Ask the Author: Paula Stokes
Answered Questions (18)
Paula Stokes
I suppose anything is possible, but I highly doubt it. The copyright holder is Glasstown Entertainment, so ultimately they have control of the work.
Paula Stokes
Hi Lucija--
Unfortunately, the Venom books went out of print several years ago. It's hard to even find a copy in English of the third book so I don't believe there is any chance the Croatian publisher will choose to translate them at this time. I'm sorry. I know how frustrating that is :/
Best,
Fiona/Paula
Unfortunately, the Venom books went out of print several years ago. It's hard to even find a copy in English of the third book so I don't believe there is any chance the Croatian publisher will choose to translate them at this time. I'm sorry. I know how frustrating that is :/
Best,
Fiona/Paula
Paula Stokes
This answer contains spoilers…
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Paula Stokes
Hi Oda,
Publishers decide whether to acquire a book or not based largely on sales figures for the author's similar books. At this time, none of my contemporary novels (the Art of Lainey, Girl Against the Universe, This is How it Happened) have sold enough copies for my publisher to be willing to consider acquiring more contemporary romance titles from me. This is extremely common in Publishing--even big bestsellers routinely have book ideas rejected by their publishers. Therefore Jack of Hearts is currently a dead book idea (along with about 10 other ideas I have pitched.) I could theoretically finish the book and try to sell it to a different publisher, but right now I'm more focused on other stories that I feel more passionate about. Goodreads told me they won't delete the listing, so that's why it's still on my account. Sorry for the confusion.
Publishers decide whether to acquire a book or not based largely on sales figures for the author's similar books. At this time, none of my contemporary novels (the Art of Lainey, Girl Against the Universe, This is How it Happened) have sold enough copies for my publisher to be willing to consider acquiring more contemporary romance titles from me. This is extremely common in Publishing--even big bestsellers routinely have book ideas rejected by their publishers. Therefore Jack of Hearts is currently a dead book idea (along with about 10 other ideas I have pitched.) I could theoretically finish the book and try to sell it to a different publisher, but right now I'm more focused on other stories that I feel more passionate about. Goodreads told me they won't delete the listing, so that's why it's still on my account. Sorry for the confusion.
Paula Stokes
Great question! Since this is Goodreads, I'm going to limit myself to fictional couples in books, not movies or TV shows (but for other media it is absolutely Veronica and Logan.)
My fave couple is Ziri and Liraz from Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. Reasons why include:
1. They are both incredible characters on their own. I absolutely adored both of them before they got together, although for very different reasons.
2. They make each other better when they're together, and the way they're written makes me feel each of their highs and lows like they are my friends. (I wish they were my friends.)
3. I'm not going to be specific because I don't want to spoil any part of those amazing novels, but Liraz and Ziri's storyline is epic. "Spanning years and continents. Lives ruined. Bloodshed" kind of epic!
My fave couple is Ziri and Liraz from Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. Reasons why include:
1. They are both incredible characters on their own. I absolutely adored both of them before they got together, although for very different reasons.
2. They make each other better when they're together, and the way they're written makes me feel each of their highs and lows like they are my friends. (I wish they were my friends.)
3. I'm not going to be specific because I don't want to spoil any part of those amazing novels, but Liraz and Ziri's storyline is epic. "Spanning years and continents. Lives ruined. Bloodshed" kind of epic!
Paula Stokes
I like some horror movies, but I prefer science-fiction, specifically high-tech sci-fi stuff like The Matrix and Inception. When it comes to horror, I like a movie that manages to be scary without being super-gross and gory, but those are hard to come by. Some of the horror movies I like are The Ring, The Amityville Horror, and Candyman. All those movies still scare the crap out of me ;)
Paula Stokes
Hi India. Thanks for the heads up. I can find the page for Vicarious searching by title, by author, and by going to another one of my books and clicking on the cover in the GR sidebar. I know sometimes GR gets glitchy, but it also might be a problem with your internet browser or your device and how it syncs to Goodreads. I would recommend trying again and if you still are having trouble maybe emailing GR about the issue. I would do it, but I'm not having an issue on either my phone or laptop so I can't explain the exact problem.
