David Chuka's Blog, page 12
September 11, 2013
Interview With Children’s Book Author and Illustrator Calvin Innes
I’ve been trying for the last 5 months to get today’s featured guest in the hot seat. I met him at the London Book Fair in April and have had the privilege to have him critique my work and he’s offered useful advice to help improve my writing and publishing efforts. He’s worked with the best of the best and founded a successful publishing company in the North of England. Do you remember my interviews with
Stuart Reid
and
Beth Dexter-Smith
? Well, they’re successful authors at his publishing firm. Books published by his company,
My Little Big Town
can be found in the big bookstores in the UK and could soon be coming to a bookstore near you. He has a lot to share with us today, so without further ado, please join me in welcoming Calvin Innes.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into the publishing world?
I’ve been an illustrator and designer for about twelve years, having worked for loads of companies all over the world including Cadbury’s, Nestle, Sony, RSPB, The Brownies, Girl Guides on all sorts of different projects. I’ve story-boarded TV commercials, I’ve worked on advertising for the Smurfs Movie and Slush Puppies, I’ve designed toys and games as well as illustrating books and comics. Basically if it’s drawing, I’ve probably done it at some point. It was working for other publishers that lead me to set up My Little Big Town. I became disheartened with some of he work I was getting (it was all a little sickly sweet for my taste) and wanted to set up a company that published fun, silly, quirky children’s books.
What can a reader expect when they get a book published by My Little Big Town?
We publish books that are written and illustrated with children in mind. Many publishers target the parents (they are the ones who actually buy the books after all) but My Little Big Town works hard to create books that children really WANT to read. They are often disgusting, scary, silly books. We like to take risks when it comes to our titles and pride ourselves on publishing fun books, with great authors behind them.
What is your first love: writing or Illustrating?
Illustrating. It’s hard to explain but for me illustration is just who I am. It’s what I’ve always done and would do it whether I was doing it for a living or not. Writing is kind of the same but if I absolutely HAD to choose one or the other it would be illustration.
Who has been an inspiration to you in your journey as a writer/illustrator and what do you love about their work?
The two biggest influences for me happen to be children’s literature’s greatest team. Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake. Roald Dahl is in my opinion the best there ever has been or ever will be. He just had a way of writing that worked perfectly for children’s books. He understood on a wonderful level how children think and see the world. Quentin Blake has the same talent with illustration. He draws how children think. His illustrations are free and loose and energetic and exciting. He doesn’t worry about making mistakes or getting everything precise, it’s more about how the illustration makes you feel. They’re always fun. As a duo they had something very special.
People talk a lot about writer’s block. Is there something similar in an illustrator’s world and what do you do to overcome it?
Yes, of course. I can sometimes stare at the drawing board for hours struggling to get something down on paper. When that does happen I tend to work on something else to just chill out and take my mind off it for a bit. I have quite an odd way of working where I usually have at least three or four illustrations on the go at any one time, side by side. These illustrations are usually vastly different. One might be a children’s book illustration while another might be quite a dark comic book illustration, another may be something quite technical. I have a very large desk/work space and have a drawing tablet and two drawing boards all side by side, allowing me to work in this way.
As a publisher, I imagine you must get a lot of manuscripts on your desk. What key elements make you stop and take notice in a manuscript?
It’s very hard to say. It has to be different and have something special, but exactly what that ‘special thing’ is… well, it’s not an exact science. I may like a general concept, or I may like a particular character, or even a style of writing. I’m always looking for that ‘something’ that gets my attention, but that something can often be very different things.
Can you take us behind the veil and explain the process from when you (or one of your authors) get an idea until it gets published and seats on a shelf in a local bookstore?
It’s a pretty long process… usually from us receiving the initial manuscript or story it’s about 12 to 18 months until it hits the shelves. In this time the book is edited, an illustrator is sought for the project and the illustration process begins. Marketing of the book begins a long time before it actually hits the shelves, often 6-8 months before. This is to allow time for the stores to stock the books, buyers to pre-order copies and for us to make sure as many retailers as possible have the book on their shelves (or websites). We make sure that the author and illustrator work closely together but the final decision on the style of illustrations is primarily based on the market and what we think will work for the book buyers. Once the book is edited, illustrated and ready we go ahead with an initial print-run, with numbers based heavily on pre-orders and potential sales. At the same time the book goes to print we are editing and producing the eBook versions across all formats as well as often producing interactive versions for tablet computers and phones.
How critical is marketing in the success of a book and what three marketing paths have proved the most successful for you?
Marketing is everything. You can produce the best book in the world but unless people know about it, they’re not going to buy it. The key to successfully marketing a book is to target ALL areas, from social media, to print advertising and real world promotion. In the past we have had great success with real world marketing including a launch campaign involving hundreds of pupils and dozens of schools across the UK through to photo-shoots with the New Zealand cricket team. The key is to spot these opportunities to gain exposure in interesting and original ways, then to pounce on them and make the most of those opportunities to gain newspaper/magazine space or radio and TV time. In the past we have successfully worked with thousands of pupils, hundreds of schools, gained national, regional and local newspaper, TV and radio coverage and we continue to promote our books in new and exciting ways. This year will see us launching books at haunted houses, we will be taking part in the World Porridge Championship and organizing a series of writing and illustration workshops across the UK and Scotland. It’s this variety and innovative way of marketing our books that has helped us establish ourselves in the industry.
What mistakes do authors make when they approach publishers that you have noticed?
There are a number of sure fire ways to get a submission rejected as far as I’m concerned. Firstly, not reading the terms and conditions. We have very clear guidelines on our website for authors wanting to submit manuscripts to us. There are a number of points, but they are very simple to follow. Not following them is the first mistake. (it’s always amazing how many people don’t follow the guidelines).
Sending in incomplete manuscripts or ‘ideas’ is never a good tactic. A good idea is pretty easy to come across. A good idea doesn’t however make a good author. We want to see that an author can actually write and develop their good ideas into great stories. Possibly the most frustrating submission we’ve ever received was an envelope stuffed with glitter. The person submitting the manuscript obviously thought that the idea would make them stand out, and it did… just not in a good way. After spending half an hour cleaning up glitter from the office floor we weren’t exactly in the best mood to read the new submission.
How do you handle bad reviews to any of your work?
If the bad reviews come in the ‘testing phase’, and it’s suitable to do so, we edit the books. All of our books are tested on children before publication to make sure they work, and appeal to as many people as possible. It’s how we built the business and it’s a key part of how we work. We genuinely value what children think of our books, so we listen and take action. Some bad reviews can always be expected after publication and to a certain extent it has to be taken on the chin. Not everyone is going to like all of our books all of the time, especially with the sorts of books that we publish. We like to take risks and publish books that other publishers may not always take on.
