Marketing with Mandy ~ Author Gia Dawn
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Samhain.
A: My experience with Samhain has been Amazing. Angela is my editor–hi, Angie. Has she asked for revisions? Yep, several times. But it’s my job as an author to understand and be willing to do what is best for the manuscript. Her prompts and suggestions are always that-suggestions. Never once have I been told I have to do it this way or that way, or else. It’s a give and take, as a good author/editor relationship should be. That is the motto of Samhain publishing. It is all about the story.
Have I blown her cover as the evil editor? You’ll have to ask her other authors about that. LOLOL
Samhain’s artwork department totally rocks, I have gotten more compliments on my covers than I can count.
I don’t know what I can say about Samhain’s wonderful list of authors. Every day, there is one or another offering free promo on their yahoo groups or blogs, or setting up chats for all to participate in. The goal is to push Samhain as a whole, and make it strong enough and good enough to hang out with the big houses.
I work closely with Linda Keller, RWA’s bookseller of the year, who has already said Samhain is doing just what it takes to make their books as accessible as possible, and make it easy for her stores to work with them.
Yeah, baby, yeah!
Q: What’s your favorite genre to write in and why?
A: I love fantasy! Anything magical or mystical. When I need inspiration I go to my book of Susan Seddon Boulet paintings. I love the way she connects all things, one energy blending into another to create a more synergestic whole. What a talent she was! I believe we need myths and legends, especially today when so much is happening in the world to shake our faith that something bigger is at work.
I am currently writing erotic fantasy, but love the genre regardless of the heat level.
Q: How did you get into writing?
A: I have written since I was little. I was one of the very very few who actually did a creative writing project to complete my major in college, as opposed to taking the standard senior course. I have done quite a few things in my life..but always come back to the writing. It’s what makes me happy. It’s my way of speaking to the world.
Q: How do balance family and writing?
A: Very well. I get up in the morning and get everyone off to school/work, then go back to bed until noon. I have learned to write in front of the television, with video games playing in the background, and teenagers running in and out of my house. Julia Cameron–The Artists Way–speaks of fitting your writing into your life, not your life around your writing. Some day my children will be grown with families of their own. This time with them is growing shorter by the year. I refuse to miss out. My motto is no regrets…I won’t get to the end of things and say…well I wish I would have loved more, spent more time with, taken more chances, walked a little farther outside the box. If I am doing the best I can, that’s good enough.
Q: Why do you like writing romance/erotica?
A: I love romance. No two ways about it. I am addicted to the HEA, and can’t even watch a movie or read a book dealing with relationships that doesn’t have it. If any movie comes out that has a sad ending.. Summersby or City of Angels, you can tell me all about it, because I promise you I won’t go see it. Life doesn’t always give us great endings, that’s just how it is, so my escape is to read it and experience it through the characters eyes.
And sex? Love sex. Many cultures consider making love a way to connect with the divine. The Mahabharata and Tantric texts state that in the throes of passion we are elevated to the heavens where we get a glimpse of union with spirit. Can’t beat that, even with chocolate.
LINKS:
www.giadawn.com
www.samhainpublishing.com/authors/gia-dawn
Thanks for joining us, Gia!
Marketing with Mandy ~ Ciar Cullen
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Samhain.
A: You don’t mean the part about knocking on Crissy’s door in the middle of the night with a basket of cookies and brownies begging her to read something, do you? I heard tell of the company and believe it or not, you (Mandy) were one of the first folks listed as forthcoming authors (of course you believe it, you were there). I liked the roster and thought, “Hey, this might be a good thing. Unless all these folks I like are nuts (always possible), they may know something I don’t.” So I submitted everything I had available, which included some books previously published–Mayan Nights, Princes of Anfall, Key West Magic, and some new material: Mayan Secrets (the sequel to Mayan Nights), and Lords of Ch’i. Samhain provided me with a book to place in my mother’s fragile hands–that was the thrill of a lifetime. It’s been a fully marvelous experience, not a single regret!
Q: What’s your favorite genre to write in and why?
A: The genre issue has been a real head-scratcher for me. Mrs. Giggles called me a very diverse paranormal writer, and I think that’s actually fairly accurate. Satire, flat-out comedy, contemporary erotic, classic fantasy, urban fantasy–I write what moves me at the moment. (Which makes it hard for me to follow a schedule!). One thing I know is a “signature” in all my books is a duality. For example, in Mayan Nights, there’s a backstory of an ancient shapeshifting Mayan King (our narrator). In Key West Magic, a backstory of a ghost and her conversations with her guardian angel. In Mayan Secrets, two stories intertwine–an historic explorer and the modern archaeologist who finds his journal. Most of my books are “erotic”–that is, the sex is graphic, although I would characterize myself primarily as a romance writer.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your current WIP’s?
