Indie Publishing: A Writer’s Journey

November 3, 2012 – 7:16 am

 

 

Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems, By Susan Jean Ricci

Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems, By Susan Jean Ricci

 

I’m thrilled to have author Susan Ricci joining us. Many writers wonder about the indie publishing option. Today, Susan shares her experience bringing her own work to the public. She has won several awards, and has published in Parenting Teens Magazine, Good Dog Magazine, and Aim Intercultural Magazine. She’s currently revising a contemporary novel called Slick Trespass and penning the sequel to Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems, a humorous, contemporary romance about achieving mid-life adolescence, in spite of the baggage incurred with one’s history.

 

Hi, A. R., and thank you so much for having me as your guest today!

I wanted to share my experiences with self-publishing as an Indie, because since I’ve launch Dinosaurs & Cherry Stems, I’ve received many tweets from aspiring authors, who just want to know one thing: Is Indie or traditional publishing the way to go for them.

 

I don’t want to rehash the pros and the cons of either, because this debate is ongoing and there’s been so many blogs, posts, etc. about this topic and I don’t want my post to be redundant. Since I can only speak for myself, this is what I’ve learned over the years as a writer, and why I took the path I did.

I’ve been writing in some form or another since I discovered crayons weren’t part of a food group. I began my writing career with an old Remington when I was twelve and became the editor, publisher, and reporter for my neighborhood newspaper, The Hill Weekly. It sold for a dime a copy.

Newspaper commentaries became my platform when my children were very young, because they came easier to me than sitting down and penning a novel, and easier to publish. The drive for penning that novel remained, but there wasn’t enough gas to fire up the engine. Not only was my engine dry, I also lacked time. My son was born with congenital heart defects requiring heart surgery, when he was a year old. My children’s father and I floundered financially, and I had to work full time to help keep our home out of foreclosure.

 

As my children got older, the following years were pretty good to me writing-wise. Three of my articles were published in magazines and I won several awards for personal essays via the Writers Digest Writing Competition and two Philadelphia Writer’s Conferences. I met traditionally published authors, attended workshops and conferences, and had several bites on a manuscript I’d been pitching, but no offers for representation. The agents all said thanks, but no thanks, and looking back on that manuscript, I can’t say I blame them! One of the agents I’d been talking with went as far as to advise me to stick with nonfiction because that’s where my writing shined, but I still wanted to write a decent novel. Any writer possessing that passion to spin embellishments and lies into a story knows it’s the only way to rid their brains of those constant, streaming voices!

 

Two and a half years ago, I started hearing about Indie publishing. I was afraid and leery of the concept, until I joined some Indie writers organizations on FB and began learning about the process of self-publishing AND the perks. Because I’m not that technically inclined (both my grandson and my son helped me start up my website), I knew I’d need someone to format any manuscript I brought to the table and hire a cover designer.

 

My formatter is an author bud I’d hosted on my website. I contacted him and asked him to help me out with the formatting. He formatted the book so I could upload it to Amazon for Kindle and Smashwords (they send the book to Sony, B&N, Kobo, and ITunes as an eBook), and he also included files so I could upload the manuscript as a print book on Amazon.

 

After the formatting was finished, I sent the work to the cover designer, who fits the pages into the cover, (how I haven’t a clue). She then emailed me all three files so I could publish my work. I enrolled in KDP for Amazon Kindle, CreateSpace, and Smashwords. Since I’d already started creating profiles on those sites, all I had to do was upload several files, such as the blurb, what I wanted to charge, etc. It was time consuming but only took a few days, really. I was nervous, very nervous, but everything worked out fine.

 

These self-publishing sites are all free and getting the book to them is relatively easy, if you have good advice from reliable people. That’s where my friends from the IWU and Hot Off the Press came in. All are experienced authors making money and some of them even earn enough royalties to pay their major bills.

 

I now have two books up for Kindle. I and another author bud took 3 tiny short stories of mine and made a book, (she did the cover for me) so I could get my ankles wet in the publishing pool before I launched Dinosaurs & Cherry Stems. It was pretty neat to experience.

 

Aspiring authors also ask what the costs are to self-publish. Some authors have the abilities to format and design their own covers, (Yes, I envy them), but this was my bottom line financially: $125 for my Cover Designer/Artist and $92 for the Formatting. Then I spent another $78 to buy 10 of my own print books for giveaways (I still get some revenue back with royalties) and I also invested $150 for bookmarks to give as handouts to people wherever I go. I didn’t pay for my ISBN #-s because CreateSpace and Smashwords give those free, and Amazon Kindle uses ASIN’s which amount to the same thing as an ISBN.

 

Profit-wise, this year will probably amount to being a tax write off for me, but my books are finally out there and I couldn’t be happier. Let me amend this statement: I will be happier as the holidays get closer, which means more sales for my fellow authors and me! Thanks again for hosting me, A. R.!

About Dinosaurs & Cherry Stems:

Twice divorced, cynical Cindy Layton feels like a relic with prehistoric baggage, and doubts she can muster the courage to establish a new relationship, even if it’s on her own terms.

 

Her journey out of the Stone Age hits freaky, hilarious turbulence when she joins an Internet dating service. The scammers and weirdoes she meets in cyberspace make Cindy want to crawl back into her cave, until she receives an accidental email from Jay DeMatteo.

 

Jay has the dating blues, too, but after meeting Cindy, reconsiders his options. Now it’s up to him to convince her it’s never too late to pursue a meaningful relationship, even when a couple is struggling with midlife adolescence.

