#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with J. P. McLean

I’d like to welcome author J. P. McLean back to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Writing on beautiful days. Those days are temptresses that lure me outside to play in the garden or stroll on the beach instead of writing.
Easiest thing about being a writer: Not having to commute to an office!

Words that describe you: perfectionist and ultra-organized.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: perfectionist and stubborn. Both traits get in the way of life in general, and often my writing, which will never be perfect and is often better with flaws.

Favorite music or song: When I’m not writing, I enjoy pop/rock music, but when I’m writing, lyrics distract me. I’ve recently discovered a few French café music stations, which are perfect! I love the jazzy sound and because I don’t speak French; the lyrics don’t distract me from my writing.

Music that drives you crazy: heavy metal. I know many people love it, but I find it jarring.

Favorite beverage: Red wine—preferably Cabernet Sauvignon, Amarone, or Zinfandel.
Something that gives you a sour face: grapefruit juice.

Favorite smell: Ooh, so many! Fresh laundry is right up there at the top of my list.
Something that makes you hold your nose: Low tide on a sweltering hot day.

The last thing you ordered online: A USBC to headphone jack converter for my smartphone. When I’m selling books at conferences and markets, I sometimes use Square’s credit card swiper to take payment. The Square swiper uses a headphone jack, and the new phones have phased out this feature.

The last thing you regret buying: An expensive pair of Italian leather sandals. They were beautiful, but they didn’t survive an unexpected run through the rain. 

Things you’d walk a mile for: A hug from my dad, and my mom’s pea soup.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: Negative people and their never-ending stream of complaints, perceived mistreatments, and poor-me attitudes.

Favorite books (or genre): My favourite genres are supernatural thrillers or urban fantasies. The thing I like most about those genres is the unexpected, whether it’s a superpower, or a magical talisman, or a new world. I love inhabiting those worlds and imagining the possibilities of superpowers and magic. Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen series is one I recently enjoyed.
Books you wouldn’t buy: Political memoirs don’t appeal to me.

 Favorite things to do: I love sitting down to a leisurely meal with friends and family, sharing laughs and anecdotes and just catching up. The pandemic restrictions have severely curtailed that for us, but it’s opening up now and we’re slowly getting out again.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Grouting tile or sanding drywall, both of which I’ve done during various home renovations. If I ever renovate again, I’ll move into a hotel or travel and leave the grouting and sanding to the professionals.

The funniest thing to happen to you: When I was in my first year of high school (we were called nifty niners), I met a boy a year ahead of me in grade ten at my first high school dance. He invited me to the school football game the following day. I’d never had an interest in football, but he was cute, and I wanted to see him again, so I agreed to meet him there.

The football field didn’t have seating, so spectators were camped out on the lawn or milling about outside the school building. I walked up and down the field, scanning the crowd for him. After a half hour of fruitless searching, I gave up and left, disappointed about being stood up on my first high school date.

But the following Monday at school, he sought me out to ask why I hadn’t attended the game. Imagine my surprise when I learned he wasn’t a spectator in the crowd, but a football player on the field.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: When I was in grade eight, I was a centre on the school basketball team. Our team made it through to the runoffs, and on the day of the final tournament, we were bussed to the hosting stadium. It was an impressive facility, with several courts and half a dozen of the best school teams. They even had volunteers on the sidelines with trays of sliced oranges for the players. We thought we’d made it to the big leagues.

I’ve never been a strong scorer, but I had a knack for getting the ball to my teammate, who was a forward and could dead drop the ball into the net from anywhere on the side of the key. We played hard during the first half, and I was exhausted. At halftime, after I’d gobbled down a few orange slices, the teams changed ends.

We headed back out on the court and I got hold of the ball and made a breakaway for the net. I heard the crowd cheering and I couldn’t believe my good luck that no one challenged me along my way to glory. I tossed the ball at the net—missed but caught it on the rebound and tried again.

