Showing posts with label Author Interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Author Interviews. Show all posts

Monday, September 25, 2023

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Tropical Scandal' David Myles Robinson⭐ #Tropical Scandal #interview

 



David Myles Robinson has always had a passion for writing. During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, while in college, Robinson worked as a freelance writer for several magazines and was a staff writer for a weekly minority newspaper in Pasadena, California. Upon graduating from San Francisco State University, he attended the University of San Francisco School of Law. It was there that he met his wife, Marcia Waldorf. In 1975 the two moved to Honolulu, Hawaii and began practicing law. Robinson became a trial lawyer and Waldorf eventually became a Circuit Court judge.   

Upon retiring in 2010, Robinson completed his first novel, Unplayable Lie. He has since published eight more novels. 

Website: www.davidmylesrobinson.com    

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DMRobinsonWrite   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidMylesRobinson  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmylesrobinson
 


 

Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself?

There really wasn’t any special research needed. I was a trial attorney in Honolulu for 40 years so I had the necessary experience and resources to write legal thrillers. The idea for Tropical Scandal came from a real-life scandal that rocked the Hawaii judiciary. I took the basic premise of the scandal and let my imagination run with it.


Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub?

I used a small traditional publisher out of Florida which has published several of my other novels

Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book?  Why?

The publication date was totally up to the publisher.

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went?

I will sometimes revise as I go, especially if I find that I’ve written myself into a corner (I don’t use outlines). Usually, however, I revise after a first draft has been completed.

Did you come up with special swag for your book and how are you using it to help get the word out about your book?

For me, marketing is the hardest part of being an author. I’m not interested in spending my life trying to get other people to read my novels, so I try to get a number of good reviews to use on the sites that sell my books and I will do some marketing on Facebook, Instagram, and the former Twitter. I also do a mass email to my “contacts.”

What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book?

I do it and believe in it.

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

Make sure it is properly edited and that those who have read the book at my request think it is well written and a good story. 

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?

Mostly things I don’t really do, which is to market, market, market.

What kind of pre-promotion did you do before the book came out?

Just some Facebook advance promos.

Do you have a long term plan with your book?

Is hope a long term plan? If so, I hope enough people read the book and are motivated to buy more of my work.

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

Most of all I thank everyone who has taken the time to read my book and especially those who have liked it (or prior ones) enough to read more of my work. I now have nine published novels, five of which are legal thrillers set in Honolulu. All are stand-alone stories, although there are recurring characters in all of the legal thrillers. Please enjoy and take a few moments to post a review (no matter how short) on whichever site you purchased the book and/or on Goodreads. Independent authors live and die by reviews.

 

Inside the Book

Title: Tropical Scandal
Author: David Myles Robinson
Publisher: Bluewater Press, LLC
Pages: 291
Genre: Legal Thriller/Suspense/Mystery

goodreads add to

When Pancho McMartin, Honolulu’s top criminal defense attorney, takes on the case of Dayton Kalama, a young drug dealer accused of murdering his grandmother (tutu), Pancho is faced with a daunting amount of evidence pointing squarely at Dayton. But as Pancho, together with his private investigator, Drew Tulafono, gradually pull back the layers of deceit, they begin to uncover hints at what is beginning to look like the biggest scandal ever to hit Hawaii’s legal community. This book is pure fiction, but is inspired by true, scandalous events which shook Honolulu’s legal community to its core. 

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/3p8vwcvf

 


Tuesday, September 19, 2023

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Precious Burdens' Avery Sterling⭐ #PreciousBurdens #interview

 



Avery Sterling’s love for the romance genre began in her teen years when she picked up her first novel. She was captivated by the sweeping scale of emotions brought about by the words. The experience catapulted her towards learning the art of wielding a breathtaking adventure, with a love that felt authentic. Wanting to inspire people with her own thoughts and words, she finished her first novel at sixteen. It was a step towards understanding the essence of what she wished to create. 