If a number of bad reviews come in for a particular book then as a group we would sit down and figure out why, and where these reviews came from and what changes would need to be made to future publications to ensure the books were seen in a better light. We are a tight knit company who are passionate about producing high quality children’s books, and as such we take reviews very seriously. They are the best way to see what the public think of our titles, and are directly related to sales so we always take feedback seriously.
What were your favorite books growing up?
Anything by Roald Dahl. He was a genius when it came to children’s books. I have always been a huge horror and science fiction fan. The Riverworld series by Phillip Jose Falmer is my all time favorite set of science fiction stories. I have always loved anything scary too, from classics like Frankenstein and Dracula, to The Shining and Pet Cemetery.
What has been the craziest request/question a child has asked you at a school event?
I always end my sessions with a question and answer session. Questions are always entertaining (and often nothing to do with books). Where did I get my trainers from? How tall am I? What’s my favorite food? are all questions I’ve had from kids. I often sketch whatever children want me to sketch too… just a quick scribble of whatever is shouted out. The strangest has to be a monster that had the head of a dragon, legs of a horse, ears of a lion, fifteen eyes, a snakes tongue and wings of a pigeon… that was a fun one to draw.
What is your favorite Disney/Pixar Movie and why?
I love loads of Disney/Pixar films and watch them again and again. For me though it has to be, Up! simply because it’s one of the best all round films ever made. From a storytelling point of view the first ten minutes of the film were amongst the best cinematic sequences, animated or otherwise, ever put together. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen that film.
Most of the visitors to this blog live outside the United Kingdom. Where should they go or do when they visit the North of England where you’re based?
They should visit us at our new offices and stop by for a coffee on the balcony. We have a fantastic space complete with a ‘chill out zone’ (bean bags, computer games, TV and snacks). We’re also in the process of setting up an ‘art cafe’ and an art gallery on the bottom floor our building!
What can we expect from Calvin Innes and My Little Big Town in the next 12 months?
Lots of fantastic new books, both printed and digital. We have ten new printed titles and over twenty digital titles being released over the next twelve months. We are also launching two new imprints, ‘Room 110′ which will be publishing comic books and graphic novels and ‘Last Door On the Left’ which will be publishing books for teens and adults, including our first non-fiction books. MLBT is also venturing into TV with My Little Big TV and Radio with the My Little Big Radio Show. It’s going to be a busy year.
What advice do you have for authors who have received multiple rejections from publishers and are at the brink of giving up?
Just keep going, it’s as simple as that. Even the best authors get rejected (often a lot). If you’re getting the same feedback or advice on how to improve again and again, don’t be too proud to take it. Even great writers improve over time and sometimes need to take a step back to assess themselves and their writing. Get feedback from people who aren’t related to you. Just because your kid’s like your book doesn’t mean other people will.
Wow! There’s just so much good stuff you’ve shared with us today Calvin, I’ll definitely be coming back to read this interview. I love what you said about Marketing being everything. While it’s a bit frustrating to see average or poorly written books sitting at the top of best-seller lists, the sad reality is that if a writer/publisher does not grasp the importance of marketing their books, then they could very well admit they’re pursuing a hobby and not a professional endeavor. You can discover the latest news and giveaways at Calvin’s firm by following them on Twitter at the link below
https://twitter.com/mylittlebigtown
You can also discover all the books in his company’s catalog and all the wonderful authors at My Little Big Town by visiting the link below
http://www.mylittlebigtown.com/blog/
September 7, 2013
Free Kindle Download – Billy and Monster: The Superhero with Fart Powers
Hello!
I’m happy to announce that you can get the second Billy and Monster book free today and tomorrow. 
Billy and Monster: The Superhero with Fart Powers is a funny books for kids that is a sequel to the popular Billy and the Monster who Loved to Fart.
So what happens in this episode?
Billy and Monster love going to school as they learn so much stuff like the different planets, counting to twenty-seven and spelling chewing gum. However, most afternoons, school get’s a bit boring and they both end up sleeping in class. At such moments Billy wishes he could be a Superhero!
If he was a superhero, Billy could save stray cats from trees, help old ladies across the street and make sure his class had a constant supply of chocolate. He could also count on Monster to confuse the bad guys with his fart powers!
One day at a fancy dress party, Billy and Monster come in contact with a thief whose been stealing people’s jewelry. Will they let him get away or will their superhero powers save the day?
In this funny book for kids, you will discover how fart powers can be used to conquer the forces of evil.
Quickly download your copy today and tell your family to grab a FREE copy of Billy and Monster: The Superhero with Fart Powers.
I’d also like to use this opportunity to share with you a video trailer made for this fart book for kids. Enjoy
September 4, 2013
Interview With Children’s Book Author and Illustrator Kathy Beynette
It’s Author Interview Thursday! If you loved the authors we featured on this blog in August, then you’re in for an absolute treat in September as I have some very special individuals who will be gracing us with their presence and wisdom.
To kick us off this month, we have a lady whose passion for life is vividly expressed in her artwork and books. She has a studio in Virginia where her captivating artwork are brought to life. I was particularly looking forward to meeting her as I’m fascinated by the fact that she writes and illustrates her own books. Please join me in welcoming Kathy Beynette.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up being a children’s book author?
I always wanted to be a writer. When I was a little girl, I wore special shoes. They were special because I had a little trouble walking straight and the shoes would help fix my feet. There was one problem. I thought they were UGLY shoes! I hated them. The day we bought them I cried on the way home from the shoe store. I went straight to my room and wrote an angry poem about the shoe store and its employees who had sold us the ugly shoes. Without telling anyone, I sent the poem to the store so they would learn exactly what I thought about them. A few days later, my parents got a phone call from a lawyer who very seriously told them that they could be in trouble if my poem was ever made public. I was only ten years old. I learned that I could get a big response by writing about my feelings. Then, in the sixth grade, as girls started to fall in “love,” they would commission me to write steamy romantic poems starring them with the boys they admired. I think I got about twenty-five cents for each poem! These childhood experiences showed me the power—and fun—of writing. I was hooked. I eventually studied literature and creative writing in college.
What can a reader expect when they pick up a Kathy Beynette book?
Expect to smile!
What is the process from when you get an idea for a book to the point it gets published?
I get the idea and mull it over for a while. I keep it private for a bit. Then, if it still feels like a great idea, I work on my first draft. When and IF I get something down that I love, I think about the artwork. Does it want to be a drawing or a painting? Or, as in the case of my new book, “When I Am Not Myself,” it may want to be both drawings and paintings. I make a “dummy” book and show it to my publisher. If she likes it and agrees to publish it, she offers me a contract. She may suggest changes. We work together until we are both happy with the book. At that point, I disappear from the process while the publisher assigns the project to an editor and designer. As they come up with the final version of the book, they ask me to take a look at it and we brainstorm about the design and details. Then, I start watching my mailbox for a copy of the book!
