Meet Julia Munroe Martin

Today’s Debut Author Q&A features a very special writer to me and to this blog. Julia Munroe Martin has been a supporter of Baby Grand and Making ‘Baby Grand’ for as long as I can remember. It is a privilege and an honor to have her here today to talk about her debut novel, Desired to Death. Her answers to my questions made me think about my own fiction journey – our paths are very similar, our ideas for our novels formed many years ago. So without further ado, I bring you the world’s newest mystery writer.

Name: Julia Munroe Martin (writing as J.M. Maison)
Name of book: Desired to Death (Book 1 of The Empty Nest Can Be Murder mystery series)
Book genre: Mystery
Date published: April 29, 2013 (ebook); paperback in about 3 weeks
Where can we find your book: Amazon
What is your day job? This is it! I am a journalist by education, worked as a technical writer for about 10 years, then as a freelance writer. Now I focus almost exclusively on fiction.
What is your book about? This book answers the question: What am I going to do with the rest of my life? After her daughter leaves for college, former-SAHM Maggie True is faced with an empty nest and doesn’t know what to do with herself. Never in her wildest dreams does small-town Maggie imagine the answer will come in the form of a middle-of-the-night call for help from an estranged friend who has just been arrested for murder. But it does, and as Maggie solves the mystery of who killed A.J. Traverso, a sexy kickboxing instructor, she also solves the mystery of what to do for the rest of her life.
Why did you want to write this book? This idea came to me after my son left for college, when I wondered what the future held. It was a very tough transition for me, especially when a few years later my daughter left for college. Going through that transition, from stay home mom AND writer to “just” work at home writer, wasn’t easy. I’ve always been the kind of person who observes and watches everything and, clearly, makes up stories about it all. And my loose ends led me to ask the question “What if?” or maybe even “If only.”

Meet Author Sherry Foley

Today’s featured author is Sherry Foley, a fellow thriller writer. Welcome, Sherry!

Name: Sherry Foley

Name of book: Switched in Death

Book genre: Psychological thriller

Date published: February 17, 2012

Publisher: Winter Goose Publishing

What is your day job? Writer

What is your book about? The power of the mind. Any one of us can convince ourselves we are right in our own minds. The serial killer in Switched in Death has done this and takes the detective on quite a twisted journey at the expense of many innocent women’s lives.

Why did you want to write this book? I love reading mysteries/thrillers and trying to solve the case before the truth is revealed.

What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a book? What I call getting off the Ferris wheel. I can write a book and edit it to death, often times cutting out my voice, realizing it and then having to write things back into the story. I have to make myself get off the wheel and let go. Luckily, I have some terrific critique partners who help me with that.

Did you conduct any kind of research in order to write this book (visit certain locales, etc.)? I took to the Internet to research serial killers, but the most help was interviewing someone who had quite happily killed a woman and saw nothing wrong with taking a life. I hope I captured on paper the crazed look in this guy’s eyes when he told me his story. Way creepy!

Meet William Kenney

Today’s featured debut author is William Kenney, whose dark epic fantasy made its debut last summer. I agree with William when he says that one of the most challenging aspects of writing a book is “keeping my facts straight.” In fact, next week’s writing tip will offer helpful ways for you to do just that.

Name: William Kenney

Name of book: A Dream of Storms (Book One of the In the Shadow of the Black Sun series)

Book genre: Dark Epic Fantasy

Date published: July 2011

Publisher: Self-Published

What is your day job? I was actually laid off from my day job in November.

What is your book about? The leaves were falling in Elfwhere, but autumn had never come to the land of the Elves. It was a sign. The dark one, Mournenhile, had returned, reborn into the world of Kirkaldin. He was thought destroyed twelve years ago during the Battle of the Black Sun.

Hagan Marindel had emerged from that battle a hero. The world sang his praises and showered him with gifts. He had rejected it all, instead returning home and going into a drunken seclusion. He had become a hollow, wretched shell of his former self. Until now. The Stone Troll, Gorin, carried out an impossible quest, to retrieve Hagan and return him to Harquinn, where the mages rule. Hagan had sworn an oath, all those years ago, and Gorin would hold him to it. Can Hagan become that hero once more, redeeming himself and protecting the land from the coming horde?

