skip to main |
skip to sidebar
INTERVIEWED: March 2008Welcome Cathryn!Please tell us about yourself and what you have been getting up to of late :)A: First I’d like to say thank you for having me here, Elizabeth!A little about me…well, I married to my high school sweetheart, have two teenagers, one rambunctious chocolate Labrador retriever and live in eastern Canada. I write every day in my small but cozy corner office, (usually in my pj’s) and when I’m not working, I’m driving to and from soccer, basketball, dance, volleyball…(the list goes on. LOL) but I do love it!
I recently finished up my second story for NAL Heat. Sun Stroked will be a November 08 release and I’m currently plotting a hot new story. Can’t share the details just yet, but I will soon. I promise!Did you always plan on becoming a writer or did it just work out that way?A: No. Unlike most of my colleagues, I never planned on becoming a writer. Although I must say this profession didn’t surprise those I grew up with. I guess it’s because I used to tell big elaborate tales to entertain everyone. I actually went to university and did a business degree. It wasn’t until years later, when I was posted up north (population 800) that I decided to take those stories in my head and put them down on paper.What do you like about being an author? Is there anything you would cut out if given the choice?A: I LOVE the writing process. Being able to step into my office every morning, cup of coffee in hand, still in my pj’s, and being able to create worlds and scenarios that will entertain others. If there was anything I would cut, it’d be tight deadlines.You have 3 wishes. What are they?A: Okay, I added two more, sorry. Couldn’t help myself.Someone to clean my house when I’m on a deadline.
Someone to cook my food when I’m on a deadline.
Someone to wash my clothes when I’m on a deadline.
Someone to remind me to comb my hair when I’m on a deadline
To have no tight deadlines! LOLWhat is your #1 fantasy?A: Oooh, but I have so many. It’s just not possible for me to narrow it down to one! But if I had to, it just might involve singer Rob Thomas!Genres - which do you love to read, which do you write and which would you would consider trying your hand at some time in the future?A: I love to read Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Horror. I ‘d LOVE to write a horror sometime in the future but I just picture myself sitting in my office all alone looking over my shoulder, waiting for something to jump out at me. I’m sure I’d scare myself half to death if I ever attempted this genre.Who are your publisher(s)? How did you come to submit your work to them?
A: I’m currently writing for Ellora’s Cave, Avon Red, NAL Heat, and Pocket. Pocket just picked up one of my Ellora’s Cave ebooks for their anthology. YAY! I’m very excited about that.
I submitted my work to Ellora’s cave myself. After that I got an agent and he’s been submitting my work ever since.
What are your publisher(s) like to work with? If you could improve any one of them, or all of them, in any one way, what would it be?
A: It’s a different experience with every publisher, especially the editing process between ebooks and NY print books. I find they’ve all been helpful, pleasant, and very, very good to me.
Many of your books are published as print and eBook. Which came first and is this changing?
A: Ebooks came first for me. Ellora’s cave has helped open doors to for many. They were my first and I’ll always love them. I’m still submitting to EC, because I love my editor and I love writing for them.
Have any of your books received rewards or nominations? How did you feel about them?
A: Yes, I’ve been nominated and I’ve received awards and I’m so very grateful for this. A big thank you to everyone who ever nominated me, or voted for me. Smooches!
Are all/any of your books related or part of a series? If so, how did the premise of the series occur to you? Do you enjoy writing standalones or series books equally or do you have a preference?
A: My Pleasure Games books are a series at Avon. Pleasure Control, Pleasure Prolonged and Pleasure Exchange. A few years back when there was a lot of talk about Viagra, I kept thinking, what about libido suppressant, and voila, Pleasure Control was born. The rest followed from that premise. I really do love writing series because I love revisiting old characters. Do your family and friends know that you are a published author? What has been their response?
