Journey from mom to published author: January 2013

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Interview with David Marrocco

Where are you from ?

I am from Rhode Island.

Is that where you and your family reside now?

I have lived in Rhode Island my whole life, and currently reside in North Scituate, with my wife, daughter, and dog! A rural area of the state.

How long have you been writing?

I have been seriously writing since 2008. Before that, it was just for fun.

What kind of writer would you describe yourself as?

I like to think of myself as a prince, preparing to become a king. I am putting down the ground work, and the blood, sweat, and tears, to one day walk down that royal red carpet of the writing world. I think I will be considered the greatest writer of the 21st century, when it is all said and done, he he.

Do you have any websites and or book links that you would like to share?

http://sbpra.com/DavidMarrocco/ http://www.facebook.com/AShiftInPerception

Do you have any other interests?

I have been in the liquor industry for seventeen years and like to bowl now and again.

What can you tell me about yourself that we haven't covered?

I am first and foremost a man of faith and of God. After my near fatal accident in 2007, I was born again and had a new found energy to do something special with my life. I also am a major advocate for keeping the homeless off the streets. I hope to have my own shelter within the next couple of years.

My time is precious to me. Whenever I have extra time to spend with my family, I take advantage of it! I work many hours, so my days off are guarded. I love Politics and Sports. Other than that, I pass the time by working out when I can, and reading.

What are your future goals with your writing?

I will continue writing until I reach my goal of ten books. Then I will reevaluate. Hopefully the passion that flows through my veins will still be there, and I will continue to pump out good, insightful, creative stories. I have started two chapters of a book that is very different than what I have written before. It is a dark comedy that involves ice cream, and an alter-ego. That is all I am going to say for now. I don't want the idea to slip away from me. When it comes out, it will catch on fast.

Are your books both Ebooks and paperback?

Yes! Kindle and Nook for $9.95. Paperback is a little more expensive but the new one is only $16.97. You can find it on one of the websites I listed!

What companies have your used for publishing?

I was published in 2011 by Publish America. I do, but it was really a waste of time for me. Nothing got accomplished. I will fish around when I have more books under my belt.

Do you have an editor?

I do. Her name is Adela Brito. She is from New York. I recommend her to anyone who wants honesty and hard work put into the edit. I am taking my chances with mainstream publishing for my third and fourth books.

Have you began to see a profit from your writing?

I see a profit each day with my book! I think it is the easiest profession to feel vindicated with.

Have you held any book signings?

I will be hitting the book signing scene hard, this coming spring thru fall. I didn't feel right going out there with just one book under my belt. Now that I have two, I can show people that I am for real, and not going away!

Stop by Youtube and check my book trailers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHdUY69y1XI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtZ2swPaNfc

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

What's New With Author Shelia Burket

Hi guys:) I just wanted to stop by and update what I am doing. Besides dishes and a little laundry, a lot of Facebook babysitting my grandson Noah and Grey's Anatomy all with my coffee near by...

I am co-writing with fellow author Joshua Skye. We are doing a romance/thriller called "Shades Of Deception." Joshua also does my book trailers. Check out his interview on my blog. I am working with author Bruce Spohn also. We are working on "Lakeside," a story about a camping trip. A romance so it seems so far.

I also write with author and music/film producer Tony Angelo. We are working on some children's stories that we may do an audio for.

I also work here and their on some stories that I wrote awhile back that needs some tweaking and rewriting. "Ghost From The Past" and "Faith Can Move Mountains."

I have been talking to a few authors about illustrating their children's books. I have some other children's books in mind myself.

My book links are on my blog, I have 5 books in print so far. I have published with PA and with XoXo. I have a children's ebook and some stories in anthologies etc. on XoXo.

I would love to write greeting cards and write songs that someone actually sings:) besides me! I love anything creative! My latest creative adventure is making paper snowfakes with my 2 yr. old grandson!

Please hit follow and follow my blog! Drop by and tell me all about yourself, leave me a comment about my books etc. I look forward to hearing from you!

wvcoffeechick on twitter! & on Cafemom Shelia Shaffer Burket on Facebook

Monday, January 28, 2013

Interview with Bruce Spohn

Where are you from?

Born in Landcaster California but lived in Germany for 40 years 1965 - 2006

Is that where you and your family reside now?

San Antonio, Texas

How long have you been writing?

Started when I was in High School never published. wrote articles for the Army post news paper in Germany and have a few poems published. I have a collection of Short Stories published in 2012.

