1.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve
been writing with an eye toward being published since 2006 when I joined
Romance Writers of America (RWA). Before then I did a newsletter which was part
fiction, part non-fiction, depending on the stories I could find. I’ve also
written for a weekly newspaper. In total I’ve been writing since the mid 80’s.
1980’s that is.
2.
Are you published and if so, how long have you
been a published author? If not, what’s your
plan?
Besides
Astraea Press I have stories with two other presses. The Wild Rose Press gave
me my first contract in 2008 for a historical romance. I’m also published with
another press, who will remain unnamed. I have a romance also through them.
Even though I have two romance stories out in cyber land I’m much happier
writing mystery/suspense.
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’ve
pitched to both agent and editors at conferences. To date I’ve only had one
story sold that way, Somewhere in North Africa and that was to The Wild Rose
Press. So, I guess you could say I went the ‘indie’ route and am glad,
correction ecstatic, to have found Stephanie Taylor at Astraea Press. I did try
putting out a book via the self-publishing route but decided to pull the book
due to bad reviews. I’m planning to rewrite that story and then submit it to
publishers.
4.
Why did you choose that particular route?
I chose to go
the small press route because I feel there is so much more hands on with them.
You develop a relationship with the staff and are given personal attention.
You’re not lost in the crowd of other authors.
5.
How long did it take you to write your first
novel?
That’s
really a tough question to answer. My first story, a short, that I was
contracted for probably took about six months. This was back when I was
starting out and learning how to write. Which, I must add, I still am to this
day.
6.
How long did it take you to publish it?
I pitched the
short at a conference when after getting rejected on the spot for a full. The
editor asked if I had anything else and when I told her I had a WWII historical
I gave her the unprepared pitch and sold the story.
7.
How many times did it get rejected before it
got published?
As
you can see from above it never got rejected. However, the full I wrote several
years later has been rejected with every publisher and agent I submitted the
story to. That’s the major reason for rewriting the book. A few of the
rejections gave me suggestions on how to improve the story and I’ll be
implementing them in the rewrite.
8.
Tell us about worst rejection letter.
All
rejection letters are bad. I can’t, even though I have them all, pinpoint any one
in specific as being worse than the others. Rejection letters are all part of
the writing process and if you take them personally then maybe this isn’t the
right job for you.
9.
What was the best news you ever got in your
writing life and how did it make you feel?
The
best news wasn’t so much my first contract but the latest one with Astraea
Press. How did it make me feel-like I finally made it. Here was a new press
that had the same faith in me and my characters, Emily Dahill, CID and her very
unusual partner, Dakota, as I did.
10.
What’s the worst piece of advice you ever got?
Whatever
it was I forgot what it was or took it and reversed the advice into good and
applied it to my writing.
11.
Now, tell us the best!
Write
what you know. And it wasn’t necessarily romance but military. Since then I’ve
focused on having some or all my characters in the Army. That’s how I ended up
with mystery today.
12. What’s the one thing you would want an aspiring
writer to take away from your personal
path to publication?
Learn
the craft, which is an ongoing process. Develop your own voice. And have faith
in you, your writing and your characters.
13. Where can we read your blog? Buy your books?
Connect with you on Facebook? On
Twitter? Your website?
Twitter:
ldowns2966
Back cover blurbs for Emily Dahill, CID Part 1
Final
Mission-After being seriously wounded in a copter crash in Iraq Sgt. Emily
Dahill meets her new partner as she embarks on her new Army career as a CID
agent. Who could this new partner be?
A Body in
the Snow-Emily and her partner, Dakota, cross bullets with their most determined
foe. Who will survive?
Right
Place, Wrong Day-On leave to hang with friends Emily gets the surprise of her
life.
Dog on
Fishing-When it comes to knowing how to fish, and catch the big ones, never underestimate
your partner. He might surprise you.
Exciting, right? I know I can't wait to read this and the rest in the series. I happen to know there are more and Lindsay is readying them for release as we speak. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the rest in the series. And the next time you see a beautiful collie, think of Dakota. Somewhere, somehow, an attractive detective is relying on a surefooted canine for a partner. And she always gets her man!