A: Yes, my family and friends all know and have been very supportive, especially my husband and two kids. I don’t make it known in my small community though. I prefer to remain anonymous. Most people think I sit at home and eat bon bons and watch Oprah all day. Little do they know I’m tucked away in my corner office penning erotic stories…
Where do you interact with readers on the net?A: I chat daily at wicked writers:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wicked_writers/Or you can find me at my blog:http://cathrynfox.com/blog/
MEA blog:www.moongladeeliteauthors.com/blog
or the Allure Author blog.http://www.allureauthors.com/blog/
Where can we find out more about you, your books and anything else you've got going on?A: You can find out more about me at www.cathrynfox.com. Please stop by and be sure to sign up for my newsletter. I give away monthly prizes!
INTERVIEWED: December 2007Hi Monica! Welcome to the Christmas Special!I understand A Bluestocking Christmas was released last year in the anthology Holly, Ivy And Me. What can you tell us about the book’s initial publication?A: Thanks for having me. I’m delighted to be visiting with you and talking about A Bluestocking Christmas. This novella is story number two in the Holly, Ivy and Me anthology. The anthology contains a ghost character I wrote that runs through all three stories. Ivy’s story, A Bluestocking Christmas was my primary contribution to the anthology.Your story received a Silver Star Award from JERR. What was your reaction to the news?A: I was blown away. Gold and Silver Stars from JERR are given out few and far between. To receive one is a real honour because it tells me I wrote a really wonderful book. It also had me bouncing around like a two-year old because I love this story and the word play between the two characters.What do you think readers will enjoy about A Bluestocking Christmas?A: I think they’ll love hating Simon in the beginning and then falling in love with him as he grows and is redeemed in the story.Can you give us a few titbits about the characters and the plot to whet our appetites?A: Sure, I’d be happy to do so. Miss Ivy Beecham is a bluestocking who has sworn off love, and she’s found the perfect place to hide from love. A library. Simon Carton, Viscount Wycombe, is an intellectual rogue who’s convinced all women can be bought. What neither of them counted on was finding love amid a stack of dusty books. Determined to win the reluctant bluestocking nymph, Simon seduces Ivy with words and other sinful pleasures. But despite the passion between them, Ivy refuses to risk her heart—at least not until the ghost of her ancestor visits her on Christmas Eve and helps Ivy see that her choices will affect the rest of her life. The question is will Ivy make the right choice.
Where did you gain inspiration to write this Christmas themed book?A: Believe it or not, there’s a small town called Ivy, Virginia that’s just outside of Charlottesville. I loved the name and knew I wanted to write a story about a woman called Ivy. Then when I had the opportunity to do the Christmas anthology with Charlotte Featherstone, I knew Ivy was perfect for the story and the book’s subsequent title.Is A Bluestocking Christmas unique amongst your publications (i.e. genre, setting, theme etc)?A: This story is unique in that it’s my first real paranormal work. I’ve always loved paranormal, but up until Ivy’s story I’d always done straight historical romances. This story gave me the opportunity to do a little bit of a Dickens’ twist with the ghost character.What would you say to convince those who haven’t yet read the book to read it this coming holiday season?A: This story is one of my best works to date, and I think it’s the word play that makes this story so special. Simon woos Ivy with words. He challenges her intellect. It’s a case of him being forced to acknowledge her intelligence first and her sexual charms second.
Where can readers catch up with you (and your latest releases, Christmas themed or not) on the
net?A: I’m all over the Internet. My website is at www.monicaburns.com for all the latest news and information. I have an announcement only Yahoo loop with a monthly (or sometimes every other month) newsletter. To join the Yahoo loop visit http://www.monicaburns.com/ContactSubscribe.htm. I’m also on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/monicaburns.Thanks for having me, and I’d like to wish everyone peace and love throughout the holiday season and into the New Year. Happy Holidays.Many thanks for participating! Have a Happy New Year!
INTERVIEWED: November 2007Hi Sandy! Welcome to the Christmas Special!Please tell us about the conception of your Christmas themed release, A Highlander For Christmas. Are there any familiar characters?A: When my editor Hilary Sares asked if I’d be interested in writing a Christmas book, the initial setting— an antique shop—and heroine Claire MacGregor had been percolating at the back of my mind for some time.