 

Susan’s Website

Susan on Twitter: @susanjeanricci

Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems on Amazon

Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems Smashwords

 

Susan Jean Ricci, Author of Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems

Susan Jean Ricci, Author of Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems

 

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Indie Publishing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (6)

Love, Friendship, and Fantasy in ENLIGHTENED

October 27, 2012 – 3:01 pm

 

Enlightened, By Devyn Dawson

Enlightened, By Devyn Dawson

I’m thrilled to have Devyn Dawson stopping by today on her Blog Tour for her new novel, Enlightened, book two of The Light Tamer trilogy. Devyn is a full time author of young adult fantasy fiction. Here’s what people are saying about Enlightened: “I am so in love with all these characters,” “Enlightened by Devyn Dawson blew me away! . . . I could not put it down and finished it in one sitting,” “I really love love love this book!!!!” Do I have your attention! Let’s learn more about the story, and this talented author!

 

Silverberry: What gave you the idea for Enlightened?

 

Devyn: The series was stemmed from a phenomenon I’ve experienced my entire life. I noticed lights go out when I’m around. I can drive down the street, and the lights will go out as I pass by. A few years ago, when Google was new to me, I looked it up to solve my curiosity. I found out I’m not alone. My children also experience the anomaly. I decided it would make an interesting story if I spun it into a paranormal tale.


Silverberry: What's the story about, in five words or less?

 

Devyn: Friendship, mythology, first love, youthful, family.


Silverberry: What does your heroine, Jessie, yearn for?

 

Devyn: Jessie yearns for answers to the mythology that has taken over her life.

 

Silverberry: Young Adult literature is now at an all time high in popularity. Why do you think that is, and what draws you to write in this genre?

 

Devyn: When I started reading YA books, I found them to be imaginative. JK Rowling and her books are probably the reason behind many YA authors. The teens who read my books, haven’t been jaded by the world and real life. The adults who read my books are escaping their life. I think that’s what draws readers to YA, because there is a fantasy to the story. I have 28 nieces and nephews, I wanted to write a series I wouldn’t mind them reading. (most of my nieces and nephews are in their 30’s, but a few are under 14)


Silverberry: What will readers who love YA find in your books?

 

Devyn: They will find themselves remembering their first love, and friendship. Amber is the comedic relief in the book. She specializes in snarky comments, and everyone loves a good laugh. This series is targeted at 12 - 15 year old girls. It is mostly innocent, clean, and fantasy fulfilling. Who doesn’t dream of the perfect mate?


Silverberry: You've done a fabulous job building interest in your work. How did you accomplish that?

 

Devyn: My goodness, what a road I’ve traveled. When I put out my first book, The Legacy of Kilkenny, I was incredibly naïve about the indie world. Thankfully, I met another Indie that held my hand, and she showed me the marketing strategies. I’m fortunate enough to write full time. Social networking is crucial in this world of writing. I’m not good at tweeting, so I make up for it on my Facebook page. I host giveaways, and that brings the excitement for my books. I read on a blog one time, you can’t just promote your books, but promote others like you. I’m lucky enough to be partnered with the amazing Quinn Loftis. She has the first chapter of my book at the back of her book. I do the same (although I don’t have one at the end of Enlightened yet).

 

My advice to all authors, regardless if mainstream or indie…get in with bloggers. Bloggers and fans are what sell your books. Contact your local newspaper and ask them to do an article about you. If you don’t have your book in print, hold a meet and greet. I contacted the mall and they let me come in on a Saturday and tell people about my book.

 

I know my answer is long but I have one more suggestion. Get an account on vistaprint.com they offer free stuff all of the time. Flyers are free about twice a month. They are great quality. I uploaded my book cover and had them printed. You get 25 for free. I have games and give them away as a ‘mini-poster’ - many of the teens frame them and hang them in their room!


Silverberry: What is your approach to crafting stories?

 

Devyn:I start with an outline, I don’t always follow it, but it helps. I write from beginning to end, even though I know how it will end.

 

Silverberry: What's one question you wished someone would ask, but no one has?

 

Devyn: Is Devyn your real name? The answer is no. My real name is Stefanie, and in public I forget I’m Devyn. Last year at the Breaking Dawn opening, was my first experience with a fan calling out Devyn. My son said, “Mom, that’s you”… how funny! I use a pen name because of the very famous Stephenie who writes YA books. LOL

Silverberry: What's ahead for you?

 

Devyn: My WIP is Sapphire, a Werewolf Love Story - is a novella about two adult characters in my Legacy of Kilkenny series. The Great Wolf, is the next novel I’ll write - it is outlined. Light Bound, is the final installment of The Light Tamer trilogy

 

I plan on having 3 more books (secret series) completed after Light Bound.

 

Silverberry: Readers can learn more about you, read a synopsis of Enlightened, find links to your website, and purchase the book below! Thanks so much for dropping by!

 

Devyn: Thank you for having me - I’m honored to be on an award-winning author’s blog!

 

Purchase Enlightened on Amazon

 

Purchase Enlightened on Barnes and Noble

 

Devyn's Website

 

Devyn onTwitter – @devyndawson

 

Devyn on Facebook

Devyn Dawson, Author of Enlightened

Devyn Dawson, Author of Enlightened

 

Author Bio: Devyn is a full time writer, wife and pet owner. She’s been writing since she was a small child. Her first office job was working for a publisher and data entry of manuscripts. She literally typed them and saved them on real ‘floppy discs’. When she was in high school back in the 80’s, she would read Stephen King one day and Sweet Valley High the next day. She said one day she’d find a way to merge the two books.

