I Love Canadian Authors discussion
Goodreads' Authors CDN
>
Author Q&A: A.F. Stewart
Hello all.Just a little introduction so people won’t be wondering who I am.
I write under the name of A. F. Stewart (the initials stand for Anita Faye) and I’m just a gal from Nova Scotia, Canada who writes slightly twisted stories and poems. I write mainly speculative fiction (fantasy/ sci-fi) and also pen a little non-fiction.
I had tinkered with the idea of getting my work published on and off for a few years, but in 2007 I decided to get serious. Since I knew very little about agents, publishers, etc., I decided to publish my books independently through Lulu.com and learn the ropes; I figured the worst that could happen was that I crashed and burned. Well, I’m still here, slowly building my author platform and definitely receiving an education in book marketing. I’ve also branched out a bit, writing articles as the Canada Sci-Fi Examiner for the website Examiner.com.
My books-
Chronicles of the Undead:
Tales of vampires lurk inside the personal journals of the Harrington family.
Passing Fancies:
A book of short fiction full of unexpected tiny tales and gripping stories.
Inside Realms:
A compilation of nine short stories, telling the tales of wizards, magic and vampires.
Shadows of Poetry:
Poetry written for the blackness in your soul.
Tears of Poetry:
Poetic reflections inspired by history and mythology.
The Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés:
Come read my quibbles and complaints about the Action Movie Cliché.
Renee, if you want a recommendation I'd start with Passing Fancies or if you like vampires, Chronicles of the Undead.
Mod
Renee wrote: "I love vampires, but I'll start with Passing Fancies. Perhaps I'll move on to Chronicles of the Undead when I'm finished. Thanks. Moving it to my read list."I hope you enjoy it.
I have a question for you A.F. - How did you get into book reviews? Any fun stories about reviewing books?
Jaleta wrote: "I have a question for you A.F. - How did you get into book reviews? Any fun stories about reviewing books?"I started reviewing books for a couple of reasons: I needed posts for my blog and I wanted to help out fellow self-published authors. I read a series of interviews by professional reviewers and learned several helpful tips, so I tried it out.
I'm not sure if I have any fun stories, but a quote from one of my reviews was used in a book's promotional campaign. And I have found many great new authors and books.
What got you into writing about vampires? Also, I noticed you write poetry. Is your true love fiction or poetry or both? Is your fiction influenced by poetry? Doctor Zhivago, for eg, is far from my favorite novel but I love the poetic moments in the book, as Pasternak was a poet.
Erma wrote: "What got you into writing about vampires? Also, I noticed you write poetry. Is your true love fiction or poetry or both? Is your fiction influenced by poetry? Doctor Zhivago, for eg, is far from my..."I've always liked the idea of vampires as the ultimate, seductive predator, but I never wrote anything in that world before I wrote Chronicles. I was just noodling with ideas one day and the thought, "What would happen if you found out your neighbours weren't what they appeared?" popped in my head. And then I thought, "What if they were vampires?"; I started writing Chronicles of the Undead after that. I'm still not sure where the diary angle came from.
I'm not sure if poetry is my true love, but it is easier for me to write poetry than fiction and no, my fiction isn't influenced by my poetry. Actually, I would say my poetry is influenced by my fiction, and other fiction as well. I've written several poems as an homage to books I have read and some poems I wrote as part of an unpublished book.
Did you try, and are you still trying, to find agents and publishers at first, or was self-publishing always the way to go?
Sheila wrote: "Did you try, and are you still trying, to find agents and publishers at first, or was self-publishing always the way to go?"I did try somewhat to find agents and publishers at first and I submitted, unsucessfully, a couple of stories to magazines. I really didn't know what I was doing and it seemed rather daunting. That's why I tried self-publishing; it was an experiment to see if readers were interested in what I wrote.
Now that I know more, I am going to try and go more mainstream.
So, are you glad you self-published? Having followed you in that direction I've learned that it's hard work. DO you think it was worth it?
Sheila wrote: "So, are you glad you self-published? Having followed you in that direction I've learned that it's hard work. DO you think it was worth it?"Yes, I'm satisfied with my self-publishing experience. It helped me set up an author platform, I've met nice people and talented authors and I've learned book marketing from the ground floor. I also learned about book formatting and how to be a better editor and that's helped my writing.
Nova Scotia...no wonder you have so much time on your hands to write :) You're snowed in half the year.Have you done any book signings yet? If so, what was your experieince like?
Dwayne wrote: "Nova Scotia...no wonder you have so much time on your hands to write :) You're snowed in half the year.Have you done any book signings yet? If so, what was your experieince like?"
