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Category: Ellwyn’s Blog Main
Ellwyn’s Autumn’s Blog Mail Posts
Interview With Author Cait Marie
By way of introduction, here is Cait Marie’s bio.:
Cait Marie has been obsessed with books her entire life. The love of writing didn’t hit until 2017. Since then, she has held multiple positions within Coffee House Writers, including C.O.O., Advertising Supervisor, Editor, and Writer.
In 2018, she used her passion for reading to create Functionally Fictional. In 2019, she joined the indie staff of YA Books Central as a reviewer and then Indie Assistant Blogger.
Cait graduated with honors in 2019 from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, and she is currently enrolled in their Master of Fine Arts program.
She lives in Indiana, where she freelance edits and provides a variety of other author services. When she’s not writing or reading, she can usually be found watching Disney movies or Brooklyn Nine-Nine, creating bullet journal spreads, or singing along to various soundtracks and showtunes.
Now that you’ve been introduced to Cait Marie, let’s get to know her a little better.
Hello, Cait Maire, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
When did the writing bug ensnare you?
I never liked to write, but I always loved to read. When I moved back home in 2015, I started reading more, and a book didn’t go exactly how I wanted.
So, I said to myself, “Why don’t I just write my own book? Then I can put anything I want in it!” I basically wanted all the tropes in one story, and I was bored.
Is writing your full-time profession?
No, it’s not. I am a freelance editor, and I offer a number of author services. I also own the book website Functionally Fictional, which I am working on building into a full company.
It’s my goal to offer self-publishing authors help throughout the entire process, from writing and editing to publishing and marketing.
How long have you been writing?
I started in 2015, but I didn’t start seriously writing with the intent of making it a career until 2018. Even then, I was still getting a psychology degree and writing wasn’t my main focus.
I thought the books would be something on the side. In 2019, I decided to apply to an MFA program instead of continuing with psychology after graduation, and I decided to start self-publishing.
How many published books have you written?
My first book releases today, March 18, 2020.
A big CONGRATULATIONS!
Which genres do you write?
Young adult fantasy, contemporary romance, dystopian, and some science fiction, as well as new adult fantasy and contemporary romance. Most of the books border the YA/NA line.
What do you find most challenging writing for these genres?
Usually, the distinction between YA and NA is the most difficult for me. I don’t know how to categorize most of my books because they’re written more like YA, but the characters are in their early 20s a lot of the time. NA also has a bad rep in the book community, unfortunately.
What are you working on now?
I am writing a YA contemporary romance, The Last Summer, which I’m aiming to release in June.
Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
I read a lot and watch a lot of movies. Well, not the latter so much anymore, but I used to.
I tend to pull my favorite qualities from a number of favorite characters and kind of mix them up for the specific story. For example, Adalina in The Lost Legends was greatly inspired by Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean.
What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
I haven’t published yet, but I have sent out the advanced readers copies, and the reviews have started coming in. Seeing that people actually love my book has been so rewarding.
I’ve had a lot of self-confidence issues in the past, so to read these amazing reviews, especially from strangers saying they read the whole thing in one sitting because they couldn’t stop… it’s just incredible. It’s an 82,000-word book—it isn’t short. That takes some serious commitment.
What advice would you give to authors just starting out?
Plan ahead and don’t give up. It is a lot of work. A LOT. But it is so worth it. Definitely plan things out though.
Too often I see authors doing things last minute and not putting a lot into the marketing aspect of it. The marketing side is just as important as the writing if you want your books to actually reach readers.
That’s one of the reasons I am building up my website. I know this part is hard for many authors, and I want to help.
Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?
See above answer haha. I really want to help indie authors. There are so many good books out there that people don’t know about because they don’t have the reach.
I don’t have the biggest following by any means, but I want to help. I just finished editing a book, for example, that was unbelievably good. It could easily be compared to some of the YA fantasy books from big publishers.
I do not know how big this author’s readership is, but I hope it gets the attention it deserves.
What message are you sharing in your books?
To follow your dreams and your heart, and to never give up. And that it is okay to believe in fairy tales.
What are your favorite books?
