Q&A Thursday - Interview with K.M. Fawcett!

Today's Interview is with K.M Fawcett!


Enjoy & Comment!

What is the worst thing you’ve written, how did you learn or know it was bad, and what did you learn from it?

The worst thing I’ve written was my first manuscript. I didn’t have a literary background (I graduated with a Bachelors in Science). I didn’t have a critique group. I had recently learned about the Romance Writers of America, and saw that a chapter was holding a contest. I entered. When I received my submission back, there was A LOT of feedback written all over the pages. Apparently, my heroine was feral (she’d been angry at the hero and had barked at him, growled and probably made other animal noises I can’t remember), I head hopped too much, and included way too many tag lines. To which I responded, “What’s a tag line?” The judges were very nice and wrote helpful advice. One judge even included handouts on tag lines. I’m so glad they didn’t tell me, “You suck. Don’t quit your day job.” Because if they had, I might have cried and stopped writing. Instead, I continued to learn, grew thicker skin and have found an agent.

Why did you start writing and when did you decide to go professional?

I started writing in 2003. I always wanted to write books and thought that when I have kids, I’d have time to write. I don’t know where that delusion came from, but when my second child was born, I decided it was time to sit down and start. I wrote on and off for the first few years, but then something clicked and I was determined to become published. I grew more serious about my goals and discipline. Last year, two fellow writer and martial arts friends and I created a group blog, Attacking The Page, where blog about martial arts and writing action. We also have been giving workshops (including at this year’s RWA conference) on Kick Butt Heroes: Using Martial Arts in Your Action Scenes.

Do you write in more than one genre? Which ones and which do you like the best?

I write paranormal romance. My first manuscript - that will never see the light of day, and took 4 years to NOT finish – was a time travel. I call that my learning manuscript. Every time I learned something new, I would go back and rewrite my chapters. I don’t suggest doing that. It takes too much time. My second manuscript (that my agent is currently shopping) is a sci-fi romantic thriller, and my third manuscript is a shape shifter romance.

Do you read other author’s books when you’re writing? If so, do you read the same genre or something different?

I do read other books while I’m writing. I like to relax with a book rather than TV. So I usually read before bed or while waiting for a piano lesson or dance lesson to finish. I read all different genres. Unfortunately, I don’t get to sit and relax for extended periods of time, so it takes quite awhile to finish a book.

What is the most difficult part of the entire writing process for you? Queries, pitches, editing..etc.

The most difficult part of the writing process is the actual writing. I love it, but I am a slow writer. I know what I want to say, I have no problems with the ideas, but it takes me longer than others to say it just right. I’m constantly searching the thesaurus for the precise word. I’ve learned to get the first draft out there as quickly as possible without worrying about grammar or word choice, etc. It’s the second draft that takes me the longest.

If you could have the same type of career as any author currently publishing who would it be and why?

I’d love to have the career of any best selling prolific author. In order to generate the sales, you need a good book, and you need to be able to crank them out to get a following. I would love to be able to write

Bio: K.M. Fawcett was a born romantic. At six years old, she would beg her parents to take her a restaurant with “soft music and candles” where she could drink Shirley Temples and twirl on the dance floor. As she grew, her desire to be whisked into a romantic adventure by a knight in shining armor also grew to the point of annoying her friends and family.

When she received A Knight In Shining Armor (a novel by Jude Deveraux) on her eighteenth birthday, she fell head over heals in love…with the romance genre. K.M. now writes paranormal romances and enjoys stories filled with adventure and strong, kick butt heroes and heroines. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Liberty States Fiction Writers. K.M. is a Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Isshinryu Karate and co-owns and operates the Tenchi (Heaven and Earth) Isshinryu Karate Dojo with her husband in Lebanon, NJ.

She is also a certified women’s self-defense instructor with the FLAG (Fight Like a Girl) Program. When not working on her novels, blogging about martial arts and writing action, or working out at the dojo, she is home with her children. K.M. is thrilled to be working with the 3 Seas Literary Agency and looks forward to publication.

