David Chuka's Blog, page 4

Interview with Children’s Book Author – Melissa Moraja

Can you guess what time it is? Of course you know…Its Author Interview Thursday! Today’s special guest has a very full plate but took some time out of her busy schedule with us today. I met her on a book giveaway were both involved in during the summer. Her popular book series about the Wunderkind Family has been shared with audiences at book events and schools. Her mission is to create books that promote self-awareness, self-development, creative learning and leadership with the family in mind. She runs two successful blogs and its been a delight getting to know her in the build up to today’s interview. Please join me in welcoming Melissa Moraja.

 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and the first time someone complemented you on something you had written? 

First, I’d like to thank you for this wonderful opportunity! Your children’s books are such a fun read, with learning lessons that add great value to parenting. Thank you again! And now a little bit about me…

I’m a Mom to four active kids, an author and illustrator, and social media and digital marketing strategist. I also coach soccer and fast pitch softball, hand paint wine glasses, and blog!

The first time someone complemented my writing. I would say it was in 2007. I had sent my very first manuscript titled “Empower Your Soul” to James Van Praagh, Spiritual Medium, author and producer who said it was the most comprehensive self-help book he ever read. He was right! I had a lot of content in it.

 

What can a reader expect when they pick up a book written by Melissa Moraja?

Every book I have written is focused on self-development, including my children’s books. The way I teach it to children is through humor.

 

What role would you say social media plays in building an author’s platform and have you found it helpful in marketing your book?

Social Media is key in every profession, especially authors and illustrators. It helps spread the word without a huge investment to your target audience. What better medium can you use to be able to simply use a #hashtag to bring awareness to your brand. If someone finds your product or brand of interest, then they will share it with their friends who hopefully will share it with more friends. It has endless possibilities such as gaining a following and fan base, to obtaining reviews, to learning more about other’s successes!

 

What were some of your favorite books as a child? 

I loved Dr. Seuss. But who doesn’t I also have always been a fan of Judy Blume’s books. It was the Fourth Grade Nothing that caught my interest in reading.

 

What tips would you offer children’s authors with regard to working with an illustrator?

I actually am fortunate that I haven’t had to hire an illustrator. I illustrate and design all my books. However, when I first started, I did look into hiring someone and then chose to do it myself. While I was looking, one of the most important things for me was the illustrators style. You have to like their style of art. In addition, you need to be able to work and communicate effectively together. This is a relationship and the illustrations on the page need to fit the authors writing style.

 

How do you reward yourself once your book is published?

My biggest reward has been showing my published books to my four kids and seeing their reaction! I have an 11 year old boy, 10 year old boy, 10 year old girl, and 3 year old girl. They have been my biggest fans and supporters. They’ll jump around a bit and then they run over to me to give me a big hug! Later in the evening, I treat myself to a nice glass of wine and a big Cadbury chocolate bar!

 

Toy Story or Shrek?

Definitely Shrek! I love the old classic tales with a spin. Shrek is just funny, where I found Toy Story to be much more serious. I also wasn’t a huge fan on the voices of the characters in Toy Story.

 

What do your four children think of Mommy the Author?

They are so proud of me! And it’s inspired them and their friends to write and draw. My daughter tells everyone that her mom can do anything if she puts her mind to it. I’ve been telling her that since she was a little toddler. I want my kids (and other kids) to know and believe that they can create any dream that they have. Some dreams and goals may take longer to create because they don’t have all the skills or resources. But if they put their mind to it, they can accomplish anything!

 

You have several active blogs. Can you give us some tips on maintaining a blog and attracting a loyal readership?

Content is one of the most important things. Some of my blog posts get a lot of views while others don’t. I pay attention to that, writing what my followers and friends like to read. Another is getting involved with reviews and giveaways. It’s another way of attracting visitors who then can become followers and may even end up as friends!

 

What can we expect from Melissa Moraja in the next 12 months?

I’m a little behind on the Wunderkind Family chapter books. Come the new year, I’ll be rolling up my sleeves to begin writing and illustrating two books – the first will be a chapter book starring Josh and the Gumshoe News Crew; the second will be another Wunderkind Family picture book starring Isabella and Baxter which I plan to publish fall of 2015.

 

Where can readers and fans connect with you?

Website: http://www.melissaproductions.com

Blog: http://www.notyourordinarypsychicmom.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/melissaproductions

http://www.facebook.com/notyourordinarypsychicmom

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/melissaprod

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/melissamoraja

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/melissamoraja

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissaproductions

 

Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the industry? 

Don’t give up! It takes time. One of the first things I suggest is try to figure out why you want to be published. Are you looking to have a career in writing or is this just a hobby? That can help a lot with determining your next steps such as should you find a literary agent or self-publish. Also, make sure you have someone edit and review before you publish. Critique groups are extremely beneficial to new writers and illustrators. There are many online Critique groups now.

 

Thanks for sharing so much with us today Melissa. I like the fact you ended by encouraging us not to give up and to be aware that success sometimes (dare I say most times) does take time and to have a clear reason and focus as to why we do what we do. Please connect with Melissa at the links she provided and share this interview using the social media buttons below. I believe one of her books would make an ideal Christmas gift so click the link below to grab one for a loved one.

Melissa Moraja Books on Amazon

10 Steps Before a Book is Published

It’s almost here….Billy and Monster’s Golden Christmas will be ready to download to your kindle device or app in 6 days. 

I wanted to do a quick post today on ten things I did/do/am doing in the build up to this book being published.

