More with Mike Gagnon, Author and Artist

Mike Gagnon is a distinguished author and comic creator whose genre defying work has been featured in books, comics, film, and television. He's known for breaking the expected rules of genre, and he likes to use genres such as horror, scifi, and drama to explore common human experiences.

Last month, I interviewed Mike about his writing and art in general, and with particular emphasis on his new crime noir novel, Skidsville. Check out that interview here.

Mike has a lot of projects going, and today he answers a new set of questions, focusing on his satirical novella called Sex and the Circus. If you want to see samples of his work, you can also find him on Wattpad.

1. What inspired you to write Sex and the Circus?

Basically, it's my commentary on things I've observed in North American society. I wanted to tell a story of someone who must learn to assert and value themselves, while struggling with undeserved obligation. Patty is an amalgamation of several women I've known in my life, who I've often seen first hand, often struggling to help others without being appreciated for it. There are still a lot of women in modern society who go from home, to college or university, to marriage and may never assert themselves and create their own independent identity. In fact, the gender doesn't really matter that much. I think many men and women both struggle with some of these feelings and situations. I choose to write the story around the character of Patty, because I think that most people, male or female, will find it more relatable.

2. What are the challenges when it comes to writing a novella rather than a work with both writing and illustration?

I think the challenges mostly come from form and function. Some authors struggle with novella and short stories, whereas I am just the opposite. I don't believe in wasting the reader's time with unnecessary filler. I write a clear concise outline and then cut anything unnecessary or redundant. I don't believe every point I'm trying to make should be hammered into a reader's head 10 times. That's really the only reason that Sex and the Circus is a novella; it just didn't need to be larger than what it ended up being. When it comes to graphic novels, words and images together, the challenge is format learning how to write a properly formatted script and apply that knowledge. You must play film director in your head and not only tell the story, but describe gesture, body language, and facial expression in a way that is understood, especially if someone else is drawing it.

3.When you come up with an idea for a new book, how do you decide or know if it will use words or visual artwork or both?

My roots are in comics and graphic novels, and I'll always love them, but, for me at least, the process of producing a comic is more expensive and time consuming than a novel. Every idea I have, I get a feeling very early on as to whether the concept would be better suited to novel or graphic novel format. Many ideas would work for both, so I'll make a judgement call based on scheduling and time constraints. If I know my schedule doesn't have room to complete an illustrated graphic novel, I'll produce it as a novel first, and then revisit the concept when I have time in my schedule to illustrate it or gather a couple of people to help produce it. There are some projects I just see as comics, and those, I'm holding on to for now in the hopes that I'll get time to draw them, but they may end up seeing life as novels or novellas first.

4. In writing a satire, how do you strike a balance between being funny and possibly going too far?

I live by a rule used by many comedians. There is no too far. Just when you're at the edge where you're becoming apprehensive and uncomfortable, that's where you should be. If you're ever feeling uncomfortable while reading one of my stories, it's because I want you to. That scene was written to make the reader face something, or see something I'm trying to say. Often the message is that something isn't as scary as is commonly believed or that characters can make unexpected decisions that you could also make in your own life.

5. What have you been working on lately, and do you have any projects planned for the new year that you're especially looking forward to working on?

My next book is already in the bag. It's a story about abusive relationships and mental illness, and one of the characters happens to be a vampire. It's expected to release on Valentine's Day 2017. There will be more info about it released after the Christmas holidays. It's a full-length novel, and I'm really looking forward to releasing it and getting people's reactions. It's a close personal project, and I'm dying to tell people about it, but I can't yet. Of course, I love my characters in Sex and the Circus, too, and I believe the story carries a lot of important messages and life situations, humorous and dramatic, that readers will identify with. Also, I'm currently producing my next novel that will be coming out after that. It's going to be a statement about corruption in political and financial circles, told as a Western. I tend to gravitate mostly to genres of humor and horror, but I love all genres, so I make a concerted effort to switch things up with every book. I had had no shortage of horror concepts in the last couple years, but I don't want to perceived as a horror writer, but an author that can tackle anything. Because of that I purposely alternate between other genres, like drama, humor, true stories, western and sci-fi. I already have the concepts I'll be working on for the next couple years plotted out, so there will be a lot of fun and entertaining stories for me to share with readers over the next couple years, including a few horror stories. I'm really looking forward to the stories I will get to share in 2017.

