Inspired to Write for Children: Author Interview with Mistie House

You’ve now published 6 picture books, but what made you decide to start writing the first one? 
Yes, it’s hard to believe I’ve published six books— five Christian picture books and one Christian nonfiction book for women.There’s a true story behind my first children’s book The Father’s Princess: The Story of the White Daisy.

In 2014, I was in a season where I was battling with my health and some of the pains from my past. I spoke to my pastor and said I wanted to receive prayer for physical and emotional healing. When the prayer ended, she invited me to ask God  “How do you see me?”

In the vision God showed me, I saw a little girl in a sundress with long, golden blonde hair that had curls on the end. She was running through a field of white flowers, smiling and laughing. She was glowing as sparkling rays of sunshine shone down on her and the glittering field. The little girl felt light, free, and joyful!

That incredible encounter I had with God at that moment changed my life. It changed the way I saw myself. I had seen myself  as weary and burdened but then saw myself as a radiant child. 

God doesn’t view His people the way we view ourselves. He sees us as His precious children. In that vision, God’s peaceful, golden light was shining down on me and I was shimmering in incandescent beauty. I was as pure and innocent as a white flower to Him.

It had been over a year since I saw the image of the little girl in the field of white flowers. God revisited me and gave me the vision to write and illustrate a children’s book built around the image I saw. The Father’s Princess is an allegory of the believer’s journey to the Kingdom. 

The story would be of a lost and lonely orphan girl who was adopted by her heavenly Father—The King of kings. The princess tells her story of how she was grafted into a new family, enthroned in royalty, and given a new identity, and a new name, all thanks to the hands of her loving and gracious Father!

I wrote The Father's Princess for three reasons: To share my story and give God Glory. To remind the children of God how He sees them and of their true identity in Christ, and for what purpose they were created—to share His story. To invite many to come to know King Jesus and welcome many into God’s royal family

You do both the text and the illustrations. Do you consider yourself more of an author or illustrator?
I consider myself equally an author and illustrator. I’m thankful for the gifts, talents, and abilities God’s given me and hope to continue to use my gifts to bring Him glory and share my inspiring creations with others.

Could you tell me why you republished that first book, The Father's Princess: The Story of the White Daisy? I thought the first book was charming. 
Thank you! I think it’s charming as well. J Being that it was my first book, I just felt I could improve it even further. The illustrations are the same, but I did choose to update the cover—making it even brighter and more colorful! I also tweaked the text a bit. But, the most significant changes I made were the addition of Bible verses to the bottom of every page that correlate with the text.

Finally, the book closes with a very special prayer that was extremely important to me to have in the book. I always felt the prayer was missing—now (in my eyes and my heart) it was finished!

You’re an indie author, which means you’re in charge of everything from writing to publishing and marketing. Other than writing, what other parts of the process do you personally do? What do you hire others to do? 
Starting out, I didn’t do everything completely on my own. Although, I did all the writing, illustrating, and marketing, I hired some incredible self-publishing services to help me with the publishing side. I self-published the first edition of The Father’s Princess through WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan.

My next nonfiction book for women, Emergence, would have been a huge undertaking for me to attempt to release all by myself. Fortunately, I was introduced to BOSSMedia, now Holland Robinson Publishing, to complete this title.

 Next, I hired Victory Vision Publishing & Consulting to help me publish Let Us Rejoice. At this point, I had learned so much through my experience with teaming up with these amazing book publishers. I had also done a lot of research and had gained enough knowledge to tackle the publishing side of things.

Therefore, I successfully self-published my next three children’s books The Perfect Prize, the new edition of The Father’s Princess, and God Made You Wonderfully under my publishing imprint, Castle House Books.

Marketing is the biggest key to getting sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produces more sales rather than just clicks?
Marketing is an area where I’m still growing and learning. I don’t believe I’ve utilized a single successful tool for producing sales. Rather, it’s more a combination of strategies that works best for me.

Aside from reaching out to my audience through creating a personal website, Facebook Author Page, and Instagram profile, I also have a podcast called the Beloved Bride Podcast. 

Apart from social media advertising, I occasionally run ads through Amazon. I've also worked with PR From the Heart for marketing and media assistance.

What do you know now about publishing you wished you had known sooner?
Pay attention to book sizing. For example, Amazon doesn’t offer a Hardcover option in the size of my children’s books. So, I published each of my Hardcovers through IngramSpark.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Don’t give up and be patient with the process. Writing is a long journey. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. The worst thing you could ever do is quit before you reach the end. It’s tempting to give up when you’re in the messy middle, or when you feel you’ll never cross the finish line. Keep moving forward—one step, one day at a time will get you to where you need to be. Finish the race! 

Proverbs 29:18 says, Where there is no vision, the people perish. Whatever you do, don’t take your eyes off the goal or the vision God’s given you. Throughout my writing journey, as a follower of Christ, I’ve always relied on Him to show me my next steps. He’s always been faithful to guide me when I’ve asked Him to lead the way.

He’s a good Shepherd!

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
Why you write is just as important as what you write. Being able to create something truly inspirational, meaningful, personal, and completely original from a blank sheet of paper that touches hearts, impacts souls, and leaves a lasting legacy is an extraordinary gift.

