Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey there! My name is Elizabeth Barone. I write contemporary New Adult romance and suspense—gritty, steamy reads focusing on social issues that 18-26 -year-old people deal with. As of September 2016, I have nine published books with several unpublished and slated for future release. I like binging TV shows like Sons of Anarchy and Gilmore Girls, reading horror and romance novels, and swearing like a trucker’s daughter should.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
WHAT HAPPENS ON TOUR, the third book in my South of Forever series, was released August 19th. The series follows an up and coming rock band and the belles that revolve around it. WHAT HAPPENS ON TOUR was heavily inspired by my early days as a web designer; I was younger than most people in the industry, and constantly felt like I needed to prove myself. Poppy is the band’s manager and may or may not have told a few little lies to get her job, and they end up compromising her feelings for the band’s drummer Griff.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m pretty much a cliche: I swig coffee in the morning, then switch to water; I love writing with snacks like Goldfish and spicy Doritos; I almost always have to have some kind of music playing. I wish I could tell you that I have to perform a blood sacrifice ritual before I can make words, but I’m pretty boring. It gets interesting later in the day when I’ve used all the good words on my work in progress and can’t English anymore.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
To this day I still idolize Stephen King. I used to write nothing but horror. Now I keep his amazing characterization in mind while writing. I believe every book I read makes me a better writer, but when I grow up I really want to be Tracie Puckett, Joe Meno, Tarryn Fisher, and Suzanne Collins. Oh, and Gail Forman. There are too many.
What are you working on now?
If I told you that, I’d have to kill you. 😉 Heh. Funny story: I had 19 billion books in my production schedule, but somehow ended up starting the one I’m not supposed to be working on ’til next year. I’m not quite ready to talk about it yet, but I’m having fun. I’m playing with writing in first person present tense POV, since that seems to be the expected default in New Adult fiction. (I normally write in third person past.) I thought I might struggle getting into the characters’ heads in first person, but their thoughts are consuming me. I absolutely can’t wait to share this with everyone!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, no one strategy or tactic has worked for me; it’s been a combination of things. I’m always experimenting, throwing pasta at the wall. (I’m Italian and sometimes that’s how we cook.) But I think sharing excerpts on my blog and Wattpad, as well as showering my readers with bonus content, has really helped.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be tenacious. I think in this industry, only the truly stubborn succeed. In the last five years, I’ve seen a lot of authors come and go. You have to be relentless and keep trying. Don’t stop writing and don’t be afraid to try new things when it comes to marketing your work. All marketing really boils down to is getting eyeballs for your books, putting yourself in front of readers.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When it comes to cooking, someone once told me to go easy; you can always add more spices later, but you can never go back. This has been pretty sound advice for feeding myself and my husband without one of us choking on pepper.
What are you reading now?
Tracie Puckett’s latest, STUCK IN THE MOMENT. I’m also beta reading for my girls Molli Moran and J.C. Hannigan. Then there are honest-to-goodness another like five books on my iPad that I’m itching to start. My theme lately is “not enough time.”
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll be wrapping up my South of Forever series soon. In the meantime I’m releasing the first in a duology, the Not Just Any Love series. The first book, JUST ONE MORE MINUTE, is about a down-on-her-luck waitress who inherits a bakery with the guy who broke her heart and stole her dream job. Basically my plan is to keep releasing books until the day I’m old and wrinkled and pass in my sleep.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Only three or four?! Hmn, well… Stephen King’s WIZARD AND GLASS, Jean Craighead George’s JULIE OF THE WOLVES, Gail Carson Levine’s ELLA ENCHANTED, and my journal so I can keep writing, too.
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