As Claire came to life on the page, her emotional opposite--hero Sir Cameron MacLeod--quickly took shape. The fun in bouncing one personality off the other then began. This book isn’t related to my In A Kilt series, (although I am working on book #4, A Warrior In Kilt. )
How long was this story in the pipeline?A: I was asked to write the book in October 2006 and to deliver it by March 1, 2007. Three hundred and fifty pages, A Highlander For Christmas hit bookstore shelves October 1, 2007.What do you think readers will enjoy about A Highlander For Christmas?A: A Highlander is pure fantasy, my Christmas gift to both historical and contemporary Romance fans alike. The hero is a dyed in the wool 1745 Celtic warrior set loose in contemporary Boston. If they enjoyed the movie “Kate and Leopold” they’ll love Claire and Sir Cameron MacLeod.Please tell us a little something about the hero and heroine. Why are they perfect for each other?A: They’re experience and emotional opposites. Sir Cameron MacLeod is a man of his time. Testosterone loaded and 6 ft and 5 inches of solid brawn, he plays as hard as he fights, is honor bound by his word and has a deep sense of family/commitment to clan. Handsome as sin and politically favored by birth, the world—and women--have been his for the taking… until he ends up in Claire’s world.
Claire MacGregor, on the other hand, believes she doesn’t have many physical assets and has been forced by circumstances to be totally self-reliant. She trusts very few, and then not totally. Close to bankruptcy this Christmas Eve, she has little to smile about, is still clawing her way through life when the outrageous, seriously alpha man of her fantasies arrives and her world, much to her consternation, is suddenly turn upside down.What did you enjoy most about writing this Christmas themed book?A: I had a great deal of fun letting a seriously alpha warrior loose in our politically correct contemporary world.Would you like to write more Christmas themes books in the future?A: I’d love to write another. ‘Tis, after all, the time for sharing, of love and promise.Where can readers catch up with you (and your latest releases, Christmas themed or not) on the net?A: At www.SandyBlair.net. Readers will find everything from a movie trailer about A Highlander For Christmas and excerpt, to great prizes, a Auld Scot and Gael glossary to a photo gallery where they can see the castles I’ve stayed in and my rabbit in a kilt. Many thanks for participating! Have a Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!
INTERVIEWED: November 2007Hi Lori! Welcome to the Christmas Special!Please tell us about your two current Christmas themed releases and what you hope readers will enjoy about them.A: “A Very Merry Christmas” - Accused of stealing a donkey from the local nativity scene, pet psychic Marci is being watched by Ozzie, who can’t stop thinking about frisking her. I loved writing a pet psychic, and had a load of fun with Marci.“I’m Your Santa” - Beth Monroe catches her fiancé cheating and turns to his best friend, Levi, to boost her ego. A one-hour tryst turns into a weekend of realization, and love. But that throws Beth, since she thought she was in love with someone else. She heads home for the holidays, to give herself some time to think, but Levi follows. He’s not about to let her get away now that he finally has her. Loads of fun!One of the books is a reissue. When was it originally released and why has it gone to print again?A: “A Very Merry Christmas” is a reissue from trade size to mass market, but with a new cover, so readers beware in case you’ve already read it! It was originally out Oct 06 as a trade release, and has now been reissued in mass market to please a wider audience who might prefer mass market over trade.Who are your favourite characters in the books and why? Will readers recognize anyone?A: My story in “A Very Merry Christmas” is about Marci Churchill and Sergeant Osbourne Decker, and the characters are related to the anthology, “Bad Boys of Summer,” as Marci and Bethany are sisters, and Ozzie and Lucius worked together at the police department.My novella in “I’m Your Santa,” features Beth Monroe, daughter of Kent, who was a secondary hero in “Never Too Much.” In that book, Kent hooked up with the hero’s mother. I think overall readers like that secondary romance between Brooke and Kent as much as they did the lead romance.Characters from “Too Much Temptation,” and “Never Too Much” all show up in this new novella in the holiday spirit, and readers can catch up with them to “see how they’re doing.” This is my Christmas present to readers, because I’ve been asked so many times to revisit Ben and Noah and Kent.Are the heroes bad boys or gentlemen? Is this due to a certain preference on your part?A: They’re honorable, responsible, mature, sexual, sexy, take-charge Alphas. I’m not sure I could write a true “bad boy,” that is, a man who disregarded the feelings of others, or wallowed in past hurt to the point that he couldn’t get on with his life, or became too self-indulgent. I suppose it all comes down to your definition of gentleman and bad boy.What about the heroines? Ladies or wild women – or something in-between?A: Marci is an odd duck because she relates so closely to animals. She’s very misunderstood, but she has a big heart and is very vulnerable. Beth doesn’t know she’s a wild woman until she ends up in bed with Levi, and then it’s an eyeopener to realize just how sexual she can be, and to know everything she’s been missing out on. She had a near miss by almost marrying the wrong guy, but it takes some adjustment to accept how off the mark she’d been in understanding her own feelings.
