Q&A with Anne-Rae Vasquez discussion

Okay, eh hem. I'm here to answer your questions. Help me out as this is the first time for me. ;)

Starting from scratch as a new author (indie) what was the number one obstacle that you had to overcome? How did you do it?
Sorry, no pictures of Chocolates. :-)

Good question. The number one obstacle for me was entering a new genre (young adult paranormal fantasy) and building a whole new fanbase of readers.

I made the writing process very interactive and in the theme of the book. Readers participated as Truth Seekers and I gave them fun easy writing missions by asking them to create a character with 3 specific traits. Then I posted a scene from my book and asked them 2 questions. How would their character respond and why. It was really fun and some of them even went and wrote out a whole scene which I incorporated into the book.

The basic thing I did which worked was get my readers involved at the beginning. I also worked with a developmental editor who knows the Young Adult paranormal fantasy genre inside and out.

While writing the book Doubt, we posted all the characters onto the official website (http://amongus.ca) so that new readers could join in the fun.

Once the book was ready to launch, we were lucky to find a live event to launch the book and live stream it to all our fans all over the world. We sent out free press releases, and coordinated ARC giveaway copies of the book here on GoodReads and from our Rafflecopter contests.

Now that the book has launched, we are conducting a book launch tour which mixes live and online events. We will be starting our Blog book tour on Dec 30th which is hosted by Orangeberry Tours. We have scheduled 25 blog stops with fun giveaways, interviews, and author guest posts.

I guess I'm rambling here but this is a very good topic especially for indie authors. It takes some planning, coordination to launch a book. But it CAN be done even on a tight budget. It takes a lot of hard work though. I suggest you trying a Rafflecopter contest (prize ebook copies and a signed copy of book and Amazon $25 gift card) and then submit this to lots of Rafflecopter linky sites (for free). This will help you build your social network because Rafflecopter entries must "Like" your Facebook fan page, twitter, pinterest and your blog in order to enter the Rafflecopter contest.

Hope this helps answer your question! Oh and I have added your fantastic book "The Exile" here in this discussion group so that my fans can get to know more about you and your book. Please feel free to post a welcome message. :)

Anne-Rae:

Your novel introduces the reader to an ensemble cast of characters. Each one sort of fits into the narrative in a unique and interesting way. I know you're working on book two, which will continue their story. My question is: Are we going to be introduced to any major new characters in part two?

Hi Adam,
In part 2, we will be introduced to 2 major new characters. I don't want those who read book 1 to be inundated with new characters. I personally hate that when I'm reading a series or watching a TV series.

I want readers to learn more about the characters in book 1 and to bring out the reality of the supernatural world.

And curious... what's next for you?

Thanks for the response. I agree with your approach and I look forward to learning more about Harry and Co. in installment two.

As for me...well, some interesting things are popping but I can't reveal the news just yet. Soon. Hopefully as early as next week...

Hi Anne-Rae,

You mentioned a Blog Tour - What is this and how was it organized? I'm intrigued!

Hi Linda,
There are several Blog Tour services... some better than others.

I signed up with Orangeberry Book Tours http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/s...

I liked that they have a blog tour with 30 stops on other book blogs. The stops include either an interview with me or a guest post or a book review.
There are different packages. For me it's a way to have buzz around my book every day. Also it helps with SEO when my book is on many different sites (backlinking advantage)

They have guaranteed the following:
You will receive at least 30-daily stops and 10 weekly stops (a total of 40 plus blog stops), 20 to 25 book reviews, Tweet Me A Storm, Sidebar, Book of the Day, Cover Wars, OB Pin It, Facebook page graphics and you’ll have the opportunity to share your thoughts, be interviewed, and have daily social media presence. Review solicitation (in addition to reviews received during the tour will continue for up to one year (12 months) after the tour has finished.

There are other Book Blog Tour companies out there so do your searching. I chose OBTours because I liked the daily tours with the book reviews.

You can check out my book tour schedule at:
http://amongus.ca/doubt-among-us-tril...

or on the OBTour site
http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/2...

All I had to do to participate was to answer 75 blog questions, provide a press kit, photo, three guest posts and of course pay for the service.

Hope this helps answer your question ;)
Anne-Rae

That sounds like such a great way to build buzzzzzzz!!! Good Luck! I'll be sure to stop in on the tour sites to check out your progress.

Everyday post !! from your blog giveaway, Is it the right place to post such things ?

Hi Voidvamp,
This group is to chat about the books and authors featured in this group. I hope you take some time to check out the great books here.

Thanks for joining the Among Us Trilogy book giveaway. Good luck!

Cheers,
Anne-Rae

Alright, thanks. Checking out.

