The Indie Author's Writing Life: Author Interview with Chelsea Kong

I am amazed by the number of books that you have listed in a pre-order status. How long does it take you to write and get a book ready to be published?
Each book is different. The children's books are quicker to write than books for adults and teenagers. I do everything myself, so the process is a lot quicker. I can finish a children’s book in a few days from the writing to the design and then I also self-publish. I don’t use a publisher. 

I use Canva to create the layout, design, and various sources for graphics. Sometimes I have to do research to write my books and I use grammar sites to edit my work. I publish through KDP. Youth and adult books can take me months to a year to write. 
 
One of your upcoming books is about an eaglet. That grabbed my attention as I’ve been watching an eagle’s nest in a nature preserve near our house. What made you choose that topic?
Eagles are fascinating. I enjoy watching them especially when they soar. I heard about eagles having to pull their feathers and sharpen their talons. They soar rather than fly and have sharp vision. As a Christian, eagles are symbolic of the gift of prophecy. My sister got me interested in watching videos of eagles. I have been watching different eagle families raise their eaglets. They change over days, weeks, months, and years until they reach adulthood.
 

You are an indie author. Other than writing, what other parts of the process do you personally do? What do you hire others to do?
As an indie author, I have a tight budget, so I don’t have as much freedom to hire somebody to do work for me. There are free resources that I can use, so I don’t really need to hire others. For one book,  I hired a publisher to redesign it, but most of it was my own work. It was too expensive, so I chose not to continue to use one. I hired a few illustrators to design book covers before I found out I can design them in Canva. 

I've used my own photos for certain books.. My sister also did illustrations for a few of my books. Most of the time I use graphics available on various sites including Canva. I've illustrated some of my books. I did most of the artwork for my first collection of puzzle books. 

I've tried to do audiobook recording, which I found is not that simple, so I only did a few. You need to get the audio perfect for Audible to accept the files. That took me a lot of time, so I decided I did enough. I use Grammarly and ProWritingAid to edit my books. I've hired a few marketers to promote my books, but  I've  learned to sell more by self-promoting.
 

What do you know now about publishing you wished you had known sooner?
I would have liked to have known I could use Canva to produce my books with Grammarly and ProWritingAid to edit them. I started with a small local print shop to print and sell my books before I realized I had made a mistake. I could have learned more about book design and layouts. 

I also learned that Barnes and Noble is  great as an additional publisher, but it turned out that IngramSpark is better. I use Amazon mostly due to its benefits.

 
What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Brainstorm and research. Use Canva, ProWritingAid or Grammarly, and if you don’t have the budget for an illustrator Canva and free image sites will work as long as they can match with your book’s topic. I chose to use photos more than illustrations for that reason. I use Freepik, Pexels, Pixabay, and Unsplash.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
You need inspiration to write. When I write faith books, I am inspired and I spend time to receive the ideas. I spend time in the scriptures, prayer, and singing. You may need to go and enjoy nature or focus on topics that you are passionate and knowledgeable about.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
My next book for release this year is Proverbs 31 Woman. Proverbs 31 Woman is excellent in everything! The book will teach children how to be a woman of excellence as a mother and a wife. They will learn how to become a God-fearing woman. This book includes activities to help children to practice what they learn.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Chelsea's books, here are some links to get you started.
https://chelseak532002550.wordpress.com/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Chelsea-Kong/author/B0917WRPNR

https://www.instagram.com/chelseakong/
https://twitter.com/fundankanshin

https://www.facebook.com/chelsea.kong1
https://www.facebook.com/chelsea.kong1

And here's a tip for my readers...Get some of her books for free by using this link. 
https://chelseak532002550.wordpress.com/books-for-sharing/

Don't Be Afraid of Writing Rejection - Keep Writing: Author Interview with Dennis Bailey

You retired from being a police detective and turned to writing. What made you decide to write biblical fiction? 

