Author interview with publisher KG Books

Welcome to the latest of my blog interviews with novelists, poets, short story authors, biographers, agents, publishers and more. Today’s is with writer and publisher Tracy Kauffman of K G Books. A list of interviewees (blogged and scheduled) can be found here. If you like what you read, please do go and investigate further.

Morgen: Hello, Tracy. Can you please briefly explain the structure of your publishing house… perhaps who’s involved along the process of an acceptance to the book / story being published.

Tracy: First of all I want to thank you for inviting me to be a part of your wonderful blog.  KG Books is a traditional type book publisher located in North Alabama.  It is a part of a partnership and both my partner, Vicky and I agree on whom we publish.

Morgen: You’re very welcome, Tracy. I’m delighted you could join me today. You’re also a writer – does this help with deciding which projects to take on?

Tracy:  Yes, I started out as an author before deciding to start my own company.  I had seen where certain companies published authors but charged a fee just to get the book to print.  Our company charges no upfront fees.  We only make a percentage if the book sells.

Morgen: They do and there are a lot of scams out there (which is where sites like http://pre-ed.com are invaluable). The $64,000 question: out of all the submissions you receive, what makes a book / story stand out for all the right reasons?

Tracy:  First of all, the book has to make sense.  You wouldn’t believe how many manuscripts have been sent to us that have not been edited.  They are simply hard to read.  Editing makes a huge impact on whether we accept the submission or not.  Then, we look at length, genre, storyline, and if it is interesting to us.

Morgen: Submissions should be the best they can be. A book will be edited by the publishers but even so… Without naming names, what makes a book proposal / story stand out for all the wrong reasons?

Tracy:  Our mission is to publish decent stories to the public.  Therefore we will not consider any erotica type books at all.  Excessive cursing is the second thing that makes us say NO.  Cursing doesn’t make a book appealing.

Morgen: It would be out of character (literally) for a rough and tough antagonist to say, “oh darn”, but less is most definitely more. What genres do you accept? What would you suggest an author do with a cross-genre piece of writing?

Tracy: We accept all except erotica.  Cross genres are actually easier to market because they reach a wider base of customers.

Morgen: I’m sure there’ll be so many authors reading this who will love to hear you say that. Is there a genre that you haven’t published and would like to?

Tracy:  I hope to publish some Crime / Mystery books in the future.

Morgen: They are incredibly popular. Is there a genre that sells better than others or that you can’t get enough of?

Author interview with children’s author Jaquelyn Muller

Welcome to my blog interviews with novelists, poets, short story authors, scriptwriters, biographers, agents, publishers and more. Today’s is with children’s author Jaquelyn Muller. A list of interviewees (blogged and scheduled) can be found here. If you like what you read, please do go and investigate further.

Morgen: Hello, Jaquelyn. Please tell us something about yourself, where you’re based, and how you came to be a writer.

Jaquelyn: I am based in Melbourne, Australia. I am married with two daughters who everyday dare me to back myself – hence the writing.

Morgen: You write children’s books, was there a reason to choose this genre?

Jaquelyn: I still think and behave like a kid myself in many ways. I don’t understand why anyone would make a jumper with itchy wool if you expect people to wear it and I understand the importance of a good pencil case!

Morgen: What have you had published to-date? Do you write under a pseudonym?

Jaquelyn: I have just published my first book, ‘I Love You 5 Lollipops’ under my own name. I worked with illustrator Kathryn Zammit which was one of the best working relationships I have ever had (she understands the attraction of a good pencil case also).

Morgen: They’re fanastic illustrations. What age group do you write for?

Jaquelyn: I have written for ages up to 12 years old. I like the variety in subject matter and tone as it is such a massive learning and growing curve in anyone’s life when you think about it. Kids are adopting, developing and moving on very quickly from all sorts of concepts.

Morgen: Which authors did you read when you were younger and did they shape you as a writer?

Jaquelyn: Louisa May Alcott and Lucy Maud Montgomery. I was a bit of a romantic as a child and loved the historical aspects of the settings and social nuances. I even asked my grandmother to make me a ‘petticoat dress’. I think the sophistication of the relationships between women in those days was quite evident. They didn’t have the interruptions that we had as children and I loved the way they spoke. I don’t know how many little girls I probably freaked out because I wanted them to be my ‘kindred spirit’?

Morgen: Which author(s) would you compare your writing to?