Why did you want to write this book? I’ve always loved the fantasy genre, since I was a child. I started putting together my own stories when I was around 13 years old, so I suppose I have always had an interest in storytelling. This particular book is my homage to Tolkien, who started the fire, but it’s definitely not a Lord of the Rings clone.

What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a book? For me, working on a series, the hardest part is keeping my facts straight. I don’t want to end up contradicting myself or getting a date or character’s name wrong. It’s also a challenge to finally step back and say, “OK, it’s done.” I suppose with ebooks that’s not as big a deal, since the writer can upload new versions at any point.

Did you conduct any kind of research in order to write this book (visit certain locales, etc.)? The story takes place in a fantasy setting, so it didn’t require much research. Some of the characters’ personalities are based on people I know, so I suppose I researched them.

What motivates you to write? I love to tell stories and I love to hear the reader’s reactions to things that I have written. If I can produce an emotional response from the reader – be it fear, happiness, excitement, sadness – it’s a great feeling.

Did you experience writer’s block? I usually don’t have this issue. Before I begin, I always have a loose outline. It’s pretty easy for me to connect Point A to Point B and so on. Sometimes I will struggle with how to word something to get the exact point across.

How long did it take you to write this book? About 12 months, I think.

Why did you decide to self-publish? It’s become so easy now, and the author has 100 percent control over the finished product, the contents, cover art, price, etc.

Was the self-publishing process easier or more difficult than you thought it would be? The only thing that I had an issue with early on was formatting the book to each eReader’s specifics. Once I had that figured out, it was no problem.

What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? “Wow, you must be making a ton of money!” “When’s the movie coming out?” “Oh, I could write a book, too!” That last one is possible, but the first two are highly unlikely.

What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? The characters and their interactions. I also love worldbuilding, creating the cultures and backgrounds of the characters that inhabit the story. When the original outline really takes shape and you realize that the story works, that’s a great feeling.

What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? Promoting is not easy. All of the social media sites are great tools, but they are no guarantee. Plus, you don’t want to overdo it. Will people continue to follow you on Twitter, for example, if all they see are the same “buy my book” tweets? Doing interviews on cool sites like this could help. I can also be found on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and many other sites.

How has life changed for you since the publication of your book? I think that when you first publish a book, you are very uncertain as to the public’s reaction to it. Is my writing horrible? Have I told a story that’s interesting to someone out there? Getting great reviews and feedback from people has boosted my confidence and reassured me that I can write a good, entertaining story. Many people have asked for the next book in the series (which I am working on, I promise).

Do you find yourself obsessively checking sales stats? Yes, and I really need to cut that out.

What’s your second book titled? I am currently working on Shards of S’Darin, Book Two of the In the Shadow of the Black Sun series.

My favorite last question: Oprah once famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? Couldn’t that “moment of opportunity” be considered luck sometimes? I’m sitting at a table in Starbucks, going over my latest novel, with papers spread out in front of me. A big-shot literary agent walks by, sees what I’m doing and says, “You a writer?” Seems like luck AND opportunity. Anyway, I don’t think one can expect to be successful at anything without preparation. You have to develop the skills first, right? If that moment of opportunity arises and you are not prepared to meet it, say goodbye to success.

Meet Jennifer Cusumano

Today’s featured debut author (our first of the new year!) is Jennifer Cusumano, a freelancer, consultant and professor whose book Angels Around Her was published in September 2011. Welcome, Jennifer!