Most of her youth was spent traveling, searching out the romance and beauty in her everchanging world. From the waves that crashed against the rocky shores of Downeast, Maine, to the warm breezes of the Caribbean, she discovered that love was universal, apparent in its grandest and simplest of forms. Her goal is to write novels an audience can relate to, one that conveys the truth and nature of love…with all the steamy romance. 

Website: http://www.avery-sterling.com  

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/averysterling17  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avery.sterling.125?eav=AfaEN0SdTOOmVInfsysAoPRLYUanLZ1olr4QWTIjYzwm85tfJ7Ij6rQhS1Qf5oXnK7k&paipv=0&_rdr   

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/Avery.Sterling17

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19674760.Avery_Sterling   

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/avery-sterling
 


 

Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself?

I knew this book was an adventure, and was going to have a lot of action. I wanted an interesting premise and setting, but I also needed a timeline where all my scattered thoughts could connect and flow. The hero is a captain, and half of the book is set at sea. I wanted a good understanding of what life was like on a ship during the period I chose (1790s). So researching maritime history was necessary. I wanted to understand a sailor’s love for the sea, but I rarely go on boats. So, I interviewed a captain with nearly thirty years’ experience, and he offered a lot of insight. He also shared a lot of information about his travels, and his responsibilities. He then took me out on a couple of different ships to get a feel for the setting. 


Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub?

I pursued publishers.

If published by a publisher, what was your deciding factor in going with them?

I had submitted to The Wild Rose Press in the past, and I truly appreciated their feedback. They were incredibly helpful, and had a positive and friendly approach. Their reputation for establishing solid relationships with their authors was also appealing. So, when I received a contract for Precious Burdens, I signed on. I recently signed a second book with them. 

If published by a publisher, are you happy with the price they chose?

I think their prices are reasonable.

Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book?  Why?

No, I didn’t choose the release date.

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went?

The number of revisions during and after are incalculable. I think if not for the editors calling “final draft,” I would never stop revising.

Did you come up with special swag for your book and how are you using it to help get the word out about your book?

I’m also a candlemaker. I’ve considered designing a candle that's scented to best represent my characters and the setting of the book.

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

If an author hasn’t already done so, they should join groups and start building a community. Fellow authors and writing communities are great resources, they can be incredibly helpful and motivating.

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?

After their book is released, take some deep breaths. You did it! Then, keep going…

What kind of pre-promotion did you do before the book came out?  

I designed teasers, and ads. I also made videos and posts that supported the ideas of adventure, love, romance, villains, etc. I used the videos and ads to help set the tone on my social media platforms.

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

I truly enjoyed writing Nye and Sarafina’s story. Going through their trials and triumphs put me on an emotional rollercoaster. I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know them as much as I did.

 

 

Inside the Book

Title: Precious Burdens
Author: Avery Sterling
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Pages: 324
Genre: Historical Romance

Sarafina di Ramonicci sets sail for America as the promised bride in an arranged political marriage.       

Taken prisoner at sea, she clashes with her captor and demands freedom, only to discover he is planning her future husband’s demise, with her as a pawn in their deadly feud. The challenge of escape tests her loyalty to family, human decency, and love.  

Captain Nye Tarquin is a dangerous man. Left to die on the streets of New Orleans, he swears retribution on the man responsible. When he makes Sarafina part of his plan, he isn’t prepared for the fiery vixen aboard his ship, nor his desire to claim her as his own. When passion overtakes honor, he’s torn between his heart and his need for justice.  

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Precious-Burdens-Avery-Sterling-ebook/dp/B0C8VHNH3V  

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/precious-burdens-avery-sterling/1143685468?ean=2940160809335



 

 


Sunday, July 23, 2023

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Hush Hush City' Jo Denning⭐ #HushHushCity #interview




Jo Denning is the author of the Saoirse Reilly series. She has spent her career as a behavioral health therapist supporting kids and teens who struggle with addiction. Jo began writing supernatural crime thrillers as a way of processing the traumatic things she has seen and heard. Her characters may be supernatural but their stories, their fear, and their pain are real. So, too, are the triumphs over impossible odds.