A: I am in edits on a book called Unholy Vows, one of those dual stories in which a modern erotic romance writer pens a medieval romantic tale to catch the eye, heart, and some other good parts of a younger man. That comes out this fall. Mayan Secrets is up next, and that is half-finished. Key West Magic, my Irish ghostbusting family, comes out in the spring of 2008. My brand spanking new works that I tap away at when I find time are Relic Hunters, which is a combination of classic quest fantasy and erotic scifi (no, really). The book I am dying, dying, dying to get more time on called Steam Age Scandals. That is a steampunk time travel urban very sexy tale! I’ve had an agent request to see that when I’m done. :o) I have a few novellas due out from another publisher in coming months as well.
Q: How do you come up with your ideas?
A: My dual muses are geography and history. Travel inspires me–whether it’s a day trip to Manhattan, a journey through the Mayan ruins, or a trip to the local beach. I’m refreshed and filled with fantasies when I travel. Every one of my titles is linked to personal experiences in Greece, Italy, Mexico–places I’ve lived as an archaeologist or visited for pleasure.
Q: How do balance family and writing?
A: My challenge is really balancing a day job and writing. I don’t do well in snippets of time, so a half hour here and there doesn’t get the flow on, so to speak. I try to write on the weekends, but while husband is extremely supportive, I can’t lock myself up every free moment. I do what I can, when I can, and try to forgive myself for being human!
LINKS:
http://www.ciarcullen.com
http://ciarcullen.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CiarCullen
http://myspace.com/CiarCullen
Marketing with Mandy ~ Author Kai Andersen
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Samhain.
A: My experience with Samhain has been wonderful. One of the things I appreciate the most is that Crissy and the editors have always been prompt with answering my questions. From the start, Crissy has been so very approachable and helpful, going over the contract terms with me and explaining so that I’d understand them better. Especially now that Samhain has grown so big and Crissy has one thousand and one things to attend, she’s still very available to answer my concerns.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: Mind Games 1: Mine Over Matter is just out IN PRINT!!!
What’s a girl to do when her attractive and built-like-a-Greek-god superior insists on seducing her by using the psychic powers he despises? Give in, of course! And insists on doing it on her own terms. Hungry and desperate, Holly Donovan is grateful when former classmate Becky Feldman offers her a job and a roof over head. However, Holly never expects Becky’s sinfully sexy nephew to be in residence, or that he’d be sleeping in the room next to hers.
Warren Feldman is entranced by his attractive and luscious assistant. He is built like a dark Greek god with a most formidable talent: telekinesis. Though he hates his telekinetic ability, he doesn’t hesitate to use his powers to ensnare Holly to his lusts and to take them on a delightful journey of sensual pleasures. Until they discover certain evil forces at work against them and threatening their lives, and things aren’t as simple as they seem.
Q: What’s your favorite genre to write in and why?
A: Paranormal and fantasy, because they allow me more room to explore, to maneuver and to invent! LOL
Q: How do you balance family and writing?
A: It’s pretty tough, but I can’t NOT write, as writing helps me to de-stress from the pressures of the DJ. I normally write only during weekends, and I keep that to a maximum of 8 hours per day. The rest of the time, I spend with the family — having dinner together, watching TV, going shopping, etc.
Q: What would you do if you weren’t a writer?
A: I’d probably still be writing! LOL But writing reports, that is, which are so much drier and blander than fiction, definitely nothing to get excited about. And my life would probably be as colorless. That’s why I’m so glad I discovered books and the courage to sit down in front of my laptop and complete a story that’s been percolating in my head. That’s more than 2 years ago, and six books later, I’m still writing!
LINKS:
www.kai-andersen.com
www.stardustangels.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sensual_Indulgence/
CONTEST: Monday-Friday of this week– anyone who comments on ANY of the posts for Marketing with Mandy’s Samhain Publisher Spotlight (going on all week long) will be entered to win a download of their choice from Mandy’s Samhain backlist and Michelle’s Samhain backlist. (There will be two winners, each selecting one download) To enter: Comment on the blog this week! The more you enter, the more chances you have to win. Winners will be selected on Saturday and announced on the blog.
