for release in spring of 2014.
Links:
http://lissabryan.blogspot.com/
http://about.me/lissabryan
https://www.facebook.com/LissaBryan.Author
http://www.facebook.com/lissa.bryan
https://twitter.com/LissaBryan
http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/authors/detail/42
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009N6CFTQ
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5442345.Lissa_Bryan
http://lissabryan.tumblr.com/
http://pinterest.com/lissabryan/
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/lissa-bryan/52/561/40b
https://plus.google.com/u/0/100312526835761488805/posts
April 26, 2013
Interview with Bestselling Author Brenda Jackson and Giveaway, Part Deux
A prompt writing exercise on Facebook landed me the unprecedented opportunity to interview bestselling romance author Brenda Jackson (What A Westmoreland Wants, Bachelor Unclaimed, One Winter’s Night, A Brother’s Honor)!
Due to the length of the interview, I had to split this into two parts. This is the final installment.
At the end of each part of the interview, I am giving away a bundle of Ms. Jackson’s e-books, a couple of my own and a two bookmarks! So, without further ado, I give you part two of my interview with Brenda Jackson.
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Part Two – Transcript of FanChat with Brenda Jackson (Click Here For Part One):
Hello, I’m Nia Forrester (author of Commitment, Unsuitable Men, Maybe Never, and Secret) of The Writers Review and Resource Group (WRSRG), a virtual community of indie writers and readers who support each other. A fan club of the art of writing and for people who enjoy reading.
Conducting the interview this evening with Brenda Jackson is L. V. Lewis, author of indie hit, Fifty Shades of Jungle Fever , a parody of the very popular book, Fifty Shades of Grey .
Brenda Jackson writes contemporary multi-cultural romance novels. She was the first African American author to have a novel book published as part of the Silhouette Desire line and has seen many of her books reach the New York Times and the USA Today’s best sellers lists.
Her first novel, Tonight and Forever , was published in 1995. Ms. Jackson is the recipient of the RWA Nora Roberts Award 2012, highest honor bestowed by RWA in recognition of significant contributions to the romance genre and an NAACP Image Award nominee 2012 for outstanding literary fiction for her novel, A Silken Thread .
We are honored you have given of your time and talent to be with us tonight.
*-._.-*
L.V. Have you ever written anything that hasn’t found a publishing home? Is there anything in this category that you would consider self-publishing?
B.J. I own my on publishing company—Madaris Publishing—and it was created to get out those stories the traditional publishers aren’t interested in—such as stories about full-figured women or couples over fifty. I try to put out one book a year under my company.
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L.V. You originally described your writing as a hobby, but upon retirement from the insurance industry your writing career soared. Do you foresee ever retiring from writing?
B.J. No, I don’t plan to retire from writing any time soon. Writing is how I relaxed from State Farm because I was in management. I couldn’t get my employees to do what I wanted them to do, but I could come home and all my people would do what I wanted them to do. Some people watch television to relax, I write. In 2015 it will be twenty years of writing for me, and one thing I do see myself doing is slowing down. I’m sensational at sixty—that’s what I tell my husband. We’ve been together for so long, ever since we were teenagers. You work hard in your younger years so you can enjoy your later years. My husband and I want to do the things we want to do, so I can’t write six to eight books a year anymore.
So then I think about what I want to do—six to eight is pretty unheard of, except for Nora— is to just maybe write two series books and two single titles a year. Westmoreland was a thirty-one book series. But the Steele one, I’m not going to look up more cousins to keep writing that one, but the Madaris one . . . I can write that one for a long time. But six to eight books a year takes away from my time with my husband and family. We recently bought a second home at the beach (Amelia Island) and want to spend more time there having fun. Even if I don’t write again, my royalty checks are still coming in because my books are being reprinted.
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L.V. How does it feel to be the first African American published with the Desire line? Did it feel momentous or like just another book sale when it happened?
B.J. No, it was special. I felt honored because from the first. That’s the line I’d always wanted to write for, and at one time back in the 1980s, I wrote Harlequin and asked why a black couldn’t be their Desire’s “Man of the Month.” They told me there was not a market for African American books. I felt honored that when a black man was selected to be Man of the Month it was one of my heroes! It felt momentous when that happened. Although I’ve written over ninety books, none of my books are like “just another book sale” to me. I love all my books and am proud of them. It’s a high every time you see your book on the shelf.
