Be Flexible: Author Interview with Suzie Waltner

Your bio says you put together your first novel when another author told you about NaNoWriMo. As a result of that writing challenge, you not only completed one book but went on to write a series. What motivated you to complete that first book? How did you come to the conclusion that you wanted to write a series?
That first book was one I had started writing during a creative writing class in college. NaNoWriMo motivated me to dust it off and finish the story I had written only five chapters of. As I wrote, some of the supporting characters took shape, and I knew they had a story to share too.

How did you go about getting your first book published? 
My first book (and a few after) are a cautionary tale. I was one of those people who did publishing wrong. I wrote a book and searched for an editor. The one I found told me the plot was good and I only needed a copy edit (note: this book needed much more than a copy edit). When I got the edits back, I published the book. It wasn't until two years later that an author I was on a launch team for mentioned ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). I joined and quickly realized I had a lot to learn about the craft of writing. 

So I took a five-year break and learned everything I could about the business of books from first draft to marketing and everything in between. I pulled that first series off of Amazon. I might go back and rework those stories some day, but for now, I have plenty of new ones in my head that are clamoring to be told.

After that break, I pitched my book, Midnight Blue, during Faith Pitch on Twitter in 2020 (sorry, folks, Faith Pitch is no longer). That is when Anaiah Press asked to see the first chapter. The editor read it and asked for the full manuscript, and within three months, I was offered a contract. And while we were working on the first book, the publisher asked if I planned to make this into a series. When I said yes, they asked me to send them titles and back cover blurbs for the other books, then offered me a contract for the rest of the Love in Color series.

You Now publish independently, 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 or hire others to do?
The Love in Color series was originally published with a small press. They went out of business last year, and I got the publishing rights back, so I changed the covers (I paid to have the new ones made) and indie published them. Republishing was easy since the books had already been edited. That is a cost, I am calculating for any future indie published books because I learned the value of a good editor. I formatted the books using Atticus and uploaded them on Amazon. And I get to do all of the marketing on them (but in reality, marketing is something even traditionally published authors have to work hard at).

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Hands down, the writing community is the best encouragement. My critique partners have become life-long friends, and I've met so many wonderful authors. This community is so uplifting and encouraging as we cheer on each other's successes and lift each other up when we are feeling discouraged.

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
Marketing is not for the faint of heart. What worked well once might not ever work again. I think the key is to be flexible and willing to try new and/or different tactics. I had the best results when I gave Midnight Blue away for free for a week. I advertised on Freebooksy, who has several newsletters of thousands. I paid $100 to have my book included in one of those newsletters and had 4000 downloads of the book. Some people opted to pick up the book on KU as opposed to downloading the free version, and others picked up book two in the series (which was the only one available at the time). The return on investment of that single marketing push was triple what I put into it. The one thing I would do differently is wait until the entire series was available.

I also highly recommend joining the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook group and participating in the conversations happening there (but note, promotions and links can only be shared on Saturdays and Sundays).

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Not all editors are equal and a good one is priceless. When you find an editor you work well with, hold onto them as long as possible. If you're not sure where to start, ask your author friends who they would recommend.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Writing is not a solitary occupation. Find your tribe for encouragement, ideas, shared platform, prayer warriors, and more. Your writing friends will help you combat imposter syndrome when it creeps up. As I mentioned, my critique partners are life-long friends. We do so much more than critique each other's writing. I also belong to a mastermind group where we learn from each other and brainstorm. There are so many opportunities to get connected in the writing world. Take as many of them as your schedule allows.

Also, publishing requires a lot of patience. If you are aiming for one of the well-known, big publishers, you will need an agent (which takes time to find). Once you have an agent, they will shop your book around (more time). And if you are offered a contract, you are looking at two to three years before you hold that book in your hands. There are some good small presses out there right now. You won't get an advance (only royalties), but you don't need an agent to submit to most of them. Even these small presses have most of next year's calendar filled already. And then there is indie (or self) publishing. You can go a little bit more at your pace, but finding the right cover designer and working back and forth will take time. So will finding the right editor(s). Many editors are booked for months. And once you are ready to upload, you get to wait another day or two.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
I highly recommend joining a writing group. ACFW has a national organization and many local chapters if you are looking for a writing community where you live. Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers often has helpful conversations going in their email loop and there is a fantastic library of workshops you gain access to when you join. Both organizations have an annual conference and a virtual spring conference. 

The Christian Authors Network (CAN) includes the Christian Indie Publishers Association (CIPA), and if you are wanting to add speaking to your arsenal, the Advanced Speakers and Writers Association (AWSA) is a great place to get plugged in.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
Here's the short synopsis of the book that is with a publisher for review right now:

Beckett Hayes arrives in Hollis, Idaho, with a dream to create a sanctuary for grieving children in memory of his late wife. His daughter, Lila, is excited for the move, but his teenage son, Hunter, is less than thrilled.

