Monday 20 June 2011

Music Journalist: Chris Morley

I’m doing something a little bit different today. Instead of a Hot New Author, I’m pleased to welcome music journalist and aspiring author, Chris Morley to the blog. Hi Chris! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

OK. here goes, my name's Chris Morley, I'm a 24 year old cerebral palsy sufferer and music journalist also trying his hand at writing, I have a part time job too but that's not so rock and roll, is it?

Have you always been a writer?
I can't say I've always been a writer, I've always enjoyed reading but its only really at college and university that I actually seriously thought about it, I started out writing for the music section of my university's student newspaper, and now write for MintSouth and I also had a brief spell as a scriptwriter/actor on a local radio soap opera ' Conway Street' with Express FM in Portsmouth for a few months after graduating, having also had some experience on hospital radio during my college years. But I guess as a serious writer I am but a novice, although I'm not really all that serious!

What inspires you?
What inspires me? Ooh, now there's a good question! I suppose in my work as a music journalist the music itself is what drives me on, I guess I've always felt a very strong attachment to it for some reason, I'm still trying to work out just how it got to that point but its always played a big part in my life, from my early days being introduced to the Beatles by my parents to my present state dabbling in pretty much anything, as a recent example I've been listening to a lot of the Velvet Underground and by extension Lou Reed, but I'll listen to pretty much anything, my taste is eclectic, my last album purchase being the Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi album ' Rome' ( think of it as the soundtrack to an imaginary spaghetti Western film) and thus far its my album of this year, coincidentally I'm listening to it now, although its impossible to imagine myself as some kind of Sergio Leone anti-hero in suburbia on a Sunday night! So obviously I have to cite music as a big inspiration.

Also film ( my degree is in Film Studies), I don't get to the cinema as much as I'd like purely because there's not much on these days that catches my interest, but should things pick up you'll more than likely find me angling for a trip, I record a lot of different films from the television which all have some influence on me, whether good or bad. Television in itself inspires me, if I find a good series that I can get into I'll gladly give over a few hours to it, I like comedy and science fiction in particular if they're done well.

I was pretty much hooked on the present series of ' Doctor Who' ( they've just had the mid-season cliffhanger prior to a two month break) and Steven Moffatt, who's the head writer, has done a great job of reinvigorating my interest in what was getting quite stale before the introduction of the Eleventh Doctor. Incidentally if Steven is reading this you could do worse for a possible future Doctor.......I guess I'm very much an audiovisual person, I'd say my sense of humour influences me, I hope my slight sense of eccentricity is coming through!

There’s a glimmer shining through, Chris. I’m a massive Doctor Who fan myself. Do you have any new projects in the pipeline?
New projects, you say....well, I intend to keep up my music journalism and continue with my entries to Paragraphs Of Power under the watchful eye of Suzanna Burke. Actually while I'm here can I thank her and certain members of the Night Publishing family- Catherine Chisnall, Samantha Towle, Paige Pendleton, Diane Nelson....they've tolerated me crashing their party, for now I am but a mere journalist, I am not worthy! And I'm not going to turn this into one of those rambling acceptance speeches they do at the Oscars, I promised myself I wouldn't cry!

Also if I were better at guitar I would consider a more practical music project, having had some experience in producing thanks to a university project in which I made a radio documentary on the local alternative music scene, in retrospect I can sort of see how Phil Spector went mad, not that I went as far into the abyss as he did! But it was quite enjoyable exploring that side of things, I guess the finished product came out sounding like a Public Enemy album, as I'd been listening to a lot of that kind of thing at the time and so wanted to meld music and speech together. Who knows, maybe if I do make a success of it as a writer that may open a few more doors.

Do you have a favourite place to write?
Most of my writing is done in my bedroom, to be honest! Mind you, I suppose there are worse places to do so, my reckoning is if Brian Wilson can manage to give the seemingly humdrum a new lease of life then so can I. Or maybe I'm just a little bitter that I couldn't come up with ' In My Room' first! Never mind. It's not much of a view, I can look out of the window and see people and cars passing by but it’s nothing too glamorous as it goes. Otherwise I have a notepad in which to write my ideas for various projects, unless I happen to be doing something else and then have a brainwave, in which case I do my best to store it until I can get my hands on anything with which to write.