Do you have any other Christmas releases? Any tips for where your out of print books can be found?A: I have an urban fantasy/horror book that released in October under the name L. L. Foster. And “Too Much Temptation” is being repackaged and reissued in December 07. I’m sorry I can’t help much with my out of print books. I do have some used booksellers listed on my website who often carry my out of print books, but there’s nothing guaranteed. They’re on my website – www.lorifoster.com – under favorites, then links.What do you like most about writing Christmas themed tales?A: I LOVE the whole holiday spirit, the generosity of the heart, how the spirituality of the holiday can be so healing for so many. Christmas is a very misunderstood time of year. Everyone thinks that it depresses people so much, but in actuality, the suicide rate goes DOWN during the holiday season. People want to help others, and Christmas is a good time of year to focus on that need.These two novellas are part of an anthology. Do they share any connection to the other stories in the anthology? Did you need to work with the other authors on any aspect of the book or were you all entirely independent?A: We were all entirely independent. I’ve only done one anthology where we tied the stories together, and that was “Star Quality.” It’s tough to do. And I write so fast, and by the seat of my pants, that it’s doubly difficult for me.
How popular are your Christmas themed titles in comparison to your other books?
A: My single titles are by far my biggest sellers. But writing a novella is like a walk in the park, compared to a single title, which is like a jog uphill. It’s refreshing for me, and rejoices my creativity.Do you have any plans to write more Christmas themes books in the future?A: Absolutely! Like I said, I love the holiday.Where can readers catch up with you (and your latest releases, Christmas themed or not) on the net?A: I’m ALL over the net. Here are my links:Lori Foster – www.lorifoster.com
L.L. Foster – www.llfoster.com
Lori’s Myspace – www.myspace.com/mostlymam
L.L.’s Myspace – www.myspace.com/llfoster
Ohio Authors – www.myspace.com/romanceauthors
Quill Authors – www.myspace.com/runningwithquills
Dark Muse Society - www.darkmusesociety.com (Virtual housing for L.L. Foster and other cool authors)
Running With Quills – www.runningwithquills.com
Many thanks for participating! Have a Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!
