Q&A with Errin Stevens, The Mer Chronicles

Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.

Well, I went to the ACX web site and did a LOT of internet research while I considered how to best approach my projects. I decided I don’t much like how often we all get asked to create on the if-come, so even though it was expensive for me, I carved out a section of Updrift for use as a script and put the project up as a paid gig through the ACX production system. I got such wonderful responses from some truly talented narrators and was so agitated about choosing the right one. I co-opted the opinion of a longtime friend and actress to listen with me to help me figure it out! She told me to go with the one that pulled the “right” emotional response as I felt it… and since she and I both thought Sean’s read was the most compelling, I made him an offer. Thankfully, he accepted.

Sean was an amazing professional to work with. He made every edit I requested, did everything smoothly and beautifully, and the second I could amass my next pile of cash to produce the sequel, I contacted him to see if he’d be interested, and he jumped all over it. I’m really grateful for the care Sean took with my stories and can’t recommend him highly enough.

Do you believe certain types of writing translate better into audiobook format?

My short answer to this is ‘yes,’ although with the caveat that I still prefer reading on paper because that process blurs a certain divide between my conscious and unconscious and results in the experience I’m seeking when I read. But. I’ve listened to a few audiobooks - it saved my sanity on two cross-country drives! - and I think the experience was similar enough to “reading” that I’d do it again. I think any nonfiction would play well (I adored “In a Sunburned Country” by Bill Bryson); and I think a good narrator will know how to bring a story across as the writer intended.

Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?

No, but I found when I listened to auditions I did in fact have beliefs about how my characters should sound. As I write my third - and having produced two audiobooks at this point - I can say I’m thinking of it this time around. And it’s a helpful perspective to have, has helped me refine my own narrative voice on the page, I think.

How did you select your narrator?

Sean was one of several people who auditioned for Updrift on the ACX platform. His audition really stood out to me and my actress friend.

How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process?

Very closely, and Sean was the consummate professional throughout. He may remember the process differently, but just as proofing a written manuscript results in copy edits, the same little things come up in voice narration. I think there were two sentences in the whole of both works I asked Sean to re-read with a different tone. The rest was small stuff.

Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?

Although my stories are not at all retellings, the inspiration for Updrift was The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. The little reflection of it I hope people see/enjoy is in the form of a character twist, since I modeled my bad guy after the original heroine. I.e., he was the one who risked everything and suffered the most for what he wanted.

Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?

Oh my goodness, yes. Sean’s voice is just this terrific blend of compelling goodies, prompts for the listener to envision the story as well as hear it, and to feel more viscerally the tension the characters feel. And then I think his rich, resonant delivery does a much better job bringing both my hero and my antagonist to life.

What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Do it. Share your first draft VERY carefully and give yourself ample time to digest advice before you act on anything someone else says you need to change. Your story is yours and you have every permission to write it. But seriously, adopt the butt-in-chair technique and just write the dang thing. :-)

Do you have any tips for authors going through the process of turning their books into audiobooks?

If you can, pay your narrator rather than offer a royalty share. It’s a cleaner deal, it gives creatives just like you a little income, and you’ll get more response for your audition. Plus you’ll hear a ton of good options, capable professionals you’d want working on your baby.

What’s next for you?

I’m going to finish Outrush this year if it kills me. And it might. Seriously, I think my brain got broke last year… ;-)

Bullying: A Multiple Retrospective by Marnie Lamb

Bullying is one of the main themes of my young adult novel, The History of Hilary Hambrushina. To coincide with Pink Shirt Day, a Canadian anti-bullying initiative, I recently asked several people about their experiences with bullying. Their honest, thoughtful responses broadened my understanding of bullying and several key issues surrounding it. (All names used here are pseudonyms.)