I thank God for the gift of creativity He’s given me and for the ability to transform lives through my testimony, teaching, and storytelling.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me some details? 
I recently released my children’s book, God Made Your Wonderfully: The Curious Crayon Who Discovered Her Worth. There are several children’s book stories that I’m working on. I’m not sure which one will be next, just yet. Stay tuned! J

That's all for today's interview. Here's how you can get updates on what's next and buy a book or two. 
https://www.mistiehouseauthor.com/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mistie-House/author/B071XVFT67

https://www.facebook.com/mistiehouse.author/

https://www.instagram.com/mistiehouse/

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 Mistie's latest eBook, God Made You Wonderfully. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Tuesday!

Celebrating “International Read to Me Day” with a New Children's Book Release

I'm celebrating “International Read to Me Day” by releasing my newest picture book for children. This is the third picture book I've published. The previous two books were ones with a Christmas theme. I am an unabashedly Christmas spirited person. I not only love reading and writing books with a Christmas theme, but I enjoy watching Christmas movies as well. As a matter of fact, I just watched another Christmas movie this week.

But back to my newest book, the cover for this rhyming story features four different children. I chose this design to be in line with the title that Jesus’s love is for everyone. Prior to writing children's books and novels, I wrote for numerous magazines and book anthologies. I now enjoy bringing those types of stories to life with pictures.

The text of this book was inspired by the scripture verses found in Psalm 139 and numerous verses in the New Testament. I wrote this story as a way for parents, grandparents, and other caregivers to remind children that no matter where they are or what they do, Jesus is always with them, and he'll see them through. That's a good message for adults, too.

When I first saw one of my picture books in paperback, I was shocked to see how skinny the book was. Making picture books in a hardcover format definitely gives more depth to the book size. Since paperback books cost about 50% less then hardcover ones, I decided to give more value then what you would be receiving from most other picture books by adding a bonus. Besides having the full story text and images, I am also including several coloring pages. But you'll have to provide your own crayons!

The publication for this book was scheduled to be released earlier this month, but due to some issues with Amazon it's been delayed. I'm waiting for my second proof to verify that what I see on a computer screen is what you'll see when you hold the book in your hand. 

The eBook is available now at a discount of $2.99. At the beginning of April, the regular price will be $4.99. I hope you'll enjoy reading the book and sharing it with others. I've already got another book in the works, so you'll be hearing about that one soon.

Have a wonderful day and remember… Jesus loves me through and through. And guess what? He loves you too!

It's Beginning to Read Like Sweet Christmas Romances 2023: Author Interview with Karen Liszewski

What made you decide to write a Christmas themed book? 

Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I love sitting down, by the tree, and reading Christmas books or watching Christmas movies. This led me to writing my own Christmas book!

Could you give a short synopsis on the books for my readers?
My debut novel, Meet Me In Winterberry, is a clean, Christmas romance. Here's the tagline and  blurb... What would you do if you thought you had it all figured out, but life had different plans?

Penelope Maxwell has it all. She lives in a penthouse in Manhattan, has a successful acting career, a closet that most women would die for, and is newly engaged to the man of her dreams. Until the day after Thanksgiving, when it all came crashing down. 

Now she finds herself stranded in a Christmas obsessed, small town in Vermont where no one knows her identity. With no phone and a car that doesn’t run, she is forced to reevaluate the life she thought she loved.

For Brent Harrison, not long after losing his wife, he moves back to his hometown of Winterberry, Vermont with his daughter Nora, to help his parents run their Inn. He hates all things Christmas and isn’t looking forward to the craziness of the season in the small town.

When he comes across a broken down car in the middle of Main Street with the most beautiful woman inside, he decides to do the right thing and invite her to stay in a room at the Inn.

As the two spend time together, an attraction grows that they both can’t seem to ignore. Will this be a Christmas that will change both of their lives forever? Or will Penelope go back to her old life, leaving Brent to pick up the pieces of his heart once again?

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
I love getting hot cocoa and driving around to see Christmas lights. Also, my husband, daughter and I always watch Elf the night we decorate the tree and my husband gets Chick Fil A for dinner!

What’s next in writing for you? 
I have a few books planned for the future and the next Winterberry book will be coming out next Christmas!

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
There have been two things I have learned from writing my first book. First, write every single day. Even if it is a jumbled mess, sit down in the chair every single day and write. Second, write from your heart. Don’t try to write a book just so that it sells. Stay true to you and what feels right.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
I wish I knew everything that went into publishing a book! From the marketing and the editing to all of the decisions you have to make, I have been learning as I go.

Any last words or tips?
If you are like me, and you have wanted to write a book but have been too scared to do it, just go for it. I promise, it is worth it!

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
I’m excited for Mary Kay Andrews’ new Christmas book, Bright Lights, Big Christmas, as well as a a novella that comes out every year, part of a series, called The Moonglow Christmas by Deborah Garner that I look forward to every year!