Here is a direct link to the book's GR page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Or maybe try without the s for secure:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26...
Or check out the book on my blog, where you can read the first seven chapters:
http://www.authorpaulastokes.com/p/vi...
Or get some reviews by searching the book title on Amazon or searching "Vicarious review" on Twitter.
I hope one of those ideas helps. I could definitely use more readers :)
Here is a direct link to the book's GR page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Or maybe try without the s for secure:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26...
Or check out the book on my blog, where you can read the first seven chapters:
http://www.authorpaulastokes.com/p/vi...
Or get some reviews by searching the book title on Amazon or searching "Vicarious review" on Twitter.
I hope one of those ideas helps. I could definitely use more readers :)
Paula Stokes
Hi Kerrie--
I'm going to put this answer here because I don't use the message function on GR anymore and also in case other people have the same question.
I receive a limited number of ARCs for each book and I give some of them out to beta-readers, press contacts, and bloggers who I have worked with for years. Because I don't have enough for everyone, the rest of them (at least 10 for every book), are given away in contests. 95% of my contests are open internationally. The best way to stay up on my contests and to be eligible for special exclusive contests is to join my mailing list. (Click on the Mailing List tab over at www.authorpaulastokes.com). Another good way is to follow @pstokesbooks on Twitter. I have one current GATU contest and will be giving away additional ARCs of GATU in March.
If you're looking for VICARIOUS, I will be doing giveaways for that book in June and July. Finally, you can request GATU via Edelweiss (HarperTeen often reviews foreign bloggers) and will be able to request VICARIOUS via Net Galley. (I think. I'm not sure if it's available yet.)
Thanks for your interest :)
I'm going to put this answer here because I don't use the message function on GR anymore and also in case other people have the same question.
I receive a limited number of ARCs for each book and I give some of them out to beta-readers, press contacts, and bloggers who I have worked with for years. Because I don't have enough for everyone, the rest of them (at least 10 for every book), are given away in contests. 95% of my contests are open internationally. The best way to stay up on my contests and to be eligible for special exclusive contests is to join my mailing list. (Click on the Mailing List tab over at www.authorpaulastokes.com). Another good way is to follow @pstokesbooks on Twitter. I have one current GATU contest and will be giving away additional ARCs of GATU in March.
If you're looking for VICARIOUS, I will be doing giveaways for that book in June and July. Finally, you can request GATU via Edelweiss (HarperTeen often reviews foreign bloggers) and will be able to request VICARIOUS via Net Galley. (I think. I'm not sure if it's available yet.)
Thanks for your interest :)
Paula Stokes
Well...are you counting those first three or four "book attempts" I did in college where I wrote 2 chapters, got distracted, got a new idea, wrote 2 more chapters, etc? ;) My first book I actually finished probably took about 4-6 months to write. I didn't know anything about queries or agents, so I then spent 2 years just sort of revising it and tweaking it and entering it in contests while I was taking pre-reqs and going to nursing school. It never won, but when I eventually brought it to a conference, I did get full requests. But that book did not get me my agent and it will never be published.
I find that whether you write a bunch of books, you re-write the same book a bunch of times, you write fan fiction or short stories, etc., most people spend at least 4 years practicing their writing craft before they get a deal.
You probably don't want to hear this, but I have MANY more fears about publishing now than I did then. I guess my major fear was that no one--NO ONE--would buy my book. I might have bought 3 of 4 copies myself, just in case ;)
I find that whether you write a bunch of books, you re-write the same book a bunch of times, you write fan fiction or short stories, etc., most people spend at least 4 years practicing their writing craft before they get a deal.