Everly Miller, a child psychologist with ties to the town, returns to Hollis. At first she's suspicious of Beckett’s purchase of her grandfather’s property. Over time, Everly is drawn into Beckett’s mission—despite her desire to leave the past behind. As Beckett and Everly work together to open Camp Hope, their growing bond leads them to confront their shared pain—and the possibility of a future together.

That's all  for today's interview. Suzie provided lots of good insights for writers and a good note for readers about her books.

Website: https://suziewaltner.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzieWaltnerWrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suziewaltner/

And here's a special tip for my readers, sign up for her newsletter and you'll get a free eBook novella. So sign up now!  https://suziewaltner.com/join-my-newsletter/

Don't Force Your Writing: Author Interview with Anita Heath

What inspired you to write contemporary romance? 

I love both historical and contemporary romance. Historical romance takes longer to create, so I really love being able to enjoy the ease of a contemporary setting.

For the most part it looks like those books are stand alone titles. Why did you go that route rather than writing in series?
As for writing standalones vs series, it really depends on the story. Some things beg for a sequel and some don't. Standalones are fun because there's no pressure to quickly put out the rest of the story. It allows me to breathe easier in between releases. But I'll happily write either.

You also co-write cozy mysteries with another author. How does that work?
The cozy mystery partnership is still fairly new. It's SO much fun since we're both passionate about mysteries. We share the workload, which is a blessing.

Our stories feature twin sisters, and both are main characters. Amanda, my co-author, writes for one twin while I write for the other. We alternate chapters ... which is pretty tricky business, writing an entire novel and sticking with the alternate chapter method. But we get to feed off of each other's energy just like our characters feed off of each other.

You're an indie author. Did you personally design the full book, or did you have assistance with formatting, cover design, marketing etc?
I primarily design the entire book. I design the majority of my ebook covers, but I have help with my paperback covers. And there are a few ebook covers that were designed for me. I love the creative control, but I could stand to give up a few of the chores, particularly in the formatting department. LOL

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Hands down the heartfelt messages from my readers. Never underestimate the power of your words.

Over the years, I've had readers email to say that I encouraged them while facing the death of a loved one, helped them to see personal sin, or even healed their marriage. I've kept those words with me. I love to entertain, but I equally want to edify. Getting a glimpse of how I've done that has been so rewarding.

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
Great question! Marketing has not been my strong suit. I feel like I'm just now learning how to market. By far the best source that I've found was the Strategic Marketing course by Tara Grace Ericson. 

Most marketing advice I've heard so far has been a bunch of dos and don'ts. But Tara explained the different options and when each option could be a valid choice. She enabled me to understand what I most wanted out of my current marketing journey and how best I could get it. She literally helped me to think for myself. After completing her course, I was able to create a plan of action, and I am seeing results.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
So many things. Marketing for one. One of the lessons I'm currently learning is how to tune out the world and just do what I'm created to do. Sometimes that means tuning out expert advice. Sometimes it's a matter of tuning out hurtful reviews. And way too often it means avoiding the comparison game.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Don't rush. Publishing is a great thing, but rushing the product always means getting sloppy. While we'll always grow and look back at our older work and wish we had done things differently, at the end of the day you should feel really proud of what you've produced. And you can't rest, knowing you had done your best five years ago when you know that you ran ahead and created something that wasn't truly your best at that time.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
There's only so much of the writing life that you can control. Take control of yourself and the areas you're allowed to bend and move, but let the other things go. You'll only stress yourself trying to force things beyond your reach. Trust me, I know. 😉

What is your latest release? 
My latest release is Falling Between the Pages, which just came out last month.

Can you give me a short synopsis?
All’s fair in love and fiction.

If Wendy Sutton has an antagonist in real life, it’s Peyton Gentry. Being forced to co-write a serial novel with her nemesis spells disaster. Working with the far-too-attractive and way-too-confident Peyton is guaranteed to push Wendy over the edge. But this assignment is the only way to prove herself and provide for Nana.

Peyton has had his eye on Wendy for years. After ruining their first date, he’s finally been given a second chance … but only if she’ll read between the lines of the romance he’s been writing just for her.

It’ll take forgiveness and faith if these two writers are ever to find themselves on the same page in matters of life and happily-ever-afters. Will Wendy and Peyton end up writing their own love story? Find out in this can’t-miss rom-com!

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

Website: https://christianauthoramheath.net/

Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64cd677de7271772c0fcd06a

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  Anita's stand-alone eBooks. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Friday!