I was struck by the range of ages at which my respondents experienced bullying, which is often thought of as a teen problem. Many people did indeed recall being bullied by classmates in junior high school. Yet bullying begins at a young age and continues into adulthood. Stacey’s daughter was picked on by a classmate in junior kindergarten, and Vanessa and Bonita in elementary school. Ingrid was targeted by her colleagues and Bert by his boss in the workplace. Respondents were taunted for various reasons, including physical characteristics: Rick for his “big nose,” Bonita her “dirty ears,” and Gabrielle her pale skin. As an immigrant new to Canada, Carmen was mocked by her classmates for her clothing and lunches. She attributes this jeering to cultural and class differences between her and her peers.

I also wondered about the level of support provided to the bullied by individuals and institutions in whom the bullied confided. Most respondents did ultimately tell someone, usually a family member or friend, about their ordeal. While most confidants were supportive, Nicole recalls a different experience with her parents: “[My mother] would also tell me I needed to try better to fit in—and not be so strange.” Stacey had a positive experience with institutional support. When she spoke to her daughter’s teacher about the teasing, the teacher offered to look out for any bullying and invited Stacey’s daughter to speak to her (the teacher) about any incidents. This support empowered Stacey’s daughter, giving her “the confidence she needed to deal with the situation better herself so she never did go to the teacher about it.”

For most people, however, institutional support was lacking. Several respondents indicated that while individual teachers were sympathetic and would try to stop bullying, these on-the-spot interventions resulted in only a pause in the taunting. Sadly, some educators simply ignore or refuse to deal with bullying. According to Gabrielle, “[the vice-principal] said that the school couldn’t really do much since kids would always be kids.” Vanessa was pushed into a wall in full view of her principal, who did nothing to help. She says, “Whenever I went to talk to my teacher about [the bullying], he would put up his hand and say, ‘I don’t want to hear about it!’” The situation had to escalate to an extreme level—the bullies threatening to shoot Vanessa—before the school finally took action. The only support Bert received in the workplace was a meeting in which Human Resources told his boss not to call Bert names. The boss agreed, then promptly broke his promise as soon as the meeting had ended. Nicole was even berated by her principal for defending herself against a group of classmates who were physically attacking her. Her daughter has fared better: When she is bullied, the school allows her “to leave her classroom (or any area of the school) immediately without having to ask permission and enter the office where she [can] sit on the couch.”

Respondents were also lukewarm about the effectiveness of anti-bullying programs in schools. While several felt that schools’ handling of bullying has improved in recent years, others emphasize that much more needs to be done. “I don’t think celebrating one day [Pink Shirt Day] helps,” says Vanessa. Carmen feels that even with anti-bullying programs in place, “unless the parents are big advocates and can demonstrate a level of assertiveness, not much is done.” Ingrid has an interesting take on such programs: “Current efforts place the power to stop the bullying with the bully.” Instead, she argues, programs should focus on “empowering those who are being bullied to respond in socially appropriate and effective ways using real world examples.” Bonita, a teacher, laments, “Since I am an occasional teacher, I don’t have the opportunity for extended periods of time to help children who bully and children who are bullied. I feel like I provide more of a Band-Aid response.” And even the best school anti-bullying programs can’t protect children outside of school, as Nicole’s daughter discovered. Once her bullies knew that the principal was powerless to punish them for bullying that didn’t occur on school property, they simply moved their tormenting off the playground and into the street. 

For my respondents, the impact of bullying has been profound and long-lasting. psychological wounds such as low self-esteem, high self-doubt, and wariness of others are common, even years after the tormenting ended. Rick admits that being bullied has resulted in “a narrative of self-loathing that continues until today…. It's like sharing headspace with both Siskel and Ebert; every [Rick] review is two thumbs down.” Ingrid confesses that “it’s been a long road to feel like an equal to my peers.” After Bert quit the job at which he was being bullied, his experience with workplace harassment caused him anxiety in his subsequent jobs.

Yet bullying has also resulted in positive self-growth for many respondents. Stacey believes that her daughter is now “more empathetic, faith-filled, and has a stronger sense of self.” Surviving bullying has emboldened Gabrielle “to take more risks in life.” Rick extends compassion to everyone he meets and stands up for those being bullied. Carmen has harnessed her experience “to support others who don’t feel that they have a voice.” Perhaps the words of twelve-year-old Vanessa, the youngest questionnaire respondent, offer the most hope to those currently suffering through this trauma: “For others out there that are bullied, keep your chin up and know that you ARE strong, you ARE good, you ARE beautiful, and you ARE smart! And most important, you ARE worth it!”