• Visit K. M. Fawcett’s website http://www.kmfawcett.com
• Visit K. M. Fawcett’s Martial Arts/Writing Action Blog http://www.attackingthepage.wordpress.com
• Join K. M. Fawcett’s Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/km.fawcett
• Twitter K. M. Fawcett http://twitter.com/KMFawcett

What's up Wednesday? (AND CONTEST)

Hi, what's up?


How's the weather?


Guess what? I'm going to give away another copy of Wild & Wicked today!

Many of my writer friends are in NYC for the RWA conference, but sadly, I couldn't go, so let's have some fun online!

Read Wild & Wicked before the sequel Chance of a Storm comes out in July! 

What others have said:

Jenn Nixon’s Wild and Wicked takes readers on a very hot and suspenseful joyride they won’t want to miss.
Surrounded By Books



I devoured every word and I don't know if I'll have enough patience to wait for the next book written by Jenn Nixon. 
All Things Books


If you like characters who are well-balanced and also quite intriguing and edgy, Wild and Wicked is the book for you. 
Book Wenches

Comment on this blog to be entered to win a free copy! 


Deadline 11PM EST


GOOD LUCK!!

Interview with Jaime Samms!

An extra bonus this week! Two interviews!!

Today's is with Jaime Samms.

Enjoy & Comment!


What is the worst thing you’ve written, how did you learn or know it was bad, and what did you learn from it?

Wow. Now this is a fun and daring question O.o The worst…Apparently, the questionnaire that was supposed to show how effective I am at interactive Communication at the day job. According to that, I suck at communicating. What did I learn? There's no accounting for upper management's insanity.

Why did you start writing and when did you decide to go professional?

I think I started for the same reason a lot of others did: I had nothing left to read! lol! hat and no one seemed to be writing what I wanted to read, which was men falling in love with one another. How's hat song go? "I was country when country wasn't cool." I was in love with gay romance before gay romance really existed. I decided to 'go pro' a couple years ago. It felt like the right step to take at the time and I haven't looked back.

Do you write in more than one genre? Which ones and which do you like the best?

No….not really. The man!love does it for me.

Do you read other author’s books when you’re writing? If so, do you read the same genre or something different?

I read all the time. Mostly the same gene, but once in a while a fantasy or urban fantasy book catches my attention. My sister just gave me The Clearing by Tim Gautreaux and The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I think she's trying to broaden my horizons, but they do look interesting.

What is the most difficult part of the entire writing process for you? Queries, pitches, editing..etc.

Hmmm…mostly putting the pen down going the hell to bed at night!

If you could have the same type of career as any author currently publishing who would it be and why?

That's really hard to say. I suppose I'd pick someone who makes enough to actually pay the bills….Tanya Huff seems to do all right for herself, I don't have a lot of interest in being famous or rich. Just comfortable and with enough time to do my thing.

Bio: Jaime Samms has been writing for various publishers since the fall of 2008, although she's been writing for herself far longer. Often asked why men, what’s so fascinating about writing stories about men falling in love, she's never come up with an easy answer.

These days, you can find her work on her website. If you flip through the pages of her site, you’ll find plenty of free reading and a bit of art, as well (Gotta use that Fine Arts Diploma for something!). she also writes for Freya’s Bower, Loveyoudivine Alterotica, Pink Petal Books, Dreamspinner Press and Total E-Bound Publishing.

Spare time, when it can be found rolled into a ball at the back of the dryer or cavorting with the dust bunnies in the corners, she spends in the garden, at the loom, or with a pencil and sketch book. She graduated from college with a Fine Arts diploma, with a major in textile arts, which basically qualifies her to draw pictures and create things with string and fabric. Fun times.