All of the Shadowhunter books by Cassandra Clare. The A Court of Thorns and Roses series and the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. The Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi. The Ravenspire series by C. J. Redwine. Michelle MacQueen and Ann Maree Craven’s two contemporary series, Redefining Me and Discovering Me.
If you could create an author’s group with writers from any time period, who would you invite?
Honestly, I’m not sure. Confession time, I’ve actually never read a full book from another time period. I’ve read bits and pieces, but never a full book.
I really struggle with them… So, here are some cliché answers because I love the movies based on their books: Jane Austen, J. R. R. Tolkien, L. Frank Baum, and C. S. Lewis.
Who has influenced your writing the most?
Probably Sarah J. Maas for many reasons. First and foremost, it was her books that caused the love of reading to fully take over my life.
They sparked the reading frenzy that led to the creation of Functionally Fictional because I needed a place to talk about books. I needed to find others who loved them as much as I do.
This then led to my involvement in the writing community and then my own books. More than that though, her books made me feel something I never had before.
The way she makes readers connect to her characters is so powerful, and that’s something I strive for now with my own.
When you’re not writing where can we find you?
Usually reading, editing, doing homework, working on promotional stuff for my books, or Functionally Fictional stuff. I also use a bullet journal and love creating new spreads.
A movie producer wants to turn your book into a movie, and you get to make a cameo. What would you do in the movie?
Probably someone in the background in the Tugora tavern scene if they could make my wheelchair blend in somehow.
An elf named 12-25 approaches you. He’s sneezing, wheezing, coughing and there’s a strange tattoo of a snoring dog on his cheek. What do you do?
I have no idea. See if he’s okay, then ask about his name and tattoo…
What are your most effective marketing strategies?
Start early and PLAN! Plan when you’re going to do different types of promotion and work ahead.
For example, for my book that released today, I sent the book to the editor in November, then immediately started planning the marketing.
I decided to begin promotion January 1, with the cover reveal and pre-order opening a couple weeks later. After that, I did a different teaser graphic or book-related every Wednesday, and will continue to until the release, which is today.
However, I didn’t just plan this first book. I planned out the whole year, with a book coming out every four months. And each book will follow the same basic marketing timeline. I will gladly share the exact details of this with other authors if they’re interested.
Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?
All of the above. Here’s a list of most of my links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/c8_marie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cait.marie.h/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caits.inner.circle/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c8_marie/
Website: https://caitmarieh.com/
Functionally Fictional: https://functionallyfictional.com/
Newsletter Sign-Up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/v1d5i1
Where can we find your books?
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cait-Marie/e/B083W2CG3Z
Thank you, Cait Marie, for spending time with us and sharing your story. Good luck with the new book. We wish you lots of success!
A plague. A prophecy. A centuries-long curse.
All her life, Princess Adalina heard tales of the legendary, immortal warriors known as the Nihryst. Cursed and bound to a deck of tarot cards by her ancestors, the Nihryst were stranded on a remote island nearly a century and a half earlier.
Her brother, Prince Shane, is destined to rule the kingdom of Detmarya. Though preparing for this role has encompassed his entire life, control of the kingdom may come sooner than expected due to their father’s sporadic behavior.
Discovering the king’s plan to set a war in motion with a mass assassination, Ada unwittingly joins a crew of pirates in search of the only beings powerful enough to stop him: the Nihryst. Meanwhile, Shane and a group of underground rebels make a haunting discovery of a plague infecting the streets of Detmarya.
With a looming deadline to save multiple kingdoms and thousands of innocent lives, both royal siblings join quests worthy of Ada’s beloved fairy tales.
Interview With Author Sylvia Stein
By way of introduction, here is Sylvia Stein’s bio.:
Sylvia Stein is a published author, podcaster, and content writer and Team Advertiser for Coffee House Writers. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University in July 2015.
Sylvia lives in Fuquay Varian with her amazing husband Jeremy and their three beautiful children.
Now that you’ve been introduced to Sylvia, let’s get to know her a little better.
Hello, Sylvia, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
When did the writing bug ensnare you?