Kensington signed my first black book after Harlequin rejected it. Later I found that book rejection and sent it to Harlequin. I’m one of their very best authors and they turned me down in the beginning, but they came looking for me later. So all those years I complained to them and now I’m one of their top authors.
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L.V. You’ve made an indelible mark on African American romance and literature in general and won some awards in multicultural romance, as well. What mark do you hope to leave on multicultural romance? Any more novels showcasing diversity in your future?
B.J. I believe in black romance. I’ve been married close to forty-one years (July 2013), and I married a good man and there are others out there. Yes, I will always embrace diversity.
People used to say the US was a melting pot, but when you think of a melting pot everything melts. I think of it as a beautiful salad, and everything adds its originality to the salad. We don’t melt into a white person; we show our individuality. The mark I’m going to leave is one that I hope shows that black romance is alive and well. When people say they don’t read that type of book, I wonder what’s wrong with reading about love and commitment. If nothing, I want to leave a legacy—this isn’t all fantasy. Till death do us part is real, especially for black women. There are still black men that believe in sweeping you off your feet and treating you like the queen you deserve to be. That is real.
*-._.-*
L.V. Your longevity in the publishing industry is a testament to your skill as a writer and your tenacity as a businesswoman. How has your foray into the movie industry differentiated from this? Are the experiences very similar?
B.J. I think that they are similar in that I didn’t want to write a movie script—I had the opportunity to do it and I passed on it. My son wrote the movie script for me and it turned out good. And now these investors are looking to turn A Silken Thread into a script. I worked with Dave Larson. I wondered how he would take a four hundred page book and make it into a one hundred and twenty-eight page script.
Truly Everlasting—the book was only one hundred and fifty pages—it was hard to put into a one hundred and twenty-eight page script and keep everything. It’s a discipline that either way you have to discipline yourself to do it. Sometimes their interpretation of it may not be ours. You have to have a good relationship with the director because he is making the movie. I owe my readers a good quality movie that portrays the book in a positive light.
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L.V. I found out when we spoke to set up the interview that you love Scandal, the Shonda Rhimes television series on ABC starring Kerry Washington. Can you tell us why you like that story from a writer’s perspective?
B.J. Scandal is plot driven. Every week is a different plot. I admire how the drama keeps you on the edge of your seat. My books are character driven, so it’s nice to see a TV show that’s so plot driven. But not only just for entertainment purposes, but it gives me ideas how to combine both in longer books.
I got into Grey’s Anatomy when I needed medical information to write a book. So I asked my readers for recommendations. I’m not a TV person—you can’t be a writer and be a TV person. And they recommended shows like ER and Grey’s Anatomy—shows I’d never seen. And I watched these to do research.
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L.V. Do you have a circle of writing friends with whom you still exchange manuscripts, and a pre-reader group to vet your stories through?
B.J. When I first started I was part of a critique group and they were very very helpful, but they have moved away. You have to be comfortable in order to use them. I use other authors. We have a retreat once a year, and we call is Diva Days. It’s not just authors, but other people in the industry—TV and other. There’s a group of twenty of us. Twenty don’t come every year—they just can’t make it. Now last year we went to the Barrier Islands because there were several of us who wanted to write books set there. We went on excursions, bounced off things each other. It’s a sisterhood. Next year we’re planning Hawaii. We don’t do it every year, but it’s a time to get together and spend time with each other. We discuss books, promote each other. You want to share your ideas. They got me into the J. D. Robb Naked Series. We embrace authors, answer questions. It’s a good group.
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L.V. Readers are, of course, essential to any author’s success. How did you initially build your readership? How do you continue to stay connected and continue building that relationship?
B.J. From the first, I wanted them to feel essential to me because they are. I’ve collected a database of over 80,000 email addresses from readers I’ve met over the years. I send them a monthly newsletter to stay connected.
*-._.-*
L.V. It’s probably safe to say we’ll get more of the same great writing from you, but what’s next for Brenda Jackson? Any new frontiers you’d like to conquer?
B.J. A new family being introduced in June—the Grangers. I’ll be bringing an end to some of my older families such as the Steeles and Westmorelands, although I will be introducing the cousins of the Westmorelands soon. But their last name won’t be Westmoreland.
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L.V. What pearls of wisdom would you offer an author new to writing? Do you ascribe to writers being classically trained, or are you in the camp of writers absorbing craft however they can?