Author interview with children’s author Judy Pierce

Welcome to my blog interviews with novelists, poets, short story authors, scriptwriters, biographers, agents, publishers and more. Today’s is with children’s author Judy Pierce. A list of interviewees (blogged and scheduled) can be found here. If you like what you read, please do go and investigate further.

Morgen: Hello, Judy. Please tell us something about yourself, where you’re based, and how you came to be a writer.

Judy: I live in the mountains of western North Carolina and have always loved to write.  I wrote a number of feature articles when I worked in environmental education and then as a free-lance writer while I taught college.  Ozette’s Destiny started as little stories I wrote online about a white squirrel I had met in Brevard, NC. Friends loved the stories and urged me to write a book. So I did, not really knowing what I was getting into!

Morgen: What genre do you generally write and what have you had published to-date? What do you think of eBooks?

Judy: My first children’s book, Tales from Farlandia: Ozette’s Destiny, was published by Pants on Fire Press this spring.  Personally, I prefer the feel of a book in my hands, but I have to say my Kindle comes in handy.  I tend to wake up during the night, and it is great to be able to turn on my Kindle with its built-in light and read without disturbing my hubby or the dogs.  We travel a lot in a small RV, and it’s nice not lugging heavy books around, but when I buy books for kids, I buy print.

Morgen: Have you self-published? If so, what lead to you going your own way?

Author interview with graphic and prose novelist Leonardo Ramirez

Welcome to my blog interviews with novelists, poets, short story authors, scriptwriters, biographers, agents, publishers and more. Today’s is with graphic and prose novelist Leonardo Ramirez. A list of interviewees (blogged and scheduled) can be found here. If you like what you read, please do go and investigate further.

Morgen: Hello, Leonardo. Please tell us something about yourself, where you’re based, and how you came to be a writer.

Leonardo: First of all, thanks so much for having me on. It’s a real honor. There is so much valuable information for authors on your website that I hope as many writers as possible are taking advantage of it. As for me, I started writing over 20 years ago and what got me hooked on the process were short story assignments that I received in college. My professor was impressed with my work and she was very encouraging. From there I wrote my first book (which was never published) called Fables of Pangaea. This was a long time before self-publishing was as rampant as it is today. I still have the drawer full of rejection letters from that time. I keep it in a file that has my contract with my first traditionally published graphic novel, Haven in the back. I keep that file so that I can encourage my daughter never to give up on her dreams. I just used it for the first time (for this purpose) about a month ago.  I live in a suburb of Nashville now with my wife and daughter who I love to spend time with.

Morgen: You’re very welcome, Leonardo. I’m delighted you could join me today. What genre do you generally write and what have you had published to-date?

Leonardo:  My first traditionally published book was the aforementioned graphic novel, Haven which picks up where Dante’s Inferno left off. Using what I learned from that experience I moved to publish the first in a Children’s Steampunk series, The Jupiter Chronicles. I’m also in the editing phase for Haven of Dante which is a prose version of the graphic novel and fills in the gaps. I’m currently working on The Jupiter Chronicles: The Ice Orphan of Ganymede.

Morgen: You’ve traditionally published – have you also self-published? If so, what lead to you going your own way?

Author interview with non-fiction self-help author Jonathan Bennett

Welcome to my blog interviews with novelists, poets, short story authors, scriptwriters, biographers, agents, publishers and more. Today’s is with non-fiction self-help author Jonathan Bennett who co-authors with his brother David Bennett. A list of interviewees (blogged and scheduled) can be found here. If you like what you read, please do go and investigate further.

Morgen: Hello, Jonathan. Please tell us something about yourself, where you’re based, and how you came to be a writer.

Jonathan: I’m 34 years old and live in Ohio in the United States. I’ve always been the creative type and tried to write a book even as a teen. But, it just never happened. However, when I was in my early thirties, I got into a big rut and was basically “settling” in life. I decided I couldn’t take it anymore and researched ways to improve myself and bring some meaning to my life. The principles I learned and applied transformed me in so many ways that I consider it a real “awakening,” for lack of a better term. Once I became this new person, the words just seemed to flow. I was “in the zone” and writing became very natural.

Morgen: What genre do you generally write and what have you had published to-date? What do you think of eBooks?

Jonathan: I have two unpublished fiction novels taking up bytes on my computer, but my published books are in the self-help genre. I’ve written, with my twin brother David, “Say It Like You Mean It,” a book on crafting positive affirmations and “Be Popular Now: How Any Man Can Become Confident, Attractive and Successful (And Have Fun Doing It).” The latter is a handbook of popularity for guys. As far as eBooks go, I must admit, I like traditional paper books. But, I own a Kindle and I see the writing on the wall. I hold to many ideals, but I’m at heart a realist.