This is an excellent question. I’ve always loved to read and write. As a kid, the best times I spent were in the library reading stories by amazing authors. Their personal stories also fascinated me. This inspired me to write and to create my own stories.
Is writing your full-time profession?
Yes, but I also love to teach. I am a substitute teacher and I love it. When I’m not in the classroom, I’m writing and working on my craft.
How long have you been writing?
Overall, it has been about 10 years. I’ve always written but professionally since 2010. I started with anthologies and then graduated with a Master’s of Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University.
Shortly after that I began publishing my solo works. I published my first solo Novella, Closure in 2014. During National Novel Month, Nanowrimo in 2012, I developed a first draft for a story titled Chasing Clarity that was published in October 2015. Later I published a Prequel to Closure entitled, The Diary of a Broken Father.
Have you won any literary awards?
I have not, but Fossend Publishing in the UK nominated me for a Book Award for The Diary of a Broken Father.
How many published books have you written?
Overall, I have been in 5 Anthologies; I have three solo books and I am working on the fourth one.
Which genres do you write?
I write contemporary fiction books.
What do you find most challenging writing for this genre?
I wouldn’t say it’s challenging. I will say that I love writing New Adult, Romance and Thrillers and it’s hard because I want to dabble in all of it.
What are you working on now?
Thank you for asking. I am currently working on my first thriller. This story has taken me time to write and has become a journey of its own. I have done so much research even though it is a work of fiction.
Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
My characters drive all of my stories. The inspirations for them come from people I have encountered throughout my life or in other stories I have seen. But mainly they come from me.
I’ve always loved how authors create an unfamiliar world and transport you into it. For me right now the biggest inspirations are Julie Garwood, Liane Moriarity, Ruth Ware, Paula Hawkins, Gillian Flynn, Stephen King and Jodie Picoult.
What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
My readers! They always reach out and say how my characters inspired them and how they loved the message I was trying to spread within my story.
What advice would you give to authors just starting out?
Write every day and join a Writer’s Group. I joined one on Linked and it was the best experience for me.
Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?
Well, I love Musicals and I hope to work on writing my own one day. I have a genuine love of Music and Broadway.
What message are you sharing in your books?
The courage within each of my characters and their journeys. I always create strong characters and many of the principal characters are women.
For example, as you follow Sara’s journey in Closure you see a young woman who has been through so much and you root for her. In Chasing Clarity you have another young woman, Mia Gerard, who has lost so much.
One of the key things readers tell me is how much they felt like the characters. However, I also show what loss and addiction does to someone like Garrison James who is Sara’s “dysfunctional” father.
What are your favorite books?
My favorite books range from F. Scott Fitzgerald, Charles Dickens, Harper Lee, John Steinbeck, Jodie Picoult, Stephen King, Jane Austen, Ruth Ware, Liane Moriarity, AJ Brown, Chrissie Parker and Ruth Ware. There are too many.
If you could create an author’s group with writers from any time period, who would you invite?
Oh, my goodness this is an excellent question! It would be hard, but I would like to have F. Scott Fitzgerald, Charles Dickens, and also bring in Jane Austen and Stephen King. I know this would be a very interesting Writer’s Group.
Who has influenced your writing the most?
Jodie Picoult, all of her books have so much emotion and her character’s drive all of her stories as I hope mine do.
When you’re not writing, where can we find you?
I am Mom all the time, but when I’m not writing I’m on Instagram or prepping for my podcast The Daily With Syl Stein the Coffee Chronicles. I talk about coffee and life.
A movie producer wants to turn your book into a movie, and you get to make a cameo. What would you do in the movie?
If a movie producer wants to turn my book into a movie, I want husband to be the executive producer so the movie is just like my book. Then I would make a cameo as an extra. I would like to be the nurse who pops in for a few seconds. Nothing fancy.
An elf named 12-25 approaches you. He’s sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and there’s a strange tattoo of a snoring dog on his cheek. What do you do?
First, I’d ask how he’s doing, then I’d ask if reality show or something like it was taping near the area.
What are your most effective marketing strategies?
