1. How long did it take you to publish, ‘Slave to Sensation?’
I'd already been a published author for a couple of years when I wrote Slave to Sensation. However, STS was a totally different genre for me. Once I wrote it, I went looking for an agent, and was lucky enough to find one within a month. A month after that, we sold Slave to Sensation to a publisher and it was published less than a year later.
That's actually a pretty fast timeline! It usually doesn't happen that quickly. Having a track record in publishing helped me find an agent, and having a completed manuscript helped with the sale. In the end, however, it depends on the story. Slave to Sensation was a story that resonated with multiple editors, which also helped me to find a publishing house.
2. If you could choose one thing about the whole work involved from writing your first book, to its publication, what would you say was the hardest thing to achieve?
The most difficult thing was probably time. I was studying, and then working full-time when I wrote my very first book(s). I had to find time to write late at night and in the weekends, which meant the book was written over a longer period - that meant I had to take great care to make sure all the continuity elements stayed cohesive throughout the story.
3. Of all the books you have written, which book did you enjoy writing the most?
I truly enjoy writing them all, because quite simply, I write books I'd enjoy as a reader.
4.How long did it take you to get your first successful book published?
Slave to Sensation was my breakout book, so my answer to question 1 also applies here.
5. If you could give one piece of advice to a new writer, what would it be?
To focus on the writing. It's so easy to be distracted by thoughts of sales and promotion, but before all that, you must have a good book. So write the book first and think about everything else later.
6. Many writers are warned about the dreaded ‘rejection letter,’ but speaking from your own experience, what is your take on the rejection letter?
If you're submitting to traditional publishers, and/or agents, then rejection letters are simply part of the package. The thing is, as an author, you want to be working with people who are passionate about your work, so a rejection isn't always a bad thing. It just means you and the agent or editor in question aren't the right fit.
On the flip side, if all your rejection letters say the exact same thing about why the book is being rejected (if the letters include personalized feedback), then you may want to pay attention, because editors and agents are readers too, and if they're all seeing the same issue in a story, it's worth taking that on board.
7. What would you say is the first steps of publishing?
Writing the book.
8. If a new and upcoming writer was trying to publish their own novel, how would you recommend they go about it?
Did you mean if they wanted to self-publish it? If so: Do your research, learn from other authors, and don't get sucked in by scam/vanity companies that want to charge you hundreds or thousands of dollars for things you can do very reasonably on your own. Also, put out a professional product each and every time. Your name is your brand. Protect it.
9. We all love writing our own characters, giving them personalities, histories and lives, but if you had to choose two characters from your own books, which two would you say are your favourites?
I can't choose! Each of my characters has his or her own unique personality, and so it's impossible for me to compare them. I love visiting with them all.
10. The publishing industry is beginning to get increasingly difficult, with less and less books being published each year, and this year is no exception. Book deals and publications are at an all-time low.
Many writers are turning to Amazon, Smashwords, Nook, etc. and self-publishing their books.
But this choice isn’t for everyone.
What would you say to young, unpublished writers out there who are debating about which route to take?
And had you been starting out all over again, would you still take the same route?
I think the key is to understand that the same choice isn't best for everyone. Some people are extremely suited to self-publishing, while others aren't.
So I can't tell any writer which path to choose. My advice is the same as that above: do your research - dig deep and find out what other writers are doing, see what the most successful self-publishers are doing, read about the business aspects of it. Do the same careful research for the traditional publishers to whom you want to submit. Then decide, based on your personal strengths and needs.
If you are going to self-publish, don't just throw something out there. Put out a well-edited, well-formatted book with a good cover, so that readers associate your name with good books rather than bad ones.
As for the final part of your question - I started in the industry over a decade ago, so it's a totally different environment now. No one had even heard of ebooks when I started (giving away my age here!). So it's hard for me to compare. I think I would've definitely considered self-publishing, as I've always been interested in technology, but at the same time, I would've continued to pursue a career in traditional publishing as well. My feeling is that if you can do both, you're in the best possible situation.