I haven't had the opportunity to check out Doubt but I did just receive the audio of Doubt from the narrator. I can't wait to listen to the story. I would love to know how many books you plan on writing to this series? Do you plan on adding them to Audible? I don't read, I just don't have the time and I find the audio version is so much better. When I listen to an audio, I feel as if I'm there and watching it play out. I will be posting a review once I listen to Doubt. This is something I do in exchange for receiving codes or gifted audiobooks. I will let you know once I post a review.
Angela

Hi Angela,
There will be 3 books in the Among Us Trilogy.

Book 2 Resist is published. The audiobook is still being produced so hopefully by end of this year it will be available. I'd be more than happy to send you a copy once it is done.

Book 3 Reveal, I'm still writing it and hope to have it published by Nov 2015. The audio book for book 3 won't come out till 2106.

Hope you like Doubt and thanks so much for joining us here on GoodReads :)
Anne-Rae

Angela(demonsangel) wrote: "I haven't had the opportunity to check out Doubt but I did just receive the audio of Doubt from the narrator. I can't wait to listen to the story. I would love to know how many books you plan on wr..."

That's awesome Anne-Rae. I am looking forward to listening to all the Among Us Trilogy. I will definitely be looking for it and I will have to find a way to contact you to get a code. Do you know if Robert will narrate the other two or have you found another narrator? I'm all about audiobooks. I live to hear good stories. I find when I listen to them the stories seem to come to life. Thank you and I'll be in touch.
Angela

I was wondering after you write the last book to Among Us Trilogy, what will you write next? Will it be YA, if so what type like paranormal or have you given it any thought?

Who's idea was it and thought of Mercury Retrograde?
Angela

I always find it hard to ask questions or think ofqquestions to ask. I guess I'll ask this, the giveaway is for a boxed set of ebooks of the Game of Thrones books, so have you watched the T.V. show on HBO?

Hi Angela,
Very profound questions :)

After the Among Us Trilogy, I plan on writing more supernatural thrillers with lots of paranormal events. I think I'll focus on writing for adults as opposed to YA as it seems the Among Us Trilogy has become more a story for adults.

Regarding Mercury Retrograde...lol... I was having a casual conversation with my colleagues and she mentioned to us about Mercury Retrograde. It was pretty funny because she was very passionate about it. We were fascinated but didn't really believe in it. Then in the next few days weird stuff started happening to each of us. And we started blaming it on "mercury retrograde". That's where the idea for the topic of the Fiction Frenzy episode.

I actually haven't watched Game of Thrones as I don't have HBO but my colleagues tell me how wonderful the show is. Josefina and Nicole were the ones who suggested the giveaway prize.

Good luck with the giveaway :)
Anne-Rae

I love your answers! I will honesty let you know that I am a HUGE fan of Game of Thrones, the T.V. show. I know that the show has alot of nudity in it but other than that, its great!
You mentioned writing something more for adults but I am a FAN of anything YA and I'm 37 years of age. I think there's alot of people who are like me, they love YA. I love listening to YA stories, it makes me feel young again, lol. You may want to rethink on going to adult stories. That's just my opinion and everyone has their own opinions. Thank you for the feedback. I'm looking forward to listening to Doubt, which I haven't yet downloaded it but I will be soon. I have quite a bit of reviews that I'm behind on.
Angela

You mentioned writing books more for adult readers and that's all good. I think as I mentioned before alot of us love YA. I really hope you don't give that up but whatever you do write, write what you love. Unfortunately, I don't know exactly what that is. I hope if you do write adult books that they will be paranormal. Do you think you'll be going in that direction?

Am I the only person leaving questions or comments? It is a valid question, lol.

I asked a question but you didn't answer or maybe you don't know yet. The question was about the narrator, Robert. He did the narration of Doubt. Will you be using him again or someone else? If you haven't chosen a narrator you can always contact me. I have a list of female and male narrators, some samples/demos, their email address. I've been given this because I help authors find narrators.

I wondered whether Richard will be in the next novel, I've just bought Resist the second book, so I'll soon find out and let you know.
Looking forward to reading and reviewing, I Love Anne Rae's writing style.

The giveaway is almost over and that's great! I am really interested to know if you've found a narrator. I know I've asked already but have you found a narrator? If so, will it be a female or male? If you haven't found one and are looking for a narrator, I can help you with that. This is something that I do, I help authors find narrators and help narrators find work.
Angela

Hi Angela,
I was going to use the previous narrator for Book 1 of the Among Us Trilogy. Unfortunately, he didn't want to do the royalty share at this time which I understand. I thought of narrating it myself but if you know someone on ACX who will do the narration with a royalty share agreement, then let me know. :)

Thanks again,
Anne-Rae

I sent you a message on GoodReads. I do in fact know good narrators that do royalty. I need to know a little more information and where you'd like me to send it to you at.
Angela

I know you found a narrator, do you know when the second audio will be made available yet? I love the videos, keep them coming!