Name: Jennifer Cusumano
Name of book: Angels Around Her
Book genre: Romance/spiritual
Date published: September 2011
Publisher: Inkwater Press
What is your day job? I teach communications and media at several Long Island colleges as an adjunct, and I continue to consult with corporations and write freelance.
What is your book about? I think it is a book about our understanding of love as we age and the decisions we make. Of course, time and experience are great teachers. Sometimes, however, by the time we learn the lessons and come to understand ourselves better, we are either too comfortable or too afraid, or simply just not in a position to make a really big change. This book lets that happen for our heroine in a very magical, supernatural way.
Why did you want to write this book? My sister and I had this idea over 12 to 13 years ago. We wanted to write a book for people who could identify with the theme of creating a more authentic life for yourself, whether that be finding the right partner, or a new career, or children. After we wrote it, it sat in the closet for over ten years. Then, in the wake of all the upheaval of the last few years, the economic crisis, war, negative media… I just felt the time was right to get a happy, hopeful message out there.
What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a book? Working out the story and how the characters’ actions all affect the progression of the plot. We actually had several outlines and datelines we had to follow because the book keeps transitioning from the present to the past; it spans 25 years, so there was a lot of back story to tell.
Did you conduct any kind of research in order to write this book? We already had some knowledge about our Long Island, Manhattan and Paris settings, but we had to research so much more as landscapes and venues change so much over time. Actually, the research was some of the most fun we had with the book.
What motivates you to write? I’m a sporadic writer. I wish I could say I was one of those people who writes all the time, but I’m not. I really feel like I have to have something meaningful to say. Because I write for a living, by assignment, I’m often writing for other people or for academic pursuits. It’s rare that I get the time to just write for myself. I have to get better at making the time to do that. If it were not for my sister’s idea and nudging me to do this initially, I probably would not have written this book. Even then, it sat for 10 years after I finished it. Then, a couple of years ago, I decided to dust it off, reinvent it, re-edit it, and really aggressively started to market it. I’ve had so much positive feedback from people, I’m glad I did it.
Did you experience writer’s block? Well, it took three years to write, part-time, because I was working full-time. And then another two years recently to re-write and edit it. So I didn’t experience writer’s block so much as writer’s interference! Life just gets in the way sometimes, but it gave me the time to re-examine the story and the dialogue.
How did you go about finding a publisher? Why did you decide on Inkwater Press? After some initial rejections from traditional publishers, I went to BEA. I thought I’d find an agent or publisher, but instead what I found were all these indie authors who inspired me to either self-publish or look into author subsidized publications. I didn’t want a vanity press who would publish anything for money. Inkwater struck just the right chord with me. They publish beautiful books. They only take on a few projects a year so they really have to believe the book is of some quality and will sell. They offered me a fair contract and I chose to work with them.
What would you say is the biggest misconception about writing a book? Hmm… I think there are probably many, but I would have to say that it will be a profitable venture. Just because you write a book, doesn’t mean it will be well received or profitable. I didn’t go into this with that intention. In fact, I assumed it would not make money. If it does, that will be a pleasant surprise!
What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? Writing for a variety of voices. Getting into the minds of each character and then trying to get the vernacular right for each character… that was a lot of fun. I hope I did a good job of that.
What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? What advice would you give to writers regarding promotion? I do a lot of in-person appearances at book clubs and local shows, fairs. I also have some retail book sellers carrying the book. But I would have to say social media, by far, is the biggest and most important tool today. It’s very, very time consuming, and there’s a lot of strategizing I still have to learn. If you can afford it, hire a social media expert in PR and promotion.
How has life changed for you since the publication of your book? It hasn’t; it’s just busier because now I have to spend every free minute that I’m not teaching or freelancing promoting the book, or going to events, or researching new venues to sell the book. Phew! I’m exhausted!
Do you find yourself obsessively checking sales stats? Never.
Is there a second book in the works? There may be. I’m actually working on a movie script I’ve had on the backburner for a while and would like to give that some attention. But I did create a blog associated with the book where I have posed a question associated with the main theme of the book. I was hoping to collect people’s stories, if they wanted to share them, but so far, I think people have been reluctant to post a story. I thought the material might spur a second book, but we’ll see…
My favorite last question: Oprah once famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? Well, I agree with Oprah’s statement, but I can’t say I’ve experienced much success yet as a writer yet! The book’s only been out since September. When I hit the 5,000 sales mark, or a big agent wants me or I get a movie deal… then maybe I can speak to the notion of success as a writer. But, seriously, it depends how you define success. Am I successful if my work is published, but isn’t selling? What if it sells like blazes, but the work itself is trash? Are those writers “successful” or just savvy marketers? I think society mostly defines success in terms of financial success, but I would consider myself successful as a writer if my book touched some people, covered my initial investment, and maybe generated at least some income so I could embark on another project.