Who are your favourite writers?
My favourite writer at the moment is Tolkien- I read the Lord of the Rings books a few years back, as well as The Hobbit, and have yet to make inroads into the Silmarillion and Children of Hurin, though I do at least now have copies of them after a recent spree in Waterstone's, I just admired the fact that here was a man who took so much care and attention in creating Middle Earth and really bringing it to life. I guess I just admire any writer who can put a lot into their work, whether it be fiction or whatever. I must also confess to a liking for Stephen Fry in anything he does, including his books, both fictional and otherwise, he's a bit of a national treasure. Best book ever written is too hard to answer as I've read so many so I shall move on! If I'm allowed to include musicians in the writing category I must include Lennon & McCartney, among oh so many others.......

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
There's such a lot that people don't know or haven't cared to find out about me, I shall have to rack my brains as to something interesting. Oh, here's one. I've met royalty, though I was only two so can't remember a lot of it, I presented Princess Anne with flowers when I was a member at a wonderful place called the Rainbow Centre. They taught me to walk so I owe them a lot, even if I had not a clue who Princess Anne was at the time and amused the parents present by asking if every woman in the room plus those who later walked in was her, I guess I was fonder of any kind of limelight back then. Either that or a great big show-off. I'd like to think though that even at that tender age I kept my cool.

Thanks for such a great interview, Chris! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your likes, loves and writing habits. Before you go, could you just tell us where we can find some of your writing?
My music reviews are to be found at MintSouth and a Google search for Paragraphs of Power should guide you to my other writing efforts, I can't remember the exact link at this precise moment!

Thanks again, and may I also congratulate you on having such an interesting name!

You may J

Thursday 16 June 2011

Hot New Author: Johanna Frappier

Today I’m excited to welcome my new best author friend to the blog – Johanna Frappier!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I live in Massachusetts with my husband, three children, and two cats.  We are in training to be alpaca breeders and are working on weekends to build our farm.  I watch the skies by night for UFOs and beg my favorite psychic friend for stories.


What will readers like about your book?                                                    I've always loved stories that weave in and out of silly, scary, grief, happiness…  I love when the emotion of a character is at one level, then without warning shoots somewhere else-just like in life.  So you’ll find a lot of unkempt emotion in FAIRY CIRCLE.  Just tryin’ to keep this fantasy real!









What inspired you to write it?
My mother raised me on Grimm’s Fairy Tales and fairy tales from all over the world.  But she especially loved Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and tsk tsked the modern vampires that have so many conflicting emotions. This is where she and I differed-I can’t get enough of the modern moody vampire! 

Also, when I was nine, my older brothers took me to see some Disney movie at the theater.  After my parents dropped us off and drove away we left the Disney line and I was escorted to the Poltergeist line…  The movie was almost sold out and there weren’t enough seats together. I had to sit with strangers because my six-year-old brother “would be too scared” to sit alone!  I don’t think I can put into words how much that film terrified me, but I can say, I’ve never slept a whole night through since!  I totally credit Poltergeist with the things that still go on in my head today. ;o)

Do you have any new works in the pipeline?
FAIRY CIRCLE is part of a series called, The FAIRY CIRCLE Series.  Currently, I’m giving FAIRY THIEF, the second book in the series, a going over for release on October 1, 2011.

Who are your favourite authors?
Ooooh!  I love:  Clive Barker, Stephen King, and Mary Stewart.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
When I went skydiving for the second time, I pulled my chute and zoned out.  When I was supposed to flare to slow myself down I was too slow getting about it and hit the ground hard.  Luckily, I only twisted my ankle.

You’re a braver woman than I am! Thanks so much for gracing us with your gorgeous presence and I hope squillions of people buy Fairy Circle.

Thank you for interviewing me, Shalini.  I must get back to my book.  It’s my new fave: HIDDEN.  

Yay!

Monday 13 June 2011

Award-Winning Author: Gerry McCullough

Today on the blog I’m delighted to be featuring award-winning author and poet, Gerry McCullough!

Gerry has been writing poems and stories since childhood. Brought up in north Belfast, she graduated in English and Philosophy from Queen's University, Belfast, then went on to gain an MA in English.

She lives just outside Belfast, in Northern Ireland, has four grown up children and is married to singer/songwriter and Media Producer, Raymond McCullough.


Hi Gerry! So what will readers like about your latest novel Belfast Girls?  

So far, I find they like the characters. Sheila, Phil and Mary, the three girls growing up in Belfast, are all very different. Sheila starts off shy and lacking in self-confidence. She’s the ‘ugly duckling’ who turns into a beautiful supermodel. Phil is bouncy, confident, popular with boys – but she lets herself be dragged into trouble by the man she loves, Davy Hagan. Mary starts off as a wild child, nearly dies of a drug overdose, and then has a spiritual awakening which turns her life around. People seem to be really interested in the girls and their lives and loves. There’s a lot of action, too, but that’s more of a bonus.