For most of my adult life, I've been an ardent student of the Bible. Back in the mid-90s, I also became a big fan of Jerry B. Jenkins' and Tim LaHaye's Left Behind series. After reading those stories, all I can say is that I felt the call of God on my own heart to take what I'd learned in the Scriptures and use it to write something similar using the Biblical account of Noah. 

What type of research did you do for that first book, Army of God, to create a story that grabs at the reader’s heart? 

All of the historical research for Army of God is based on that account and the writings of Flavius Josephus in his Antiquities of the Jews. At it's core, Army of God is a revenge story, with the hook being how the animals are employed as more than just cargo, but as defenders of the ark itself.

Your books are independently published. Prior to writing these books, what experience did you have with marketing and publishing? 

I had no prior experience in marketing or publishing prior to my first book. Army of God was originally published by a small, newly-formed, boutique publisher. However, following a less than successful launch, I regained control of the rights to the novel and published it independently. 

How much of the non-writing (formatting, cover design, website design, etc.) did you do?  

Surprisingly, I do quite a bit of the non-writing tasks. While I contract others to handle the eBook formatting, cover design (based on my own concept), and website development. 

Starting with my second novel, I took over formatting of the print version (using Adobe InDesign) as well as the production and publishing of my own book trailers (Wondershare Filmora). For me, the hardest part of the publishing and marketing of my own books is the time it takes away from the creative process of writing.

Marketing is a big part of increasing book sales. You’ve managed to get 500 + reviews, which is not easy for a new author. What marketing venue have you found most successful in not only getting clicks but sales as well? 

I've benefited from a lot of good advice. I hired both a personal book marketing consultant and a separate commercial marketing team. The personal consultant provided a tailored marketing roadmap for promoting my books using the major book promo sites (e.g., Robin Reads, Freebooksy, EReader News Today, etc.) in conjunction with running price promotion campaigns on Amazon. 

The marketing team handles all of the direct advertising that appears on the Amazon sales pages. As for the most successful marketing venue, I'd say the three I mentioned above are equally good. Everybody talks about how great BookBub is (and they are), but what good are they if you can't get them to accept your book for promotion.

Both of your books have wonderful cover designs. How did you find the right designer? 

That's an interesting story. A few years ago, I ran a design contest on the graphic design website 99Designs, but wasn't able to find an acceptable candidate. After that I went looking through their list of artists on my own and found someone whose portfolio contained some truly magnificent character designs. His name is Darko Tomic and he's from Serbia. He did both of my covers and, with luck, will do all my future ones.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?  

I'd have to say overcoming inertia. When I get stuck and the words aren't coming, I get depressed. So, I take a break. But then I find myself not wanting to come back. I'll come back to the screen two, three, four times during the day and just end up staring at it, all the while becoming more frustrated and discouraged. 

I've heard of writers who can write 18,000 words in a weekend, or a complete novel in 90 days. I could never do that. Writing for me is an inherently slow, deliberate process. I've spent half a day writing a single paragraph. The price of being a perfectionist, I guess.

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

Her name is DiAnn Mills. She's an established Christian author, writer of more than 55 books. I met her at a Christian Writer's Conference in Dallas 11 years ago where she inexplicably invited me to join an advanced writer's class she was teaching. Since then, she has become my friend, editor, mentor, writing coach, and varsity cheerleader. Her best advice to me. "Keep writing."

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

Only that I'd taken it up sooner. I've always loved writing, the crafting of words into a coherent thought that might touch, move, persuade, or even change a person's life in some way. Even as a police detective, I'm humbled to say I had a reputation for writing a fairly good investigative report. But I'd never thought to use that gift to tell stories. Jerry Jenkins once said, "Whatever else the writing life offers, nothing compares with the dream of actually changing lives with words." He was, of course, correct.