Q&A with Dan Petrosini, The Final Enemy

Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?

My belief is that it is impossible to separate your experiences from your writing.  I wrote one book, Complicit Witness, that emanated directly from the neighborhood i lived in during my teenage years.

Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?  

Yes. I enjoy listening to good narrators bring the story alive.  The flexibility of being able to ‘read’ while driving, or otherwise engaged, is wonderful

What gets you out of a writing slump? What about a reading slump?

I force myself to write even when its not easy.  When plot issues arise, as they always do, i find a long walk or drive helps to work things out.   As far as reading, I don’t get into slumps though at times, I find it hard to find something that i can quickly submerge into. There seems to be a connection to what i am struggling to write myself.

In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of writing a stand-alone novel vs. writing a series?

As a reader, I was never drawn to series and thus never considered writing one. However, many author groups detail the benefits of a series and now I have three books completed.  It’s too early to tell, as book 2 just released and 3 in editors hands, if there is a benefit besides having a fully fleshed main character!  That said, I am aching to get back to a new stand alone idea.

What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?  

The most important aspect I’ve learned is to write consistently.  Block time out and start writing.  If possible each day but if you can only write a day a week, that’s fine just make sure you do it each week. You will grow as a writer and the words will pile up.

What’s next for you?

My next novel is in my editor’s hands right now, so it will be out in a few months. Next, I am working on two outlines - one for the fourth book in the Luca Mystery Series and the other a Sci-Fi story.

Q&A with Heidi Tucker, Servie's Song

What is your largest unfulfilled dream, and what are you doing to reach it?

I love speaking about the messages learned in my books. The spirit that I receive back from a large audience is so inspiring. I dream of bigger opportunities to teach audiences throughout the world. I love writing and that will never change, but I hope to make a real difference helping people through all kinds of global speaking events. I’ll continue to write about subjects that I’m passionate about and spend a good amount of time marketing both my books and myself in all kinds of conferences.

What is the hardest thing you've ever done?

Get certified in scuba diving. I’ve always known how to swim, but I’m not comfortable in the ocean. My husband paid for a scuba diving trip years ago and knowing that money was already spent and nonrefundable is what got me through the lessons. I forced myself through fear and claustrophobic feelings. It was so hard for me. Now I love it!

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned to trust my instincts to write from my heart. If I feel the story, then I can tap into that emotion and find the words to vividly describe it. The other thing I learned is that everybody has a story. There is so much to learn from those stories. They are different for each one of us, and in our own unique way, we can make a difference.

What is your favorite part of writing?

My favorite moments are when I’m awakened in the middle of the night by a strong impression to write. I sneak into my den, turn on some quiet piano music and let the words flow. I become one with the story and my own inspiration in writing it. It’s a tender, spiritual moment for me. It’s not a regular occurrence because I really need my sleep, but when it happens, I embrace it.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

You will face a lot of rejection from start to end. You have to believe in yourself to get through that. Listen to the criticism and rejection and consider what you can learn from it. Then pick yourself up and continue to move forward. A good copy editor is worth everything. They can help you turn a really good manuscript into a great manuscript. Then you pitch to publishers or self-publish knowing that you’ve done your best.

What was the hardest part of writing your book, and how did you overcome it?

I spent weeks interviewing Servie to peel back layers of her life. Many memories were so painful, it was difficult for both of us, but I knew that I needed to feel this story to write from my heart. Servie had to go back into dark chapters of her life that were tragic and it took time to form a trusting relationship so that she could share intimate details and believe that I would honor her and tell her story in an honest, respectful way. I had to be really patient and give it time. After typing up every transcript from our interviews, I saw a pattern and knew that I not only wanted to tell this incredible story, but to allow her example to teach important principles that were defined by the way she lives. We’ve been through the storm together, but now have a friendship bond that will last a lifetime.