 

Currently Devyn and her husband of 19 years live in New Bern, North Carolina. Devyn is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and still refers to it as home. She has two adult children, Paris and Hunter. When she realized she would be facing an empty nest and family so far away, she decided to write about characters to entertain her. Her new series The Light Tamer, is about friendship, relationships and falling in love. The Light Tamer series is a younger young adult book, the one that takes you back to the beginning before being jaded. It offers characters that are both good and flawed. Throw in some mythology and you’re in for a quick trip that will leave you breathless and enlightened.

 

Enlightened Synopsis:

Jessie Lucente, a Light Tamer, has started her junior year at Parca Academy in New Bern, NC. She has a new boyfriend, Caleb Baldwin. He is beyond good looking, he is her mate for life. They’ve been bound by the light and will rule and heal with it too. Her new classes aren’t what she expected. Finding out the school is filled with ‘gifted’ kids is almost too much to comprehend. She finds out what it really means to be a Light Tamer. Some of the assumptions she had are debunked and now everything is crystal clear…well, clear as mud. Now that she is enlightened with the facts, she struggles with the truth.

Thorne Woodson has all of the girls swooning. His Doc Martens and hoodie stand out against his school uniform. He might be the guy to heal Amber’s broken, grieving heart. What’s his story, and why does he appear everywhere Jessie is? He has a secret that will change the game for everyone. Who is he in cahoots with?

Amber starts her junior year with a bang and a huge crush. She has a point to prove on the first day of school. She refuses to let everyone believe she went soft over summer break. Her shenanigans end with detention on the first day. The anniversary of her brother’s death has her making dumb decisions but her friends have her back. Jessie will struggle to help Amber deal with the grief.

The secrets that have been revealed by Fate will leave Jessie in a new role. It will all come down to bloodline versus logic. She must step up and embrace her new title, and life on the other side of the shimmer. With her small army together, they promise to vanquish Nyx back to the Underworld and seal the portal she came through.

The second book in The Light Tamer trilogy will answer the questions that are burning in your head. A beautiful tale of first love and friendship. Be prepared to be amazed at the twist in this story. You didn’t see it coming, but you’ll be glad it did!

Enlightened Blog Tour

Enlightened Blog Tour

 

 

 

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Author Interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Devyn Dawson Interview Coming Soon!

October 20, 2012 – 2:32 am

Enlightened, By Devyn Dawson

Enlightened Blog Tour

I’m so excited to be one of the stops on author Devyn Dawson’s blog tour for her new young adult fantasy novel, Enlightened. I’ll be interviewing Devyn on October 28th. She’ll be telling us all about Enlightened and The Light Tamer series. Plus, rush on over to her Website and enter her contest. She’s giving away lots of fabulous prizes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devyn Dawson, Author of Enlightened

Devyn Dawson, Author of Enlightened

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Author Interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Moon Princess: The Kathleen S Allen Interview

August 27, 2012 – 2:58 am
MOON PRINCESS, By Kathleen S. Allen

MOON PRINCESS, By Kathleen S. Allen

I’m thrilled to have author Kathleen S. Allen with us today. Kathleen is a prolific writer, with many books young adult titles to her credit, including Lore of Fei, Fitz Roi: The Boy Who Would Be Kind, Eiger, Aine, and Orpheus Ascending. She has been writing since she was eight years old, and published her first poem when she was fifteen. Since then, she’s published short stories, poems, lyric essays, and novels. Kathleen writes in different genres, but as she says, “YA is my fave.” For today only, her latest novel, Moon Princess, is free on Amazon! The link is at the bottom, but first, join me now for an in depth interview of Kathleen Allen!

Silverberry: Young Adult literature is at an all time high in popularity now. Why do you think that is?

Allen: Harry Potter started the whole thing. The recent addition of The Hunger Games has caused a resurgence in YA. I think that adults who had less than stellar teen years yearn for adventures they never got to have (Harry Potter) or to have friends like Katniss Everdeen.

Silverberry: What draws you to writing YA fiction?

Allen: The fact that my mental age is 23 (mentalage.com). LOL.

Silverberry: What will readers who love YA find in your books?

Allen: A YA character who is strong and feisty and doesn’t let anything like a few mythological creatures stand in her way.

Silverberry: What is Moon Princess about?

Allen: A sixteen year old girl finds a bow and arrow in the attic along with her dead mother’s diary. When she starts reading the diary she discovers her mother is not who she thought she was. Why would her mother have weapons?

Silverberry: What does Delia yearn for?

Allen: The truth. True love. An answer to who she is and what she’s doing here.

Silverberry: What kind of research did you do?

Allen: I read Greek mythology stories. I researched different Greek gods, goddesses and other creatures. I read about how the ancient Greeks thought about religion and some of their legends. I looked at pictures of Greece and websites about rescuing sea turtles.

Silverberry: What have you found to be the most effective ways to market your books?

Allen: Yeah, I’m still working on that one.

 

I do have two author websites, a Twitter account with 1,200 followers and 1,300 likes on my Facebook page. I am also on Pinterest and have an Author Central page from Amazon. I have book trailers on You Tube and I blog twice a month on a YA blog. I recently did a blog tour for my YA faerie fantasy, LORE OF FEI, published by Muse It Up Publishing, and I had fun! I’m going to do another one when my second Mel Thompson, P.I. mystery comes out in November, 2012 from Gypsy Shadow Publishing. My second Lore of Fei book, WAR OF FEI, is coming out in Feb. 2013 from Muse It Up Publishing, and I’ll do another blog tour then.