Meet Erica Stanciu

Today’s featured author, Erica Stanciu, holds a special place in my heart. She is the daughter of an old friend who had the gall to get married and move to a land far, far away (Philly, and then Las Vegas) when we were mere teenagers, leaving me to navigate college, adulthood and handball all on my own. It doesn’t surprise me that her little girl (one of three children) has grown into a talented, funny and smart young woman. The apple certainly doesn’t fall very far from the tree.

Name: Erica Stanciu
Name of book: Electrify Me
Book genre: Fantasy
Date published: December 12, 2011
Publisher: Amazon.com (self-published)
What is your day job? I hold down the fort we call home.
What is your book about? A young princess, by the name of Kaiya Fraust, is forced on a journey where she travels to different kingdoms who wield elemental powers. Along the way, she finds demons, dragons, relics, and mysterious figures who want her for themselves.
Why did you want to write this book? I was reading a book one day and hated the ending. A friend suggested I write my own book so I did. Four months later, Electrify Me was born.
What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a book? The editing. It’s necessary, but so tedious at the same time. I’m pretty sure I have my book memorized after reading it five times just to make sure it was mistake-free.
Did you conduct any kind of research in order to write Electrify Me? My research came from reading fantasy novels for thirteen years. That helped me create the setting, characters, their powers, and the different animals you see throughout the story.
What motivates you to write? To have my characters come alive in the pages of a book (or an e-reader). I have a feeling of constant restlessness until the next scene is down on paper. Even my dreams consist of the characters and what they should be doing.
Did you experience writer’s block? I experienced writer’s block towards the end. The best way for me to overcome it is start a short story. It takes my mind away from the other characters for a bit. When I eventually come back to my original story, my mind feels refreshed and ready to tackle the novel once again.
How long did it take you to write this book? Three months to write it, and two months to edit.
Why did you decide to self-publish? I received a handful of rejections and started to feel stuck. I poured my heart into a story only to wait six weeks for an agency to say, “We’re not taking on any new clients. Have a good day.” Instead of throwing a pity party and retiring my manuscript, I decided that self-publishing was the best route for me.
Was the self-publishing process easier or more difficult than you thought it would be? Amazon makes it very easy to self-publish. They walk you through the steps to convert your work into the proper form. The rest is just submitting and waiting. It’s actually not difficult at all.
How did you decide on your book cover concept? Well, my mother, the coolest person alive, helped me design it. She’s a genius when it comes to Photoshop. The concept of silver eyes and a bolt of lightning was created, because I think simplicity intrigues readers.
What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? Almost everyone has an idea for a great novel, but actually setting scenes, creating dialogue and writing amazing plot twists takes real time and effort. Not many people have the time and patience for something like that. It’s a very hard process, but rewarding once the novel is finished.
What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? Writing the scenes where the readers will say, “No way! I can’t believe that happened.” I get so excited putting those thoughts into words that it sometimes feels like my fingers are tripping over each other.
What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? I’ve been honing my writing skills on Wattpad.com, a website where authors can post their work and have it read by people for no cost. In eight months, I have gathered more than four thousand fans who have been my biggest supporters (besides my family). A lot of them bought my book and told their friends to buy it. Promoting takes time and energy that can leave you drained, but don’t give up. Create a website, promote on blogs, use social media, and eventually you’ll see the sales skyrocket.
How has life changed for you since the publication of your book? I’ve realized that becoming an author is my true goal in life. Writing is a passion of mine that I can’t go a day without doing. Self-publishing really helped me realize that.
Do you find yourself obsessively checking sales stats? I have to admit that I do. I set a goal for the first month of publication, and I won’t stop looking obsessively until I reach that goal.
Are there plans to write another book? Electrify Me is going to be a four-book series, and I’m currently writing the second one.
My favorite last question: Oprah once famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? I completely agree. There were many opportunities that presented themselves to me, but I wouldn’t have been ready to take the plunge without the proper preparation.

Meet Julia Suzuki

Today’s Debut Author Q&A (yes, a day late, I know, I know…) is full of mystique. Not sure if that was the author’s intention, but her succinct, short answers kind of set the stage for her children’s fantasy set in a land known as Dragor.