1. Format the book as a Word document once my illustrator completed all the images.

2. Upload the formatted book unto the KDP select program.

3. Inform everyone on my email list, Facebook page and Twitter followers about the impending launch of the book. Using Hootsuite, I’ve set up a scheduled stream of posts and tweets that have been/will be released in the run up to publication day on November 25th.

4. Give the book to several bloggers and fellow authors to have a read of the book and highlight any typos or errors in the book.

5. Work with my illustrator to create a physical book cover for the book.

6. Once the physical book cover is ready, format and upload the book to CreateSpace so the physical copy of the book is ready to be purchased alongside the eBook copy. I’m right about on track with this step and it should be ready to go live November 25th.

7. Write a script for a book trailer of the book and give the finished script with directions to an animator to do a cartoon book trailer. This trailer will be published to YouTube, my blog, Facebook page and other social media sites.

8. Alert some top and distinguished Amazon reviewers that my book will be released and if they’d like a copy in exchange for a review.

9. Have a book marketing firm do a book blitz/review blitz to draw attention and get reviews for the book once it’s published.

10. Contact friends and fellow author bloggers to publish a post to highlight the book on the day it goes live – November 25th.

 

So that’s a little insight into what I’ve been doing the past few weeks as the date to the launch of my Christmas book draws near. The life of a writer and self-publisher ain’t easy but it’s so worth it when I see the reviews from people who I most possibly will never meet in my life telling me how my book brought some joy, laughter, warmth etc. to their loved ones. That’s the biggest reward. Making loads of sales is good too so grab your pre-order copy at the link below

Billy and Monster’s Golden Christmas

Interview with Children’s Book Author – Stephanie M. Ward

Its Author Interview Thursday and I’m really excited about the special guest we have on the hot seat today. I hooked up with today’s author on a book giveaway for kidlit authors during summer. She was the main organiser and it was a great success. It was a pleasure working with her and seeing how she connected several authors from across the globe. She has travelled to many countries across different continents. Although she’s originally from the U.S.A., she now lives in Sydney, Australia. She’s very generous and creative and I believe her passion for life does flow through in her books. So without further ado, please join me in welcoming Stephanie M. Ward.

 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and the first time someone complemented you on something you had written.

First I just want to say that I’m really excited to be participating in Author Interview Thursday as I always look forward to reading these posts. I’m a bit overwhelmed at being on the other end of one of your interviews, but I’ll do my best to come up with creative answers to all of your interesting questions. And a big congratulations on your new Christmas book, Billy and Monster’s Golden Christmas! I’m looking forward to reading it.

Now, a bit about me…

I’m a small town girl from Spokane, Washington who caught the travel bug at an early age and has been exploring the world ever since I was old enough to drive across the border to Canada.

In fourth grade, we were given an assignment to write a short story. Remember those pieces of grey-ish paper that had a big square where you’re supposed to draw a picture and then about four lines underneath? Well, I covered four of those, front and back and my teacher was quite impressed with my not-so-short story. It was about a pet dog that was taken by an alien and the adventures of the little boy who went to find him. It sure would be fun to read that story today!

 

What can a reader expect when they pick up a book written by Stephanie Ward?

They can expect to learn something, probably about a place that not many people write children’s books about, and have a lot of fun in the process.

 

Congratulations on the publication of your first kidlit book – Wally the Warm-Weather Penguin. Can you tell us about the research process that went into writing this book?

Thanks! I figure it took 10 years from concept to publication of Wally the Warm-Weather Penguin, so yes, there was quite a bit of research. First it was research for my trip to the Galapagos Islands where Wally travels. I was fascinated by the unique wildlife, much of which is endemic. As I was putting together the book, I wanted to share what I had discovered about different species that are endangered in the area. And after learning about how fragile the environment is in the Galapagos Islands, I decided to donate proceeds from the book to the Galapagos Conservancy (galapagos.org) to help protect the animals there. I’m happy to say the first donation was made earlier this year.

 

What role would you say social media plays in building an author’s platform and have you found it helpful in marketing your book?

In almost two decades in corporate marketing, I have never seen an industry whose competitors support each other as much as in the realm of publishing. I have met the most amazing authors, writers, bloggers and friends through social media as a writer. I think it plays a big part in linking to new sales channels, marketing opportunities and ideas as well as good old moral support.

 

What were some of your favourite books as a child? 

Not surprisingly, I loved reading about far away places. There was a series of books about foreign lands that I checked out over and over again at my elementary school library. I also remember reading a book about a little girl traveling alone on the bus to see her grandmother. I’m not sure if she went across town or across the country, but I was amazed by her courage and sense of adventure.

 

What tips would you offer other first time children’s authors with regard to working with an illustrator?

I had a wonderful time working with a very talented illustrator from Ecuador – Vanessa Landin – for Wally the Warm-Weather Penguin. It was important to me that the illustrator was from the place where the story is based, as I wanted to give back to the community that inspired the story. Vanessa was a student at the time and I would encourage anyone looking for an artist to consider the young talent at art institutes around the world.

 

Toy Story or Shrek?

Shrek – I am truly inspired by the way Shrek seamlessly weaves adult and child humor into one story.

 

What three things should a first time visitor to Sydney, Australia do?

1) Hit the beach – if you visit on a hot day, that’s where everyone is! I love Manly and Balmain.

2) Go to the zoo – Yes, there are some cool Aussie animals there, but the setting of the Taronga Zoo is stunning. You will get some of your best photos from there, likely with a giraffe in them, but gorgeous shots of the harbor and Sydney skyline.