I am not very good with Marketing. However, I have a podcast where I feel I promote my work. I see it growing, but it has taken awhile.
Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc.?
Yes, I have an Author Page on Facebook, A Website through WordPress and also a Twitter page and Amazon page.
email: sylstein07@gmail.com
Podcasts:
In the Artists Realm https://sylauthor07.podbean.com/
The Daily with Syl Stein https://anchor.fm/sylvia-stein
Facebook:
In the Artists Realm Facebook page:
Instagram:
Where can we find your books?
You can find my books through Amazon KDP or Amazon. Barnes and Noble Nook Press and Apple Inc.
Thank you, Sylvia, for spending time with us and sharing your story with us. We wish you continued success and lots of luck!
In The Diary of a Broken Father, Garrison James shares his story from his own perspective of what life is like now that he decided to go into AA in the hopes of changing his life.
He shares the accounts of his daily struggles since his daughter Sara has left his side and what it meant for him to lose her.
He is haunted by her loss and the memories of his beloved wife Lila whom he lost to cancer.
Garrison is one broken man who is battling his demons, this includes himself and God.
In this novella, you will hear from Garrison James as he battles through being a better man all in the hopes of reconciling with his only daughter whom he has hurt so much.
Will he be able to do it? Is it too late for him? What will happen next?
Interview With Author D.A. Henneman
By way of introduction, here is D.A. Henneman’s Bio:
Careers for D.A. Henneman have run the gamut between Customer Service and Floral Design, but the one thing that she always comes back to are the stories that keep her up at night.
During a girl’s weekend, an idea for a series about 4 women with Elemental Powers was born. Infused with Fantasy, Romance, and the occasional Werewolf, her stories take the reader on a magical journey where things aren’t always as they seem.
Now that you’ve been introduced to D.A., let’s get to know her a little better.
Hello, D.A., welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
How and when did the writing bug ensnare you?
I have always had an active imagination, and have been writing since I was young, but it wasn’t until I went back to college (at an undisclosed age) that it came back into my life.
It was during a Creative Writing class that I blew the dust off of an old manuscript and started reworking the plot on a book that would eventually become Sea of Dreams. I haven’t looked back since. I plan to finish the fourth book of that series in 2020.
Is writing your full-time profession?
Not at the moment, although sometimes I wonder since I spend an equal amount of time building my author business as I do working my “real job.” I fit writing in between all the other things I need to accomplish in the day, but I always wish that I had more time to create. There isn’t enough time in the day to suit me.
How long have you been writing?
I started my first book over 20 years ago, and I didn’t start back into the writing habit until late 2013 when I started college. That book I started in my Creative Writing class was published in 2016. I have published a minimum of one book a year since then and hope to increase that in the years to come.
Have you won any literary awards?
Yes! I recently won the 2019 Best Indie Book Award in Romance for the third book in my series, Playing With Fire. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was when I received my award in the mail!
Playing With Fire was also a Finalist in the Golden Quill Through Desert Rose RWA.
Some of my other awards include:
2018 I Heart Indie for book cover and blurb
Finalist in the 2018 Best Book Awards in their New Age Category
Winds Of Change was a 2018 Finalist for the Golden Quill
How many published books have you written?
As of early 2020, I have published 4 books, and a novelette that is only available to my newsletter subscribers. The Jinni’s Wish is a story that takes place between my prequel, Twist of Fate, and the first book in the series, Sea of Dreams. Anyone interested in checking it out can follow this link: https://BookHip.com/TWLTXJ.
Which genres do you write?
The Power of Four Series is Fantasy/Paranormal Romance with a New Age flair. I’m working on a series that is a Cozy Paranormal Mystery.
What do you find most challenging writing for these genres?
For me, the most challenging thing is knowing where my book truly lands as far as a category. I have so much going on in them that it’s hard to pin them down to one genre. I also like that about them, as I love working surprise elements into my writing. I think it makes for a fun read.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on edits for my first book, while the final book in the series goes through my critique partners. I feel I can trim the first book down, and I want to be sure I do that before releasing the final book and offering a boxed set of the entire series.
