A: I love working with Virgin Books. The company has been great to me as an author. I originally started working with the UK office and everyone there has been wonderful. Adam Nevill, my editor, is a gem. He does the work of twenty and still manages to answer all my emails. And, with Random House acquiring 90% of the company, there is now a USA office. In the US, I worked with Ken Siman–another gem. Both have put so much support behind me and my books.
Q: What tips/tricks do you use for marketing or promoting your own titles?
A: I do everything I can think of–interviews, guest blogs, my own blog, the Pillow Scavenger Hunt contest (with over 60 participating authors), The Raven with esteemed MwM Hostess Ms. Mandy Roth *waving at Mandy*, podcasting, free stories, contests, link exchanges, book videos, myspace and other social networks, a constantly updated website, conventions, promo mailings… I’m always willing to try new things when it comes to promotion and love it when people email me with opportunities.
Q: What is one thing you’d want to tell a newer author, just coming into the game?
A: Don’t get discouraged and don’t expect everything to happen overnight. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially if you’re on a publishers author group. That’s why they’re there.
This is a tough business and no one is going to hold your hand. I think the most “shocking” realization for new authors is how much of your career depends upon you. You have to market and promote yourself. Unless you’re an extremely rare case with a huge contract deal, no one’s going to do it for you. I so wish it was a matter of—write book, sit back and enjoy riches. I know I had to take a crash course when I first started. I taught myself how to do web graphics, make a website, make book videos, ect. The more you learn to do yourself, the cheaper it’ll be for you.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your Virgin Book releases?
A: Of course! I have three books out with Virgin under their Cheek line. The first two, Opposites Attract and Fierce Competition were just reissued this summer in mass market. I also had a new series start last February, Matthews Sisters. Book one, Bit by the Bug, is out in stores. Book two, Along for the Ride (which I’m giving away a printed ARC of on this blog) is set to come out Oct 16, 2007 and is already on pre-order from Amazon.com. This book is one of the launch titles for Virgin’s USA office. Book three was just contracted. It’s called Recipe for Disaster. There are two more sisters in the works.
Q: What’s your favorite genre to write in and why?
A: Oh, that’s a hard one. I love to genre hop within romance. When I first started, it was nothing but straight historical. I didn’t think I’d ever do anything else. But, then I discovered paranormal, and then futuristics and then got offered a contract for a contemporary with Virgin. Switching genres is what keeps me prolific.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your current WIP’s?
A: I have several things going at once. With Virgin, I just finished Recipe for Disaster and about to turn it over to the editor. Next, I’ll be working on the last two sisters’ books.
At Ellora’s Cave, I just contracted Call of the Lycan 3: Call of Temptation. It’s the last book in the trilogy. I’m also working with Ms Mandy on Pleasure Cruise 3. We LOVE that series. It’s so fun and readers really seem to get into it. I honestly think 3 is our best Pleasure Cruise yet.
With NCP, I contracted and finished Space Lords 1: Frost Maiden–the next series installment in my Futuristic Universe.
And, with Samhain publishing, the third book in my Realm Immortal series, Stone Queen, will be in print Oct 30, 2007.
Q: What types of research do you do for your books?
A: The internet can be great for basic research, but you have to use respected sites. Anyone with basic computer knowledge can make a webpage and they may or may not know what they’re talking about. I have a huge non-fiction book collection for research that I often use. You can never do too much research.
LINKS:
Website
Blog
Michelle at New Concepts
Michelle at Ellora’s Cave
Michelle at Virgin Books
Michelle at Samhain
Preorder Along for the Ride
Preorder Recipe for Disaster
(PS– to be eligible to win… comment here, in this thread/blog post)