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Karen's writing, here are some links to get you started. 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Liszewski/author/B0CLT5KMWW

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

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

And here's a bonus for my readers...Here's a chance to get some free Clean romance eBooks, but these books are only available through 12/15 so use this link today!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/cleanromancefreebies_endsdec15th

It's Beginning to Read Like Christmas Kids Books 2023: Author Interview with John Alexander

What made you decide to write Christmas themed books? Could you give a short synopsis on the books for my readers?
I always enjoyed Christmas and after my first novel, The Enclave, a mystery suspense novel, I always had a children’s book in mind. So, as I began my first children’s book, I decided to center it around a Christmas theme. Christmas Garden involves two sisters whose natural curiosity lead them into investigating wild rumors of a witch and a haunted house. Their exploits lead them on a journey of discovering the truth and finding a way to bring the whole town together at Christmas. This first chapter book began a series, and I wrote three more books which became the four book Amber-Autumn Mystery series.

After discovering my love for writing in rhyme, especially telling stories in rhyme, I began writing children’s picture books. The Christmas Gift is special to me as unlike the rest, it was agented and eventually published by Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. The story centers around a little mouse who once lived in a dumpster and now lives in a mansion with her adorable husband. As she warms herself by the fireplace in the mansion on a hill, Ms. Mouse considers her husband’s question, “What do you want for Christmas?” An angelic vision in the embers reveals the perfect request. The fulfillment of her gift demonstrates the joy of giving.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
I love Christmas parties with friends, the smell of fragrant candles, tree decorations, Christmas carols, Christmas eve service at church, hearing the carols sung by a choir, and the making of my Christmas video – reading my poems with pictures and music in the background.

What’s next? 
After a mystery/suspense novel, four chapter books, four picture books, two devotional books of poetry with 365 poems each, I have begun putting together selected poems by topic and preparing books and video presentations to accompany local poetry readings. I have put together God Given Friends, Seasons of Change, Words of Hope, In Times of Grief, and Songs, Praise and Joy. I hope to continue preparing more and sharing them with the right audiences. I’ve also enjoyed the opportunity for the last few years to share my poems as a monthly contributor to Faith On Every Corner digital magazine now read in over 100 countries.
 
What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Write for the joy of writing, write what you love, write from the heart, be vulnerable, find others to provide good honest feedback along the way.
 

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
Writing is fun. I wrote my first novel in my 60s, I discovered my love of writing in rhyme the year I turned 70. Although I now have over a dozen books and over 700 poems in print, I missed out on a lot of years of experiencing the joy of writing and sharing.
Any last words or tips?

Find your passion and go for it.
Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
All available on Amazon, in addition to the ones I’ve already listed above, Grandfather’s Blessing, Golden Campout, The Secret Room. Quiet Time Rhymes – Volume 1 & II, Daily Reflections – Volume I & II, The Young Author – an unpictured book, and The Velveteen Rabbit – Lyrical Rendition.

That's all for today's interview. I hope you will check out John's books by using the links below. He certainly has a lot for you to choose and review!
John's Blog: quiettimerhymes.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/QuietTimeRhymes/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/John-Alexander/author/B003ZHE3GM

Having Fun with Pets: Author Interview with Patricia Allieri

What made you decide to start writing picture books with animals? 
I started writing picture books when Covid 19 hit. I was working a school district and my school shut down. I had free time and already had a story in my head years before. So, I started to write. 

Are your cat and dog books based the animals at your home?

My story, Aqua Paws, is based on my cat, Jack. Unfortunately, he was hit by a car and passed on. I miss him terribly.

You publish as an indie author. How much of the book do you do yourself or hire others to do on your behalf?
I did a lot of the book myself. Mostly all my social media graphics were done on Canva. However, there are many mistakes I made along the way. I have hired several different editors, illustrators, and book designers too.

What was the hardest part of putting together your books?
I think the hardest part was getting the proper files to upload correctly. Different files for eBooks, paperback, and hardback cover with proper measurements etc.…Also, forgetting to add my LCCN # and barcode with price. That’s why I’m still learning!

What is the best encouragement you’ve had from readers?
I have read a lot of great reviews from my readers on Aqua Paws. Wow! I can’t believe what fabulous thoughts, ideas, and positive feedback I’ve received. This really make me so happy that people love my brave and courageous cat, Paws! My hope is that all readers are inspired by Aqua Paws. A water-loving kitty that teaches us to be brave and to take care of each other and our oceans!

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?
My biggest thing to getting sales was putting my book on Amazon for pre-orders. Yes. At least four months before it’s released. This was the most sales I made before the book even came out! I have also done a book signing, book consignment at a local bookstore, in a Colorado Springs bookstore and coffee shop.

What do you know now about publishing you wished you had known sooner?
I wish I known more about marketing and getting sales. Now I know that Amazon ads are very critical to getting your book seen by readers. If a reader does not see your book, they don’t even know its available. Advertise, advertise……I understand it cost money. But you should invest in yourself and your book. Even if it’s a small amount of money.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add? 

Yes. Never to give up on your writing and publishing dreams!

Tell me about your newest book? Can you give me some details? How can it be pre-ordered?
I just finished a new manuscript that has been professionally edited for My Pet book series,
which is also selling on Amazon. This is the third book in the series, plus the Aqua Paws book. The books are very short in length, read-alouds and are about pets that act like silly animals.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Patricia's fun books, check out these links.
Website: https://www.aquakidsbooks/.com/ 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Patricia-Allieri/author/B0BBQ6293T

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  Paatricia's eBooks of their choice. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Tuesday!