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

Don't be afraid to follow your dream. If your dream is to write, write! Next, develop a thick skin and prepare yourself for rejection. It happens to us all. I was dropped by my agent a year after being signed. Army of God was overlooked by all but one small publishing house and has been rejected for promotion by BookBub 26 straight times. And yet it continues to garner 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon and was a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Award winner in 2020. Above all, don't give up!

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

Writing is a sedentary occupation, one that can lead to a variety of ailments related to being inactive. To combat this, you're going to want to develop a regular exercise regimen and stick to it. It doesn't necessarily have to be strenuous, but should involve something other than sitting. 

It may be tough when the creative juices are flowing, but I wouldn't suggest sitting more than two hours at a time without getting up to take a walk around the house or the yard. I have an adjustable standing desk that allows me to alternate between sitting and standing to prevent strain in either position while writing.

Your newest book, The Boy Who Cried Christmas, is a boy who cried wolf story. Tell me about how you crafted your plot. 

I wish I could take credit, but must confess I rely heavily on the Spirit of God for all of my story ideas.  Even in my youth, I was never quite that creative or imaginative and probably the reason I chose the pragmatic, analytical career of a police officer. Of course, after Army of God, I did want to tell a Christmas story, one that focused more on the birth of Jesus than the commercialized Santa Claus. I thought the boy who cried wolf fable was the perfect vehicle to use. 

Rather than a farfetched tale of a pending wolf attack, I used the farfetched tale of a boy witnessing the birth of Christ. Strategically, the story is broken into two main overarching themes. The first involves the boy traveling back in time to witness the event and all the dangers he faces there. The second deals with the scrutiny and dangers he faces upon his return to the present. I'm particularly proud of the ending, which turned out to be quite a surprise to many readers.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Dennis's books, here are some links to get you started.
Website: https://dennisbaileyauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dennisbaileyauthor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Dennis-Bailey/e/B078T3BF7J
Army of God book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBrTF3Hroj0&t=1s
The Boy Who Cried Christmas book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT3Ga7ziKTQ

Writing to Engage Your Reader: Author Interview with Jerry Rogers

What made you decide to write that first novel?
I’ve always had an interest in angels, and not just how they interact on a personal level, but the impact would they play in causing events in human history through the background of major events. There are incidents in my past that have the fingerprints of angels. 

What drew you to writing about angels and the Catholic church?
After doing some research and discussing my ideas with friends and family, they thought it more interesting and grounded to focus the story around the Church playing a primary plot in the series since it has a strong affinity towards heavenly messengers.
How long did it take you to write your first book and do your rewrites?

The first book in the series took a little less than three years, including research. This includes two rewrites, not counting edits after the very first draft which was a hot mess, as expected.

Who helped you with the editing?
A couple of friends and a barista I became acquaintances with at a coffee house were wonderful in pointing out the weaknesses, as well as the strengths as I developed the story. I met my current editor while on a train trip from L.A. to Chicago through Texas. 

Are you active with any writing critique groups?
I’m currently involved with a writing group composed of co-workers from where I worked before I semi-retired.

Did you try to go the traditional route and seek out a publisher first?

I had considered the traditional route, but after reviewing the pros and cons of each, I chose to indie-publish. I may try the traditional route later. One of the benefits of the indie side is insight into the overall publishing process. 

A friend in the writing group I’m associated with started with the indie route for his seven-book series. After he completed his third, he got picked up by a traditional publisher. During one of our get-togethers, he hinted at having second thoughts. He didn't like their ideas of renaming the book series, changing characters, redoing cover art concepts, and modifying the storyline.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Tension. You want to make sure your characters have a balanced sense of conflict and tension, and not a forced or contrived set of circumstances just to move the story forward. Creating the right scene can be a challenge because I want to make sure it matches tonally and not used as a convenient plot point to make the story “exciting.” 