What marketing methods are you using to promote your book?
My publisher has sales reps that place the book in all the best places like independent bookstores and museum shops all over the world! I speak about the book at elementary schools and libraries and book festivals and fairs. I sign books at bookstores and in my studio. My publicist is talking about my books with all kinds of folks.
Most people know Kathy Beynette the artist. What’s your style and what artist inspires you? 
My style is narrative. The subject matter is sometimes quite obvious and sometimes more abstract. It is often described as whimsical and fun. Young artists inspire me — kids drawing for the pure pleasure of creating. I like to look at Basquiat and Dubuffet and Paul Klee. Artists who work hard to create something original inspire me. Also, musical artists inspire me. When I see a concert by Patti Griffin, for example, and hear her original lyrics and watch her perform, I am proud to be a creative person like her! Her talent motivates me to go home and create something special, too!
Most writers are familiar with the concept of writer’s block. Is there something similar in an artist’s world and what do you do to overcome both?
Sometimes, at the completion of a big project, I feel a little dazed. The best thing to do, is to change things up and work with a different medium. I have used those occasions to make little sculptures or work with graphite. It changes the tempo and gets me ready for my next big project. In no time at all, I am ready to paint and draw again.
Most children’s book writers employ the services of an illustrator. However, you write and illustrate. What comes first to you – the story or the images?
I think of a concept first and the concept encompasses both images and story. They grow organically together. That, I believe, is the magic of being the author and illustrator.
What advice can you give indie authors with regard to working with an illustrator to ensure the vision of their story is effectively communicated to the illustrator? 
Good question. I would camp out at the library looking at illustrated books. If I couldn’t find the perfect illustrator — or convince the perfect one to work with me — I would consider this a big opportunity to discover new talent. I would find a high school student with crazy good drawing skills — or a younger child whose artwork makes me happy. I’d look at Pinterest to find artists I have never heard of. I would consider photographers, too, and sculptors, and chefs — anything unconventional. You want your book to stand out, right? Well, go look for a stand out illustrator who thinks that working with you would be a dream come true! My illustrator would have to share some of my core values, especially about respecting animal rights. No crazy politics either. I wouldn’t want to be associated with someone I couldn’t respect. Pretty picky about that. . .
What’s the weirdest thing a young child has said about one of your paintings?
Recently, I received a letter from a young girl who implored me to never stop drawing. She said she would “go crazy” if I stopped!
Toy Story or Shrek? 
Ha! I once worked in a bookstore. Each employee had to present a book report on a children’s book to get everyone familiar with that department of the store. I chose Shrek for my report. So you probably think I’m going to choose Shrek. But, wait! My ring tone on my mobile is “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” from Toy Story. So, you chose two favorites. If I have to pick, I am going with Toy Story because of fond memories seeing the movie with a special kid. Many times. He was afraid of the “scary monkey” and always acted like he was ready to go when that part was coming. We would reach the lobby and then he would decide to return to the theater.
What is a typical day for Kathy Beynette?
Get up, take a little run/walk in my neighborhood. Go to my studio around ten, stopping for a Mocha Light Frappuccino to take with me. I work almost nonstop until five or six, listening to music a lot the time. I listen to music to drown out conversations in neighboring studios. I am listening to opera lately. My husband works at night, so I often have dinner with another artist. I love to get feedback, share ideas and experiences, commiserate about the difficulty of making a living as an artist, celebrate the successes. I am lucky to be part of a wonderful network of creative friends and colleagues. I spend time with my family and stay up pretty late reading or enjoying a movie. I also like to visit thrift stores trying to pop some tags!
What can we expect from Kathy Beynette in the next 12 months? 
In March/April 2014, my new book “When I Am Not Myself” will be published. I have a new calendar for 2014 that is available now; one for 2015 is being published right now and will be ready next summer. I just learned about a new birthday card that will be published using my painting “Spring Chickens!” I love my publisher, Pomegranate, and look forward to new projects with them. I will be working hard creating new paintings. As we do this interview, I am getting ready to leave for a week of vacation, taking a sketch book and hoping to come up with my next idea for a book. You can expect that I will work really, really hard in the next twelve months because that is the ONLY way to do it!! Really, there is no other way.
Where can fans and readers of your books and paintings discover more about you and connect with you?
Well, come to the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia! That’s where I have a studio and I am very happy to share my work and meet all kinds of people — and their dogs!! I keep dog treats in my studio! Follow me on Facebook and learn what I am doing and where I am going. You can write to me at the Factory — 105 North Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
Any advice for authors and out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the publishing industry? 
Besides the usual (but true) “don’t give up” advice, I would say to make work that is super fresh. If you are also an illustrator like me, enter shows and get your art seen by as many people as possible. You never know who will eventually wander into your studio or your booth at an art fair. Join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and you will get lots of information. Read blogs like this one and others devoted to children’s literature and blogs about writing. Don’t think that “it” will happen in conventional ways; look for the back door into the process. BE NICE! And do whatever you do to conjure up some good luck.
Thanks Kathy for sharing with us from the well of your experiences and knowledge. I am confident that readers of this interview will be inspired and encouraged. You can also discover more of Kathy’s work and connect with her by visiting and LIKING her Facebook page at the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/Beynette
You can also see Kathy’s books, calendars, puzzles etc at her Amazon store
September 3, 2013
Author Interviews in the Month of September
Hello
Wow! I can’t believe we’re already in September. 2013 has been a very eventful year for me and I’ve learned so much as I’ve grown as a writer and self-publisher. I do have to admit that the best part of my journey has been the wonderful people I’ve met along the way.
If you enjoyed Author Interview Thursday in the month of August, then you’re in for a treat this month because we have a wonderful bunch of authors lined up. Just check out this all-star list.
Kathy Beynette joins us on September 5th. She’s an artist with a studio out in Virginia and she uses animals to convey messages in her work. Her poems remind some of Dr. Seuss. Her first children’s book, When Your Porcupine Feels Prickly is available in some bookstores and also on the Amazon store. In my interview with her she’ll be talking about how getting the wrong shoes was the trigger to her writing career, her thoughts on how authors can find and work with illustrators, a typical day in her life and much more.
Calvin Innes is our featured guest on September 12th.
I met Calvin at the London Book Fair in April and he is the founder and CEO of My Little Big Town Publishing based in Hull, England. For anyone who has any plans to one day have their books published by a traditional publisher, you definitely don’t want to miss this one! As a publisher, Calvin will be sharing how writers should approach publishing companies, what stands out for him when he reads a manuscript, how he deals with an illustrator’s equivalent of writers block and much more.
