Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m originally from St. Paul, MN, and sorely miss and adore land of 10,000 lakes during the summer. After several moves (Chicago, St. Louis, Tampa) we finally settled in Upstate New York. No, not that New York-Upstate New York, think gorges and waterfalls, acres of farm land and lush mountain forests as far as the eye can see…and then cover it all in about 200″ of snow.
This is my first novel, it is also book #1 in a series of 4.
I have a hard time sitting still dragging my husband and kids through as many off the beaten path trails as I can stumble upon! During the winter I can be found designing costumes for a local school’s drama club, judging middle school aged kids in robotics, writing, and reading.
And as my husband has learned, if you really want my attention bring an offering of coffee, tea, or Mexican food.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Charming Nightmare is a science fiction/fantasy novel. The entire series was a story I used to tell my kids at bedtime when they were growing up. When they got too old for fairy tales I took the characters and aged them, the situation, the language, descriptions, and the conflict into something they can open again today as adults.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I have unusual writing habits, I am particular. It has to be pitch black out and completely silent (so usually after everyone has gone to bed), and then I make a cup of tea, put in some headphones and crank music to an unacceptable level writing without thought for hours. Once a week I’ll stop writing, and read what I mindlessly typed, proof reading and fine tuning an incomplete thought.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Got a minute? Are you comfortable? Can I get you anything tea, coffee, a taco perhaps? This is quiet a list:
I am a huge fan or Jean Auel, Douglas Adams, Christopher Moore (you can NEVER go wrong with a Chris Moore novel), Chuck Palahniuk, Kurt Vonnegut, Charlie Huston, Erin Morgenstern, Stephen King, Mark Z. Danielewski, S. G. Browne Seth Graham Smith, Agatha Christie, Daniel Keyes… the list is never ending and I’m sure I’m forgetting one of my top ten.
What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on the remaining 3 books in the ACN Series. Each of them are in different stages of development/editing.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media is my comfort zone. As an indie writer promoting/marketing is a continuous learning process. I’m building up my courage though, one day in a near future I hope to step into a comic-con as a vendor, speaker, or panel guest and not just a face in the crowd.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Everyone has advise. Everyone writer or not will tell you what you should do. Don’t compromise with the masses, if you still love your work as much today as you did on day one thank the advice giver and go with what you adore (even if they don’t love it as much as you do).
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Why can’t you?”
What are you reading now?
Doctor Who: Shada: The Lost Adventure by Douglas Adams
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully more of this.
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?
It would be either:
The Earth’s Children Series by Jean Auel, they are my go to books and my copies are so worn that words are faded, but that’s alright, I have them memorized.
Or
Any 4 books by Stephen King not only because he’s Stephen King what’s not to love, but because they’re massive books and would take longer to read.
Author Websites and Profiles
Marie Kammerer-Franke Website
Marie Kammerer-Franke Amazon Profile
Marie Kammerer-Franke’s Social Media Links
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