Don't Write to the Curve: Interview with Publisher and Author Jennifer Conner

Amazon lists you as having 105 published titles. How many books did it take before you could do this as a full-time career? 

The writing profit is always up and down for us mid-list authors. Most of us, if you want to make millions it's not going to happen.  I write because I love to write and tell stories for readers.

I noticed that several of your early books were book sets with other authors.  How did those book sets come about? 

Many of those early book anthologies were fun and I am still friends with many of these authors. That includes Angela Ford who lives on the other side of the country in Nova Scotia. We have written at least 8 books together but had never met in person. I flew there last September and we were able to meet in person and go to the Titanic museum! How fun is that! 

But, anthologies can be difficult for bookkeeping and royalty payouts, breaking it up. And if one author wants to leave the anthology it's a lot of work. We have started doing more boxed sets with just that author instead of boxed sets with multiple authors.

Besides writing, you also publish books for other authors. When did that come about? 
When I started seriously writing in around 2007 I had won 3 national writing contests, and got a one on one with a big publishing house. After 6 months, all that I got back one line that said "there is no such thing as a bikini barista". That was when I knew I had to take my career into my own hands and started Books to Go Now book publishing. I wanted myself and others to be treated with respect. 

What will make you pass on a book submission (besides not being in your genre list)? 

Mainly it's purely written material and not the genre that we look for. BTGN mainly publishes shorter novella length. If it's 150k works we won't accept it, but we are open to all genres from sweet to sexy. We have carried 300 authors and 4000 titles over the years.

I noticed on your publishing site that you are looking for short Christmas stories of 10k to 15k words. What’s your tip for completing a story in that short length? 
BTGN takes short books in all genres. You need to learn to write a tight story line which helps when you move into longer works. Get in, tell your story, and then wrap it up. Do you need 600 pages to tell that story or can you tell it in 150? I read a lot of other authors and genres, many I think can cut out a bunch of stuff that is not needed. Also, make sure that it is edited and not a mess when you send it out.  

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your own writing? 
Don't give up. Don't listen to negative feedback (especially online). Get into a IN PERSON critique group.  I have been with my critique group for 14 years. We write all different genres and add to the ideas of the others books even if we don;t write that. If you need to correct something in your story ask them why, don't let them tell you your story or writing sucks. 

One of the best examples I've heard was from Debbie Macomber who lives down the road from me. She was called out by an agent at a BIG writing conference who told her not to give up her day job and she might as well stop writing. She has now sold well over 200 million books. Guess it was a good thing she didn't listen to that twit.

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks? 
Bookbub if you can afford it. Facebook ads but learn how they work first. Online presence. Branding of your titles if it's a series. It's an always changing field listen to other authors as to what works. One thing that worked last year may not work now.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner? 
Again, don't listen to negative people. They want to tear you down to feel better about themselves. Put your best forward with a professional product. Get into an in-person critique or writing group.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give? 
Get a professional book cover and a good editor or you will look back and regret your early works. 

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add? 
Write the story you are passionate about and don't write to the curve. Don't write the next Fifty Shades or Hunger Games, it's already been done. Write what you want, it will show.

I’m intrigued by your newest book Diamond in the Rough. That cover looks like the poster for an animated movie. What made you decide on such a unique cover? 
I thought that the cover design from Romance Novel Covers Now was fun and I liked the vibe of it. I thought it summed up Darian and Kassidy. 

Can you give my readers a short synopsis? 
A modern workplace romance about a piece of antique jewelry that can break a heart, save a business, and bring love.

Darian Laird's girlfriend just broke up with him by text. Rough. This isn’t the worst of it. It wasn't his fault that he had to come back to London to run Laird's Custom Jewelers after his father became ill. This forces him to leave his dreams of owning his own business in the rear-view mirror

He orders his jewelry designer, Kassidy, to melt down the antique engagement ring he'd bought for his ex and make it into something to help save the business. Kassidy and Darian have known each other since they were kids, and she doesn’t take orders well. When she learns the history of the beautiful ring, there is no way she is going to destroy it.

Maybe the setting for love could be sparkling right in front of him.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about that book or buy it, here are some links to do so.

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/diamond-in-the-rough-for-valentines-day/id6476630032
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/diamond-in-the-rough-for-valentines-day-jennifer-conner/1144712573
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/diamond-in-the-rough-for-valentine-s-day-1
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1512234

Here are the links to all her other books and her publishing company.