Silverberry: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Allen: Keep writing and never give up.

Get critique partners, and beta readers who will give you honest feedback about your story.

Hire a professional editor, and a professional book cover designer. I have fun designing my own covers, so I do them myself (except for AINE, LORE OF FEI, and IF IT’S MONDAY, IT MUST BE MURDER covers). I also do my own book trailers. I edit my books myself. I’m not a professional, but I read my book out loud to catch errors and go through it up to five times before I publish it. I’ve also published some books with small publishers and I appreciate the editors for those books a lot.

Thanks for having me! As a special treat for today only (Aug. 27th, 2012) Moon Princess is free on Kindle as an Ebook.

Kathleen

Silverberry: Thank you, Kathleen! Readers, you can follow Kathleen and purchase MOON PRINCESS at the links below. For today only, it’s free!

Purchase MOON PRINCESS on Amazon

Kathleen Allen’s Websites:

Kathleen Allen.com

Gaelic Fairie.Webs.com

Follow Kathleen on Pinterest

Follow Kathleen on Twitter: @kathleea

Kathleen on Facebook: Witch Hunter

Kathleen is a guest blogger every 5th and 19th of the month at downtownya

MOON PRINCESS Book Trailer on You Tube

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Author Interview | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

The Grimoire: The S. M. Boyce Interview!

August 21, 2012 – 10:36 pm
The Grimoire: Lichgates, By S. M. Boyce

The Grimoire: Lichgates, By S. M. Boyce

 

I’m thrilled to interview S. M. Boyce today. Boyce earned a B.A. in Creative Writing, and writes fantasy, paranormal fiction, contemporary fiction, and comedy. One reviewer said of her novel, The Grimoire, “Boyce’s storytelling is so rich and deftly executed that I found myself bouncing between pure amazement, unadulterated enjoyment, and absolute, perverse envy. She is that good.” Join me now as Boyce and I discuss The Grimoire and her approach to crafting her stories.

 

Silverberry: I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours! I’m dying to know, are S. M. your real initials, and what do they stand for?

 

Boyce: Haha! Yes, those are my real initials. My first name is Sarah, and the middle initial will just have to be secret for all of time. Mwuahahahahaha.

 

Silverberry: I’ll reveal all at the end. Tell us about yourself and how you developed into a writer.

 

Boyce: Oh, you know—the typical “I’ve been writing since in the womb” story. Writing is my outlet. When I don’t write, I get all grumpy and scare my husband a little. When he stuffs my laptop beneath my nose, it’s a not-so-subtle hint. Haha.

 

Seriously, though, writing is magic. I can discover new worlds and learn more about the world I live in, all through writing, listening, and exploring. It’s fantastic.

 

Silverberry: What gave you the idea for The Grimoire series?

 

Boyce: This has actually been in development since 2006. I made these spell caster things out of clay in my aunt’s basement one summer and asked myself the question, “what if wizards weren’t using these?” My imagination took off and I haven’t been able to slow down since. I cut the spell casters from the story, of course, but they were the inspiration for my series.

 

Silverberry: What’s the story about?

 

Boyce: The Grimoire Trilogy follows two main characters. The first is Kara, a girl who stumbles across a hidden world called Ourea while hiking. It’s a beautiful place filled with terrifying creatures, and Kara can’t escape it—she can either become a pawn or do whatever it takes to survive.

 

The second character is Braeden, a native to this crazy world Kara discovers. He’s lived a lie, and it won’t be long before that catches up to him. He’s one of the first people Kara meets in this new world. Even though he promises to help her, he has an agenda of his own.

 

Silverberry: Who is the book written for?

 

Boyce: This is YA, so it’s appropriate for all ages 14+. However, I wrote the Grimoire Trilogy for anyone who just enjoys a fast-paced adventure with a little bit of love and a lot of magic. My focus was to make it a riveting story, but there’s more beneath the surface if you care to look.

 

Silverberry: How did you develop the characters?

 

Boyce: A lot of characters were based on people I knew and then branched off into different directions as the story developed. There’s a large cast, and they all play a different part in the story.

 

Silverberry: What was your approach to crafting the plot?

 

Boyce: I write in outlines, and even my outlines have drafts. That way, I can write a concise plot with focused direction and still add in easter eggs and details you won’t catch on your first read.

 

Silverberry: What was your approach to creating the world of Ourea?

 

Boyce: Ourea is based on Earth because—well—it is Earth (the part we forgot about). I wanted to show readers how beautiful our world still is by allowing them to rediscover it through my descriptions of Ourea. Some bits of it—like the castle on a cloud or the city underwater—are, um, slightly fabricated.

 

Silverberry: What writers have influenced you the most, and why?

 

Boyce: Neil Gaiman, Tolkien, and C. S. Lewis are probably my largest influences. Each has such a unique voice that I find myself sucked into their works. I love to lose myself in a good book, and these masters have shown me how that can be done.

 

Silverberry: What advice would you give to developing writers?

 

Boyce: I have two tidbits, actually.

 

One: don’t stop. You’ll come across haters, low ratings, and even fellow writers who either tell you that you suck or try to lead you astray. There are a plethora of reasons, but you most fail as a writer only if you quit.

 

Two: develop thick skin for all the reasons I mentioned in #1. Accepting constructive criticism (and learning to side step destructive criticism) will be your hardest lesson to learn, but you have to learn it or you won’t get very far.

