Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "eden-baylee"
My latest author interview!
I was recently interviewed by the author Eden Baylee.
Check out the interview here: http://edenbaylee.wordpress.com/2012/...
Check out the interview here: http://edenbaylee.wordpress.com/2012/...
"Meet My Main Character" Blog Tour
I've been tagged by my fellow author Neil Winnington to take part in a blog challenge.
Here are the rules:
I have to write a post answering seven questions about a main character from one of my novels, then I nominate five other authors to answer the same questions about their main characters.
Here's a link to Neil's blog where he introduces Eva Compton-Snort a main character from his book Religious Pursuits. http://enwinauthor.blogspot.co.uk/201...
The main character I've chosen is Nigel Price, from my novel Haunted.
1. Tell us a little about this main character. Is he fictional or a historic person?
Nigel is fictional. He's a fifty-something man with a dark secret. We meet him at a point in his life when carrying the burden of his secret has become too much to bear.
2. When and where is the story set?
The story is set in London in the present day.
3. What should we know about him?
Nigel is a deeply disturbed man. He has lived with his secret for over 20 years and has already suffered a nervous breakdown years ago. He is a quiet man who likes to fade into the background. He works for a big company, but is on his own for most of the day in a small room where he's responsible for the mail, photocopying, and ordering stationary for the large organisation. He used to be a very successful man. In his twenties he was working as an IT specialist. He used to be loud and outspoken, but his secret has changed him.
4. What is the main conflict? What messes up his life?
An event that happened 20 years before in a moment of rage changed his life for good.
5. What is his personal goal?
Nigel lives from day to day. He wants to get his life back on track, wants to find a way to break through the guilt, and conquer the voices in his head.
6. What are the titles of your novels, and where can we read more about them?
Haunted is my latest novel, and definitely the darkest.
The others are:
Coincidences (originally published in 2001, second edition in 2012)
A Time to Tell (2006) - I'm currently working on a second edition that will be published towards the end of the year if everything goes to plan.
Second Chances (2010)
The Dream (2011)
You can read more about them on my website: http://www.mariasavva.com, and you can read excerpts on Microcerpt: http://microcerpt.com/mariasavva/
I also have lots of short story collections, and you can find out about them on my website, too.
7. When can we expect your next book to be published?
Well, the next book is a collaboration with photographers and other writers. It's part of the Mind's Eye Series. Darcia Helle and I wrote short stories inspired by photographs taken by Martin David Porter, and published Perspectives in April. We had so much fun that we decided to make it into a series of books and invite other authors and photographers. Book 2 will be called Reflections and will hopefully be published by the end of the year. It features more stories from me and Darcia, as well as poems from Ben Ditmars and Helle Gade, and short stories from Jason McIntyre and J. Michael Radcliffe. The photos in Reflections are by Helle and Martin.
Now I'll nominate five other authors... All these authors have written fantastic books and I'd recommend you try them!
Fantasy author, J. Michael Radcliffe, author of the excellent 'Beyond the Veil' series and many short stories. Michael owns 6 cats (although there may be more by now... he seems to get a new one every year!) He also loves dragons: http://michaelradcliffe.wordpress.com/
Talented writer, Laxmi Hariharan, who's currently at work on her Ruby Iyer series and about to release a new novel. She's a supportive writer who I met last year at the TLC writers' conference: http://www.laxmihariharan.com/
The wonderfully creative Julie Elizabeth Powell. Julie has written many books in multiple genres. She has written children's books, fantasy, murder/mystery, horror, and comedy. She is a friendly and supportive author: http://www.freewebs.com/julizpow/
Fantasy author and astrologer, Alex Sumner. His 'Magus' series of books is great, and he writes a very interesting blog: http://solascendans.com/
Last but not least, the talented author Eden Baylee. She's written many literary erotica stories, and her latest book is a different genre. A brilliant murder/mystery set in the Caribbean. I have an interview with Eden coming up next week on my blog where she chats about her writing and her new release 'Stranger at Sunset.' Don't miss it!: http://edenbaylee.com/
Here are the rules:
I have to write a post answering seven questions about a main character from one of my novels, then I nominate five other authors to answer the same questions about their main characters.
Here's a link to Neil's blog where he introduces Eva Compton-Snort a main character from his book Religious Pursuits. http://enwinauthor.blogspot.co.uk/201...
The main character I've chosen is Nigel Price, from my novel Haunted.
1. Tell us a little about this main character. Is he fictional or a historic person?
Nigel is fictional. He's a fifty-something man with a dark secret. We meet him at a point in his life when carrying the burden of his secret has become too much to bear.
2. When and where is the story set?
The story is set in London in the present day.
3. What should we know about him?
Nigel is a deeply disturbed man. He has lived with his secret for over 20 years and has already suffered a nervous breakdown years ago. He is a quiet man who likes to fade into the background. He works for a big company, but is on his own for most of the day in a small room where he's responsible for the mail, photocopying, and ordering stationary for the large organisation. He used to be a very successful man. In his twenties he was working as an IT specialist. He used to be loud and outspoken, but his secret has changed him.
4. What is the main conflict? What messes up his life?
An event that happened 20 years before in a moment of rage changed his life for good.
5. What is his personal goal?
Nigel lives from day to day. He wants to get his life back on track, wants to find a way to break through the guilt, and conquer the voices in his head.
6. What are the titles of your novels, and where can we read more about them?
Haunted is my latest novel, and definitely the darkest.
The others are:
Coincidences (originally published in 2001, second edition in 2012)
A Time to Tell (2006) - I'm currently working on a second edition that will be published towards the end of the year if everything goes to plan.
Second Chances (2010)
The Dream (2011)
You can read more about them on my website: http://www.mariasavva.com, and you can read excerpts on Microcerpt: http://microcerpt.com/mariasavva/
I also have lots of short story collections, and you can find out about them on my website, too.
7. When can we expect your next book to be published?
Well, the next book is a collaboration with photographers and other writers. It's part of the Mind's Eye Series. Darcia Helle and I wrote short stories inspired by photographs taken by Martin David Porter, and published Perspectives in April. We had so much fun that we decided to make it into a series of books and invite other authors and photographers. Book 2 will be called Reflections and will hopefully be published by the end of the year. It features more stories from me and Darcia, as well as poems from Ben Ditmars and Helle Gade, and short stories from Jason McIntyre and J. Michael Radcliffe. The photos in Reflections are by Helle and Martin.
Now I'll nominate five other authors... All these authors have written fantastic books and I'd recommend you try them!