3) Take a ferry – So much of Sydney revolves around water that you should be on it at some point during your visit. Take a ride on one of the iconic yellow and green ferries and be sure to leave from Circular Quay where the Opera House and Botanical Gardens sit on one side and the Harbour Bridge on the other.

 

Can you tell us a few facts about penguins that fascinate you?

Wally was inspired by my visit to both Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands on a yearlong trip around the world.Visiting Antarctica and being amidst Emperor Penguins in the icy conditions made me wonder why they didn’t just pack up and go somewhere warmer. A couple of months later, I was in the Galapagos Islands and saw a colony of Galapagos Penguins hanging out on the beach, swimming in relatively warm water and there was the story: What if an Emperor Penguin learned that he could live on a warm, tropical island?

 

You’ve travelled to more than 50 countries. Can you tell us about a memorable incident on one of your travels?

I’m fascinated by the similarities in people’s lives around the world – we all eat, sleep, observe, listen, talk – we just do it in our own way, place and time. What I keep coming back to are moments – having a picnic under the Eiffel Tower with a warm baguette and chilled bottle of champagne, bone-chilling coldness at sunrise on board a Russian ice breaker travelling through pancake ice in Antarctica, or the hot, dry, sage-like smell of the air in Tanzania. Oh sure, there were incidents, like being mugged in Brazil and sitting in the tent of a nomadic family in Mongolia sharing a cup of fermented mare’s milk, but the small, seemingly insignificant moments are the ones that pop into my head most often.

 

What can we expect from Stephanie Ward in the next 12 months?

I’m so glad you asked I’m thrilled to announce that the paperback version of Wally the Warm-Weather Penguin was just released this week and is now available on Amazon. The paperback edition includes a brand new scene with a wonderful new character, a section of Fascinating Facts about the animals in the book and a map of the Galapagos Islands.

In addition, I’m starting work on an app for Wally which is a whole new learning curve but a very fun process. Plus, I’m writing the next adventure for Wally. There are many fascinating (and warm) places in the world that Wally wants to visit, so stay tuned!

 

Where can readers and fans connect with you?

Author Website & Blog –  http://www.stephaniemward.com

Facebook Fan Page - http://www.facebook.com/wallythewarmweatherpenguin

Twitter - http://twitter.com/stephmward

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7877690.Stephanie_M_Ward

YouTube - Wally the Warm-Weather Penguin

 

Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the industry?

Write your story. If your story can’t be defined in a specific genre or written in the traditional format, don’t worry. There are many options for authors to get a book into readers’ hands. I have met some talented indie authors whose wonderful kid lit books are longer than the 1000 word maximum that agents will accept for review. And I recently read a fantastic novella that is the perfect length, but in traditional publishing may have been expanded or reduced to a short story or looked over completely due to the number of pages. It’s a whole new world in publishing today, so don’t worry that your idea doesn’t “fit”, just write your story!

 

Thanks for hanging out with us today Stephanie and ending on such a positive note. I love how you’ve allowed your various experiences to influence your writing and how that has in turn allowed children to experience new worlds that are alien to them. Please do connect with Stephanie at one of the links she gave. We’d love to hear your comments and questions, so leave a few lines below. Grab a copy of Stephanie’s book for a loved one at the link below and do share this interview on social media.

Get Wally the Warm-Weather Penguin on Amazon

Author Interview with Mystery Writer GG Collins

It’s Author Interview Thursday! Woohoo. Today’s special guest reached out to me after reading an AIT special earlier this year and I’m so glad she did. She has a background in journalism and runs several blogs on topics dear to her heart. She’s written two paranormal Mystery books and has other titles in the works. In liaising with her as I prepared for this interview, I have to say that I have been inspired by her passion for the writing craft as well as her transparency. We really do have someone special in our midst today, so please join me in welcoming GG Collins.

 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and something most people don’t know about G.G. Collins?  

My friends know this, but it’s not general knowledge. People shouldn’t call me before 10 a.m., 11 is better. What my friends know is that I stay up quite late to write and therefore sleep in the mornings. Early calls usually find me incoherent and muttering swearwords. As one might gather, I dislike mornings, but also Brussels sprouts and clouds. On the up side, I love travelling (even on a bad day). Sunshine and chiles improve my mood greatly. I continue to report and write for my blogs. I have two. Can’t ever have too many blogs. They arereluctantmediumatlarge.wordpress.com my book blog and paralleluniverseatlarge.wordpress.com a news, views and reviews blog. You can also find me on Twitter @GGCollinsAuthor. There is a rap star by the same name so “Author” had to be added for clarification.  

 

Tell us about the first time someone complemented you on something you had written?  

The first time one of my stories was chosen as the cover. My editor told me it was good work. I beamed all the way to my car. It’s difficult to beat that first time.  

 

You have currently published two books in the ‘Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mysteries’ series. Was it a conscious decision to write a series and what led you to do it?  

No, I didn’t have a series in mind. I learned of the Native American ritual to return the dead and all I could think about was what if the wrong spirit returned? By the time I finished the book, I just didn’t want to let these characters go. I am writing a stand-alone book too, but I like my Reluctant Medium, Rachel Blackstone. Long may her cynicism live.  

 

What key ingredients should a good crime/mystery book possess?  