I am also working on the second book in my Paranormal Mystery series and am in the query process with the first.
Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
Funny story, that. I was on a girl’s trip with my three friends, and we got on the topic of desired qualities in a mate. One thing led to another, and soon I was taking notes.
I based the stories I wrote around those initial character traits that we came up with and it grew into something that none of us could have ever imagined.
What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
I have to say, someone I don’t know contacting me to tell me how much they love my stories is something that has been one of the most rewarding things that has ever happened to me. Each story includes a part of me and having someone connect to that is truly magical.
What advice would you give to authors just starting out?
To think of your finished body of work as your staff, not your babies. Now I get it, when you’re writing you are cutting open a vein and bleeding on the table, and that is where your head needs to be during the creative process.
But once the first draft is done, and you are asking for guidance, you need to leave your ego at the door. It is hard, especially with your first book, but I believe that hearing the hard stuff is the only way we learn and grow.
If you are in this for the long term, my best advice is to look at it as a business as quickly as possible.
Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?
I am a Breast Cancer Survivor, 8 years in May 2020! When diagnosed, the question I asked myself changed my life forever. It was what sent me back to college and ultimately brought writing back into my life. It is why my motto is “Embrace the Journey.”
What message are you sharing in your books?
The Power of Four Series has a lot of symbolism, and the primary message is that if we don’t take care of our planet, it won’t take care of us. It is all about balance, and that is what I try to keep in my mind as I work through my plots.
What are your favorite books?
I read it all! Paranormal, Fantasy and anything Mythology, greats like J.R. Ward, Nora Roberts, Mimi Jean Pamfiloff for Romance.
I recently finished Circe by Madeline Miller, which I loved! I also adore Stephen King, strange I know for a Romance Author, but he was my first love. My all-time favorite book by him is The Stand.
If you could create an author’s group with writers from any time period, who would you invite?
I am dabbling in Paranormal Mystery, so would love to pick Agatha Christie’s brain. I also am fascinated by her personal story and what was going through her head when she “disappeared.” That kind of stuff is fascinating!
Who has influenced your writing the most?
My critique partners have been the voice in my head as I edit every book I’ve written. They have helped to make me the writer I am today, and I am forever grateful to them.
I also get amazing support from the authors in Greater Detroit RWA, who are always willing to help no matter what part of the writing journey you are in. I’m so lucky I found these other writers and tapped into their expertise! It was a game-changer!
When you’re not writing, where can we find you?
I blog regularly, so you can always find me on my website at www.dahenneman.com.
I have a follow me link that lists all the social media platforms I am on, which you can reach at: https://dahenneman.com/welcome/how-about-a-follow/.
You can also follow me by subscribing to my newsletter at: https://BookHip.com/TWLTXJ. Remember, you get a free gift for signing up!
A movie producer wants to turn your book into a movie and you get to make a cameo. What would you do in the movie?
I would LOVE to play Zilla, however, sadly I am a teeny bit older and not as well-endowed. So, I would happily stay in the background and help with the sets, making sure that they are as realistic as possible. I think set-design and makeup would be super fun!
An elf named 12-25 approaches you. He’s sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and there’s a strange tattoo of a snoring dog on his cheek. What do you do?
Ask him if he needs any allergy medication or chicken noodle soup and put him on the couch to rest. While he is there, I might have him do some of my social posts for me. It would be nice to have an assistant. ?
What are your most effective marketing strategies?
I’m only just getting me feet wet in the marketing end of things, but I’ve had some good luck with Kobo promotions and getting folks to leave reviews for the free books I give out.
I am expanding my newsletter list now and plan to dabble with Ads once I have a complete series developed. I have run a few Facebook Ads, but for visibility, not so much for sales.
Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?
I do! You can find me at www.dahenneman.com and if you click on the Follow me page, you will find my social links.
Where can we find your books?
You can find me on
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/D-A-Henneman/e/B01BREUVTW
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/d.a.+henneman
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sea-of-dreams-9
Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/D_A_Henneman_Sea_of_Dreams?id=BOOEDwAAQBAJ
And reviews at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/dahenneman
Thank you, D.A., for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success and lots of luck!