When she’s not writing, Jo enjoys baking, drawing, and watching trashy reality TV. She makes her home somewhere in the contiguous United States with her husband, one fluffy cat, and one barely domesticated cat.

Let’s Connect!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 



Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself? 

 

Before beginning to write Hush Hush City, I researched Nordic and Eastern European mythology and folktales about vampires and the undead. I also did a lot of reading about the history of Ukraine and their relationship with Russia.


Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub? 

 

I always self-publish. It lets me be in control of all aspects of the final product.

 

If self-published, did you hire someone to format the ebook version for you or did you do it yourself?  Can you tell us what that was like?

No, I always format the e-book and print manuscript myself. Honestly, the ebook is pretty simple. There are a lot of great programs that can generate e-books or convert other file types to ebook file types. The print manuscript is the real monster! I have a 30-step or so checklist that I knock out all in one sitting to be sure I don’t forget anything.

If self-published, how did you determine the price?

I  sell exclusively through Amazon. Most of their well-selling books are priced between 3 and 7 USD so I pick a number in that range.

Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book?  Why?

Hush Hush City will be published the Monday of my birthday week. Usually, I don’t pick a particular month but it lined up nicely this time.

How did you choose your cover?

I work with James Egan of Bookfly Design. He is very talented and has tons of experience with cover design. Hush Hush City has some winter vibe monsters and an overarching theme of lies and secrets. I already had in mind some major elements, like the blue colors, the embers/frost vibe, and Reilly’s pose. James is great about including my ideas but polishing them with his own expertise.

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went?

I revise as I complete each chapter and then revise several more times when I’m done writing. Some experts say write it all first because revising gets in the way. I disagree. Sometimes I’m not in the right place to write new content but I can still devote time to the book by editing and revising. The revision process has also sparked ideas for new content to write.

Did you come up with special swag for your book and how are you using it to help get the word out about your book? 

No. I spent time and money on swag for the first book but it didn’t really pay off. I encourage any authors with a (relatively) small fanbase to focus on writing more books instead of swag.

What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book?

I give away the first book in the Saoirse Reilly series, Dead Blood City, to anyone that subscribes to my mailing list at JoDenning.com. Subscribers also get a collection of several short stories that act as a low-key prequel to the main series. I like to give readers a taste of the series in the hopes that they’ll read Hush Hush City and my other upcoming books.

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

Edit your ass off. Set up a book tour. Remind your mailing list and social media followers. Celebrate!

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?

Engage with your book tour and take the week off from other writing projects.

What kind of pre-promotion did you do before the book came out?

I sent out regular updates and excerpts to my mailing list. I also posted a few excerpt videos on TikTok. 

Do you have a long term plan with your book?

The Saoirse Reilly series will have a total of eight books so my plan is to keep writing that next book!

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

I’ve told readers and fans everything I need to in the book! Pick up a copy and check it out for yourself. And I always love hearing your thoughts! Leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads or message me any time.


 

Inside the Book

Title: Hush Hush City
Author: Jo Denning
Publisher: Leabhar & Fola Publishing House
Pages: 330
Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy Romance

Cruel Prince meets Law & Order in Hush Hush City, the thrilling sequel to Dead Blood City and second installment in the Saoirse Reilly series! Saoirse Reilly, police detective and wayward psychic, is still reeling from the events of Dead Blood City. Her lies are piling up but there’s no time to deal. She and her loved ones are in danger once again. While investigating the murder of a Boston blueblood, Reilly is drawn into a supernatural power struggle centuries in the making. 