What inspired you to write the novel?

I’ve always written stuff, since my childhood. It seemed natural to write about my hometown, Belfast, and about the sort of things which I know something about.  Then, there’s so much misunderstanding about this place. I hoped I could explain a bit about the goings-on here to the rest of the world.  In a country where religion has so often been a dividing factor, Sheila, Phil and Mary are friends in spite of being from different religious backgrounds, and that’s not really as unusual as you might think. As for writing about girls growing up in Belfast, well, that came even more naturally to me, since that’s been my own life, growing up as a Belfast girl!

Do you have any new works in the pipeline?

I’m halfway through another novel, of a similar type to Belfast Girls, and I also have a collection of short stories newly edited by a professional which a local publisher here has shown some interest in. I have hopes for them, and for my new book, if I can ever find time to complete it.

Who are your favourite authors?

How much space do I have for this?  Let’s keep it brief – Jane Austen, Tolkien, C.S.Lewis, PG Wodehouse, Agatha Christie, Georgette Heyer, Terry Pratchett – better stop there!

And finally, can you tell us something about yourself that not many people know.

I hate desiccated coconut. Real coconut is a different thing, mind you. My father brought one home one year at Hallowe’en, and broke it up with a hammer, and I enjoyed my piece very much. But the desiccated stuff is just too dry, I suppose. Now, isn’t that interesting?

Haha! Now people know what not to buy you for your birthday. Thank you so much for joining us today, Gerry. It’s been a pleasure. Best of luck with Belfast Girls.



Belfast Girls on Amazon US
Belfast Girls on Amazon UK


Friday 10 June 2011

Hot New Author: Samantha Towle

Today I’d like to welcome Samantha Towle, to the blog! I’ve had the page-turning pleasure of reading her novel The Bringer and I can honestly say I adored it. 

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, Samantha?

I live in Yorkshire with my husband Craig, children Riley and Isabella, dog Max and cat Murphy. The youngest of four daughters, I love music - all music - and dream of a day when …. now that's another story. My first book, 'The Bringer' was published by Night Publishing in May 2011. My second, 'A Single Bite' will be published later in the year.
 
What will readers like about your latest novel The Bringer?

It’s not your average ‘angel’ novel. It’s full of twists and turns, and I think readers will really identify with Lucyna and her naivety when she finds herself in falling love with James. We’ve all felt the thrill that love creates, that first shot of ecstasy when you meet the ‘one’ and how overwhelming it can be. But Lucyna has never felt anything before now, so she is completely overwhelmed and totally out of her depth with all of these feelings her love for James is creating within her.

I think readers will enjoy going through the journey with her and encountering the twists thrown in along the way!

What inspired you to write it?

‘Don’t Cry’ by Guns N’ Roses. I got the idea for ‘The Bringer’ whilst listening to the song. It got me thinking about the painful effects that love can have on us, then I got to thinking about what it would be like if we didn’t have to feel at all, would things be easier and that is how I came up with the concept of The Bringer. An ethereal being with no feelings, whose sole purpose is to guide the recently deceased to Heaven, who without warning suddenly develops feelings.

Can you tell us a little about your work in progress?

‘A Single Bite’ is the novel I’m currently working on. It’s due out later this year. It’s slightly different to ‘The Bringer’. It’s still a Paranormal Romance, and whilst there is angst and heartbreak in it, there is also a lot of humour.  Alexandra ‘Alex’ the MC is very clumsy with her words, she often speaks before thinking!

Who are your favourite authors?

Thomas Harris, Charlaine Harris, Sophie Kinsella and Paige Toon.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.

I have worked every job known to man! From being a chambermaid, to factory work, to waitressing, a bit of modelling, singing, you name it I’ve probably done it!
 
… and now you can add 'published author' to the list! Thanks so much for letting me interview you today. It’s been heavenly (sorry, bad pun).

The Bringer on Amazon Kindle US
The Bringer on Amazon Kindle UK   
The Bringer on Smashwords  

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Hot New Author: Robert Craven

Today I’m thrilled to welcome Robert Craven to HOT NEW AUTHORS, a brand spanking new feature on my blog. I’ve been pestering him for weeks to let me know the release date for his fab new spy thriller, Get Lenin, and now here it is! Yay!

                           Available from Amazon
So Robert, what will readers like about Get Lenin?

What readers will get is adventure, espionage & both the horror & the glamour of the 1930's as the story unfolds into WW2 through the eyes of the main character Eva Molenaar.

