PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Going There: Tales from the Riviera and Beyond' Donna Fletcher Crow⭐ #GoingThere #interview

 

Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, is an award-winning author who has published some 50 books in a career spanning more than 40 years. Her best-known work is Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England, a grail search epic depicting 1500 years of British history. The Celtic Cross is a 10-book series covering the history of Scotland and England from the 6th to the 20th century. 

Crow writes 3 mystery series: The Monastery Murders, contemporary clerical mysteries with clues hidden deep in the past; Lord Danvers Investigates, Victorian true-crime stories within a fictional setting; and The Elizabeth and Richard literary suspense series, featuring various literary figures. Where There is Love is a 6-book biographical novel series of leaders of the early Evangelical Anglican movement. The Daughters of Courage is a semi-autobiographical trilogy family saga of Idaho pioneers.

Reviewers routinely praise the quality of her writing and the depth of her research. Crow says she tries never to write about a place she hasn’t visited and one of her goals in writing is to give her readers a you-are-there experience.

Donna and her husband of 60 years live in Boise, Idaho. They have 4 children and 15 grandchildren, and she is an avid gardener.

Author Links  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

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

Oddly, I didn’t do any. After 40+ years of writing, this was a totally new experience. Because almost all my books are set in the United Kingdom, and I live in Idaho, I always write a solid outline, then research each place and historic event and person as thoroughly as I possibly can from home. Then I undertake an extensive research trip to the setting of each scene.

Not this time—this trip was purely for pleasure. When I was several days into it the concept of a book began to form. If only I had got my head together earlier there are several places I would have asked Kelly, my daughter-in-law who planned it all, to include in our itinerary. Such as the Escoffier Museum in Villeneuve-Loubet and the site of Somerset Maugham’s villa on Cap Ferrat. 

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

After almost 40 years of working with established publishers large and small in the US and England, I decided to form my own small company Verity Press. I have an editor, cover designer and formatter, and a publicist. I’m loving the independence, but I could never have done it without all the wonderful education I gained working with professional publishers and editors

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

I keep the prices low—mostly 2.99 for the ebooks and only a little above the minimum price Amazon sets for print. I love my stories, I love my readers, and at this stage in my career, my goal is for them to meet.

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

I normally release my books as soon as they are finished, but for Going There, I chose a December release because I wanted to promote it as a gift item. I have included a special hardback, full-color, gift edition as an option alongside a full-color e-book and a black and white paperback.

How did you choose your cover?

I knew I wanted a cover reminiscent of the arte deco travel posters of the 1920s during the golden age of the Riviera. Ken Raney, my cover artist, loved the idea and sent me a mock-up. It was lovely, but all in blue tones, which seemed too cool—I wanted my readers to feel the Mediterranean sun on their heads. I was delighted with his second version. I hope my readers will be, too.

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

Rough drafting is by far the hardest part of the process for me, so I just grit my teeth and power through it. Then the fun—I go back through it as many times as I need to until I feel it’s the best I can make it on my own. Then off to my editor Sheila Deeth, who is amazing. An English woman living in America (which is important for my normal UK settings). For this book it was important that she is fluent in French and German—abilities I didn’t even know she had, although she had used her Latin to polish my books before.

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

I love giving books away! As I said earlier, my goal is have my stories read. Every month I run a free book promotion through My Book Cave which I announce in my newsletter.

Subscribers also receive a free book from my Lord Danvers Investigates Victorian True-crime Series.

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

Be sure you have done the absolute best you can possibly do. Then have it edited by a professional editor. 

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

The most important thing for reaching readers today is getting lots of reviews. This is essentially the old-fashioned word-of-mouth approach, although now it’s all done virtually. I always start out with a free book promotion and announcements through my newsletter and social media. The best booster, however, is a professional virtual book tour—like the one I’m currently enjoying through Pump Up Your Book.

Then get on to your next project. New books help sell old books.

Do you have a long-term plan with your book?

I look forward to continuing to use this book for my own gift-giving and I will continue to encourage my readers to do so as well through occasional promotions. This however, is a stand-alone, so I don’t plan to do a series as I do with most of my novels. But then, on second thought, I really did enjoy working in the travel memoir format. In the writing business you never know… 

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

Please enjoy it and share it. One of the primary purposes of literature is to take us to new places and give us new experiences—I hope Going There will do that for you. 

