Angel M.B. Chadwick's Blog, page 9
March 1, 2017
Interview with UK Indie Author the Illustrious Jane Jago
Hi, I'm sure you've all being waiting to see who I've interviewed next. Well without further ado, here's my interview with the incomparable Jane Jago!
Links:
Amazon author page:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jane-Jago/e/...
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Jane-Jagos-B...
Goodreads author profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Buying links for book:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06WVDYQVL
https://www.amazon.com/Jackdaw-Court-...
Jane Jago's Author Bio:
Jane Jago lives in the beautiful westcountry with her large dog and her favourite husband (yes, he's large too).
She has spent half her working life cooking, and the other half editing other people's manuscripts. Both these occupations seemed to take up a large proportion of her life, leaving little or no time for the stories that filled her imagination.
But time moves on and it became possible to squeeze out the odd hour here and there to get some words onto 'paper'. The Long Game took nearly two years to write, principally because the characters kept doing unexpected things requiring rewrite after rewrite.
Since then, Jane has learned that the story as it begins in her head is unlikely to bear very much resemblance to the finished book.
Equally, she has learned to enjoy the journey, as her characters take her to places she never knew existed while they play out their lives on the page in front of her.
Author Photo:
Just been released-February 28, 2017/ "Jackdaw Court" by Jane Jago:
1.Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
My name is Jane, I'm a sixty-something compulsive writer. Which I sometimes think is perilously close to being a compulsive fibber, but writing your fibs as fiction makes it okay!
The latest ‘tissue of lies’ is a twisty thriller called Jackdaw Court, and it tells the story of a normally pragmatic young woman who gives into a romantic impulse. It's that simple, and that complicated.
2. What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
I have always been a writer, ever since I was big enough to hold a pen. I got into indie publishing because I was writing anyway and I really, really wanted to see if anybody would read what I wrote. It is a constant delight to me that they do. I have been publishing for about two years, and I have seven titles out there. And no, I haven't written seven books in two years. I've edited and published and done rewrites of stuff I have been writing for at least fifty years.
3. Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
I have so many writing influences that I would bore you to sleep if I tried to list them. Being an English Literature graduate, I've read a lot in my time and I do think that whenever we read something truly well constructed, irrespective of genre, it will leave a mark somewhere. My psyche is scored through and through by words of beauty and truth that I have read and absorbed.
And yes, I'm a reader. It has been said of me that when I have my face in a book nothing and nobody distracts me. I would dispute this point were it not for the fact that there was once a fire in our street and I didn't even notice the fire engines....
Genres? Mostly anything.
I have only recently started reviewing what I read. It's an oddly compulsive process.
4. Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
I have never co-written successfully. Tried it once and there was almost a fist fight. I guess I'm not a team player.
5. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
I'm a relatively simple soul and not long on ambition. I'd kinda like to make a bit of money to help eke out the pension, but mostly I'm just happy if people get a little enjoyment out of what I write.
6. Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
I am completely the wrong person to ask about marketing and promo. Basically I don't do any. But wait. Is this promo?
7. What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
A reader told me that my books make her happy and she takes away a sense of hope. That'll do for me.
8. What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
I'm partway through a sword but no sorcery fantasy and I'm always writing short stories.
9. How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
I'm lucky enough to be retired and not to need to have too much worry about the business side of being a writer. Which is just as well because I'm not the world's greatest business brain. My only response is to just keep on writing. Sometimes little things you do get surprisingly big reactions. Mostly though, a writer must be true to herself/himself. If you write from the gut then that's all you can ever do.
10. Have you ever been traditional published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditional published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
I'm hugely ambivalent about trad publishing. On the one hand it can get you into places where indies struggle to stand outside the servants entrance. And it can pay well. On the flip side of the coin I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to my words, and do I have a real attachment to the concept of independence and self help. To sum up, I'd like to think myself loftily above monetary concerns and the lure of possible fame. But. Honestly? If mammon called I'd probably be right there with my tail wagging...
11. What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
I draw and paint. Badly. And I cook. Very well! And anybody that thinks cooking isn't creative.....
12. What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Just write. But get people with your interests at heart to read what you have written. And listen to them. If they say something is genius take it with a pinch of salt. But if they say it's crap you'd better believe them....
13. Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
Opinionated and smart-mouthed, but never knowingly unkind.
14. Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
I listen and I bake. There are very few troubles that cannot be lightened by a listening ear and really superior chocolate cake.
Links:
Amazon author page:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jane-Jago/e/...
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Jane-Jagos-B...
Goodreads author profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Buying links for book:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06WVDYQVL
https://www.amazon.com/Jackdaw-Court-...
Jane Jago's Author Bio:
Jane Jago lives in the beautiful westcountry with her large dog and her favourite husband (yes, he's large too).
She has spent half her working life cooking, and the other half editing other people's manuscripts. Both these occupations seemed to take up a large proportion of her life, leaving little or no time for the stories that filled her imagination.
But time moves on and it became possible to squeeze out the odd hour here and there to get some words onto 'paper'. The Long Game took nearly two years to write, principally because the characters kept doing unexpected things requiring rewrite after rewrite.
Since then, Jane has learned that the story as it begins in her head is unlikely to bear very much resemblance to the finished book.
Equally, she has learned to enjoy the journey, as her characters take her to places she never knew existed while they play out their lives on the page in front of her.
Author Photo:
Just been released-February 28, 2017/ "Jackdaw Court" by Jane Jago:
1.Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
My name is Jane, I'm a sixty-something compulsive writer. Which I sometimes think is perilously close to being a compulsive fibber, but writing your fibs as fiction makes it okay!
The latest ‘tissue of lies’ is a twisty thriller called Jackdaw Court, and it tells the story of a normally pragmatic young woman who gives into a romantic impulse. It's that simple, and that complicated.
2. What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
I have always been a writer, ever since I was big enough to hold a pen. I got into indie publishing because I was writing anyway and I really, really wanted to see if anybody would read what I wrote. It is a constant delight to me that they do. I have been publishing for about two years, and I have seven titles out there. And no, I haven't written seven books in two years. I've edited and published and done rewrites of stuff I have been writing for at least fifty years.
3. Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
I have so many writing influences that I would bore you to sleep if I tried to list them. Being an English Literature graduate, I've read a lot in my time and I do think that whenever we read something truly well constructed, irrespective of genre, it will leave a mark somewhere. My psyche is scored through and through by words of beauty and truth that I have read and absorbed.
And yes, I'm a reader. It has been said of me that when I have my face in a book nothing and nobody distracts me. I would dispute this point were it not for the fact that there was once a fire in our street and I didn't even notice the fire engines....
Genres? Mostly anything.
I have only recently started reviewing what I read. It's an oddly compulsive process.
4. Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
I have never co-written successfully. Tried it once and there was almost a fist fight. I guess I'm not a team player.
5. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
I'm a relatively simple soul and not long on ambition. I'd kinda like to make a bit of money to help eke out the pension, but mostly I'm just happy if people get a little enjoyment out of what I write.
6. Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
I am completely the wrong person to ask about marketing and promo. Basically I don't do any. But wait. Is this promo?
7. What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
A reader told me that my books make her happy and she takes away a sense of hope. That'll do for me.
8. What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
I'm partway through a sword but no sorcery fantasy and I'm always writing short stories.
9. How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
I'm lucky enough to be retired and not to need to have too much worry about the business side of being a writer. Which is just as well because I'm not the world's greatest business brain. My only response is to just keep on writing. Sometimes little things you do get surprisingly big reactions. Mostly though, a writer must be true to herself/himself. If you write from the gut then that's all you can ever do.
10. Have you ever been traditional published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditional published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
I'm hugely ambivalent about trad publishing. On the one hand it can get you into places where indies struggle to stand outside the servants entrance. And it can pay well. On the flip side of the coin I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to my words, and do I have a real attachment to the concept of independence and self help. To sum up, I'd like to think myself loftily above monetary concerns and the lure of possible fame. But. Honestly? If mammon called I'd probably be right there with my tail wagging...
11. What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
I draw and paint. Badly. And I cook. Very well! And anybody that thinks cooking isn't creative.....
12. What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Just write. But get people with your interests at heart to read what you have written. And listen to them. If they say something is genius take it with a pinch of salt. But if they say it's crap you'd better believe them....
13. Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
Opinionated and smart-mouthed, but never knowingly unkind.
14. Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
I listen and I bake. There are very few troubles that cannot be lightened by a listening ear and really superior chocolate cake.
February 26, 2017
Interview with Sarah Schoggin, Audio Narrator, Captionist and Aspiring Author
Hi, everyone! Check it out! I've posted another interview. If you also want to see the previous interviews I've done they are still here in my list of blog posts. Here's my interview with Sarah Schoggin.:
Hi, Sarah!
1.Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Well, my name is Sarah. I was born and raised in Texas and love living here. I live with my husband and dog who are my two favorite beings in the entire world. My day revolves around spending time with them, reading, working, and watching Netflix. I currently work in customer service (gag) for a furniture store but eventually want to work as either an English teacher or in publishing.
2. For those who might not know what captioning/audio narrating and beta reading is please share your process from your point of view and experience.
I think everyone’s process is a little different. When it comes to Audiobook narration I have more a process than anything else. I need whatever I happen to be reading in print format. I read through it first and have different colored highlighters for making notes. Yellow for words that I can’t pronounce, blue for character changes, pink for dialogue, and green for accents and emphasis. Then I read through again to enjoy the story and get a true feel for the flow of the characters, then it is off to record! I basically make myself a script of words that are already written to be sure my sounds captivate the reader.
As for captioning, I literally just pause and play until I get everything written out and then go back and watch to be sure everything is spelled and lined up correctly. Beta-reading is honestly something I do for fun (I told you I wanted to go into publishing.) A lot of times I look at a book and just see red marks where changes need to be made. Not a lot of books but I will usually always find the mistakes if a book has one. I love helping authors get their book to perfection. It gives me a huge sense of accomplishment.
3. As a mod of two groups on Goodreads and also having a full-time job outside of that, how and in what way does this affect your everyday life. Do you have any hobbies/interests that you do to wind down from an otherwise stressful day.
It does get very stressful at times. Sometimes, I pile my plate so high but I usually just make a list of everything that I need to get done. When everything on that list is checked off, I always feel so productive and accomplished and it makes me feel awesome. I spend time with my husband or play with my dog. I also have a love for Netflix. You can always catch me watching something or reading for personal enjoyment. I also watching videos from The Walking Dead universe or rewatch old episodes. (I am a walking dead superfan, it’s a little crazy, but I love it so much)
4. What is the name of your blog/website/page and what do you post about or talk about on these social media platforms?
My blog is www.sarahschoggin.wix.com/coffeeshopr... . As of right now, my blog is under construction but should be up within a couple of weeks with all of my services and newest reviews! Be watching! If you are an aspiring author please get in contact with me on goodreads or the email coffeeshopreaders@gmail.com to be my featured author of the month!
5. Do you charge for your captioning/audio and beta services? How much do you charge? How long have you been doing the captioning/audio/beta reading?
It really just depends on the situation. Different projects cost different things. I work with each person individually on pricing and form of payment. I have been beta-reading for several years. Captioning and audio, I am newer to the circuit but I have taken it by storm. I have plenty of samples that I can send over! If you are needing any of my services please shoot me an email or message on Goodreads! Both are checked very frequently!
6.Describe yourself in a one sentence epithet.
I am a loyal, dedicated, headstrong wife and dog mom and reading maniac who is obsessed with the walking dead.
7. What is your greatest accomplishment?
Professionally? Setting my self up as an audiobook narrator. I do everything myself and learned this business from the ground up. Also making it to a year with my current full time job. I bounced around jobs for about 6 years but this one has stuck! Personally, moving away from my family with my husband and us becoming completely independent!
8. Have you ever collaborated with anyone on any other creative/or business projects?
Once upon a time when I was writing my first novel, a friend of mine was helping me through the writing process and making changes for me. That novel has since been lost when my hard drive had to be wiped. (note to self: always back up on a jump drive!)
9. How would you balance creativity with the business side when marketing and /or promoting your captioning, audio, beta services, or at your full time job, if applicable?
I always have fun when I am doing any of these projects. I try to offer really competitive prices while still trying to be fair to myself since I am investing my time. I’m not only investing in my time, I am investing in YOU. I am investing in YOUR work. It is very important to me that you are just as happy as I am with a finished product.
10. Are there any beta reading, captioning, audio projects you are currently working on?
I am currently working on one audiobook project. I am reading three chapters of A Chicago Princess by Robert Barr. I am applying for a new transcription company so I am in between projects there. I have had a few bites for beta-reading but nothing has really come out of it. I am always looking for new projects though and have many slots available for working with someone!
11. What other creative talents do you have? What advice would you give to other aspiring beta readers, audio narrators, and captionists?
I’m actually a writer. I really want to publish a novel and am working on one as we speak. I have written my entire life. Mostly short stories and poems. Who knows, I could need a beta-reader one of these days! My advice is to never stop. It doesn’t matter how long of a break you take, but always come back! Also, READ READ READ! You can’t even believe how much your knowledge expands when you read one book. Don’t let one “No” tear you down. Keep truckin’ and you will eventually land something. Audio narrators, something I have found that helps is listening to a lot of books on tape. It gives you a feel for voices, accents, things of that nature. Keep auditioning for those as well! Something will come!
12. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this beta reading, captioning, audio narrator as well as being a mod on Goodreads and in your full-time job, if applicable?
I really want to be published and work in publishing. Being an English teacher was something I’ve always wanted since I was a kid. My teachers really drove my love for reading, one in particular and she knows who she is! She is the one who made me realize that 11th grade English is something I could see doing for the rest of my life. I am very passionate about all things in this industry. I also am thinking of trying my hand at screenwriting! Hmm.. new project coming soon?
13. What inspired you to decide to do beta reading, audio/captioning?
My beta-reading days started when a friend of mine was publishing her second novel in the series she wrote. I read her first and loved it and jumped on that train as quick as I could! Audio captured me when I listened to A Court of Thorns and Roses. That’s when I really started looking into it.
14. What are your favorite authors and genres? Who in your life has inspired you?
Oh goodness! I love YA, mystery, and non-fiction mainly. My favorite authors include: Shannon Lee Alexander, Paula Treick DeBoard, Nicholas Sparks, Sarah J Maas, Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth, Barbara Parks…the list goes on and on. My creative inspirations and professional inspirations include: My husband Joshua, Ron Clark, Lauren Conrad, Cassie Gregory, Katie Litton, and Shannon Lee Alexander!
Hi, Sarah!
1.Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Well, my name is Sarah. I was born and raised in Texas and love living here. I live with my husband and dog who are my two favorite beings in the entire world. My day revolves around spending time with them, reading, working, and watching Netflix. I currently work in customer service (gag) for a furniture store but eventually want to work as either an English teacher or in publishing.
2. For those who might not know what captioning/audio narrating and beta reading is please share your process from your point of view and experience.
I think everyone’s process is a little different. When it comes to Audiobook narration I have more a process than anything else. I need whatever I happen to be reading in print format. I read through it first and have different colored highlighters for making notes. Yellow for words that I can’t pronounce, blue for character changes, pink for dialogue, and green for accents and emphasis. Then I read through again to enjoy the story and get a true feel for the flow of the characters, then it is off to record! I basically make myself a script of words that are already written to be sure my sounds captivate the reader.
As for captioning, I literally just pause and play until I get everything written out and then go back and watch to be sure everything is spelled and lined up correctly. Beta-reading is honestly something I do for fun (I told you I wanted to go into publishing.) A lot of times I look at a book and just see red marks where changes need to be made. Not a lot of books but I will usually always find the mistakes if a book has one. I love helping authors get their book to perfection. It gives me a huge sense of accomplishment.
3. As a mod of two groups on Goodreads and also having a full-time job outside of that, how and in what way does this affect your everyday life. Do you have any hobbies/interests that you do to wind down from an otherwise stressful day.
It does get very stressful at times. Sometimes, I pile my plate so high but I usually just make a list of everything that I need to get done. When everything on that list is checked off, I always feel so productive and accomplished and it makes me feel awesome. I spend time with my husband or play with my dog. I also have a love for Netflix. You can always catch me watching something or reading for personal enjoyment. I also watching videos from The Walking Dead universe or rewatch old episodes. (I am a walking dead superfan, it’s a little crazy, but I love it so much)
4. What is the name of your blog/website/page and what do you post about or talk about on these social media platforms?
My blog is www.sarahschoggin.wix.com/coffeeshopr... . As of right now, my blog is under construction but should be up within a couple of weeks with all of my services and newest reviews! Be watching! If you are an aspiring author please get in contact with me on goodreads or the email coffeeshopreaders@gmail.com to be my featured author of the month!
5. Do you charge for your captioning/audio and beta services? How much do you charge? How long have you been doing the captioning/audio/beta reading?
It really just depends on the situation. Different projects cost different things. I work with each person individually on pricing and form of payment. I have been beta-reading for several years. Captioning and audio, I am newer to the circuit but I have taken it by storm. I have plenty of samples that I can send over! If you are needing any of my services please shoot me an email or message on Goodreads! Both are checked very frequently!
6.Describe yourself in a one sentence epithet.
I am a loyal, dedicated, headstrong wife and dog mom and reading maniac who is obsessed with the walking dead.
7. What is your greatest accomplishment?
Professionally? Setting my self up as an audiobook narrator. I do everything myself and learned this business from the ground up. Also making it to a year with my current full time job. I bounced around jobs for about 6 years but this one has stuck! Personally, moving away from my family with my husband and us becoming completely independent!
8. Have you ever collaborated with anyone on any other creative/or business projects?
Once upon a time when I was writing my first novel, a friend of mine was helping me through the writing process and making changes for me. That novel has since been lost when my hard drive had to be wiped. (note to self: always back up on a jump drive!)
9. How would you balance creativity with the business side when marketing and /or promoting your captioning, audio, beta services, or at your full time job, if applicable?
I always have fun when I am doing any of these projects. I try to offer really competitive prices while still trying to be fair to myself since I am investing my time. I’m not only investing in my time, I am investing in YOU. I am investing in YOUR work. It is very important to me that you are just as happy as I am with a finished product.
10. Are there any beta reading, captioning, audio projects you are currently working on?
I am currently working on one audiobook project. I am reading three chapters of A Chicago Princess by Robert Barr. I am applying for a new transcription company so I am in between projects there. I have had a few bites for beta-reading but nothing has really come out of it. I am always looking for new projects though and have many slots available for working with someone!
11. What other creative talents do you have? What advice would you give to other aspiring beta readers, audio narrators, and captionists?
I’m actually a writer. I really want to publish a novel and am working on one as we speak. I have written my entire life. Mostly short stories and poems. Who knows, I could need a beta-reader one of these days! My advice is to never stop. It doesn’t matter how long of a break you take, but always come back! Also, READ READ READ! You can’t even believe how much your knowledge expands when you read one book. Don’t let one “No” tear you down. Keep truckin’ and you will eventually land something. Audio narrators, something I have found that helps is listening to a lot of books on tape. It gives you a feel for voices, accents, things of that nature. Keep auditioning for those as well! Something will come!
12. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this beta reading, captioning, audio narrator as well as being a mod on Goodreads and in your full-time job, if applicable?
I really want to be published and work in publishing. Being an English teacher was something I’ve always wanted since I was a kid. My teachers really drove my love for reading, one in particular and she knows who she is! She is the one who made me realize that 11th grade English is something I could see doing for the rest of my life. I am very passionate about all things in this industry. I also am thinking of trying my hand at screenwriting! Hmm.. new project coming soon?
13. What inspired you to decide to do beta reading, audio/captioning?
My beta-reading days started when a friend of mine was publishing her second novel in the series she wrote. I read her first and loved it and jumped on that train as quick as I could! Audio captured me when I listened to A Court of Thorns and Roses. That’s when I really started looking into it.