 

Silverberry: What’s ahead for you?

 

Boyce: The Grimoire Trilogy! Book two, Treason, should be out this fall. My goal is to finish the trilogy and publish the companion novellas by the end of 2014. It’s a tall order, but people keep knocking and asking when I’ll finish it. I’m working hard, promise! I just want to make sure it’s the very best I can give you all.

 

Thanks for having me!

 

Silverberry: Thank you! Readers, you can find Boyce’s website and purchase The Grimoire: Lichgates at the links below. And enter now for a chance to win her book in Silverberry’s Young Adult Book Contest!

 

S. M. Boyce’s Website

Purchase The Grimoire on Amazon

 

Follow S. M. Boyce on Twitter

 

 

 

S. M. Boyce, Author of The Grimoire: Lichgates

S. M. Boyce, Author of The Grimoire: Lichgates

 

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Author Interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Choosing a Good Book

August 17, 2012 – 5:23 pm
Nature's Unbalance, By Andrea Buginsky

Nature’s Unbalance, By Andrea Buginsky

 

I’m thrilled to have author Andrea Buginsky join us today for a guest post. Andrea is a freelance writer and the author of The Chosen, a young adult series that one reviewer called, “An all out questing high fantasy.” She has enjoyed writing since childhood; no surprise then that in college she decided to turn it into a career, earning her BA in Journalism. Join us now as Andrea discusses the fine art of choosing a good book!

Choosing a Good Book: Guest Post By Andrea Buginsky

There are so many good books on the market that I’m interested in reading, but I can only read so much at once. Lately, I’ve noticed my Kindle getting fuller and fuller as I add more books to it, not to mention my Amazon wish list. How do you keep track of all of those books, and find the time to read them all?

One way I’ve found is by using Goodreads. Goodreads allows me to look up new books by my favorite authors, add them to my TBR list, and move them to my currently reading list when I’m ready to start a new book. When I’m done, I can mark off that I’ve read it, write my review, and post it to several different places at once. Then, I’m on to the next book.

Finding the time to read may be a bit more difficult than what to read. If you have a really busy schedule, especially during school, then you may not have as much free time to read the books you enjoy. My advice is to keep at least one fun reading book going, even if you only get a chance to read one or two pages a day. When you find you have a few minutes of quiet time to yourself, grab your book, and read. It may take longer to finish the book this way, but you’ll get through it, and the few minutes of reading for fun could help you eliminate some of the stress in your day.

So what’s on your reading list? I’d love to know! Leave your current TBR in the comments below. I’ll pick my favorite and send the reader a FREE PDF copy of “The Chosen.” Make sure you leave your email address. Good luck!

Andrea Buginsky is a freelance writer and author. “The Chosen” was her first book, and was followed by “My Open Heart,” an autobiography about growing up with heart disease. “Nature’s Unbalance” is the second story in THE CHOSEN series. Andrea plans to write more in the series. She’s already done with the first draft of book 3 and has a concept for book 4. You can find Andrea on her website, Andi’s Realm. Her books are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Andrea Buginsky, Author of Nature's Unbalance

Andrea Buginsky, Author of Nature’s Unbalance

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Blog Hop, Guest Post | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (5)

The Girl Who Swam to Atlantis: An Unforgettable Tale

July 25, 2012 – 8:17 pm
The Girl Who Swam to Atlantis, By Elle Thornton

The Girl Who Swam to Atlantis, By Elle Thornton

Once in a while, a truly remarkable book comes along. The writing is so deep, so beautiful, that you’re left breathless. The Girl Who Swam to Atlantis is just such a book. Crafted with a deft hand, author Elle Thornton delivers a tender, powerful coming-of-age tale filled with unforgettable characters. In 2009, the book received a first place Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award in the YA (prepublication) category. A former newspaper reporter, Thornton’s poetry has been published in The Connecticut River Review and The Concho River Review. Needless to say, I had to interview her.

Silverberry: What gave you the idea for The Girl Who Swam to Atlantis?

Thornton: I’d written a few pages that matched how I thought characters should speak and act in a YA book. But those characters I crafted never did come to life the way the ones had in all the fine books I’d read. And I’d read stacks of them. It took a while, but I realized that in the best books, the characters made me feel: fear, hurt, anger, happiness, liking, love. I felt deeply for them. That’s when I started trying to write about characters that made me feel, and that’s when Gabriella and Hawkins showed up. They emerged in the way images used to on paper in a photo lab, faint at first, then appearing more clearly. I first saw Gabriella and Hawkins standing beside a river. Hawkins was fishing, Gabriella asking him questions. All around them I sensed that heat of a southern summer, the salt wind off the river, the sound of cicadas, the scream of fighter jets. I felt that desperate longing to talk with someone and have them listen. I like to think all this found a place in the book. As Gabriella and Hawkins got to know each other, they led me to Emmett Till; the three of them told me their story.

Silverberry: What’s the story about?

Thornton: The savagely murdered youth Emmett Till comes to life in twelve-year-old Gabriella’s heart when an African-American Marine, Hawkins, teaches the lonely girl to swim in a North Carolina river.

Silverberry: The story has a powerful sense of place. How did you develop that?

Thornton: I’m so glad you feel that way! What I did was try to recollect the sights and sounds of a military base I’d lived on. It was located near a beautiful tidal river, a wide river lined on either side by thick forest where cicadas and the wind sang. Add to this the sight and sound of attack jets howling overhead and big guns booming, and a place finds its way into your blood. And onto a page.