 

Inside the Book

Title: Going There: Tales from the Riviera and Beyond

Author: Donna Fletcher Crow

Publication Date: December 3, 2023

Pages: 152

Genre: Travel Memoir / Short Story Collection

In the summer of 2021 my daughter-in-law and I slipped through a brief window of sanity in a world driven mad by the Covid pandemic. Our purpose was to see my granddaughter Jane to a summer program in Monaco, then back to her ballet school in Switzerland. In spite of restrictions, protests, and nail-biting worries, the result was a marvelous experience.

I invited characters from my mystery series to join me in my imagination and have their own adventures in each setting. Their encounters are: Nice: “The Crime of Passion”; St Tropez: “The Mother Decrees”; Villefrance-sur-de-mer: “The Ghost Boy”; Monaco: “Fracas in Monaco”; The Loire Valley: “The Old Winemaker”;  Saint Gallen: “Whispers of Legend”.

The final coda is “Home Another Way” As 2 years later I return from quite a different trip aboard the Queen Mary 2 and my characters join in the celebrations as worlds coincide.

More information on the book GOING THERE: TALES FROM THE RIVIERA AND BEYOND can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Going-There-Tales-Riviera-Beyond-ebook/dp/B0CPHBRVJH?ref_=ast_author_mpb.

 

 

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Pinball Wizard' Michael D. Meloan⭐ #Pinball Wizard #interview

 

Michael Meloan traveled extensively to England, Germany, and South Korea supporting the Department of Defense as a software engineer. He met the real Top Guns at Ramstein, Germany. He also wrote short stories for Larry Flynt, Buzz, Wired Magazine, and many literary journals. With his brother, Steven, he penned a published novel called The Shroud. Also with his brother, he wrote journalism for The Huffington Post.

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Meloan was friends with Charles Bukowski and his wife Linda. Bukowski enthusiastically encouraged his writing and invited him and his wife Cathy to many Hollywood events.

Meloan was also good friends with NPR monologue artist Joe Frank. Their regular brunches at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills were among the most fascinating encounters of his life. They discussed sexual failure, the nature of existence, godly realms, and the existential abyss. Meloan had the privilege of co-writing a number of radio shows with Frank that appeared on the NPR syndicate. The documentaries

Bukowski: Born into This and Joe Frank: Somewhere Out There both contain interviews with Meloan.

Visit the book’s website at www.pinballwizardbook.com.

 

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

I do research while writing. I’m constantly looking at photos similar to what I’m creating in text to heighten a sense of reality. And if I write about anything with a technical aspect, I include details that must be absolutely accurate.

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

A translator in Germany put me in touch with my publisher over there. He accepted the book immediately upon reading the manuscript. Then, I sent the manuscript to a small publisher in San Francisco, and he also accepted it for the US market.

This all sounds very easy, but my work has been rejected repeatedly in many other realms. I don’t want to give the impression that I lead a charmed life.

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

The US version of PINBALL WIZARD was released on August 15^th, 2023. I did not choose this date. But I was fine with that eventuality.

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

I revise quite a bit as I write, and then I revise and edit extensively after I am “done.” It is hard for me to stop editing. Even upon viewing my published works, I see things I want to change.

It never ends.

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 don’t have any swag.

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

I give many books away. I want people to read it. That is the prime directive.

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

Find a good book publicist. And work your social media apps.

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

Again, work social media. Contacting people through DMs on social media can be very effective for selling copies.

Approach indie bookstores to take copies, do readings, and try to get your book into library systems.

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

Prior to release, I was working social media.

Do you have a long term plan with your book?

I have written a screenplay adaptation. That is phase two for PINBALL WIZARD.

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

“Are you the Pinball Wizard or the pinball?” asks Ralph’s manager inside a nuclear-hardened bunker in England. That is the question driving Michael D. Meloan’s new novella—a story of love, sex, jets, and Bukowski.

Lights flash, and bells ring as Ralph is buffeted between a controlling father, international intrigue in the US defense industry, and a friendship with the writer Charles Bukowski. A wild girlfriend also ratchets up the action.

But in the end, it is Ralph’s turn at the controls.

 

Inside the Book

Title: Pinball Wizard

Author: Michael D. Meloan

Pages: 136

Genre: Novella / Romantic Action / Adventure

Michael D. Meloan’s new novella PINBALL WIZARD is a story of love, sex, jets, and Bukowski. Ralph is buffeted between a controlling father, international intrigue in the US defense industry, and a friendship with the writer Charles Bukowski. A wild girlfriend also ratchets-up the action.