My books are paranormal mysteries so I have more latitude than pure crime writers do. I begin my story where it starts, usually in the first line. At that moment, something is going very wrong. The mystery unfolds a little at a time as new elements (some supernatural) present themselves and up the ante.  Periodically the threat level heightens or the need for action revs up. It’s a delicate balance. You don’t want to reveal too much, too soon, but there has to be enough mystery to keep readers interested. I enjoy putting Rachel through as much mayhem as she can stand. If I go too far, I have to let her have a mental health day.  

 

What three things should writers avoid when writing dialogue?  

Unnatural or pretentious lines (unless your character is a pompous gadfly) should be avoided. We usually don’t speak that way in conversation. Each character should have a consistent voice. If you’ve been away from your manuscript for awhile, this is especially important. Find that voice again. Be careful using contemporary vernacular. It might shorten the shelf life of your book. Stay away from phrases like: “don’t you know,”  “she goes” and “awesome” unless this is specific to one character.

 

Have you ever struggled to give a character a distinct voice and what did you do to solve this?  

My stories are dialogue-driven and I enjoy letting my characters go. Rachel has a big mouth. She’s sardonic and quick, but can make a complete fool of herself around men. Chloe is her best friend and is usually more diplomatic—but she does occasionally curse in French. Like most of us, I’ve met many of these characters in everyday life. Whenever I have trouble finding someone’s voice, I think back to a person I’ve run across who was this type. Here’s where even the nastiest person you’ve ever met can pay off. Make them a character! Get even!  

 

What book or film has the best dialogue that inspires you to be a better writer and why?  

I’m a fan of Chris Haddock’s Canadian TV shows such as “DaVinci’s Inquest” and “Intelligence.” His stories have realistic dialogue. His characters feel authentic. The dialogue is much like that you or I have with friends and co-workers. There’s a BBC show called “Last Tango in Halifax” that is a hoot! All because of cleverly penned dialogue and superb delivery. In American TV, I like the writing in “Longmire,” thanks to the influence of Craig Johnson, the writer of the popular series. “Supernatural” has some fine writing. They kind of slip it in between the demons and the vamps, but it’s there. That’s why they’re in their 10th season. The cute guys don’t hurt, but it’s the substantive writing that knocks me out. Someone on the writing staff has insightful views about hope and things we can’t understand. In books, I find mystery writers Lia Matera and Edna Buchanan refreshing. Wit is always a good thing, but smart wit is tremendous.

 

How do you handle bad reviews?  

Most people are kind in their reviews, but occasionally one is not helpful and just plain mean-spirited. In this instance, we book writers have to realize that it’s not us. The unkind words have more to do with the person who wrote the review and what kind of life, or day, they’ve had. These go into File 13 where they belong. Some writers have had bad experiences with what is referred to as a troll, people who go from place to place on the internet spreading vile prose with limited vocabulary and issues with sentence structure. If I should ever get one of those, just know I have a very thick skin. Most of my reviews have been complimentary and readers enjoyed my books. Of course, this makes me happy. The Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery Series is supposed to be fun—and maybe a bit scary. But writers must realize that not everyone likes the same thing. That’s okay.  

 

Toy Story or Shrek?  

(Laughing.) I’ve seen neither so I really can’t comment. I saw “WALL-E” twice.  

 

As a journalist, can you give us tips on how to make people ‘spill the beans’ in an interview situation?  

Everyone has seen this done on a news show. A journalist asks a question, the person being interviewed says something short like “yes” or “no.” When nothing more is forthcoming, the reporter sits there quietly, the seconds tick by with dead air, the person can’t take it any more and out it spills. Another “technique” is to phrase a question in this way: “Some people might say . . . you’re a tyrant” or “you’re a crook.”  How would you reply to this accusation?” This way, the reporter is afforded some distance, but still gets the answer needed for the story. Personally, I’m not comfortable doing this, but they can be an effective tools, particularly in hard news. And that may be why I’ve covered primarily arts, health and personal stories. I’ve found that being truly interested in what your interview is saying goes a long way to crafting a good story. Once I ask the first question, there is nothing in the world but the person sitting in front of me.  

 

What is the worst thing a person can say or do to a journalist?  

Lie. You don’t have to be a journalist to detect a lie. Most anyone can do it. But in reporting we come to depend on our regular sources. If someone lies, and we know it, that could become the story. And they’ll likely never be asked for another interview. Word gets around.  

 

What three things should a first time visitor to your hometown do?  

Bask in Santa Fe’s Plaza and people watch. Eat at The Shed; it’s my favorite restaurant and my characters too. It’s family owned, has great New Mexican dishes and yummy margaritas. Take the short drive up the ski basin road (Artist Road which becomes Hyde Park Road) for the breathtaking views. And eat the chiles. Oops, I think that was four.  

 

Can you tell us a bit about a book you’re currently working on?  

Oh sure, that would be “Atomic Medium.” In this story, Rachel Blackstone must go back in time to 1945. Two evil men have slipped through a portal at a local retail shop, once the office of The Manhattan Project. If they succeed in their diabolical plan, it could change the outcome of WWII. It’s no small thing for Rachel and Chloe; just save the world. 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bomb, which was developed in Los Alamos, just north of Santa Fe.  

 

Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the industry?  