Now that we've gotten to know each other, tell me a story. It can be long or short. From your childhood or last week. Funny, sad, or somewhere in between. Just make sure it's yours. What's your story?

Writing a book was never on my bucket list. It was something that somebody else did. That all changed when I had a dream and saw my hands holding a book. I knew it was my book and I even saw an outline. When I woke up I had two very strong thoughts: (1) Wow, that was so real, and (2) There is no way! I tried to push that dream away, but could not ignore the strong impression. I knew that it was going to be really hard, but I also knew it was important. That is how my first book Finding Hope in the Journey was born. The most common question asked of me at book signings or speaking events is “did you dream of being an author?” Ha - that’s a funny question for me. I never dreamed of being an author, but yeah – a dream is how it happened!

About the Author

Heidi Tucker won the 2017 Illumination Award for her first inspirational book Finding Hope in the Journey and her newest release is entitled Servie’s Song. Her passion for writing and speaking about light and hope has inspired thousands. Heidi is known as a great storyteller who motivates us to rise up and find new strength. She teaches how to recognize truth and make a difference.

When Heidi isn’t writing her next book, or speaking at a conference, you’ll find her spending time outdoors with her husband, four grown children and eight grandchildren. She loves sunflowers, hiking, and ice cream … not necessarily in that order.

Find out more about Heidi at ThePickledSunflower.com

Connect with the Author here: Facebook ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram 

Q&A with Lucille Moncrief

When you began writing Nefarious, was it a goal that it become a series? Tell us about your series.

The Nefarious series was inspired by Dracula, steampunk, and German Expressionism, like Nosferatu and Faust. I noticed a lot of discontent in the paranormal romance market a few years ago. People wanted their vampires bloodthirsty again, so I set out to write a series that would meet that demand, and give a new spin on things.

I first started writing it about four years ago. Originally, it started out as a flash fiction piece, but I really enjoyed writing from the perspective of a villain (who thinks he’s a put-upon hero), and decided to map it out to six books.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not, what were your aspirations?

No. I initially went to school for law, but dropped out and got started in the healthcare field. I stayed there for ten years before becoming a freelance writer and then publishing fiction.

When I was in high school though, I wrote my first ever short story, printed it, and sold it to friends and family.

I have a theory that we all know what we are good at and like doing at a young age, but few of our elders tap into that or encourage us. It’s not that people told me I couldn’t be a writer, it’s that no one knew how to help me get started. There are no writers in my family or immediate social circle—not then and not now. I really regret not venturing out on my own with publishing when I graduated, because Kindle had just come on the market then.

What author would you say has had the biggest impact on your writing goals?

This is going to come down to a four-way tie.

First, I’d have to say Nick Stephenson and Derek Murphy. Nick Stephenson, through his course, Your First 10K Readers, showed me how to really set up the scaffolding to get started on self-publishing. Without this, I might have given up before I really got started just out of sheer frustration and tech overload.

Derek Murphy has some amazing content on his site and over on Youtube on the business side of writing. While writing is a form of art, it isn’t just an art form. You have to write stories that people will enjoy and not just be a pointy head who debates the merits of the Oxford comma.

Marissa Scott, an erotica indie author, gave me some great advice on how to publish on a schedule and how to create and effectively use box sets.

And finally, my co-writer, D. Fischer. Without her, the Prurient’s Bluff series would have never happened, and I’d probably have given up writing and gone back to my old job. Thanks for being such an awesome business partner!

Tell us about your latest, Nefarious Four. Do you have anything you are working on that we can look forward to?

Nefarious Four is launching in KU on Valentine’s Day. It’s the fourth book in my steampunk vampires series. I introduce a lot of new characters in the book, including a witch coven. The book has more dark fantasy elements to it than the previous three books in the series, and it’s more fast-paced and less focused on romance like Nefarious Three, although romance still plays a strong part in the narrative.