14. What are your favorite authors and genres? Who in your life has inspired you?
Oh goodness! I love YA, mystery, and non-fiction mainly. My favorite authors include: Shannon Lee Alexander, Paula Treick DeBoard, Nicholas Sparks, Sarah J Maas, Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth, Barbara Parks…the list goes on and on. My creative inspirations and professional inspirations include: My husband Joshua, Ron Clark, Lauren Conrad, Cassie Gregory, Katie Litton, and Shannon Lee Alexander!
February 25, 2017
Interview with Indie Author and Illustrator Rohvannyn Shaw
Hi, guys! Check it out! I've just interviewed indie author and illustrator, Rohvannyn Shaw.
Hi, Rohvannyn!
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel, cover art, illustrations.
Hi! Thank you for interviewing me. It's an honor. I live in Tucson, Arizona, and I work in customer service but write and draw every chance I get. I've been drawing ever since I was tiny, and writing since I learned to type. I love cats, especially my floofy, crazy calico, and live with my partner of nearly 13 years. She helps me edit my books and is an artist herself. My latest novel is a book called "Rageth," which is about a call center worker who has to deal with a ghost haunting her phone lines. My latest book, though, is "Self Publishing Made Easy," which I'll say mmore about later.
2. What inspired you to be a writer, artist and/or illustrator/ to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing and/or illustrating? How long have you been published as an indie author? Has your cover art or illustrations been published? If yes, then where? If not, would you want it to and in which publications or websites?
As far as my art goes, I've been doing it so long it's just something that's part of my life. My wonderful partner, however, is the inspiration to keep improving it instead of staying in one spot and resting on my laurels. That's true with both writing and drawing. I've been illustrating for perhaps fifteen years, though I started drawing thirty five years ago, roughly. I've been writing for perhaps fifteen years as well, and have been serious about it for about five. My cover art is on several of my own books, as well as on and in books by two other authors. My art has been featured in Venue Magazine of Moses Lake, Washington, on the front of a martial arts studio, on a parade float, at a couple of Star Wars fan sites, and of course on my own sites.
3. Who are your writing mentors/authors/artists/illustrators? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer and/ or appreciative of other authors, artists and illustrators?
The closest thing to mentors were probably my high school writing teacher and my parents. An author I truly respect is Richard Marius, who wrote the excellent book "A Writer's Companion." As far as illustrators, I was truly inspired by the work of Wendi Pini of ElfQuest when I was young, though now I have too many to name. I enjoy writing Science fiction, light modern horror, fantasy, and non fiction essays. I enjoy reading military sci fi, regular sci fi, modern horror, non fiction essays, history, and alternative history. I do truly appreciate the work that other artists, authors, and illustrators do because every time I look at or read something, it has the potential to teach me.
4. Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating with your artwork and/or co-writing with anyone on a project?
My spouse and I are planning a collaboration on a novel right now, which will be a military sci fi setting. We're batting ideas around about worlds and cultures, ship designs, weapon designs, things like that. I'll be doing a lot of the writing, she'll be doing a lot of the 3-d rendering of the art. We have another novel we're thinking of that will be more of a true writing collaboration, a cyberpunk story.
5. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing/publication and illustrative journey?
They are twofold. One, I simply enjoy writing and doing art, and I dream of being able to do that more. Two, I would like to be able to make some income when I have gotten older and have become too feeble to do traditional work. With today's economy I can't expect a pension so I would love to still be able to support myself. Of course, it would also be fun to see my work all over and have people be able to enjoy it!
6. Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
I do my own promotion. I've used handbills, author interviews, advertising on my own sites, and also had some luck with the promotion that Amazon automatically does when you publish a book. I've also done a couple of free eBook promotions, posted on various fora about my books, and done a Goodreads Giveaway. I haven't seen the benefit to paying for large amounts of advertising, since it often doesn't seem to pay off.
7. What is your greatest accomplishment as an author, cover artist, and illustrator?
I think my greatest accomplishment was completing The Dice of Fate. I worked hard on the cover painting, made illustrations for the interior, and spent months working on the interior. I also took my editor's advice and made neccessary changes when she pointed out serious flaws in the story. Anyone who's written a story and then taken it to an editor knows what I mean! That project brought together all three aspects of what I do.
8. What's the next writing and or illustrating project(s) you're working on?
I'm putting the finishing touches on a modern horror novel about a call center worker, a metalhead, and a ditzy nurse who have to save Tucson from a spectral presence who possesses the phone lines. It's kind of a dark comedy with serious elements. I'm also slowly getting a fantasy novel into shape, which is about a mage's apprentice who unexpectedly finds a winged horse, and must find a way to win her freedom. I don't have any illustrating projects at the moment, thought that could change at any time.
9. How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing and illustrating such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing/illustrating industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers/art galleries and other art websites?
I try to do things a million people haven't done, or if I do something that's been done, I try to do something different with it. Then in my description I try to pique the reader's interest and show them why I'm a bit different. I have noticed though, that there are a fair number of people who really want more of the same thing they already liked, so complete innovation may not always be needed. Being original is still important but sometimes it's okay to fit into a genre. It's easier to sell when you can quickly and clearly state what you have to sell, rather than fitting something into ten different genres.
10. Have you ever been traditional published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditional published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened? How would you feel if your artwork was featured on a prominent art website or gallery opening?
I've written articles and made illustrations that were traditionally published. I haven't had any novels or stories published that way, though. If I were approached for a publishing contract I'd read it thoroughly and take it if the terms were right. I'd always stay at least part indie, though. I'd feel honored and be glad that someone approached me in that way. If I were featured on a prominent art website, I'd be stunned and pleased, and a gallery opening is my secret dream. Of course, that's unlikely because my art is so "lowbrow," ha ha!
11. What other creative talents do you have besides being a writer and illustrator? Do you paint, build sculptures, etc. What kind of artwork do you do (ex: conceptual art, sketches, etc.)
I paint in both acrylics and watercolors. I draw in pen and ink, which is the bulk of what my illustrations are done in. I also enjoy markers, colored pencils, graphite sticks, and chalks on black background. I do sketch, sometiems just to rough out a concept, but will often finish them in ink.
12. What advice would you give other aspiring authors, cover artists and/or illustrators?
First, never give up. The most successful people in the world are not the most talented, but the most persistent. Second, in all you do, always strive to do a little better than you did before. Third, welcome all learning opportunities of all kinds. Fourth, if you're a freelancer, don't give friends and family deep discounts. Once you start down the discount path, forever will it dominate your destiny, because they'll pass their own discounts on to others and your fees will be eaten away. And finally, never give up.
13. Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
Nightmare to both sides - a sandal-wearing, Lesbian, Anarchocapitalist, Atheist gun nut. LOL!
14. Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
I said I'd mention "Self Publishing Made Easy again. I wrote it to help my fellow indies. I wanted people who are new to self publishing to have a really cheap (99 cents) resource that will save them from many of the newbie pitfalls and make sure they do everything needed to write and publish a successful book. As far as paying it forward, I've begun hosting fellow authors on my blog, and I also participate in various charity events held by my day job. In one of our recent events, we donated a school bus load of supplies to local kids in need. I bought a whole bunch of notebooks and put post-its with inspirational messages inside, for my contribution. I love finding creative ways to help my community, whether it's my local community or my online one!
Here are the buy links:
https://mind-flight.org/my-books/
And link to author photo:
https://subversiveartblog.files.wordp...
Cover of The Dice of Fate
https://subversiveartblog.files.wordp...
Cover of Gateway Drug (for contrast)
https://subversiveartblog.files.wordp...
Additional information about the author and her works see here:
https://mind-flight.org/my-books/
Rohvannyn Shaw's Author Bio:
I paint and draw and illustrate stories. I write real letters, on real paper with my beloved fountain pen. I also write novels, short stories, and poetry. I work as a knowledge expert at a mail order pharmacy when not making art, and I edit novels, short stories and non fiction books in my spare time. My partner of 12 years helps in this venture.
I love reading, building worlds, creating schemes to get off this particular mudball, studying medical topics, good anime, finding new ways to amuse my calico, and the pursuit of sanity in a world that is apparently in the depths of Heinlein’s “Crazy Years.” I also like good heavy metal (symphonic and power metal) as well as Scottish and Irish folk music, as well as certain forms of Canadian Maritime Folk. Basically, music with passion, or at least range and striking power.
The stars inspire me. They are so vast, just the thought that when I look up at the night sky I am also looking millions of years back through time, the thought of standing on this little blue spinning marble out in the sea of the universe reminds me of who I am and what is truly important in life.
Social Media Links:
Blog: http://mind-flight.org
Art site: http://rohvannynshaw.com
Twitter: @Rohvannyn
DeviantArt: http://firstprimeofcessna.deviantart....
Hi, Rohvannyn!
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel, cover art, illustrations.
Hi! Thank you for interviewing me. It's an honor. I live in Tucson, Arizona, and I work in customer service but write and draw every chance I get. I've been drawing ever since I was tiny, and writing since I learned to type. I love cats, especially my floofy, crazy calico, and live with my partner of nearly 13 years. She helps me edit my books and is an artist herself. My latest novel is a book called "Rageth," which is about a call center worker who has to deal with a ghost haunting her phone lines. My latest book, though, is "Self Publishing Made Easy," which I'll say mmore about later.
2. What inspired you to be a writer, artist and/or illustrator/ to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing and/or illustrating? How long have you been published as an indie author? Has your cover art or illustrations been published? If yes, then where? If not, would you want it to and in which publications or websites?
As far as my art goes, I've been doing it so long it's just something that's part of my life. My wonderful partner, however, is the inspiration to keep improving it instead of staying in one spot and resting on my laurels. That's true with both writing and drawing. I've been illustrating for perhaps fifteen years, though I started drawing thirty five years ago, roughly. I've been writing for perhaps fifteen years as well, and have been serious about it for about five. My cover art is on several of my own books, as well as on and in books by two other authors. My art has been featured in Venue Magazine of Moses Lake, Washington, on the front of a martial arts studio, on a parade float, at a couple of Star Wars fan sites, and of course on my own sites.
3. Who are your writing mentors/authors/artists/illustrators? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer and/ or appreciative of other authors, artists and illustrators?
The closest thing to mentors were probably my high school writing teacher and my parents. An author I truly respect is Richard Marius, who wrote the excellent book "A Writer's Companion." As far as illustrators, I was truly inspired by the work of Wendi Pini of ElfQuest when I was young, though now I have too many to name. I enjoy writing Science fiction, light modern horror, fantasy, and non fiction essays. I enjoy reading military sci fi, regular sci fi, modern horror, non fiction essays, history, and alternative history. I do truly appreciate the work that other artists, authors, and illustrators do because every time I look at or read something, it has the potential to teach me.
4. Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating with your artwork and/or co-writing with anyone on a project?
My spouse and I are planning a collaboration on a novel right now, which will be a military sci fi setting. We're batting ideas around about worlds and cultures, ship designs, weapon designs, things like that. I'll be doing a lot of the writing, she'll be doing a lot of the 3-d rendering of the art. We have another novel we're thinking of that will be more of a true writing collaboration, a cyberpunk story.
5. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing/publication and illustrative journey?
They are twofold. One, I simply enjoy writing and doing art, and I dream of being able to do that more. Two, I would like to be able to make some income when I have gotten older and have become too feeble to do traditional work. With today's economy I can't expect a pension so I would love to still be able to support myself. Of course, it would also be fun to see my work all over and have people be able to enjoy it!
6. Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
I do my own promotion. I've used handbills, author interviews, advertising on my own sites, and also had some luck with the promotion that Amazon automatically does when you publish a book. I've also done a couple of free eBook promotions, posted on various fora about my books, and done a Goodreads Giveaway. I haven't seen the benefit to paying for large amounts of advertising, since it often doesn't seem to pay off.
7. What is your greatest accomplishment as an author, cover artist, and illustrator?
I think my greatest accomplishment was completing The Dice of Fate. I worked hard on the cover painting, made illustrations for the interior, and spent months working on the interior. I also took my editor's advice and made neccessary changes when she pointed out serious flaws in the story. Anyone who's written a story and then taken it to an editor knows what I mean! That project brought together all three aspects of what I do.
8. What's the next writing and or illustrating project(s) you're working on?
I'm putting the finishing touches on a modern horror novel about a call center worker, a metalhead, and a ditzy nurse who have to save Tucson from a spectral presence who possesses the phone lines. It's kind of a dark comedy with serious elements. I'm also slowly getting a fantasy novel into shape, which is about a mage's apprentice who unexpectedly finds a winged horse, and must find a way to win her freedom. I don't have any illustrating projects at the moment, thought that could change at any time.
9. How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing and illustrating such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing/illustrating industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers/art galleries and other art websites?
I try to do things a million people haven't done, or if I do something that's been done, I try to do something different with it. Then in my description I try to pique the reader's interest and show them why I'm a bit different. I have noticed though, that there are a fair number of people who really want more of the same thing they already liked, so complete innovation may not always be needed. Being original is still important but sometimes it's okay to fit into a genre. It's easier to sell when you can quickly and clearly state what you have to sell, rather than fitting something into ten different genres.
10. Have you ever been traditional published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditional published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened? How would you feel if your artwork was featured on a prominent art website or gallery opening?
