1. How long have you been writing?
I've been writing since I was twelve, but I began writing novels at twenty one. I've had six years of writing now, everything from essays, articles, short stories, master thesis, doctoral dissertation, non-fiction, manuals, and yes, YA Fantasy.
2. Are you published and if so, how long have you been a published author? If not, what’s your plan?
I was a self published author as of April 2010. I put out my non-fiction book Integrated Intuition: A comprehensive guide to Psychic Development after being turned down by Llewellyn's Press. My plan has always been the same, begin at the top and work my way down, hoping that something catches before I hit rock bottom. In the case of Integrated Intuition, I was completely on my own. My newest book, Flame of Surrender (The Ferryman and The Flame #1) was picked up by Coscom Entertainment.
3. Which route did you choose for becoming published, the traditional route, with an agent, the “indie” route, going directly to the publishers yourself, or deciding to self-publish?
I worked my way down. I began with the agents and at one point received a full MS critique from a reputable agent, but it didn't lead to representation. I then began the waiting and the wondering, and the gnawing on my fingernails. I didn't want to query at the wrong time so I chose July and I sent another round of queries. At the same time, I had something unexpected happen. I was chatting with a local small press and turns out locally he's not very big, but on the worldwide platform he's much bigger. We got talking about my book and he was interested. He took a look and then signed me.
4. How long did it take you to write your first novel?
It took me three years to write Integrated Intuition and six years to write Flame of Surrender. There have been multiple rewrites on both books.
5. How long did it take you to publish it?
Integrated Intuition was picked up on the first try. I mean, they read it, they got back to me, they gave me revision requests, and then they dropped me. Flame of Surrender went through four rounds of querying, a partial was requested by one agent, a full MS critique was given by another agent and then I spoke with the editor in chief at Coscom Entertainment and he signed it. I suppose from the time I began querying to the time I signed the contract it was about two years.
6. How many times did it get rejected before it got published?
Flame of Surrender was rejected 118 times before it got picked up. I even double queried some people by accident, and that didn't help.
7. Describe your worst rejection letter.
I'll never forget it! The agent said he loved the idea, the line by line writing was strong, but he wasn't drawn in enough and he had to pass. It was like, "You did everything you were supposed to do, but it's still not enough." It left me with a lot of questions.
8. Describe the best news you ever got in your writing life and how it felt.
The best news I ever got was from my guides. They told me that the book was ready, that it was perfect the way it was and not to change a single thing about it. They told me that it was time to get the book published, and then subsequently the deal came through shortly after that.
9. What’s the worst piece of advice you ever got?
The worst advice I got for Flame of Surrender was from my mom. I love her, but when she was reading the book she actually changed my main character's names to Pam and John. Then she said it would work out better with more modern names. Needless to say I cringed away from it.
10. Now, tell us the best.
This came from my guides too. The best way to explain it is just to replay the conversation.
Guide: What are your romance scenes like?
Me: They're fine! (ugh stop pestering me)
Guide: Yeah they're "fine"
Me: What? They're not hot enough?
Guide: Have you read them?
Me: Yes, and they're fine.
Guide: Exactly, they're fine.
Me: Oh so you're saying they're not hot?
Guide: I'm not saying anything.
Me: Crap, they're not hot enough.
11. What’s the one thing you would want an aspiring writer to take away from your personal path to publication?
Remember your talents and your strengths. Remember what you can do other than writing. Use every resource available to you. Study as much as you can. Use ALL of your talents when writing, promoting and publishing.
The boy who follows death meets the girl who could cause the apocalypse.
KrishaniKaliel, the one girl on the island of Avristar who isn’t afraid of him. She’s unlike the other girls, she swims with merfolk
Nobody has fallen in love with a flame until now. She becomes Krishani’s refuge from the dreams of death and the weather abilities he can’t control. Striking down thousand year old trees with lightning isn’t something he tries to do, it just happens. When the Ferryman dies, Krishani knows that he’s the next and that a lifetime of following death is his destiny.
And Kaliel can’t come with him. The Valtanyana are hunting the flames, the safest place for her is Avristar. Krishani can’t bear to leave her, and one innocent mistake grants the Valtanyana access to their mystical island. They’re coming for Kaliel, and they won’t stop until every last living creature on Avristar is dead. She has to choose, hide, face them, or awaken the flame and potentially destroy herself.
I loved this! What I take away from it is to never, ever give up. Keep working, keep fighting, keep believing in yourself and your talents, and something will eventually happen. I can't wait to read Flame of Surrender, I wish my review list wasn't so long so I could read it NOW! Hey PS...think your guides could tell me if MY book is ready?? lol ;-)
ReplyDeleteRhiannon,
ReplyDeleteBased on the comment and the number of "likes" and tweets, I think they are getting the right message. I cant wait to read your book either. You are a true inspiration to my readers who are still waiting to publish...Never, ever give up! Luck for all of us, you never did!