Website: https://www.jenniferconnerbooks.com/
Books to Go Now: https://bookstogonow.com/ 

And here's a bonus for my readers. Leave a comment on this post. Make sure it includes your name. Next Friday, we'll choose 5 winners who will get e-book copies of Rescued for Christmas : Sweet Holiday Short Stories - Dog Tags for Christmas and Christmas at Central Bark

Publishing a Book is Much More Than Having a Story Idea: Author Interview With Terri Sabol

What made you decide to start writing picture books?
I’ve always loved reading books. When I was an early childhood teacher, reading books to my students was always a highlight of my day.

How long did it take for you to complete your first book?
I adopted my two cats, Oscar and Emmy, in December 2015, and I took about 2000 pictures and videos in the first month! I thought my cats would be perfect candidates to help spread the word about rescue and adoption via picture books. I interviewed the shelter’s manager in January of 2016 to get the scoop on what happens behind the scenes of an animal shelter to get the animals ready for adoption. The book, Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued, was published that December.

Are you active in any writing critique groups?
When I am actively writing a manuscript per month, I’m usually part of two different critique groups (one online and one in person). When my schedule only allows for writing less often, then I rely on a critique partner and an editor.

How did you go about finding an illustrator?
My 10th book is being illustrated right now and I’ve had four illustrators total. The first one was a referral from a friend. The other three were found online by searching either for certain hashtags or in various illustration groups. Three of the illustrators have done multiple books for me. Kneading a Winning Idea and Green With Envy are both standalone books that are outside the Oscar and Emmy Series. They are both illustrated by the same talented artist, Pei Jen, because I enjoyed working with her so much.

What was the hardest part of putting together your books?
Creating and putting together the books is the fun part. I love the process. Marketing them and finding your audience is the hardest part.

Did you personally design the full book, or did you have assistance with formatting or cover design, etc.? 
I learn from each book what I like, as well as reading and researching other published books for what works. Some illustrators, I’ve worked more closely with on the cover design. Others, have more free reign because I trust that their vision aligns with mine. I also like illustrators who have design and formatting experience so they illustrate each page with the complete book in mind to begin with.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had from readers?
For Kneading a Winning Idea, I love hearing when a family is inspired to make the recipe included in the back of the book. I also love seeing when my books are front and center on bookshelves in classrooms and bedrooms.

Marketing is the biggest key to getting sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
Recently, I joined other authors of Spanish books to help promote each other. I included the bilingual version of my first book, Oscar y Emmy son rescatados, in the eBook promo. Soon after, I had a single order for 15 physical copies of my book, my largest order for that book.

What do you know now about publishing you wished you had known sooner?
I wish I had known how important marketing is and about building your subscriber list from the beginning. Especially if you have niche books and a smaller audience. It's good to build that relationship with them early since they will be your biggest cheerleaders. Also, social media is always changing, so it's nice to have your list that will stay with you regardless of the current trendy platform.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Children's books authors are so supportive of each other. It's great when you find a small group of authors and form a critique group to help be beta readers and sounding boards for each other. Also, when you start publishing, they are very helpful to have on your book launch team. It’s nice to be part of a supportive community.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
Most people don’t realize that publishing a book is so much more than having an idea and writing the book. There are so many layers of revision and editing (including by peers and paid editors), researching and hiring an illustrator, graphic design, formatting, book sizes, knowing printing options, website design and upkeep, social media content and engagement, newsletters, blogs, author visits to schools, in-person events, digital author visits, keeping up with inventory, tracking royalties, ads, sales taxes, IRS taxes, etc. 

For some, writing a book may just be a passion project. For others, they want a career of being an author and must learn the business side of it. In the beginning, it might be a lot of trial and error. If this is what you really want, do the research, surround yourself with a great team, and don’t give up.

Tell me more about your Oscar and Emmy Book Series. 

The series is inspired by my real-life cats, Oscar and Emmy. The books are ideal for cat families and animal activists who are looking for an engaging way to guide their kids in taking an active role in pet care. The book topics include rescue and adoption, spay and neuter, microchipping, pet disaster kits, preventative health care vet visits, trap-neuter-return, and euthanasia.

I also have two books outside the series. They both focus on perseverance and being the best version of yourself. Green With Envy tackles the familiar feeling of jealousy and learning to appreciate what you have. In Kneading a Winning Idea, Ben is inspired by his cat to improve his buttermilk biscuit recipe—and hopefully win the baking contest.

My amazing illustrator, Roksana Barwinska, has been busy working on my next book, Oscar and Emmy Foster a Kitten, to be released later this year.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Terri's books, here are the links to get you started. 
Website: https://www.terrisabol.com/
Blog: https://www.terrisabol.com/blog/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Terri-Sabol/author/B01MSWRB9M
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrisabol/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OscarAndEmmyBooks/

And here's a bonus for my readers, leave a comment on this post and we'll pick one reader who'll receive a copy of one of  Terri's eBooks. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Tuesday!