B.J. Write what you love. I love romance. I write mainstream novels on occasion, but my first love will always be romance. Some authors write what they think will make them the most money. All books can make you money if written and marketed the right way.
I don’t have a writer’s degree. I’ve never ever taken a writer’s class. I’m the first one to say I don’t subscript to that. I know a lot who are journalists, but I believe it comes from inside. I didn’t know I loved writing, but I knew what I loved to read. I became craft trained by going to workshops, seminars, and listening to authors like Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, and Julie Garwood. And I took what they said to heart. I read and studied what made this book interesting, what made me turn the page.
I still go to RWA and I’m teaching classes this year about heroes. I’m one of the few African American authors teaching.
You can’t just go home and write. You need to know what’s selling, what’s being written. You need to go to workshops to learn. Go to those workshops, not just to be seen but to network and take what’s being offered. You need to know what’s being written—what’s out there.
I went to Romantic Times and learned new things. Street teams are so popular. You connect with some of your readers nationally, and they go out there and market for you. It works wonderfully, but would not have known about that if I hadn’t gone to a workshop and learned that.
Don’t give up!
L. V.: Thank you for being with us and or being such a trooper and answering my twenty-odd questions.
Brenda: No problem. It was an honor. I appreciate the time you took just to be here tonight.
CLICK ”MORE” (BETTY BOOP) TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!
April 22, 2013
My Interview and Giveaway for Acclaimed Author Brenda Jackson! (Part One)
I am not a lucky person. I don't win things often. So, imagine my surprise when I entered a prompt writing exercise on my Writer's Review and Resource Group (WRSRG) on Facebook and actually won the opportunity to interview acclaimed romance author Brenda Jackson (author of What A Westmoreland Wants, Bachelor Unclaimed, One Winter's Night, …
Read, Re-Tweet, Re-blog, and Facebook at your leisure. The Giveaway is in full swing!
April 21, 2013
Cover Reveal and Excerpt of Angel Lawson’s “Vigilant”
Vigilant Release Date April 23rd!
Sneak Peek Teaser!
She found the building easily and wondered how she’d never noticed it before. Granted, they were in an industrial area. The building was mixed in between older homes and empty buildings. The outside was clean—no, spotless. The parking lot tidy, including the area near the chain-link fence that surrounded the property. Ari opened the car door and said to the boy in the passenger seat, “Grab your stuff.”
The full extent of Curtis’s belongings fit into a manila envelope and the clothing he wore when he’d been arrested. Ari hadn’t had time to go by his home to see if there were any personal items he could have used. That would have been doubtful anyway. Odds were, the minute he got locked up, his clothing spread throughout the rest of the family.
“I’m supposed to live here?” he asked. Curtis was only fifteen, but carried himself like he was older, like so many of these kids. They were forced to grow up fast. Lean and fit, Curtis was very big for his age. Ari knew before he’d started skipping school he’d been active in sports. The police had documented more than once that he was a skilled runner. He just needed to learn how to use that power for good and not evil.
“I’ve never been here,” Ari told him in a stern voice. “But this is a last-chance stop. Whatever it is, it’s better than detention, which is where you’re headed next.”
Curtis slipped behind his case manager as she walked into the building.
“Oh, wow,” she said, knocked in the face by the overpowering smell. Soon though, even the rank stench was eclipsed by the sounds.
The boy stepped in front of Ari with his eyes wide and said, “No fucking way.”
Ari’s head snapped in his direction, but she didn’t scold him as she normally would have. She felt just as stunned. Her senses were assaulted by sweat and rubber, combined with a muggy, damp heat. And the sounds. Well, it sounded like someone was getting beaten to death.
“What the hell is this?” Curtis said, pushing Ari’s limit on foul language.
“Cut the cussing, Curtis,” she said. “A gym, I suppose?” But it was more than a gym. There were four boxing rings in the center of the building and rows of weights and cardio machines along each side. Near the front door, a huge trophy case held dozens of gold trophies, each with a tiny boxer or fighter on the top. Ari saw a dozen or so guys of various ages working out around the gym.
A long countertop ran along the barrier between the gym and the entry area. Hanging on the wall was a large sign with the letters GYC, and the name: Glory Youth Center. Ari spotted a young man folding towels and placing them in a stack.
“Come on,” she said to Curtis. They approached the counter and she introduced herself to the kid.