No, I haven't done any book signings yet; it can be difficult to get a book signing if you are self-published. If you want to read a great article on the subject, you should check out: http://www.examiner.com/x-48436-Toronto-Publishing-Examiner~y2010m5d27-Marketing-and-Self-promotion-part-4-Book-Signings
Mod
A. F. wrote: "Dwayne wrote: "Nova Scotia...no wonder you have so much time on your hands to write :) You're snowed in half the year.Have you done any book signings yet? If so, what was your experieince like?..."
If you contact your local Chapters store they will take your books on consignmet and set up a signing for you. I know a few SP authors that have done it.
Where do you get your characters from?
A.F. of coarse now you will believe me that you are awesome cause all these people have agreed with me :o)Ok my question is 1- have you thought about writing movie scripts or maybe even one for a play? Both my opinion and people I work with that have read your work say your stories would make great movies and or TV series. My friends really want to hear more about the clown and the Furby.
2- when you are writing, how hard is it and how do you keep on track with the story you are writing and not go off on a tangent and start working on something new? How do you keep your time managed as a writer?
Renee wrote: "You're awesome A.F. Have you tried local stores or organizing with your library. I know it's tough to get signings, but some communities are great about allowing you to bring your own copies to sel..."True, some do, but the cost of it can be a bit prohibitive when your promotional budget is fairly non-existent like mine.
Mod
Dwayne wrote: "A. F. wrote: "Dwayne wrote: "Nova Scotia...no wonder you have so much time on your hands to write :) You're snowed in half the year.Have you done any book signings yet? If so, what was your exper..."
That's a great idea Dwayne, although my local Chapters store is two hours away in Halifax. Do their subsidiary store, Coles do that as well?
My characters crawl out of the darkest recesses of my mind and talk to me incessantly until I write their story.
I love that!!! Yes, coles will do that too. If you need any help, send me a persoanl note. I know most of the stores managers. I think signings are a great way to meet new readers that may never find your book online. I created bookmarks with my website, title, and reviews. I gave them out even if the customers did not buy the book. I would check into it for sure. You would need maybe 15 books.
Steven wrote: "A.F. of coarse now you will believe me that you are awesome cause all these people have agreed with me :o)Ok my question is 1- have you thought about writing movie scripts or maybe even one f..."
I've thought about adapting some of my ideas into a script, but I really don't have a clue on how to write a script. I'd have to research that before I attempted a movie project. I also toyed with the idea for a play, one based on the Irish myth of Deirdre.
I'm always going off on tangents and I often work on more than book project at a time. I write my short stories whenever I get an idea. I can't remember things like phone numbers, but I can juggle plotlines and ideas without a problem. I have my notebooks, scrap paper and envelopes full of notes, ideas and bits of stories.
Good advice, Dwayne. If Dwayne knows most of the managers, I'm sure you'll have lots of success A.F.! That's impressive. Dwayne, I can see you're signing books on your icon image. Where is it? Did you have lots of traffic?
Dwayne wrote: "I love that!!! Yes, coles will do that too. If you need any help, send me a persoanl note. I know most of the stores managers. I think signings are a great way to meet new readers that may never fi..."It is something to check into. Who did you use for the bookmarks? I used Staples for bookmarks and business cards.
Hi A.F. I love getting bookmarks from libraries and bookstores. Did you try placing a batch at your local library/bookstore for exposure? Were you happy with the results from Staples?
Erma wrote: "Hi A.F. I love getting bookmarks from libraries and bookstores. Did you try placing a batch at your local library/bookstore for exposure? Were you happy with the results from Staples?"I never did get around to leaving the bookmarks at the library and I know the local librarian, too. Sometimes I just procrastinate too much.
I was fairly pleased with the results from Staples. They have nice templates you can use and you can upload your own logo or picture to use. It's all reasonably priced as well.
AF --what inspires you to write such twisted tales?WHat advice would you give to new writers of any genre?
Karen wrote: "AF --what inspires you to write such twisted tales?WHat advice would you give to new writers of any genre?"
My inspiration comes from the fact I read to many dark stories as a child; I grew up reading Harlan Ellison, Ray Bradbury, murder mysteries and comic books like Sandman and Batman. I always loved the visceral feel of someone confronting or dealing with something unknown, those stories with the shock or twist ending.
The best advice I have for new writers is write what you feel comfortable with be it mystery, sci-fi or romance; if you enjoy writing, you will write. Also, know the basics of your craft, grammar, spelling, plot creation, dialogue.
