Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "murder-mystery"
Meet Nestor Maronski & your chance to win a pdf of Cutting The Fat!
As many of you will already be aware, I recently wrote a murder/mystery novella with author Jason McIntyre.
This week, author Stacy Juba is featuring the lead character from that novella, the evil reviewer, Nestor Maronski, on her fictional online game show.
The game show is an ongoing contest on Stacy's blog to celebrate the release of her latest novel Sink or Swim which is a murder/mystery based on a reality TV show.
You can help support me and my co-author Jason, by leaving a comment on Stacy's blog interview with Nestor. The 3 fictional characters who get the highest number of unique commenters on their posts will win!
There is also a chance to enter to win a pdf copy of Cutting The Fat!
Click here to read the interview: Nestor Maronski Interview
This week, author Stacy Juba is featuring the lead character from that novella, the evil reviewer, Nestor Maronski, on her fictional online game show.
The game show is an ongoing contest on Stacy's blog to celebrate the release of her latest novel Sink or Swim which is a murder/mystery based on a reality TV show.
You can help support me and my co-author Jason, by leaving a comment on Stacy's blog interview with Nestor. The 3 fictional characters who get the highest number of unique commenters on their posts will win!
There is also a chance to enter to win a pdf copy of Cutting The Fat!
Click here to read the interview: Nestor Maronski Interview
Introducing Geoffrey D West, author of Rock 'n' Roll Suicide!
My guest today is Geoffrey David West, author of the gripping thriller Rock 'n' Roll Suicide.
After reading his book, I was keen to invite him here and introduce him to all of you. His book is a great murder mystery, and I would highly recommend it. As luck would have it, you have the chance to download your copy FREE from Amazon this week (between 14th and 18th January)!
The Kindle edition is readable not only on a Kindle e-reader, but also on your PC, Mac, iPad, or smartphone - you can get free apps from Amazon to read Kindle books if you don't own a Kindle. So, make sure you grab a copy of "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" this week.
Here's the link you need (this clever link should take you to your local Amazon store): viewBook.at/B009XA5SQ4
Here's my interview with Geoffrey:
When did you start writing Rock 'n' Roll Suicide, and did you have a plan for the story when you started?
About a couple of years ago I think. Just had a hazy idea at first, began writing, put it away for a while, then started again in earnest. Had no plan at all when I started.
Did you do all your own editing?
Yes, and in retrospect it was a mistake. I didn’t want copy editing, as I’d already done that, but I thought I’d done the proofreading, having read it over several times. But on the kindle screen I saw more mistakes, and republished. And now I know there are still more mistakes, so I’m going to republish again. I’m really short of money, but rather than have the nightmare all over again I’m going to ask Julia, Terry Tyler’s sister, for help with my next book, as an amateurish manuscript with typos and missed words is awful and embarrassing.
Hmm... to make you feel better, I have just read a book published by Penguin that had no less that 6 typos... there may have been more that I didn't spot, of course. I do believe that it's not possible to get a completely typo-free book.
There is a lot of description in your novel about places and buildings. Did you visit all the places mentioned in the novel, during the course of writing it?
I already knew the places in Kent, because I write for a magazine called Kent Life, in which I described towns and places, so that was fine. And I know Paris slightly. But as for Hamburg, I’ve never been, did it all from books and on the net, so I hope there aren’t any mistakes.
I know that you also write non-fiction. After writing your first novel, which would you say you prefer, fiction or non-fiction writing?
Fiction, definitely. Nonfiction is a lot easier, and also rewarding, but essentially you’re just presenting facts, not creating anything.
Do you think your experience in non-fiction writing helped or hindered you when you came to writing fiction, and in what ways?
Helped definitely. I’ve written many articles about subjects I knew absolutely nothing at all about when I started, to the extent that if I phoned experts, for instance on a building-related subject, I wasn’t even sure which questions to ask. I realised that you just have to bundle into it, get something down, not wait around until it’s crystallised in your mind. Even if you put down rubbish, you can extract what’s any good from it, arrange it into a different order and so on. Many people talk about writing, but hardly any actually get down to doing it.
When you came up with the idea for your novel, did you plan to write a series or is that something that you decided on later?
Decided on later, when I found Jack Lockwood seemed to be an interesting person.
Jack Lockwood, your protagonist, is a psychologist. Do you have any psychology qualifications?
No, none at all I’m afraid, it’s all from what I’ve read and tried to understand, and I hope I’ve got away with it.
How many books do you plan to write in the Jack Lockwood series?
I’d like to write about six, I think, maybe more, but depends if they sell.