Name: Julia Suzuki
Name of book: Land of Dragor (Yoshiko and the Gift of Charms)
Book genre: Fantasy/Children’s fiction
Date published: May 2011
Publisher: SB Publishing
What is your day job? Running JuliaSuzuki.com
What is your book about? The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton. It’s a magical escape to a fantasy land with great characters.
Why did you want to write this book? I had a burning desire to write it that surpassed all other goals.
What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a book? Editing it and believing you have got it right.
Did you conduct any kind of research in order to write this book? Yes, I studied gemology and the world’s chakra energy points.
What motivates you to write? Turning a dream and vision of something into a reality on paper that others then share.
Did you experience writer’s block? No, I didn’t ever experience it. Only tiredness stopped me.
How long did it take you to write this book? 1.5 years
Why did you decide to self-publish? I just felt as a first time author it was the best way to prove myself, for it can be hard and slow to get a publisher, and I believe in the story so it was my chosen route.
Was the self-publishing process easier or more difficult than you thought it would be? I have achieved what I set out to so far.
What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? That everyone will like what you like. They won’t.
What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? Creating the nitty-gritty parts of the characters. I love that.
What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? A social media agency and a PR agent. I would advise both.
How has life changed for you since the publication of your book? It hasn’t really, as I am as busy as ever.
Do you plan on writing another book? Yes, and have done the first three chapters to Book 2.
My favorite last question: Oprah once famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? I agree totally with regard to success in anything in life.

Meet Author Dan McNeil

Is it Tuesday already? Gee, time flies while you’re slaving over a manuscript (Day 2 of #1kaday and counting!). A hearty welcome to today’s featured author: Dan McNeil.

Name: Dan McNeil

Name of book: The Judas Apocalypse

Book genre: Historical fiction

Date published: May 2008

Publisher: I Publish Press

What is your day job? I used to be a cameraman, then an editor at a local television station here in Ottawa for 24 years until 2009. For the last 2 years I’ve been at Canada Post editing corporate and instructional videos.

What is your book about? It’s about German archaeologist Gerhard Denninger’s search for the lost Cathar treasure during World War II. Along the way he is captured then abetted by four American soldiers who have been separated from their unit.  However, the treasure that they are searching for could turn out to be more than what they bargained for.

Oooh, sounds intriguing! What would you say is the most challenging part of writing this book? There were a few, but I would say that the research that was required was the biggest challenge. Because it’s historically based fiction, I needed to make sure of certain facts and locations before I started. I figured it would only take a couple of weeks (naivety is a wonderful thing!). Instead, it took about a year and a half. I often wondered “what the hell was I thinking” during this time. Once I was finished with the research, though, the actual writing was almost a breeze.

What motivates you to write? I just wanted to see if I could do it. I’ve always had the ideas, but it never occurred to me to do the writing myself. Writing was something “writers” do, not guys like me. This particular idea, however, just wouldn’t let go of me, so I figured I’d give it a shot.  I just needed to see if I could actually do it.

Did you experience writer’s block? Not really. I developed a routine where I would write in the morning before work. For some reason, I discovered that it was easier to get the flow going in the morning. Luckily, I never really experienced any kind of real writer’s block – a good thing too, otherwise it might have taken another six months to write.

How long did it take you to write this book? The actual writing took about a year.  When you take into account the research, it took about two and a half years in total.  Thankfully, my second book took a lot less time.

You published your book with I Publish Press. Why this company? I’d been sending out queries to publishers and agents (and not getting anywhere) when I came across the I Publish Press website.  They were holding a competition for unpublished novels, and I figured I’d send mine in. I really didn’t think it would win, considering that this was my first attempt at novel writing, but I thought at least I’d get a critique that could help me make it better.  As it turned out, it did win and they published it.  I guess it was better than I had hoped.

That’s amazing. Often when I ask writers what they think the biggest misconception there is about writing a book, particularly a first book, they say writers expect to get published on their first attempt. But you really did! So, see, writers, it can happen! But what would you say is the biggest misconception about writing a book? Initially, I figured it would take a couple of weeks to research it and a couple of weeks to write it. Obviously, I was WAY off the mark on that one. Other than that, I really had no illusions about what I was doing. I went into the project just to see if I could pull it off. When I finished it, I printed out a copy and put it on my shelf – mission accomplished. I set out to write a book, and I did it. I honestly didn’t think about publication until a friend of mine who read the manuscript insisted I try. Good thing he did!