Making sure the transition from scene to scene is coherent tends to be a challenge as well, so that the story doesn’t come off as episodic and discontinuous. Then there’s dialog, which I enjoy writing. It can convey a lot about your characters and help to build tension, but I work to ensure that I don’t become overly reliant on it which for me, is easy to do.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
My writing is not Young Adult oriented, but I've received compliments on it from high school students. While at a convention with fellow friends/authors, a high school student came up and said how much she enjoyed the first book in my trilogy and was looking towards the next two. 

Then one evening when I was having coffee with my nephew he said, “You know Uncle Jerry, I read your books, and wow, I must say, I was expecting something much different. I really enjoyed them; they weren’t like other self-published books that I’ve read. With yours, it was like reading actual novels.”

How have you learned to write past writing rejection?
With my standalone religious surrealism work, a reader and fellow author noted there was such a major shift in the story, it severely took him out of the story. I stepped back from reading the novel from an author’s viewpoint. Guess what, I saw what the reader had mentioned after reading it from a different perspective. 

At first, in my mind, even after the edits, it was connected. The new viewpoint allowed me to see the cracks in the story and provided a cool opportunity to revise and integrate changes to help coalesce the book. Also, the editor at the time accepted the shift in the initial work as intentional during our collaboration. I learned to appreciate him letting me develop the story as I first saw it, and then helping during the latter changes. Having a background in the military, we learn criticism is to help you become a better you.

What has surprised or frustrated you the most in writing/publishing?
What surprised me most was the ease of indie publishing, which can also be frustrating. You’re the one responsible for finding an editor, proofer, copy-editor, beta readers, cover art design, book format, and set up (paperback and e-book), ISBN…etc. 

It’s not hard, just time-consuming working to get it right. I do like the flexibility that the story can be improved down the line. I’ve always enjoyed writing with ideas buzzing like a beehive (cliché’) in my mind. 

I write down the best thoughts; boy talk about a bunch of notes and story fragments. Once I get working to put it all together, making sure it’s coherent can be a challenge. The reader deserves more than a mish-mosh of semi-coherent random thoughts.

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

Ideas, thoughts, and ruminations that drift through your mind don’t necessarily flow naturally into words. I also never knew I consistently use certain words such as just, decide, and knew. So, I created an “outlaw” word list. I compare my writing against the list during my self-edit phase before it goes to the editor. Over time, I found myself using the outlaw words less. Once I get into a writing flow, I want to enjoy the stream of consciousness that occurs.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Never take criticism personally, even if it’s delivered in a harsh manner. It’s one of the best methods to identify what needs to be strengthened. Sometimes, individuals may be reacting to concepts, ideas, and situations, or it's a genre they’re not comfortable with or understand. As one mentor mentioned, and from what I’ve read from other authors, what some dislike about your work may be the exact reason others like it.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
I like the view that the reader is in control, and in the end when they’ve finished your story, you hope they enjoyed your work.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
I’m switching up genres working on a soft science-fiction novel. Set in the future, it’s centered around the social acceptance of the main character’s occupation as an assassin within a Governing House in the galaxy. He begins to have severe doubts about his occupation and its moral implications. The impact of his decision to step away and repent from his actions results in major consequences in his life and other Great Houses in the galaxy. 

Sounds interesting! If you'd like to learn more about Jerry's writing, here are the links to use:
https://jjkr-writings.info/https://www.facebook.com/fallenandelectbooks
https://www.amazon.com/Jerry-Rogers/e/B00GLG8DQ0?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1590183897&sr=1-1

How Writing is like Singing: Author Interview with Sheri Richey

My first question is on your Eden Hall series. What made you decide to release all 5 of the books on the same day in 2010?

The Eden Hall Series was not originally written for publication.  I wrote the series in 2008 as a gift to my mother who was a romance reader.  Later I uploaded them to CreateSpace with print on demand as my only goal.  They were then published to Amazon and have been there ever since.

How long did it take you to write that series? 

The series took me eight months to write and I had two different editors that worked with me.  I received differing advice from them, but ultimately I took the advice of one of them and did a rewrite to reduce the steam from many of the scenes. 