Fantasy author, J. Michael Radcliffe, author of the excellent 'Beyond the Veil' series and many short stories. Michael owns 6 cats (although there may be more by now... he seems to get a new one every year!) He also loves dragons: http://michaelradcliffe.wordpress.com/
Talented writer, Laxmi Hariharan, who's currently at work on her Ruby Iyer series and about to release a new novel. She's a supportive writer who I met last year at the TLC writers' conference: http://www.laxmihariharan.com/
The wonderfully creative Julie Elizabeth Powell. Julie has written many books in multiple genres. She has written children's books, fantasy, murder/mystery, horror, and comedy. She is a friendly and supportive author: http://www.freewebs.com/julizpow/
Fantasy author and astrologer, Alex Sumner. His 'Magus' series of books is great, and he writes a very interesting blog: http://solascendans.com/
Last but not least, the talented author Eden Baylee. She's written many literary erotica stories, and her latest book is a different genre. A brilliant murder/mystery set in the Caribbean. I have an interview with Eden coming up next week on my blog where she chats about her writing and her new release 'Stranger at Sunset.' Don't miss it!: http://edenbaylee.com/
An interview with author Eden Baylee
Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to the talented Eden Baylee, a prolific author with many books to her name. She has just released her first full length novel, Stranger at Sunset. It's an atmospheric, engrossing mystery that will keep you hooked to the very last page. Luckily, it's the first in a series, so we will be treated to more stories featuring the enigmatic main character Kate Hampton.
Vacation can be a killer.
Dr. Kate Hampton, a respected psychiatrist, gathers with a group of strangers at her favorite travel spot, Sunset Villa in Jamaica. Included in the mix are friends of the owners, a businessman with dubious credentials, and a couple who won the trip from a TV game show.
It is January 2013, following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The luxury resort is struggling, not from the storm, but due to a scathing review from caustic travel writer, Matthew Kane. The owners have invited him back with hopes he will pen a more favorable review to restore their reputation.
Even though she is haunted by her own demons, Kate feels compelled to help. She sets out to discover the motivation behind Kane’s vitriol. Used to getting what he wants, has the reviewer met his match in Kate? Or has she met hers?
Stranger at Sunset is a slow-burning mystery/thriller as seen through the eyes of different narrators, each with their own murky sense of justice. As Kate's own psychological past begins to unravel, a mysterious stranger at Sunset may be the only one who can save her.
*********
After reading this wonderful book, I was keen to interview Eden about her writing and current plans:
How long have you been writing, and was there a defining moment when you knew you wanted to be a writer?
EB: Informally, I’ve been writing since my mid-teens, but I took the leap to writing full-time January 2010. As for any defining moment, I can’t say there was. I know many authors say they’ve known all their lives they wanted to write. I’ve only ever known I had a rich fantasy life, and I’ve always loved to read.
I believe the combination of these two things pushed me toward writing.
How many books have you published? Which was the hardest to write and why?
EB: I have 13 books published. The first twelve are erotica – anthologies and short stories. My latest, Stranger at Sunset is a psychological mystery/thriller.
This last book was the hardest to write because it’s my first novel. I’ve never written anything this long before, so the structure was completely new for me. As a ‘pantser,’ I found it challenging, which is not a bad thing.
Stranger at Sunset is the first in a series, have you written the rest of the series yet, or is that something that you're still working at?
EB: Definitely still planning and writing them! It’s such a fine balance daily of researching, writing, promoting, and reading. I need 72 hours in a day if not more.
Wow! That's definitely a challenge!
Your latest book is a deviation for you as you usually write erotica. Why did you decide to venture into a different type of genre?
EB: When I set out to write full-time, I started with erotica as it was a genre I knew well. I’ve been reading it since I was eleven, but … I also knew I would not write it forever. I have always considered erotica as a short story/novella-length genre. I never intended to write novels of it.
I enjoy reading the mystery and thriller genres. There are many nuances contained in them and different ways to tell a story. I’m not a ‘blood and guts’ storyteller, so I don’t have the stomach to write police procedurals or crime novels. Where my interest lies is in the motivations of people. That is why I classify my book as a psychological mystery/thriller, because much of it is based on intellectual mind games.
The novel starts with a murder, but you don’t know who the killer is or who is killed. That is revealed only much later in the book through the interplay of the characters.
I think you got the balance just right. I often get put off by gratuitous violence in books. Yours was perfectly crafted.
I really enjoyed Stranger at Sunset. There are references in the book to James Bond, and in fact the setting is supposed to be where a James Bond film was made. Are you a James Bond fan, and if so do you prefer the books or movies and what is your favourite James Bond film/book?
EB: Thank you for your lovely compliment, Maria! Sunset Villa, the name of the resort in the book, is based on an actual place I stayed in Jamaica. The name is fictitious, but it was located next to where Ian Fleming lived and wrote his James Bond novels.
I love spy thrillers and James Bond, of course. My favorites are the old films with Sean Connery. I also liked Casino Royale. As for the books, I haven’t read all of them, but I remember being totally engrossed with From Russia with Love. I was a teenager when I read it, and it seemed magical and sexy. I loved the “foreign-ness” of it, both in the language Fleming used and in the story itself.
I saw the films on TV as a child as my dad was a fan, so I have a few memories of them, but quite distant memories LOL.
I understand that Stranger at Sunset was inspired by a trip you took to Jamaica. Tell us a bit about that trip and what you'd recommend people see if they go there?
EB: Jamaica has many attractions and I was close to Ocho Rios. The small villa I stayed at was near Dunn’s River Falls and James Bond Beach. I’d recommend snorkeling and swimming if you love the water. There is also the Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary, which was established to protect the underwater sea life. I’m not a deep-sea diver, but I’ve been told you can see spectacular species of marine life in certain areas.
It sounds lovely :)
Your main character, Kate Hampton, is a psychiatrist. This involves knowledge about various mental health issues. How did you go about doing your research for this element of the book?
EB: I’ve always had an interest in psychology, and at one time wanted to get into it as a profession. Given that, I still read texts from the field, and one of my go-to books is the seminal work of Dr. Hervey M. Cleckley’s The Mask of Sanity. A professional in the field recommended it to me.
Cleckley was an American psychiatrist, and the book describes his interviews with patients in a locked institution. His detailed clinical description of psychopathy is still relevant today even though the book was written back in the forties.
I was also a student of Freud’s writings, but many of his observations are no longer studied. It all makes for good fiction though.
Are any of your characters based on real people?