What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? Typing “THE END” – not because I was done writing the book, but because I still had the daunting job of rewriting and editing to do. I had accomplished what I set out to do – to write a book. Very satisfying. The rewriting and editing, not so much…

What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? What advice would you give to writers regarding promotion? I went on some local television shows to talk about the book and participated in some book signings around town. I’m also on Twitter and Facebook, but I’ll admit, I’m pretty bad at self-promotion. I’m just not very good at it. I think if I could push it full time, I could get better at it, but it’s so tough when you’re working full time. It’s obvious that you have to put the time in and grab every opportunity you can to promote. It’s the only way.

How has life changed for you since the publication of your book? You mean, am I dating super models and driving a Ferrari? No. I’m still editing corporate videos and querying for the second book. I’d love to say that The Judas Apocalypse is a huge bestseller and it’s being made into a major motion picture… but not yet.

How was the experience of writing and querying the second novel different than the first? I was able to complete the writing in a much shorter time. The querying, unfortunately, is still a soul crushing pain. What I’m finding is that this new book doesn’t fit into a particular genre, and it’s making it even tougher this time around. I’m thinking of self-publishing this one if I don’t get anywhere soon with the querying.  Either that or find another novel writing contest…

Okay, my favorite last question: Oprah once famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? Absolutely. There’s a Persian quote: “Go and wake up your luck.” It’s a good thing mine was a light sleeper…

Meet Author Jessica Harlan

I met today’s featured debut author, Jessica Harlan, back when we were both working for a home furnishings trade magazine at Fairchild Publications in New York City in the 1990s — she was writing about housewares, I was writing about furniture. Since that time, both of us have sort of changed gears but have found our niches, and I am so excited to see her first cookbook become published, so excited that I will be making my first Ramen noodle recipe this week. Congrats, Jessica!

Name: Jessica Harlan

Name of book: Ramen to the Rescue Cookbook

Book genre: Cookbook

Date Published: September 6, 2011

Publisher: Ulysses Press

What is your day job? Freelance writer and recipe developer, About.com Guide to Cooking Equipment 

How did the idea for this book come about? The idea was actually my publisher’s, and they were looking for someone to write it. They were seeing a growing interest in kitschy comfort food, and they felt like ramen was something everyone could relate to.

Tell us about the submissions process. Was it long and tedious, or quick and painless? Well, since my publisher found me, it was somewhat painless. I needed to submit examples of my recipes and writing, and give them some ideas I had for the book. The worst part was that this took place around the winter holidays, so there was a lot of playing phone tag with the acquisitions editor, and I was so eager to get everything finalized!

Do you have an agent? How long did it take to find a publisher? I don’t have an agent (yet!), and my publisher was looking for someone to write this particular book. A friend put me in touch with them.

What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a book? It was really hard to stay on track, and to break down the daunting task of the entire book (120 recipes, not to mention the introduction and appendices!) into smaller chunks. I tried to set mini-deadlines for myself but in the end I was working my butt off trying to get it done!

What motivates you to write? A lot of my motivation comes from fear and stress! I work best under pressure, so even when I have months to do something, I often find myself waiting til the last minute, and then cranking it out. Of course, that also causes lots of sleepless nights, anxiety and worries that I won’t be able to get it done. But I always manage. In terms of my motivation to being a writer, I think it mostly comes from my love of sharing information. I love being able to help people by relating my experiences or recommendations.

Did you experience writer’s block? If so, how did you overcome it? I am not sure if it would be termed “writer’s block,” but it definitely got difficult to motivate myself, or to come up with more recipe ideas (I guess that’s recipe writer’s block!). Sometimes I’d take a break from it for a day or two, other times I’d try to find inspiration by looking at other cookbooks or watching food shows on TV.

How long did it take you to write this book? I had about six months, but I spent way too long coming up with my outline, so I probably did the bulk of the work in 3 months.