Get the Story Down, Then Rewrite: Author Interview with Melissa Payne

What inspired you to write your first novel? I love stories, whether it’s the ones I read, tell or write. Years before I started to write my first novel, I was blogging about motherhood and marriage. Eventually, my storytelling morphed into writing fiction where my imagination could run wild with different settings and intriguing characters. How long did it take you to write it? I wrote the first draft of The Secrets of Lost Stones in four months. Neil Gaiman says to “get the story down however you can get it down, then fix it.” And that’s how I approach the first few drafts of my novels, which means it’s not pretty. At all. For me, that’s okay, because I actually love the revising and editing process. Seriously, I love it. It’s when the meat gets put on the bones, the characters develop fully with each pass and the story grows richer. Are you active with any writing critique groups? I’ve worked with a critique group for years and they have played an integral part in this process. I’m also lucky to have a network of writer friends who never hesitate to give feedback when I ask for it. On the publishing side, I have an agent and editor that I trust. I value this part of the process because it’s where I've grown and continue to grow as a writer. What made you choose to work with Lake Union Publishing? That was easy. Chris Werner, my editor at Lake Union, connected to the story of Jess, Star, and Lucy in the way I had hoped a reader would. He wanted to share The Secrets of Lost Stones with other readers. Lake Union is easy to work with and fantastically supportive of their authors. It’s been a great experience. What is the hardest part of writing for you? Starting? Dialog? Tension, etc? I love to write the details about characters and the scene. I picture the small things first and then pan out to what’s happening within and around all of that. But sometimes I get lost in the details and have to reign myself in before I lose control of a scene. Or I don’t and I end up with a scene bloated by the heat of the coffee, the snow tapping on the window, the feel of a cotton t-shirt against skin and I forget what my characters were supposed to be doing in the first place. What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing? From the very beginning, when I’ve gotten stuck or frustrated, my husband would say, Just put pen to paper, babe. I really hated that bit of advice in part because I’m typing, but mostly for how true it is. Sometimes I have written whole sections that I knew would be cut or rewritten a million times because they weren’t good. But I wrote anyway because often the act of writing is what pulls you to the next chapter or creates an unintended but perfect plot point. Oh, and I’m a pantser by the way, can you tell? We have all experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past it? I queried my very first manuscript and had interest but no offers. It went into the revise and resubmit stages with a few agents, but it just wasn’t quite there for anyone. So, I started to write my next book while I was querying. It kept my mind off the constant thanks, but no thanks I was receiving and gave me a goal to focus on outside of the rejections. And I made sure I was always learning – whether that was from a particularly helpful rejection letter or from the writing of a second book, I was always trying to glean lessons, take-homes, perspectives, that I could apply to my writing and storytelling. What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing? I have been awed by the support that comes from other writer friends, non-writer friends, and family. Getting published is a long game so it can be hard for people outside of the industry to understand why you are still trying to get published after all this time. But we are storytellers, so we keep writing until our stories get into the hands of readers. What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner? Hmmm, I feel like I’m still learning and will always be learning about writing. So, I continue to keep my mind open to new ways to see people and places and emotions and continuously challenge myself to write with a fresh perspective. What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give? It’s frustratingly simple advice. Just write. Tell your story. Make your characters come alive on the page and enjoy the process. And don’t be afraid to rewrite/revise/edit your socks off. It’s not a sign of failure or bad writing, it’s all part of the process and it’s how we get better. Are there any other points about writing you would like to add? Learn how to positively process critiques and feedback. What I mean is, when your critique partner or beta reader or editor doesn’t like a scene or a character, listen, take it in, chew on it and figure out if you agree and then let your creative juices flow so you can apply it to your next writing session. Can you give me a short synopsis of your book to intrigue my readers? Thirty-two-year-old Jess Abbot has lost everything: her job, her apartment, and—most heart-wrenching—her eight-year-old son, Chance, to a tragic accident. Haunted by memories and grief, Jess packs what’s left and heads for the small mountain town of Pine Lake, where she takes a position as caregiver to an eccentric old woman. A rumored clairvoyant, Lucy is strange but welcoming and immediately intuits Jess as a “loose end” in need of closure. But Jess isn’t the only guest in Lucy’s large Victorian home. There’s also Star, a teenage runaway with a secret too painful to share. And the little boy with heart-shaped stones, who comes with hope for reconciliation—and a warning. Soon Jess learns that she’s not the only lost soul running from the ghosts of the past. She and Star have been brought together for a reason: to be saved by the very thing that destroyed them. Hope that piqued your interest. If you’d like to connect with Melissa and buy her book, here are two links to get you started. https://www.melissapayneauthor.com/we... Instagram: @melissapayne_writes