Renee wrote: "Yes, I know. but you've done well enough without the signings right? Some authors, even traditionally published, prefer not to do signings, choosing other types of marketing in place of that. There..."Whoops, I missed this comment. Yes, I have done okay in the promotional area, I gotten mostly great reviews for my books and I have a small following of readers for my online postings.
Mod
Renee wrote: "Great advice in post 29, A.F. I may quote you sometime."Thank you and feel free to quote.
Hi AF,I have to ask. What are "sword replicas" and how did you get into collecting them?
Best,
Wally
Waheed wrote: "Hi AF,I have to ask. What are "sword replicas" and how did you get into collecting them?
Best,
Wally"
Sword replicas are non-sharpened reproductions of real swords, usually a weapon from a movie or a historic era. I started collecting them because I always had a fascination for swords and for movie collectables, and they are readily available on Ebay.
Hey A.F. Glad to meet a fellow Nova Scotian.
Steve wrote: "Hey A.F. Glad to meet a fellow Nova Scotian."Hi, Steve.
It's nearly 11:00 PM here and Warehouse 13 is about to start, so that's it for me tonight. Feel free to leave your comments and questions though, and I'll get to them in the morning.
I read that you love swords and that you collect them. How many do you have and how do you determine which ones to add to your collection? Also, do you write about swords in your books?
I'm told that vampires are on their way out and angels are the next big thing in fantasy literature? Why is that? Are these two creatures symbols that rise and fall in prominence when the mood of our times change? Is the world so screwed up now that we can't take any more vampires (they mess with us more, I think) and we are looking for angels to save us? Appreciate your thoughts.Shane
Erma wrote: "I read that you love swords and that you collect them. How many do you have and how do you determine which ones to add to your collection? Also, do you write about swords in your books?"Sorry I didn't check in sooner, but I've been finishing my new book and other stuff.
I lost count on how many swords and knives I have; I think it's in the low double digits. I usually collect the ones that corespond to other interests. I have movie swords from Highlander and Kill Bill, katanas, a Robin Hood sword, an Italian stilletto, a Scottish dirk. I do sometimes write about swords in my books, if the fantasy settings call for them.
Shane wrote: "I'm told that vampires are on their way out and angels are the next big thing in fantasy literature? Why is that? Are these two creatures symbols that rise and fall in prominence when the mood of o..."I can't say I pay much attention to cyclical trends, but if vampires are on the way out it is probably because they have been over used. People get bored and want the newest thing. It may be that the public wants a little more hope in the form of angels.
I don't think it's so much that vampires are on the way out as much as it is the lovey dovey vampires. I would be happy with vampires that were actually scary again. Heck I would be happy with something that actually gave me the creeps and made me jump or be freaked out a bit. I did watch Salem's Lot the other night ( the older one ) and those vampire kids are still creepy.The other mix I see a lot of is vampires & werewolves. I think it is a great mix but I can't really think of another monster that might make a good replacement. Other than aliens or a Frankenstein type character.
I personally would love to see more stories revolving around gargoyles. I've noticed there aren't many with them and there hasn't been much backround built up around them yet. They could be created to be either good or bad since in a way they are guardians and could be seen as angelic in some way.
Steven wrote: "I don't think it's so much that vampires are on the way out as much as it is the lovey dovey vampires. I would be happy with vampires that were actually scary again. Heck I would be happy with some..."Have you read St. Patrick's Gargoyle by Katherine Kurtz? It's YA, but still an enjoyable read for adults, too.
no I haven't read that one but I will stash it to my to-reads. It sounds like an interesting title. I don't know what it is about gargoyles but I find them fasinating. I bet you could come up with a short story involving a gargoyle and a game of hiding seek with some kids around a church. That's where my cousins and I used to play growing up, and that church has some pretty cool looking gargoyles attached to it...weird for a church to have that I guess huh.
Steven wrote: "no I haven't read that one but I will stash it to my to-reads. It sounds like an interesting title. I don't know what it is about gargoyles but I find them fasinating. I bet you could come up with ..."I like my gargoyles a bit darker. In my story the gargoyles might be seeking something, but it would probably end up shredded and bloody.
Well I like where you are going with that idea. Sounds fun...just not for what or whoever is shredded and bloody.
Steven wrote: "Well I like where you are going with that idea. Sounds fun...just not for what or whoever is shredded and bloody."I'm sure I'd think of something or someone nasty that a gargoyle could shred happily.
maybe an abusive father that is looking for one of his son's or a daughter that is playing hide and seek, to make them come home and do some horrible chores.
or better yet a sick twisted priest from the church that is sexually abusing kids.
Anyway, come on in and introduce yourself and let the questions begin. Oh, and really, check out A.F's website. I love it. http://www.afallon.bravehost.com/