It’s a good thing I was such a bad shot, because the crowd hadn’t been cheering me on, they were shouting at me to stop. I’d forgotten about the end change and was at the wrong net. If I’d scored, it would have been for the other team.

Not surprisingly, the coach pulled me out of play, and I sat out the rest of the game on the bench. I would have preferred to crawl into a hole.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: After Lethal Waters came out, one reviewer wrote, “I would read this author’s shopping list if she’d let me. Excellent, fascinating, exciting . . . I can’t get enough!”

The craziest thing a reader said to you: “You should write my memoir. I’ve had a very interesting life.”

About J. P.:

JP (Jo-Anne) McLean writes urban fantasy and supernatural thrillers. Her work has won honourable mentions from the Whistler Independent Book Awards and the Victoria Writers’ Society. Reviewers call her work addictive, smart, and fun. JP is a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business and makes her home on Denman Island, which is nestled between Vancouver Island and British Columbia on Canada’s west coast. You can reach her through her website at jpmcleanauthor.com.

Let’s Be Social:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JPMcLeanBooks

Twitter ID: @jpmcleanauthor https://twitter.com/jpmcleanauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpmcleanauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jpmclean

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-p-mclean-cd5829f0-6e0d-4189-b561-44651ad67b9e

Book Marketing - A Marathon Not a Sprint

I hear a lot of disappointed comments from new authors as they struggle to promote and market their books. Posting a couple of “buy my book” links is not all there is to book marketing. Good promotion is a marathon and not a sprint. It’s a lot of work, but if you put the time in, you will see results. Here’s what I’ve learned through the years…

While You’re Waiting - There is a lot of down time while you’re querying and waiting for edits. Use that time to build your author platform. You need the foundation for your promotional efforts.

• Spend at least 30 minutes a day on your main social media sites. Interact and share others’ information. Work to build your followers. Follow people who have similar interests to you.

• Build your email list. Participate in online contests to add readers of your genre. Take a sign up sheet to all of your in-person events. Put a sign up option on your website.

• Create your marketing contact list of librarians, bookstore owners, and other authors. Relationships are important.

• Make sure you have an author website. This is the hub of your promotions. Check to make sure everything is up to date. The look should match your social media sites.

• Start driving traffic to your website. The easiest way is to have a blog with fresh content that will bring people back. (You will also need to promote your posts to build an audience.) Most websites don’t have frequent enough updates to bring people back regularly.

Network - Writing is often a solitary adventure, but you do need those special people who share your celebrations.

• Find a writers’ group where you can share the good times and the disappointments. The support is invaluable.

• It is much easier to get reviews, blurbs, and promotion opportunities if you’re part of a writing community. Plus, they are a wealth of information and experience.

• Be a good citizen. Don’t show up on pub day and ask for a bunch of help unless you’re willing to return the favors.

• Be willing to volunteer and help where you can.

Be Creative - Look for different types of virtual and in-person events.

• Make a list of themes in your book. (For my latest, some of these are: vintage trailers, glamping, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Jack Russell Terriers.) Look for places that cater to these. My Delanie Fitzgerald mysteries feature a Sears Catalog house, and I was a guest on a blog that restores these classic houses.

• Look for sales opportunities that aren’t book stores. I have friends who have book displays in restaurants, giftshops, and museums. We’ve done a lot of book signings at wineries and craft breweries.

• Volunteering to conduct workshops, give talks, or teach classes is a good way to get your name out to new audiences. Some will even feature your books. And even if you can’t sell books, you can pass out bookmarks and share your contact information.

Book marketing takes a lot of time and effort. Start early and build your base. (I started with 3 Twitter followers.) Best wishes on your writing projects and marketing efforts!

Revisions, Ugh! Tips for Authors

To me, the revising and self-editing part of the writing process is the hardest. One big lesson I learned early on was JUST write the first draft. My first book took so long because I kept stopping to revise. Now, after I outline the story, I write the first draft. Here’s my process. There is no one, right way. You need to find what works for you.