“I’m Ari Grant. I’m here to meet a—” she pulled the note out of her pocket. “Mr. Davis. We have an appointment at eleven.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the boy replied. “Let me tell him you’re here.” He looked a little older than Curtis, maybe seventeen or so. Broad shouldered and muscular. He had a bandage over his eye and quickly disappeared around the corner, away from the gym floor.
Curtis studied a row of photographs behind the counter. He glanced at Ari. “So you want me to come work out or something? I thought this was a home.”
Before Ari could answer, or not answer since she had no idea, the boy came back followed by a handsome man. His dark hair was shaved close to his head and when his eyes met Ari’s everything went from normal to very, very awkward.
Author website: http://www.angellawson.com/Author twitter: https://twitter.com/LawsonWritesAuthor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawsonwrites?ref=tn_tnmn
April 19, 2013
My Interview and Giveaway for Acclaimed Author Brenda Jackson! (Part One)
I am not a lucky person. I don’t win things often. So, imagine my surprise when I entered a prompt writing exercise on my Writer’s Review and Resource Group (WRSRG) on Facebook and actually won the opportunity to interview acclaimed romance author Brenda Jackson (author of What A Westmoreland Wants, Bachelor Unclaimed, One Winter’s Night, A Brother’s Honor, and so many more I can’t name them all)! I had participated in interviews with my group before, but never conducted one. Then to make this an even more daunting proposition, I was told by our fearless leader, Nia Forrester (author of Commitment, Unsuitable Men, Maybe Never, and Secret), that I would perform the group’s inaugural live audio FanChat. No pressure for a writer who’d never done an interview. Right?
In preparation, I studied everything I could find on the internet about Ms. Jackson. Then I had the awesome opportunity to contact her prior to the interview. I found Ms. Jackson to be approachable and utterly delightful. Not that I expected her to be otherwise, but it is always a pleasant surprise to be treated so kindly by such an iconic individual. I chatted with her like an old friend and discussed the hit TV show Scandal just before she had to dash off to a personal appointment. The the day of the interview came and the residual nervousness I brought with me fell away as I began to ask her the questions everyone was dying to have answered.
Due to the length of the interview, I have split it into two parts. At the end of each part of the interview, I am giving away a bundle of Ms. Jackson’s e-books, a couple of my own and a two bookmarks! So, without further ado, I give you part one of my interview with Brenda Jackson.
_.-*-._.-*-._.-*-._.-*-._.-*-._.-*-._.-*-._.-*-._
Transcript of FanChat with Brenda Jackson:
Hello, I’m Nia Forester, of The Writers Review and Resource Group (WRSRG), a virtual community of indie writers and readers who support each other. A fan club of the art of writing and for people who enjoy reading.
Conducting the interview this evening with Brenda Jackson is L. V. Lewis, author of indie hit, Fifty Shades of Jungle Fever , a parody of the very popular book, Fifty Shades of Grey .
Brenda Jackson writes contemporary multi-cultural romance novels. She was the first African American author to have a novel book published as part of the Silhouette Desire line and has seen many of her books reach the New York Times and the USA Today’s best sellers lists.
Her first novel, Tonight and Forever , was published in 1995. Ms. Jackson is the recipient of the RWA Nora Roberts Award 2012, highest honor bestowed by RWA in recognition of significant contributions to the romance genre and an NAACP Image Award nominee 2012 for outstanding literary fiction for her novel, A Silken Thread .
We are honored you have given of your time and talent to be with us tonight.
*-._.-*
L.V.: Briefly describe for us a day in the life of Brenda Jackson. What does your writing space look like? What are your most treasured writing resource books? How much time do you spend writing daily?
B.J.: When you sent the questions over I really had to think. I appreciate all of you taking the time to listen to what I have to say. So I commend you for your time, your talent, and for just wanting to be writers. I was at one time where you are now, when I was just a wannabe. Authors gave of their time, authors like Nora Roberts, Linda Howard, Jayne Ann Krentz. No matter how many books you’ve written, you can all do better. So thank you for allowing me to spend this time with all of you.
I retired in 2008 and that was not an easy decision for me. I had worked as a file clerk at State Farm and worked my way up the ladder. I loved the corporate world—loved it all. Once State Farm found out I was publishing my first book, they embraced it. I told the CEO everything I would be doing. And he said you can say you work for State Farm because we are proud of what you are doing. They made a lot of what I needed to do for writing a part of my job at State Farm. They sponsored many black events as one of the main corporate sponsors around the country. They made sure they sent me to represent the black community for book signings. I really appreciated what they did. So leaving in 2008 wasn’t an easy a decision, but Harlequin made me an offer I couldn’t refuse—to write full-time from home.