Adam T. Newman joins us on September 19th.
He shares a very personal story of how he got to write his first book and start his publishing company. He talks about the difference between the film and publishing industries. Adam will also be sharing tips on how children’s book writers can get reading engagements at schools and how to offer a memorable presentation. I’m especially looking forward to what Adam has to say about presenting in schools as this is one activity I plan to do more of in the coming months.
Ally Nathaniel joins us on September 26th and she’s the best-selling author of several books in the Early Learning category on Amazon. Ally shares a little bit about herself, how she’s marketing her books and advice for authors on the brink of giving up plus much more.
A stellar cast I hope you’ll agree. So make sure to tune in every Thursday in the month of September as you’ll be inspired, informed and entertained.
For past author interviews, you can go to the link below and you can read all the interviews I’ve done so far this year.
September 2, 2013
Here’s What’s Cooking This Week
Hello.
I just wanted to fill you in on what I’m doing and what’s going to be happening on my blog this week.
First of all, I wanted to share this image with you.
Billy and Monster now have a place in a local bookstore in Wood Green, London. It did bring a smile to my face and I’m hopeful that they’ll soon be making an appearance at a bookstore or library near you. You can help speed up the process by asking your local library or bookstore that you’d like them to stock books by David Chuka on their shelves. That would be a massive help.
My next book is going to be somewhat of a departure from books I’ve done in the past. To the right is the image my illustrator sent over to me last week. Its about a sea dragon called Kojo and the entire story takes place underwater. In this image, Kojo is swimming past a hair salon run by an Octopus. It’s a cute story that has themes around family, friendship, bravery and obedience.
I might settle on this style for the illustrations or something different. Will keep you updated in the coming weeks. By the way, I’d really be appreciative of your thoughts on what you like/dislike about the image.
Finally, we have 4 super authors lined up for Author Interview Thursday this month. I’ll be talking more about them tomorrow, so stay tuned. Our featured author this week is Kathy Beynette and she also happens to be an artist who writes and illustrates her books. You don’t want to miss that!
Do have an outstanding week and DREAM BIG!
August 28, 2013
Interview with Chidrens Book Author Angela Muse
Its Author Interview Thursday and I just have to say our featured authors in the month of August have been amazing.
Today’s author in the hot seat is someone whose books I love and have read to my children at bedtime on numerous occasions. There is a uniqueness to her stories and zany appeal to her illustrations that make them stand out. Her books can be found on many best-seller categories in the Amazon Kindle store and she is someone whose work ethic and excellence I admire and celebrate. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Angela Muse.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up being a children’s book author?
I grew up in a military family so we moved around a lot. It seemed I was always the new kid in school and it took me a while to warm up to people. During those difficult teen years I started expressing myself through writing poetry and short stories and then song lyrics. When I became a Mom, I started telling stories to my children and they encouraged me to publish. I created one book, Lil Glimmer, in 2009 and then I chickened out and didn’t publish any more. Last year I promised myself I would take more chances with my writing and we completed several picture books. I’m so glad I stuck with it because I’m having so much fun.
Tell us about your latest book and what format is it available in?
Our latest book is titled Monsters Have Mommies and is available in kindle and paperback formats on Amazon. Have you ever wondered if monsters have mommies and daddies? It turns out monsters families are a lot like our families. This monstrous tale about parents and family is perfect for children aged eight and under.
What can a reader expect when they pick up an Angela Muse book?
Most of my stories are told in verse so they can expect lots of rhymes. I also pride myself on working with great illustrators so you can expect engaging pictures to go along with each story. Each story tries to entertain while also importing a positive message to the young reader.
What do you love best about being a children’s book author?
My imagination can take me anywhere. While collecting acorns to decorate our home for Thanksgiving, I came up with the idea of a book about a family of acorn nuts and the adventure a brother or sister might have. This idea resulted in The Nutt Family: An Acorny Adventure. Also, we get to be a small part of shaping young minds imparting messages about bullying, sharing and showing kindness to others.
Where do you usually write your books?
When I get an idea I scribble it down no matter where I am. If I’m at a restaurant, in the car at a red light or at home I keep a notepad handy to jot things down.
Do you believe in writer’s block and what do you do to overcome it?
Oh yes I do. It doesn’t happen to me very often, but just recently I was working on a Christmas book and things just weren’t coming together. I got stuck and left the story alone for a few weeks. When I got ready to go back to it, another better idea came to me so I scrapped the original story. The new story is almost complete. Sometimes you just have to let things go and something better may come along.
What marketing methods are you using to promote your book?
We are enrolled in the Kindle Select program for most of our books which gives us the opportunity to give away free copies of our kindle books in exchange for exposure. We’ve also participated in blog hops with giveaways, sponsored paperback giveaways on Goodreads and Librarything and sought out reviewers and bloggers that speak to our target audience of mothers with young children.
Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing has afforded a lot of indie authors the opportunity to get their books published. Where do you see the industry headed as more people with varying skills and intentions use KDP to publish their books and how are you positioning yourself to stand out in this marketplace?
The marketplace for indie authors is wide open right now and I know many readers have complained about the quality of work that is being churned out by some authors. We will not sacrifice quality. We believe in presenting a good story with beautiful pictures and we will continue to offer that to our readers.
What mistake(s) have you made while publishing your books that you would advise other authors against?
In the beginning I didn’t know what I was doing. I hadn’t researched who the big players were for indies to get exposure. I didn’t know that getting editorial reviews was important and I had a hard time finding other indie authors in my genre to gain knowledge from. I would encourage other authors to do their research, network with authors in your genre before you publish that first book.
How do you deal with bad reviews?
David, everybody gets them. Even the most critically acclaimed authors get one star reviews from time to time. Of course I say this now, but it is quite unsettling when you see that first bad review or two. You have to toughen up quick and realize that not everyone is going to fall in love with the story you gave birth to. As long as you put out quality work there will be readers who will love it to.
Toy Story or Shrek?
Definitely Toy Story. When I was little I always wondered if my toys came to life when I slept so this movie resonated with me.
What is a typical day for Angela Muse?
Writing for me is what I do for fun so my typical day begins at my day job in the finance industry. I commute in my car ninety minutes each way, but this drive time is when I get some of my ideas. After working a full day I head home to spend time with my family. I write either at lunch or at night when my kids are fast asleep.
What can we expect from Angela Muse in the next 12 months?
In the next couple of months you can expect us to release a lovely Christmas book on Amazon. We are also actively working with local independent book stores in the Atlanta area to carry our paperbacks.
Where can fans and readers of your books discover more about you and connect with you?
If you are interested in what we do they can visit our website at www.4eyesbooks.com.
Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the publishing industry?
For those starting out soak up knowledge from other veteran indie authors by visiting the Writer’s Café at kindleboards.com or joining an indie author Facebook group. Having a support group of people to learn from is so important.
Thanks for spending some time with us today Angela. I really have to agree with you on that last point as joining a facebook author group has really improved my skills as a writer and publisher. You can also connect with Angela on Twitter. Her twitter handle is @amuse663 and you can follow her by clicking this link https://twitter.com/amuse663
You can also discover and buy Angela’s books by visiting her Amazon Author Page at the link below
August 26, 2013
Has Amazon Fallen out of Love with Indie Authors?
At the moment, all my books can only be purchased on the Amazon website. Most indie authors at the moment will agree that things just aren’t the same at Amazon.
There used to be a time when a free promo period would lead to a significant bump in sales in the days and sometimes weeks after. That no longer seems to be the case. One theory being circulated is that Amazon has changed their algorithm and this algorithm change no longer favors the self publisher. My theory is that Amazon is trying to wean customers off a ‘free’ mind-set. I don’t know if Amazon really has changed their algorithm but the facts don’t lie. Something definitely has changed and this change has to lead to the way indie authors approach marketing their books and staying abreast of these changes. Over the next few lines, I want to share 4 specific things that I’m doing right now that have helped/helping me become a better writer/publisher.
Joining Facebook Author Groups
I just had to start with this as I can directly relate my improvement as a writer and publisher to the knowledge gained from being in the midst of like-minded people.
A great man once said that iron sharpens iron and this is what you’ll find when you join a Facebook group with authors from your city and all over the world. I believe it’s so critical to join a group of writers as the job of a writer naturally lends itself to periods of isolation and in this changing publishing world, you can’t afford to exist in isolation.
Sometimes you’ll feel discouraged. Sometimes a book you spent quality time researching, writing and marketing might not be received well by the market. Sometimes you just feel like quitting, closing shop and doing something else. It’s at such times that having a network of like-minded people can help you with their encouragement and knowledge. It also helps to be in a group that has its finger on the pulse. The publishing world at the moment is undergoing a significant paradigm shift and having close cohorts with an ear to the marketplace can be the difference between success and failure in this present climate.
The Power of Twitter
I had something of a mini epiphany about a week ago. I’ve been on twitter for about 4 years but I never really got it. It just didn’t make sense to me how one’s voice could be heard or you could genuinely connect with people in this vast ecosystem of millions of people with various agendas.
Then it hit me BIG TIME last week just before and after I published the Author Interview Thursday for the week. Twitter is all about discovering people with your interests, engaging with what they have to say and providing something of value to them! Within the space of 72 hours I had about 40 new followers. Now you have to understand that it took me about 3-4 months to get to that number so it truly was amazing.
One big advantage you have with Twitter is LEVERAGE. You can tap into people’s circle of influence. For example, I currently have about 150 followers. However, if I wrote an interesting/funny/inspirational tweet and it got retweeted by someone with 5,000 followers, my message then has a potential audience of 5,150 and not just 150. Think about that. I believe I’m just at the start of my twitter journey and I look forward to writing an exclusive post about my twitter adventure at some point in the future. My twitter handle is @davidchuka and you can follow me at the link below.
https://twitter.com/DavidChuka
Writing a Series
If you look at the successful films that were released over the summer you’ll see one common theme – they all belong to a series. Don’t believe me?
Iron Man 3… Part of a series.
Fast and the Furious 6…part of a series.
Kick Ass 2… part of a series.
Despicable Me 2… part of a series.
And I’m sure you probably know a few more. I believe one of our jobs as writers is to transport people to locations and situations uncommon to their everyday life. And when we read a book or watch a movie about a character we believe in and come to love, they become a part of our lives and we want to know more about them. It’s almost like we develop an emotional attachment with them and agonize with them over every cliff-hanger decision they have to make, mourn for their losses and celebrate their eventual victory. It’s this emotional attachment to certain characters that Hollywood and successful writers have tapped into by producing multiple books to make a series. Popular authors who have successfully done this include:
Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter series
Stephenie Meyers – The Twilight series
Ed Harris – Hannibal Lecter series
Lauren Child – Charlie and Lola series
Dav Pilkey – Captain Underpant Series
And I’m very sure you have a particular author whose books you passionately devour and can’t wait for the next title to be released. If launching multiple titles is good enough for Hollywood and these successful authors, then I believe its good enough for any and every author.
It never really was my intention to make the Billy and Monster series. However, a dear friend of mine opened my eyes to the possibilities of writing more books about this little boy and his monster in different situations and that children who loved the first book would be willing to discover what happens next with Billy.
I’ve currently written and published 4 books in the series and just finished writing book 5. By the way, the first Billy and Monster book and the latest in the series – Billy and Monster’s New Neighbor Has a Secret are currently 99cents and are funny books ideal for 4-8 year olds.
Part of the benefits of doing a series includes:
1. You already have a fan base familiar with the characters and don’t have to spend any marketing dollars trying to convince this already established audience to buy your latest book.
2. People who read a book in your series and love it, will be compelled to read other titles in the series.
3. You can get feedback from your fan base and create better stories for them. This feedback from your fan-base will also let you know what’s working or not in your books, thereby improving the quality of future titles.
4. You can create a new series out of characters in a series (just think about how the Wolverine from the X-Men films now has its own franchise).
5. It’s relatively easier to write new books in a series because you’ve spent time with characters in the book and don’t have to start from scratch.
6. You can monetize the popularity of a successful series by manufacturing merchandise to sell linked to characters, quotes, places etc. found in them.
7. Your books become more attractive to a traditional publisher/TV company/film studio when they understand its part of a successful and popular series.
Not every book can or should be part of a series. Still, it’s important to listen to your audience and see if you can still offer more books based around a character(s) they enjoy.
Telling People What You Do
There is something powerful and unique about meeting people face to face and telling them about the books you write and what you hope to achieve with them.
While social media and the internet have helped many self-publishers achieve their publishing goals, I really believe we’re leaving a lot of money on the table by not telling people in the various geographical locations we find ourselves in what we do.
A friend of mine on Twitter while at an appointment at his local dentist, told him he wrote children’s books. The dentist then made an on-the-spot decision to buy several copies of my friend’s books to display in his office. What would have happened if he hadn’t told his dentist? Nothing is the simple answer.
Perhaps, like me you’re not really one for blowing your own trumpet. This could stem from shyness, not thinking your books are good enough or simply not wanting to be a pest. You most likely have a book that’s well written and would add value to someone else’s life. The sad reality is that unless you tell people about your book, no one’s going to know about it. And while we sometimes gravitate towards the comfort and power that operating behind a computer screen affords us, your major breakthrough might just be a foot away from you at your local supermarket, family reunion or child’s playground. You just never know if you don’t talk. Maybe like me, you’re sometimes afraid of rejection. I hope these quotes below will spur you on to consider employing word-of-mouth marketing into your bag of tricks.