Ancient monsters are prowling the streets and Domenico Alderisi, newly installed vrykolakas master, needs Reilly’s help securing his territory – which just so happens to be her hometown. Alderisi, once her enemy, may be the only one who can save the city. But he has his own agenda and a taste for Reilly’s blood. The only way for Reilly to protect all she holds dear may be to rely on her two-faced teacher, Dr. Emrys Somerled. The criminal psychologist and occult expert is something more than human. If anyone can take on monsters, it’s him. And he’d like to get closer to Reilly than ever before. There’s just one problem. Somerled is keeping secrets, too, and there’s nothing more dangerous. After all…

Stepping out of the silence is scary but secrets can kill.

Will Reilly escape the web of death and deception?

Find out in this urban fantasy meets gritty noir detective novel featuring imperfect heroes and slow burn dark romance with beautiful monsters who can’t be trusted.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/41Z1UUq






 


Friday, January 27, 2023

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'To Catch the Setting Sun' Richard I. Levine⭐ #ToCatchTheSettingSun #interview @your_in8_power

 



Richard I Levine is a native New Yorker raised in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. After dabbling in several occupations and a one-year coast to coast wanderlust trip, this one-time volunteer fireman, bartender, and store manager returned to school to become a chiropractor. A twenty-three-year cancer survivor, he’s a strong advocate for the natural healing arts. Levine has four Indy-published novels and his fifth work, To Catch The Setting Sun, is published by The Wild Rose Press and was released in August 2022. In 2006 he wrote, produced and was on-air personality of the Dr. Rich Levine show on Seattle’s KKNW 1150AM and after a twenty-five year practice in Bellevue, Washington, he closed up shop in 2017 and moved to Oahu to pursue a dream of acting and being on Hawaii 5-O. While briefly working as a ghostwriter/community liaison for a local Honolulu City Councilmember, he appeared as a background actor in over twenty-five 5-Os and Magnum P.Is. Richard can be seen in his first co-star role in the Magnum P.I. third season episode “Easy Money”. He presently resides in Hawaii.

Visit Richard’s Amazon Page or connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads.

 



Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself?

My latest book is a suspense thriller that takes place on the island of Oahu. Since moving here six years ago I have had the amazing good fortune to meet and get to know a wide variety of people from police officers, native Hawaiian community leaders, cultural practitioners, politicians and bureaucrats at every level of state and city government. Working for a short time as a legislative aide, community liaison, and ghost writer for a Honolulu City Councilperson and a Hawaii State Senator, I’ve had an insider’s look at many of the pressing issues that are at the forefront across the state and especially here on our island. This knowledge and experience provided the seeds that nourished the creative process that gave birth to To Catch The Setting Sun.   

Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub?

Since I had done the self-pub thing with my first four novels, going that route was still an option this time around. But I admit that I did not have the patience, nor did I want to spend the money for editing, book cover design, set-up fees and finally promotion. And even though that remains a valid option for my next book, I did pursue and was successful hooking up with a small publisher on the East Coast.

If published by a publisher, what was your deciding factor in going with them?

It was a combination of being a tad lazy and not wanting to incur the initial investment in going the self-pub route. While many Indy Authors cut back on costs by self-editing and choosing to only do an ebook, I don’t trust my editing skills and to me, there’s nothing like the feel of a physical book. I will also admit however, having a publisher tell me that my work is excellent and that they would be happy to have my book under their label was a major boost to the ego. Picture Steve Martin in the 1979 movie The Jerk when he sees his name in the phone book: “I’m somebody!” he said with glee. “I’m in print! Things are going to start happening for me now!” Well, that’s how I felt. LOL

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went?

As with all my books, I revise as the story progresses. Whenever I sit down to write, I always review what I wrote the day before—often editing, expanding on a thought, changing, or adding on to dialogue. Even when I’m finished with the first draft, I find myself revising and then revising yet again and again until it feels just right. Keep in mind that these revisions aren’t because I’m not happy with what I had written, but rather because my little voice tells me, adding this or removing that, will make it a better read.

Did you consider making or hiring someone to make a book trailer for your book?  If so, what’s the link?