Silverberry: Your characters were so compelling and real. How did you develop them?

Thornton: I liked Gabriella and Hawkins so much when they showed up that I wanted to learn more. When I wrote dialogue between them I listened to and felt what they said. Also, during much of the time I wrote this story, I belonged to writing groups, first in Illinois and then in Florida. My writing friends asked questions; their questions prompted me to flesh out aspects of character that needed development.

Silverberry: What was your approach to crafting the plot?

Thornton: For the time and place of this story––1950s in the south––race relations had to be at its core. So I knew the story would deal with race, but exactly what form it would take was unclear to me at the outset. I had a handful of story threads: race, longing, anger, love and loss, along with swimming, the military, emotional illness, and heroes: I didn’t know how to bring them together to form a whole. When a student of mine mentioned she’d attended a school where Mamie Till-Mobley of Chicago taught––Emmett Till’s mother––I recognized Emmett’s name but realized I didn’t really know anything about him and that I truly needed to. What I learned about Emmett was heartbreaking, and it’s stayed with me and always will. Emmett helped me weave the threads of the plot together.

Silverberry: In what ways did “Write what you know” enter into the writing process?

Thornton: In many ways I did write what I knew because I believe the really important things I wrote about were emotions. In addition, I knew about life in the 1950s in the south on a military base, the sights and sounds, and I felt comfortable with that.

 

Silverberry: What is your approach to research, and how much did you do?

 

Thornton: Since my student spoke to me about Emmett, I’ve read many books and articles about him. Some of the material is listed on the first page of my website. I also watched a DVD by director Keith A. Beauchamp, “The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till.” Another excellent resource is “The Murder of Emmett Till: The Brutal Killing That Mobilized the Civil Rights Movement” directed by Stanley Nelson and available at here.

 

A very important part of my research relating to Hawkins was made possible by the United States Marine Corps: its History and Museums Division has published an excellent book, Blacks in the Marine Corps by Henry I. Shaw, Jr. and Ralph W. Donnelly. I‘ve read it several times.

Silverberry: What advice would you give to developing writers?

Thornton: Pay close attention to what your imagination and heart tell you. Have faith in both, be true to them, and follow their lead.

Silverberry: What’s ahead for you?

Thornton: I’ve written a YA mystery that needs revision. Once I’ve done that, I plan to upload it to Goodreads in hopes of getting advice from readers. My thoughts often turn to Gabriella and Hawkins. I’d love to hear from visitors to this blog, so please leave a comment here or on my website.

 

 

Silverberry: Thanks so much for stopping by, Elle. Readers can purchase The Girl Who Swam to Atlantis on Amazon. And watch my contest page. In August, Elle’s book will be part of Silverberry’s Young Adult Book Contest! Don’t miss your chance to win!



By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Author Interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Ride of Your Life: Shevi Arnold Author Interview

July 17, 2012 – 12:22 am
Ride of Your Life, By Shevi Arnold

Ride of Your Life, By Shevi Arnold

A dozen years ago, I met Shevi Arnold through SCBWI. She was one of the most helpful and supportive members on the discussion board, answering the myriad questions about writing, formatting, marketing, and the like that I and other neophyte writers had. When SCBWI opened up a new area on self-publishing, Shevi was right there, giving active leadership and input. Since then, I’ve gotten to know her better through several groups she has started on Facebook, and she continues to be a wonderful and knowledgeable resource for indie authors. Shevi manages to do all this while doing her own writing. After working for many years in newspapers and magazines as an editorial cartoonist, illustrator, editor, arts-and-entertainment writer and consumer columnist, Shevi now writes and illustrates humorous fiction, fantasy, and science fiction, mostly for children and teens. Join us now as this busy, talented, and award-winning author stops by to answer a few questions about her new, young adult, paranormal novel.

 

Silverberry: What gave you the idea for Ride of Your Life?


Shevi: Ride of Your Life was inspired by the Great Adventure Haunted Castle fire, which killed eight teenagers on May 11th, 1984. I was a teenager myself at the time, and I had been to Great Adventure on numerous occasions. My family had a season pass there in the early eighties. When I heard about the fire, I was shocked and saddened. Those teenagers were like me. It was even possible that I had met one or two of them. And now, because of this terrible tragedy, they were gone.


Ride of Your Life came about because in my mind I wanted to give that awful event a happy ending, and so I fictionalized it and turned it into a romance that develops between two teenage ghosts thirty years after the fire. It’s a bittersweet romance, but it has as happy an ending as a tragedy like that could have.


Silverberry: What's the story about?


Shevi: Tracy Miller is a 17-year-old girl who died in a fire in the House of Horrors at the Amazing Lands Theme Park 30 years ago. At the start of the story, she tries, and fails, to save 17-year-old Josh Stockwell from meeting a similar fate.


Josh has been dreaming about Tracy for weeks, and as soon as he meets her, he knows it was fate that brought the two of them together. But there is something holding Tracy back, something keeping her from passing on from the ghost world to the Light, something that makes her afraid to love Josh in return. Can Josh help her let go of the past and finally accept love?


Silverberry: What was it like writing the thoughts and feelings of characters who had died?


Shevi: I just treated Josh and Tracy like regular teenagers. Their thoughts and feelings are pretty much the same, even if what they’re experiencing and how they are experiencing it is different.


Silverberry: What were some of the implications you had to deal with as a writer because the characters were dead?


Shevi: Of course I had to deal with what it means to be dead. If you’re dead, you aren’t going to grow or change. You don’t have to worry about your grades or social status or any of the millions of things teens tend to obsess over. It also means these characters can focus on the things that really matter, which in this case means themselves and each other.


