Meet the Author and Win a Book: Lisa Renee Jones
Meet the Author: Lisa Renee Jones
Today, I welcome Lisa Renee Jones, a multi-published, best-selling author who is a powerhouse proponent of indie publishing. And she’s giving away one title (winner’s choice) of her indie published book to one lucky commenter today! (Be sure to leave your e-mail address so we can contact you!)
What made you decide to go publish your books yourself, Lisa? Was there a particular ah-ha moment for you that made you take that leap?
I would say hearing other authors talk about it. It was clear that indie was the way of the future. I had several friends who tried it and had great results.
What is the hardest part of indie publishing?
Some people say the editing and admin work is hard. But I don’t think so. For New York we have revisions and copy edits and page proofs.
I still love New York even though indie has been very kind to me. I’m a believer in a balance and not putting all your eggs in one basket. I have had some great New York editors who have helped take projects to new and better places.
To answer the question though, the hardest part for me is deciding which of the projects I want to do comes first.
What is the one thing no author should do without, regardless of how they’ve been published?
Reading time. If you aren’t reading, you can’t hone your craft and stoke the creative juices.
What is your latest indie release?
Wicked Werewolf Night — my second Werewolf Society Book and Dangerous Secrets is book two in my Tall, Dark, and Deadly Series. Book three will be out in October.
Will you continue to release indie for the foreseeable future? If so, what do you have coming up?
Oh yes and I have a long list of things coming up. The project I’m most excited about is IF I WERE YOU which is my top secret special project I’m not giving more details on for about a month. This project has been in the works a very long time. It’s out August 24th.
I also have a Spice Brief and a Blaze Trilogy about to release. The Brief is June. Then the trilogy is August 17th, September 17th, October 17th starting with WATCH ME.
On an average, how much time would you say you spend promoting and/or marketing your books? How much time should a beginning author expect to spend?
This is hard to answer. I’ve seen authors do nothing to promote themselves and have their books fly off the shelves. I devote a good ten hours a week though to non-writing things that support my career. I have a lot of books though. I think that impacts the time. Most authors that succeed do have some sort or marketing strategy they work on very diligently.
If you could use only one social media platform from here on in, which one would it be? Why?
Facebook because its such a large platform for displaying your work and communicating with others.
I know you’re always willing to help me with my questions about indie publishing. Do you think it’s important for authors to help one another? Why?
I’ve been thankful for authors who know more than I do and share amazing information since the very first day I ever touched this business. I have learned everything from other authors. I hope I can share some of the resources I’ve found along the way as well. We are all working from our remote locations, and the only way we stay educated and grow is through authors helping authors. There are some very generous, humble, and successful people out there that I respect and appreciate.
If you could only write one genre for the remainder of your career, what would it be and why?
I don’t think I can answer that. I’ve always written cross genres, and I think it keeps me fresh and excited about what I do.
And now for some fun questions…
Do you have to get yourself together before you can write, or can you write in PJs?
I often write in bed when everyone else is asleep.
What food could you absolutely not live without?
It’s a close call between chocolate and coffee, and since coffee isn’t really food, I guess chocolate wins.
What’s one piece of technology you couldn’t live without?
My Iphone. I love that thing. I listen to audio books on it at the gym.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not writing?
The movies or a marathon television night with my DH to catch up on our shows and pig out on pizza.
If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be and why?
I could eat all the junk food I want and never get fat or sick because of it. But since that’s not going to happen, I’d say nothing. It’s just fine like it is.
Lisa is active on Facebook and Twitter, and you can find her at www.lisareneejones.com. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and her blog for regular updates. Lisa also has a Fan Page at Facebook.
She enjoys receiving e-mails from her readers! Email her at (LisaRenJones @ gmail.com — w/o the spaces) or please use the contact form located on her website.