Ten years ago, there was a spirited divide in the romance genre where erotica was growing and clean romance was just budding.  Although the series was written in the middle of that road, the editors were pulling me in opposite directions.  I did tone it down and deleted some scenes, but I feel the series is still firmly in the middle of that road.  Several years following that series, I did write a clean romance called Willow Wood.

After all those books, what made you switch to writing cozy mysteries?

Mysteries are my preferred reading genre, so I enjoy writing them.  The hardest part for me is finding the time.  It is an endurance test sometimes.  I work all day at a demanding job and then try to write in my free time.  As I have many hobbies, there is competition for that free time!

Why did you choose the indie route to publish your books?

I have never considered traditional publishing and have never submitted an agent letter or manuscript to anyone.  I have heard too many horror stories from other authors who struggle to get the rights returned to them from publishing contracts they signed, and I don't want anyone else to control my releases.  I prefer to work at my own pace and release when I'm ready.  I track my own expenses and income that way.  I may also have control issues.  :-)

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

The outlining.  I want very much to prepare a detailed outline before I write a mystery.  I try it each time and I always begin writing before it's complete.  I have yet to be successful with it.  Logically, especially for mysteries, I think it is the correct way to embark, yet my urgency to begin always usurps that plan.  I have a skeletal idea before I begin, but it mostly evolves as I write.

What does your editor remind you to do most often?

To quit using "that" so much and add more commas.  I write a lot of dialog in my cozies and I write like I speak.  Apparently, I say "that" too much.

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

My only real encouragement comes from total strangers that email me or leave reviews saying they enjoyed my books.  I wish more people felt comfortable doing that.  It's really a lonely profession and reviews are the only feedback we get.

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

It's disappointing to get a negative review and I don't think reviewers realize how much that hurts someone who has invested a lot of time to create a story for them.  I know what I write is not going to please everyone, so I try to overlook those.  If there comes a time when the negative reviews outweigh the positive, I will know it is time to quit publishing and keep my stories to myself.

What has surprised or frustrated you the most in writing/publishing?

I think I'm always surprised when someone buys my books.  Having originally published the Eden Hall Series without any expectation that it would sell, I have been surprised and delighted to see it sell in the US and abroad.  I'm also delighted with the cozy mystery readers.  They are a warm and friendly group.  I'm so glad to be a part of it.

The most frustrating part is marketing.  I have no experience in that area and struggle to participate fully with it, because my free time is limited.  

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

I wish I had known about Scrivener when I first began writing.  It is an essential tool, especially for series writing, because I can track all the different people, streets, and businesses from one book to another. 

Readerlinks is also a fabulous tool once you begin marketing.  I wouldn't want to be without either of them!

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

Write what you enjoy and put your best face on it!  Although I know I can write in other genres, I am happier when I write what I enjoy reading.  In addition, I've learned that a good cover is a powerful thing.  A number of people will only give your book a try if they are attracted to the cover.

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

Writing is like singing.  Everyone can do it.  Some people just do it better than others.  If it makes you happy, you should do it!

What is the next book coming out?

Book 6 of the Spicetown Mystery Series was released in April, Chicory is Trickery.

Can you give me a short synopsis? 

It’s springtime in Spicetown and Mayor Cora Mae Bingham discovers there may be trouble blooming along with the rhododendrons!

With construction in full throttle in the new subdivisions and the income tax filing deadline looming over her head, Mayor Cora Mae Bingham is revamping the Annual Easter Eggs-Travaganza and trying to figure out who is in the Easter bunny suit this year, when a dead body has to be added to her To-Do list.

Are any other books in production?

I am beginning a sequel to Willow Wood, a small-town sweet romance.  It is called Knight Events and will be published as a part of a Christmas Anthology in November 2020.  In the spring of 2021, it will be released as a standalone book.

In addition, I have an appointment with my cover artist in June for the next Spicetown Mystery (Book 7), so I plan to release another Spicetown adventure later this summer.