I'd already been a published author for a couple of years when I wrote Slave to Sensation. However, STS was a totally different genre for me. Once I wrote it, I went looking for an agent, and was lucky enough to find one within a month. A month after that, we sold Slave to Sensation to a publisher and it was published less than a year later.
That's actually a pretty fast timeline! It usually doesn't happen that quickly. Having a track record in publishing helped me find an agent, and having a completed manuscript helped with the sale. In the end, however, it depends on the story. Slave to Sensation was a story that resonated with multiple editors, which also helped me to find a publishing house.
2. If you could choose one thing about the whole work involved from writing your first book, to its publication, what would you say was the hardest thing to achieve?
The most difficult thing was probably time. I was studying, and then working full-time when I wrote my very first book(s). I had to find time to write late at night and in the weekends, which meant the book was written over a longer period - that meant I had to take great care to make sure all the continuity elements stayed cohesive throughout the story.
3. Of all the books you have written, which book did you enjoy writing the most?
I truly enjoy writing them all, because quite simply, I write books I'd enjoy as a reader.
4.How long did it take you to get your first successful book published?
Slave to Sensation was my breakout book, so my answer to question 1 also applies here.
5. If you could give one piece of advice to a new writer, what would it be?
To focus on the writing. It's so easy to be distracted by thoughts of sales and promotion, but before all that, you must have a good book. So write the book first and think about everything else later.
6. Many writers are warned about the dreaded ‘rejection letter,’ but speaking from your own experience, what is your take on the rejection letter?
If you're submitting to traditional publishers, and/or agents, then rejection letters are simply part of the package. The thing is, as an author, you want to be working with people who are passionate about your work, so a rejection isn't always a bad thing. It just means you and the agent or editor in question aren't the right fit.
On the flip side, if all your rejection letters say the exact same thing about why the book is being rejected (if the letters include personalized feedback), then you may want to pay attention, because editors and agents are readers too, and if they're all seeing the same issue in a story, it's worth taking that on board.
7. What would you say is the first steps of publishing?
Writing the book.
8. If a new and upcoming writer was trying to publish their own novel, how would you recommend they go about it?
Did you mean if they wanted to self-publish it? If so: Do your research, learn from other authors, and don't get sucked in by scam/vanity companies that want to charge you hundreds or thousands of dollars for things you can do very reasonably on your own. Also, put out a professional product each and every time. Your name is your brand. Protect it.
9. We all love writing our own characters, giving them personalities, histories and lives, but if you had to choose two characters from your own books, which two would you say are your favourites?
I can't choose! Each of my characters has his or her own unique personality, and so it's impossible for me to compare them. I love visiting with them all.
10. The publishing industry is beginning to get increasingly difficult, with less and less books being published each year, and this year is no exception. Book deals and publications are at an all-time low.
Many writers are turning to Amazon, Smashwords, Nook, etc. and self-publishing their books.
But this choice isn’t for everyone.
What would you say to young, unpublished writers out there who are debating about which route to take?
And had you been starting out all over again, would you still take the same route?
I think the key is to understand that the same choice isn't best for everyone. Some people are extremely suited to self-publishing, while others aren't.
So I can't tell any writer which path to choose. My advice is the same as that above: do your research - dig deep and find out what other writers are doing, see what the most successful self-publishers are doing, read about the business aspects of it. Do the same careful research for the traditional publishers to whom you want to submit. Then decide, based on your personal strengths and needs.
If you are going to self-publish, don't just throw something out there. Put out a well-edited, well-formatted book with a good cover, so that readers associate your name with good books rather than bad ones.
As for the final part of your question - I started in the industry over a decade ago, so it's a totally different environment now. No one had even heard of ebooks when I started (giving away my age here!). So it's hard for me to compare. I think I would've definitely considered self-publishing, as I've always been interested in technology, but at the same time, I would've continued to pursue a career in traditional publishing as well. My feeling is that if you can do both, you're in the best possible situation.