I think that you have to believe in your destiny; that you will succeed, you will meet a lot of rejection and it is not always a straight path, there will be detours – so enjoy the view.
Michael York
An objection is not a rejection; it is simply a request for more information.
Bo Bennett
I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat.
Sylvester Stallone
Don’t let anyone, or any rejection, keep you from what you want.
Ashley Tisdale
I really wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of rejection.
Billy Joel
Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection. Success, popularity, and power can indeed present a great temptation, but their seductive quality often comes from the way they are part of the much larger temptation to self-rejection. When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity, and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions. The real trap, however, is self-rejection. As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, “Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody.” … [My dark side says,] I am no good… I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned. Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the “Beloved.” Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
I only begun utilising this method a few months ago and a few people got to know at my local church that I wrote children’s books. Well, one dear lady who works in a preschool asked if I’d love to come to her school to do a reading. With a big fat smile on my face, my answer was YES!
I went to the school and had a great time plus I learned a lot about my target audience during the four hours I was with them. I think I must have made an impression because they’ve booked me to come back in October and are liaising with other sister schools on my behalf to see if they’d like me to do something similar for their children. Only time will tell where all of this might lead to but the most important thing is that it would not have been possible if I hadn’t believed in myself and my books and started talking to people.
There you have it. Four things I’m doing right now that are making me a better writer and publisher. As Amazon changes their modus operandi, its important indie authors equip themselves with the tools necessary to remain relevant and profitable in a changing world. I’d really love to hear your thoughts on this post. Simply leave a comment below and I’ll respond.
August 21, 2013
Interview with Billboard Top 40 Artist Kim Cameron
It’s another Author Interview Thursday and I hope you’re ready to be inspired and discover something new from our featured author. In the hot seat today is a lady whose probably better known for her musical talents.
She’s a Billboard Top 40 Artist and has had her songs played on radio stations in most Western countries. She’s rubbed shoulders with quite a few people of influence but always has time to leave a positive influence on the few or many who enter her presence. Her foray into publishing her first children’s book is quite interesting and I’m so happy she’s taken the time to speak with us today. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Kim Cameron.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what got you started writing?
I began writing as a TV journalist. I wrote some copy when I worked as a radio personality, but that was mainly for commercials. I started out as a small town TV reporter when I wrote on air copy. After moving to the east coast, I began writing press releases and other marketing copy for the Smithsonian. When I began my original music project, (Side FX), I got inspired to write my first story, which was a musical. At the same time, the Examiner asked me to write about the DC music scene. Last fall, however, my inspiration for Seaper Powers was conceived. While on my band tour in the Caribbean, I met a 12 year old, who had a fascination with octopi. For some reason it intrigued both me and my guitar player. We ended up writing a children’s song the next afternoon called, “Mr. Octopus.” My guitar player and I had no idea what we were going to do with a children’s song, but after a few discussions, he asked if I would write a story around the song. Given our love of music and all things audio, we decided to make the story into an audiobook. We wanted it to be something kids could download and listen on their iPods while they were on their summer vacations. It turned out to be a lot more work then we ever thought, but I am pretty happy with the outcome.
What can a reader expect when they pick up a Kim Cameron book?
I always try to make sure there is a moral to the story. I am a big super hero fan, and I believe there is a little bit of hero in all of us. I also want books to take you some place you had never been.
Do you believe in writer’s block and what do you do to overcome it?
Oh yes! I am not sure I know the exact remedy, but I do find escaping to sea hugging towns seem to break my block. I suspect climbing a mountain might as well, but those are harder to get to for the most part.
What has been your most successful marketing method for promoting your books?
Right now, my music fan base. Everyone either has a kid, or has friends with kids, and people, in general like to see kids involved in books or activities that do not involve TV and texting, so my fans have been great in getting out the word.
What were some of your favorite books as a child?
Green Eggs and Ham and Cat in the Hat were my two favorites when I was super young. As I got a little older, Go Ask Alice and Nancy Drew.
What mistake(s) have you made while publishing your books that you would advise other authors against?
Do not settle for one medium. We started out just as audio, and quickly learned there was a real need for hard cover. Now, with CreateSpace, indie authors can offer both. I should have had them all ready at once, but it took a couple months to get there.
Anybody who knows Kim Cameron knows that she loves music. Can you tell us about any songs you’re working on at the moment or gigs you’re preparing for?
There are two super cool events coming up. One is my EP release party in NYC on August 14 at the XVI Rooftop. There will be a ton of fashion designers, actors and fellow musicians, so it should be an amazing party. The second is a private event, but it takes place in London at this old, grand club. While I have been to London several times, never as a performer. I love firsts.
In 2011, you sang the National Anthem for the Washington Redskins in their home stadium. Can you tell us how that came about and what it felt like standing on the 50-yard line with thousands watching and singing with you?
That is still my single most memorable gig. My agent secured that one by talking to the Redskins’ owner. I was terrified, excited, and star struck all at the same time. You never really understand how big the field is until you are standing on it. And of course, the football players are enormous compared to me down there. I loved every single minute.
What gives you more of a buzz, recording in the studio or before an audience?
That is always a hard question to answer. When I am in the studio, I get high from all the creativity seeping through the walls. But, on stage, I turn into a different person…so I have been told. Almost like I am in a bubble where nothing can hurt or stop me. It’s the best rush.
What was the last film you saw and what did you like about it?
Lone Ranger…. and loved it. Such a tongue in cheek movie, and Johnny Depp (my ongoing crush) steals the show. I loved that they took the story totally differently then the original concept.
What can we expect from Kim Cameron in 2013?
Well, I hope to finish Seaper Powers the sequel and announce a Caribbean tour. I was going to put songwriting on hold, but I just got a call last week…. so it looks like that is back on the table as well.
Where can fans and readers of your books discover more about you and connect with you?
SideFXMusic.com is the best place. We update it daily and even have our daily twitter feed on the front page.
Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the publishing industry?
Keep writing. Don’t throw anything away. Just put it down for a while. Talk to a friend about it, and come back to it when you are ready. With all the new digital devices, people are consuming books, articles, whatever, like crazy. There is a market out there.
Thanks for being with us today Kim and revealing the genesis of Seaper Powers plus an insight into who Kim Cameron is. I can personally testify to your last point about never throwing anything away as I recently found a short story I did about four years ago that’s going to be published in the next few weeks. You can discover more about Kim’s up to by following her on twitter with the twitter handle @sidefxband. Below is a trailer for Kim’s children’s book Seaper Powers
August 14, 2013
Interview with Travel Writer Savannah Grace
It’s another Author Interview Thursday and I have to admit today’s interview has been in the works for quite a few weeks. I met today’s author on the GoodReads website and then we connected on Twitter. 