Book blurb: Coming next month from Dreamspinner Press: New Linen

Until now, Drew and Garrett had been playing at the whole dominance thing, but this weekend is different. Drew is already losing himself to the implacable will of his new Master and they have yet to make anything official. That’s what this weekend is supposed to be about – Garrett making Drew his – unless the memories from Garrett’s past are too strong to let him meet Drew’s ultimatum of the real thing or nothing at all.

Social media &Web links
Jaime Samms website
livejournal
Face Book
Twitter: JaimeSamms

Do you write this....

Happy True Blood Sunday Everyone!

Here are some open submissions for you...please remember to vet each publisher before submitting!


Clutch Magazine

Clutch, one of the leading online magazines for women of color, is seeking writers to contribute short news and opinion articles to our daily blog.

Interested?

• Visit ClutchMagOnline.com to get a feel for our content, voice, and audience.

• Send a short email about yourself, your writing history, and 2-3 pitches to editors@clutchmagonline.com
Writers will be paid $10-$15 per (250-400 word) published piece.

http://clutchmagonline.com/2011/05/call-for-submissions/

Buzzy Magazine

Buzzy Mag is looking for original science fiction, fantasy and horror short stories up to 10,000 words. Thriller, suspense and paranormal tales that cross into traditional speculative fiction are welcome.

We are interested in pieces that may be able to be developed into full length novels for publication by Buzzy Multimedia at a future date.

Buzzy accepts submissions from both authors and literary agents.

We do not accept e-mailed submissions. All submissions must be sent via regular mail.

http://www.buzzymag.com/submissions/

Shadowfire Press

Submissions are open for both Erotic Romance and Genre stories and books. Please check our guidelines often as they change as our needs for fiction change. If you bookmark our guidelines, use this page as the URLS for the erotic and genre guidelines may change as they are updated.

We are a royalties paying publisher and there are never any fees charged to our authors. We pay 40% of net, net being defined as any third party fees such as those charged by Paypal or 3rd party distributors.

http://www.shadowfirepress.com/guidelines_main.html

Vagabondage Press, LLC
info@vagabondagepress.com

We have recently transferred to a submissions management system and are no longer accepting work via email. Please read the guidelines below and submit from the appropriate page:

The Battered Suitcase: Our art and literary journal, published quarterly.

Novelettes/Novellas/Novels: Royalty paying stand alone novelette, novella and novel length digital/print publications, from 12,000+

Romantic Poetry: We are currently accepting submissions for an anthology of romantic poetry for commercial release in January 2012.

Vagabondage Press

Friday Fun - Follow Your Dreams!

There are people out there who understand science and math and happen to be really good at it. There are people who can fix things like nobody's business. There are others who have the mind for strategy and economics and politics. Then there are the creative types: actors, artists, writers, singers, dancers, and such.

I fall into the creative category. I was born to be creative. As a young teen, I wanted to be the next pop star. I wanted to sing. I sang in church (gasp, yes I know!) and school, entered some contests and talent shows, but never took it seriously enough to do anything about it. When I fell in love with Karaoke in my mid-twenties, I felt it was a little too late for me to try and make a career out of it, especially when I considered the "look" of the pop stars at the time, tiny blond little things that fall through the cracks in your floor...

Anyway, I also knew I could never be an actor...I'm bad at memorizing lines, and well dancing was always a hobby, nothing I even considered as a career. And I can't draw for shit! But then I rediscovered my love of writing!

I wrote poetry and short stories as a kid, helped revitalize the Literary Club in High School, yet never thought of writing "professionally" until I finished my first Fan-Fiction. The story I wrote actually flowed well, made sense, and had coherent characters and plots. Of course it was easier writing about characters I knew, but it fueled my desire to continue. I caught the bug. I was hooked. Whatever...I wanted to write.

Since then, I've never looked back.

My first "book" sucked. The story was decent, but everything a writer shouldn't do, I did...down to describing  in excruciating detail each piece of clothing the villain wore. Well, I learned plenty from that experience, it was rough, but I didn't let it discourage me.