Morgen: I think paper and electronic will go hand-in-hand but as eBooks are cheaper and instant to obtain they will undoubtedly hog the market. You self-published – what lead to you going your own way?

Jonathan: It was largely because of my research of the industry. I know that as a new author I would be largely responsible for promoting my book. And, I’d have to give away most of the profits, the rights, and the control. So, if I was going to do most of the work and lose control, I might as well just do all the work and keep the control (and more of the money). So, my brother and I decided that self-publishing was the best route, especially since we already own a business and could build off what already existed.

Morgen: Do you have a favourite of your stories?

Jonathan: We tell a lot of stories throughout the book because, as teachers, we know that people learn best through stories. So, each chapter has tips to be popular that are illustrated through a story. I love a story we tell about Spud Webb, a 5’6” professional basketball player who won the NBA slam dunk contest in 1986. We use it to teach that you can be born with all sorts of disadvantages, but through hard work and determination you can succeed in spite of your alleged shortcomings.

Morgen: I loved basketball at school. I’m 5’10” – maybe I should have kept it up. Which authors shaped you as a writer?

Jonathan: I was highly influenced by authors who emphasized that we can create our own reality. Up until I was thirty-two, I believed that my life was outside of my control. I deferred to others and let them determine my dreams, which didn’t work very well. However, as I read writers like Richard Bandler, Lynne McTaggart, and others, I internalized the concept that I determined my own reality. Even if I couldn’t change events, my mindset towards the event is totally determined by one person: me. My current writing has been shaped by my newfound love of Hermann Hesse. I think he really “gets” human nature.

Morgen: Do you manage to write every day, and do you plan your books or just get an idea and run with it?

Jonathan: I write each day, both for future books and my self-help websites. I probably write around a thousand words a day in some capacity. Once I found my core purpose in life, I felt very inspired. It’s been going strong for over two years. I’m not over-thinking it or jinxing it. I’m just going with it and enjoying the ride.

Morgen: That’s why we do it. Do you do a lot of research for your topic?

Jonathan: David and I are constantly researching new ways to be popular. There is a real science behind attractiveness. It’s not just psychology either. Humans are animals and social interaction is grounded in evolutionary biology and brain science. There are patterns and rules to human attraction (both friendship and dating). We research those rules and create real world advice based on them. We test these techniques personally in social settings (and with our clients). And, they really work.

Morgen: What’s your favourite / least favourite aspect of your writing life?

Jonathan: I love how I can take an abstract concept from science and put it in a way that can actually help make the lives of people better. Our techniques need to be explained in a lucid way. That’s where my writing ability is a real asset. My least favourite aspect is probably the proofreading and formatting. I know the rules of grammar and syntax, as well as how to format a book, but I prefer the actual creative process. But, I take the time to proofread and format because I value quality.

Morgen: Your readers will appreciate it. If you could invite three people from any era to dinner, who would you choose and what would you cook (or hide the takeaway containers)?

Jonathan:  I think it would have to be Alexander the Great, Jesus, and Casanova. All three were very popular and attractive, but took very different paths to their popularity. I’d like to pick their brains for ideas! We would definitely eat Chinese since I’m a fan and it would be new to all three.

Morgen: What a great idea. Are you on any forums or networking sites? If so, how valuable do you find them?

Jonathan: I’m active in local networking groups and some of the people involved are writers. Admittedly, David and I are primarily speakers and business owners who love to write and, through our liberal arts backgrounds, have the skills to do if effectively. We find social media to be very valuable. We have a strong presence on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. We get a lot of exposure and website visits because of it. It’s helped us sell books too.

Morgen: What are you working on at the moment / next?

Jonathan: David and I are currently growing our popularity brand by speaking and consulting, which is awesome.  We have a new book coming around June. It’s a popularity book for teens. As teachers, we know that teens have a very rough time these days. Low self-confidence and bullying are rampant. We apply our research and tips to the teen environment, which we know intimately through our professional relationships with teens. We truly believe this book will be a blessing to frustrated teens and their parents. We are also in the early stages of producing a book about romantic attraction and dating.

Morgen: Where can we find out about you and your writing?

Jonathan: Our websites are good places to find out more about us. They are http://thepopularman.com and http://thepopularteen.com.