Dealing with dead characters also meant I had to create a ghost world for them to live in with certain rules. In Tracy and Josh’s world, you experience what you believe you experience—for good and bad. This isn’t wish fulfillment. Sometimes the ghosts experience horrible things because they’re stuck thinking that these are the things that should happen. As Tracy explains to Josh in an early scene in the book, if you fall and think you’re going to break your leg, you will break your leg. You might think having characters who can’t die because they’re already dead would take the tension out of the story, but by the end of the story, Josh discovers there are worse things than being dead.


Silverberry: What is your approach to crafting stories?


Shevi: I like to think about a story for a long time before I write it down. There are just so many stories in my head, and I don’t have the time to write them all. It has to be a great story, and there’s no way for me to know it’s a great story until I’ve written it from start to finish in my head first.


Once I know that it’s a story I want to share with others, I’ll start with an outline and maybe some background information, character sketches, and several fully formed scenes. The outline at this stage is still malleable. I’ll change it and change it until I’m confident that it’s exactly the story I want it to be. Only then will I start writing the first draft.

 

I also outline each chapter before I write it. I feel this gives me a road map that starts me off in the right direction each time I sit down to write. If I get to a scene I’m not happy with, I can always just leave a brief outline and skip ahead to a scene I’m more enthusiastic about writing.


Sometimes I’ll edit the previous chapter before I continue writing. I call this process “backstitching,” and I find this helps get my mind back into the story at the start of a writing session. Other times, I’ll write almost with blinders on so that I can write quickly. Either way, most novels take me a year to write and edit.


Silverberry: You're also an illustrator. How does that help you as a writer?


Shevi: Sometimes I’ll use illustrations as a part of the storytelling process. My first novel, Dan Quixote: Boy of Nuevo Jersey is illustrated, while both Toren the Teller’s Tale and Ride of Your Life have illustrated chapter headers. I feel this gives my novels an added dimension.


Other times, I’ll draw my characters before I write their stories, because it shows me things about them. I have a drawing of Toren from Toren the Teller’s Tale, which hangs from a bookshelf over my desk. There’s an attitude in that drawing that pulls me into her world and dares me to tell her story. I have another one of Gilbert Garfinkle from my upcoming humorous YA science-fantasy novel, Why My Love Life Sucks, and the look on his face says, “Uh, oh, what are you planning to put me through this time?” It reminds me of what I call Murphy’s Law for fiction writers: “If anything can go wrong, it should.”

 

Silverberry: Tell us about some of your other books!


Shevi: Dan Quixote: Boy of Nuevo Jersey is a funny middle-grade novel about two best friends—one a dreamer and one a realist—who discover that the answers to bullying and peer pressure are staying true to yourself and your friends.


Toren the Teller’s Tale is an epic fantasy novel about a teenage girl who discovers the magic of storytelling and struggles to accept that magic within herself. Readers have been calling the way it's written mesmerizing and are saying that after reading it, "You will absolutely believe in Magic."

 

Silverberry: I love your titles! What's one question you wished someone would ask, but no one has?


“Can I give you a million dollars, no strings attached?”


Silverberry: Who has influenced you the most as a writer, and why?


Shevi: I started telling stories when I was just a kid, so it’s hard to say. Every story I’ve ever heard or saw in every medium has taught me something. Sometimes they teach me what I like, and sometimes they teach me what I don’t like. I think I learn the most from stories I wish I could read but can’t because they haven’t been written yet. It’s the literary equivalent of negative space. There’s this gap on an imaginary bookshelf, and it’s just going to drive me crazy until someone fills it. That someone might as well be me.

 

Silverberry: What's ahead for you?


Shevi: I’m working on the final edits of Why My Love Life Sucks: The Legend of Gilbert the Fixer(book one), which I plan to publish before the end of the summer. It’s a funny science-fantasy novel about the ultimate teenage geek’s ultimate nightmare. It received great reviews when it was a quarter finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards contest a few years ago, and I’m super excited about sharing it with readers. This is the series that proves it takes the ultimate geek to be the ultimate hero, and I think it’s a message we all need to hear loud and clear. I'm a geek, and I'm proud of it!

 

Silverberry: Thanks so much for dropping by! Readers may find links to your website and to purchase Ride of Your Life below. The book will be part of my upcoming Giveaway. Watch my website for details!

Purchase Ride of Your Life on Amazon

Shevi’s Website

 

Shevi’s Blog, Musings of a Geek Goddess

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Author Interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)

Flashback: Interview of a Talented Young Author

July 9, 2012 – 1:48 am
Kyla LoPresti, Author of Flashback

Kyla LoPresti, Author of Flashback

While perusing Twitter, I heard about Kyla LoPresti, a twelve-year-old girl who had written and published a novel. One of my goals is to encourage the creative efforts of young people. What better way to do that than to let other young people know what someone their age has accomplished. I had to interview her! Please join me in welcoming this talented young author!

 

Silverberry: Tell us about yourself.

 

Kyla: I just turned 13 . . . I started my book last May when I was 11, so it basically took exactly a year to write and publish my novel. I absolutely love reading and writing but I hate math lol. I love to read new things and learn about authors. I always have ideas floating around in my head about new books I want to write. I am in 7th grade . . . I am in the Drama Club . . . and I just got inducted into National Honor Society . . . I play volleyball and I play the guitar. I like to watch the Vampire Diaries with my little sister . . . My mom and dad are very supportive of me and encourage me to keep writing.