INTERVIEWED: October 2007Please tell us about yourself :)A: First of all, thank you for having me! I’m thrilled to be here. J Let’s see…well, my name is Larissa Ione, and I write steamy contemporary stories for Red Sage and Samhain, and dark, sexy paranormals for Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner Books). I also write erotic s/f paranormal romance for Bantam Dell with partner Stephanie Tyler. Together, we write under the name of Sydney Croft. I’m an Air Force veteran, a meteorologist, a professional dog trainer, and have also been certified as an Emergency Medical Technician. I really like to stay busy! Now that I’m published, however, I’ve gone to writing full time, since writing is a great career for someone who moves every two years with my husband’s military career.Please tell us about your journey to becoming a writer.A: Well, I started writing when I was very young – I completed my first novel at the age of 12. But I didn’t start getting serious about it until about 5 years ago. I joined a fantastic critique group full of some very talented authors including Lydia Joyce and Alison Kent, and eventually started submitting my work. I got *thisclose* and then went through a devastating event – hurricane Katrina. My family and I lost everything. We were homeless, and my son and I had to live with my parents while my husband, who is in the U.S. Coast Guard, stayed in Mississippi and lived on his ship while he served out his tour of duty. In the months following Katrina, I had given up on writing. But the writing community came to my aid, and the power behind their support was amazing – enough so that I started writing and submitting again. Within a few weeks of gearing back up, I’d sold to both Red Sage and Bantam Dell. It’s crazy, but I truly believe that everything happens for a reason – if not for Hurricane Katrina, I honestly don’t know if I’d have gotten published. If I had, I don’t think the direction I’d gone in would be one that would have made me happy in the long run. Katrina gave me a sense of freedom when it came to taking chances with my writing, because my thinking was that I had nothing left to lose.What is your favorite thing about being an author? Is there anything you absolutely detest?A: I love, love, love hearing from readers. It’s so awesome to know that you gave someone a few hours of entertainment, and that they enjoyed the story.I detest editor revisions. Even though they ultimately make the book better, they really stress me out! Each set of revisions makes me strive harder to write a better book the next time, so the revisions will be lighter.Genres - which do you love to read and which do you write? Are there any you would like to
try in the future that you haven’t yet attempted?A: I read everything, but my favorite genres are fantasy, historical fiction, erotic romance, and paranormal romance. I write paranormal romance, and the contemporary romance I’ve written always features a medical hero or heroine. I’m fascinated by the medical field and actually became an EMT so I could get my facts straight *g*.In the future, I want to write a Star Trek novel. That’s been a dream of mine for years!
Who are your publishers? How did you come to submit your work to them?
A: Red Sage – I submitted to them because I had a couple of novellas that needed homes, and ever since Red Sage started up ten years ago, I’ve loved the anthologies. Samhain – Again, I had a story that needed a home, and I’d heard such great things about them. Turns out the great things are true. The company is so well run and so accessible to authors, and they have the BEST covers!
Bantam Dell – After Katrina, Stephanie Tyler and I discussed writing something together (which was something I’d brought up before, but we never followed through on). Basically, I was in an “I’m never writing again” stage, and she was trying to get me out of it. Months earlier, while I was evacuating from the storm, she’d felt helpless, was worrying about me, and she started a story about a Navy SEAL who was also running from a hurricane. But she couldn’t get past the first scene. So she sent it to me and ordered – yes, ordered – me to write the next scene. I did, and Riding The Storm was born. We sent it to her agent (who is also mine as well) and within two weeks Bantam Dell had made an offer. It was amazing! Warner – After I came out of my Katrina funk and started writing again, one of the stories I’d developed in my head was basically Buffy The Vampire Slayer meets E.R. – remember my love of all things medical? So between writing books with Stephanie for Bantam, I worked on my Demon E.R. series concept. A year ago, my agent sent the proposal out, and Warner snapped it up. We’ve renamed the series “Demonica,” and each book will have a different title following the Demonica part of the title.
Many of your books are published with traditional print publishers. Do you know whether they will become available as eBooks? Would you like them to be?
A: The Sydney Croft titles are definitely available as ebooks, and I believe that the Red Sage titles will also be available soon in e-format. Recently, you have branched out into the world of e-publishing and now count Samhain Publishing amongst your publishers. What are the differences between the different types of publishers? Is there something in particular that you like and/or dislike about each type?
A: I love how fast e-publishing is. Print publishing can be so sloooow. On the other hand, it’s a great feeling to walk into a book store and see your book on the shelf. What’s so great about Samhain though, is that a few months after releasing in e-format, the books go to print.Please tell us about your collaborative partnership. How did it come about? Is it difficult to work with someone else on a book?
A: Well, I mention some of how it came about above, but to expand on that, I have to say that we’d talked about collaborating for a long time. Okay, I was the one who kept saying to Steph, “We should write something together!” She thought I was crazy, I think. But we enjoyed each others’ work, we got along really well, and our writing was very similar. So when we tried writing together, it really worked. The funny thing is that our agent says our individual voices are VERY different, but she can’t tell who wrote what in our Sydney Croft titles. For some reason, our voices blend together well – I think it’s because we’ve given Sydney her own style and persona (which kind of makes us feel like we have multiple personalities).And yes, it can be difficult to work with someone on a book. I know, because I’ve tried with other people. But Stephanie and I work together very well. The Croft books are the easiest and most fun novels I’ve ever written. The energy between us while we’re writing is incredible.