1. Outline the book. This keeps me focused, and I don’t get stuck in the saggy middle. It also helps me write my synopsis later.

2. Write the draft. No editing. No proofreading. BIFOK (Butt in Chair; Fingers on Keyboard)

3. Print a copy and do a read through. This is usually when I go back and add description to hit my word count. (I am notorious for coming in under my desired count.)

4. Make all of the edits.

5. I usually print the manuscript again and go through it a few more times. Sometimes, I’ll put it down for a few weeks and then go back to it.

6. After I think it’s “ready,” I submit it to my critique group and writing partners for more revisions and feedback.

7. I make the needed edits.

8. Then I send it to a paid editor for line edits and copy editing.

9. Yep, you guessed it. Make the changes.

10. I print the manuscript again and proofread.

11. Sometimes, I have a beta reader or two read it like a book and provide feedback. My critique group meets monthly, and we ready only about 50 pages at a time.

12. Then I send it to my agent. Many times, she provides edits.

13. When it goes to the publisher, there two, and sometimes three rounds of edits and changes.

A lot of time and effort goes into the writing process. My critique group, beta readers, agent, and editors are invaluable! For me, the revision stage often takes longer than the research/writing part.

Happy writing!

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Lauri Schoenfeld

I’d like to welcome author Lauri Schoenfeld to the blog this week!

Things you need for your writing sessions: a lit candle, peppermints, headphones, notebooks, a charged computer, colorful pens, and my phone turned off.

Things that hamper your writing: Snacks, noise, and phone.

Hardest thing about being a writer: For me, the hardest part is cutting scenes and going through multiple edits to get it to the sweet spot of the story.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Typing all my thoughts and ideas! There’s so many amazing characters, concepts, and theme’s that play in my mind constantly and I love investigating and putting those ideas into story form.

Favorite foods: I love chicken nuggets, French fries, and Nacho’s. I also really like a good salad bar with ranch and lots of toppings.

Things that make you want to gag: Oysters, French dip sandwiches, overcooked steak.

Favorite beverage: I love Chai Tea or Cream Soda.

Something that gives you a sour face: Sour Patch Kids

Favorite smell: Pumpkin Spice

Something that makes you hold your nose: Stinky socks. That’s the worst smell . . . EVER.

Something you like to do: I’d love to sing at a Jazz bar and a be wearing a dazzling red dress.

Something you wish you’d never done: I wish I had never let go of singing.

Things you’d walk a mile for: To see a sunset, waterfall, or meadow.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: clowns and snakes.

Things to say to an author: Keep writing. What you have to say matters.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Writing a book looks easy. I’m sure it’s not that hard to do.

Favorite things to do: I love to write, sing, create mystery boxes, play piano, binge my favorite shows, read, and talk.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: I’d run throw a fire instead of cleaning up throw-up, teaching math, or getting a spinal tap.

Most embarrassing moment: My embarrassing moment was when I hit a community pole into oncoming traffic after trying to save the Valentines meal that I made for my then boyfriend, now husband. There was ham sliding down my windows when the cop pulled up to the scene.

Proudest moment: My proudest moment was writing Little Owl and showing my younger self that dreams do come true with lots of grit, determination, hard work and resilience.

Let’s Be Social:

www.laurischoenfeld.com

www.instagram.com/laurischoenfeld

www.facebook.com/lauri.schoenfeld

www.twitter.com/LauriSchoenfeld

Amazon.com: Little Owl: 9781735233116: Schoenfeld, Lauri: Books

About Lauri:

Lauri Schoenfeld currently resides in Utah with her hubby, three kids, and dog Jack Wyatt Wolverine. She’s an advocate for scoliosis and child abuse awareness, a Nancy Drew enthusiast, and a cyborg. Teaching creative writing classes and workshops is one of her favorite things to do. When she's not having long conversations with her characters and creating stories, Lauri's hosting The Enlightenment Podcast, reading, playing the piano, or solving a mystery.