Her life story reads like a multi-million dollar Hollywood movie but trust me, there’s nothing fictional about her. I have been impressed and inspired by her passion for life and the hard work she’s put into promoting her best-selling book and connecting with her fans and fellow authors. Please join me in welcoming Savannah. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you’re currently up to at the moment? My name is Savannah Grace, I was born and raised in both North and West Vancouver, Canada. I am the youngest member of a world traveling family and have visited 99 countries. When I was 14 my mom decided, after my dad walked out, that she would sell everything and we would go backpacking around the world starting in Hong Kong, China (brother 25, sister 17, and mom 45). Though it was initially meant to be a one year trip, I was on the road from the age of 14-18 before going home and shortly thereafter moving to Holland. I’m currently busy with the second volume of my memoir series. Would you consider taking your 14-year old daughter on a backpacking adventure? I would love to be able to have a similar experience with my own family one day, though it is a lot of hard work and stress to go through what we did. One side of me knows how strong it made me and how much it influenced who I am today, but I don’t know if I would want to put my daughter through some of the things I went through.
There is no doubt at all in my mind that I will expose my kids to travel from the start. I think the big difference of my daughter and myself at 14 will be that I did not want to go. My daughter would likely be thrilled by the idea of such a backpacking trip. I would want travel to be so much a part of their lives as it is for me now. I would raise them to be as open minded as possible and to expose them to all walks of life. I think that is so important. I’m not sure if I would be able to go on an odyssey of quite the same extent. Though my life is always full of surprises so we will just have to wait and see! Can you tell us about your lowest point on your backpacking adventure and how you got through that period? The hardest times were just the everyday hardships and struggle of living on the road. Sometimes it just got to you. We were there in Egypt for 5 months which was one of the hardest countries to deal with 24/7. It was difficult to live as a local in the Egyptian community because they treated us so poorly being white, western females. Extremely disrespectful and that was difficult to live with, always being outnumbered, standing out and being preyed on. I’m sure that for the Egyptian women it is also hard, so I do feel for them in their situation.
The all-time lowest was traveling through Western Africa on local transport. I was going through an extremely difficult time emotionally and physically from the everyday haul of it. Being plagued with all the drama that haunts a 17 year old female also didn’t help. I was really at the end of my rope, practically digging my feet in the ground refusing to go any further when we met my now boyfriend. He was traveling through in a big yellow truck and he let us hop in and join him. Being able to travel in a truck like that was a million times easier than carrying our heavy backpacks every day, squeezing in the hot, dusty local transport, completely at their mercy… It’s a long story but, my goodness, was there ever a lot of drama! The best way to get through it I guess is to stick together and support each other. What can a reader expect when they pick up a Savannah Grace book? My readers can expect to find a lot of description, emotion and dialogue. My author hero is Diana Gabaldon from the “Outlander” series, so if you’ve read those, that is the style I’m aiming for. I want to bring my readers into the story, and let them experience the adventures first hand. I try to bring the world to my readers, in every sense that I can. From what others say, you will also find a lot of unintentional humour within the pages of a Savannah Grace book. Your book (Sihpromatum – I Grew my Boobs in China) chronicles all the places you’ve been to. Can you tell us about a life and death experience you had while travelling?
My series, “Sihpromatum”, is a family backpacking journey built around a startling backdrop of eighty countries, covered mainly by land. “I Grew my Boobs in China” tells the story of leaving everything behind and relates our adventures in China and Mongolia. Amazingly, there weren’t too many life threatening experiences on our trip. In the first book we get stranded in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia with hardly any food or water. We resulted to catching a wild camel and tried having it pull our van to safety to no success. Our driver ventured out into the desert to find help while we stayed back and kept the camel tied to a bush…If need be we had other plans for the camel. We were eventually rescued and stayed with a nomadic family for the night. Another time my sister ate rotten ketchup. My mom gave her antibiotics to prevent botulism but she reacted to the pills so we rushed her to the nearest hospital in a small town in Macedonia. We were lucky to be in a town because she swelled up like a balloon and couldn’t breathe anymore. Without the nearby access to an adrenaline shot she surely would have died. Do you believe in writer’s block and what do you do to overcome it? Of course there is writers block and I admit I JUST overcame the retched “disease” this month. There is a fine line between being lazy and having writers block, at least for me anyway. It’s so important to recognize the difference so that the correct solution can be applied. If it’s simply a case of slacking and stalling because of pressure, fear, doubt etc, I really have to force myself to just START and once I do it’s easy. On the other hand, if its writers block, like many other authors have said, there is really nothing to do but sit and wait. I generally always have ideas flowing and I talk a LOT, which helps me stay creative, and eventually the day comes when I start feeling ”it” again and pages of writing start pouring out of me. I think the important thing to remember is NOT to doubt yourself as a writer when you get writers block. Though many people underestimate and can’t understand how much work it is to be a writer saying, “oh yeah, sitting in your pyjamas in bed drinking tea… how hard can it be?!” but it takes a lot of emotional energy and that’s draining. Sometimes, we need a rest to recharge. There are times where I go months without writing and suddenly the urge comes back and the first thing I want to do when I open my eyes in the morning is rush to my computer and continue the story. What has been your most successful marketing method for promoting your books?
Without a doubt going to markets and fairs to sell the book has been my most effective marketing method. I’ve been lucky that my whole family is involved and while I have been writing the sequel in Holland they’ve been busy attending every single market they can from Christmas shows to women’s craft fairs. I’m not sure if every book would be suitable for this but I have had great success. Being in person, hands on and in people’s faces is a LOT more effective than anything else. I could be more productive by doing library speeches, book signings etc. Other ways I’ve marketed are by getting involved in the author/traveller/blogger communities online. Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, keeping a blog, all of these sites are great marketing platforms. Participating in Twitter chats, writing guest posts and doing interviews. It’s important to stay active and for people to keep seeing you in your community. It is so easy to slip away and be forgotten when there’s so much going on in this world, with thousands of other books to compete against. Though I don’t believe in competition, I consider all authors one big family and I think there’s room enough for everyone’s book to get the readership they deserve! What mistake(s) have you made while publishing your books that you would advise other authors against? Ooh, this is a tricky one. Though I’ve made a few mistakes I don’t regret anything I’ve done because it’s been a big learning curve for me. You can’t go into this kind of thing, especially as a self-publisher, knowing exactly what’s right and what’s wrong. It’s important to get a feel for the industry and make mistakes. One thing I will do differently when I publish my second book in the series will be to do more pre-release marketing. That hadn’t occurred to me before, as I had no experience at all in marketing or publishing. Now that I have a small fan base, I will be sure to send out ARCs and get reviews lined up before the release. What is the best backpacker movie you’ve seen and what did you love about it? To be honest I’m not quite sure what a “backpacker movie” is. I am not a big movie or TV person. Okay, I just googled backpacker movies and from the top ten list, I have seen a few and the only one that I actually did think was really good was “Slumdog Millionaire”. That was well put together and really did capture the true India. I don’t like travel related films that Hollywoodifies travel. What do you love best about living in The Netherlands?