You probably don't want to hear this, but I have MANY more fears about publishing now than I did then. I guess my major fear was that no one--NO ONE--would buy my book. I might have bought 3 of 4 copies myself, just in case ;)
Paula Stokes
Hi Rach. The Eternal Rose books were developed collaboratively with Paper Lantern Lit, so I was lucky to have an intern help me with some of the research. I came to the project having visited Venice and possessing a background in Renaissance art history. The rest was just a lot of research--reading books and searching for information about specific customs.
Cass, as many have mentioned in their reviews, does not behave like a normal girl of her station, but TBH I haven't embraced current societal expectations for women of my "station", so I didn't feel it was completely unrealistic to have her want things most other women in her position didn't want. I just tried to balance her inner desire to learn new things and follow her instincts with her innate sense of propriety and wanting not to bring shame to her family. Thanks for the question :)
Cass, as many have mentioned in their reviews, does not behave like a normal girl of her station, but TBH I haven't embraced current societal expectations for women of my "station", so I didn't feel it was completely unrealistic to have her want things most other women in her position didn't want. I just tried to balance her inner desire to learn new things and follow her instincts with her innate sense of propriety and wanting not to bring shame to her family. Thanks for the question :)
Paula Stokes
Hi Wathmi :)
I'm so glad you loved the book. Unfortunately, The Art of Lainey's sales aren't high enough to write a sequel, but be sure to check out Infinite Repeat for a look into Micah's life before the story begins, and then check out New Music on Wattpad for post-novel Micah and Lainey swoon :)
I'm so glad you loved the book. Unfortunately, The Art of Lainey's sales aren't high enough to write a sequel, but be sure to check out Infinite Repeat for a look into Micah's life before the story begins, and then check out New Music on Wattpad for post-novel Micah and Lainey swoon :)
Paula Stokes
Hi Kelsi. I would ask your teacher to be safe. So far all of my books are age 13+ and contain some swearing.
As far as quoting the book or similar, you should be fine quoting short passages as needed as long as you make it obvious that they're from the book or cite them. Don't put whole pages of text online or anything and you should be good. You can email me via my webpage if you have more questions.
As far as quoting the book or similar, you should be fine quoting short passages as needed as long as you make it obvious that they're from the book or cite them. Don't put whole pages of text online or anything and you should be good. You can email me via my webpage if you have more questions.
Paula Stokes
Hi Anne--
Thanks for asking. So this is sort of complicated, but most books sell both their print and e-book rights as either North American publication or World English or World.
Liars sold in a 2-book deal with Art of Lainey for North American, which means that the publisher can provide the book in English for US/CA/PH and also several overseas countries whose native language ISN'T English. However, it's a violation of the contract to provide the book in English for other English-speaking countries.
From what I know (and please, someone correct me if I'm wrong), Amazon shouldn't technically even be selling hardcovers to the UK, but they get around this by using other stock to supply for their UK orders. (And at this point it makes no sense to try to block this because then all I do is limit access to my book.)
The reasoning for the disconnect is this. If I keep my UK rights in the initial sale, there's the potential for me to sell UK rights separately to a UK publisher and see my hardcover in UK stores. Now that my book is out, there's very little chance of selling those rights, but it also makes it hard for UK buyers to get the book because the only way to make the e-format available would be to sell e-rights somewhere and that would require a company wanting to buy them.
Complicated, right? Generally if you can find a hardcover but not a Kindle for a US book on amazon.uk, this is the issue. It sucks, and I'm sorry :( But thanks for your interest in my book and I hope you are able to read it eventually.
Thanks for asking. So this is sort of complicated, but most books sell both their print and e-book rights as either North American publication or World English or World.
Liars sold in a 2-book deal with Art of Lainey for North American, which means that the publisher can provide the book in English for US/CA/PH and also several overseas countries whose native language ISN'T English. However, it's a violation of the contract to provide the book in English for other English-speaking countries.