I have worked for a book publisher and while there can be some advantages to publication by a book house, there are also some drawbacks. If your book isn’t one of the chosen to get tight promotional dollars, you will likely do as much marketing and promoting with a publisher as you would going the indie route. I opted to self-publish and haven’t looked back. If you have found yourself knocking on publishers’ doors and getting nowhere, try going indie. It’s a terrific creative experience, even if you eventually go with the bricks and mortar publisher. Have a presence on the internet so an interested editor can see what you can do. Start blogging and be sure to take advantage of author pages on Amazon, Goodreads, Shelfari, Ask David and Book Goodies. With a little experience, you’ll determine which work best for you and your book. I recently joined Twitter and now I can’t believe I was reluctant to do so. It’s fun and you get great exposure. But don’t constantly urge people to buy your books. Get involved in what’s going on and reply or retweet others. You’ll make friends quickly. Avoid spending so much time marketing that you stop writing. The more books you have out, the more sales you’ll rack up.

 

Thanks for all the wonderful advice and letting us into your world GG. I’ll personally be revisiting this page in the days and weeks ahead to feast on your wise words. GG and I would really appreciate your questions and comments, so do drop a line or two in the comments section below. Be sure to share this interview using the Social Media buttons and you can grab one of GG’s books at the link below.

GG Collins on Amazon

New Book by David Chuka – Billy and Monster’s Golden Christmas

They’re back!

The latest Billy and Monster book - Billy and Monster’s Golden Christmas – will be published on November 25th and is currently available to pre-order on Amazon.

So you might be wondering what the inspiration behind this latest book was?

Well, in writing this book I was looking to address that scenario that children (as well as adults) experience during Christmas, birthdays or any other occasion when they receive a gift(s). What happens when you don’t like the gift that you receive? Do you:

- Chuck the gift in the bin?

- Grit your teeth and pretend you like it?

- Thank the giver and show appreciation regardless of your impression of the gift?

It was this scenario I was looking to explore in this book and see how Billy would react to receiving a present he didn’t like.

Something else I’m happy to reveal in this book is the origin of Monster. We get to see in this book where Monster came from and get to meet his family.

This book contains all the great illustrations, dramatic moments, funny situations and wholesome lessons that you’ve come to expect in all the Billy books. Dare I say it but this might actually be the best one I’ve written and I’m happy to share it with you.

I used a new illustrator for this project and his name is Renato. He’s a wonderful guy and brought a lot of energy and fun to each illustration.

Can I ask you a favour?

The book’s currently available to pre-order on Amazon and I would like you to get a copy today. Simply click the link below. It’s 99c at the moment but this will increase at some point once it’s published.

Billy and Monster’s Golden Christmas on Amazon

On November 25th, when it’s published, it’ll be delivered to your Kindle device or app and I would like you to have a read and share it with your loved ones. Once you’ve done that, please drop a review on Amazon saying what you liked/disliked/enjoyed about the book. Reviews go a long way in helping a book to be discovered by other readers. Your few words might just be what introduces a reluctant reader to Billy and Monster’s world and the joys of reading.

That’s all for now. Remember to grab your copy.

Your support means the world to me.

Author Interview with Helen and Lorri Carpenter

It’s Author Interview Thursday and I’m so glad you’ve joined me and my special guests today. I got in touch with our special guests back in June and due to my schedule and theirs, we had to delay the interview but I’m so glad they’ll be sharing their journey as authors with us today. We get the special privilege of seating with a mother-daughter team who’ve found a unique way to combine their creative talents without ever having the local police come to break up a fight. They write in different genres and I was very impressed by their willingness to explore different channels to expose their books to a new audience. Pull your chair a little bit closer and join me in welcoming Helen adn Lorri Carpenter.

 

Can you tell us about the first time someone complimented you on something you wrote?  

It may not have been the first time, but we do remember a compliment we received from a reader in North Carolina who sent a greeting card via postal mail. He said that though he knew our story wasn’t true, he had found it laugh-out-loud funny, and he thought something like that could happen to anyone…and had in fact, happened to him.

We wrote back to express our appreciation for his card, and to tell him the story—which involved us getting locked out of the house and having to climb in through the bathroom window—was indeed true. We also admitted it was less funny at the time…

 

What can a reader expect when they pick up a book written by HL Carpenter?

We write sweet, clean stories the whole family can enjoy. We like to picture our readers snuggled under the bed covers or curled up on the couch or in a sunny window seat, lost in the world we’ve created.

We’re partial to strong, practical, intelligent female protagonists who have a steadfast friend or two with a sense of humor, and a supportive if exasperating family or family substitute. So those are things readers will find in most of our books too.

   

Helen and Lorri, you co-write books together. Can you tell us a unique challenge this situation presents and how you both overcome it?  

We write collaboratively and the challenge is what you’d expect—we sometimes get into disagreements because we each love our words. We find that a reasonable “cooling off” period helps eliminate most of the conflict.

Having a poor memory is useful too.

   

You’ve successfully written in different genres. Can you tell us the advantages and disadvantages of this? 

We tend to get bored easily, so switching genres is a great way to keep the ideas and the words flowing. Another advantage is that there’s always something new to learn, because each genre has its own peculiarities. Hey, we resemble that remark!

Disadvantages include the problem of marketing. We’re readers too, so we understand the desire to know what to “expect” from a writer. On the other hand, as authors, we dislike being boxed in.

Some authors solve this problem by creating pseudonyms for different types of writing. We think keeping up with one persona is enough work, and we figure our readers are plenty smart. If we clearly label our stories, readers won’t be confused.

     

What have you found to be a successful way to market your books?  

Yeah. Marketing. The slow, one-reader at a time method seems to be our default mode. We’ve had the best results with guest posts like this one (thanks for the opportunity, David!) and old-school techniques like giving out bookmarks.