I also have three other mystery series planned, two are spin-offs of Spicetown and I would love to get started on all of them now.  One will involve Dorothy Parish, the owner of the Caraway Cafe' in Spicetown and the other centers around Peggy Cochran, the owner of the Carom Seed Craft Corner.  The third series will be called Green Thumb mysteries and will focus on a gardening protagonist.

I have a couple of middle-grade mysteries in the back of my mind and a book of poetry that needs to be published when I find the time.

In the midst of all these plans, I just learned I am moving again.  My day job moves me around every couple of years and the time has come.  As you can imagine, moving a household to another state does sometimes cause a delay in plans, so I may not get everything done that I want to do, but I love a challenge!

Wow! For someone who says she doesn’t have time to write, you’ve got it going more than many writers I know. If you’d like to learn more about Sheri’s books, here are ways to do that.

Amazon Author Page:  https://readerlinks.com/l/286713

Facebook Romance Author Page:  https://readerlinks.com/l/302385

Facebook Mystery Author Page:  https://readerlinks.com/l/420192

Goodreads:  https://readerlinks.com/l/286814

Bookbub:  https://readerlinks.com/l/324637

Blog:  https://readerlinks.com/l/286712

Finding your Writing Niche: An Interview with Michaela Renee Johnson

As you welcome in the New Year, I want to encourage you to get that book you've been thinking of writing or the one you've been constantly editing to come to completion. To that end, I am opening the year of interviews with an Indie author who took the risk to put her words out to be read by friends as well as strangers. So, let's get started!

This year you’ve published three children’s picture books. However, prior to that, you wrote a couple of contemporary adult books. What made you switch genres?

I know some well-known authors, such as James Patterson,  have dual niches, but mine is a little of everything. I have a memoir, fiction, self-help, and three children’s books. What’s common among my books is that there is always a self-healing component. There is a humanistic connection to the lead character that hopefully inspires readers in some way. 

What inspired you to write your kids' stories from a dog’s viewpoint?

I think anyone who has animals can attest that you often “create stories” based on the expressions that they are giving you or the little noises they are making. At night when my son was little, we would tell him stories and they were often from the animal's viewpoint.  I will say the best “dog viewpoint” book I’ve read is The Art of Racing in the Rain.

One of my books, Vegetable Souffle, is actually from the viewpoint of the family.

What message would you like parents and children to take away from your books?

In general, all of my children’s books are aimed at helping kids through something. As a psychotherapist and a mom, I find storytelling and books are often the best way to process things happening in the world around us and “to” us.

Who helped you polish your kids’ stories?

Oh boy. There was a team of people from teachers, to other psychotherapists, to friends and families and people in the publishing industry. The biggest help I’ve received in the process is working with a publishing company to handle the graphic layouts.

Who did your illustrations?

Vector Family has done all three of my children’s books. We worked together online, and I found it to be a seamless and effective process.

Are you active in any writing critique groups?

Over the years I’ve been active in various writers’ groups. Recently I’ve joined a “write club,” which is like group journaling. I’ve found a lot of value in having the freedom to express in ways that don’t have to stick to traditional formats and styling. I’ve also been able to go outside my comfort zone by doing group work that is more personal. 

I have to shout out to stephaniebirch.com for bringing this to the Sacramento area.

Why did you decide to self-publish with your own imprint?

I’ve had all sorts of experiences in the publishing world, having been the editor for a newspaper, and such…more than anything I would say a sense of feeling small and a lack of patience contributed to it. My personality tends to direct me to just “get it done.” However, I’m taking a completely different approach for the fiction book I’m working on, and am sending out queries, following the traditional methods for publication.

Did you have previous marketing or publishing experience?

Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, I spent 12 years in marketing for Fortune 500 companies, and have been in the publishing world since I was in my teens, having worked for newspapers, other media, and eventually being an editor of a newspaper.