I wrote another novel. Didn't bother sending it anywhere, though I have it saved. :-) Then I wrote something else...specifically for Harlequin. I should have known better. I tried to fit the Romance formula and feel of Harlequin novels but realized my style isn't suited for them. At all.

When I started working on Tiva's novel, I felt like I had something special. So, while writing it, I went back to square one. Read blogs and websites dedicated to fiction writing. I went through hundreds of tips and tricks. I bought books. I joined writers groups. I kept learning and writing. I didn't give up! I wanted to make this work.

After I finished Tiva, I wrote a kick ass query letter, and started submitting. Soon after, I finished Lucky and did the same thing. During the time between my first book and when I submitted these next two projects, E-Books began picking up steam and support, giving mid-list writers a way to find readers without having to go through one of the BIG publishers out there. I was still a bit green. I was determined to get a NYC publisher, I spent three years emailing over 120 agents (while writing sequels), and when I was finally aggravated enough, started querying publishers. Some larger ones have slush piles (!), little good that did me, so I focused on smaller publishers and did that for another year. Much to my surprise, the number of writers seemed to double, saturating the market, probably due to the massive explosion of E-Book Publishers, and once again making it more difficult than when I started almost 10 years ago. Just my luck...Would I ever catch a break?

Yes, apparently I would.

Eventually.

I kept plugging away for another year or so. Writing. Submitting. Learning. Growing. Dreaming.

It worked.

I have a novella out now, its sequel due in July, and finally found a home for Lucky. While Tiva is still in limbo, sadly, I had a request the other day for a new Sci-Fi project, so things are still looking up!

I'm not with a major publisher but I'm building a nice platform in hopes of getting there one day. It may take me several more years to do it and I'm really okay with that. I never started writing to become rich and famous, though I'd take that too! Writing is second nature to me now. If I go too long without it, I don't feel like myself. Yes, I'd love to make a living writing. If I keep going, I know it can happen if I just keep dreaming and working hard to make it reality.

What's your dream? Are you trying to make it a reality?

Fun Friday! Reviews!

Have you seen the reviews for Wild & Wicked?

Jenn Nixon’s Wild and Wicked takes readers on a very hot and suspenseful joyride they won’t want to miss.  Surrounded By Books-- http://surroundedbybooksreviews.blogspot.com/2011/05/wild-and-wicked-by-jenn-nixon.html

I devoured every word and I don't know if I'll have enough patience to wait for the next book written by Jenn Nixon All Things Books--http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=208054162566977

If you like characters who are well-balanced and also quite intriguing and edgy, Wild and Wicked is the book for you. Book Wenches--http://www.bookwenches.com/june11reviews.htm

Teaser Tuesday! Featuring...ME! Again..bleh

It was going strong, but I've run out of excerpts to share with you. If you know any authors who want some free promotion, send them my way! I also do interview questions on Thursday!


Today's Teaser is from Chance of a Storm, coming this July! You can get the first one here: Wild & Wicked


Mason Storm waited three agonizing months to hear from the wild Veronica Chance after she walked out of his life and back to her world. Instead her sister calls, sobbing, and begs him to come to California. He drops everything and takes the first plane across the country to find out what happened. After a chilly welcome from General Michael Chance, Mason learns Veronica was kidnapped along with her mother who is still being held hostage. Their initial meeting is short, but Veronica is determined to get her mother back safely and asks for Mason's help knowing he can get the job done. He's eager to get involved and carefully navigates his way into the investigation while trying to figure out exactly where in stands in Veronica's eyes.

Keeping her focus off of Mason Storm grew harder each moment she breathed the same air as him. He constantly watched her. Pondering eyes studying every word, facial expression, and body movement she made. Feeling his arms around her once again threatened to drive the last bit of sanity from her mind. Veronica wanted to get swept away by the man. Spiral into the madness of lust with someone who already revved up her engine like no other man had.

     Veronica couldn’t afford madness now as much as it killed her.