Are all/any of your books related or part of a series? If so, how did the premise of the series occur to you? Do you enjoy writing standalones or series books equally or do you have a preference?A: All of the Sydney Croft books are related through a secret paranormal agency called ACRO. The first three novels (the Storm books) are a series that wraps up at the end of the third book. The next three will be connected to the ACRO world but won’t be connected by major plotlines like the first three are.
My Warner books (Demonica) are a series as well, connected by an underworld hospital. The first two will share a minor subplot and the third will be a little more standalone. I really do prefer writing series over standalones, because once I develop a world and get deeply into it, I want to stay there. The desire to immerse myself in a world is why I generally prefer series movies over standalones.
Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring authors?
A: There comes a point for many writers where they’ve reached *thisclose,* where they are doing well in contests, where the editor rejections are personal and not form letters, where they might be getting revision requests, and where they feel like all they need is that tiny little push to get over the publishing hump. Here’s that push:
Don’t polish your manuscripts to death. Yes, I realize this goes against everything you’ve heard, everything “The Rules,” say. But trust me, you can edit the life right out of a story. I sold when I finally threw caution to the wind and let my real self come through – without a gob of editing and polishing. What I began to submit was a bit raw, a bit edgy – it was my true voice. Darker than my earlier works, for sure.
Do your family and friends know that you are a published author? What has been their response?
A: My family and friends are thrilled! My mom buys all my books and gives them to all her friends, though she does tell them they aren’t allowed to read the Sydney Croft titles!
Please tell us about your recent and upcoming releases.
A: In September, the first of Sydney Croft’s Storm series, Riding The Storm, released. It’s the story of an ex-Navy SEAL who has the power to control the weather, and the woman who has to help him harness those powers. The story has been described as “erotica meets the XMen.”Also in September, my Samhain title, Snowbound, released. Here’s the blurb:Thanks to a devastating medical diagnosis, ski patroller Sean Trenton has endured two years of celibacy. Two long years that have chipped away at his confidence. Now, with the career opportunity of a lifetime on the line, he’s ready to remedy the celibacy situation, and sexy snowbunny Robyn Montgomery is just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, the last thing reliable, intense radio station manager Robyn Montgomery wants in her suddenly turbulent professional and personal life is a thrill-seeking former Olympic skier — even if he is a total hottie. She’s had it with guys who hog the spotlight and leave her in the shadows. So why is it that even an icy blizzard can’t temper the combustible heat between them?
In December, my second Red Sage release, Wet Dreams, releases in Secrets Volume 21 – Dark Passions. It’s about a Homeland Security agent who finds himself on the high seas with a woman who knows how to rock the boat *g*.Where do you interact with readers on the net?A: At my blog, www.LarissaIone.com/soapbox, and at Writeminded’s blog, www.Writemindedblog.comAlso, readers can join the Writeminded Reader’s group to interact with me and all of the published authors at Writeminded – Stephanie Tyler, Amy Knupp, Maya Banks, and Jan Kenny. (http://groups.yahoo.com/adultconf?dest=%2Fgroup%2Fwriteminded_readers%2F )What is the reader response to your books?A: So far, it’s been great! And I love to hear from readers, so please feel free to contact me at Larissa@LarissaIone.comWhere can we find out more about you, your books and anything else you've got going on?A: My websites are a great place to start!
www.LarissaIone.com
www.SydneyCroft.comThere’s also my Myspace pages:
www.myspace.com/larissaione
www.myspace.com/sydneycroftThank you again for having me, Elizabeth!