Plus, if you subscribe to her email list on her website. You will get free activity sheets for kids and updates when Patricia posts a “free” day for one of her books.

Here's Some Great News to Share with You.

For those who say they would like to write a novel but don't know where to start, I’d suggest you begin with finding a supportive writing community. That's what I found with this group of authors whom I have joined with to create a box set of romances. Though I have written other books and have been in numerous anthologies, this is my first experience with individual story in a box set.

These ladies are assisting me in increasing my knowledge of marketing, writing book blurbs, formatting, and cover design. I am grateful to be on this writing journey with them. All of our stories are sweet romances set within a Christmas time frame.

My story is a contemporary romance between two musical talents called Christmas Moonlight Melodies. Here’s a little teaser about it. Music brought Nikki and Michael together, but fame split them apart. Will their Christmas reunion in their hometown bring them back together again? Or will their second chance for love become nothing more than a love song gone wrong?

The box set is called Once Upon a Starry Night. Right now we are offering a pre-order discount price of $2.99 for the 12 novella set. How can you pass that up? You'll get to read 12 different stories from 12 authors who could just become your new favorite writers!. Here's the Amazon link which will give you the details on the each of the books and how you can purchase them. https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Starry-Night-Collection-ebook/dp/B0C81PYJBF

And here's a special bonus for my readers… Make sure you follow my upcoming blog posts so you can learn about two big book giveaways I'm doing with other authors in July. There will be lots of free books and prizes. However, neither one will include a giveaway for this box set. So go ahead and buy it now!

Creating Fun Picture Books: Author Interview with Dore Ripley

Amazon lists you as having published 33 books, but what initially drew you to writing picture books? 
When I began my career in academics, I spent a lot of time writing conference papers, interviews, book reviews, and essays for academic journals. Academic writing leads to a dull and institutional style and it is a very hard habit to break. I wrote a long form novel and found I needed to cut loose a bit. My writing was too stiff and I needed another outlet.

So, I began writing children's books, the sillier the better. I taught children's literature and most of my students were in the teacher credentialing program. One of their assignments was to put together a unit on any subject matter using picture books. I got a good sense of the latest picture books and how our newest teachers would like to use them in their classrooms. I also get ideas and suggestions from my grandchildren, their friends, and classmates.

One thing I noticed about many of today's picture books is that they are so preachy. They want to endorse and sell whatever morals are popular at the moment. This creates books that are transparent and children often react to that negatively. Kids want silly. They want fun. They want weird. Not to say that my books don't have morals, they do. All of my picture books contain characters that care about each other, or persevere in the face of adversity. They are characters that treat each other the way they want to be treated.

I sometimes feel like I am going to run out of ideas for children's books, but an idea or two always wonks me on the head. I have a growing list of books that need to be finished.

How long did it take for you to complete your first book?
My first picture book using the pen name Yellow Duck Press was Kelvin the Cat and Artie the Alien in the Intercosmic Vacation. This was the first in the Kitty Cat Cousins series. It's a book about a cat who has been stationed on the moon and has a very boring job in Asteroid Acquisitions. He meets Artie one day and they go on an adventure to save the universe, a misunderstanding that almost causes an intergalactic war. Intercosmic Vacation was a lesson for me and that book took about a month from start to finish. 

 
Is there any one book that you are especially proud of writing?
The Fantastic True Story of Santa Claus is one book I am especially proud of. It started out as a book for one of my adult children who did not believe in the idea of Santa Claus - what a travesty. Yes, there is a Santa Claus. He lived a long time ago and his spirit lives on every year at your closest shopping mall - yet another travesty. The Christmas spirit involves kindness, sharing, and caring for others. I wanted to share Santa Claus with children and present how his legend grew without saying Santa Claus is "make believe." That part I left up to the parents. This is one of my best-selling books. 

What is the hardest part of putting together your picture books?
The artwork is probably the most difficult. I am not an artist, so I have to rely on programs like Canva to get the illustrations done. My art handicap also exerts control over the story. I may have an idea or outline of what I expect, but cannot accomplish the illustrations. The writing is pretty easy. Even when the art or characters go off on a tangent, they always seem to get to a satisfying end by taking the book in a direction I wasn't expecting.  

How did you get started in speaking at events? What types of topics do you cover?
Speaking engagements are something that have been a part of my life for a long time. As a professor, I taught comics as a vehicle to literacy and when I began doing that fifteen years ago, few librarians or teachers were interested. But comics are a great way to get kids, especially teens, into the library or bookstore. Comics are a vehicle to literacy and many of my picture books have a comic book element; speech bubbles make the connection between text and illustration, making reading easier for children. Over the years, I spread the word, but things have changed in the comic world. Comics have moved away from being a medium of the written word and moved towards being a vehicle for Hollywood movies.

Most of my speaking was done at academic conferences where I delivered papers on topics from Renaissance and medieval women to Film Noir, transhumanism, comics, and children's literature. I traveled all over the United States and met lots of fun and interesting people from all walks of life. Most recently, I spoke to a class of 3rd graders who were fabulous and honest. I asked them what they wanted to read and voilà I have a whole new list of books.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had from readers?
My best encouragement from readers is their wanting more. They tell me what they want; princess ballerinas, dinosaurs, dogs, the Easter Bunny, knights, and magic. They will give me names for characters, and settings. It's all a lot of crazy fun. I cherish the post card they filled out with kid scrawl listing all the names I should use in my books. 

