Category Archives: Interviews
Annie Seaton’s Promotional Tips For Authors [Marketing Mondays]
Welcome to the first of my Marketing Mondays posts, where I’ll be sharing marketing tips, interviews, and guest posts on the occasional Monday. My first post is a guest interview with romance author Annie Seaton, who has just released a helpful book for authors: Promotional Tips & Tricks for Aspiring Writers in a Digital Landscape.
Welcome, Annie!
1. Did you read any books or do any research or courses to help you learn about marketing, or did you learn things as you went along?
The same as I write, I am a seat of the pants marketer. Everything I have implemented, I learned as I went along. Self research and self taught.
2. Do you think it’s possible for time-poor authors to still market their books effectively? What would you consider they focus on most to make the best use of their time?
You’ve hit the nail on the head there, Juliet. Finding a balance between promotion and writing is hard enough, without the complication of career or other commitments. That being said, I think a structured schedule that allocates even a small portion of promo time…regularly or daily will allow time-poor authors to market effectively.
3. How can authors strike a balance between promoting their books and writing their books?
That’s the $64 dollar question. No matter how much time we allocate to promotion, we must always keep in mind, the very best advertising strategy is always your next book. Therefore it is essential that the balance leans in favour of writing.
4. Do you think it’s important for authors to be on twitter and/or Facebook every day?
I am an avid FB user, and I am yet to be convinced that twitter has the exposure of Facebook. But yes, whichever one you commit to as part of your promo strategy, you must be on there every day.
5. In your experience, what do you think has had the greatest impact on your book sales?
Establishing my brand in the lead up to publication. I blogged and Facebooked and saturated the market with Holiday Affair in the three months led in before publication.
6. Knowing what you know now, if you could go back and do anything differently when you first started writing seriously, what would it be?
No, I am happy with the way my promotional activities have succeeded. I wouldn’t change anything. If there was anything, perhaps I would have started an author page on Facebook a little earlier.
7. Is it normal for most book sales to die down after a few months, or do you think with consistent and effective marketing strategies authors can keep their sales at successful levels?
Holiday Affair stayed on the best seller Amazon lists for one year and I believe it was the constant promotion and saturation that allowed it to stay there.
8. Can you tell us about your new marketing book, and how writers can benefit from it?
As I experienced success with sales over the past year, many friends and colleagues asked me for the secret of my success. A couple told me I should write a book…and finally convinced me to write it down. It was intended for aspiring authors to show them my simple journey on a budget which still resulted in spectacular sales (I have sold over 25,000 copies of Holiday Affair in less than one year.) I have had many emails and reviews from established authors who have said they, too, got ideas from my outline.
Thanks for sharing your tips with us today, Annie.
>>To check out Annie’s book, Promotional Tips & Tricks for Aspiring Writers in a Digital Landscape, visit the Amazon book page.
You can also visit Annie online at her website, twitter, and facebook.
…Stay tuned for more ‘Marketing Monday’ posts coming soon. To be notified of new posts, remember to subscribe to the blog via email in the top right corner. 🙂
Past, Present, & Future with Kamy Chetty (Plus a Giveaway)
In celebration of the release of my debut novel, Fast Forward, I’m doing a series of interviews with authors about their past, present & future. Today, please welcome… Kamy Chetty!
PAST:
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve wanted to be a nurse since I was five years old. Not sure why or how but I know that if I didn’t follow that path I wouldn’t be a writer today. Weird I know, but life worked out like that.
2. What did you do before you became a writer?
I was a clinical nurse and then a nurse manager. I was pretty good at it too but now I work part time as an education manager so that I can write part time. I would like to think that I would one day hit the bestseller list and never have to work a normal job again but writing full time is a hard life.
3. What is one of your most treasured memories from the past?
Having no responsibilities and being in school. I know I hated it while I was there and couldn’t wait to be grown up but ain’t hindsight a wonderful thing.