We’re trying new things, too—for example, we entered our cozy mystery, A Cause for Murder, in the new Amazon Kindle Scout program. The program is essentially crowd sourcing. That is, readers nominate books for a publishing contract. While there’s plenty of chatter about how the program might not be very beneficial for authors, we’re generally open to trying new things. We figure one of the perks of being an indie author is the opportunity to experiment with different venues and opportunities. So we read the contract and decided to participate.

Annnnnnddd…we’re pleased to announce the launch for A Cause for Murder is Monday, October 27!

An excerpt and an author interview will be available on Amazon that day. We’ll let you know how the “cozy” marketing experiment goes.

 

What three things should writers avoid when writing dialogue?  

“We’re not fans of fancy dialogue tags,” they said.

If “said” isn’t enough after dialogue, then something is wrong with the sentence. The reader should know what’s going on from the words, not because the writer has added a description of the way the words are supposed to sound.

Based on editing comments we’ve gotten, another thing to avoid is overuse of character names. “Not that we would know personally of course, David,” they said.

Finally, we think words no one actually ever uses outside of crossword puzzles should generally be avoided…unless your hero is a naturally pompous speaker. “I really must request elucidation on that prohibition,” the hero said.

   

I’m fascinated to know what your definition of success as an author is?  

Our definition changes. When we started writing, we thought finishing a complete manuscript (an entire book, whee!) meant success. Then we thought having an editor respond favorably to our query meant success. Once that happened, we thought being successful meant getting published.

Now…hmmm…let’s see… oh, yes! Reaching the bestseller list and having a book optioned for a movie is definitely success.

After that happens…well, we’ll create the next definition when we get there.

 

What book or film has the best dialogue that inspires you to be a better writer and why?  

Pretty much anything by Dean Koontz. His characters pulse off the page and his descriptions…well, we don’t have suitable words to express our admiration. Plus he’s funny!

   

Toy Story or Shrek?  

Toy Story. A sweet cowboy hero, what could be better?

   

What three things should a first time visitor to Florida do?  

Stop comparing Florida to the place you came from. Slather on buckets of sunscreen. Sit on the beach wearing a floppy straw hat and snooze.

For maximum enjoyment, do all three of those things at once.

   

What can we expect from HL Carpenter in the next 12 months?

Well, first, as we mentioned, we’re excited to announce our cozy mystery, A Cause for Murder, will launch in the new Amazon Kindle Scout program on Monday, October 27!

Here’s an exclusive sneak peek at the cover. An excerpt and an author interview will be available on Amazon at launch on Monday, and readers can vote to nominate A Cause for Murder for a publishing contract.

We also have a middle grade novel featuring a ghost that will be ready by year end. And we’re working on another young adult fantasy and a series of themed short stories that will be finished in 2015.

We have a busy year lined up!

 

Where can readers and fans connect with you?

You’ll find us in Carpenter Country, a magical place that, like our stories, is unreal but not untrue. We invite you to visit http://www.hlcarpenter.com/ and sign up for our newsletter to keep up with what’s happening in Carpenter Country.

Or you can catch up with us at

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/HL-Carpenter/e/B007SHS9LA/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5820921.H_L_Carpenter

Google+: https://plus.google.com/102212877836673370583/posts

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/hlcarpenter/

 

Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the industry?  

You’ll probably hear about the difficulty of breaking into today’s overcrowded market and the impossible odds of ever reaching the best-seller list. Those things are true.

So what?

The market has always been overcrowded and the odds have always been impossible. You can’t win the lottery if you never buy a ticket.

 

Thanks for being with us today Helen and Lorri. I’ve been inspired by the nuggets of wisdom you’ve shared with us today. I also applaud your efforts to try different paths and enjoy the journey along the way. I hope you’ve gained something from my interview with Helen and Lorri. You can share this interview on various social platforms by clicking one of the links below. We’d also be happy to entertain any questions, comments or differing points of view you may have.

Interview with Children’s Book Author – Liam Moiser

Its Author Interview Thursday and today we have a children’s book author from Yorkshire in England. He was introduced to me by Sherrill S. Cannon who was my special guest  earlier this year. My special guest today has being getting the attention of a few movers and shakers in the publishing world with notable mentions at a few industry events. He’s only starting out but I really see great things on the horizon for him. Please join me in welcoming Liam Moiser.

 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up being a children’s book author? 
 I live in a town called Goole in East Yorkshire with my brother and Father. I have two half-sisters that live with my stepdad. I lived in Goole for a bit when I was small but don’t remember much about it because I moved to Rawcliffe Bridge where I spent most of my childhood. I moved back to Goole to live with my father when I was 14 and I’ve lived here ever since. I have been working for a fast food company now for three years. I think I just liked how children’s books can differ and you can put more imagination into them. So I decided to give it ago.

What can a reader expect when they pick up a Liam Moiser book? 
They can expect a lot of twist and turns in the plot line. I love to keep people guessing about what is happening. Without giving too many spoilers away, I made sure that in my Moore Field School Series I put twists and turns in the book. For instance, in the first book I made sure that I introduced some ghosts right at the end. At first I was going to add them at the beginning, but in the end I thought I’d keep everyone in the dark about them until they were needed.
I added them for a reason, because they play a big part in the plotline. You find out more about them in the second book, but when the third book comes out you’ll find out a lot more. This is when I will wrap up the trophy mystery but I will leave it open for future books. I have a few new ideas I want to work on, but I have also got plans written down if I want more Moore Field School Books.

What in your opinion makes a great children’s book? 
I think that you need to be able to interact with the child and make them see the book through their own eyes. I also think that it is vital that you keep the children on their toes. You want them to be able to imagine the situation.