A frightening chain reaction begins during a four-alarm for firefighter Sera Cardoso. The tattoo decorating her chest warns her away from danger, but this time is different. Visions in the flames of a handsome stranger with whiskey-colored eyes haunt her. Later, when her punching bag smolders and the water in her shower turns to steam, Sera unwittingly breaches a divide between her world and a magical land called Wisteria.
Logan Blackwood is edgy and dangerously close to the end of his mating cycle. If he is unable to find his soul mate before three cycles of the moon, his life will be altered—forever. When the fiery Sera enters his life, he can hardly believe his luck. He’s waited a lifetime for her, but there’s a slight problem—she doesn’t seem to feel the same connection.
Sera is the element of Fire and is as hot and unpredictable as the flames she represents. Her decision to accept Logan into her life is the first of many she will need to face. With the help of the other elements, she is exposed to a world of magick and mystery. It will be up to Sera and her new friends to correct the imbalance in the elemental powers, before evil rules not only Wisteria, but earth itself.
Read Across America Day
How did you spend Read Across America Day?
As a former Pre-K Head Start/Kindergarten teacher, I know how much excitement Dr. Seuss’ birthday brings to schools across the country. The stories, the crafts and the other creative activities make it a memorable day for students and teachers alike.
Today I spent the morning at Crossan Elementary in Philadelphia, PA. I read Kamyla Chung and the Creepy-Crawlies to 2nd and 3rd graders. They were a wonderful audience.
After the reading, the children asked me so many insightful questions. Many of them are also composing their own original stories and were eager to share their ideas with me.
Lots of creativity among our young learners! Thank you, Crossan Elementary for inviting me to participate in your Dr. Seuss Celebration!
See you soon!
Interview With Bethany Beach Books
Bethany Beach Books is the 9th stop on my Independent Book Store tour. In an effort to bring awareness of how vital these places are, I’m interviewing the great folks who manage them.
Bethany Beach Books is an independently owned bookstore, located only a few steps off the boardwalk in Bethany Beach, Delaware. The store was established in 1991 and has been independently owned since the day it opened. They are open every day at 10:00 am, year round!
The moment you a peek through the window, a vast cheerful room entices you to enter. Once you enter, a host of books for readers of all ages and genres, invites you to open your mind, channel your inner bookworm and dig in!
FYI: In addition to the regular staff, high-profile characters have been known to make appearances at the store. I have it on good authority (with pictures to prove it) that The Cat In The Hat, The Grinch and Pete the Cat have all turned up for different events over the years.
Amanda, the manager of Bethany Beach Books, was kind enough to answer a few questions about the store and the value it adds to her community of readers.
Hello, Amanda, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
What motivated you to open (or work at) an Independent Book Store?
The store opened in 1991 so I was only a year old and can’t speak for the motivation for opening the store, although I assume the reason was something very warm and fuzz.
I decided to apply for a job at Bethany Beach Books when I was in high school because I have always been a bookworm. I thought, what better place to work than an independent bookstore?
I’ve been at the store for 13 years now and can’t imagine being anywhere else. Bookstores are super special places, especially independent bookstores!
Can you tell us a little about Bethany Beach Books?
Bethany Beach Books opened in 1991 and is Bethany Beach’s only independent bookstore. We are located just steps from the sandy beach and boardwalk of Bethany Beach – we can hear the ocean in our store most days when we prop the door open.
We’re a smaller bookstore (about 2,000 square feet) but pride ourselves on having a really great selection of everything from new releases and bestsellers, adult fiction & non-fiction to middle grade, young adult, and children’s books.
Since we are at the beach, our business is very seasonal, so the summer months are crazy and full of excitement while the winter months are a bit more cozy and quiet; it’s a great balance.
What’s involved with running an independent bookstore?
Shew, where to start?! When I tell people I work at a bookstore most of the time they assume I read all day… which would be lovely but is far from the truth!
Like most small businesses, we have a smaller staff who do a great job wearing multiple hats. Besides the normal, boring tasks all businesses must tackle like bills, HR, paperwork, etc., we get to do some really fun things, too.
