It's All a Matter of Mindset: Author Interview with Susan Sleeman

 

My interview today is with a bestselling author of over forty Christian/inspirational, romantic suspense, and mystery novels.  She’s won several awards, including the ACFW Carol Award for Suspense and the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. And she has sold over a million books. Read on to learn how she’s achieved this success.

I am in awe at the number of books you have written and how you continue from one series to the next. At the beginning, you published with HQ Love Inspired Suspense where many new authors begin. How many books in did it take until you thought, I can make a career out of this?

What a good question. It was after my first multi-book contract with Love Inspired, that I believed I could make a living at writing. This would've been the contract for my Justice Agency series or my fourth book.

You now publish under Edge of Your Seat Books, Inc., which is the tag line on your website. Am I to understand this is your own imprint? What made you change to indie-publishing? 

Yes, this is my own imprint. I didn't change to indie-publishing alone. I am a hybrid author. I write for Bethany House Publishing under a traditional contract as well as publish books via my company.

I actually happened into indie accidentally. I was asked to join other authors in writing a novella for a multi-book set. Then we each published our novellas independently. I wrote Cold Harbor with the thought of it being book one in a series. Sales for Cold Terror took off right away, and I quickly thought if a short novella could sell so well, what might a novel do? 

So I wrote the second book in the series, and it sold very well too. So I wrote the third book. At that point, I didn't look back. I fit as many indie novels as I could between my contracted books and my indie career was born.

What are the pitfalls of going indie that new or established authors need to know before they make the switch?

I have found no real pitfalls in indie publishing. But something I would tell any author before doing it, is that you have to treat it like a business and be able to manage a business to succeed. I have prior management experience and this helped me succeed as an independent author.

But you have to be prepared to wear every hat. From cover design, to administrative details like uploading books, to advertising. Or plan to hire someone who can do it for you. Everything is up to you. You succeed or fail based on what you put into it. One other thing I would mention is that to succeed financially you need to write several books a year. Preferably one every ninety days or so. Many writers can't do that so it's something to consider.

Besides suspense novels, you’ve also penned three cozy mystery series. What made you branch out to that genre? Do you think you’ll write more?

I actually started with the cozy mysteries, but for some reason cozies don't sell well in the Christian market so publishers didn't want to contract them. If I wanted to make a living as a writer, I needed to write what the market wanted, which at the time was romantic suspense and still is. I'd love to write more cozies, but I just can't fit them into my schedule.

That's too bad because I am an avid cozy mystery reader. The suspense novels I see in stores and online are male driven with male authors. Why did you choose to write suspense novels? 

Romantic suspense is female author driven and I write romantic suspense. So I'm not unusual there. But what is unusual is that I write police procedurals, which seem more like suspense books, I suppose. I have read suspense books all my adult life, so it was natural for me to gravitate toward writing them. 

Plus, I am fascinated with forensics and police procedures. I love doing the research and learning new things in that area. Also, I attended the FBI's citizens academy and other local police citizens academy. When I saw the agents' and officers' hearts for helping people, I was hooked on writing in this genre.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

This has changed over time. I used to struggle with starting that all-important first chapter. But now that comes easy to me, and it's coming up with fresh plots, forensics, and conflicts I haven't used before that challenge me. After writing forty books, that's a big challenge for me. I can come up with the big plots, but the investigative details are more challenging.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

I guess winning awards is very encouraging and affirming as are good reviews from the trade magazines like Publishers Weekly and the Library Journal. But mostly, I'm encouraged by emails from readers who say the books not only entertained them, but the spiritual message gave them something to think about and employ in their own lives.

We have all experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past it?

It's a matter of mindset. When my life is interrupted, I remember to go back to the place where I last saw God in my goals and work, because I believe He is the one driving my writing success. So, if I've prayed about a direction, and I still believe that is the direction I am supposed to head, I move forward knowing at some point that he will bless it.

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing?

I guess the biggest surprise is that you're never done learning and growing. No matter the number of books you've written. The amount of money you've made. The accolades you've received. No matter all of that you, still need to keep improving and working to write your best book ever. And always remember that you are writing for the reader, not for yourself.

What has frustrated you the most?