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?
Amazon ads seem to work best as a marketing tool. I don't spend a lot, but I get sales. I also have a customer list I reach through Facebook and Twitter. I do table top book shows and sell books that way, as well as school events. I keep a lot of business cards and postcards with me and hand them out to everyone I meet. I worked in sales and marketing for many years before teaching and understand that you can sell a lot with a lot of money, but that isn't why I started writing children's books. One thing I don't like about marketing is how much time you have to carve out of your schedule to work towards sales. 

What do you know now about publishing you wished you had known sooner?
I am pretty well acquainted with the publishing industry. As a former editor of an academic journal, I understand how long it takes to solicit manuscripts, edit manuscripts, and coordinate with printers, and illustrators. I wish writers had more choices. KDP is pretty good, but it has its limitations. However, lately I notice a shift in the industry. IngramSpark is offering cheaper ways to publish as well as KOBO and other outlets. 

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
My attitude differs from most writers. I have been published enough, in enough different genres to feel confident about being a writer. There are many people today that need to append their signature with "author" and I don't need that. Many spend thousands of dollars on accomplishing that. 

The best advice I ever received was from an editor. I had an article I needed to finish in a couple of hours, so I banged it out and turned it in. He asked me how long it took to write, and when I told him, "two or three hours," he responded with, "That's what you need to do in the future. Don't overwrite. Trust your writing."

When thinking about giving advice, I appreciate hearing other people's advice. I want to know what works for them because it might just work for me. I read books differently by examining how an author wrote a yummy description of a place, or had their character turn gracefully or, even better, convincingly. Those are things you can learn, or at least emulate. All writers should read as a writer. If you are not a voracious reader, you may never be a good writer.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
One thing I tell authors: don't forget eBooks. Once I began writing children's books, I quickly realized that if I were a parent of young children, I would load up every iPad, iPhone, Kindle, or other reading device with children's eBooks and enroll in Kindle Unlimited. Books take up room, books get lost, books get hurt, and while I appreciate my well-stocked library, over 20 percent of my sales are in eBooks and Kindle Unlimited. It is a great way to expand your children's book market and sales.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me some details?
Currently, I am doing something a little different and working on a Kindle Vella story called The Playhouse Mysteries. The series is a murder mystery that takes place in the playhouses of Renaissance London. The main character is a feisty female who is secretly working in a man's world. It is a kick and being a short, serialized format, it forces me to just write and put it up. I feel less pressure and it lets me write in an area that I love.

My last children's book was Dining with A Dinosaur. It is a level two reader in the Sail into Reading series. It tells the story of a young boy who can't believe there are no dinosaurs. He goes to the wild place and finds a young dinosaur named Smidge. Smidge sneaks into town, wins the dinosaur costume contest, has dinner, and makes lots of friends. I created it with Dolch, Fry, and sight words, and is in a 6" x  9" format, making it the size of a chapter book.

My next picture book is called Auntie Katz Takes a Vacation, another book in the Kitty Cat Cousins series. Auntie Katz retires, and she decides to take an around the world tour with her nephew. I would like this to be a bit like "Find Auntie Katz" as the nephew takes pictures of Auntie Katz at many locations. But, I'm not sure how it will turn out given the illustration restrictions and the minds of these comic characters. 

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Dore's books, check out these links.

Website: http://www.ripleyonline.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Yellow-Duck-Press/author/B09YVSYXYJ

Getting Validation as a Writer: Author Interview with Mary Ellen Bramwell - women's fiction

What inspired you to write about the trials of life?  
I read books from just about any genre, but I chose to write about life's ups and downs because those are the stories that stick with me. A mystery or crime is solved and then over with, but life is ongoing. So, the things we learn from living life, or the things we learn from reading about someone else's life, are the things that we ponder long after the trial (or story) is finished.

How long did it take to write the first book?
My first book took six months to write and six months to rewrite. Many edits were done along the way, but I went through one major rewrite (unlike one of my other books that went through four).

What is the hardest part of writing for you? 
Probably being comfortable with the story early on. I've started writing several books that sounded great in my head but on paper just felt flat. It's hard to keep pushing on a story when it's just not working. I abandon those ideas before I waste too much time on them. When a story starts to write itself, I know I've found the right one.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Several years before I wrote my first book, I published a couple magazine articles. The editor I worked with on the second of those said, "You're a good writer. You should keep writing for us." I never forgot that. When I began seriously writing, that always stayed in the back of my mind, telling me I could do it. Then shortly after starting writing books, I won an award in the Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition. It validated the earlier comment. It is so easy to doubt yourself as a writer. Having people who did not personally know me tell me I could write made a huge difference.

Marketing is the biggest key to getting sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produces more sales rather than just clicks? 
Marketing was what I was least prepared to handle, yet we all need to do it. I was fortunate enough to land a BookBub deal early on. That featured eBook had over 50,000 free downloads. That spurred pages read and follow-on sales. Several years later, I'm still getting new reviews and ratings every week. 