Our event coordinator, Zandria Senft, plans a ton of really epic author events for us, we have super fun story times for children during the summer, we get to make book displays, and recommend books to readers.
My favorite part of my job is ordering all of the new books, you get to see what is coming out in the months ahead and curate the store’s selection of titles.
I also love being able to recommend my favorite reads to customers, the best part is when they return to the store and insist you give them more suggestions because they loved your recommendation so much!
Is competition with online retailers difficult?
We are very lucky to be located at the beach where vacationers want and need books all the time so fortunately, we don’t have to compete with online retailers quite as much as other independent bookstores we are familiar with.
It is still difficult, though, when customers come into the store and expect us to price-match what Amazon is selling the book for… which obviously we can’t do if we want to stay in business.
The worst is when a customer comes in, asks for a bunch of recommendations, takes pictures of our books, doesn’t buy anything, and goes home and buys the books online. Eek!
Like many small businesses today, we all have to compete with the big box and online stores. We accomplish that by providing great customer service, being involved and immersed in our community, and hosting really great events… things our online competitors can’t do.
What makes your store unique?
Our location definitely makes us unique! As with any bookstore, I think our selection of books also makes us unique. We try to have the big bestsellers while also keeping deep backlist and hidden gems on our shelves for readers to find.
What are your biggest sellers?
Our biggest sellers for genres: fiction, “book-club” fiction, children’s picture books.
Specific titles from last year: Where the Crawdads Sing, Summer of ’69, the Dog Man series.
Do you have promotions throughout the year?
We do a big promotion every year for Small Business Saturday (the day after Black Friday). We also always discount the hardcover New York Times bestsellers and any pre-orders on our website.
Do you have author book signings?
We do! Our event coordinator, Zandria Senft, does an epic job planning fantastic events for us!
We host author book signings throughout the summer months, concentrating on mid-June to mid-August, when all of our vacationers are here in Bethany.
Zandria works throughout the year planning great events and is already planning our 2020 Summer Author series now.
What advice would you give to authors just starting out?
My advice for authors just starting out is to do your best to get in with a great publisher (easier said than done, I know).
Cover design is huge! I know we’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover but everyone does.
Never give up. Your first book may not have the impact you hoped for or may not be as well received but don’t stop writing. Even if you’re not writing for publication anymore, keep writing for yourself.
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about you and your store?
If you can’t come visit us in Bethany Beach, please do visit us online! We always have a lot of books available to pre-order, most of them are signed first-editions that come with swag (yay!).
We also have a subscription box, The Book Drop, where we send our favorite hidden gem reads once a month.
We know not everyone is fortunate enough to have an independent bookstore close to them so we are bringing the independent bookstore to you.
www.BethanyBeachBooks.com
What are some of your favorite books/authors?
Ohhhh, this is so hard. This is equivalent to what I imagine asking a parent which is their favorite child… actually, this question might be harder (just kidding, kind of!).
I absolutely loved Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, I read it a few months before publication and instantly fell in love.
Something a little less in the spotlight right now that I have loved and always recommend to someone looking for something incredibly beautiful but heart-wrenching as well is A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra. Ugh, so beautiful.
Another one of my all-time favorites is The Heart of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker. Something coming out this spring that I read a few months ago and CANNOT wait to be published in May is Alex George’s The Paris Hours.
Whoever is reading this right now, go pre-order your copy now from your favorite independent bookstore because I loved, loved, loved this book. I’m also a huge Harry Potter nerd. #Hufflepuff
If you could have a writer’s group with authors from any time period, who would you invite?
Oh what a great question! I’d definitely invite Chuck Palahniuk because I love his work and wow, what must go on in that creative mind of his!
J.K. Rowling for sure. Paulo Coelho, Jewell Parker Rhodes (I heard her speak once, she’s amazing), Sharon Creech (she was my favorite author growing up!), Neil Gaiman, and Jason Reynolds.
Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?
