How have sales been? Where have you had the most success?
Sales have been pretty slow, but steadily growing. This is my debut novel so I am new at this. I quickly realized that lots of help is required. So the marketing effort has really only just begun. We hope, especially with the release of book 2, that readers will embrace the story, bask in the mystery and fun, and appreciate the uniqueness and creative writing style. How are readers/reviewers reacting to your book? The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, which is great. Of course, there has been the occasional disclosure of personal dislike, but most of the dislike has been centered on one particular character in the book (I won’t say which one to avoid any bias). The funny thing is, that is exactly the desired response we were hoping for, so everything is working out perfectly for the series. Bottom line, the written essays have been awesome! What was the biggest challenge you faced writing this book and how did you overcome it? The biggest challenge has been marketing. As I said before, this is my first novel, so I am learning as I go. A friend told me that as long as I have a good product, the readers will find me. I released book 1 in June 2011 and did absolutely no marketing, assuming readers would somehow find me and my product. Maybe they will, but my impatience is leading me to put more effort into marketing. So, book 2 was released in March 2012 and the marketing is just now beginning. What are the future plans for you and this book? Good question, I guess the sky’s the limit. The end game for my series has always been to see them made into movies (on the big screen).
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Tell us a little about your book.
Paroled Confederate cavalry Captain Michael Cantrell wanders the West, his heart filled with bitterness and loss. He is sustained only by his bone-deep honor and sheer stubbornness. His journey leads him straight into another war. A determined, spirited young woman’s life and home are at stake – and Michael’s decision to stand with her will test his courage, mettle, and above all, his passion. For its pulse-pounding excitement, stirring romance, and deeply felt passion, Terms of Surrender was chosen as a finalist for the prestigious Orange Rose Award. What inspired you to write this book? Terms of Surrender began as a very personal and emotional journey for me. In an old box of papers and keepsakes I found a faded copy of an oath of allegiance to the United States signed by my Confederate great-great-grandfather at the end of the Civil War, as well as a parole pass allowing him to go home – if he swore to never again take up arms or support rebellion against the Union. I wondered what would be in such a man’s heart after so many years of struggle and pain and defeat. Would honor and hope survive bitterness and loss? And what could have driven a good man to forsake his country and fight for a new one founded on terrible injustice? Could he ever find peace? Would he ever have a true home again? What are you doing to market your book? Social networking, soliciting reviews, local/regional publicity, enthusiastic recommendations from readers who loved the book and are eager to share it with others. How have sales been? Where have you had the most success? I am continually delighted by the popularity of my novel. Sales continue steadily nearly two years after Terms of Surrender was first published. Publishing the novel not only as a paperback, but also as an ebook on Amazon Kindle has been great, because it can be read on such a wide variety of devices. How are readers/reviewers reacting to your book? Readers have responded to the heart and drama of the story, and to its characters, with amazing enthusiasm: “Beautifully written, full of detail and drama, as well as humor and wit.” “Suspenseful, thrilling, emotional.” “I was prepared for a pretty love story – what I got was a heart-melting, pulse-racing, beautiful piece of literature.” “Made me laugh out loud, and moved me to tears.” “Develops the characters, and handles their internal crises and mutual desire, so well.” “I could not put the book down until I finished every last page.” What was the biggest challenge you faced writing this book and how did you overcome it? I couldn’t get the story onto the page fast enough – it came pouring out of me. What are the future plans for you and this book? So many readers were caught up in these characters and their story that they asked for more. I couldn’t wait to catch up with my characters from Terms of Surrender, and see where the next twenty years had taken them. During those years, Michael Cantrell’s young brother-in-law, Rob Devlin, has grown up into a story of his own, Terms of Engagement, and it is one of passion, sacrifice, deeply-felt emotion, and page-turning suspense. What is your next project? Following the success of my novels in ebook format, I have just recently published them in paperback as well, opening them up to a whole new audience of readers. As always, I’m working on the next story! Have you published anything else? I currently have five novels available in ebook format or in paperback: Terms of Surrender and its sequel, Terms of Engagement. Both are Western historical romances. Timelapse, a time-travel adventure/romance. (Some reader comments: “I have to say WOW!…Had me glued to the pages right to the end.” “An emotional book with an exceptionally strong storyline.” “Fast-paced and filled with suspense and adventure.” “I found myself at the end of each chapter dying to know what happens next.”) Dangerous, contemporary romantic suspense. (Some reader comments: “Action, romance, and a plot you can sink your teeth into.” “I fell in love with the characters. They had detail, depth, and life.”) The Guardian’s Angel, contemporary romantic suspense. (Some reader comments: “Well-written, fast-paced thriller.” “Adventure, action, mystery, romance, and a bit of the supernatural.” “Utterly compelling characters.” “Tackles a difficult and sensitive subject [autism] with awareness and respect.”) Any advice for other writers/indie authors out there? Write from the heart! Tell the story YOU want to tell. Publishing is a new world now. Explore all the great options that are out there. Lots of online groups offer how-to advice and encouragement. Good luck! |
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