You had two honourable mentions at the London Book Festival and New Book Festival plus you were announced as a Readers Favourite Finalist. Can you tell us how all that came about and your reaction when you heard? 
My mentor, Sherrill S Cannon, who I can say has been amazing and supportive of my work told me about the competitions and so I decided to enter them. When I heard that I received praise for my work I just couldn’t believe it.
I have recently been told that I won an HM award in the Readers Favourite International Contest. I am extremely happy about this because I won over some good competition to get the HM Award. I have already proudly put the seal on my book and printed out the certificate, which will be going on my wall soon.

How do you handle bad reviews? 
I haven’t received a review that was less than 3 stars yet. I know some people out there who have read the book probably weren’t keen on it but all I can say is that each person has his own taste. If I can make a difference with just a few people, then all this will have been worth while.

What has been your most successful marketing method for promoting your books?


Local Media. I’ve appeared on the Local Radio Station a few times and I’ve also appeared in the local paper. When I went back to school with a signed copy of my book, they not only put it on their website but they also sent out a press release that was picked up by the Hull Daily Mail. I have also had success in getting my books into Libraries.

What were some of your favourite books as a child? 
When I was really small I loved reading Postman Pat, Thomas the Tank Engine and I’ve read some Pokémon books as I grew up. I loved the Harry Potter Series, Famous Five and I’ve read a lot of others. If I list them all we would be here all week because I just loved reading.

What mistake(s) have you made while writing/publishing your books that you would advise other authors against? 
One mistake that I had was to under estimate the e-book market. I thought I could do without it but I’ve decided to put the first book on E-book now. It took me a year to realize how big e-books were.
How do you reward yourself on completing a book or achieving a specific publishing goal? 
I treat myself to a meal so that I can just go out and relax. When I am writing, I am in a zone so I just concentrate on that if I can.

Toy Story or Shrek? 
This is tough but I’ll go for Toy Story. 

What should a first time visitor to Yorkshire in the Northern part of England do while there? 
This is really hard because I know what I’d want to do and that is go visit the Haribo factory. But if I had to pick one thing I’d say to visit the North Yorkshire Moors because the scenery is amazing.

What can we expect from Liam Moiser in the next 12 months? 
I haven’t decided yet what I want to do. I know I have a few school visits lined up and I’m hoping to get some more interviews lined up. As for on the book front, I’m thinking of a 2016 release for my third book. I don’t want to ruin the series by having a rubbish ending to this trophy mystery, so I want to make sure everything is perfect.

Where can fans and readers of your books discover more about you and connect with you? 
I have a facebook page and a twitter page and an author website.
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLiamMosier
https://twitter.com/Moiser201
http://sbprabooks.com/LiamMoiser/
If you click on the sbprabooks link, you will see a contact page. This will send an email directly and I aim to reply within 48 hours of receiving any emails that anyone has for me.

Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the publishing industry?



What I can tell people is that no matter how few of the books you sell, you have achieved something. That is how I look at it. I have sold in America and the UK at the moment, and without it being published no one would have read it. So remember that even if you make just one person smile you have achieved something!

 

Thanks for spending some time with us today Liam. I have to say that I find your honesty and love for the craft very refreshing. I know we’ll be hearing great things about you in the future. Please click the link below to grab a copy of one of Liam’s books and we’d be delighted if you could leave a comment or question below.

Interview with Travel Writer – Savannah Grace

It’s back! Author Interview Thursday is back. And my special guest to open this season is Savannah Grace who was on the hot seat back in August 2013. Savannah is a travel writer and has visited close to (if not more than) a hundred countries. Her first book ‘Sihpromatum – How I Grew my Boobs in China‘ has more than 250 glowing reviews on Amazon and has featured on several bestseller categories. Her latest book ‘Siphromatum – Backpacks and Bra Straps‘ was released a few days ago. I was privileged to have an Advanced Review Copy and have begun reading it. Like her first book, it’s filled with exotic locations and adventures from various countries. Savannah was so kind to stop by today and answer a few questions of mine. So without further ado, let’s get right to it.

 

In what country did you find the friendliest people?

I find all of the “est” questions the most difficult. The people in Mongolia really stand out as some of the friendliest people on earth. Despite having so little, they have the biggest heart and happily share everything they can, or more, with others. While I was in Mongolia, I learned that, “There is no word for stranger. Only friends that haven’t met.”

 

What was the most useful item you bought while travelling?

Replacing my journals when they were full. I can’t think of anything more useful than paper and a pen. Recollection through the written word, is the most insightful and educational.

 

How does Backpacks and Bra Straps differ from How I Grew My Boobs in China - Your first book?

With some experience under our belts, and a real, mutual passion for travel, in “Backpacks and Bra Straps” our travels become more intense and daring than in “I Grew My Boobs in China”. In the first book I focused on the departure and drastic change of leaving our normal lives and how I grew both physically and mentally. Now, there is less whining from me, and I go into more depth on each of the other characters. We venture into more remote lands and see one of the most life changing sights; The sunrising over Mt. Everest. All the while, I stay true to the Sihpromatum series which means “A blessing that initially appears to be a curse”.

 

What is your top travel tip?

Don’t take things personally and be willing to embrace change and different mentalities, morals and cultures. Travel is a chance to wear someone else’s shoes, and remember that you are in their country.

 

Where have you made more connections: Facebook or Twitter?