I would have loved to have had a bigger advertising budget to do giveaways, swag, book signings, and everything else big publishing houses do for their best-selling authors, but the reality is, with only five novels, I’m still a new kid on the block and my name and work is still relatively unknown. So, with the contract I have, any and all promotion and associated costs are my sole responsibility. With success of this book, perhaps that will change by the time my next novel has been completed. 

What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book?

I’m not a big fan of giveaways. When I self-published my first four books, I tried it. Not only did I not see any significant bump in sales, many of those who received free books supposedly never got around to reading them, and those who did, failed to post a review. Needless to say, the results were disappointing. This time around, I signed on to NetGalley and offered up free copies of my ebook to bloggers and reviewers with the understanding they would post reviews: good, bad, or indifferent. Obviously the good ones would then be used in promotional posts on social media. The beauty of using a service such as NetGalley is that you, the author, makes the decision which requests to honor—because with a little investigating, you soon learn who is an honest blogger and/or reviewer versus someone who is simply claiming to be one just to score free books. If there are other authors out there who’ve had a more positive experience with giveaways, I’d love to hear about it.  

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

Promote for pre-orders as much as possible on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram which are good avenues as are Goodreads, NetGalley, Publishers weekly, Indy Reader and Reader’s Choice Book Reviews to name a few. I think doing virtual book tours, as with Pump Up Your Book, is an amazing tool that is reasonably priced and will get your book out there to bloggers and reviewers better than you could do on your own.

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

Since the 2016 publication of my fourth novel many of you had been repeatedly inquiring when number five would be available. At some point, I believe you had all grown tired of my saying: “Soon, I’m working on it.” Because sometimes storms arise, roads get blocked, and detours must be taken, the journey can take longer than planned. In this case, however, the detours only served to make this book my best to date. I know this, because you’ve told me so. I want to thank each and every one of you who patiently waited for the release of To Catch The Setting Sun. Based upon your praise, it was well worth the wait, wasn’t it? 



Inside the Book

Title: To Catch The Setting Sun
Author: Richard I. Levine
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Pages: 320
Genre: Suspense/Thriller

There’s a killer loose on the island of Oahu. His targets? Young, native-Hawaiian women. But it also appears that he’s targeting and taunting Honolulu police detective Henry Benjamin who knew each victim and whose wife, Maya, had been the first name on that list. In addition to battling his personal demons, this New York transplant’s aggressive style didn’t sit well with his laid-back colleagues who viewed Henry’s uncharacteristic lack of progress in the investigation as evidence that fueled ongoing rumors that he could be the killer. Was he, or could it have been someone within the municipal hierarchy with a vendetta? As it was, after thirteen years on the job Henry had been disillusioned with paradise. His career choice long killed any fantasy of living in a grass hut on a wind-swept beach, being serenaded by the lazy sounds of the ocean and a slack key guitar. Instead, it had opened his eyes to a Hawaii that tourists will never see.

Release Date: August 22, 2022

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Soft Cover: ISBN:‎ 978-1509243297; 320 pages; $17.99; eBook $5.99

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Rl42Aw 

Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/3BRB0mv



 

Thursday, December 29, 2022

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'The Lightbound Saga' S.G. Basu⭐ #TheLightboundSaga #interview

 


S.G. Basu is an aspiring potentate of a galaxy or two. She plots and plans with wondrous machines, cybernetic robots, time travelers and telekinetic adventurers, some of whom escape into the pages of her books. Although she’s an engineer by training, writing has been her passion since childhood. Her other loves include extra-hot lattes, fast cars and binge watching sci-fi movies.

Find out more about the futuristic worlds she creates at sgbasu.com. She can also be reached at sg@sgbasu.com.