What kind of writer would you describe yourself as?

So far YA romance, but I like SIFY a lot and might try that next

Do you have any other interests?

Love to travel and learn new cultures. reading is high on the list. Drinking good wine with good friends is great

What can you tell me about yourself that we haven't covered?

Hate to remove all the mystery. I have many different outlooks on life and that has been enriched by the many years spent in Germany

What are your future goals with your writing?

Currently working of a YA Romance and after that maybe a SIFY adventure for YA. I have been playing around with an idea for an erotic story for women that examine the way their lives are touched and how they can be pushed into living a life they never dreamed of sort of a Shades of Gray but I need to do more thought on that.

Is there any other genres that you would like to try?

SIFY, EROTIC and maybe comedy

Are your books both Ebooks and paperback?

Yes "Christmas Treasures" is available in paperback and ebook format.

How long have you been published?

This is the first year for me and I know it is hard to get your book into the readers hands.

Do your have a literary agent?

Maybe sell it to a Hallmark as a Made for TV Christmas series. No not yet. I am going to try to submit "Christmas Treasures" to see if I can find an agent.

Do you have an editor?

No and I have found that is an essential if you want a good published book

What companies have your used for publishing?

Publish America and Create space,. I do not recommend Publish America they are free but give you nothing no support no advertising and they charge too much for the book so you can't sell them. Create Space is not too costly. They do give you free EBook conversion and they are part of Amazon so kindle is free. They have great authors discount prices for your book and they ship at a really low price of it is easy to sell your own book and make some money.

Would you use them again?

would use Create Space again they are friendly and they give good service.

Have you began to see a profit from your writing?

I sold 200 copies of my book cost price was $3.00 per copy including shipping and I sold them for $10.00 each so I am at the break even point now.

Have you held any book signings?

I have had 3 book signings. Two in small Indi book stores in San Antonio and one is a Senior citizen center. Most of the books I sold were where I work.

Interview with Casey Fry

Where are you from?

I am from Pennsylvania.

Is that where you and your family reside now?

I live on a small farm in the mountains of central Pennsylvania.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve always enjoyed creating stories, characters, and new worlds, and have been writing since I was very young. I decided that I would be a writer when I was ten-years-old, and that was fourteen years ago.

What kind of writer would you describe yourself as?

I am a novelist, primarily of fantasy, horror, and science fiction.

Do you have any other interests?

When not writing, I enjoy reading, watching horror movies, playing video games, horseback riding, researching whatever has struck my fancy, and playing with my cats.

Do you have any websites and or book links that you would like to share?

My website is www.caseyfryauthor.com, and there you can find links to where you can find my books and social media sites where you can connect with me.

What are your future goals with your writing?

I have a number of projects lined up.

Is there any other genres that you would like to try?

My focus has been primarily in fantasy and horror, though I also write science fiction from time to time. I have a science fiction novel planned in the future, and other than that, I have considered the possibility of delving into crime fiction.

Are your books both Ebooks and paperback?

Yes. I’ve been publishing my books both in paperback and in ebook format.

How long have you been published?

My debut novel, DeathSpeaker: Hunt, was published at the end of October in 2012. I have previously published short stories and poetry, as well, and through that have been published for a few years.

Do your have a literary agent?

No, I do not have a literary agent.

Do you have an editor?

Yes, I have an editor who has been a great deal of help in reading my work.

What companies have your used for publishing?

I self-publish through CreateSpace.

Would you use them again?

Most definitely. CreateSpace does what I need it to do, and it’s not needlessly complicated.

Have you began to see a profit from your writing?

Yes. I have sold a number of books so far.

Have you held any book signings?

I have held four book signings, as of January 2013. I have two more planned in February, one in Bloomsburg, PA, and one in Bowie, Maryland.

Interview with Joshua Skye

Where are you from?

I was born in Jamestown, New York. I grew up, for the most part, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. I’ve also lived in Pennsylvania.

Is that where you and your family reside now?

I have biological family in all three places. With the exception of my brother Michael, I prefer my logical family (my friends) to my biological one.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing all my life, telling stories ever since I was a kid. Anyone who would even remotely listen to me got an earful. I look back at the stories I’ve been able to hold onto over the years and though the writing is indicative of my age at the time they were written, the imagination is evident. I’m proud of that. I wish I still had such an uninhibited and vivid imagination as I did when I was a kid.