EB: I’ve borrowed bits and parts of people, but no character is 100% true to anyone I know. Part of writing fiction is the fun of expanding on certain traits, but there were a couple of characters I had to tone down from real world people I knew. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction!
LOL, I know what you mean.
Apart from the series, are you working on any other projects?
EB: I don’t write a novel fast enough yet to work on too many writing projects at once. I keep an active blog, promote myself and other writers I respect, and try to do a couple of charity events each year. It keeps me out of trouble.
Do you write every day?
EB: Yes. I think it’s important, even if it’s only a short blog or an entry into a journal. The process of putting words together on paper (on screen) exercises the brain in a way only writing can.
What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
EB: It was Hellgoing by Lynn Coady, a former Canadian journalist. It’s a book of nine short stories. I’d recommend it because she’s a visual writer, and her stories are unique.
I love short stories, so I'll add that to my list!
Which authors have inspired your writing?
EB: Many. In erotica—Miller, Nin, Nabakov. In literary fiction, Bukowski, Fowles, Murakami, Steinbeck, and others. I tend toward the classics though I read a lot of indie authors too, and many have inspired me as well.
Do you have any tips for writers who may be thinking about self-publishing a book?
I’m no expert, and I’ve learned by observing and doing. And making tons of mistakes along the way! The indie community is extremely supportive, and there is a lot of information out there to help a new author. There are more knowledgeable people than me who can talk to the ‘publishing’ side of writing.
My main tip is to keep writing. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned by writing continuously. The fact that I cringe a little by reading some of my older works is a good thing. It means I’ve moved on from there. I feel the mark of any writer, no matter how they are published, should be to improve with each book they write.
I totally agree, Eden
Stranger at Sunset is extremely well edited. Who edits/proofreads your work?
EB: Thank you, Maria, and I’m sure my amazing editor, Annetta Ribken would thank you too. What she does very well is look at the big picture of a manuscript—plot holes, inconsistencies, and problems with story structure. As the author, I can tend to get engrossed in the minutiae of the book because I know it intimately. Annetta has the ability to pull me back, which is tremendously helpful.
We work well together because neither of us engages our egos in the process of editing. Ultimately, we both want what is best for the book.
Who designs your book covers?
EB: JB Graphics in Toronto designs all my book covers and media. His work is clean, spare, and appeals to my sense of aesthetics. I don’t like overly “busy” covers, and he has a way of ensuring the cover sets a mood for the book. I’m a visual person, and I love color, images, and fonts. They all need to blend together well to create a good cover.
You have great book covers!
Do you have any other news for your fans?
EB: One exciting piece of news was the partnership of Stranger at Sunset with iTunes, which I’m unaware another author has done. My book has a soundtrack!
Before the book came out, I used certain songs leading up to its release as clues for the story. It seemed only natural to pair my two loves—music and words. You can sample and buy the play list here:
iTunes Playlist
For now though, I’m working hard to promote Stranger at Sunset while drafting the next two books in the series. I will also be doing some free giveaways of my backlist. Announcements will be made on my monthly newsletter, so I encourage readers to add their names to my mailing list.
Many thanks for the interview Maria. I really appreciate all you to do. It’s been a pleasure to chat with you.
Thank you for being a guest here, Eden!
I love that iTunes idea, and I'm not aware of other authors having done that, either! :)
Author Bio
Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to become a full-time writer. She incorporates many of her favorite things into her writing such as: travel; humor; music; poetry; art; and much more.
Stranger at Sunset is her first mystery novel, on the heels of several books of erotic anthologies and short stories. She writes in multiple genres.
An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often!
To stay apprised of Eden’s book-related news, please add your name to her mailing list.
Links:
Website: http://edenbayleebooks.com/
Blog: http://edenbaylee.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/edenbaylee
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/edenbaylee/
LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/pub/eden-baylee/31/62...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edenbaylee
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/edenbaylee
Get your copy of Stranger at Sunset from Amazon:
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stranger-at-S...
US: http://www.amazon.com/Stranger-at-Sun...
Worldwide: http://authl.it/B00L7BVDFM
Vacation can be a killer.
Dr. Kate Hampton, a respected psychiatrist, gathers with a group of strangers at her favorite travel spot, Sunset Villa in Jamaica. Included in the mix are friends of the owners, a businessman with dubious credentials, and a couple who won the trip from a TV game show.
It is January 2013, following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The luxury resort is struggling, not from the storm, but due to a scathing review from caustic travel writer, Matthew Kane. The owners have invited him back with hopes he will pen a more favorable review to restore their reputation.
Even though she is haunted by her own demons, Kate feels compelled to help. She sets out to discover the motivation behind Kane’s vitriol. Used to getting what he wants, has the reviewer met his match in Kate? Or has she met hers?
Stranger at Sunset is a slow-burning mystery/thriller as seen through the eyes of different narrators, each with their own murky sense of justice. As Kate's own psychological past begins to unravel, a mysterious stranger at Sunset may be the only one who can save her.
*********
After reading this wonderful book, I was keen to interview Eden about her writing and current plans:
How long have you been writing, and was there a defining moment when you knew you wanted to be a writer?
EB: Informally, I’ve been writing since my mid-teens, but I took the leap to writing full-time January 2010. As for any defining moment, I can’t say there was. I know many authors say they’ve known all their lives they wanted to write. I’ve only ever known I had a rich fantasy life, and I’ve always loved to read.
I believe the combination of these two things pushed me toward writing.
How many books have you published? Which was the hardest to write and why?
EB: I have 13 books published. The first twelve are erotica – anthologies and short stories. My latest, Stranger at Sunset is a psychological mystery/thriller.
This last book was the hardest to write because it’s my first novel. I’ve never written anything this long before, so the structure was completely new for me. As a ‘pantser,’ I found it challenging, which is not a bad thing.
Stranger at Sunset is the first in a series, have you written the rest of the series yet, or is that something that you're still working at?
EB: Definitely still planning and writing them! It’s such a fine balance daily of researching, writing, promoting, and reading. I need 72 hours in a day if not more.
Wow! That's definitely a challenge!
Your latest book is a deviation for you as you usually write erotica. Why did you decide to venture into a different type of genre?
EB: When I set out to write full-time, I started with erotica as it was a genre I knew well. I’ve been reading it since I was eleven, but … I also knew I would not write it forever. I have always considered erotica as a short story/novella-length genre. I never intended to write novels of it.
I enjoy reading the mystery and thriller genres. There are many nuances contained in them and different ways to tell a story. I’m not a ‘blood and guts’ storyteller, so I don’t have the stomach to write police procedurals or crime novels. Where my interest lies is in the motivations of people. That is why I classify my book as a psychological mystery/thriller, because much of it is based on intellectual mind games.