I've written articles and made illustrations that were traditionally published. I haven't had any novels or stories published that way, though. If I were approached for a publishing contract I'd read it thoroughly and take it if the terms were right. I'd always stay at least part indie, though. I'd feel honored and be glad that someone approached me in that way. If I were featured on a prominent art website, I'd be stunned and pleased, and a gallery opening is my secret dream. Of course, that's unlikely because my art is so "lowbrow," ha ha!
11. What other creative talents do you have besides being a writer and illustrator? Do you paint, build sculptures, etc. What kind of artwork do you do (ex: conceptual art, sketches, etc.)
I paint in both acrylics and watercolors. I draw in pen and ink, which is the bulk of what my illustrations are done in. I also enjoy markers, colored pencils, graphite sticks, and chalks on black background. I do sketch, sometiems just to rough out a concept, but will often finish them in ink.
12. What advice would you give other aspiring authors, cover artists and/or illustrators?
First, never give up. The most successful people in the world are not the most talented, but the most persistent. Second, in all you do, always strive to do a little better than you did before. Third, welcome all learning opportunities of all kinds. Fourth, if you're a freelancer, don't give friends and family deep discounts. Once you start down the discount path, forever will it dominate your destiny, because they'll pass their own discounts on to others and your fees will be eaten away. And finally, never give up.
13. Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
Nightmare to both sides - a sandal-wearing, Lesbian, Anarchocapitalist, Atheist gun nut. LOL!
14. Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
I said I'd mention "Self Publishing Made Easy again. I wrote it to help my fellow indies. I wanted people who are new to self publishing to have a really cheap (99 cents) resource that will save them from many of the newbie pitfalls and make sure they do everything needed to write and publish a successful book. As far as paying it forward, I've begun hosting fellow authors on my blog, and I also participate in various charity events held by my day job. In one of our recent events, we donated a school bus load of supplies to local kids in need. I bought a whole bunch of notebooks and put post-its with inspirational messages inside, for my contribution. I love finding creative ways to help my community, whether it's my local community or my online one!
Here are the buy links:
https://mind-flight.org/my-books/
And link to author photo:
https://subversiveartblog.files.wordp...
Cover of The Dice of Fate
https://subversiveartblog.files.wordp...
Cover of Gateway Drug (for contrast)
https://subversiveartblog.files.wordp...
Additional information about the author and her works see here:
https://mind-flight.org/my-books/
Rohvannyn Shaw's Author Bio:
I paint and draw and illustrate stories. I write real letters, on real paper with my beloved fountain pen. I also write novels, short stories, and poetry. I work as a knowledge expert at a mail order pharmacy when not making art, and I edit novels, short stories and non fiction books in my spare time. My partner of 12 years helps in this venture.
I love reading, building worlds, creating schemes to get off this particular mudball, studying medical topics, good anime, finding new ways to amuse my calico, and the pursuit of sanity in a world that is apparently in the depths of Heinlein’s “Crazy Years.” I also like good heavy metal (symphonic and power metal) as well as Scottish and Irish folk music, as well as certain forms of Canadian Maritime Folk. Basically, music with passion, or at least range and striking power.
The stars inspire me. They are so vast, just the thought that when I look up at the night sky I am also looking millions of years back through time, the thought of standing on this little blue spinning marble out in the sea of the universe reminds me of who I am and what is truly important in life.
Social Media Links:
Blog: http://mind-flight.org
Art site: http://rohvannynshaw.com
Twitter: @Rohvannyn
DeviantArt: http://firstprimeofcessna.deviantart....
February 24, 2017
My Novel Weeping Well Has Been Featured on Mindflight
Hi, everybody! My newly released novel Weeping Well (Weeping Well, # 1) has been featured on Rohvannyn Shaw's website "Mindflight" for a "Feature Friday." Take a peek! Thanks to Rohvannyn Shaw for this awesome opportunity! https://mind-flight.org/2017/02/24/fe...
February 23, 2017
Interview with Indie Author Bonnie Ferrante
*Author Photo: https://www.youtube.com/user/Bonnie0904
*Book(s) currently in stores by Bonnie Ferrante
*Next book soon to be released by this author:
"Switch" by Bonnie Ferrante
Hi, Bonnie!
Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
I was a grade-school teacher and a teacher-librarian. I've been writing for publication for about 30 years. I've written fiction and nonfiction, for toddlers to adult.
My last published novel was Leya, a YA fantasy.
In a world where eye color may determine your future, Leya is born with one green and one blue eye. Will this diminish her potential or provide the exceptional opportunity to become a Double Vision Mistress?
Even if she fulfills her gifts, Leya must learn to control her impulsiveness and quick temper or she will be stripped of her powers in a painful and crippling ritual. Unfortunately, Zendra, a devious Novice knows exactly how to raise Leya's anger. But the Mistresses, struggling with significant problems of their own, seem blind to Leya's dilemma. How much should she risk in pursuit of power, prestige, and wealth?
Coming out this year: Switch
A young adult historical fantasy/paranormal novel set in Tudor times. Godmother is struggling with financial worries. Mama thinks praying will solve everything. William Cooper, the man Rosemary adores, considers her a child. Rosemary is terrified she will be hanged as a witch, turned into the street, or killed by her stalker. Worst of all are the visits by ghosts, increasing in frequency and strength. One by one, young Rosemary's supports are eroded until she is forced to face the greatest danger of all, alone.
2. What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
Even while I was teaching full-time, I was writing. I would submit stories during the summer and during the school year I wrote plays for my student drama club. After retiring, I realized I didn't have enough time to wait for every piece of writing to go through all the steps of traditional publishing, which often takes years. So then I started publishing as an indie author.
3. Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
I read so many different kinds of books by so many different kinds of authors I can't really name a specific one. I'll often find an author and binge read everything they've written. I feel like I've lost a friend when I run out of their books.
I enjoy reading contemporary YA like John Green. I recently read Radical by E.M. Koki which has received very mixed reviews. I loved it. I like science fiction that's not too technical like The Hunger Games series, and books by Patrick Ness or Scott Westerfeld. I read quite a bit of contemporary adult books and enjoyed all Lisa Genova's books. I discovered a fabulous indie book through my blog, Making Manna by Eric Lotke. I LOVE historical fiction anything to do with Shakespeare, and modern interpretations of traditional fairy tales. I read a fair bit of nonfiction and really like books on animal studies, brain research, and sociology like those written by Malcolm Gladwell.
Because of my blog and having a three-year-old granddaughter, I read a huge number of picture books. I appreciate the pithiness and the art of a good picture book.
I like writing picture books and young adult, especially fantasy.
I am an avid book reviewer of other authors. As well as posting on good reads and Amazon, I have my own blog where I review additionally published and indie writers. bferrante.wordpress.com
4. Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
Not really.
5. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
I would be happy to have my books sell a reasonable amount and know that they are being read, especially by children and parents together.
6. Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
I would love to have someone else do the marketing and promotion but I can't afford it. I've done all the usual social media promotions and had a few paid ones as well. I have won a couple of awards but I haven't really found that any of those things have made much difference. I have a blog, website, and a YouTube site. I’ve built up thousands of connections on Linkedin and twitter. Lately I've decided to start spending more time on the YouTube site and I'm going to keep tweaking my blog in hopes that it will help more in garnering interest in my work.
7. What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
I love the feeling when my work really connects with someone. There have been several incidents when readers have said how much they or their child have loved something I've written. That's what it's all about for me.
8. What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
This is kind of a trick question because I always have several things in the works. I have three novels at different stages. One of them is so close to publication but I just haven't finished it because I'm focussing on my picture books right now. I have Parkinson's and drawing has become a real challenge for me. I'm depending on more on digital illustration and that is a huge learning curve. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to continue to draw at all so I'm working as much as I can on my picture books. I figure when my tremor makes that impossible, I'll focus more on my young adult novels.
Switch will be my next YA novel. It needs at least one more edit (my eighth or nineth). It is an historical fantasy that takes place during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. I just finished an alphabet book that uses active learning for children where they move to the verbs featured by each letter. I have other picture books in the works. One I'm having a lot of fun with is about an adventurous cat and his highly imaginative human.
I've also been writing original plays for YouTube. The latest was The Three Little Pigs are Rescued. I put in over 200 hours on that! I'd do a lot of things differently now. I'm going to be writing some simple puppet plays for children. My next big YouTube project is going to be a different style of illustration featuring a Harlequin 'marionette'. After that, if my husband gets the Tudor doll house built I'm going to share with my granddaughter; I intend to try some new things with fashion dolls. Maybe I’m living the childhood I always wanted.
9. How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
I really don't know how to answer this. I'm not very successful with the business side.
Probably a lot of my ideas are not popular, although mainstream culture is becoming more aware of such concepts as mindfulness, compassion, harmony, karma, and gratitude which are reoccurring themes in my work.
10. Have you ever been traditional published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditional published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
Yes, I've been traditionally published. When I was teaching, I only had time for short stories and several of those appeared in anthologies and magazines. I also wrote for over three years for a regional newspaper. It was a family humor column as well as the occasional article about things that interested me. I've had several nonfiction articles and short stories published in magazines for kids. I had three books published by a small press in the U.S. that closed down in the middle of publishing my fourth book. I had my novel, Switch, accepted by a Canadian publisher but, after three years, decided to go my own way. I consider myself a hybrid writer. I very send anything out lately. I just don't have the time to commit to all that.
11. What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
Creative, yes. Talents? I'm not sure. I love painting but that is becoming harder and harder with my tremor. I recently refinished a small drop leaf table that my husband and I use to play scrabble on. I made it look like a tree from above. I refinished a matching stool and an upcycled chair. This week, I repainted my Little Free Library. We have a new home so I'm also redecorating, etc.
I like doing little projects with my granddaughters. We upcycled an old door with 12 window panes into a fake stained glass piece for our deck. My favourite this summer was making a fairy door for the flower garden. I sew a lot, especially dresses for my littlest granddaughter. I also crochet doll clothes and I love designing and sewing fashionable or royal dresses for her Barbies. I used to do a massive amount of gardening and landscaping but Parkinson's has made me cut way, way back on that.
12. What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Don't jump into self-publishing until you've taken a few classes and read a lot of books and received a lot of criticism. Too many people self-publish way too soon.
13. Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
I bet I can make something from that.
14. Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
I've had to stop my usual volunteering for health reasons. Instead I have a blog where I promote other writers. Much of my time is spent babysitting my granddaughter; that's a big focus right now. I do volunteer for the occasional fundraiser such as a scrabble tournament to raise money for a literacy group. I also provide a Little Free Library for my community.
Website - BonnieFerrante.ca
My Blog - http://bferrante.wordpress.com/
facebook - Bonnie Ferrante - Author https://www.facebook.com/FerranteAuth...
- Bonnie Ferrante - Books for Children https://www.facebook.com/FerranteBook...
twitter - @BonnieFerrante
linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/pub/bonnie-fe...
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/bferrante036...
Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/Bonnie0904
Where to buy my books.
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Bonnie-Ferrante...
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
and most other online bookstores
*Book(s) currently in stores by Bonnie Ferrante
*Next book soon to be released by this author:
"Switch" by Bonnie Ferrante
Hi, Bonnie!
Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
I was a grade-school teacher and a teacher-librarian. I've been writing for publication for about 30 years. I've written fiction and nonfiction, for toddlers to adult.
My last published novel was Leya, a YA fantasy.
In a world where eye color may determine your future, Leya is born with one green and one blue eye. Will this diminish her potential or provide the exceptional opportunity to become a Double Vision Mistress?
Even if she fulfills her gifts, Leya must learn to control her impulsiveness and quick temper or she will be stripped of her powers in a painful and crippling ritual. Unfortunately, Zendra, a devious Novice knows exactly how to raise Leya's anger. But the Mistresses, struggling with significant problems of their own, seem blind to Leya's dilemma. How much should she risk in pursuit of power, prestige, and wealth?
Coming out this year: Switch
A young adult historical fantasy/paranormal novel set in Tudor times. Godmother is struggling with financial worries. Mama thinks praying will solve everything. William Cooper, the man Rosemary adores, considers her a child. Rosemary is terrified she will be hanged as a witch, turned into the street, or killed by her stalker. Worst of all are the visits by ghosts, increasing in frequency and strength. One by one, young Rosemary's supports are eroded until she is forced to face the greatest danger of all, alone.
2. What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
Even while I was teaching full-time, I was writing. I would submit stories during the summer and during the school year I wrote plays for my student drama club. After retiring, I realized I didn't have enough time to wait for every piece of writing to go through all the steps of traditional publishing, which often takes years. So then I started publishing as an indie author.
3. Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
I read so many different kinds of books by so many different kinds of authors I can't really name a specific one. I'll often find an author and binge read everything they've written. I feel like I've lost a friend when I run out of their books.
I enjoy reading contemporary YA like John Green. I recently read Radical by E.M. Koki which has received very mixed reviews. I loved it. I like science fiction that's not too technical like The Hunger Games series, and books by Patrick Ness or Scott Westerfeld. I read quite a bit of contemporary adult books and enjoyed all Lisa Genova's books. I discovered a fabulous indie book through my blog, Making Manna by Eric Lotke. I LOVE historical fiction anything to do with Shakespeare, and modern interpretations of traditional fairy tales. I read a fair bit of nonfiction and really like books on animal studies, brain research, and sociology like those written by Malcolm Gladwell.
Because of my blog and having a three-year-old granddaughter, I read a huge number of picture books. I appreciate the pithiness and the art of a good picture book.
I like writing picture books and young adult, especially fantasy.
