Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I live in southern California with my husband and enjoy being out in the sun when I’m not writing. I’ve written a romance trilogy, created a book-themed coloring book for adults, have a romantic suspense which has a sequel coming soon, the first book of my scifi, dystopian, thriller trilogy and a contemporary, second chance love stand alone novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Hot Georgia Rein” is my most recently published book (Sept. 12, 2017). The two main characters are young sweethearts who have different goals and dreams as they grow up. Their journey is about growing apart as much as growing together. When they have the opportunity to see each other again, the passion still exists just as much, if not more, than it previously had been. I wanted to explore what two people might say, think, feel when it comes to catching up and revealing secrets and if their love really knows no bounds.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Most of my writing is at night and well into the early mornings. There have been a few times when I can plow through several chapters in the early morning or afternoon, but I have a tendency to do most of my writing at night. I like it quiet unless it’s nature or Baroque music in the background. There are times when I’m writing that I will skip a meal unintentionally.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve read a lot of books, but mostly ones that are not in the genres I write. Many of the classic authors have been inspirational, but my husband, who wrote his book before me, was what inspired me the most to become a writer as well. I encouraged him to turn a movie script into a full-length novel when he felt that many key subtleties were missing from the story. While he filled in the gaps, I began learning the self-publishing industry as well as started to read more fiction. All authors are inspirational in one way or another to me, regardless if I’ve read all, some, or none of their books. To have written a story that conveys something about them, their thoughts or feelings about a topic is always fun to explore.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on “The Killmores” which is the sequel to “Killmore,” my first romantic suspense book. It involves a badass main female lead, espionage and lots of crazy suspense–at least I think so. 🙂 I had originally intended for it to be a single book, but the story took on more life than I had anticipated, causing it to be a two (2) book series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I continue to learn and experiment with new ways to promote my books. Some work better than others. Promotion is a tricky thing when you have a limited budget because you want to maximize your reach.
Social media is definitely a key, and free, resource that I’m constantly tapping into. Having some loyal fans who help promote you just because they love your stories so much also works great. I’ve got a few people who really help share when a book is released, is on sale, or just a continued promotion of previously released stories. For those supports, I always send them an autographed copy of my latest novel.
Book Blog Tours are a great way to promote, especially if you find ones that cater to your genre(s) which also work out to geting ARCs out for reviews. ARCs are a fantastic way to build attention and buzz around your upcoming release.
Using a site like Instafreebie or BookFunnel are another great way to promote your books. Offer up a few chapters for free of an upcoming release to people who are willing to sign up for your newsletter. If they like what they read, they’re more likely to stay on your newsletter, connect with you online, and read your books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
First, write and don’t look back. You can write as a hobby, but wanting to make money doing it is great too. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to write full time and being able to pay your bills with that income. My only thing, don’t say you write as a hobby but then complain that you aren’t selling enough. It’s one or the other, and there’s nothing wrong with either option.
Second, you can’t and won’t please every reader. It’s a fact. Think about that for a second and let me say it again. You CAN’T please everyone, not in any aspect of life, so you definitely can’t do it with readers.
Third, “bad reviews” are not bad. All reviews give you insight to your readers’ thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. Their review is a reflection on how the story/characters made them feel/think and have absolutely nothing to do with you as a writer.
Fourth, handling the self-proclaimed grammar Nazis is something you need to learn to do. A lot of what’s known as proper grammar has changed. Everyone has an opinion on it—I emphasize the word “opinion.” Even literary manuals are altering with what’s accurate. Also, editors are human. We all make mistakes: you, the editor, the reader even.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It was from my husband and it was about book reviews. Ultimately, a reader’s review of your book is more about them than you as a writer or even the story at large. The review is actually an insight to their thoughts, feelings, or perspective on life and how they do or don’t relate or react to your story and the characters. Once you take it as an insight into who the reader is and why they wrote their review the way they did, it makes it easier to remove the emotional side of a good or bad review.
What are you reading now?
I just started my first book from an author friend Claudia Burgoa, “Until I fall.”
What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next for me as a writer? To continue to write. To write all the stories that currently reside in my head (which span across many different genres) and to publish them. I’ve got at least 20 more stories. Some of them are stand-alone novels while others will be series. I plan to continue to strengthen my storytelling ability, testing myself as an author with whatever story idea reveals itself to me, while striving to hit a prominent best-seller list other than just Amazon.
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?
I’m a very practical person, and with being an author, the stories in my head could keep me pretty occupied. So, my first book would be survival book. Then, I’d have a rather large notepad to be able to write. Third, I’d have a “what’s edible and what’s not edible” book for all plants. The last book would probably be “Atlas Shrugged” or a copy of “Ask and It Is Given.”
Author Websites and Profiles
Martha Sweeney Website
Martha Sweeney Amazon Profile
Martha Sweeney Author Profile on Smashwords
Martha Sweeney’s Social Media Links
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