It's hard to name my biggest frustration, but one thing that is a challenge is hurtful reviews. Not negative ones, but ones that are mean and hateful as if you, the author, have personally written a bad book just to hurt the reviewer. Every author pours their heart and soul and many, many hours into each book and never intends to disappoint readers. I have learned to overcome this by not reading reviews. I just ignore them now. But earlier on, it was hard.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?

I definitely wished I'd started sooner in life, but other than that, I feel like my journey was my journey because I had to experience it the way I did. It was God's path for me, so I am glad it unfolded as it did.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

Be open to criticism from critique partners, editors, and even some reviewers. Take the comments that you can employ and use them, not only in the book that has been evaluated, but carry them forward to future books. This goes back to my comment about never being done learning or growing.

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

It's a wonderful career, but also a very hard one. If you want to succeed you have to be pretty thick-skinned and prepared for disappointments. But the joy of crafting books and creating memorable characters can overcome it all if you have the right mindset.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?

My recent release is Minutes to Die, book two in my Homeland Heroes series from Bethany House. Reviewers are calling the book 'a nail biter from page one! Here are the details. 

It’s the intel every agent fears—terrorists have been smuggled into the country intent on unleashing the most deadly attack since 9/11. With the threat imminent, FBI Agent Kiley Dawson and ICE Agent Evan Bowers are charged with taking down this terrorist cell. Only problem is, Kiley blames Evan for the death of her former partner, and she can barely be in a room with him. But with millions of lives on the line, she has no choice. 

If it wasn’t for a bad call Evan made, Kiley’s former partner would still be alive, and Evan has to live with that guilt for the rest of his life. When he starts falling for her, the agent’s death seems an impossible obstacle—but it’s also the last thing he needs to think about. As the terrorist plot veers toward targeting Kiley’s family, the two are pushed to the breaking point in a race to save countless lives.

I can see why it’s considered a nail biter. I’ll have to read it. To learn more about Susan’s books, you can sign up for her newsletter that includes exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and other goodies.  I’ve done that. Here’s the link and others to get her books.

http://www.susansleeman.com/susans-newsletter/ 

Website: http://www.susansleeman.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SusanSleemanBooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4053429.Susan_Sleeman

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-sleeman

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Sleeman/e/B003ANF6Z8

Review Site: http://www.TheSuspenseZone.com

Finding the Right Fit for your Writing: Author Interview withTerrie Farley Moran

Terrie’s short mystery fiction has been published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and numerous anthologies. Her Read ’Em and Eat prequel, “A Killing at the Beausoleil” was an Agatha Award nominee for Best Short Story, while “Inquiry and Assistance” won the Derringer Award for Best Novelette.

Now let’s unravel the mystery of who Terrie is and how she writes. And maybe even inspire you to get cozy with mysteries, too.

Your first published novel won an Agatha award for “Best First Novel.” That’s quite an achievement. Tell me how that first book came about.

Well Read, Then Dead, is the first cozy in the Read ’Em and Eat mysteries set in Fort Myers Beach Florida. I wrote an earlier novel, my agent didn’t like it, so I wrote this one. I wanted to write a café cozy in a Key West kind of town. Fort Myers Beach fit the bill. And I was amazed and all sorts of happy when it was nominated and then won the Agatha.

What inspired you to write cozies?

I read cozies more than any other type of book. My second reading interest is non-fiction—American history.  Since, when it comes to history, I am not Doris Kearns Godwin, writing cozies seems like a better path for me.

How long did it take you to write your first book?

I am trying to remember. My first novel (the unpublished one) took a couple of years. I know Well Read, Then Dead was finished way ahead of the deadline. I guess it took about eight months.  I took the advice of the late Jerry Healy who said you can take as long as you like in writing your first book but if it sells, your publisher is going to have a time frame of a year or less, so you may as well start out with your own deadline.  I also should mention that I am a very slow writer. It takes a 10 or 12 hour day for me to write a thousand words, so for me, the process is extremely grueling.

How many rewrites did you do on it?

Three drafts. That is pretty standard for me with both novels and short stories. After the first draft, the second draft usually has some idea changes and lots of polish. The third draft is polish, polish, polish and more polish until it shines.