The novel starts with a murder, but you don’t know who the killer is or who is killed. That is revealed only much later in the book through the interplay of the characters.
I think you got the balance just right. I often get put off by gratuitous violence in books. Yours was perfectly crafted.
I really enjoyed Stranger at Sunset. There are references in the book to James Bond, and in fact the setting is supposed to be where a James Bond film was made. Are you a James Bond fan, and if so do you prefer the books or movies and what is your favourite James Bond film/book?
EB: Thank you for your lovely compliment, Maria! Sunset Villa, the name of the resort in the book, is based on an actual place I stayed in Jamaica. The name is fictitious, but it was located next to where Ian Fleming lived and wrote his James Bond novels.
I love spy thrillers and James Bond, of course. My favorites are the old films with Sean Connery. I also liked Casino Royale. As for the books, I haven’t read all of them, but I remember being totally engrossed with From Russia with Love. I was a teenager when I read it, and it seemed magical and sexy. I loved the “foreign-ness” of it, both in the language Fleming used and in the story itself.
I saw the films on TV as a child as my dad was a fan, so I have a few memories of them, but quite distant memories LOL.
I understand that Stranger at Sunset was inspired by a trip you took to Jamaica. Tell us a bit about that trip and what you'd recommend people see if they go there?
EB: Jamaica has many attractions and I was close to Ocho Rios. The small villa I stayed at was near Dunn’s River Falls and James Bond Beach. I’d recommend snorkeling and swimming if you love the water. There is also the Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary, which was established to protect the underwater sea life. I’m not a deep-sea diver, but I’ve been told you can see spectacular species of marine life in certain areas.
It sounds lovely :)
Your main character, Kate Hampton, is a psychiatrist. This involves knowledge about various mental health issues. How did you go about doing your research for this element of the book?
EB: I’ve always had an interest in psychology, and at one time wanted to get into it as a profession. Given that, I still read texts from the field, and one of my go-to books is the seminal work of Dr. Hervey M. Cleckley’s The Mask of Sanity. A professional in the field recommended it to me.
Cleckley was an American psychiatrist, and the book describes his interviews with patients in a locked institution. His detailed clinical description of psychopathy is still relevant today even though the book was written back in the forties.
I was also a student of Freud’s writings, but many of his observations are no longer studied. It all makes for good fiction though.
Are any of your characters based on real people?
EB: I’ve borrowed bits and parts of people, but no character is 100% true to anyone I know. Part of writing fiction is the fun of expanding on certain traits, but there were a couple of characters I had to tone down from real world people I knew. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction!
LOL, I know what you mean.
Apart from the series, are you working on any other projects?
EB: I don’t write a novel fast enough yet to work on too many writing projects at once. I keep an active blog, promote myself and other writers I respect, and try to do a couple of charity events each year. It keeps me out of trouble.
Do you write every day?
EB: Yes. I think it’s important, even if it’s only a short blog or an entry into a journal. The process of putting words together on paper (on screen) exercises the brain in a way only writing can.
What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
EB: It was Hellgoing by Lynn Coady, a former Canadian journalist. It’s a book of nine short stories. I’d recommend it because she’s a visual writer, and her stories are unique.
I love short stories, so I'll add that to my list!
Which authors have inspired your writing?
EB: Many. In erotica—Miller, Nin, Nabakov. In literary fiction, Bukowski, Fowles, Murakami, Steinbeck, and others. I tend toward the classics though I read a lot of indie authors too, and many have inspired me as well.
Do you have any tips for writers who may be thinking about self-publishing a book?
I’m no expert, and I’ve learned by observing and doing. And making tons of mistakes along the way! The indie community is extremely supportive, and there is a lot of information out there to help a new author. There are more knowledgeable people than me who can talk to the ‘publishing’ side of writing.
My main tip is to keep writing. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned by writing continuously. The fact that I cringe a little by reading some of my older works is a good thing. It means I’ve moved on from there. I feel the mark of any writer, no matter how they are published, should be to improve with each book they write.
I totally agree, Eden
Stranger at Sunset is extremely well edited. Who edits/proofreads your work?
EB: Thank you, Maria, and I’m sure my amazing editor, Annetta Ribken would thank you too. What she does very well is look at the big picture of a manuscript—plot holes, inconsistencies, and problems with story structure. As the author, I can tend to get engrossed in the minutiae of the book because I know it intimately. Annetta has the ability to pull me back, which is tremendously helpful.
We work well together because neither of us engages our egos in the process of editing. Ultimately, we both want what is best for the book.
Who designs your book covers?
EB: JB Graphics in Toronto designs all my book covers and media. His work is clean, spare, and appeals to my sense of aesthetics. I don’t like overly “busy” covers, and he has a way of ensuring the cover sets a mood for the book. I’m a visual person, and I love color, images, and fonts. They all need to blend together well to create a good cover.
You have great book covers!
Do you have any other news for your fans?
EB: One exciting piece of news was the partnership of Stranger at Sunset with iTunes, which I’m unaware another author has done. My book has a soundtrack!
Before the book came out, I used certain songs leading up to its release as clues for the story. It seemed only natural to pair my two loves—music and words. You can sample and buy the play list here:
iTunes Playlist
For now though, I’m working hard to promote Stranger at Sunset while drafting the next two books in the series. I will also be doing some free giveaways of my backlist. Announcements will be made on my monthly newsletter, so I encourage readers to add their names to my mailing list.
Many thanks for the interview Maria. I really appreciate all you to do. It’s been a pleasure to chat with you.
Thank you for being a guest here, Eden!
I love that iTunes idea, and I'm not aware of other authors having done that, either! :)
Author Bio
Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to become a full-time writer. She incorporates many of her favorite things into her writing such as: travel; humor; music; poetry; art; and much more.
Stranger at Sunset is her first mystery novel, on the heels of several books of erotic anthologies and short stories. She writes in multiple genres.
An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often!
To stay apprised of Eden’s book-related news, please add your name to her mailing list.
Links:
Website: http://edenbayleebooks.com/
Blog: http://edenbaylee.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/edenbaylee
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/edenbaylee/
LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/pub/eden-baylee/31/62...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edenbaylee
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/edenbaylee
Get your copy of Stranger at Sunset from Amazon:
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stranger-at-S...
US: http://www.amazon.com/Stranger-at-Sun...
Worldwide: http://authl.it/B00L7BVDFM
Update on my writing
I'm working on a few different projects at the moment.