What’s the hardest part for you in doing indie-publishing?

Marketing. My background is in marketing, and I can sell just about anything, but when it comes to selling me, I tend to be more reserved. I’ve had a large following on Facebook and Instagram and I have no problems authentically sharing in that way, but “pitching a book” is a whole different game. If an indie book is going to “make it” you have to hustle it, and I’ve not found that to be a strong talent.

What are some of the promotions that you’ve done that have been the most successful?

Honestly, hands down get yourself some solid reviews. Even if you have to pay to have the book read for an honest review, it’s worth it. You can use the reviews in your marketing materials. I also enjoy the giveaways, though I haven’t seen a huge return in the way of reviews and things of that nature.

What would you tell other authors to avoid?

I tend to avoid book awards unless they are local or very specific to the book's niche. I think there are a lot of companies capitalizing on the Indie market who will take your $100 and run. Those costs can add up quickly. Do your research and pick one or two awards contests to enter. Teetering on Disaster, my memoir, was a winner in the San Diego Book Awards and that was a very positive experience.

  

What has frustrated you the most in putting your books together?

Nothing about writing or publishing frustrates me. This is honestly my happy place. Pen to paper, creating and seeing it go live is the good stuff. That said, I’m shopping queries now and the rejection is real, and that is hard. I’ve actually joined a women’s group called Wild Women Rising, put on by Dr. Florie Wild, to help me with the emotional process of rejection and believing in my journey and ability to see my next book find its way to Hudson News (a dream for me is seeing my books at airport bookstores, as I travel a lot).

What has pleasantly surprised you in the process?

I have this little mantra…Detachment earns freedom from the result. I think detaching from the outcome has been the most beautiful part of the process. Most people write for a lasting legacy…embrace the journey.

What advice would you give someone who wants to publish their own book?

Get a good editor. Pay for editing. I had problems with hastiness in my first publishing and people caught the typos. Have someone at a small press edit your work. It really helps finish out the story and cleans up any grammar and storyline issues that might exist.

If you are doing a children’s book consider a company like Jera Publishing who can handle the layout. I am experienced in working with InDesign from my time as a newspaper editor, but there are so many details on illustrated books, and even traditional books to be mindful of.  There are many companies to help you with all facets of publishing. This will remove a lot of frustration from the process, and it will take them a fraction of the time it will take you.

What is the writing best advice you’ve been given?

That a great writer is a great reader first. I’m an avid reader. I ALWAYS have a book in my purse. I read all types of genres, for all ages. I think there’s no better way to have your pulse on the writing community than to dive into a great book. Plus, I’m a firm believer that in giving there is receiving.

Any books in the process that you’d like to share with my readers?

As I hinted, I’m working on a fiction book. I’m over the moon excited because it’s commercial fiction at its finest. It’s got drama, and humor and mystery, but it’s also very character driven. The book follows four women who live very different lives, but their paths are forced to cross to stop a murder.

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

Website: www.michaelarenee.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/usjohnsons

Amazon Author Site: https://www.amazon.com/Michaela-Renee/e/B002PJ1D1Y

Conquering Parents' Fears: An Interview with Susan Macias

Your bio says that you homeschooled for years. With a houseful of kids, how did you find time out of your busy schedule to write?

I am currently in my twenty-fifth year of homeschooling and I have always found it a challenge to both teach and to write. For many years I blogged intermittently because that was a way to produce work without the pressure of deadlines I could not always meet. I tended to accomplish most of my writing in the evenings or for longer chunks of time on Saturdays. 

Now that I am down to only two students who are more independent learners, my schedule has shifted. I now get up and write in the morning for several hours at least three days a week.

What authors inspire you?

I am an avid reader and picking a favorite author is a bit like picking a favorite child. But I guess my favorite is CS Lewis, because he could capture truth in simple, beautiful words. I love the poetic nature of Ann Voskamp’s books as well as the straight-forward approach of Elizabeth Elliot. I tend to flip back and forth between non-fiction and fiction.