PRESENT:
4. What’s your latest/upcoming release about and/or what are you currently working on?
Falling into Paradise is an emotionally charged off the charts heat level romance about two people who are scared to love. Damon is the playboy who had his heart broken and he falls in love with Sophie who can’t trust him or anyone else. Together they break through their walls and find that special thing we all desire.
5. What’s a typical day like for you? (If there is such a thing!)
Well I work part time so I go to work in the morning like everyone else and then I work my five hours and come home and work my real job, the one I’m passionate about. Sometimes I forget to feed my kids and they’re knocking on my door saying, ‘what’s for dinner?’
I tend to get lost in my character world, the scary thing is my children know my characters names and what they look like. I am forever having discussions with my teenage daughter about why Henry Cavill shouldn’t be the hero in my next book because it seems I am stealing all her heroes.LOL.
6. Name three things you are grateful for in your life right now:
That’s easy.
My family, because they encourage and love me and don’t get too mad when I don’t feed them.
The power out there that’s made this happen and has guided me through this journey. I’m really blessed by what I have and what I’ve accomplished.
The family and friends and people in my life that have been so amazing. I am always grateful to them for making my life richer.
FUTURE:
7. If you could fast forward in time to any age or year for just one day, what would you choose & why?
That’s a hard one. It might have to be on both the days my children graduate from college. I think it would be a proud moment because as parents we try so hard to do right by them but in the end, they make their own choices. I’d like to know I’ve taken them that far.
8. If you could have any new technology or invention in the future that would make your life a whole lot easier (or more fun), what would it be?
I’ll take the fun one on this. I think life would be a lot more fun if we could teleport. Then I wouldn’t have to travel anywhere and if I wanted to sit on the beach in Fiji, I could think about it and snap- I’m there. Hot cabana boy optional of course 😉
9. What are your hopes & dreams for the future?
I am going to be a New York Times Best Seller. I am going to set the world alight with my talent and be someone to look out for. That’s my dream and that’s what I will work towards. It takes hard work but I know I can do it.
Thank you so much for having me here, it has been an absolute pleasure.
[Juliet: Thanks Kamy, I enjoyed reading about your past, present, and future, and here’s hoping we’ll see you on that bestseller list!]
Visit Kamy online at her website, blog, facebook, and twitter. You can buy Falling Into Paradise here.
>>GIVEAWAY: Kamy is giving away an ebook copy of Falling Into Paradise. To enter, please leave a comment below. Winner will be drawn on March 28th (Sydney time) and is open worldwide.
Is Mature a four-letter word?
Is mature a four-letter-word? Sandra Antonelli and I discuss over at the Escape Blog…
by Sandra Antonelli and Juliet Madison
While proponents of the genre often talk about the breadth and depth of the stories within, one thing remains true: the heroine is young. Now, young is a relative term (I remember when 30 was old), but there definitely seems to be an age line of 38 that no heroine can cross and still expect a happy-ever-after.
But Sandra Antonelli and Juliet Madison pushed the boundaries. Both have written (and published with Escape) stories with heroines that cross the age divide. Granted, Juliet’s Kelly starts and ends at 25, but the bulk of her story happens on her 50th birthday. Sandra’s heroine, Lesley, is forty-something, and A Basic Renovation also features a secondary romance of her 92-year-old grandfather.
I asked these two authors about breaking the age barrier. They asked each other:
Older Heroines in Romantic Fiction – joint interview
By Sandra Antonelli and…
View original post 1,674 more words
Past, Present, & Future with Lisa Heidke
In celebration of the release of my debut novel, Fast Forward, I’m doing a series of interviews with authors about their past, present & future. Today, please welcome…Lisa Heidke!
PAST:
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A veterinarian – before I realised I would have to deal with blood and operate on sick animals!
2. What did you do before you became a writer?
I was an Acquisitions Editor for a publisher, then moved to ACP where I wrote for several magazines including Bride To Be and Practical Parenting.
3. What is one of your most treasured memories from the past?
The toga parties at university were quite memorable…But as a kid, probably growing up with a menagerie of animals. We had dogs, cats, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish and birds. I loved them all. (Maybe not the fish. They were difficult to get to know.)