Do you sell more eBooks or print books?

I definitely sell more eBooks than print.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Just a better handle on mechanics. I've learned so much about how to be a better writer (from conferences, books, etc.) since I first started that I'm hesitant to read my earlier books. When I do read them, I'm relieved I still like them - even if I would have tightened up some of the language if I were to write them now.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Hire an editor. You need to have someone else put eyes on it. And the caveat is be willing to accept the editing advice.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
A lot of people tell me, "I've always wanted to write a book." I encourage them to do it. Just sit down and put pen to paper and begin. In a way, the comment is a slight on writers. ("I could do what you do.") So, I'm always happy to support and cheer other writers who are willing to put in the hard work and produce a book. It is always an accomplishment to be celebrated. I've found fellow writers to be so supportive, so I try to be the same.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
I'm usually knee deep in another book, but I'm not right now. I have a series of children's books in the works (with names like It Was a Dark and Squeak Night), and I'm working on getting the approvals from involved parties to write a nonfiction book. Both of these projects are departures from what I've written in the past, but ones I'm excited to explore. At the moment, I'm spending most of my time editing for others.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Mary-Ellen's books, here are some links to get you started.
Amazon author page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mary-Ellen-Bramwell/author/B00NA86N0U
Goodreads author page: 
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8514729.Mary_Ellen_Bramwell
Website:https://maryellenbramwell.com/ 

And here's a bonus for my readers... lf you leave a comment on this post, you'll be entered in a drawing to win of one of her eBooks. The ones she is offering is either The Apple of My Eye or When I Was Seven. The winner gets to choose which book they want. The deadline to enter is 8:00 PM 3/23/23. So don't wait, leave a comment with your name now!

Marketing the Book Once It's Published: Author Interview with Irene Onorato

You've been traditionally published and now you write as an indie author. I understand you’ve received the rights back from the original publisher to indie publish those books. What exactly does an author have to do to get your rights back? 
First, a disclaimer. I’m not an attorney and the following is what I’ve learned through personal experience and shouldn’t be taken as legal advice.

The first step in asking for reversion of rights from a traditional publisher is to carefully read your contract, determine the expiration date, and also look for clauses that state the conditions under which the publisher could grant early termination. For example, if your contract is for five years, there might be a clause that states you can ask for reversion of rights after three years if certain criteria are met. 

Criteria might be things like not making X number of sales in a given length of time, or not making a certain dollar amount for so many quarters in a row. Bottom line is knowing the ins and outs of your particular agreement. And, even if you cannot find a clause for an early-out, it never hurts to simply send a courteous and respectful request for the reversion. The most they can do is say no.

How extensive of a rewrite do you do on these books prior to re-publishing?

When I got the rights back for my books I didn’t have to do extensive rewrites. I had to fix a few errors here and there and also write new back-cover blurbs as the publisher had written those and wouldn’t let me use them.

How much design input did you give the illustrator for your covers? 
I’m not at all artistic when it comes to visual things like cover making, so I leave that task to the pros. I met one of my cover makers years ago when I was still on Facebook. She’s fantastic and comes up with ideas with very little input from me. She did the Unlikely Love and Forever a Soldier series, plus a few stand-alone books. I also use a couple of other cover makers and usually ask for very few revisions.

What’s the hardest part of publishing and marketing your own books?
One of the hardest parts of the publishing process is knowing when the product is ready to launch. I’m riddled with self-doubt. Does my storyline have holes in it? Is the editing as near to flawless as humanly possible? Releasing a book is as terrifying as it is exciting.

Marketing is a time-consuming endeavor for sure, and I spend quite a few hours each week researching new ways to promote my books. It’s also not cheap to advertise, so I’m constantly evaluating my methods to determine how to get the most bang out of each dollar spent.

Marketing is a big part of increasing book sales. What venue have you found most successful in not only getting clicks but sales as well?
I have a list of promo sites that I use regularly. My new favorite is Faithful Reads, which is only for free and bargain Christian eBooks. I also like ENT (Ereader News Today), Robin Reads, Book Cave, and Book Doggy.

I’ve participated in group promotions through BookFunnel and Story Origin, and I’ve done swaps with other authors where I advertise their books in my NL and vice-versa.

Out of those two options (paid ads VS group promos and swaps), I have better success with clicks turning into buys with the paid ads.

What is the hardest part of writing for you? 
Starting a book has its challenges. There’s so much to accomplish on those first few pages, like setting the stage for time and place, introducing a character or two, and maybe igniting a few sparks for conflict to come. That’s a tall order for an author to deliver. I’m thankful for my critique partners who don’t pull any punches when it comes to telling me if I’m missing the mark. 

At the start of each of our books we usually trade “what ifs” with one another. “What if, instead of starting with the heroine’s POV, you go with the hero’s… Or, or, or, how about starting with the car wreck instead of all the backstory leading up to it…” It’s great to have people to brainstorm with!

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
My husband is the great encourager in our house, and believes I can do anything I set my mind to. After each book is launched, he asks me to read it to him in the evenings. His enjoyment of my work spurs me onward.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Writing a full-length novel, or even a novella, is a lot harder than I’d thought it would be. And, it’s not just the writing, but everything that follows once THE END is penned. Sometimes whole scenes or paragraphs need rewrites. Then there are the seemingly never-ending edits. It’s worth it in the end, but during those clean-up stages, it sure doesn’t feel like it.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Read everything you can about the craft of writing.

