Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Yankee transplant currently living in the south. Spent four years working my way around the world as a computer and English as Second Language (ESL) teacher. Now that I’m semi-retired I have time to write. I currently have one non-fiction and two fiction books on Kindle — all short.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
DANCING CRAYONS is my most recent Kindle submission. I was sitting at my desk thinking about what subject to use for a short horror story. I was staring at the 3 1/4″ cubed metal box next to my computer. The box has pictures of colored pencils on all sides. I was thinking, “What if these colored pencils could dance?” That thought developed into DANCING CRAYONS.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. Once in awhile I’ll wake up around 2:00 A.M. with a story idea. I can’t get back to sleep until I get up and write about it for an hour or two.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Margaret Atwood certainly.
What are you working on now?
Currently working on the next paranormal Christian short story for my TWELVE MYSTERIOUS WOMEN collection on Kindle.
Also working on another short horror story. It hints that people from the Wizard of Oz might be some of the characters.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still trying to figure that out. However, I’ve been very impressed with “ryuken” in fiverr.com Covers are very important. A cover that speaks to the readers, that gives a promise, is needed. I found a few people on fiverr.com who are good with this. It’s either pay them $5.00 (plus a 50 cent service fee) or pay a professional cover designer from $100 – $200 (2015 prices).
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, I do:
Proof read, proof read, proof read. Then hire a good editor.
For eBook fiction short stories, don’t make them too short or too long. I’d suggest at least 6,000 words, unless it’s free. Over 18,00 words is too long. Around 20,000 — 26,000 words is in that odd grey area. It’s too long to be a short story, but too short to be considered to be a full book.
Promote, promote, promote. Again, fiverr.com has a huge list of people who’ll promote your books to numerous blogs, social media sites, etc. Some are great, some mediocre. You’ll have to check the reviews and decide for yourself. Go to youtube.com (or any search site) and put “How to promote your eBook” in the search box. Youtube has a long list of very good videos about this. Many are by people who have something to sell. You don’t have to buy; they still give free advice.
Schedule; watch your time. Know your writing rhythm. I mentioned that sometimes I get up in the middle of the night to write. I also know that the few hours before I go to bed isn’t my best time, so read or promote during that time. Try to write 1,000 words a day.
Once you have three or four books of the same genre (or series) set up a blog that allows for an email list. Then as you submit books you can inform readers. It’s also a good way to communicate with them.
Read, read, read. In my opinion, the bets book for authors (or any short story reader) is “The Art of the Short Story” September 9, 2005 by Dana Gioia and R. S. Gwynn. It’s on amazon and your library should have it. It’s the “Best Short Fiction” by 52 great authors. There’s roughly a one page biography about each author before their story followed by the author’s notes about writing. That it’s required reading for MIT’s Reading and Writing Short Stories class speaks for itself.
I hope this information is useful for you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
DON’T GET DISCOURAGED! Quoting a high school French teacher of over 50 (that’s not a typo; it’s fifty) years ago. OK, get discouraged but don’t quit. Hang in there.
What are you reading now?
Writing with Intent by Margaret Atwood
What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting a blog for my fiction eBooks together. Have joined a WordPress meetup group. They’re all over the place. See meetup.com. Also reading WordPress for Dummies.
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?
The Bible
The Art of the Short Story (mentioned above)
A book about Acadian History (Haven’t decided which; am looking at some now.)
Modern Irish Short Stories