PRESENT:
4. What’s your latest release about and/or what are you currently working on?
I am currently writing a manuscript with the working title of Lily’s Little Flower Shoppe about a corporate woman whose career and love life have fallen flat so she embarks on a tree change. It’s not turning out like she (or I) expected.
5. What’s a typical day like for you? (If there is such a thing!)
I drag the kids out of bed, kicking and screaming, then shoo them off to school. I then faff around answering emails, checking out Facebook status updates and spying on who’s tweeting what in Twitter world. Then, and only then do I finally settle down to write. At the moment, my anxiety peaks around 5pm when my oldest son wanders through the door and suggests we ‘go for a drive’. He has his Leaner’s permit. Life on the road is a little scary. #Youhavebeenwarned
6. Name three things you are grateful for in your life right now:
* Healthy children, loving family and friends.
* Maximum airbags in my car…should anything untoward happen when driving with son.
* At the moment, we are doing a huge pool/outdoor renovation and I am grateful I will only be living with mud, filth and excruciating noise for another six months.
FUTURE:
7. If you could fast forward in time to any age or year for just one day, what would you choose & why?
January 2014…so I could see if the new pool the kids promised they would swim in – and clean – becomes a reality.
8. If you could have any new technology or invention in the future that would make your life a whole lot easier (or more fun), what would it be?
A sure fire cure for hangovers that doesn’t involve eating my body weight in sugary calories.
9. What are your hopes & dreams for the future?
Personally: Well–adjusted and healthy kids. That’s not ever going to change.
Professionally: To write the best stories I can and continue to get published. I won’t fall apart if I never get published again, but I am passionate about writing and reading. I won’t stop. #determined
Thanks for visiting the blog, Lisa!
You can visit Lisa at her website, blog, facebook, and twitter. And check out her funny, relatable women’s fiction/chick lit books at Amazon – they’re great! 🙂
Past, Present, & Future with Jenn J McLeod
In celebration of the release of my debut novel, Fast Forward, I’m doing a series of interviews with authors about their past, present & future. Today, please welcome another debut author, the fabulous Jenn J McLeod!
PAST:
![Jenn%20-%20the%20young%20author[3]](https://julietmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/jenn20-20the20young20author3.jpg)
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I was supposed to be a multi-disciplined musician (like my Dad), study at The Conservatorium (like my Aunt), be a famous opera singer like my cousin (whose sons – Ben and Alexander Lewis – (think Phantom!) are now making their own musical mark internationally). Instead I wrote, my keyboard of choice a computer, leaving the old upright piano to languish in the living room as I followed my labyrinthine road and wrote my own story. (Excuse me while I sing my theme song…“I did it myyyyyyy way!”)
So as the daddy longlegs weave their webs around the piano’s soundboard and strings, I weave stories that give my characters a life and a voice. My stage is country NSW, my tree change many years ago like coming home. I guess it must have been all those hours I spent in my room as a child, riding my bed-end rather than practicing piano! Yep, that’s right: a pillow for a saddle, a dressing gown tie as a bridle and voila! I was National Velvet.
2. What did you do before you became a writer?
You mean besides being National Velvet? That answer is a novel in itself. Let’s see (in order): Hairdressing, cosmetic sales, retail security (nabbing shoplifters), hotel security at Sydney’s Intercontinental Hotel (where I met celebrities and heard stories I can never tell), Event Management, Road Safety Education, Corporate PR & Communications, Intranet Producer, Cafe owner, B&B Operator and finally… Author.
[Juliet – what a wealth of experience to add to your stories!]
![pam%20and%20me%20001[2]](https://julietmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/pam20and20me200012.jpg)
3. What is one of your most treasured memories from the past?
Besides pretending to be National Velvet, you mean? 🙂 Hmm, that would be winning a national road safety award for a young driver education initiative. Here I am accepting the award with my colleague, Pam Leicester. As friends and colleagues we were a formidable team; Pam inspiring me then and more recently. (My House For All Seasons character, Sara, was inspired by Pam who is sadly no longer with us. Creating Sara allowed me to give Pam her happy ever after.)