The Blurb:

Described as “captivating,” and “hauntingly beautiful,” the Nefarious series is a sophisticated, enthralling, and well-written tale of intrigue and devious desires. Set in a lurid, southern gothic world, follow the undead Talcott Henderson as he engages in a battle of wits with his intended, Elyse Delafayette.

But wait, what’s this? Half-ling dhamphyrs armed with hawthorn stakes, an energy-witch coven torn apart by infighting, and a corpse-like, ancient vampire king with an agenda of his own?

Enhanced with custom illustrations, this fast-paced steampunk series will leave you on the edge of your seat and hungry for more. If you are sick and tired of wimpy vampires and the flood of terrible books on the romance market, grab your copy today of the Nefarious series and relearn what a true escape into fiction is all about.

I have a goal to launch Nefarious Five in mid-April, and it will cover the back story of one of my main characters, and a large chunk of the book will be dedicated to a time during the French Revolution. So severed heads, severed heads everywhere!

If you’re interested in following the series, you can sign up to my mailing list by downloading my free steampunk short story, Hannibal Steele and the Bone Elixir.

Who would you want to collaborate with past or present?

I have an idea for a novella that I’d like to publish this summer in between the end of the Nefarious series and my next series on steampunk pirates. The novella would be an m/m shifter romance that would take place during the American Civil War, and I’d love to work with the talented author Jex Lane on it.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Get started now. Waiting won’t do you any favors. Publishing is a long game and the more books you put out the more successful you will be, but the caveat for that is make sure you’re writing books people actually want to read. What I mean is story and structure should be the priority before writing ‘craft.’ Don’t worry so much about being the ‘perfect’ writer, just write a good story that will hold someone’s attention.

Thank you so much for the interview!

You can join my Facebook group, Moncrief’s Minions, where we post funny memes and talk about books.

If you want to sample my work, download my free steampunk short story, Hannibal Steele and the Bone Elixir. All those who download are automatically signed on to my email list for future updates on my books.

Head on over to my blog, moncriefs.net, for Steampunk Vampire interviews, helpful articles for aspiring authors, and free and discounted book fairs!

Thanks again, and happy reading

Connect with Lucille Moncrief

Q&A with Vicky Loebel

Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.

I was extremely lucky making an audiobook of “Vacation Bride” because I knew Emily Beresford from working on two previous audio projects. All I had to do for this one was email Emily to get on her production schedule and deliver the book file. She took care of the rest.

Do you believe certain types of writing translate better into audiobook format?

Humor is a challenge because you’ve got to find a narrator who can read your mind and telepathically figure out the right comic timing for the narration. I was lucky enough  to find Emily before I realized how tough this is, or my fingernails might have been a lot more chewed.

Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?

Since this is my third audiobook, I actually did think about how well it would translate into audio while I was editing and polishing the manuscript. Specifically, I tried to keep the sentence construction a little simpler so the poor narrator could catch her breath.

Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?

Turquoise water  :)   I took a lot of inspiration from research into the Caribbean and the US Virgin Islands -- gazing longingly through webcams, watching Caribbean shows on cable TV. My secret hope is to inspire a lot of future tropical vacations.

How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?

I think the secret is to always pick the project you love. Sometimes this means I jump around between genres, which is not the best way to reach readers. But it’s the most fun!

Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?

I love audiobooks! I started checking them out from the library (remember CDs?) years ago to listen to while commuting, and they quickly expanded to brighten chores, exercise, and rocking babies at two in the morning. Along the way, I saw the added dimension a great narrator brings to a story and discovered many new authors while sampling books by beloved narrators. In my opinion, it’s perfect,

Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?

Emily really provides the sense of wonder that my heroine Anna feels exploring the Virgin Islands and encountering unexpected luxuries, like her visit to a megayacht.

What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?

I bet I enjoy folding laundry a lot more than they do :)

How did you celebrate after finishing this novel?

Well, let’s see, there was the megayacht cruise to the US Virgin Islands...oh wait...that was a dream. In real life, we threw a terrific Facebook launch party with games, gift cards, and tropical-themed prizes. It was a hoot!