What do you hope readers will take away from reading this book?

I assume you are extremely busy and haven't had time to answer questions yet. I know the 2nd audio might be getting worked on, atleast I hope it is. I look forward to listening to the 2nd audio. I hope you let us know when it will be available on Audible. Will you let everyone know when its availabe?
Angela

Okay, I know there's only 3 books to the Doubt books and you mentioned writing more adult like books. I still hope you know that us adults love and enjoy the YA genre. I think the majority of my audios in my library are mostly YA audios. I think out of my adult audios, I love listenibg to stories about shifters, demons, and angels. Have you given any thought on what you will write about next?

I have a totally different question that is more about you I suppose. Have you ever listened to audiobooks? If so, do you listen to thrm in the normal speed or do you speed it up?

Do you enjoy the time you spend doing the videos of Fiction Frenzy? Also, how much time do you think it takes you to do one video and get it prepared for viewers?

I understand that most things you watch are fictional and the same goes for the characters. In Fiction Frenzy is Cloe as smart as the video leads us to believe? Please dont get me wrong because I'm sure she's a very smart lady, i just wonder if she's as smart as the video leads us to believe.
Angela

The giveaway is come to an end. I hope that maybe I will be a winner but I doubt it because I missed some days of entering from having low blood sugar problems. Anyway, i loved watching the video and I really enjoyed Cloe. So no questions here, I just wanted to tell you that i enjoyed everything and thank you for the opportunity to have a chance to win. Thank you so much Anne Rae.
Angela

Hi Anna Rae, I hope everything goes well and I can't wait for your next story. If course I'll be looking on Audible for it. Thank you for everything and the giveaways. I look forward to more videos and giveaways! Thank you so much Anna Rae.
Angela

HellO! I just got a copy of your book 'Doubt Among Us'. I have not started it yet, but I am excited to get to reading! :D

I enjoyed the newest video from Friction Frenzy. I was afraid that author Cairn Rodrigues wasn't going to get online. I loved the idea of authors interviewing other authors. I know it was mentioned that ya'll were going to get together in June but i wonder what ya'll will do on that day and will it be recorded?

Do you have a budget of how many words you write each day in order to help you make sure you finish a book at the time you want or expect it to be released?

I wanted to make sure what app you all used for this video. Was it on Google+, Hangouts, or Skype. I'm pretty sure it's not the latter one. I have used Skype and Hangouts before. I'm not exactly sure if Google+ has a video app but if it does then i would be willing to try it out. It actually worked better than Skype because it didn't freeze at all.

Hi Anne-Rae, I was wondering if you've started writing the other story you mentioned that would be more for adults than YA genre? I love Ya and I'm not a teen and I think there's alot of adults that enjoy YA, one it makes us older folks feel young again. I really enjoy shifter books, especially werebears but a mixture of shifters is even better. I also enjoy books about angels and demons, and of course #Witches. I guess I love anything supernatural. I would love to have an idea where your mind is leading you. I'm not much into contemporary romance, western, and historical. I hope you don't venture that way, lol.

What's the name if the app that made all the designs like, pirate hat, eyebrows, eye patches, and all the other things?
Angela

I'm not exactly sure I'm leaving comments in the right place. So if you get this can you let me know if I'm posting them in the right place? It seems that I'm the only one asking questions and it feels weird, lol.

Is Pinky really your cousin and human, lol? The two of you look like twins so I find myself wondering if you are Pinky. Maybe I'll never know.

Do you think you'll add other books you write on Audible for all of audio fans?

On your vlog I heard Pinky talking about an aunt that lived in the mountains. Do you really have an aunt that Pinky was talking about? I would live to hear some stories about her, heck it might would make for a fantastic story.

what are some of your favorite books to read

It's the Google effects app in the Google Hangout tool. :)

Angela(demonsangel) wrote: "What's the name if the app that made all the designs like, pirate hat, eyebrows, eye patches, and all the other things?
Angela"

:) Actually I don't have an aunt but there is an old lady that lives on a mountain where people in the village do go up seeking miracles. People also travel from across the oceans to seek miraculous intervention. The story about my grand uncle did in fact happen. :)

Angela(demonsangel) wrote: "On your vlog I heard Pinky talking about an aunt that lived in the mountains. Do you really have an aunt that Pinky was talking about? I would live to hear some stories about her, heck it might wou..."

Resist, book 2 of Among Us Trilogy is now available as an audio book. I'll get a copy sent to you as soon as Audible provides me with review links. :)

Angela(demonsangel) wrote: "Do you think you'll add other books you write on Audible for all of audio fans?"