Marketing with Mandy ~ Author Mary Winter
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Ellora’s Cave.
A: My first EC title, Ghost Touch, was released in December 2002 (And just came out in print!) Since then, I’ve had fourteen titles published with them including my latest, Au Naturel, which releases on 11/09/07. I am a huge fan of Ellora’s Cave. I love my editor and know that every book we work together on just shines.
Q: What tips/tricks do you use for marketing or promoting your own titles?
A: I like to cultivate the reader’s loop for my publishers as well as my own chat list. I also believe in my monthly newsletter which has over 700 subscribers. I love The Romance Studio and feel being a featured member is probably the best value for the money out there. They’re so great to work with and the ability to post my new release news as well as being a featured author really helps.
Q: What is one thing you’d want to tell a newer author, just coming into the game?
A: You have to be a savvy businesswoman. Writing a good novel is the first step, the second, third, fourth, etc. is to market effectively. Know your strengths and run with them.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: My latest release from Ellora’s Cave, Au Naturel, deals with a subject close to my heart, natural healing. In this story Reba, a high-power advertising executive, is brought low by a birth defect that led to her heart attack. She has to rebuild her life, and she does it with the help of Todd, a man burned more than once by modern medicine. His natural healing may be the only chance Reba has at achieving the life she wants, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to show her that everything is better naturally.
Q: What’s your favorite genre to write in and why?
A: I love paranormals because metaphysical topics such as natural healing and nature spirituality are favorites of mine. Because they play a big role in my personal life, I find they drive a lot of my ideas. With my Arctic Hungers series, featuring Bjorn’s Mate, I can intertwine my love of the environment and environmental causes with a kick-ass polar bear shape shifter. I guess simply paranormals let me play in the worlds I want to play in.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your current WIP’s?
A: I am currently working on the sequel to StarMyst: Prodigal Son. This story features Reid and Laura, the doctor who treated Edwin. There’s a power struggle brewing, plus Reid and Laura have to overcome their disastrous past.
Q: What authors inspired you growing up?
A: Growing up I read a lot of horse books such as the Saddle Club. My first romances were Silhouette Desires, and these books made me decide I wanted to write romance. However, I soon discovered Mercedes Lackey, Tanya Huff, David Eddings, Lloyd Alexander, and Tolkien, and it’s these fantasy authors who really nurtured my love of books and of fantasy/paranormal elements.
Links
Homepage: http://www.marywinter.com/
Blog: http://www.marywinter.com/blog.html
Reader’s Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marywinterchat
Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marywinternews
(or send blank email to newsletter-subscribe@marywinter.com)
TThere will be multiple winners! Enter to win EC Ebook (winner’s choice) — One from Ciana Stone, One from Sahara Kelly, One from Ann Wesley Hardin. All you have to do is comment on any of the Marketing with Mandy~Spotlight posts this week! Winner will be announced on Sunday!