Books by S.G. Basu:

The Lightbound Saga series (YA Dystopian Science Fiction)

Maia and the Xifarian Conspiracy

Maia and the Secrets of Zagran

Maia and Regency Protocol

The Lightbound Saga 3 Book Bundle

The Firefly League-A Lightbound Saga novella

Elementals-The Serial Thriller (Paranormal Science Fiction)

Population Morpheus (Near Apocalyptic Science Fiction)

Jumpers (Paranormal Thriller)

You can visit the author’s website at www.sgbasu.com or connect with her on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.

 



Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself? 

 

As a first-time writer, I had to do a lot of craft-related research when I began with The Lightbound Saga. Punctuation is the bane of my existence (especially that pesky comma) so I had to work a lot to improve my skills there. I also read (I still do) a lot about story beats—the three-act structure, the hero’s journey, and similar subjects. Although my first book is soft science fiction, I had to research various scientific aspects (planetary motions, gravitational forces, etc.) also as I set up the rules of its universe.


Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub? 

 

While I’m a hybrid author (both traditionally and indie published), for The Lightbound Saga series, I went on my own and self-published. When I started the project, I was unsure whether to go traditional or indie. I got myself an agent and she queried a few publishing houses. But soon, the allure of indie publishing won me over. I like having control over everything I do and the more I studied the model of self-publishing, the more I liked it. However, that meant even more hard work learning the ropes but I have enjoyed it every step of the way.

If self-published, did you hire someone to format the ebook version for you or did you do it yourself?  Can you tell us what that was like?

I did not hire anyone to format the ebook. In the beginning, my budget was small and mostly taken up by cover design and editing services. I used Calibre to format my ebooks at the time. It was a good tool, although sometimes finicky. My training in computer engineering helped quite a bit during this phase since the files needed some tweaking once in a while. A year or two down the line, I purchased Vellum. It was a game-changing moment, and one of the best investments I have ever made as a professional writer. 

If self-published, how did you determine the price?

I do a lot of research to determine the price. This includes looking up comparable titles on Amazon (genre, length, etc.) and also reading up various author accounts of their experience with price points. 

Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book?  Why?

I did not choose a specific month to release my book. However, I try to not release in December because readers are mostly too busy celebrating the holidays to pay attention to book releases. Also, I am busy with my family to promote my books full-time during those times.

How did you choose your cover?

The covers started with the research of comparable titles. But for the most part, they were products of trial and error. My first cover for the series was quite terrible (in my opinion, although it had some fans), and I quickly changed it, only to another terrible cover. Then I found some awesome artists on deviantart.com who designed the entire series of covers I have currently. 

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went?

I am a staunch believer in a not-so-perfect (insert your favorite advective here) first draft so my first draft is rough as they come. I start by writing broad outlines for my book and the first draft is derived directly from that. During this phase, I simply let words and ideas flow out and do not look for mistakes, logical, grammatical, or otherwise. Once I complete the first draft, I put the work away for a week or two and work on a different project. Then I go back and revise it, as many times as needed, before my alpha team gets a copy to tear into. 

Did you come up with special swag for your book and how are you using it to help get the word out about your book?

There are several items ready to be gifted. First is a t-shirt with a printed graphic that depicts Core 21, Maia’s team in The Lightbound Saga series. I plan to hold a contest (a trivia quiz on the series) on my website and the winner will receive this. Also, I plan to give away lapel pins with cute graphics of the various characters from the series.

What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book?

I think giving a book away is a great way to introduce readers to new titles. With millions of books being published, it is hard for readers to find ones they might like. A free book enables readers to take a chance on new authors. However, there is a downside to it also. When a lot of authors offer free books, readers are often swamped with these free ones and again, they are faced with a difficult choice of which to spend their time on. 

Currently, Maia and the Xifarian Conspiracy, the first book in The Lightbound Saga series is free on Amazon as the first in series. It has worked well as an introductory book to the series. However, I am considering changing it to a paid book soon.

What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

  1. Before publishing a book, get the best, genre-appropriate book cover that your budget allows. Also, get the book edited by a professional proofreader and copyeditor. If a new author, consider getting a developmental editor.
  2. If the author has a newsletter and a subscriber list, update them on the launch. If the author has an ARC team, sending them the new book and requesting them to review the book is a great next step.
  3. Set up promotions/blog tours during the launch to drive traffic and make the book discoverable.