How do you write?

I tend to write from inspiration which is why blogging has worked well for me. However, that approach has kept me from concentrating on a particular subject long enough, as my inspiration flits from one subject to another. So, I am now trying to focus on moms and praying for the next year to develop a larger body of work on that particular subject.

For your book, did you start with a concept or did you do an outline?

My book was easily outlined because it followed a passage of Scripture directly. Since I was writing the book verse by verse it had a built-in outline. This book developed from a desire to share what the Lord had taught me from Philippians 1:3-11.

As a Mom, I often fell victim to worry and nagging that resulted in unhealthy ways of dealing with situations. This scripture revolutionized my prayer life and profoundly changed my heart. I want to share the freedom that comes from confidently resting in the Lord while passionately praying for our kids.

What would you like readers to take away from reading your book?

Every time I receive feedback where I get reports that a mom has slept well for the first time in years, or that their prayer life has been radically changed or that they feel for the first time they have a handle on HOW to pray for their child, I am grateful. My deepest desire is to help other women find both that joy and also be equipped to pray for their kids.

What made you decide to indie-publish? Tell me about your process.

I never approached publishers or tried to find an agent. From the beginning, I had a strong desire to self-publish. I studied the self-publishing process extensively and by the time my manuscript was ready I felt at least a little confident in moving forward myself. I hired a professional editor for the manuscript and also contracted an artist for the cover design and inside illustrations. I published through Createspace and on Kindle.

Now I am studying marketing and distribution. Self-publishing has been a great experience but it does require the author to do every step themselves, which is challenging.

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

I wished I had known how long the process would be. There are many steps to turning out a quality product and there are no shortcuts. I also wish I had taken the plunge sooner. It took me a few years to talk myself into actually beginning writing the book. I wish I had packed fear away and moved ahead when I was totally un-confident in what I was doing. I learned more as I progressed along with the project than I could have  . The key is to just do the work and trust the process.

What type of publicity do you do to promote your book?

I am using social media for my book marketing. I make memes with quotes from the book and put them on Instagram and Facebook. I use my blog to reach people with the subject of prayer. I reach out to my email list from my blog and ask for word of mouth recommendations. I have not yet gone into paid advertisements, but am studying my best options for that now.

What is the best advice you've been given about writing or that you've learned that you would like to pass along?

The most significant piece of advice that affected how I worked was to start calling myself a writer. Even though I wrote on my blog and had even had a few pieces published in magazines, I hesitated to use the title of “writer.” Yet, when I finally began saying that, it changed how I thought of myself. It also gave me the confidence to tell people I was writing a book (after all, that is what writers do, don’t they?), which helped with momentum to work toward completion.

Calling myself a writer also changed how I behaved. I wrote more and I began studying the craft of writing with more diligence. If this is what I did, I needed to be serious. So, I encourage everyone, if you feel called to be a writer, start calling yourself that. Don’t wait until you are published or validated by someone else. If you write, you are a writer! And you get to take it seriously.

What other work do you have in the process?

I am working on a blog series that will come out every day in January. I did this last January (and swore I would never do it again), and looking back I can see the value in the project. So, I am going to blog every day in January as a “starting the New Year with prayer” project.

Besides my blog, I am researching several writing projects and praying about which is the next one to jump into full force. I have begun another prayer book, and two fictional narratives based on Biblical points that I am researching. And I have a few concepts to work out for children’s books. The ideas are there, I just need to decide where to put my focus first.

Are there any other points you’d like to cover?

I can’t think of anything else to add. Thanks- there were fun questions to work through.

That’s all for today’s interview. If you would like to learn more about Susan’s current book or read her blog, here are some links to get you started.

Blog: www.susankmacias.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Unceasing-Parents-Guide-Conquer-Worry/dp/0999308505/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513711532&sr=8-1&keywords=unceasing+by+susan+k+macias