What inspired you to write the novel?

I grew up loving the books of Alastair Maclean, Fredrick Forsyth, Jack Higgins and John Le Carre. I came across a book called 'Lenin's Embalmers' about 10yrs ago which told the story of Lenin's mausoleum shipping in its entirety to the Urals in the face of the German army advance. Then a bulb went off in my head that went 'what would happen if...'


Do you have any other favorite authors?

As well as those mentioned above I love Cormac MaCarthy, Arthur Miller, Robert Ludlum and Martin Cruz Smith. Irish authors Roddy Doyle, John McGahern, Frank O'Connor and Brendan Behan.

And are there any new works in the pipeline?
I have almost completed the sequel, but mindful of how Get Lenin does. I have pitched to Night Publishing a semi-autobiographical work called 'Vocals preferred, own transport essential'. I was a musician in Dublin in the late 1980's to the mid 1990's and would jot down incidents and stories along the way. It needs a lot of work and is more of a long-term project.

Finally, can you tell us something about yourself that not many people know.

I've a pathological hatred of mime artists.

I'm with you on that last point! Thanks so much for taking the time to chat to us and I'd like to wish you massive success with Get Lenin. It's a great read.

Tuesday 10 May 2011

How do you Promote your Novel?

For those of you who don't know, I've written a paranormal romance called Hidden. I uploaded it to Kindle just under a couple of months ago and, to my surprise, it started selling. Most of the initial sales were to friends and family (thank you!), but when the friends ran out, complete strangers started to buy it. I've sold almost 200 copies to people I don't know. As an unknown author, I don't think that number is too shabby. I've kept my pricing modest, but not too low at $2.99. It's not any where near Amanda Hocking levels or even Jake Barton, but it's exceeded my expectations.

However, it does freak me out on many levels. I swing between: they're all going to hate it, to, wow! 

I don't know how people are coming across my book. Are they searching on Google or Kindle? Is it being recommended? I'm trying to cover all the bases so far as promotion is concerned, but there doesn't seem to be enough of me to go around. Here's some of what I've managed to do in the way of promotion so far:

TAGGING
I've tagged my book on Amazon. Not just the odd keyword, but I've really tried to think how people might search for my type of book. Like: 'vampire', 'paranormal romance', 'supernatural' - those are fine for my genre, but if someone's searching for a book, they might also type in: 'books with vampires' or 'vampire ebooks'. Also, I looked at the more successful books in my genre and copied their tags.

FORUMS
I occasionally chat on the forums - Kindleboards, Amazon, Goodreads etc - without promoting my book every two seconds. This is really hard to do (for me anyway). I always want to talk about my book, but it would probably annoy them if I were to constantly shove my title in their face. So I try to hold back and just chat, have a laugh, be helpful and hopefully, other forum users might check out my profile and book.
Note to self: I must be more active on the forums.

BLOGGING
I'm a lazy blogger. My new resolution is to share my publishing experiences with other writers. And if this has the added benefit of raising my profile, then it's all good!

LINKS
The more links you have pointing towards your website/book page, the better your search results will be on Google. So try and get your links in as many places as poss.

GOODREADS
This is a great place to have a profile. You get a book page like this and you can apply for an author page, like this.

I also use the 'Listopia' function and have added Hidden to the relevant lists. Eg: 'Best YA', 'What to read after Twilight' etc. I'm hoping this will boost visibility.

BOOK REVIEWS
Try to get a few good reviews on Amazon/Goodreads/ Smashwords etc. If you know someone who's read your book, plead with them to put a review up for you. Most people who browse for books like to know what other people think and it could definitely sway them to buy yours. There are also a lot of book bloggers out there who will write an honest review in return for a free copy of your book. I've compiled a comprehensive list on Twitter called Brilliant Book Bloggers.

TWITTER
I tweet my latest reviews, releases etc. But that can get tedious for others, so try to intersperse your tweets with some sparkling wit and interesting news. Or, if you're anything like me, the odd rant/moan.

FACEBOOK
I've given Hidden its own Facebook Page where I can keep people updated about new books in the series, new formats, trailers etc. Once I reached 25 fans for my page, I was able to choose which name I posted with: Either Shalini Boland or Hidden (Marchwood Vampire Series)This gives you the added benefit of posting on other Facebook pages using your book name and image.

This list isn't anywhere near finished yet, but I'm dying for a cup of coffee, so I'll carry on later ...

UPDATE: Sorry, it's taken me a few weeks to finish my coffee, but I'll revisit this soon x