I retired at fifty-five and my husband jumped at the chance to retire with me. When we retired, we vowed never to be dictated by a clock again, so we removed most from our home and used the ones on the microwave and stove and the radio in the bedroom and the time on my computer. So we walk around not sure what time it is because we don’t have to. I love it.
Usually I get up at seven mostly because of my two Yorkies, Mookie and Capone, who are early risers. I handle my social medial business by nine, and the rest of the day is spent writing. My goal is twenty pages a day. I don’t always reach my goal, but I split it up. At least ten pages in the morning and try to fit a few more in the afternoon. I try to take a two-hour nap break around three, spend time with Gerald my husband, and start writing again around nine in the evening. I’m in the bed usually by midnight. My day is spent writing. My family knows not to bother me because it’s beneficial to them for me to write. I stop the phone calls and allot time just to write.
I added 3,300 more square feet to my home that consists of an indoor swimming pool, my office, an entertainment room for parties, and a room that is what I consider my theater room or my room to chill. My most treasured resource books are a dictionary, a thesaurus, and the Romance Writer’s Phrase Book.
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L.V.: Since 1994, you’ve written an astounding ninety plus books. I can only dream I’ll ever be as prolific. What’s your secret, or do you employ a formula as some writers such as Nora Roberts have admitted to?
B.J.: My secret is the belief that writing relaxes me because it takes me to a world that I’ve created. I love writing and most times, I have to pull myself from the computer. My books are character driven versus plot driven, so I know my characters. Once I get to know them I can come up with situations just for them. I don’t do book outlines or chapter breakdowns. I don’t have a formula. I just write. I try writing in chapters and try to never end the writing day without ending the chapter. Then while I’m sleeping, I think about what I want the next chapter to be about.
I had an author who had a dossier of everything. I admire that, but I am not that disciplined. I just write. I know my characters and write. I write family sagas. My latest book is my one hundredth book. I have to get to know all my characters of all the previous books so I can write this latest book.
It’s not a science, parking my behind in the chair and writing the characters I’ve known since they were young. I admire Nora that she’s got a formula. I’d like to know it so I can write faster. We have lunch or share a drink whenever we get together at an RWA convention. I’m going to have to ask her about her formula.
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L.V.: Are you agented, or do you submit your own work? Any advice on how to proceed in obtaining an agent for those of us who might aspire to have one?
B.J.: Yes. Giving up 15% of your book is a lot; at least I thought it was a lot. Kensington wasn’t paying a lot for the African American market. They didn’t offer the same amount to the African American author as opposed to the white writer. They didn’t know how the market would work. You either took the contract or you walked away. They didn’t negotiate. It wasn’t the best contract, but it was one I could live with. I only decided to get agent when Kensington sold my books to BET. BET didn’t have any publishing knowledge; they were entertainers. The first contract they sent me was an entertainment contract not a publisher contract. I recognized that. I refused to sign it.
My agent is Pattie Steele-Perkins out of New York. I wrote over eight books before getting an agent. I just want to write and enjoy having an agent take care of the other stuff. And because they work for you and you don’t work for them, my agent tries to get me the best deal because when I get paid, she gets paid. I would suggest talking to other authors who have worked with particular agents before settling on one. Do they try to get you the best deal? Are they prompt in sending you your checks? Do they support you in other areas?
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L.V.: Your Westmoreland Series is probably one of the most beloved and long-standing of all with more than twenty books credited to this family saga. As a Florida native, what drew you to Texas as a setting? What process did you use, and how did you go about creating this series?
B.J.: I was big Dallas fan and I grew up on westerns (Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rifleman etc). It was time with my dad. Men in Texas were giants in my eyes. So when I went to write a series, I wanted them to be giants. I love my westerns and wanted to write about men in the West. I smile when people say my Westmoreland Series is my most beloved series. But the one that started me was the Madaris Series, but those bad boys of Westmoreland have really taken over. The books are smaller and so there are more of them. The Madaris books are bigger. Westmoreland is what you call a series book. You can’t deviate from what the others are doing in the series. You have guidelines and you follow them. To me, writing those books is pretty easy. I’ve been known to write one of them in two weeks. I can write two hundred and ten pages in two weeks.
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L.V.: Are you firmly in the “write what you know” camp, do you advocate “the sky is the limit, just research well,” or somewhere in between?