What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? I don’t think people realize how difficult and time-consuming it is, and how usually, there’s no big financial payoff. This is especially true with cookbooks. For each recipe I wrote, I had to come up with the concept of the recipe, figure out what ingredients I’d need, shop for them, cook the dish (and remake it if it didn’t turn out), and finally, write the recipe. I try not to break down how much work I did (and how much I spent on groceries) compared to the advance I got. It’s definitely a labor of love, because you’re not going to get rich becoming an author.

What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? I loved the process of dreaming up a dish, or thinking of a certain ingredient combination or cooking technique, and then trying it out and having it turn out the way I’d envisioned. I also had lots of fun researching ramen noodles, i.e. their history, how they’re made, and their role in culture, history and world events.

What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? What advice would you give to writers regarding promotion? I’m just getting started on promotion, but I’ve done a lot of it via social media: Facebook and Twitter. Plus I’m lucky to have a few well-placed friends who — fingers crossed — might be able to get my book covered on some high-profile websites and publications. My publisher’s marketing department has been great to work with too — they’re pursuing leads for me and sending my book out to the media. For other writers, I’d say, just start by spreading the word among your friends. You’d be surprised with how well-connected some of your friends and contacts might be.

How has life changed for you since the publication of your book? The day that I got my advance copy in the mail also happened to be my 40th birthday. And I feel like holding my book in my hands made me feel so much more at ease with hitting this huge milestone. I’m also at work on my second book (this one’s about quinoa, and I’m co-writing it with a good friend), so I feel like my career will hopefully be much more book-oriented going forward.

My favorite last question: Oprah once famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? I’d definitely agree with this quote. I feel like all the opportunities I’ve gotten have been lucky in a way (that I happened to see a job listing or met someone who could help me get a gig), but that nothing would have come of these opportunities had I not had all of the work experience I’ve amassed over the years.

Meet Brenda Sedore

Yes, it’s Tuesday, and that means another installment of Debut Author Q&A. This week, I feature Brenda Sedore, who was born in the wine country of Northern California which started her lifelong love of the grape. She moved to Canada as a teenager and eventually ended up in wine country again. It’s probably no surprise that wine is a large part of her debut novel, A Snake in Paradise.

Name: Brenda Sedore

Name of book: A Snake in Paradise

Book genre: Romance/Italy Travel

Date Published: November 15, 2010

Self-publisher: Imagine Press

What is your day job? Accounts receivable supervisor

What is your book about? Aja Rain flees to Italy for peace and quiet after an accident where she nearly castrates her ex-boyfriend. She becomes a media sensation when all she wants to do is move on with her life. Italy is full of hot Italian men, but Aja is afraid to trust her heart again. Pietro and Marco are impossible to resist. How can she choose between them? Everything is thrown into turmoil when she realizes Stephen, the ex, has followed her across the ocean, determined to get his revenge. Aja thought she would be safe and protected with her new friends in Italy. She couldn’t have been more wrong.

What was the most challenging part of the writing process? Sitting down every day to write after working the day job all day and being mentally exhausted.

What motivates you to write? All the stories crowding my head.

Did you experience writer’s block? No, I’ve never experienced it. I usually start with journaling and then reading over the last chapter before each writing session. That gets me into the flow.

How long did it take you to write this book? Technically about 8 months. But about a year elapsed between starting it and getting to work on it again. I went through a divorce and had to put it on the backburner for a while. And, no, the premise isn’t a result. Or is it? :)

Why did you decide to self-publish this book? I went with self-publishing because I wanted full control and didn’t want to give most of my royalties away. I have the computer skills needed and my husband, also an author, is a wonderful editor.

What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? That you’ll write one and instantly find success. It’s bloody brutal work at the best of times. But when you see your first sales start rolling in and realize people actually like your work, that’s brilliant!

What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? I loved the editing part. When I went back over it, I fell in love with the book all over again. I love cleaning up loose ends, too.

Oprah has famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? Oh absolutely. You have to be aligned and have done the work in order to grab the luck as it shows up. That said, there’s probably almost as much luck as there is hard work and talent. Just take a look at the famous people out there. For every one of them, there are probably a thousand people out there 10 times more talented. But they were the ones who were discovered.