     Her father continued his retreat into the house, up to the second floor, closing in on his library. She wouldn’t let him get away that easily. “You can’t give them that file and you know it.”

     “Then you condemn your mother to death.”

    “They’re playing the game. You have to play it back,” she said, grabbing his arm to stop him from going further.

     “This isn’t a game, Roni!”

     “Same as last time—”

     “Enough!” her father snapped, dagger eyes digging into her soul.

     “You can’t give it to them! I won’t let you.”

     He grabbed her by the arms, lifting her to her tip toes, touching his nose to her. “I’ll decide what we will and will not do.”

     “General!” Storm shouted from behind. “Back off.”

     Her father’s eyes filled with fire, neck craning back. “You have no business here, Mr. Storm. I suggest you cut your losses and leave before I have my men remove you.”

     “Try it,” he said, way too calmly as he moved to her father’s side. “Your daughter wants me here. I can understand why, you don’t listen to her; you cut her off all the time, talk down to her and Valerie. If you’d paid attention, you’d see she’s as scared as you are.”

     He released her from the vice grip, straightened his shirt and stared down at her. Her anger threatened her wild tongue, but she stayed silent, shocked at Storm’s speech and keen observation. “I’m…sorry, Roni. I haven’t been thinking clearly since…”

     “I know,” she responded but didn’t reach out to offer him any comfort this time.

     “There’s nothing we can do tonight.” He frowned, running his hand through the silver strands on his head. “Let my men do their work…we’ll regroup in the morning.”

     “Okay,” she replied with a nod. “If I remember anything else, I’ll let you know.”

     “Very well,” he said, regarded Storm with a narrowing gaze then vanished inside his library.

     She sighed, covered her face and shook her head. “Such a mess.”

     “Yeah,” Storm replied. When she gazed up, his cheeks were still fiery with anger, hands clenched at his sides. “Are you okay?”

     “No, not really,” she answered. “This is…bad, Storm.”

Q&A Thursday - Interview with Cherie Reich

Today's Q&A is the Wild Child Publishing Author Cherie Reich!

Enjoy and Comment!!

Why did you start writing and when did you decide to go professional?

I started writing seriously in January 2009 when I started my first novel. I roleplayed since October 1999, and I had written some fan fiction and two original short stories (2005 and 2006). In 2009, I sent my friend and fellow author Christine Rains a short story I wrote. She suggested that I submit it. The story was accepted, and there was no looking back from there.

Do you write in more than one genre? Which ones and which do you like the best?

Yes, I write more than one genre. I tend to write horror, fantasy, and mystery, but I've branched out to science fiction, romance, and general fiction. I sometimes have historical or mythological elements in my writing as well. It'd be near impossible to determine which genre I like the best. I do like adding fantastical elements with a dash of suspense in forms of mystery and horror when I write. My fiction also ranges from children's to adult.

Do you read other authors' books when you’re writing? If so, do you read the same genre or something different?

Yes, I do read while writing, not technically simultaneously, though. I am a book blogger and reviewer at my blog Surrounded by Books Reviews (http://surroundedbybooksreviews.blogspot.com). Authors send me books to review in all different types of genres. Sometimes I read in the genre I'm currently writing in, such as Young Adult. Other times, I don't. I find it very important to read as a writer. You learn about the craft by reading others. Sometimes I find I have to be a bit careful reading some authors' works. If they have such a strong voice, it can be difficult to get back into your own writing. Yet, sometimes it helps when you're stuck to read something else.

What is the most difficult part of the entire writing process for you? Queries, pitches, editing..etc.

Writing isn't easy, especially writing well. I have more ideas than time to write. As an editor, I feel more comfortable editing my own work, although I always have my critique partners look for things I might miss, particularly story-wise. I think the hardest thing is querying and pitching. You figure out your book, write it, work hard to edit and polish it. Then you have to craft something interesting that tells what your book is about in a wow factor with the hope an agent or publisher feels the same about your book as you do. It's intimidating. I haven't had a work ready quite yet to query, but soon, very soon. I'll find out if I can pass that difficult part.