She’s the owner of Inner Enlightenment, a business built around connecting to your inner child within through stillness, play, and self-expression. Her goal and focus are to turn a negative experience into something positive by changing the toxic cycles and creating a new chapter with unconditional love and healing for generations to come. 

Things to Do When I Have a New Book - Tips for Authors

When you have book launch, there are hundreds of tasks you need to do for promotion and marketing. Here’s my list of things authors should remember to do to ensure that your sites are current and show off your new book.

Website:

• Update your cover and your book links.

• Make sure that the new book is listed in your press kit.

• If you offer book club discussion questions, create a new set for this book.

• Update your events page with all of the tours and signings you’ve scheduled.

• If you sell books on your site, make sure to update that section, too.

Social Media Sites

• Review all of your biographies on your sites and update. (Facebook Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, BookBub, Amazon Author Central, Goodreads, etc.) If you have some that you don’t use as often as others, check to see that the information is current there.

• Update any graphics or photos. You want your readers to recognize you when they visit your social sites. Your brand should be on each site.

• If you have a commerce/shopping site on any of your pages, make sure you’ve included this one.

• Upload any new graphics of the book.

Other Documents

• Create a document that contains your story’s summary (long and short version), biography, and social media links.

• Add all of the book buy links to your documentation. That way, you have one place to go when someone asks for your information.

• Create bookmarks and email signup sheets for your events and presentations.

• Draft your press release and add it to your press kit.

Best wishes with your book promotion!

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Nzondi

I’d like to welcome Nzondi to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite things: TikTok videos featuring grandparents doing a dance challenge, collecting Spider-Man comic books, playing Madden Football.

Things you need to throw out: Pizza that’s been in my refrigerator for five weeks.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Irish Creme Whiskey & coffee.

Things that hamper your writing: Irish Creme Whiskey.

Things you love about writing: I can write on Hooters napkins, on a grocery line or even when in a long session in the bathroom. 

Things you hate about writing: When people ask me to write their story based on an idea they have in their head.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Getting the same respect as music recording artists and actors.

Easiest thing about being a writer: There’s nothing easy about being a writer.

Things you never want to run out of: Coffee or caffeine pills.

Things you wish you’d never bought: My grandparents’s idea of who they think I should be.

Words that describe you: Underestimated.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Misunderstood.

Favorite foods: comfort food, Indian food, Italian, most sweet pies, Cheesecakes and Bundt cakes.

Things that make you want to gag: Honey. 

Favorite music or song: Instrumental house music.

Music that drives you crazy: Bad karaoke.  

Favorite beverage: Irish Creme Whiskey.

Something that gives you a sour face: Listening to a great guitar solo—so good you get that ugly face!

Favorite smell: A woman who understands the power of fragrant seduction. 

Something that makes you hold your nose: A great funk band playing live.

Something you’re really good at: Being an underdog.

Something you’re really bad at: Quitting.

Something you wish you could do: Sing a duet with Ariana Grande or have a forward written in my novels by an author that influenced me.

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Complain.

Something you like to do: Play video games.

Something you wish you’d never done: taken edibles in my fiftieth birthday.

Last best thing you ate: A steak sandwich with Béarnaise sauce from Ruth’s Chris.

Last thing you regret eating: The sidewalk when I went skating.

The last thing you ordered online: Spider-Man comic books.

The last thing you regret buying: $400 tickets to the Cowboys/Rams playoff game.

Things you always put in your books: Self-empowered female characters with a ton of angst and baggage.

Things you never put in your books: Trolls, I hate trolls.

Favorite places you’ve been: My imagination.

Places you never want to go to again: The darkest places of my mind.

Favorite books (or genre): Comic books.

Books you wouldn’t buy: Books with troll pictures in them.

People you’d like to invite to dinner (living): Salma Hayek, Meryl Streep, Oprah, the Dalai Lama, the Obamas, Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks.

