Marketing with Mandy~Virgin Authors Part III
Q: Tell us a little about your time with Virgin.
A:
I’ve written 2 books so far for Virgin ‘Cheek’-”Where have all the Cowboys gone?” May 07 and “Roping the Wind” Dec 07 and 2 short stories in ‘Sex and Shopping’ and ‘Sex in Public’.It’s kind of a match made in heaven for me because I’m originally from the UK and now live in California, so I get to write about U.S. themes and deal with my old country at the same time-a nice blend of cultures 
Q: What have you found to be the best marketing tool to you as an author?
A: Definitely my website which has gradually brought me new readers and my blog. Myspace is interesting too! And I try and write the best books I can and get my name out there with as many publishers as I can find as well!
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: My latest release came out on May 29th in the U.S. from Virgin ‘Cheek’ and is called “Where have all the Cowboys gone?” It’s an erotic twist on the traditional cowboy romances. After a passionate night in Vegas and a quick marriage its the hero who wants to stay married and the heroine is the one with the commitment problems!
Q: What’s your favorite genre to write in and why?
A: I still love to write the historicals best. I think it’s because I’ve always believed I have lived many lives! the Regency period is a particular favorite of mine. My new Kensington Aphrodisia titles will both be erotic Regencies.
Q: What authors inspired you growing up?
A: I read all the time as a child. I loved Enid Blyton and Rosemary Sutcliff. As an adult I love Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, Linda Howard, Mary Balogh, Dorothy Dunnett and Ian McEwan
Q: How do balance family and writing?
A: It’s hard. I have 4 kids between the ages of 18 and 5, one with special needs so I’m in a constant state of mothering! I try and make 2-3 hours a day all mine so that I can write and I try to make my family understand and respect that time.
Q: Why do you like writing romance/erotica?
A: It just totally fits my style of writing. I think I have a lush steamy style that just works-and I can’t really write any other way.
LINKS:
www.katepearce.com
http://lustbites.blogspot.com/
http://the spiced teaparty.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/katepearce
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Virgin Publishing.
A: I’m extremely impressed with Adam Neville’s energy, rebranding of the line, and promptness. He seems to be achieving miracles in terms of the brand, without being given very much (like a higher budget, more assistants…
That said, my first book comes out in July and as far as I can tell they don’t organize any sort of event or launch, which I think is a shame.
Q: What have you found to be the best marketing tool to you as an author? Please feel free to elaborate.
A: The Lustbites blog is great, because it’s drawing attention to us with wit and style rather than straight hardcore marketing - people will return to a witty blog, but not to an ad. Also, being a group thing, keeping it sparkly is easier than just on one’s own. Then of course, to support that, a website.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: Almost released - 4 July! The Ten Visions is a ghost-story, a mystery, and a love-story - it’s set in contemporary Oxford, then with absolute realism and much to the protagonist’s bewilderment starts to introduce aspects of the supernatural. The official blurb (and I don’t know if I can describe it better!):
“The moment she starts her doctorate in Oxford, Sarah is beset with mysteries. An old portrait in her rented house bears an uncanny resemblance to her. A new lover insists he’s a ghost. Her attractive, sinister supervisor obstructs her research at every turn. An ordinary hill on the meadow fills her with fear - and not just her, but also the man with whom she falls in love. And every time she has sex, she hallucinates strange places and other times.
With her own life and soul at risk, Sarah uses sex-magic and a sequence of visions to travel between different times, worlds and places. On an epic journey, she battles an ancient evil to solve a mystery dating back centuries - a mystery that holds the truth of her origins and purpose.”
Q: What’s your favorite genre to write in and why?
A: Fantasy - not necessarily of the good versus evil kind with lords and ladies and castles and promising young peasant boys, etc, but other worlds where other ways apply. Most fantasy sticks to a medieaval feudal society, which can be fun, but can also get a bit wearisome. Writing other worlds offers endless possibilities - or maybe I just like magic! I’ll also set magical writings in various ancient civilizations (Sumeria and so forth).
Q: What types of research do you do for your books?
A: Lots of googling! I’m persnickety about getting the exact details right. I check factual details - streets, restaurants, directions. If I write about witchcraft, I want it to be accurate. If I describe someone’s studies, there should be just enough detail to suggest this is a real person embarking on a real and substantial area of study, and anything I say about it should not annoy people who know about that area. That last is the key, mostly: I don’t have to know everything about a subject, but don’t piss off the people who do.
Q: How do you come up with your ideas?
A: We can’t usually see it, but there’s a vast colorful swarming throng of feathered and scaly iridescent bodies, swooping and pressing around us all the time, and all one has to do is squint a little, reach out and… grab! Then I squash the ethereal critter between the pages of my small, gleaming Ideas Book, which I carry around everywhere. When I want to write something, I flip through the book and choose aspects I like of the different pressed ideas.
LINKS:
Website: http://www.oliviaknight.co.uk/
The Ten Visions on amazon:
CONTEST: Monday-Friday of this week– anyone who comments on ANY of the posts for Marketing with Mandy’s Virgin Publisher Spotlight (going on all week long) will be entered to win a download of their choice from Mandy’s backlist and Michelle’s backlist. (There will be two winners, each selecting one download)
To enter: Comment on the blog in a Marketing with Mandy Virgin Publisher Spotlight post this week! The more you enter, the more chances you have to win. Winners will be selected on SUNDAY and announced on the blog.
