Author Interview Number Eighty – Theresa Van Spankeren – Paranormal/YA
Welcome to Theresa Van Spankeren
Please tell us a little about your writing ��� for example genre, title, etc.��I write paranormal fiction geared for readers 13 years and older. Lost Soul is the first book in a vampire series War of Destiny. The series is about a young woman named Julia who learns to come to terms with her destiny as a vampire amid deep personal tragedy.
Where do you find inspiration?��I find inspiration in various places. Music can be very inspiring, as well as nature. I enjoy writing by bodies of water especially.
Research can be important in world-building, how much do you need to do for your books? Do you enjoy this aspect of creating a novel and what are your favourite resources?��I have done lots of research for many of my books. I couldn���t even give you a specific amount ��� it varies from book to book. It can be enjoyable, but I also have found that research can be frustrating at times. I have found Renaissance Faire speech sites to be useful, but I don���t have a specific favourite.
Are your characters based on real people?��Some of the characters might be loosely based on aspects of real people, but most of them just come to me.
In what formats are your books available? (E-books, print, large print audio) Are you intending to expand these and if not, what is the reason?Currently, War of Destiny: Lost Soul is the only one of the series published. It is available as a printed paperback and as an e-book through the Amazon Kindle. The paperback can be ordered through various online retailers like Barnes and Noble, but the e-book is only available through Amazon. Currently, there are no plans to expand to other formats because currently there is no demand for it.
Do you self-edit? If so why is that the case? Do you believe a book suffers without being professionally edited?��I do all my own editing with the help of a local writer���s group. I have a great group of people to help me, but only limited money so I do my own editing. A book can suffer without professional editing, but even the major publishing houses have errors in their publications. We are all only human, after all.
Do you read work by self-published authors?��I have read a few works by other self-published authors. Some of them have been very good.
When buying a book do you read the reviews?��I tend to skim through the reviews and look them over, but I don���t make my determination solely on reviews.
What are your views on authors offering free books?��I think a free book giveaway can be a good promotional tool, especially for a new author. However, if you are giving away your work for free all the time, there might be a problem.
Most authors like to read, what have you recently finished reading? Did you enjoy it?��The last two books I have read is Forsaken by J.D. Barker and Survyve: Daylight���s Doom by Lachesha W.B. I enjoyed both books immensely.
Do you have any pets?��My family has 1 dog and 3 cats at the moment.
Book links, website/blog and author links:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lost-soul-theresa-van-spankeren/1119468263?ean=9781499212310
https://www.facebook.com/pages/War-of-Destiny/288695937975708?ref=hl