I have had Facebook much longer than Twitter and have many close friends there, but Twitter is a much broader network, and I have undoubtedly made more connections through Twitter. When I form a strong bond on Twitter I will most often invite them over to FaceBook.

 

What part of this book made you very emotional as you recollected what you went through?

Oh, this is a great question. Putting myself back on those many trains and buses, and reliving the emotions I felt as a teenager in such remote lands was sometimes an emotional ride. Homesickness, while looking up at the stars. Or the unforgettable trek through the Himalayas to see Mount Everest.

 

Camels or donkeys?

Haha, camels. They are much more exotic. They both make annoying noises, but camels sound like they come from another planet.

 

What was the last film you saw?

No joke, “Gone with the Wind”. What a coincidence!!! An absolutely fantastic movie and even better book. Highly, highly recommended.

 

Tell us of a funny experience you had in this book?

An unexpected funny moment was when my lovestruck brother proposed to a Russian/Kazakh girl he’d met less than 24 hours earlier on a bus.

 

What can we expect next from Savannah Grace next?

There’s so much more coming. I have so many stories still left to tell. The next instalment “Rusty Tracks and Booby Traps” will cover our steps through The Maldives, Sri Lanka and vibrant, never sleeping India. Staying with a probable drug lord and his 3 wives and 18 children in Afghanistan, an extensive overland journey circumnavigating Africa and submerging myself back into “normal life” and my first romance, are only a few examples of what’s left to come in the Sihpromatum series.

In current time, I am planning to go on a 4-6 month backpacking trip through South East Asia that I will be documenting in depth.

 

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing with us today Savannah. Please click the link below to get your own copy (as an ebook or paperback) and discover something new about our world through Savannah’s tales.

Grab a copy of Siphromatum – Backpacks and Bra Straps

Kindle Kids’ Book Creator: Good or Bad?

I stumbled upon a blog post by popular Kiwi Children’s book author – Joy Findlay – who was my special guest on Author Interview Thursday in 2013. Joy has more than 60 published children’s books and I have several of them on the Kindle app on my tablet. A lot of her books have achieved best seller status on the Amazon store.

The children’s book market is evolving and its important children’s book authors and publishers stay close to the grapevine to discover what new trends are pushing this market.

Over summer, I got an email from Amazon asking if I’d be a beta tester for their Kindle Kids’ Book Creator. Sadly, as I was on holiday and then in the middle of a house move, this was not possible. Fast forward to early September, and Amazon announces the launch of the Kindle Kid’s Book Creator. I recently read a book by Deborah Bradley that was formatted really nicely and she said it was created using KDP’s Comic Book Creator. I thought to myself that if she achieved those results with that program, It’d be interesting to see what a program specifically designed for Kids books can produce.

Joy Findlay has done an awesome job giving a step-by-step guide on how to use this new tool by Amazon and ends the post with her opinion on the advantages and disadvantages. It’s a great read and I know you’ll enjoy it. Click the link below and head over to Joy’s blog. Remember to leave a comment or question as I’m sure she’ll be glad to know you stopped by and will gladly entertain your thoughts. Enjoy.

http://joyfindlayauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/earlier-this-month-amazon-announced.html

My Summer Adventures

So summer is over and it’s back to school and back to work.

I took my eight year old daughter and five year old son for their first day back at school today. Ruth and Richard were excited to meet their old friends and discover a new class with a new teacher. I felt a sense of pride and sadness as I watched them walk to their new classes. Pride because they’re growing older and wiser. A bit of sadness because with each passing day, I know they’re less dependent on Daddy and finding out all the good, bad and ugly things that make growing up fun, scary and challenging. As a family, I’m so glad we had a summer we can fondly look back on as Winter approaches.

This summer was the first summer (in a very, very long time) where I actually got to enjoy a holiday for what it was/is – a time to relax and unwind. And unwind I did. I visited Belgium for a wedding and enjoyed the warmth and friendship of the Belgian people. People my wife and I met on the street were very happy to say ‘Bonjour!’ While there are many things I like about the British culture, saying hello to total strangers isn’t really woven into the British DNA. It was a joy to experience another culture and perhaps Belgium will feature in one of my books one day. The things I’ll remember Belgium for were the warmth of its people, tram/train lines that zig-zagged across the length and breadth of Brussels and a brown leather jacket I ended up not buying. If you’re thinking of visiting Brussels, then I’d whole heartedly recommend staying at the Husa President hotel. The staff are lovely, the rooms are spacious and you descend into dreamland once your head hits the pillow.

Another thing I did while on holiday was to take my children to Legoland. My son’s getting into his lego and our trip just took his love of construction to another level. Legoland is situated on the outskirts of London near Windsor Castle. Matter of fact, you can see the castle from Legoland as well as planes departing and arriving at Heathrow Airport. Legoland really is a fun environement for the family. The rides that left an impression were the Jolly Rocker, Viking Splash, Atlantis, Dinosaur Safari to mention a few. If you’re thinking of going, then I would recommend getting a Q-Bot. It’s a little device that allows you to jump the queue. Trust me. it makes all the difference. What typically took most people an hour in waiting time, took us less than five minutes! Its £15 per person and is worth the investment.

I also got to MC a business graduation event in at the Dominion center which is 2,000 seater auditorium in North London. It was a fun experience and allowed me the opportunity to wear another of my creative hats.

So summer is over and I’m getting back into the groove of things as a writer and publisher. I’ll be visiting some schools in the run up to Christmas, publishing a Billy and Monster Christmas edition and hopefully the second book in the Kojo the one-eyed sea dragon series.

Watch this space.