One of my first nifty little nightmares was called “Timothy.” It’s evolved over the years, developed, and the writing improved. I’m very happy that it found a home in the Sirens Call anthology “Childhood Nightmares: Under the Bed.”

What kind of writer would you describe yourself as?

I’m a writer of speculative fiction and erotica, though I enjoy combining them. I’ve written everything from children’s stories (“Xerxes Canyon”) to young adult fare (“A Shade of Death & “The Kiss”), from romantic drama (“Rainbow Crush”) to raunchy comedy (“Opening Doors”), from supernatural thrillers (“The Angels of Autumn” & “The Singing Wind”) to sexually charged vintage horror (“Bareback: A Werewolf’s Tale”). I’ve even written hardcore horror (“The Argento”). I definitely like to take things in a dark direction.

Do you have any other interests?

I love to read, usually horror, romance, spiritual journals, political tomes. Shirley MacLaine and Stephen King are my favorite authors. I love art and film. Hopefully there will be several projects that come to fruition over the course of the next few years.

Do you have any websites and or book links that you would like to share?

First and foremost I’d like to share my personal sites:

Website: http://joshuaskye.yolasite.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.skye

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshuaSkye1

I’d like to share my author’s pages:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Joshua%20Skye&ie=UTF8&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank

Barnes & Nobel: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/joshua-skye

JMS Books: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=42

And I’d love to share some specific pages:

The Argento: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=690&zenid=m2dvdqihq806t174hp6alp3je7

The Grigori: http://sentenceandparagraph.com/brazenhead/the-grigori/

The Angels of Autumn: http://pinkpepperpress.com/GLBT_fiction.htm

The Singing Wind: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=513

Bareback: A Werewolf’s Tale: http://fannypress.com/2012/07/15/bareback-a-werewolfs-tale-by-joshua-skye/

Once Upon a Christmas Evil: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=665

Midnight Rainbows: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=581

What are your future goals with your writing?

I really would like for a film to be made from one of my stories. I love brave indie directors. I think Everett Lewis and Todd Verow would be perfect to bring one of my stories to the big screen. They are great artists and fearless. I admire those traits.

Is there any other genres that you would like to try?

I’d love to try my hand at pure comedy and action.

Are your books both Ebooks and paperback?

Yes, most of my stories are available in both.

How long have you been published?

I’ve been publishing my work for a few years now. I work with several great publishing houses, and I couldn’t be more grateful to them.

Do you have a literary agent?

No, I don’t have an agent.

Do you have an editor?

Yes, I work with several wonderful editors.

What companies have you used for publishing?

My novels have been published by these great houses: JMS Books, Pink Pepper Press, Brazenhead, and Fanny Press.

I’ve had short stories in anthologies published by: Sirens Call Publications, Firbolg Publishing, Rainstorm Press, Blood & Lullabies, and STARbooks Press.

Would you use them again?

Absolutely. I’ve worked with other publishers. If I didn’t list them, there’s a reason.

Have you held any book signings?

I’ve not held any books signings as of yet, but I am planning one with my friend Mindy, the proprietor of Deep Woods Apothecary in Arlington, Texas. Hopefully we can make that happen toward the end of March, around my birthday.

Interview with Pam Funke

Book blurb:
The second book in the exciting Four Horsemen Series. Join General Alexander Ludlow as he continues on his mission to save the world. At least that is what he thinks that Operation Dark Angel is all about. He is however starting to suspect that this mission is not all that it's cracked up to be. The world is in complete chaos as major nations wage war on each other and the world is on the brink of World War III.

The Group is secretly continuing Operation Dark Angel with much success. Unknown to the rest of the world they are the ones who are behind the strange and devastating attacks on Israel and around the world. What is it that they are really after when they are supposed to be bringing peace to an out of control world?

Italian President Nicolaitanes Balac is steadily gaining political power and recognition. The entire world is watching this one man and wondering if he will be the one to save them from the chaotic spiral that the world is headed towards. Is he really who he appears to be or is he something much more sinister? Can he save the world? Do we even want him to? Is this who mankind should rely on for help or will this be the worst mistake that mankind has ever made?

Where are your from?

As I grew up as a military brat, I'm not really from any one specific place as we moved from place to place.

Is that where you and your family reside now?

No

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing since I was a teenager. However, I never really completed a novel until recently.

What kind of writer would you describe yourself as?