[ Juliet – Congrats on the award! And what a nice gesture for Pam]
PRESENT:
4. What’s your latest release about and/or what are you currently working on?
House For All Seasons is now available. It is the story of four estranged school friends forced to return the NSW country town of their youth to claim an unexpected inheritance – the century-old Dandelion House.
As restless teenagers, desperate to forget a tragic end-of-school muck-up day accident, they escape the confines of small town life and never speak to each other again.
Twenty years on, coming home to the country triggers mixed emotions and the women must face their shame and self-doubt if they are to reconcile their past with their present.
Only after spending a season each in the old place – a condition of the will – do they discover the reason for the inheritance and how they are forever tied to the house and to each other.
[Juliet – what are you waiting for readers? Dash to the bookstore now! Well, after you read this interview of course ;)]
5. What’s a typical day like for you? (If there is such a thing!)
A mess! I have no fixed agenda and I need to change that. I need to fit in the networking side of this business without losing entire days! I must write – not Facebook. I must write – not tweet. I must write – not blog. Oops!
[Juliet – sorry about that!]
![Jenn%20J%20McLeod_fence_web[3]](https://julietmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/jenn20j20mcleod_fence_web3.jpg)
6. Name three things you are grateful for in your life right now:
Right now? As in today? As in 8 March 2013? Forgive my preoccupation, but as my debut novel has just released (with a couple five-star ratings already) I am a little dizzy (and I feel a Gwyneth Paltrow Oscars acceptance speech coming on, so we’d best move on.)
FUTURE:
7. If you could fast forward in time to any age or year for just one day, what would you choose & why?
Fast forward! Crikey, I so wish I could go back. I would love to be doing what I am doing now as a 40 year old!
But, okay, to fast forward it would have to be to the day a book is an interactive hologram. Remember those pop-up storybooks? I loved them. I used to walk my fingers through the pages. Imagine the future: holograms that let you wander through scenes—touching, tasting, smelling, hearing, seeing, feeling… ooh la la!
[Juliet – You’re in luck, there just might be a hologram or two in Fast Forward! Great minds huh?]
8. If you could have any new technology or invention in the future that would make your life a whole lot easier (or more fun), what would it be?
A George Jetson Winnebago (ie it folds into a briefcase for easy parking).
[Juliet – Patent it NOW!]
9. What are your hopes & dreams for the future?
That people love my books and want more (so I can keep writing while travelling in that Winnebago.)
Thanks for visiting, Jenn, and all the best for HOUSE FOR ALL SEASONS!
>>You can visit Jenn at her website/blog, facebook, and twitter. You can buy her book from all good bookstores in Australia or you can order online here at Dymocks, or as an ebook at Amazon.
Past, Present, & Future with Carla Caruso – & Giveaway
In celebration of the release of my debut novel, Fast Forward, I’m doing a series of interviews with authors about their past, present & future. Today, please welcome a fellow writer of a time travel romantic comedy… Carla Caruso! Carla is giving away a copy of her new release Second Chance to one lucky commentor!
PAST: 1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Carla aged about 18, with her sister, Natalie, out on the town!
It’s rather boring of me, but I only ever wanted to be a writer – either as a novelist or magazine reporter. I’ve done both. Probably because I wasn’t creative enough to come up with any other ideas. I didn’t know what, for example, a forensic scientist was at the time…
2. What did you do before you became a writer?
Oh dear. I’ve done everything from being a checkout operator to a newspaper thrower, bank teller, gift wrapper, shoe salesperson, soccer stadium attendant, and public servant – and failed miserably at most of the gigs. Now I also moonlight as a freelance journalist.
3. What is one of your most treasured memories from the past?
Dressing in matching clothes with my elder sister, Natalie! I also used to love spending summer holiday stints at my Nonnis’ (Italian for ‘grandparents’). I remember hearing the rooster crow at breakfast time, eating too much biscuit dough when Nonna was trying to teach me how to bake (I’m still hopeless at it), and watching daytime TV together.