From what I know (and please, someone correct me if I'm wrong), Amazon shouldn't technically even be selling hardcovers to the UK, but they get around this by using other stock to supply for their UK orders. (And at this point it makes no sense to try to block this because then all I do is limit access to my book.)
The reasoning for the disconnect is this. If I keep my UK rights in the initial sale, there's the potential for me to sell UK rights separately to a UK publisher and see my hardcover in UK stores. Now that my book is out, there's very little chance of selling those rights, but it also makes it hard for UK buyers to get the book because the only way to make the e-format available would be to sell e-rights somewhere and that would require a company wanting to buy them.
Complicated, right? Generally if you can find a hardcover but not a Kindle for a US book on amazon.uk, this is the issue. It sucks, and I'm sorry :( But thanks for your interest in my book and I hope you are able to read it eventually.
Paula Stokes
First, stop calling yourself an aspiring writer. If you write, you're a writer.
Second, read. No, read way more than you currently do. Reading is the second-best way to learn how to write. Obviously, writing is the best way. It takes most people a couple of practice books to get good enough to even think about publication. If your first book doesn’t sell, you are not a failure. You are human. Human is good. Books by robots would probably suck. Be sure to read On Writing by Stephen King (yes, even if you don’t like horror and think Stephen King is kind of a freak) and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (yes, even if you've never heard of Anne Lamott).
Don't compare yourself to others. Don't be in a hurry to get published--the best thing for your career is for your first book to be really, really polished and excellent. Don't expect to get famous (but blurb me if you do, ha! :D) And finally, never forget why you started writing in the first place.
Second, read. No, read way more than you currently do. Reading is the second-best way to learn how to write. Obviously, writing is the best way. It takes most people a couple of practice books to get good enough to even think about publication. If your first book doesn’t sell, you are not a failure. You are human. Human is good. Books by robots would probably suck. Be sure to read On Writing by Stephen King (yes, even if you don’t like horror and think Stephen King is kind of a freak) and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (yes, even if you've never heard of Anne Lamott).
Don't compare yourself to others. Don't be in a hurry to get published--the best thing for your career is for your first book to be really, really polished and excellent. Don't expect to get famous (but blurb me if you do, ha! :D) And finally, never forget why you started writing in the first place.
Paula Stokes
I got the idea for LIARS, INC. from an illegal lottery my brother ran in middle school. VICARIOUS is inspired by a year spent living in Seoul, Korea and my love of high-tech thrillers like The Matrix and Inception. BAD LUCK CHARM came to me in February of last year, after I went on a vacation to Mexico where everything seemed to go wrong, almost like I was cursed :)
Paula Stokes
I'm currently revising VICARIOUS, outlining the sequel to VICARIOUS, and drafting an NA romance set in Thailand.
Paula Stokes
I work on at least three or four projects at a time, so if I don't know where to go next with a story, I just set the project aside and work on something else until inspiration hits. Usually if I give a problem a few days, my brain will come up with a solution when I least expect it--usually when I'm driving or jogging and am not even aware I'm thinking about writing. I'm also a big outliner, which minimizes plot snarls for me.
Paula Stokes
For me it's sort of a combination of plot and characters. I think fifty characters, or even twenty, is too many for a book if you're going to try to name them all and bring them to life. I tend to write cinematically, so my books have a lead actor and actress, and then best supporting actors, and then a few other important characters. Anyone in your story who would be cast as "Policeman" or "Knight #7" etc., doesn't need a name or distinct personality.
My biggest struggle is making sure the characters behave in a manner that feels organic to the plot, and that the plot evolves naturally from the characters' actions. The best stories don't feel like the author is moving the characters like chess pieces or that she's dropping those Hunger Games golden balloons on them in order to advance the plot.
My biggest struggle is making sure the characters behave in a manner that feels organic to the plot, and that the plot evolves naturally from the characters' actions. The best stories don't feel like the author is moving the characters like chess pieces or that she's dropping those Hunger Games golden balloons on them in order to advance the plot.
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