What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?

  1. Take a small break! It’s hard to find time for oneself as an author, but this is a time to celebrate. It is not an easy job bringing a book from concept to print and you have done it. So pick up a glass of wine, sit back, and relax a bit.
  2. Continue the promotion of your book regularly after the launch period. Running promotions every few months is a good way to keep the book in front of readers. 
  3. “Write more books” is the best advice ever. I have seen the benefits of this first hand so I can vouch for it. If a reader likes a book, they will want to read more from the author. The bigger backlist that the author has and the more books they publish directly translates to more readers reading them.

What kind of pre-promotion did you do before the book came out?

I have a presence on Twitter (twitter.com/fromsgbasu) and FB (https://www.facebook.com/authorsgbasu). I also have a newsletter that I send out once every few months where I announce upcoming books and preorders (if available). Other than that, I run ads on Amazon to keep the earlier books in the series in the readers’ view.

Do you have a long term plan with your book?

Other than continuing to run promotions to keep the series in front of readers, I have been thinking of two ideas with this series going forward. I want to explore optioning the series for the film medium and releasing it as a graphic novel. These are just thoughts at this point but definitely something I plan to look into seriously soon.

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

The world out there is a tough place at the moment. We have barely come out of the biggest pandemic in recent history and now there’s war and inflation and everything else that makes you sigh and want to wish it away. Well, we can’t wish tough times away, but here’s a book series that will make you laugh and bring you joy. 

The Lightbound Saga is fun and full of hope, and as you cheer the protagonist, thirteen-year-old Maia on her tough and epic journey to unite and rescue her world, you’ll surely find your heart surging with happiness. Pick up the first book in the series, Maia and the Xifarian Conspiracy, now FREE on Amazon. 

And to all my fans out there, everyone who has patiently waited for me to complete this series—hope you enjoy the final installment as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

 

Inside the Series

13-year-old Maia is a land-dwelling Solianese living on the planet of Tansi. She has been raised by her doting grandfather. Her mother, Sophie, supposedly deceased, is accused to be a traitor who fought for the Xifarians who have subjugated Tansi. Loathing her family’s history, Maia has put herself into self-exile, vowing to steer clear of the temptations that led her mother astray. But when she is drafted into a peace summit by the Xifarians, she must walk into Xif, the planet she has always wanted to avoid. Here she meets loyal teammates Kusha, Dani, Nafi, and Ren, as well as Miir, their Xifarian team mentor who is as accomplished as he is temperamental. As Maia and her teammates thwart a plot to harm the underwater settlements on Tansi, she also discovers that her mother, Sophie, was not what she seemed. Sophie sacrificed herself to save Tansi before the Xifarians could destroy the Tansian system.

Maia visits the Jjord nation in their underwater colonies on Tansi. More of Sophie’s secrets come to light while she is in the colonies as well as more of the Xifarians’ plots to rebuild the dark heart of Xif. As Maia’s link with Sophie becomes apparent, Maia soon finds herself in the crosshairs of the Xifarians who kill her family and send her running for shelter across the dead lands of the Solianese. Chased by the Xifarians, Maia barely manages to stay alive with the help of her teammates.

While on the run across Tansi, Maia meets a mysterious man who unlocks a power within Maia. When her mighty Xifarian foes corner her, Maia unleashes the power on them, overpowering everyone, including her former mentor, Miir.

Maia struggles with her newfound power. The team is on the verge of fracturing when Maia reveals she might have killed Miir. Meanwhile, the R’armimon, an ancient and powerful enemy of the Xifarians, are on the way to the Tansian system, seeking vengeance from the Xifarians. On finding this, the Xifarians grow desperate to resurrect the dark heart that would enable them to leave the Tansian system. Maia narrowly escapes the Xifarians’ trap with a mysterious ally but her new alliance takes a toll on her friendships.