Who helps you with the editing?

No one. I never let anyone read my work until I submit it.

Who encourages you along the way?

My agent, who is the sweetest, most savvy person in the business. And, of course, my family.

Are you active with any writing critique groups? 

No. Never have been. Again, I don’t like anyone else to read my work other than the editor who has the potential to buy it.

How did you go about finding an agent/publisher?

Long story here. I wrote my first (still unpublished) cozy mystery novel and did the paper query route with no success. I also attended conferences where I would sign up for interviews with agents and editors. I met my present agent at a conference.

I gave her the elevator pitch about my novel and she immediately pointed out a flaw but asked me to send her fifty pages, which I did. She called me a while later and told me that, in her opinion, the novel was unpublishable, but said she liked my voice and asked if I would consider writing another novel. I said yes. And that is how we became a team.

I’ve been a big fan of cozy mysteries for years because of their quirkiness. So many of them take place in a restaurant, bakery, or something else to do with food preparation. Why does a chef, cook or baker make a good heroine?

I think it is all about the food. No matter the actual setting for a cozy, the characters do spend a fair amount of time eating delicious food and drinking tea, or sometimes wine. It allows for the characters to talk about what is going on around them. Food and cozies! Terrific combination. So a food shop is the perfect setting.

What are the essentials that make for a good cozy mystery?

No blood and gore, no obvious sex, no bad language. An interesting murder. Definitely a nosy amateur sleuth and warm friendships with food and laughter thrown in for good measure. I wrote an article describing cozy mysteries for Criminal Element in 2012 and I believe it has stood the test of time. https://www.criminalelement.com/what-is-a-cozy/

(Do review that blog post. It is a great description!)

You recently attended Bouchercon, which is the premier annual event for mystery writers and readers. What was your favorite part of it?

My favorite part of Bouchercon is the same as my favorite part of every conference, seeing old friends, making new friends. The mystery community is a very happy and caring one. It is like a big old family reunion when we all get together.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

I was honored a few years ago when Laura Childs, one of my favorite authors, asked me to join her in writing her New Orleans Scrapbooking series. We have just finished our fourth book together, MUMBO GUMBO. The released date on our third collaboration, GLITTER BOMB, was October 2, 2018.

We have all experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past writing rejection?

Rejection comes with the territory. My first love is short stories. I love to read them, and I love to write them. In the beginning, if I sent out a short story and a market rejected it, I thought the story was poorly written or had some other problem. Now I realize that the story may be excellent but is not suited to that particular market. When/if a short story comes back, I send it right out to another market.

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing?

The biggest surprise for me is that, although rumors and changes swirl around us, (think of the rumors when e-books came along) there is, and always will be, a market for good quality reading material.

What frustrates you the most about writing? 

As I mentioned, I am a very slow writer. I get frustrated by my own lack of speed.

What do you know now about writing that you wished you had known sooner?

Because I am a slow writer, I had some fantasy that the more I wrote, the faster I would become. Uh, no. Not going to happen.

What is some of the best writing advice that you’ve received or could give?

Cozy author Gillian Roberts is quoted as having said, “Don’t write it right, write it down.”

William Faulkner had another nugget: “I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately, I am inspired at 9 o'clock every morning.”

Follow those two and you can’t go wrong.

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

Writing is a job and publishing is a business.

Would you please give my readers a short synopsis of your new book, GLITTER BOMB, which you wrote with Laura Childs?

It's Mardi Gras in New Orleans and scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand is excited to be attending the Pluvius Parade along with her best friend, Ava. Carmela's ex-husband, Shamus, rides by the duo on his float at the head of the parade, when suddenly the revelry turns to disaster. Shamus' float crashes and explodes, and although Shamus escapes unhurt, a member of his krewe is killed.

Carmela and Ava plunge into an investigation of the krewe-member's death, but as they dig deeper it starts to look less like an accident and more like a murder....and Shamus seems less like a victim, and more like a suspect.

Well, that’s got my attention – especially since it takes place in N’awlins, one of my favorite cities. If you’d like to buy this book or learn more about her other writing, here are some links to get you started.

www.terriefarleymoran.com

https://www.facebook.com/terriefarleymoran/