PRESENT:
4. What’s your latest/upcoming release about and/or what are you currently working on?
My latest is called Second Chance and it’s out through Destiny Romance . The premise… After a disastrous 36th birthday, Flora wishes she could be 20 again and delete all her romantic mistakes. She wakes to find she has gone back in time – the summer of 1998, to be precise – but things don’t go to plan!
I’m now working on a rural romance, set in the SA coastal town where I had my first media job.
5. What’s a typical day like for you? (If there is such a thing!)
I’m a freelance journalist, as well as an author, so there’s often a lot of sitting at my computer and tapping on my keyboard – sometimes with my mischievous tabby cat, Luca, nearby. I work from home and my hubby is also a freelance photographer, so we always seem to have unexpected visitors dropping by to keep things interesting.
6. Name three things you are grateful for in your life right now:
My husband, my family, and being able to write for a living!
FUTURE:
7. If you could fast forward in time to any age or year for just one day, what would you choose & why?
Hmm… maybe to my last day, so I’d know what age I was going to get to and could plan accordingly!
8. If you could have any new technology or invention in the future that would make your life a whole lot easier (or more fun), what would it be?
Something that could do the tedious daily routines for me like teeth-brushing or hair-brushing haha!
9. What are your hopes & dreams for the future?
To start a family, be an author full-time (no other work distractions hehe!), and visit New York and the Hamptons – one day soon hopefully.
Thanks for visiting the blog Carla!
You can visit Carla online at her website, twitter, and blog.
You can also buy Second Chance at:
WIN! To go in the draw to win an ebook copy of SECOND CHANCE, simply leave a comment for Carla. (Open worldwide. Winner drawn 7th March)
Past, Present, & Future with…Juanita Kees
In celebration of the release of my debut novel, Fast Forward, I’m doing a series of interviews with authors about their past, present & future. Today, please welcome… Juanita Kees (who, incidentally, was my wonderful editor on Fast Forward!)
PAST:
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Sleeping Beauty, I knew my prince would come and rescue me from my tower 🙂
2. What did you do before you became a writer?
I worked in the motor industry in administration and customer service.
3. What is one of your most treasured memories from the past?
That’s a hard one. I have so many to choose from. Our home was always filled with music, books and board games. Dad used to read to us every night and we used to sing with Mum while we washed the dinner dishes (no TV or dishwashers back then, lol). On Sundays, we barbequed at my aunt’s house where we played music and had a sing-along. Dad and his twin brother played harmonicas, my cousin played the piano, I played the recorder and the rest of us played the fool.
PRESENT:
4. What’s your latest release about and/or what are you currently working on?
Fly Away Peta is the story of Jaime and Peta; lovers separated by time, distance and a little interference. They’re brought together again ten years on when Peta’s daughter is kidnapped. There is so much they need to sort through, including finding Bella and healing the emotional wounds inflicted on them by the nasty Paul Price, before they can find happiness. Peta is reluctant to trust Jaime again even though she’s never stopped loving him. He left once before without a fight, what’s to stop him leaving again? Jaime has to make a big decision. Does he stay or let her fly away again?
I’ve recently finished my favourite manuscript, Under The Hood, which will be published by Escape Publishing in March. This is a fast-paced, energetic tale of a woman determined to fulfill a dream even when it puts her in constant danger. When Scott Devin buys a struggling car dealership in a semi-rural area in Western Australia, the last person he expects to see in charge is a stilletto-wearing, mini-skirted foreperson. Exactly the distraction a struggling, male-dominated workshop doesn’t need! But there’s more to TJ Stevens than meets the eye.
TJ Stevens has two major goals in life: to preserve her grandfather’s heritage and protect the program – and she’ll go to any lengths to do it. Scott Devin’s presence is a threat to everything she’s worked hard to achieve, so keeping him at arms- length shouldn’t be a problem…or will it?
5. What’s a typical day like for you? (If there is such a thing!)
Totally unpredictable! I start with checking my emails, followed by a little Facebook before I knuckle down to editing or writing. The emails and Facebook can send me scuttling off in all difference directions over the web before I have to reign myself in and log out. I’m a terrible procrastinator.