People you’d cancel dinner on: Wendy Williams.

Things that make you happy: Nothing. 

Things that drive you crazy: Everything.

Most embarrassing moment: Diarrhea during a six-mile run.

Proudest moment:  Seeing my sons graduate college.

Best thing you’ve ever done: I haven’t done it yet.

Biggest mistake: Taking opportunities given to me on a gold platter for granted.

The coolest people you’ve met: Madonna, Prince, Viola Davis, Debbie Allen, LL Cool J, Ashley Graham, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Robert Sawyer.

About Nzondi:

Nzondi (born July 4th, 1966) is an American urban fantasy and horror writer. His novel Oware Mosaic won the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Young Adult fiction.

Among his many short stories that were published in anthologies and print magazines, Nzondi’s short story, “Raising Mary: Frankenstein”, was nominated for 2016 horror story of the year for the 19th Annual Editors and Preditors Readers Poll. Additionally, three of his short stories were on the Horror Writers Association Reading list for the 2017 Bram Stoker Awards.

A former Director of Education for NYC schools and the Sylvan Learning Center, the award-winning educator earned a BFA from Long Island University. Nzondi currently lives bi-coastal in New York and Los Angeles. Follow Nzondi on his social media platforms @Nzondi3 on Twitter or as Ace Antonio Hall Instagram and Facebook for news, books, updates and appearances for keynote speaking events at writing conferences.

Let’s Be Social

Website: https://www.aantoniohall.com/

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nzondi3

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aceantoniohall/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ace.antoniohall.1

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Nzondi/e/B0829F7667/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

What's on Your Book Launch Checklist? Tips for Authors

I’m a firm believer in checklists and reminders, and with all the details and planning that go into a book launch, here are some ideas for your checklist.

Planning is the key. Many bookstagrammers, podcasters, book reviewers, and book promo services schedule their calendars MONTHS in advance. As soon as you have your date, start your planning.

First Things First

• Get some kind of calendar to record deadlines and event dates. Figure out what works for you. For me, I print out a monthly calendar three months ahead and three months after the big day. This also helps me not to overload certain days with similar items.

• I also create a launch spreadsheet and list every type of promo that I want to include with all the links and contacts.

• I keep my lists from previous books, so I always go back and look at what I did last time. If it worked, I try it again, and I jettison the items that weren’t worth the time, effort, or money.

• Reach out to the podcasters, reviewers, blog tours that you really want to target as soon as you know the date, especially if you’re planning a cover reveal or a big bang event for your launch week. Many book their calendars three to six months in advance.

Do What You Can Early

• When you start to schedule interviews and guest blogs, start crafting the posts when you have some free time. I record what’s needed for each submission in my spreadsheet (e.g. headshot, book cover, book links, etc.). If you’re doing a blog tour, it takes a lot of time to complete all the interviews and to come up with interesting posts.

• Always be professional. I make sure all my deadlines are on my calendar. If you commit to something, do your best to deliver.

• I also list all of the “go-live” dates on my calendar for when the posts/podcasts are available, so that I can promote them on my social media sites. Most reviewers, podcasters, and bookstagrammers don’t get paid for the book promotions, and authors need to do their part to share and comment.

Be Creative

• Think about all angles when you’re planning events and book promotions. Interesting or unusual stores/museums/places might be willing to host you for a talk or a book signing. (We’ve done some really successful book signings at wineries, coffee shops, gift shops, and museums.)

• I keep a massive spreadsheet of contacts. I cruise through it when I start to plan a launch and book promotions.

• Look at all the groups/organizations that you’re a member of. Many are looking for guest speakers. They also have newsletters that have spots for member announcements. Don’t forget your clubs, neighborhood groups, and alumni groups.