You can follow Brenda on Twitter and through her author page on Facebook.

Meet Author Rhiannon Ellis

After conducting each Debut Author Q&A, I find myself thinking: Hey, I really enjoyed this. I come away with a feeling of camaraderie, of finding a kindred spirit, and that was certainly the case with today’s interview with author Rhiannon Ellis. Laundry? Yep. Working on two books at once? You bet. Finding time that is quiet and uninterrupted to write? Lord, help us. Thanks, Rhiannon, for an inspiring chat.

Name: Rhiannon Ellis

Name of book: Bonded In Brazil

Book genre: Contemporary Romance

Date Published: March 25, 2011

Publisher: Camel Press

What is your day job? I’m a stay at home mom to my 2-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. I spend my days like most moms of young kids—cleaning, cooking, battling an endless pile of laundry—and cherish every second of it. Well, except for the laundry. I could without that. I love being at home with my kids and feel very blessed that I’m able to do so when so many moms cannot. My “day job” is something I don’t take for granted.

What is your book about? When the devoted daughter of a Brazilian vintner learns her family vineyard is about to be seized, she strikes a deal with a man she calls demonio to work as his maid to pay off her father’s debts. She soon discovers this man she despises has the ability to steal her heart… and the power to break it.

What was the most challenging part of the writing process? Finding time that is quiet and uninterrupted. When I’m working on a story, I try to write every day, though it usually comes in spurts as I revolve writing around my household.

What motivates you to write? It’s a passion that runs deep. I experience moments of inspiration—a good book or movie will do that—but I’m always “in the mood.” To write, that is. *wink, wink*

Did you experience writer’s block? When I wrote simply for fun, yes I did. Now that I write for fun and career purposes, I don’t. My mindset is this is something that has to get done—like laundry, ugh—so just do it. This works for me.

How long did it take you to write this book? 3 to 4 months. I was in a writers group while writing Bonded In Brazil—a fantastic learning experience, by the way—and we shared 10 pages a week. Sometimes I wrote at pace with the group, other times I flew ahead. I tend to go back and forth between two different projects. I’ll write in one manuscript, get a little burnt out and work on another until I feel fresh again.

How difficult was it to find a publisher? Not at all, but I already had an agent when I began writing Bonded In Brazil, which helped immensely. I originally wrote this book hoping Harlequin would be interested. They turned it down and because of the book’s length (per HQ’s guidelines), our options were limited. My agent came up with a list of wonderful smaller publishers. She began querying at the end of July 2010 and we got an offer November 2010 for print as well as e-book.

You already had an agent? When I finished Bonded In Brazil, I had agent who was representing another book of mine. So I queried her with my romance manuscript, and she offered a contract. Unfortunately, that first book never got picked up by a publisher. I’ve set that one aside and might take another look at it once I finish up a paranormal series I’m working on. Or maybe I’ll consider it good practice and let the dust collect.

What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? The biggest misconception is that writing is the hardest part. Yes, writing is work and takes skill as well as creativity, but landing an agent and/or publisher is the toughest part. I’ve read dozens of self-published books and have been shocked that these books were overlooked by publishers. There’s a lot of talent out there, but a novel gets turned down if it’s not marketable enough for publishing standards. I feel very blessed to have had agent and publisher interest—sometimes humbled because I wonder why I deserved it more than some other authors I’ve run across.

What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? Creating the characters, without a doubt. I’d say the same for any book I write… oh, and the steamy love scenes. Gotta love those, too.

Oprah has famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? I’m leaning toward agreeing, based on my own experience. I have to wonder if the “opportunity” part is mostly luck, though. I feel like I’ve been given many great opportunities throughout my life in general, whereas others have not. Is this luck? Have I created them for myself? I truly don’t know. But I’m grateful, whatever the cause.

Thanks so much for having me! I really enjoyed answering the questions and am happy to take more (in the comments, hint, hint). I also wanted to add that I have a fabulous paranormal/shifter romance coming out in March through Cobblestone Press titled Dark Wolf Protector. Two books in one month—eek!

For more on Rhiannon, check out her blog or her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.