 

Silverberry: Congratulations on publishing Flashback! What’s the story about?

 

Kyla: My book is about Isabelle Holloway. She has been reincarnated since she was killed in her past life in the 1800s. She has confusing flashbacks about her past life and cannot put all the pieces together. One day she sees the love of her life, Erik, from the 1800s in her high school. She doesn’t know why he is there and how he could look exactly the same. He turns out to be a Vampire and is trying to find her killer who is also back from her past.

 

Silverberry: Who do you think Flashback will appeal to?

 

Kyla: Teens – ages 12 – 18 – but lots of adults like it too!

 

Silverberry: What inspired you to write it?

 

Kyla: I had a dream that I was reincarnated. I woke up and began to write my thoughts down immediately. After a couple of days I thought this would be a good story. I wrote a bunch of chapters just for my own enjoyment. I started telling people about my book and they wanted to hear more and more. I decided to make it a novel so I added more until I had it the way I wanted. I didn’t think it would turn into such big thing.

 

Silverberry: What does your heroine, Isabelle, yearn for?

 

Kyla: She just wants to be a normal teen and have a normal life. And to be with Erik.

 

Silverberry: Is there a sequel? If so, what can readers look forward to?!

 

Kyla: Yes! I am working on it right now. Learning more about Isabelle and her being ‘special’. There will also be a couple new characters.

 

Silverberry: Who are some of the authors that have inspired you the most, and why?

 

Kyla: Cassandra Clare and Alyson Noel. They are both unique writers. I like to read about supernatural and fantasy and they both write about that. I also like their writing styles. I have read all of both of their books.

 

Silverberry: What advice would you give to other young people who want to write a story, too?

 

Kyla: Don’t get discouraged. Just keep on doing what you believe in. Sometimes things are hard but you can’t give up. Take a break and go back to it if you have to but never let your dream go.

 

Silverberry: Thanks for stopping by! Readers may find links to Kyla’s book and website below. And her book will be part of one of my upcoming Giveaways. Watch my website for details!

 

Purchase Flashback on Amazon

 

Kyla’s website

 

Kyla on Twitter

Flashback, by Kyla LoPresti

Flashback, by Kyla LoPresti

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Author Interview | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Out of the Mouths of Babes

June 22, 2012 – 6:04 am
Deadly Science, by Amy Manemann

Deadly Science, by Amy Manemann

– Guest Post, by Amy Manemann, Author of “Deadly Science: A Taci Andrews Mystery”

My children are the apple of my eye and the things that come out of their sweet little mouths truly cracks me up, even when it hurts. At the dinner table the other night my husband and I listened with secret smiles on our faces as the kids talked about “when they grow up”.

During the conversation, our son looked at us quite seriously and asked, “Mom, Dad, when we grow up and move out of the house where will you both live?”

My husband laughed, replying, “We’ll still be right here.” My daughter paused in taking a bite of her macaroni in cheese, a shocked look on her face.

“Really?” she said, “I thought you guys would be a nursing home.”

Wow, ever wonder if your kids think you’re old? Lol!

International best-selling author, Amy Manemann, is the author of Deadly Reunion and Deadly Science, the first two books of the Deadly Series(Taci Andrews Mysteries). She resides in her hometown along the Mississippi river with her husband and their two children, where she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, writing, blogging and interviewing authors to feature on her website. Amy is also a site administrator for the World Literary Cafe.

 

Sample Chapter of Amy’s newly released book, Deadly Science (A Taci Andrews Mystery).

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

CHAPTER SIX

I opened the door to my apartment early Thursday morning to find a sheepish Tony standing in my doorway. Folding my arms across my chest I gave him my best glare even though my heart sped up at the site of him.

“What?” I asked, not bothering to beat around the bush. Propping a shoulder against the doorjamb he imitated my posture, a sexy grin crossing his lips as he did a perusal of the towel on my head, bathrobe and bare feet.

“Did I catch you before or after showering?” he asked, dimples appearing in his cheeks when my eyes narrowed.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I just got out of the shower. Is there something I can do for you?” I asked, instantly wishing the words back. By the leer on Tony’s face I could tell he had all sorts of ideas about what I could do for him. To his credit, instead voicing those thoughts, he bent down and picked up a white paper bag and drink holder containing two beverages, holding them out to me like a peace offering.

“I brought coffee and breakfast from The Pastry Shop on Main Avenue if you’ll let me in,” he said hopefully. It was tempting to shut the door in his face and get instant gratification but my stomach rumbled in protest.

Seeing my internal debate Tony added, “They’re chocolate

glazed if that helps.”

Sighing, I opened the door wider for him to pass through. It was hard to turn down a man who knew my weaknesses.

Tony strode easily past me into the kitchen, setting the bag and drink tray down on the countertop while I retrieved some napkins. He watched me pick up one of the steaming white Styrofoam cups with a guarded expression. Inhaling the rich flavor of freshly ground coffee beans before taking a tentative sip I smiled in ecstasy at the rush of warm liquid hitting my tongue.

“Lord that tastes good,” I sighed in deep appreciation.

“Had I known coffee did that to you I would have tried a larger cup,” he commented. Taking another swallow of the steamy beverage, I had to agree. At least the urge to throw something at him was beginning to fade.

Connect with Amy through her website or blog.

Amy Manemann, Author of Deadly Science

Amy Manemann, Author of Deadly Science

By A. R. Silverberry | Posted in Blog Hop, Blog Tour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)