Bio:  Cherie Reich is a writer, freelance editor, and library assistant living in Virginia. Her works have appeared in various magazines and anthologies, and her horror ebook Once Upon a December Nightmare is published by Wild Child Publishing. She is a member of Valley Writers and the Virginia Writers Club and placed third in Roanoke Valley's Big Read writing contest.

Once Upon a December Nightmare

They were only going out to dinner and a movie.

But when their plans go astray, friends Cassie, Mary, Denise, and James decide to take a detour down a lonely mountain road. A felled tree blocks their passage and forces them to turn around in a clearing containing a disturbing arrangement of four deer carcasses.

Their truck breaks down, their cell phones don't work, and they must brave the cold December air, nightfall, and a long hike. Yet this is the least of their troubles. Tension runs high between the four young friends…and they are not alone. Each step brings them closer to safety, but will they make it to the main road alive?

Social media & Web links:

Website: http://cheriereich.webs.com

Blog: http://cheriereich.blogspot.com

Facebook Author Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/authorcheriereich

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/bookworm0753

What's up Wednesday? (AND CONTEST)

I've been a busy Jenn the last couple of weeks.

All of my downtime has mostly been spent watching TV.

Mainly procedural crime mystery type shows.

I think this is my brain's way of telling me I should to write a mystery. After all, that is where my love of reading and writing began.

See, I was a fan of Encyclopedia Brown when I was a kid. As a teen, I went to Nancy Drew, then around 17, I found Mary Higgins Clark. Mystery, Mystery, Suspense-Mystery.

I've stayed away from writing a straight-up mystery because most of the time there's a cop or PI involved, and I never felt comfortable writing the procedural aspect of solving crimes through the eyes of a trained professional. There are so many actual crime writers out there with the personal experience to make it authentic and I know I'm not quite there.

So, now I'm absorbing as much mystery shows as I can to see where my brain leads me.

I do know that I don't want to write about a Cop, PI or FBI agent, though I do have a PI in a WIP manuscript that I've stopped writing, because something isn't working there, but I really, really want to write a mystery. I think.

For some reason these words keep popping into my head: Time-Travel, Serial Killer, Mystery.

What the hell do I do with that? Only time will tell!

Oh, by the way, I'm running a contest on Twitter today. Use hastag #JNixonWW in any post on twitter and I'll enter you to win a copy of my novella Wild & Wicked! Ends tonight at 11PM!

Teaser Tuesday! Featuring John G. Nelson

Against Nature

The U.S. is ground-zero for a mysterious global pandemic. The disease is highly infectious and kills it’s victims within two weeks of exposure. It’s neither bacteria nor a virus and all traditional treatment regimens have failed.

Serena Salus, a radical scientist, discovers the organism is an extraterrestrial dust mite brought to earth by a shuttle astronaut. The government contends it’s a genetically-engineered organism created on earth by enemies of freedom.

Dr. Salus uncovers a vile plan for distributing her experimental vaccine and finds herself in a deadly confrontation with powerful forces that’ll stop at nothing to control the distribution of her vaccine.

Excerpt:

Adam Spinoza’s head pounded. Large does of aspirin and Tylenol did nothing to relieve the pain. He’d been in Washington three weeks when the flu hit. Spinoza, an American ex-patriot, worked as an envoy for the nationalized Ecuadorian plastics cooperative and had been in Washington lobbying U.S. retailers.

St. Francis Community Hospital looked like a military compound. Large orange barricades blocked the entrance and several respirator-clad cops directed the human flow toward a tent set up on the hospital grounds. An old woman struggled with her walker and oxygen canister and eked toward the triage area.

“Do you need any help ma’am?” Adam asked the old woman.

“Get away from me,” she demanded. Adam stepped back and proceeded along the roped path toward a nurse covered from head to toe in light blue scrubs, surgical cap, gloves and boots.