There is so much to love about The Netherlands. In great contrast to Vancouver, Canada everything here is small and precise. Alkmaar is a colorful contrast to my modern world of cold cement, steel and glass giants. Houses which date back as far as the 1600’s with big years labeled on them blow me away even now when I consider that most of them are older than my country. There are a ton of tiny towns and villages to discover. Every inch of land is cultivated, man-made and manicured to perfection. I love how you can be in the city shopping one moment and the next you’re amid farmlands speckled with graceful swans and black Frisian beauties. I get the best of all worlds with the comforts of modern luxuries and a historic outer shell balanced with the beauty of nature. Lush green grass sways gently in the ever present winds that turn the windmills and spread pollen to thousands of colorful tulips. By bicycle, arched wooden bridges jumping from canal to canal urge you to explore deeper and discover every last inch. I feel like the red brick roads through the city are a passage into a Disney-like fairytale. What’s not to love? What should a first time visitor to The Netherlands experience before they leave the country? They need to experience riding a bicycle through both a city and the countryside. This is the main way that the Dutch people get around and stay in shape. If you haven’t done this, you haven’t experienced the true Dutch spirit. If you have time and come in the spring you must, must visit Keukenhof and see all of the gorgeous flowers! What can we expect from Savannah Grace in 2013?
2013 is going by so fast I feel there’s hardly any time left. I plan to go home to Vancouver at the end of October, for book signings and to participate in the fairs and markets. I’m aiming to have my second book in to the editor by the beginning of 2014. Where can fans and readers of your books discover more about you and connect with you? I absolutely love when fans and readers connect with me. It’s the best part of being an author! My website is www.sihpromatum.com . Here, you can read the book while following along with photos. Just find them in photos- Asia – China and Mongolia albums. All of the interviews and media where I am featured are posted there as well as photos from the 99 countries I have visited. There are stories from over 100 countries on our family blog which we started in 2005: including my latest trips to Guinea, West Africa and Mauritius, Africa. www.watkinstravel.blogspot.com My author career has turned me into a complete tweetaholic so you can find me there any day of the week and I’m always happy to interact. Feel free to follow me @Sihpromatum : https://twitter.com/Sihpromatum You can connect with me, Savannah Grace, on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/savannah.grace.549 I really appreciate if you LIKE my FB page : http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sihpromatum You can also find me on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6520230.Savannah_Grace I would love readers to take the time to review my book on Amazon.com once they’ve finished reading it:http://www.amazon.com/Sihpromatum-Grew-Boobs-China-Volume/dp/1479236659 Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the publishing industry?
I love what Scott Worden said for this in your last interview! Writing a book has to be made with love or you’ll be disappointed. If you want it to go far you also have to go into it with the mind-set that this is the start of a business. It takes hard work and you will be in debt for the first few years, but that’s alright! If you’ve put your heart and soul into a product and you want to be an author, don’t let traditional publishers stop you from achieving your goals. I tried and was rejected over 100 times by agents when I was trying to find a publisher, but because of my inexperience in the traditional sense and my young age, they didn’t want to take the risk on my work. I’m coming up to my year anniversary now and am still in debt, but I have put a lot of money into it to publish it myself, make it as professional as possible paying for editing, design, interior design and formatting and printing. All that stuff is mandatory to your success as a professional. Marketing costs and other things add up but the harder I work, the quicker it goes. It is so important to reach out, take risks and follow your dreams. Whether that’s wanting to be an artist, to travel the globe or save lives as a doctor, make sure that YOU choose your dream. How else will you be complete? Don’t let others choose your path because in this day and age we have all the possibilities and enough to go around. POSITIVE THINKING!!! Keep in mind, Sihpromatum – A blessing that initially appears to be a curse, and apply it to your own lives. That is how I keep positive through hard times. Wow! What a powerful and inspiring way to wrap up the interview Savannah. I think my blog readers will agree that your generous personality and passion for life has oozed through every line of this interview. I really want to encourage everyone to support Savannah by grabbing a copy of her book – Sihpromatum and also connect with her on the social networks and her website. Enjoy this slide show of the photos for Sihpromatum ” I Grew My Boobs in China” by Savannah Grace. Join the journey through China and Monglia. With Savannah, Breanna, Maggie and Ammon http://youtu.be/spE0vEEM6MI
August 12, 2013
Weekly Update
I trust you’re well and had a great weekend. I just wanted to give you an update on what’s happening on Planet DavidChuka.
Our popular blog feature – Author Interview Thursday recommenced last week and our first author was Charlotte K. Omillin from Belgium. You can read the very engaging and informative interview I had with her at the link below.
http://davidchuka.com/interview-with-childrens-book-author-charlotte-k-omillin/
This week’s author in the hot seat is Savannah Grace. She currently lives in The Netherlands and has a best-selling book titled ‘Sihpromatum‘
Below is a snippet from my interview with her
Q. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you’re currently up to at the moment?
A. My name is Savannah Grace, I was born and raised in both North and West Vancouver, Canada. I am the youngest member of a world traveling family and have visited 99 countries. When I was 14 my mom decided, after my dad walked out, that she would sell everything and we would go backpacking around the world starting in Hong Kong, China (brother 25, sister 17, and mom 45).
Though it was initially meant to be a one year trip, I was on the road from the age of 14-18 before going home and shortly thereafter moving to Holland. I’m currently busy with the second volume of my memoir series.
You really don’t want to miss this interview as it’s my first interview with a travel writer and she reveals such fascinating and inspirational stuff you’ll find interesting. Make sure to visit my blog on Thursday to read the full interview.
Someone left a comment on one of my post’s on Facebook asking if I was working on any book’s at the moment. The answer to that question is YES. I greenlit my illustrator to begin work on my next book which has a working title ‘Kojo The Sea Dragon Gets Lost‘
This will be a picture book that will be ideal for 3-7 year olds. A lot of underwater creatures will be featured in this book and the story will deal with friendship, helping someone in need and obedience. I’m hopeful it’ll be ready for publication by the end of the month.
Until next time, do have a lovely week and thanks for all your support.