We do! Bethany Beach Books can be found on Facebook (Bethany Beach Books), Twitter (@BethanyBooks), Instagram (@BethanyBeachBooks), and online at www.BethanyBeachBooks.com
Our subscription box is The Book Drop, more information can be found at www.TheBookDrop.com
If anyone wants to keep tabs on my beloved one-eyed cat named Winks or to see what I’m reading, I can be found on Instagram at @az.andthe.atlas
Thank you, Amanda, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you and Bethany Beach Books continued success and lost of luck!
Interview With Author Sonnet O’Dell
By way of introduction, here is Sonnet O’Dell’s Bio:
Sonnet was born at the John Radcliffe in Oxford and spent many years living in different spots all over the UK.
Sonnet now lives in Worcester, Worcestershire, home of Lea & Perrins and the site of the last battle of the Civil War. Sonnet enjoys nothing more than reading or writing a good book. She is fascinated with worlds created by words and has a passion for mythology that can be seen in some of her works.
She has a BA Hons Degree in Creative Writing & Writing for Performance and a writing companion in the form of a large black tom cat called Salem.
When not busy writing, her favourite thing to do is to curl up with Salem on her lap and read a good book. Her favourite is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Now that you’ve been introduced to Sonnet, let’s get to know her a little better!
Hello, Sonnet, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
How and when did the writing bug ensnare you?
I wrote my first story at aged five. It was a class project. I wrote about a knight saving a princess from a dragon. I think my parents still had it until a quite recent clear out.
Is writing your full-time profession?
I wish. I have to maintain a regular day job.
How long have you been writing?
I think I became serious about writing in my early teens. I wrote short stories and sent them off to the addresses published at the front of some of my favourite books. I got some very nice, encouraging rejection letters.
Have you won any literary awards?
Not yet. But I was a Golden Book Award Finalist for my novel Kris in 2017.
How many published books have you written?
I have written and published 23 novels and novella’s. A large majority of which are out of print at the moment since I left my publisher in 2017. I am slowly working my way through my back catalogue to get them reformatted, recovered, and back on amazon.
Which genre do you write?
I tend to stick to paranormal with some elements of romance, crime, and other things 😉 tossed in.
What do you find most challenging writing for this genre?
Plausibility. Even though it’s a fantasy-based story, I like to make it believable.
What are you working on now?
I’ve just re-published the second book in my Cassandra Farbank Series. The last in the Cera Raine Trilogy is due out on the 1st of Feb 2020. After that I’ll be endeavoring to get the third Cassandra book back out and finish the second book in the Clockwatcher Trilogy.
Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
I like mythology and lore – I think I get a lot of inspiration from there.
What are your favorite books?
I like a lot of different books. Recently I’ve been very into the Ben Aaronovitch Rivers of London Series, but recently I just finished The Last Wish (The Witcher) by Andrzj Sapkowski after watching the series on Netflix.
When you’re not writing where can we find you?
If I’m not writing, I’m reading. If I’m not reading then I’m probably sewing – which I recently took up as a hobby.
A movie producer wants to turn your book into a movie and you get to make a cameo. What would you do in the movie?
I don’t consider myself very photogenic. I’d be someone in the background, someone another character gives an order to or brushes past.
An elf named 12-25 approaches you. He’s sneezing, wheezing, coughing and there’s a strange tattoo of a snoring dog on his cheek. What do you do?
If I know his name, I assume he’s already introduced himself so I’d probably hand him a tissue and ask if he was alright.
Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?
My website is www.sonnetodell.co.uk, links to my facebook and blog are easily found from there.
Links:
Website: www.sonnetodell.co.uk
Blog: www.sonnetodelldustypages.blogspot.com
Thank you, Sonnet, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success and lots of luck!
With Cera declared dead, Nicholas Grafton must come to terms with his loss and move on with the next case without her. He must put aside his feelings about a one time friend, to put together his clue, and avert the biggest disaster to face Central City yet.
Cera, alive and well, has her own problems. Trapped on a space station, her only hope may be to jump from the frying pan into the fire.
A reunion with the people she loves might be short lived, as circumstances threaten to end everything permanently this time.
All will be revealed the exciting conclusion to the Cera Raine Series.