1. "Triptychs" - What is that? I hear you ask. Well, I had to google the word when it was first suggested as a title for the upcoming anthology I'm working on with a few fellow writers. J. Michael Radcliffe suggested it, and when I found out what it means, I thought it was perfect for the book.
Triptychs will be the 3rd book in the Mind's Eye Series. Perspectives and Reflections, the first two books in the series were published last year. This is a series of anthologies where authors/poets write their story/poem inspired by a photograph.
The reason we're calling the 3rd book "Triptychs" is because there will be 3 poems/stories for each of the photographs featured in the book. Definition of "triptych": "a set of three associated artistic, literary, or musical works intended to be appreciated together".
I've written 2 new short stories for the collection, and there will also be stories from: Darcia Helle, J. Michael Radcliffe, Jason McIntyre, Julie Elizabeth Powell, Eden Baylee, Lisette Brodey, Marc Nash, Geoffrey David West, and Jay Finn. Poems will be contributed by Helle Gade and Ben Ditmars.
Photographs in the collection were taken by Martin David Porter and Helle Gade.
The anthology is almost finished. I'll have more news about that soon.
2. While we're on the subject of short stories, I will have a new short story collection out sometime this year (I say that optimistically as I am trying to fit it in between other projects!). This one is called 'Lost and Found'. One of the stories is called 'Lost and Found', but the collection will include some short stories I wrote in the '90s, which I thought were lost because they were on an old floppy disk and I couldn't retrieve them; recently I found typed copies in a drawer at home while cleaning (this is proof that I need to clean up more often!).
I was very happy to find them again after so many years, especially after thinking they'd been lost. So I thought that title would be very fitting for the collection. So far I've only typed up and edited one of the stories, so it may be a while before the book is ready to be published.
3. A Time to Tell - I'm working on a second edition of the novel. It was originally published in 2006 but is no longer available in paperback, so I'm soon going to release a revised/re-edited version in e-book and paperback. Watch this space for news.
4. My new novel will hopefully be ready for publication sometime this year. I wrote the first draft it in just under two months last year, which is the quickest I've ever written a novel. It usually takes me about 6 months. I've read over the first draft and done an initial edit, but will need to read it over again before sending to my editor. The novel is called 'In the Web of Dreams and Lies'. It's part thriller/horror, part romance/contemporary fiction, with a splash of humour and paranormal. I have already designed a cover for it, but will wait to reveal that nearer to the publication date.
Best places to keep up with my writing news are my website: http://www.mariasavva.com/site/ and my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author...
1. "Triptychs" - What is that? I hear you ask. Well, I had to google the word when it was first suggested as a title for the upcoming anthology I'm working on with a few fellow writers. J. Michael Radcliffe suggested it, and when I found out what it means, I thought it was perfect for the book.
Triptychs will be the 3rd book in the Mind's Eye Series. Perspectives and Reflections, the first two books in the series were published last year. This is a series of anthologies where authors/poets write their story/poem inspired by a photograph.
The reason we're calling the 3rd book "Triptychs" is because there will be 3 poems/stories for each of the photographs featured in the book. Definition of "triptych": "a set of three associated artistic, literary, or musical works intended to be appreciated together".
I've written 2 new short stories for the collection, and there will also be stories from: Darcia Helle, J. Michael Radcliffe, Jason McIntyre, Julie Elizabeth Powell, Eden Baylee, Lisette Brodey, Marc Nash, Geoffrey David West, and Jay Finn. Poems will be contributed by Helle Gade and Ben Ditmars.
Photographs in the collection were taken by Martin David Porter and Helle Gade.
The anthology is almost finished. I'll have more news about that soon.
2. While we're on the subject of short stories, I will have a new short story collection out sometime this year (I say that optimistically as I am trying to fit it in between other projects!). This one is called 'Lost and Found'. One of the stories is called 'Lost and Found', but the collection will include some short stories I wrote in the '90s, which I thought were lost because they were on an old floppy disk and I couldn't retrieve them; recently I found typed copies in a drawer at home while cleaning (this is proof that I need to clean up more often!).
I was very happy to find them again after so many years, especially after thinking they'd been lost. So I thought that title would be very fitting for the collection. So far I've only typed up and edited one of the stories, so it may be a while before the book is ready to be published.
3. A Time to Tell - I'm working on a second edition of the novel. It was originally published in 2006 but is no longer available in paperback, so I'm soon going to release a revised/re-edited version in e-book and paperback. Watch this space for news.
4. My new novel will hopefully be ready for publication sometime this year. I wrote the first draft it in just under two months last year, which is the quickest I've ever written a novel. It usually takes me about 6 months. I've read over the first draft and done an initial edit, but will need to read it over again before sending to my editor. The novel is called 'In the Web of Dreams and Lies'. It's part thriller/horror, part romance/contemporary fiction, with a splash of humour and paranormal. I have already designed a cover for it, but will wait to reveal that nearer to the publication date.
Best places to keep up with my writing news are my website: http://www.mariasavva.com/site/ and my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author...
Cover Reveal: Triptychs - Book 3 in The Mind's Eye Series
I'm very excited to announce that book 3 in The Mind's Eye Series will soon be available for pre-order at Amazon! It's in the final formatting stages at the moment :)
The book is called "Triptychs". The definition of the word is: "a set of three associated artistic, literary, or musical works intended to be appreciated together."
In the book, you will find eight photographs and three stories and/or poems which were inspired by each photograph. It was a bit of an experiment to see how similar/different the stories inspired by the same photo would be. As with all the books in the series, writers were allocated the photographs at random and were not given any information by the photographers.
The writers involved in the project are: Darcia Helle (who, like me, has been involved in the series from the start and has written stories for Perspectives and Reflections); J. Michael Radcliffe, Ben Ditmars, Helle Gade, and Jason McIntyre, who all wrote stories/poems for Reflections. New writers who joined us for Triptychs: Lisette Brodey, Eden Baylee, Marc Nash, Julie Elizabeth Powell, Jay Finn, and Geoffrey West.
Photographers involved in the series: Martin David Porter and Helle Gade.
Each writer has contributed two stories or poems. Everyone has different writing styles, so you'll find fantasy stories, suspense, dark fiction, literary fiction, experimental prose, and everything in between!
Here's the beautiful cover, which was designed by Jason McIntyre (from one of Helle Gade's photographs). Jason is one of the writers, but is also a talented graphic designer. He also provided the blurb for the book.
My two stories for this collection are called "Glimmer Siluridae" and "Lost in You".
The first one is a fantasy tale and the second a more reflective, dark fiction story.