Part of your novel revolves around a conspiracy theory about John Lennon’s murder. Were you/are you a Beatles fan? If so, what do you think is their best album?
I was about 10 when they had their first breakthrough (I remember ‘I want to hold your hand’) and back then I was certainly a fan, and followed their careers until I was around 18 I suppose. I always remember the Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club album being played at a friend’s party when I’d just left school – that one I suppose is my favourite.
Much of your novel includes characters who are in some way linked to the music industry. Do you have a musical background?
No, I’m afraid not. But I have read a lot of pop star autobiographies.
What is your favourite type of music?
Country Music, and it’s sad because you hardly ever hear it in Britain. I love Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, the Dixie Chicks, Lyle Lovett. I also like the old rock bands, for instance Lynyrd Skynyrd. And I do like David Gray, Fleetwood Mac and Richard Thomson and the old folk bands, such as Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span.
Was Maggi O’Kane, or any of the band members in your novel, inspired/based on real musicians?
I suppose I loosely thought of Suzi Quattro, but only because she’s the closest to what I had in mind – Maggi is certainly not based on her. However the place, ‘The Mansh’, I think was based on someone (I think a Fleetwood Mac member) who owned a country mansion, and they called it ‘The Manor’ and used it as a recording studio. The lovely old building and the musicians in it, gave me the idea for the beginning of the book, and the ‘What if’ extension of the beginning turned it into a story.
How much research did you do for the book?
Quite a bit I suppose, but nothing too deep. For instance, I read a lot of pop star biographies, researched Hamburg for the travel details and so on, and also researched the ‘new’ career of being a Behavioural Investigative Adviser, and read books by leading criminal profilers about their careers and cases they worked on.
The book is written in the first person, and often when I read books written in the first person, I wonder whether the character is similar to the author. How much of you is there in Jack Lockwood, or is he based on someone else/purely fictional?
A lot of first person writing is, perhaps, wishful thinking – I would love to be a fearless righter of wrongs and intrepid in the face of danger. I would also like to be extremely clever! However the only real way Jack Lockwood I suppose is like me in that I love building, crafts and DIY and do a lot of that kind of work, and know plumbing, carpentry etc.
Apart from the Jack Lockwood series, are you working on any other projects?
Yes, I’m lucky enough to get writing work for Kent Life magazine, also I’m trying to get back into writing articles about building and DIY, plus I’m planning to do a few building/DIY books on kindle. I tried to interest publishers on books on Kent, but with no success at all.
Your book is only available in e-book format at the moment, as far as I know. Do you have plans to make it available as a paperback?
Not at the moment because I cannot afford it. Although I suppose there’s the Print on Demand option, how do you sell books when you’re unknown? People might risk wasting 77p (99c), but would they risk £5 for a book they may not like?
Do you prefer reading e-books or print books?
I suppose print books, it’s nice to feel a book in your hands, but the convenience and cheapness of e-books is their advantage, being able to buy one within seconds.
Do you have any tips for someone who may be considering self-publishing a book?
Yes, get someone to read it to check for mistakes, or, better, pay a professional proofreader, because, for some reason, there are always more mistakes than you realise, and you can’t see your own mistakes. And don’t be put off by the technical side of formatting, because Kindle and Smashwords.com both offer very good free guide books that take your through the entire process. I was also lucky enough to hook up with some really nice people on Twitter who helped me in many ways: Terry Tyler , Maria Savva (of course!), Darcia Helle , Martin Johnson , Mary Metcalfe and a number of other kind folk. Going on Twitter is an excellent way to try to market your book and discover other tremendous authors to read.
Who designed your book cover?
Ian Scaife, of www.isgraphics.co.uk He
did a terrific job.
Yes, it's a great cover!
Who are your favourite authors?
Robert Goddard, Dick Francis, Douglas Kennedy, Tony Parsons, Sarah Waters, Barbara Vine.
There are lots of twists and turns in Rock’n’Roll Suicide, and lots of murders/deaths! As a crime fiction writer have you ever based a character on a particular person you dislike and then killed him or her off in the novel?
Great question, but actually no, I don’t think I hate anyone enough to want them dead. But who knows about the future?
Where can people buy your books?
Rock’n’Roll Suicide: viewBook.at/B009XA5SQ4 And I’ve got a page on Amazon for my others: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Geoffrey-West...
Where at the best places for people to connect with you online?
www.geoffreydavidwest.com and my blog at http://bit.ly/QoYXbv
Thank you, Geoff! I wish you continued success with "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide", and look forward to reading the rest of the series!
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Don't forget to download your free copy of "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" between 14th & 18th January 2013: viewBook.at/B009XA5SQ4
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