Morgen: Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

Jonathan: I’d like to add why we write about popularity. David and I, once we had our awakening and started reading on popularity, totally transformed the way we interacted with others. Instead of being in our closed world, we opened up. Literally everywhere we went, we talked to people. We made them laugh. We listened to them. We became their friends. We’d walk into a coffee shop and walk out five minutes later with two new friends.

We found that our attractiveness and popularity didn’t just benefit us. It benefitted everyone. We made the days of other people better. And, we received popularity in return. So, we offer tips to guys (and soon teens of both sexes) to go out and make their lives more popular and fun. And, we hope they pay it forward by going out and blessing others. Popularity is ultimately about meeting the needs of others and having them love you in return.

Morgen: Being confident and good-natured definitely helps. Is there anything you’d like to ask me?

Jonathan: Yes! My name is also misspelled constantly. How do you correct people in public? Consider it social skills research!

Morgen: <laughs> Morgan is the more usually spelling so I’m used to it but I’ve become a ‘Morgen with an e’ brand so sign off emails with that. I don’t usually make a big deal of it but http://morganbailey.wordpress.com is a shell of a site (which is such a waste of a domain) and the email morgan@morganbailey.com disappears into a black hole so I don’t want people getting lost. One of the many Morgan Baileys (in the US, I think) is a transsexual porn star so some will at least have an interesting time getting to me. Thank you, Jonathan.

*

I then invited Jonathan to include a synopsis of his book…

Using cutting edge research in psychology, brain science, and other fields, combined with advanced modelling strategies and personal experience, Jonathan and David Bennett have written the authoritative handbook of male popularity. Every chapter of Be Popular Now is entertaining and informative, with concrete examples and practice exercises. Learn how to increase confidence, approach women without fear, become the center of attention anywhere you are (even online), and much more! No matter how unpopular you are, with these secrets, becoming more popular is fun and easy. What are you waiting for? Start reading and be popular now!

**

Jonathan Bennett is a self -help writer and speaker who co-owns and operates several informational websites that receive over a million visitors a year. He writes about such topics as popularity, health, spirituality, and success.

Although he spent most of his life in school and was naturally popular, he realized he (or anyone else) was never taught the social skills that lead to genuine success. Working with his brother and friend Joshua Wagner, he decided to study (and model) the ways that successful people think and act. His study of cutting-edge social research, along with his natural popularity and personality, led him to consult, speak, and write about popularity and other topics related to success.

In his spare time, he enjoys reading and writing. He drinks a lot of coffee and has a passion for health and fitness. He enjoys spending time with his friends and family, especially his wife and children. He enjoys going to concerts (modern adult alternative acts primarily) and running extreme races like the Tough Mudder and Warrior Dash.

***

If you are reading this and you write, in whatever genre, and are thinking “ooh, I’d like to do this” then you can… just email me and I’ll send you the information. They do now (January 2013) carry a fee (£10 / €12.50 / $15) for the new interviews on the mixed blog but everything else (see Opportunities on the main blog) is free.

Alternatively, if you’d like a free Q&A-only interview, I now have this blog, http://morgensauthorinterviews.wordpress.com, on which I’ve rerun the original interviews posted here then posted new interviews which I then reblog here. These interviews are Q&A only, so I don’t add in my comments but they do get exposure on both sites.

If you go for the interview, it’s very simple; I send you a questionnaire (I have them for novelists, short story authors, children’s authors, non-fiction authors, and poets). You complete the questions, and I let you know when it’s going to go live. Before it does so, I add in comments as if we’re chatting, and then they get posted. When that’s done, I email you with the link so you can share it with your corner of the literary world. And if you have a writing-related blog / podcast and would like to interview me… let me know.

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See http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008E88JN0

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For writers / readers willing to give feedback and / or writers wanting feedback, take a look at the main blog’s Feedback page.

As I post an interview a day (amongst other things) I can’t unfortunately review books but I have a list of those who do. I welcome items for critique for the online writing groups, and their associated Facebook groups, listed below:

Morgen’s Online Non-Fiction Writing Group

• http://nonfictionwritinggroup.wordpress.com
• http://www.facebook.com/groups/335526669896374

Morgen’s Online Novel Writing Group

• http://novelwritinggroup.wordpress.com
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Morgen’s Online Poetry Writing Group

• http://poetrywritinggroup.wordpress.com
• http://www.facebook.com/groups/388850977875934

Morgen’s Online Script Writing Group

• http://scriptwritinggroup.wordpress.com
• http://www.facebook.com/groups/319941328108017

Morgen’s Online Short Story Writing Group

• http://shortstorywritinggroup.wordpress.com
• http://www.facebook.com/groups/544072635605445

We look forward to reading your comments.