“What’s your problem?” The nurse barked. From behind her mask and plastic face shield, Adam noticed her tired brown eyes.

“I’ve had an intense headache for the past three days,” Adam said.

“Do you have a history of migraines, tension or cluster headaches?” The nurse showed little compassion.

“No, I have no history of headaches.”

“What’s your full name and social security number,” the nurse asked. A younger woman in green scrubs jotted down Adam’s personal details on a clip board.

“Let me see your hand, we need to do a screening finger stick,” the nurse said.

“A what?” The nurse grabbed his wrist and rubbed an alcohol pad on his index finger and pricked it. She squeezed out a drop of blood and dabbed it onto a test strip. It turned blue.

“We’ve got another positive,” she yelled.

“Positive what?” Adam grabbed the test strip from the nurse. “What is this, I came here for something for a headache.”

“You have Suspicious Flu; you’ll have to leave immediately. There is nothing we can do for you,” the nurse said. Adam saw the fear in her eyes. Two large men in olive drab “space-suits” approached him.

“Sir, you need to leave the premises,” one of the burly men said. The other positioned himself behind Adam.

“You need to stay at home. Do not leave. You are highly contagious,” the man said. The other man pushed Adam forward.

“And don’t come back,” he pushed a little harder.

Adam walked across the hospital’s front lawn and onto the city sidewalk. A few hundred feet down the street he stopped at the public bus stop. Sitting on the bench, he looked at the chemical-blue dotted test strip and his hands shook and a wave of hysteria consumed him. He cried uncontrollably for half an hour. The bus, which normally ran every twelve minutes, never came.

Visit John online:  http://johngnelson.blogspot.com/

Q&A Thursday - Interview with Lois Winston

Today's interview is with Award-Winning Author Lois Winston.

Thanks for joining us today, Lois!

Enjoy & Comment

What is the worst thing you’ve written, how did you learn or know it was bad, and what did you learn from it?

The worst thing I’ve ever written was my first book -- a 50,000 word romance that spanned 35 years. Do I really need to say more? I learned how bad it really was when I joined RWA. No wonder I was receiving all those rejection letters! I learned two things from that experience, though. First, I learned that I enjoyed writing and wanted to keep writing. Second, I learned I had a lot to learn. Fast-forward through a decade of perseverance, education, and more revisions than I can remember, and that first book became the second book I sold.

Do you write in more than one genre? Which ones and which do you like the best?

I’m published in three genres. My first published book, TALK GERTIE TO ME, was a humorous women’s fiction about a mother, a daughter, and the tied-too-tightly apron strings that bind them together. My second book, LOVE, LIES AND A DOUBLE SHOT OF DECEPTION, was a romantic suspense.

I’m now writing a humorous amateur sleuth mystery series. ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY GLUE GUN is the first book in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries and came out in January 2011. There will be at least 2 additional books in the series (January 2012 and 2013) and possibly more.

Do you read other author’s books when you’re writing? If so, do you read the same genre or something different?

I’m a very eclectic reader. I not only read in my own genre but in various other genres as well as some literary fiction. I try to read throughout the year, even when I’m writing, but deadlines often cut into my reading time.

What is the most difficult part of the entire writing process for you? Queries, pitches, editing..etc.

The middle of the book. When I begin a new manuscript, I know exactly how I want the book to start, and I know exactly how I want the book to end. It’s getting from that starting place to typing THE END that’s the killer.

If you could have the same type of career as any author currently publishing who would it be and why?

J.K. Rowling definitely comes to mind. Janet Evanovich comes in a close second.

Author's Biography: Lois Winston is an award-winning author and designer as well as an agent with the Ashley Grayson Literary Agency. Her latest book, ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY GLUE GUN (January 2011), the first book in her Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries series, received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Booklist.  Visit Lois at http://www.loiswinston.com and Anastasia at http://www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com.