6. Name three things you are grateful for in your life right now:
Only three? Sorry kids 😉 – My health, my mind and chocolate
FUTURE:
7. If you could fast forward in time to any age or year for just one day, what would you choose & why?
Ten years into the future when my kids have kids and I get the chance to say ‘Remember when I told you the same thing?’ and ‘I told you so’.
8. If you could have any new technology or invention in the future that would make your life a whole lot easier (or more fun), what would it be?
A robotic housekeeper to iron, cook and clean for me. I don’t like housework at all. I’d much rather be writing.
9. What are your hopes & dreams for the future?
Tough one! I’d love to see world peace and acceptance among people. Maybe one day it will happen through strong, solid leadership, who knows. As for dreams, I’d love to see one of my books on DVD or in the cinemas with Chris Hemsworth in the leading role 🙂
To win a copy of Juanita’s book, Fly Away Peta, please leave a comment!
Visit Juanita online at her website, blog, facebook, and twitter. Buy Fly Away Peta here.
Past, Present, & Future with Valerie Parv
In celebration of the release of my debut novel, Fast Forward, I’m doing a series of interviews with authors about their past, present & future. Today, please welcome the amazing… Valerie Parv!
Past
1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
Any way I could work with words would have suited me. A Mad Men type advertising man who knew my father, read some of my teenage writing and suggested I become an advertising copywriter. Guess that makes me a mad woman LOL. I finished the three year advertising diploma in one year and had a thrilling next few years writing about everything from hardware to doing your own plumbing, but at least I was writing.
2. What did you do before becoming a writer?
See above. I had my work published in the children’s pages of the Sunday papers, as well as reams of fiction that I wrote when I still had trainer wheels. Some of that early work is archived in the State Library of NSW who have collected my literary papers for many years. Writing for advertising led to freelance journalism, then to my first non-fiction book, and from there to romance fiction.
3. What are some of your most treasured memories?
Finding my soulmate while working in the advertising department of a big Sydney hardware chain, a relationship that friends described as 38 years of first dates. Meeting one of my personal heroes, Neil Armstrong, which felt like shaking hands with Christopher Columbus. Getting writing advice from Gene Roddenberry, creator of the Star Trek universe. I’ve been blessed with so many memorable moments.
Present
4. What’s your latest release, and what are you currently working on?
With Birthright, I’ve taken my writing to the stars. It’s a romantic suspense with aliens and evil astronauts. A reviewer described it as unlike anything she’s ever read, which is a great compliment. Two follow-up books about the characters from Birthright are in the works, and an original romantic suspense movie I wrote is in pre-production.
5. What’s a typical day like for you (if there’s such a thing)?
As any author knows, writing isn’t a 9-5 activity. I write every day, but it’s as likely to be at 2am as 9-5, depending on when the characters are whispering in my ear. I mentor an emerging writer through the Valerie Parv Award set up in my honor by Romance Writers of Australia, and in my (laughs) free time, I enjoy indoor/carpet bowling, meeting up with friends, seeing movies, and pampering my rent-a-kids and rent-a-pets.
6. Name three things you are grateful for in your life right now.
Good friends; more ideas than I can possibly develop; and health, without which the rest doesn’t matter.
Future
7. If you could fast forward in time to be any age or year for just one day, what would you choose and why?
Easy answer – I wouldn’t. I try to practice the Zen ideal of living in the present, squeezing every ounce of juice out of the here and now that I can.
8. If you could have any new technology in the future to make your life easier and more fun, what would it be?
Now you’re talking. A Star Trek replicator to eliminate cooking and cleaning up; the robot maid from The Jetsons, and a thought-to-keyboard translator for my writing.
9. What are your hopes and dreams?
Apart from world peace – war makes absolutely no sense to me – I’m looking forward to seeing my movie script go into production. I’d also like to keep my wits enough to be able to write until my last breath. A joke on Facebook recently said, “I’d like to go like my grandfather, peacefully in my sleep, and not screaming in terror like his passengers.”