Author interview with freelance writer and poet Julie Lemardy

Welcome to my blog interviews with novelists, poets, short story authors, scriptwriters, biographers, agents, publishers and more. Today’s is with freelance writer and poet Julie Lemardy. A list of interviewees (blogged and scheduled) can be found here. If you like what you read, please do go and investigate further.

Morgen: Hello, Julie. Please tell us something about yourself, where you’re based, and how you came to be a writer.

Julie: I’m a freelance writer and poet based out of Northeast, Pennsylvania and am a member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group. My blog, Poems With Heart, is the reason for my interview with you. Its purpose is to raise awareness for heart disease and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Morgen: Both great causes (my father had dementia, similar symptoms to Alzheimer’s). What genre do you generally write and what have you had published to-date? What do you think of eBooks?

Julie: Ebooks are great and have made my voracious reading habits easier to fuel. I don’t really write poetry. I’m more of a genre fiction writer and my writing leads towards dark fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance. However, I established Poems With Heart as a charity to contribute to the American Heart Association and Alzheimer’s Association. An anthology will be released February 2014 in celebration of American Heart month with proceeds to benefit those two charities.

Morgen: That sounds great. Do come back for an author spotlight and / or guest blog when it’s available. Have you self-published? If so, what lead to you going your own way?

Julie: I’m still waiting on my traditional publishing deal. As far as the Poems With Heart anthology goes I am still exploring various options. I’ve been in contact with several small presses. However, self-publishing is a very viable option and given what a tough sell poetry is, I may very well use that method.

Morgen: I’ve only self-published eBooks but people do still love reading paper so will paperback my novels at some stage. Do you have a favourite of your stories or characters?

Author interview with romance novelist and poet Lin Treadgold

Welcome to my blog interviews with novelists, poets, short story authors, scriptwriters, biographers, agents, publishers and more. Today’s is with romance novelist and poet Lin Treadgold. A list of interviewees (blogged and scheduled) can be found here. If you like what you read, please do go and investigate further.

Morgen: Hello, Lin. Please tell us something about yourself, where you’re based, and how you came to be a writer.

Lin: My name is Lin Treadgold. I am not only a writer but also a nature lover.  Born in Saltburn by the Sea, East Cleveland, UK. I was a business entrepreneur and owner of a large driving school until 2001. I began writing poetry, but due to working, unfortunately became a procrastinator as far as writing was concerned.  After travelling the world and seeing life as it really is, I began to realise I had the ability to put my personal experiences into fiction. I had too many stories left untold and when my husband announced that his job would take him to The Netherlands, I gave up teaching after 25 years, as a trainer of driving instructors, to be a writer.

Morgen: What genre do you generally write and have you considered other genres?

Lin: This is my first novel, but I do have work in progress and aim to be a prolific writer. I don’t necessarily want to be pigeon holed as a romance writer, as is my first book, but if romance writing will turn out to be my preference in the future, then so be it. I enjoy writing sagas with lots of life’s problems to keep the reader reading. This is what I do best and should an idea turn into crime fiction, then perhaps I can try my hand there too. I mean, most books have some kind of romantic element, so whatever comes my way I am happy to write it.

Morgen: What have you had published to-date? Do you write under a pseudonym?

Lin: I was published in various magazines connected with driving and tourism. Goodbye, Henrietta Street is a book with a difference. Based on the Cornish Isles of Scilly and in North Yorkshire, the book is a holiday read for those who like to sit and relax with story in their hand.  I don’t write under a pseudonym, I think that would be a waste of my family name which is a memorable one for a novelist and reader.

Morgen: I’d say it’s easily Googlable which is the important thing for any author. Have you self-published?

Lin: No, I’m not keen on self publishing. I prefer to work with several people who know what they are doing. I enjoy working with an editor and being part of a team. I did my best to find a publisher who understood my needs. Safkhet Publishing is doing a great job and after only 20 submissions, it didn’t take me very long to find the right publisher. Within three weeks I had three publishers offering me a contract, but because the others didn’t seem to fit my personal criteria, Safkhet came up with the right offer, so I took it.

Morgen: Safkhet have been very supportive of my blogs. Are your books available as eBooks? How involved were you in that process? Do you read eBooks or is it paper all the way?