INTERVIEWED: September 2007Please tell us about yourself :)A: Hmm, well, I am an Air Force brat who was born in an Army Hospital. I grew up with a really strange and fun family, and spent a huge chunk of my childhood in Europe. I love to read and use writing as a means to feed my addiction (where do you think I spend most my royalty checks?). I am married to an AF major, have two kids, and yes, I am living in an area where they have bugs that could eat your young.When and how did you become a writer?A: I’ve always been an avid reader. From early on, it was my escape. I read To Kill a Mockingbird in Jr High School and the first thoughts of writing trickled into my feeble mind. It wasn’t until college that I truly tried to write. I tried my damnedest to write serious, though provoking short stories. They didn’t totally suck, but they weren’t great. I sort of jumped around from genre to genre until I picked up a Linda Howard book and found romance. I read about 300 books in a year to get to know the genre and started to write seriously for publication. That was about 2001 and I got my first contract offer in 2004.What is your favorite thing about being an author? Is there anything you absolutely detest?A: I love that I can wear pajamas to work. You don’t have to deal with the office junk, getting dressed up, being NICE to people. That and my readers, I love them.My least favorite thing is the isolation. While I tend to need time away from people, there is something very solitary about writing. Unless you are with your own “kind,” people don’t understand what you go through as a writer.Genres - what are your favorites to read and write? Are there any you fancy trying your hand at in the future?A: Oh, hard one on the reading. I have to say I LOVE to read historicals but my favorite to write is either futuristic or paranormal. Mainly because I can make up the rules and no one can say that I can’t do something. I actually have three books simmering in the background in genres I have never published in. A futuristic vampire ménage (set in a post-apocalyptic world where paranormal creatures rule), a shape shifting wolf book, and the immortals I have been working on in The Cursed Clan. I have done paranormal but all of those are a little different for me.Who are your publishers? Are they distinct from each other in any way?A: Gee, let me see. In the past I have written for Liquid Silver Books, Loose Id and Vintage Romance.I have releases coming from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, Samhain Publishing, and Ellora’s Cave.Every one of them is different because of what they focus on for publication and a lot of it is their business goals. Some of them are happy with where they are, but some of them are looking into expansion and moving beyond their current level.This year you have had a few re-releases. Was it difficult to get them re-published? Can you tell us what you had to do to get them ready for their second publication?A: Actually, it wasn’t that hard. I thought it would be, but many of them are part of a series and when new books are promised that helps. My Harmless Series springs to mind. A Little Harmless Sex was an international best seller in eBooks, but I wanted it longer and in print. They all had to be re-edited and I rewrote many of them extensively. A Little Harmless Sex had been 22K and was released at around 51K. With Grace Under Pressure we cut a lot out and changed the ending a bit. And A Little Harmless Pleasure is probably going to be around 60-70K when it was originally released around 42K. I am working to extend Seducing the Saint from about 30K to 50K right now.
Have you ever collaborated with another author on a story? Would you consider doing so in the future?A: Kally Jo Surbeck and I have talked about this. Part of our problem is making our schedules work out. We are actually collaborating on separate stories in our upcoming Purgatory series. One long novella will start the story and then the second one will finish it.What do you love and hate about writing?A: Let’s go with the negative first, lol. Right now I am trying to catch up from my vacation to Brooks Army Medical Center. No one does my job for me while I am gone, there is a lot of catch up and there are times the damn characters just won’t cooperate. I love to create stories. I still get goose bumps when I am out somewhere and people refer to me as an author because seriously it hard to imagine that I am actually published. And I really love my readers. Romance readers are the most dedicated bunch of people I have yet to come across (and that is after a lifetime in the military).Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring authors?A: Never give up. Seriously, don’t. Read everything you can get your hands on (that I stole from my creative writing instructor in college, Jim Hoggard). It might take you 20 rejections or more before you sell, but if you give up, you will never be published. I didn’t write one book and get published, I wrote several, and was rejected A LOT. And try to do something toward your craft every day if your schedule permits. It might mean giving up something. I had to give up TV because I had kids at home and had to write at night. But, I promise, it is worth it in the end.