Thanks, Valerie, for joining me on the blog today, and all the best for Birthright!
You can visit Valerie at her website, blog, facebook, and twitter.
Valerie Parv is one of Australia’s most successful writers with more than 29 million books sold in 26 languages. She is the only Australian author honored with a Pioneer of Romance award from RT Book Reviews, New York. With a lifelong interest in space exploration, she counts meeting Neil Armstrong as a personal high point. So it’s no wonder she’s taking romance to the stars and beyond In Birthright, her most ambitious novel yet. She loves connecting with readers via her website valerieparv.com, blog valerieparv.wordpress.com, @ValerieParv on Twitter and on Facebook.
About Birthright
Former police officer turned deputy governor, Shana Akers, is used to handling high-stakes situations. But after learning that a space shuttle mission about to be launched from her island home may have a shocking secret agenda, she must turn for answers to the man who has challenged her mind and emotions for years.
Scientific genius and space center director, Adam Desai, is a truly self-made man. Found adrift at sea as a baby, he knows nothing about his origins until two VIPs attending the launch force him to confront the truth about his past, changing everything Adam has ever believed about himself.
Faced with a danger that threatens the entire world, can Adam and Shana find the strength to trust not only each other, but the mysterious VIPs whose unusual abilities defy logical thinking? Especially when it becomes clear that they’ll need all of their combined resources to reclaim humanity’s BIRTHRIGHT.
Published by Corvallis Press USA 2012.
Birthright a near-future romantic suspense available now on Amazon. Read a review here.
Past, Present, & Future with Nicole Flockton
In celebration of the release of my debut novel, Fast Forward, I’m doing a series of interviews with authors about their past, present & future. Today, please welcome my fellow Escape author… Nicole Flockton!
PAST:
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always thought I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. But then I realised I was really bad at art, and I always thought you needed to be able to draw pretty well when you’re a teacher. So I decided that working in an office would be better for me.
2. What did you do before you became a writer?
I read an awful lot of romance books.
3. What is one of your most treasured memories from the past?
As a kid we had this white vinyl couch. The armrests were wooden and an end of one of them had come unstuck. I always remember every time my grandad sat on the couch he would always knock the armrest off and he would always move it back to the correct place. Every time he sat down it happened.
PRESENT:
4. What’s your latest release about and/or what are you currently working on?
My latest release, BOUND BY HER RING, is a revenge and reunion story from Escape Publishing. It’s the very first manuscript I ever wrote. I started it way back in 2002 after I had my daughter. Jasmine has had a car accident and is suffering from amnesia, she can’t remember her husband. Luciano believes he has been wronged by Jasmine and comes back to exact revenge on her and her father. However, what pulled them together in the beginning is still very much a part of both of them. They learn to trust and love again.
5. What’s a typical day like for you? (If there is such a thing!)
Get up and if I have the energy I will take the dog for either a walk or a run. Then it’s get the kids ready for school. Work for a few hours, I work remotely for my job in Australia as I live in Houston Tx. Then I may try and get some cleaning and writing in before it’s time to go get the kids. Deal with homework and cooking dinner. If I’m not brain dead from working on improper fractions with uncommon denominators I will try and get some more writing in before collapsing into bed with a book!
6. Name three things you are grateful for in your life right now:
My family and friends.
The fact that I am doing what I love.
I’m published with two publishers.
FUTURE:
7. If you could fast forward in time to any age or year for just one day, what would you choose & why?
I don’t think I would because I don’t know what age or time I would want to go to. I’m happy not knowing exactly what the future holds – at the moment.
8. If you could have any new technology or invention in the future that would make your life a whole lot easier (or more fun), what would it be?
A robot that would clean the house. I would need it to come and clean up all my kids toys and rooms at the end of each day. It would work silently through the night so I would wake up to a very clean house each day.
9. What are your hopes & dreams for the future?
I hope to have more sales and make a bestseller list.