When I first started out, I wrote an 80,000-word novel, paid to have it professionally edited, and shopped it to several agents. While the book wasn’t entirely without merit, a couple of the agents graciously took the time to tell me what I needed to do to make it marketable. I bought book after book on the subject of writing. Stacked one atop the other, the pile reached my hip. (No exaggeration!) After reading and studying the wealth of information in each one, I set out on the task of rewriting my novel. I later submitted it directly to a couple of publishers, and one of them offered me a three-book contract.

Can you give me a short synopsis of your latest book?
My most recent release was The Street Magician and the Librarian which was book #3 in the Unlikely Love Series.

A chance encounter with a street magician throws librarian Carolyn Lambert a curve ball. What starts as a friendly attraction for the winsome and irresistible Eric Sinclair and his magic tricks turns into a bond Carolyn wasn’t expecting.

Sounds like a good lead in for a page turner. If you'd like to learn more about Irene's works, here are some links to get you started.

Website: https://ireneonorato.com/

Blog: https://ireneonorato.com/blog/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Irene-Onorato/e/B01EI7QE9G

Defining Your Writing Brand: Author Interview with Jeff Walton

Many writing instructors have often encouraged new authors to write what you know. Today's author has done just that. Jeff Walton can put a lot of realism into his military thriller/suspense novels as he is a US Navy Vietnam veteran and retired US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) special agent who spent more than thirty-four years in federal law enforcement and national security work. Read on to learn more about his writing journey.

 Since your bio shows your work history including being an NCIS agent, I have to ask…do you love or continually roll your eyes watching those shows for the way they portray that branch of service?

I like all of the NCIS shows, but in all honesty, I almost never watch them. The original NCIS show with Mark Harmon and the spinoff NCIS New Orleans do the best job of capturing the NCIS special agent culture. I always tell people that the NCIS shows are not documentaries – only Hollywood entertainment – so although many of the plots are based on actual NCIS cases and operations, the writers add scenes that do make me roll my eyes.

For the information of your readers, NCIS is a Department of the Navy Independent Field Operating Agency – not a military service like the active duty Navy and Marine Corps. NCIS special agents are civilians who are sworn federal law enforcement officers with civilian arrest authority.

Did you start writing your books while you were still working in law enforcement, or did that happen afterward?
The seed for my writing career was planted during my last year as an active agent, but I didn’t start writing and publishing until after retirement. I read Bill Wiese’s book, 23 Minutes in Hell, in February 2010. His book opened my eyes and my heart. I retired in July 2010.

What made you decide to write your first book that combines both your faith and past career?
I wanted to reach people with facts that would help them understand the Bible and the whole topic of God’s supernatural kingdom more clearly, but I realized in order to attract a wider audience, I had to lure them in with entertainment. Since the NCIS shows are so popular, I wanted to use my career as a way of drawing in the curious.

Once I started writing my first novel – which is really Christian apologetics wrapped in a fictional suspense drama – I realized that I could use my inside knowledge of NCIS and the national security community to add realism and factual integrity to my books. I included some snippets of real NCIS cases and operations in Final Departure: Death Is Never On Time, to capture the readers’ attention and to make specific points. The old saying, “write what you know,” is very true.

How long did it take to write?
My first book, Final Departure, took about five years, because as I wrote, I was also conducting in-depth research into the Bible and a number of related topics such as geology, history, biology, astronomy and Christian commentary. I spent years listening to Christian teachers and studying the scriptures, and when I felt that I could explain why the Bible was true and why people should put their faith in Jesus Christ, I decided I had to share what I had learned.

Who encouraged you along the way?
I had a strong inner urge to promote truth. I felt I had lived my life in a selfish, ungodly way, and I wanted to try to help people not make the same poor choices I had made in my personal life that led me away from God. I also felt that God had put me in my career with NCIS for a reason and that he wanted me to use what I had learned to help others find Him.

Once I got serious about writing, I was very fortunate to find some outstanding editors and a book technician who helped me become a writer and publisher.

Are you active with any critique groups?
I’m not active in any critique groups, but I’m active in the Ancient City Chapter (St. Augustine) of the Florida Writers Association, where I’ve received countless hours of professional instruction and advice.

Sunbrook Publishing is your own LLC. What made you decide to go that route?
I guess you could say I like to be in total control. Since I was writing about an intensely personal and potentially controversial topic (in this day and age) – God – I wanted complete control over my message and the form of delivery. Because I had been in senior management in NCIS and other elements of the federal government, I felt comfortable building and running my own business. I learned to trust my instincts and act after prayer. I believe God led me to the right professionals whom I hired to work at Sunbrook Publishing on a contract basis.

Did you do the formatting and cover design, or did you hire others?
I hired a formatting and cover design professional to do all the formatting and cover designs for my paperback, hardcover, and eBook versions of my novels. Unfortunately, my book technician/publishing coach passed away recently, so I’ll be hiring someone new when my third book is ready.