Maia is alone and hopeless but she forges on to regain the trust of her teammates and tries to convince the Tansian leaders of the impending threat of the R’armimon fleet. With help from her allies, Maia continues to uncover more of Sophie’s past. Together with her friends, Maia rushes to find the artifacts needed to thwart the R’armimon as the massive Execution Fleet of the R’armimon appears next to Tansi.

Purchase Information for Series

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Tb71xt



Tuesday, October 18, 2022

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'FLOCK' Tom Roy⭐ #Flock #interview

 



Longtime baseball coach Tom Roy served as the assistant coach for & team chaplain for Grace College’s baseball team in 2019. Roy has worked with the Lancers in three different decades. He was the Lancers’ head baseball coach from 1980-83. He led Grace to two winning seasons in 1981 and 1982. He was also the squad’s pitching coach from 1970-73 and graduated from Grace with a Bachelor’s degree in 1974. 

Roy has spent close to 15 years as an associate scout for Major League Baseball. He was an associate scout for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1976-79 and was an associate international scout for the Atlanta Braves from 1993-99 and for the San Diego Padres from 2000-05. Roy also served as the varsity baseball coach at Tippecanoe Valley HS from 1974-76 and was the pitching coach at Huntington College from 1987-89. 

He has visited over 65 different countries teaching and coaching the game of baseball. He is the former president and founder of Unlimited Potential, Inc and started SHEPHERD COACH NETWORK in 2019. He played briefly in the San Francisco Giants organization before starting his career. He authored an autobiography about his experience with UPI entitled “Released.” Roy serves as a board member for the Warsaw YMCA, UPI, and Fellowship Mission. He has authored four books entitled “Released”, “Shepherd Coach”, and “FLOCK” and has co-written six books entitled “Beyond Betrayal”, “Take it on, Suit up, sit down”, “9 Innings of Memories and Heroes”, “Sandusky Bay”, “Ellison Bay”, and “Lake of Bays.” He resides in Winona Lake with his wife Carin. They have daughters (Amy and Lindsay) and 6 grandchildren.

His latest book is the Christian leadership book, Flock: Lead Your Tribe, Feed Your Team, Protect Your People).

You can visit his website at www.shepherdcoachnetwork.com or connect with him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 



Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself? 

 

50 years of experience as a leader as we as reading many leadership books and attending numerous events


Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub? 

 

Publishers


If published by a publisher, what was your deciding factor in going with them? 

 

Relationship and Trust.


If published by a publisher, are you happy with the price they chose? 

 

Yes!


Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book?  Why? 

 

No


How did you choose your cover?

 

Publishers artist


Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went? 

 

No


Did you come up with special swag for your book and how are you using it to help get the word out about your book? 

 

Not yet :)


Did you consider making or hiring someone to make a book trailer for your book?  If so, what’s the link? 

 

No. Publisher did a short one on Amazon


What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book? 

 

Not opposed


What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

 

Marketing strategy

Give away strategy

Prepare for common questions and even negative press.


What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released? 

 

Same as above


What kind of pre-promotion did you do before the book came out? 

 

 4 different social media platforms and press release to friends.


Do you have a long term plan with your book? 

 

Follow up book


What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

 
Basic Christian leadership principles that are not always basic. Learned in the fire of leadership and research

 

Inside the Book

Tom Roy shares his wisdom and knowledge and shows how transformational leadership can change everything. He gives easy to follow examples and lessons and reminds us all of what matters most when we are leading. He follows the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, and reminds us that we cannot go wrong if we follow the Kingdom principles from the Bible that have changed the world. Read this book! It will encourage you and help you to be a better leader!

Book Information

Release Date: June 6, 2020

Publisher:  Tall Pines Publishing

Soft Cover: ISBN:979-8645083878; 97 pages; $12.99; eBook $8.99

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QvRu9Q