B.J.: I am comfortable with writing what I know, but to keep things interesting, I go outside the box at times.
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L.V.: You have many interviews and updates on the Westmoreland characters on your blog. Are they your favorite characters?
B.J.: All my characters tend to be my favorite, but my foremost favorites will be from my first book—Justin Madaris and Lorren.
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L.V.: You have enjoyed a prolific and very illustrious career as a traditionally published author. What do you make of the burgeoning independent publishing scene via Amazon and other platforms?
B.J.: I think it’s wonderful that others are getting their work out there. I wished it was available when I was writing. I got enough rejection letters to plaster my wall—over twenty-plus times before I finally sold my first book. Now you don’t have to wait to be chosen by a publisher. They can now create their own company and get published like I did. I started my own publishing company in 2008 because I wanted to know how it worked. I put out one book a year under the Madaris Publishing Company.
One thing that can be improved when using the independent platform would be more standards in the pricing—the $.99 pricing. You price your book low and hope people will read it. One of my books that hit the New York Times Best Sellers List was free. I know that’s a good way to get new readers. But you don’t want to underprice your book because that’s your hard work and you shouldn’t undervalue it, and I think some authors are doing that.
But I think the independent arena is wonderful. And now that so many authors are out there, it’s hard to pick a diamond out of the stack. And it’s even more important to connect with your readers. You have to do something to set yourself apart, market yourself, get your name out there. I had to promote myself before my publishing house did.
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CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!
April 18, 2013
Cover Reveal and Excerpt of N.K. Smith’s “Are You Mine?”
An author colleague of mine from one of my writing groups has a new release, which I’m pleased to simultaneously host for our author-to-author group. N.K. Smith’s upcoming novel Are You Mine? is in the growing New Adult category, and the cover for it is exceptional. Enjoy the excerpt!
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Title: Are You Mine?
Author: N.K. Smith
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Expected release date: 7 August 2013
Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17334793-are-you-mine
Cover Design by Regina Wamba at MaeIDesign.com
Photography by Poly Mendes at PolyMendes.com
[This is a self-published title so no pre-order purchase links will be available prior to publication.]
Synopsis:
Human connection? Who needs it?
Ever since she can remember, wealthy but weary Saige Armstrong has felt different from her peers in Pechimu, New Jersey. With only one good friend to her name, she has navigated the complicated halls of high school and is now faced with the timeless question: Now what?
Fox Harrington, a fun-loving, socially charismatic graffiti artist uses his passions to color his world exactly how he wants it. He knows exactly where his life is headed. That is, until he meets Saige.
A summer project links the two together, making a tentative friendship bloom into romance, but despite their affection for each other, fundamental beliefs and ways of thinking threaten to destroy all they have built.
In this tender story of young love, N.K. Smith delivers a striking tale of two people standing on the precipice of adult life.
And now… The cover!
Isn’t it beautiful? I love it. The artist did a spectacular job. The colors are so warm and inviting.
On to the teaser!
Sneak Peek:
Before I know it, he’s really close to me. Our bodies so close they are touching. He moves his hand from my wrist, so now our palms are together, fingers interlaced. Fox’s other hand is against the small of my back. My cheek rests against his chest. I hold my breath.
It’s awkward at first, but as I relax into his body and allow him to move us, I can see the private dance for what it is. An exchange. I breathe in and feel his chest rise against mine. He’s giving me a little bit of his calm. I don’t know if it’s on purpose or if I’m making it all up because I’ve spent too much time talking to Val about his new-aged hippie ideas on energy, but for some reason, it doesn’t matter right now. All that matters is that I’m pressed against him in this little basement where no one can see us, and he’s holding me like I’ve never let anyone do before.
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Author bio:
Based in the American Midwest, N.K. Smith is a Technical Writer for a Fortune 100 company. The author of the Old Wounds Series, Ghosts of Our Pasts, and My Only, she is a mother of two who finds the time to write very early in the morning when the rest of the world is still fast asleep.
An avid lover of history, art, music, books, and people, she is interested in telling stories that speak to the human condition.
Author contact links:
Website: http://nksmithauthor.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NKSmithAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/NKSmithWrites
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5358547.N_K_Smith
April 16, 2013
vintage social networking
I figure since we all, as authors, spend a healthy (or unhealthy, as it were) amount of time on social networks, we might get a kick out of the pre-cursors to these applications we can't seem to live without now. :)