• Make a list of the key things in your book. Look for groups that are interested in these. They might be willing to interview you or partner in some way to promote your book. Examples from my Delanie series are female private eye, English bulldog, Central Virginia setting, 80s rock music, roller derby, drag queens, larping, Comicons, Sears Catalogue houses, and Poe. We had a lot of success promoting our Virginia is for Mysteries series at tourist spots and our Mutt Mysteries at dog-themed events.

Be Organized

• I have a Word file for each book with my current bio, social media links, book links, ISBNs, and book blurb. This keeps all the information in one place when I need it for interviews or posts.

• I also create a folder on my laptop that has difference sizes of the book cover and my headshots. It helps to keep things together, so you can put your hands on them

Planning is really important, and with all the pieces and parts, it’s easy to miss something. These are some things that have worked for me.

Best wishes with your book launch and promotion!

#ThisorThatThursday Interview with Melissa Yi

I’d like to welcome Melissa Yi to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday.

Things you always put in your books: humor, intelligence, strong women, and friendship/connection. I also love food, so that's fairly mandatory.

Things you never put in your books: So far I've avoided the abuse and murder of indigenous people because it makes me so sad, even though it's an important topic

Favorite music or song: I've always been a pop music girl—some of my recent downloads include Flo Rida, the Barenaked Ladies, Abba, MC Hammer, Kanye West, and Cardi B. I'm crazy about 1 Million Dance Studio on YouTube. I also like a capella music (Pentatonix) and musical theatre.

Music that drives you crazy: terrible autotune, screeching, chanting, and monotonous music

Things that hamper your writing: To be honest, one of the biggest problems is me procrastinating on the Internet! I also have trouble if my son is loudly playing video games in the background. And forget it if I have to police my kids' virtual school, get my 12,000 steps in, and somehow that fridge is always calling to me …

Things you love about writing: cool characters that surprise me, plots that twist seemingly out of nowhere, the joy of meeting readers who "get" me

Hardest thing about being a writer: butt glue, which means writing consistently and in a great amount every day. I want to play hooky sometimes. Also marketing. It would be so amazing if you could write a book and magically connect with the right readers instead of advertising and social media.

Easiest thing about being a writer: I love clearly communicating with people. It's great to cut through the B.S. and say exactly what's happening. And so fun to invent, although that's not always easy!

Things you need for your writing sessions: energy and imagination. I usually write on my computer or iPad, but I can make do with a felt tip pen and paper in a pinch. I also write in my email or in my Notes app if I'm on the go. To motivate myself, I'll do writing sprints where I can see other writers writing away in real time, especially during NaNoWriMo (writing a novel during the month of November). I've also experimented with dictating while I walk.

Things you need to throw out: pretty much everything. I'm an environmentalist and a sentimentalist, so I have trouble shedding possessions, and I don't have time to Marie Kondo everything. Just looking at my desk, I see broken headphones. My kids are always breaking headphones. My engineering husband tries to save them.

A few of your favorite things: my family, including our beloved dog Roxy, writing "The End" and knowing I've done my absolute best, delicious food, curling up with my books, saving lives when I work as an emergency physician, yoga, walking with my friends, a good show (theatre or streaming), energy in the morning and quiet at night, sunshine, and snow.

About Melissa:

Melissa Yi is an emergency physician who writes her critically-acclaimed Hope Sze medical crime series. The latest thriller, Scorpion Scheme, is a finalist for the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Thriller. Melissa’s stories have been longlisted for the Staunch Prize (best international feminist thriller) and finalists for the CWC/Arthur Ellis Award (best crime story in Canada) and the Derringer Award (best crime story in the English language). Under the name Melissa Yuan-Innes, she writes speculative fiction, romance, poetry, and non-fiction.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: http://www.melissayuaninnes.com/ Please sign up for my newsletter, and you’ll win a free novella

Twitter: http://twitter.com/dr_sassy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaYiYuanInnes/

Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-yi

Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/4600856.Melissa_Yuan_Innes

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MelissaYuanInnes

Instagram: https://instagram.com/melissa.yuaninnes

Author central: amazon.com/author/myi

Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/melissayi_