You can find Perspectives and Reflections (the first two books in the series) at the following links (available in eBook and paperback)
Perspectives:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Perspectives-...
Reflections:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reflections-M...
I'll let you know when Triptychs is available for pre-order! :)
The book is called "Triptychs". The definition of the word is: "a set of three associated artistic, literary, or musical works intended to be appreciated together."
In the book, you will find eight photographs and three stories and/or poems which were inspired by each photograph. It was a bit of an experiment to see how similar/different the stories inspired by the same photo would be. As with all the books in the series, writers were allocated the photographs at random and were not given any information by the photographers.
The writers involved in the project are: Darcia Helle (who, like me, has been involved in the series from the start and has written stories for Perspectives and Reflections); J. Michael Radcliffe, Ben Ditmars, Helle Gade, and Jason McIntyre, who all wrote stories/poems for Reflections. New writers who joined us for Triptychs: Lisette Brodey, Eden Baylee, Marc Nash, Julie Elizabeth Powell, Jay Finn, and Geoffrey West.
Photographers involved in the series: Martin David Porter and Helle Gade.
Each writer has contributed two stories or poems. Everyone has different writing styles, so you'll find fantasy stories, suspense, dark fiction, literary fiction, experimental prose, and everything in between!
Here's the beautiful cover, which was designed by Jason McIntyre (from one of Helle Gade's photographs). Jason is one of the writers, but is also a talented graphic designer. He also provided the blurb for the book.
My two stories for this collection are called "Glimmer Siluridae" and "Lost in You".
The first one is a fantasy tale and the second a more reflective, dark fiction story.
You can find Perspectives and Reflections (the first two books in the series) at the following links (available in eBook and paperback)
Perspectives:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Perspectives-...
Reflections:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reflections-M...
I'll let you know when Triptychs is available for pre-order! :)
Triptychs available for pre-order!!
You can now pre-order a copy of the latest book in The Mind's Eye Series, "Triptychs" on Amazon Kindle! It's available at the special pre-order price of 99c/99p. The price will rise to £3.99/$3.99 when it's published on 16th March.
You'll find two new stories from me in the collection, a fantasy story called "Glimmer Siluridae", and a dark and twisted tale of love lost, called "Lost in You".
There are also stories from the talented, Darcia Helle, J. Michael Radcliffe, Lisette Brodey, Jay Finn, Eden Baylee, Geoffrey West, Marc Nash, Jason McIntyre, and Julie Elizabeth Powell, as well as poetry from the wonderful Helle Gade, and Ben Ditmars.
All stories and poems in the collection were inspired by photos taken by Martin David Porter and Helle Gade (you'll find the stunning photos in the book).
Grab your copy at the following links:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Triptychs-Minds...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Triptychs-Min...
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/Triptychs-Mi...
Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/Triptychs-Minds-...
Amazon IN: http://www.amazon.in/Triptychs-Minds-...
Amazon JP: http://www.amazon.co.jp/Triptychs-Min...
Amazon IT: http://www.amazon.it/Triptychs-Minds-...
Amazon ES: http://www.amazon.es/Triptychs-Minds-...
Amazon FR: http://www.amazon.fr/Triptychs-Minds-...
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/Triptychs-Minds-...
Amazon MX: http://www.amazon.com.mx/Triptychs-Mi...
Amazon BR: http://www.amazon.com.br/Triptychs-Mi...
Amazon NL: http://www.amazon.nl/Triptychs-Minds-...
You'll find two new stories from me in the collection, a fantasy story called "Glimmer Siluridae", and a dark and twisted tale of love lost, called "Lost in You".
There are also stories from the talented, Darcia Helle, J. Michael Radcliffe, Lisette Brodey, Jay Finn, Eden Baylee, Geoffrey West, Marc Nash, Jason McIntyre, and Julie Elizabeth Powell, as well as poetry from the wonderful Helle Gade, and Ben Ditmars.
All stories and poems in the collection were inspired by photos taken by Martin David Porter and Helle Gade (you'll find the stunning photos in the book).
Grab your copy at the following links:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Triptychs-Minds...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Triptychs-Min...
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/Triptychs-Mi...
Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/Triptychs-Minds-...
Amazon IN: http://www.amazon.in/Triptychs-Minds-...
Amazon JP: http://www.amazon.co.jp/Triptychs-Min...
Amazon IT: http://www.amazon.it/Triptychs-Minds-...
Amazon ES: http://www.amazon.es/Triptychs-Minds-...
Amazon FR: http://www.amazon.fr/Triptychs-Minds-...
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/Triptychs-Minds-...
Amazon MX: http://www.amazon.com.mx/Triptychs-Mi...
Amazon BR: http://www.amazon.com.br/Triptychs-Mi...
Amazon NL: http://www.amazon.nl/Triptychs-Minds-...
Book Review: Unlocking the Mystery, by Eden Baylee
Unlocking the Mystery by Eden BayleeMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Unlocking the Mystery is a well crafted short story about love, life, loss, and hope. It's a fast paced read that definitely kept me interested throughout. There is some erotic content in the book but it's mostly a romance and an enchanting mystery. I think there is always something intriguing about reading other people's letters, especially when they were written years ago. Letter writing and correspondence between lovers is a big part of this story. The couple have a unique love affair which is discovered through the letters they exchanged.
Evelyn is the main character in the story. She discovers the letters not long after moving into her new home. There are many coincidences tied up with her find and she feels compelled to visit Ireland to find out more about the man behind the letters. The trip turns out to be life-changing for Evelyn.
A compelling story that will make you think about the true meaning of love.
View all my reviews
Interview with Eden Baylee - and a giveaway!
Today I'm thrilled to be introducing you to Eden Baylee. She's a very talented writer who has written many novels and short stories. Eden also contributed stories to Triptychs (Book 3 in the Mind's Eye Series). She's one of the friendliest authors I know and she's always very supportive of fellow writers.
Eden has also offered to give away one of her books to one of my blog readers. Keep reading this post to find out how you can enter to win.
INTERVIEW WITH EDEN BAYLEE
Welcome to my blog, Eden, it's lovely to have you as a guest. Firstly, tell us where does your inspiration come from?
It doesn’t come from any one person or place. I can name a few writers I’ve admired for various reasons: Charles Bukowski for his brash honesty and brevity; John Fowles for his imaginative storytelling; John Steinbeck for his masterful prose; and countless poets who’ve inspired me to think differently about my writing.
Many musical talents have also inspired me with their lyrics and style – Paul Simon, David Bowie, the Beatles.