“Are you the Pinball Wizard or the pinball?” asks Ralph’s manager inside a nuclear hardened bunker in England. That is the question driving Michael D. Meloan’s new novella–a story of love, sex, jets, and Bukowski.

Lights flash and bells ring as Ralph is buffeted between a controlling father, international intrigue in the US defense industry, and a friendship with the writer Charles Bukowski. A wild girlfriend also ratchets-up the action.

But in the end, it is Ralph’s turn at the controls.

“My mailbox contained a surprise a week or so ago: PINBALL WIZARD, a novella by Michael Meloan. It is one of the most satisfying reading experiences I’ve had in recent years, in part because it handles a famous writer (Charles Bukowski) as one of its main characters with nonchalant deftness. Meloan’s slightly picaresque story is hard to classify, which is one of the things that makes it such a pleasure to read. He has a gift for writing unapologetically masculine prose; it’s flavorful without being exotic, and it doesn’t hurt that he has a fine ear for dialogue.”–Bill Mohr, writer, critic, and English Literature Professor at California State University, Long Beach

More information on the book PINBALL WIZARD can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Pinball-Wizard-Michael-D-Meloan/dp/1733386483/.

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

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Fateful Connections' Karen Charles⭐ #FatefulConnections #interview

 

Karen Charles is a children’s book author and educator. She lives with her husband on a beautiful bay in Washington State. Her latest book is the thriller, Fateful Connections.

Website: https://karenrabe18.wixsite.com/my-site-2

Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenra24229683

 

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

Since it is based on the events of 9/11, I had to go back and read the timeline of events.  I did detailed research on the settings, even though I had been there myself.  There are some crimes committed that I had to research as to how they could have been done and how the police would deal with them.  I also had to do research on the drug cartels of Mexico.

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

I opted to self-publish, giving me freedom to publish at any time and keep all the rights to my books.

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 had the publisher professionally edit the book, format the eBook, and worked with them on cover ideas.

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

The publisher gave me a range for the price so the picked the price in the middle.

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

The deciding factor in going with my publisher was a referral from another author.

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

I wanted my book to come out before the fourth of July.  It reminds us of our freedom and patriotism.

How did you choose your cover?

Being a thriller, I wanted it to be dramatic and colorful.  A publishing company has asked permission to use my cover in their advertising. 

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

I revised each chapter after I wrote it.

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

I am happy to give my book away to sell other copies.

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

1.  Form a street team, friends and collaborators who will promote the book on their own platforms.
2. Build a website and mailing list.
3. Get reviews early.

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

1. Virtual launch on social media.
2. Virtual launch on your website.
3. Guest-posting on other people’s blogs.

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

1. Made a website, set up a blog.
2. Facebook Page
3. Free book giveaways.
4. Twitter 

Do you have a long term plan with your book?

Yes, this is not just a few months and on to another book.

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

I am so glad you are reading “Fateful Connections.”  I know you will have a delightful adventure.  When I wrote it, I fell in love with the characters and wanted to know what happened to them.  Even though they had devastating, traumatic experiences, I gave them redemption in the end.

 

Inside the Book

Fateful Connections tells the story of four people brought together by the tragic events of 9/11 in the United States. These four individuals were attending a conference in Seattle, Washington, and found it nearly impossible to make it back to their homes, which were scattered across the country. They decide to rent a car and drive together, as they cannot get any flights home. As rental cars are also impossible to come upon, they find a friend who has access to a repossessed car, which he is willing to rent out. Unbeknownst to the friends, the rightful owner of the car wants his car back, and as they find out, hidden inside the car are drugs and guns. What ensues is a dangerous journey which impacts the four friends’ lives forever. The story follows them on their harrowing journey home, then one and two years later as they meet up for an annual reunion. 

The strengths of this story are the easy-to-read narrative and compelling plot. The author introduces four intriguing main characters, as well as a number of antagonists, who hunt down the friends and engage in dangerous and illegal plans to not only recapture their guns and drugs, but also kill the friends so there are no witnesses to their illegal activities. The reader is instantly drawn into the storyline, and moves along with the characters as they experience fear, joy, love, and relief. The plot is compelling, and the reader cannot help but become invested in the lives of these four main characters.

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