(Juliet: At the time of writing, Nicole’s book is number 17 in the Top Romance Books list on iTunes!)
Thanks Nicole, and congrats on your release! 🙂
Visit Nicole online at her website, blog, facebook, and twitter. Buy her latest release BOUND BY HER RING from Escape Publishing, Amazon, Amazon UK, Kobo, iTunes.
Past, Present, & Future with Rachael Johns
In celebration of the imminent release of my debut novel, Fast Forward (see announcement here), I’m doing a series of interviews with authors about their past, present & future. Today, please welcome… Rachael Johns!
AND, it’s her birthday tomorrow (25th), so let’s wish her a very happy birthday!!
PAST:
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Oh SO many things. I was one of those kids who changed occupations as frequently as I changed my socks. I wanted to be a vet, a teacher (which I did eventually become), a flight attendant, a news presenter, a jou
rnalist, an actress, a zoologist, a nutritionist… I don’t think there are many careers I didn’t contemplate at some time or another 🙂
2. What did you do before you became a writer?
I was a high school English teacher (but only for six months before I went on maternity leave)! Before that I was a checkout chick and front-end supervisor and a copywriter for an on-hold messaging company. Believe it or not I liked the supermarket work better AND it paid better too!
3. What is one of your most treasured memories from the past?
Going on holiday with my mother to England the year I finished school. It was an amazing holiday seeing places she’d talked about my whole life – I was born in England but we left when I was 18 months old and this was our first trip back. On this trip I also met my dad, my half-brother and half-sisters for the first time in my life. It was an emotional and rewarding holiday.
PRESENT:
4. What’s your latest release about and/or what are you currently working on?
I have two January releases – Stand-In Star from Carin
a Press and Man Drought from Harlequin Australia. Although both are contemporary romances, Stand-In Star is set in the glamorous world of Oscar Academy Hollywood and Man Drought is set in a small Aussie country town. In some ways both involve fish-out-of-water heroines who have to adapt to a new and sometimes scary situation. You can read more about each book on my website books’ page .
Right now, I’m working on my first ever novella – currently titled The Kissing Season, but of course that’s subject to change!
5. What’s a typical day like for you? (If there is such a thing!)
Haha – I’d like to say a typical day involves a nice sleep in, followed by breakfast in bed delivered by my sexy manservant, following which he brings me my laptop and I write in luxury all day but that would be a lie. I don’t really have a typical day. About two days a week I have a kid-free, shop-free (that’s my day job) day. Those days I get up, get everyone else organised and off to school/day care, chuck on a load of washing and do the washing up (sometimes I leave this till later) and THEN I sit down at my desk, check emails, Twitter, FB, etc and THEN I write. On these days I aim for as many words as I can, ‘cos the rest of the week, I can only steal writing time in snatches, most of which are at night.
6. Name three things you are grateful for in your life right now:
My family, my family’s health and my health. I could say my writing career finally going to plan and I am thankful for that, but when I hear such horrible stories of other people and families suffering, I often have to pinch myself that we are so blessed right now. Really as long as you have your loved ones around you and they are healthy, I don’t think you 
can ask for more.
FUTURE:
7. If you could fast forward in time to any age or year for just one day, what would you choose & why?
I’m not sure of the age exactly, but I’d love to fast forward to when my boys are adults. I hope they are all well and happy and I am just so curious as to what they decide to do with their lives!!!
8. If you could have any new technology or invention in the future that would make your life a whole lot easier (or more fun), what would it be?
It’d have to be a robo-maid-cook!! Need I say more!
9. What are your hopes & dreams for the future?
That my family stays happy and healthy, my boys grow up into good men and that I get to keep writing and publishing books!!
Thanks Rachael, and have a FANTASTIC birthday!
Visit Rachael online at her website, blog, facebook, and twitter.
And don’t forget to give Rachael the best birthday present ever – book sales! Buy MAN DROUGHT from Australian bookstores, Amazon, Harlequin, or Google play, Kobo, and ibooks. Buy STAND IN STAR from Amazon, B&N, and Carina press.
JULIET MADISON 