What’s the hardest part for you in publishing and marketing your own books?
Clearly, it’s the marketing; it’s time consuming and replete with endless possibilities that can often be very expensive and of limited or no value. A challenge related to marketing is finding your niche in the market and developing a compelling message to attract readers. Since my novels focus on Christian apologetics, prophecy, and end times themes, I have a huge subject matter area to cover from a marketing and messaging standpoint.

As I write and receive feedback from readers, I’ve been refining my brand and core message. While I still have more adjustments to make in my marketing strategy, reader reviews and feedback have confirmed that they appreciate clear, concise explanations of Biblical questions.

While working with branding and messaging experts, I’ve learned that my purpose in writing is “spotlighting truth.” My brand is Evidence For Eternity: Defeating Deception and Upholding Truth.” Those core principles carried me in my previous career, and I continue to uphold them in my current calling.

Have you received push back from readers that your books are too preachy?
Some, but most of the pushback has been from readers who reject Christianity and the content of the Bible– not my writing ability. Others reject the concept of the existence of a literal heaven and hell, and they don’t like my factual presentation of the evidence that supports their existence. I’d say the negative reactions have been less than 10%, and the overwhelming response has been positive, as evidenced by the reviews.

On a related note, I had both books analyzed by a professional AI program called ScoreIt offered by Bowker. The program compared the manuscripts of both my books with thousands of the best sellers from the past decade. Both books were judged to be very close matches in style, composition, vocabulary and tone with John Grisham’s The Racketeer – not exactly your typical warm and fuzzy book that sugar coats tough issues. The Bible is a gritty book that discusses every sin under the sun. I tell it like it is in a straight, factual manner through my characters, and the readers can decide if I’m preaching. Final Departure has an atheist as the antagonist, and I give him free rein to promote his beliefs.

The Navy has an old saying: “if you’re not making waves, you’re not underway.” Since my books have generated a small number of negative reactions, I know I’m doing my job correctly.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Determining what message I want to convey in my books. I didn’t know what my message in my first book, Final Departure, was until I had written half of my manuscript. I realized I was writing to explain why the Bible is a written reflection of reality. I had a similar experience with my second book, Divine Return: Death Is Never The End. After I had written a number of chapters that were based on my research, I recognized I was creating an expose about contemporary topics that were not being discussed in main-stream churches and the secular media.

At present, I’m trying to decide whether to write a story line similar to Final Departure where I do in-depth character development and a constantly shifting plot while presenting general Christian apologetic facts, or do I do a continuation of Divine Return, that although it is a standalone sequel to Final Departure, it delves into the dark realities of Satanism, ritual abuse and the luciferian global elite – all based on factual research and on-the-ground investigative work.

I continue to seek feedback as I do research and some preliminary chapter writing.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
The best encouragement has been the collective experience of winning eleven book awards – seven for Final Departure – and four for Divine Return. Knowing that impartial judges select your work for honors is very humbling and gratifying. The formal, public validation of my writing by others has been very encouraging. It’s also confirmed that I’ve hired great editors and book design experts.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Well written books create tension, flow smoothly, and draw in the reader. I didn’t know how to build pacing into my writing when I first started, but my content editor taught me how to create it. I also didn’t concern myself with the point of view of the characters when I first started. Whose head is the reader in during a scene? If your reader is in more than one person’s thoughts, you’re probably creating confusion and detracting from what you want to convey.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Pull your reader in on the first page of your book if it's fiction, or you’ll probably lose them. The same is actually true for nonfiction. Wordy, puffy, unfocused opening scenes will not capture today’s reader.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
Quality is more important than quantity. Some gifted writers are able to churn out a book a year. Most of us average writers are not able to produce as quickly. Focus on producing the very best work you can create. Setting deadlines is a good practice, but a great book is never hurried.

Also, I spend hours self-editing each chapter before turning over my manuscript to my editors. I recommend all writers take their time and focus on developing a quality story with interesting characters and a strong underlying message.

Lastly, I recommend writers read their manuscripts out loud. They’ll be surprised at how their book reads when they hear the words audibly.

What’s the next book coming out? Could you give my readers some details on that book?
My goal is to have a rough manuscript done by June, but as I described above, I haven’t settled on the main message I want to send. The book will most likely be the third and final installment in what has become a series. I never planned to write a series, but after the positive response to Final Departure and the requests for more, I decided to continue the story through Divine Return.

My main characters, Dan Lucas, NCIS special agent-retired, and Ben Chernick, tenured sociology professor and Jewish atheist, have attracted a following. More importantly, the message they have conveyed has touched many, and I hope to continue telling important truths through them in book #3.

You are also part of Florida Authors and Publishers Association (FAPA). Would you like to give some details about it? 
I joined FAPA in order to enter their President’s Book Award competition. In addition to hosting a book awards program every year, they do a fine job of providing professional training webinars, networking opportunities, and industry insights through their monthly newsletter. 

FAPA has an in-person conference and awards banquet every year in Orlando, Florida. They also periodically host writing seminars and conferences in the Orlando area as well.

That's all for today's interview. I hope his plotline intrigues you enough to purchase his books. Check out his website to set up a speaking engagement with him, review, his resources, and read his blog.

Website:   https://jeffwaltonbooks.com/ 

Got questions? Reach him by email: at jeffwaltonbooks@gmail.com.