I am an avid book reviewer of other authors. As well as posting on good reads and Amazon, I have my own blog where I review additionally published and indie writers. bferrante.wordpress.com
4. Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
Not really.
5. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
I would be happy to have my books sell a reasonable amount and know that they are being read, especially by children and parents together.
6. Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
I would love to have someone else do the marketing and promotion but I can't afford it. I've done all the usual social media promotions and had a few paid ones as well. I have won a couple of awards but I haven't really found that any of those things have made much difference. I have a blog, website, and a YouTube site. I’ve built up thousands of connections on Linkedin and twitter. Lately I've decided to start spending more time on the YouTube site and I'm going to keep tweaking my blog in hopes that it will help more in garnering interest in my work.
7. What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
I love the feeling when my work really connects with someone. There have been several incidents when readers have said how much they or their child have loved something I've written. That's what it's all about for me.
8. What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
This is kind of a trick question because I always have several things in the works. I have three novels at different stages. One of them is so close to publication but I just haven't finished it because I'm focussing on my picture books right now. I have Parkinson's and drawing has become a real challenge for me. I'm depending on more on digital illustration and that is a huge learning curve. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to continue to draw at all so I'm working as much as I can on my picture books. I figure when my tremor makes that impossible, I'll focus more on my young adult novels.
Switch will be my next YA novel. It needs at least one more edit (my eighth or nineth). It is an historical fantasy that takes place during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. I just finished an alphabet book that uses active learning for children where they move to the verbs featured by each letter. I have other picture books in the works. One I'm having a lot of fun with is about an adventurous cat and his highly imaginative human.
I've also been writing original plays for YouTube. The latest was The Three Little Pigs are Rescued. I put in over 200 hours on that! I'd do a lot of things differently now. I'm going to be writing some simple puppet plays for children. My next big YouTube project is going to be a different style of illustration featuring a Harlequin 'marionette'. After that, if my husband gets the Tudor doll house built I'm going to share with my granddaughter; I intend to try some new things with fashion dolls. Maybe I’m living the childhood I always wanted.
9. How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
I really don't know how to answer this. I'm not very successful with the business side.
Probably a lot of my ideas are not popular, although mainstream culture is becoming more aware of such concepts as mindfulness, compassion, harmony, karma, and gratitude which are reoccurring themes in my work.
10. Have you ever been traditional published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditional published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
Yes, I've been traditionally published. When I was teaching, I only had time for short stories and several of those appeared in anthologies and magazines. I also wrote for over three years for a regional newspaper. It was a family humor column as well as the occasional article about things that interested me. I've had several nonfiction articles and short stories published in magazines for kids. I had three books published by a small press in the U.S. that closed down in the middle of publishing my fourth book. I had my novel, Switch, accepted by a Canadian publisher but, after three years, decided to go my own way. I consider myself a hybrid writer. I very send anything out lately. I just don't have the time to commit to all that.
11. What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
Creative, yes. Talents? I'm not sure. I love painting but that is becoming harder and harder with my tremor. I recently refinished a small drop leaf table that my husband and I use to play scrabble on. I made it look like a tree from above. I refinished a matching stool and an upcycled chair. This week, I repainted my Little Free Library. We have a new home so I'm also redecorating, etc.
I like doing little projects with my granddaughters. We upcycled an old door with 12 window panes into a fake stained glass piece for our deck. My favourite this summer was making a fairy door for the flower garden. I sew a lot, especially dresses for my littlest granddaughter. I also crochet doll clothes and I love designing and sewing fashionable or royal dresses for her Barbies. I used to do a massive amount of gardening and landscaping but Parkinson's has made me cut way, way back on that.
12. What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Don't jump into self-publishing until you've taken a few classes and read a lot of books and received a lot of criticism. Too many people self-publish way too soon.
13. Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
I bet I can make something from that.
14. Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
I've had to stop my usual volunteering for health reasons. Instead I have a blog where I promote other writers. Much of my time is spent babysitting my granddaughter; that's a big focus right now. I do volunteer for the occasional fundraiser such as a scrabble tournament to raise money for a literacy group. I also provide a Little Free Library for my community.
Website - BonnieFerrante.ca
My Blog - http://bferrante.wordpress.com/
facebook - Bonnie Ferrante - Author https://www.facebook.com/FerranteAuth...
- Bonnie Ferrante - Books for Children https://www.facebook.com/FerranteBook...
twitter - @BonnieFerrante
linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/pub/bonnie-fe...
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/bferrante036...
Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/Bonnie0904
Where to buy my books.
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Bonnie-Ferrante...
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
and most other online bookstores
February 21, 2017
I'm Doing Interviews on My Goodreads Blog
Hi, everybody! I've been secretly mentoring and promoting other indie authors, artists and beta readers and now audio narrators for years now lending them whatever help I can as a veteran author and a lot of them have thanked me for the success they have because of it. And yes, a lot of them have surpassed me. I've decided also to do indie author, indie cover artists, illustrators, beta readers and audio narrator interviews on my blog. so comment here, if you're interested and we can go from there.
February 11, 2017
My Newly Released Novel "Weeping Well" Has Been Featured on Love Indie Romance
Take a sneak peek at my newly released novel "Weeping Well" (Weeping Well,#1) being featured with an excerpt from the book here on Love Indie Romance. Thanks to the Love Indie Romance site:
https://www.loveindieromance.com/feat...
https://www.loveindieromance.com/feat...
February 7, 2017
Hiatus From Goodreads
I've decided to take a hiatus from Goodreads for a while. I feel like my writing is obviously not worth it anymore. I've finally realized after 26 years of doing this writing thing that I wasted my time with something I thought was my talent, but it took being here on Goodreads to realize that. I'll still read and review the books on my review list. But I've obviously failed at being a multi-genre author. I failed at being an author period.
February 6, 2017
Author Spotlight from N.N. Light with an Excerpt from My Newly Released Novel "Weeping Well"
Here's an Author Spotlight from N.N. Light with an excerpt from my latest novel in the Weeping Well series, Weeping Well (Weeping Well, #1) Take a look. Thanks! Thanks, too Julie Gerber for her time and consideration!
Go here:
https://princessofthelight.wordpress....
Go here:
https://princessofthelight.wordpress....
January 31, 2017
Sequel to Weeping Well
The sequel to Weeping Well, which is titled "Weeping Well: Shards to the Grave has the first 6, 436 words (24 pages) done. My goal is to have it finished by this summer and polished and released in time for an August or September 2017 release. The sequel is fully plotted. This as well as book 3&4 will take new twists and turns with some new characters. The next two books in the series I plan to have done, polished and published no later than summer 2018 to winter 2018. I thought about posting a sample of the first few pages of the sequel. But then very few have read the first book in its entirety so I'll just hold off on that.