Where do you interact with readers on the net?A: I have a chat group and a non chat news only group. I also have a blog and a myspace page.Do your family and friends know that you are a published author? What has been their response?A: Most know. I write under my own name because I am too self-centered and wanted everyone to know that I am a writer. I am proud of what I do. I think my husband got a little annoyed at his last job. Some of the civilian ladies who worked in the building would introduce him to people and remark that his wife was a romance writer. He is proud of me, but I am sure it got old that I was attached to the intro every time, lol. My parents have been very supportive and brag about the fact their daughter is a writer. My oldest daughter is in middle school and is embarrassed that I write romance but I think it is more the age than anything else.What is the reader response to your books?A: People either love me or hate me, at least that’s the feeling I get. I have a pretty distinctive voice, so I don’t find many people who say they kind of like me.Where can we find out more about you, your books and anything else you've got going on?A: My website is www.MelissaSchroeder.net :)Thanks so much for having me!
INTERVIEWED: July 2007Welcome! Please introduce yourself to the group :)A: Hi! I’m Lena Matthews, writer, mother, massive reader. How long have you been a writer? A: I’ve been writing since childhood, but I’ve been published since 2004.
Please tell us about your initial publishing experiences. Has anything changed? A: Rejection, rejection, rejection. Thankfully that has changed along with my writing. I’ve learned how to hone my craft and submit a cleaner, tighter manuscript that has (knock on wood) cured me of my rejection woes. When was your first collaboration with another author on a book?A: Logan’s Temptation with Liz Andrews. The story started off as an IM conversation between the two of us and by the time the evening was over we had an outline and a new partnership. Can you please explain how collaborations work between authors? Are there any particular advantages/disadvantages?
A: I co-write with two different authors, Liz Andrews and Maggie Casper, but I work differently with each one of them. Maggie and I each take a character and we write their point of view. She will do her part and send it to me and I’ll go over it and then write my part. We go back and forth like this until the story is over. Liz and I write while on the phone and IM together. We take turns writing both points of views. Which of your books is your favorite(s)? Is there any particular reason?A: It changes as time goes by. Right now, Shadow of Moonlight is my favorite. It’s the second book in the Moonlight series, co-written with Liz Andrews. The reason I enjoy it so much is because of the main characters Remy and Jace. They were a handful and so much fun to write. What is the reader and reviewer response to your works?A: So far so good. I honestly have no complaints. Not everyone will like everything, but you have to take it with a grain of salt. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and leave it at that. Many of your books are part of a series. Do you find that you prefer writing connected books to stand alone tales? A: I like series books mainly because I like to read them. Also I really hate saying goodbye to a couple, so this way I can check in on them. Any plans for more Southern Hospitality books?A: I would like to write Rylee’s story one day. I’m just waiting for her to talk to me again.Can you provide any advice for aspiring authors or for authors who may be interested in doing collaboration with another author?A: You have to remember that it’s not just YOUR story. It’s a joint effort and you’re not always going to get your own way. Do you have any recent releases or contracts that you are excited about? A: I’m excited about Shadow of Moonlight. Like I said earlier, the couple’s dynamics are just amazing. With which publishers have you worked? Were/are they supportive and fun to write for? A: I’ve been published by Liquid Silver Books, Ellora’s Cave, Loose Id and Samhain Publishing. All of my publishers have been very supportive and wonderful to work with...and I’m not just saying that. For me, I’ve found that if you treat it like a job, and not try to make your boss your best friend, things work out a lot better in the long run. I keep things professional and in return I’ve been treated absolutely professionally. I have no complaints. Is there anywhere you 'hang out' on the net?A: I have a forum with Maggie Casper that I visit several times daily, and for mind numbing fun I like to visit Dlisted blog and Wikiepdia. I’m a geek, what can I say? Do you have another job in addition to writing? A: I’m a mother of two. That’s work enough. Do your family and friends know that you are a published author? What has been their response?A: Everyone who knows me knows what I do, and I’ve been very lucky to be blessed with a wonderful supportive group of family and friends.Where can we find out more about you, your books and anything else you've got going on?A: You can visit my website http://www.lenamatthews.com/ for more information about moi.