I believe inspiration can hit at any time if we are open to it. Whether it’s at an art show, live theatre, or an encounter with someone who makes me see something outside the norm, I am always ready to be amazed. It doesn’t happen too often, but it’s great when it does.
Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book is a novella called The Lei Crime Series: Charade at Sea for the Lei Crime Kindle World. I wrote it to unite two characters I introduced in my first two books for the series.
In A Snake in Paradise, I introduced Lainey Lee, a recently divorced woman trying to make it on her own after years in a bad marriage. She travels to the Big Island as a gift to herself but falls into the middle of a crime ring.
In the second book, The Lei Crime Series: Seal of a Monk, Lainey returns to Hawaii and meets ex-Navy SEAL, Max Scott in Kauai. They work together to find a missing girl and romance is hinted at the very end of the book.
In Charade at Sea, the storyline focuses on the developing romance between Lainey and Max. The setting is a cruise ship around the Hawaiian Islands.
Unfortunately, these Kindle World books are available only on Amazon.com for now.
How much research do you do when writing a book?
It really depends on the story. For the Lei Crime series, I knew nothing about Hawaii, tattoos, and Navy SEALS. I had to research each of these topics as my stories unfolded. The old adage of “Write what you know” is a great one, but it also points out how much I don’t know!
Ha, ha!
As well, if I were only to write what I know, it would be a less interesting journey for me as I enjoy learning new things.
Very true. I agree. One of the great things about writing is that we learn about a lot of things we would otherwise never know about!
In my novel, Stranger at Sunset, I was familiar with the setting of Jamaica where the story took place, but there were many plot points I had to research. As an example, the story involved murder using an unusual substance, so I consulted a Professor of Pharmacy to ensure the scenario I wanted to write was possible.
An author can make up some things, but unless you are writing fantasy or science fiction where you create new worlds, it’s still important to get the facts straight.
Who does your cover design? Is there anyone you’d recommend?
All of my cover designs are done by JBGraphics.
Full disclosure. He is my husband, so we work closely on every aspect of my book design and media. My best advice for anyone looking for design work is to visit a designer’s website. See if their style is something you might like for your own designs. In my case, I am lucky I have a lot of input into how my covers ultimately turn out.
For me, book covers are important in presenting a mood and an idea for what the story is about. The clearer you are able to convey this to the designer, the better he/she will be able to give you what you want.
What type of music do you prefer to listen to?
I’m an audiophile and I love most music. I tend to listen to classic rock if I have a choice. It’s familiar and always good, and I can sing along to it. I also listen to a lot of blues and jazz if I’m just relaxing. I grew up in the disco age, so I know that era of music very well, but it’s not my “go-to” music.
I have an open mind for most types of music, so if there is something new or different, I will give it a listen before I decide whether I like it or not. Music tends to sit deeply in my unconscious. A song can conjure an old memory for me, and if it was a pleasant memory, then I fall in love with the song all over again.
When writing a novel or story, do you think word count is important? If so, what is the ideal length?
I use word count as a guideline for readers, so it’s more important for them than it is for me. In my novellas for the Lei Crime Kindle World series, the stories range from 18K-24K. A novel can be anywhere from 50K – 100K. Depending on where you get your information, these numbers may differ.
I don’t know if there is an ideal length for readers. The trend toward shorter stories, packaged in a series, as opposed to the 100K-word novels might lead one to think it’s better to write novellas or short stories, but I think this would be a mistake.
Ultimately, you cannot chase the trends, and the only thing an author has control over is their story. The story will dictate the number of words necessary to tell it. Whether you decide to break up the final product into a series of shorter books or sell it as a novel is just packaging.
Agreed
Do you have any advice for writers as to how to deal with bad reviews?
Yes. Read it and move on. Don’t dwell on it. If you think there is merit to the review such as bad grammar, the plot had holes in it, the characters were wooden, etc, then learn from it for the next time. If you think the review is bogus, ignore it.
Readers can love or hate a book for any reason. They do not need to justify themselves in a way that satisfies the author, so there is no point in getting upset or telling the whole world about it.
Bad reviews can teach us much more than good ones. For example, if you are getting bad reviews consistently, and the reviews are all saying the same thing, then it’s worth taking a step back. Read your book again with objectivity, and remove your ego from the equation. Learn how you can improve. Writing is a lifelong process, and there is always something we can learn!
Wise advice!
Thanks you for joining me here, Eden!
Thanks so much, Maria, for inviting me for an interview. I truly appreciate your generosity.
As a gift for your readers, I’d like to offer a commenter an e-book from my Lei Crime Kindle Worlds series. They can choose the one they like. Though readers outside the USA cannot buy it, I can still send them a gift of it.
I’ll let you choose the winner!
Thank you, Eden, that's very generous!
****************************************
About Eden
Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to write and is now a full-time author of multiple genres. She has written three collections of erotic novellas and flash fiction ~ Spring into Summer, Fall into Winter, and Hot Flash.
In 2014, she launched the first novel of her trilogy with Dr. Kate Hampton—a psychological mystery/suspense called Stranger at Sunset. In addition to working on her next novel, Eden created Lainey Lee for the Lei Crime Series, a feisty divorcée who finds adventure and romance in Hawaii. An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often!
To stay apprised of Eden's book-related news, please add your name to: her mailing list.
For more information about the author, visit her website: http://www.edenbayleebooks.com or find her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/edenbaylee and Twitter: https://twitter.com/edenbaylee
You can also follow her on: Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Eden-Baylee/e/... or Amazon.UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eden-Baylee/...
*****************************************
Remember, for your chance to win a copy of one of Eden's Lei Crime series books, just leave a comment below. I'll pick a winner on Friday 12th August!
Good luck!
Eden has also offered to give away one of her books to one of my blog readers. Keep reading this post to find out how you can enter to win.
INTERVIEW WITH EDEN BAYLEE
Welcome to my blog, Eden, it's lovely to have you as a guest. Firstly, tell us where does your inspiration come from?
It doesn’t come from any one person or place. I can name a few writers I’ve admired for various reasons: Charles Bukowski for his brash honesty and brevity; John Fowles for his imaginative storytelling; John Steinbeck for his masterful prose; and countless poets who’ve inspired me to think differently about my writing.
Many musical talents have also inspired me with their lyrics and style – Paul Simon, David Bowie, the Beatles.
I believe inspiration can hit at any time if we are open to it. Whether it’s at an art show, live theatre, or an encounter with someone who makes me see something outside the norm, I am always ready to be amazed. It doesn’t happen too often, but it’s great when it does.
Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book is a novella called The Lei Crime Series: Charade at Sea for the Lei Crime Kindle World. I wrote it to unite two characters I introduced in my first two books for the series.
In A Snake in Paradise, I introduced Lainey Lee, a recently divorced woman trying to make it on her own after years in a bad marriage. She travels to the Big Island as a gift to herself but falls into the middle of a crime ring.
In the second book, The Lei Crime Series: Seal of a Monk, Lainey returns to Hawaii and meets ex-Navy SEAL, Max Scott in Kauai. They work together to find a missing girl and romance is hinted at the very end of the book.
In Charade at Sea, the storyline focuses on the developing romance between Lainey and Max. The setting is a cruise ship around the Hawaiian Islands.
Unfortunately, these Kindle World books are available only on Amazon.com for now.
How much research do you do when writing a book?
It really depends on the story. For the Lei Crime series, I knew nothing about Hawaii, tattoos, and Navy SEALS. I had to research each of these topics as my stories unfolded. The old adage of “Write what you know” is a great one, but it also points out how much I don’t know!
Ha, ha!
As well, if I were only to write what I know, it would be a less interesting journey for me as I enjoy learning new things.
Very true. I agree. One of the great things about writing is that we learn about a lot of things we would otherwise never know about!
In my novel, Stranger at Sunset, I was familiar with the setting of Jamaica where the story took place, but there were many plot points I had to research. As an example, the story involved murder using an unusual substance, so I consulted a Professor of Pharmacy to ensure the scenario I wanted to write was possible.
An author can make up some things, but unless you are writing fantasy or science fiction where you create new worlds, it’s still important to get the facts straight.
Who does your cover design? Is there anyone you’d recommend?
All of my cover designs are done by JBGraphics.
Full disclosure. He is my husband, so we work closely on every aspect of my book design and media. My best advice for anyone looking for design work is to visit a designer’s website. See if their style is something you might like for your own designs. In my case, I am lucky I have a lot of input into how my covers ultimately turn out.
For me, book covers are important in presenting a mood and an idea for what the story is about. The clearer you are able to convey this to the designer, the better he/she will be able to give you what you want.
What type of music do you prefer to listen to?
I’m an audiophile and I love most music. I tend to listen to classic rock if I have a choice. It’s familiar and always good, and I can sing along to it. I also listen to a lot of blues and jazz if I’m just relaxing. I grew up in the disco age, so I know that era of music very well, but it’s not my “go-to” music.
I have an open mind for most types of music, so if there is something new or different, I will give it a listen before I decide whether I like it or not. Music tends to sit deeply in my unconscious. A song can conjure an old memory for me, and if it was a pleasant memory, then I fall in love with the song all over again.
When writing a novel or story, do you think word count is important? If so, what is the ideal length?
I use word count as a guideline for readers, so it’s more important for them than it is for me. In my novellas for the Lei Crime Kindle World series, the stories range from 18K-24K. A novel can be anywhere from 50K – 100K. Depending on where you get your information, these numbers may differ.
I don’t know if there is an ideal length for readers. The trend toward shorter stories, packaged in a series, as opposed to the 100K-word novels might lead one to think it’s better to write novellas or short stories, but I think this would be a mistake.
Ultimately, you cannot chase the trends, and the only thing an author has control over is their story. The story will dictate the number of words necessary to tell it. Whether you decide to break up the final product into a series of shorter books or sell it as a novel is just packaging.
Agreed
Do you have any advice for writers as to how to deal with bad reviews?
Yes. Read it and move on. Don’t dwell on it. If you think there is merit to the review such as bad grammar, the plot had holes in it, the characters were wooden, etc, then learn from it for the next time. If you think the review is bogus, ignore it.
Readers can love or hate a book for any reason. They do not need to justify themselves in a way that satisfies the author, so there is no point in getting upset or telling the whole world about it.
Bad reviews can teach us much more than good ones. For example, if you are getting bad reviews consistently, and the reviews are all saying the same thing, then it’s worth taking a step back. Read your book again with objectivity, and remove your ego from the equation. Learn how you can improve. Writing is a lifelong process, and there is always something we can learn!
Wise advice!
Thanks you for joining me here, Eden!
Thanks so much, Maria, for inviting me for an interview. I truly appreciate your generosity.
As a gift for your readers, I’d like to offer a commenter an e-book from my Lei Crime Kindle Worlds series. They can choose the one they like. Though readers outside the USA cannot buy it, I can still send them a gift of it.
I’ll let you choose the winner!
Thank you, Eden, that's very generous!
****************************************
About Eden
Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to write and is now a full-time author of multiple genres. She has written three collections of erotic novellas and flash fiction ~ Spring into Summer, Fall into Winter, and Hot Flash.
In 2014, she launched the first novel of her trilogy with Dr. Kate Hampton—a psychological mystery/suspense called Stranger at Sunset. In addition to working on her next novel, Eden created Lainey Lee for the Lei Crime Series, a feisty divorcée who finds adventure and romance in Hawaii. An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often!
To stay apprised of Eden's book-related news, please add your name to: her mailing list.
For more information about the author, visit her website: http://www.edenbayleebooks.com or find her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/edenbaylee and Twitter: https://twitter.com/edenbaylee
You can also follow her on: Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Eden-Baylee/e/... or Amazon.UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eden-Baylee/...
*****************************************
Remember, for your chance to win a copy of one of Eden's Lei Crime series books, just leave a comment below. I'll pick a winner on Friday 12th August!
Good luck!
Book review: A Snake in Paradise, by Eden Baylee
A Snake in Paradise by Eden BayleeMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am familiar with Eden Baylee's work having read a few of her short stories and her novel Stranger at Sunset. I've always enjoyed her work. She's a very skilled author. The descriptive quality of her writing puts the reader in the characters' shoes and evokes imagery so that it almost feels as if you are watching the action.
I was not familiar with the Lei Crime series and understand that these books are only available from Amazon.com at the moment. The author kindly gifted a copy to me so that I could read it.
A Snake in Paradise is a quick read that has a lot of depth. Lainey Lee is a 49-year-old woman who is newly divorced. She travels to Hawaii, somewhere she has always wanted to visit. The prologue sets the scene for some kind of criminal activity but doesn't give too much away. We then follow Lainey on her trip as she meets up with many interesting characters. This story will keep you guessing, and as it unfolds it becomes clear that this paradise destination is not as heavenly as it first seemed.
I enjoyed this story and would describe it as a page turner because it's the kind of book that you want to carry on reading to find out what happens next.
View all my reviews