Thanks again, Mike!

Meet Mike Gagnon, Author and Artist

Mike Gagnon is a professional author, illustrator, and instructor. He's been creating novels, comic books, and graphic novels since 2000 and has worked for companies such as Marvel and Dark Horse. He also teaches cartooning and writing classes for all age groups at various schools and colleges in Canada.

Mike's latest book is a crime noir called Skidsville. Learn more about him and his work by visiting http://www.gagnonwrites.com/, and see samples at https://www.wattpad.com/user/MikeGagnon.

1. Have you been interested in both writing and drawing since you were a kid--and when did you know you wanted to build a career in writing and illustrating?

I got into writing and drawing early on, especially at first. When I was about five, I discovered comic books. They grabbed my attention instantly and I had a passion for them. I started tracing characters into new stories and making my own. I was too young at the time to understand that I was also storytelling. I knew right away, from that early age, that I wanted to work in comics and creative ventures.

2. How did you come up with the idea for your latest book, Skidsville?

I wanted to tell a gritty crime story, but I wanted to tell it from a different perspective than usual. Most hardboiled crime noir features a protagonist that's a homicide investigator, or the stereotypical private eye. I wanted to take a look from the point of view of a criminal. He may be a bad guy, but readers can empathize to a certain point that he is a bad guy for the right reasons. As bad as Joey (the protagonist) is, he's nothing compared to the level of corruption and callousness of the antagonists that surround him. He's nickel and dime to the "real" criminals. There's some underlying themes I wanted to explore, basically the idea of a story without a "good guy," just various layers of "bad," but also that things and people are not always what they appear. The "hero" of a story may have to atone for their actions. I originally wrote it as a graphic novel script, but time and budget put it on pause for awhile. I did however get time to adapt it into a novel, which is the book I'm promoting now. Readers can find it at finer book retailers or their favorite online bookseller. Retailers can get it from Ingram Distribution.

3. What has influenced your definition of noir? Are there particular novels, comics, films, etc. that have especially inspired you?

There's a lot of things. Frank Miller's Sin City is a big one, Will Eisner's classic work on The Spirit, as well as the film adaptation. Bruce Willis movies, like Last Boy Scout, Die Hard, Last Man Standing. I'm currently working on the graphic novel version of Skidsville again. The graphic novel will be black, white and red, which may lead to some comparisons to Miller's Sin City work, but I don't think there's any similarity beyond that. I think Skidsville is its own thing. It's an idea, doing black, white and red, that I've had for a long time, before I discovered Sin City, but over time has grown into being also a nod, or homage, to Miller's work. There's also a pretty handy book I use in the classroom from time-to-time called How to Draw Noir Comics by Shawn Martinbrough.

4. What are some of the challenges for authors/artists in presenting visual work in an eBook format compared to print?

Well, let me tell you, it all depends on platform. eReading still isn't super image friendly, but there has been progress. Kindle, for example, has a comic creator, for creating and formatting comics for Kindle readers and apps. It can even allow you to set up panel-by-panel reading instead of page-by-page. It isn't perfect, mind you, and it can be a challenge when you want to set up reading for a page with a very dynamic or original layout to the art and panels, but it's better than nothing. Kindle has special creators for children's books and text books now, too, so they are recognizing the unique needs of each format. Comixology also works well and although it is now owned by Amazon, it seems to have a bit smoother system for panel-by-panel. Things like Smashwords can be great for getting your eBook distributed to multiple channels, but they still aren't set up and compatible with image heavy books in a lot of cases. DrivethruFiction/DrivethruComics is a good option for simply uploading a .pdf file that people can download and read.

The challenges are different for comics with print. In eBooks, you're struggling to make a sensible flow with panels and software programming to ensure readability, and with print you need to watch safe areas, margins, and bleeds so nothing important gets lost when the book is trimmed to its final size. The content is printed on larger paper and then cut to size, so if your pages aren't sized or aligned right, you can lose parts of your art that you didn't want to.

5. As someone who also works as a teacher, what's your best advice to those who want to learn to write and/or illustrate comics and graphic novels?

Never stop learning and never fear failure. We get obsessed and worried about our image in this modern social media age. Share your work and make mistakes. No one is perfect, and making mistakes is how you learn and improve. There will always be people who are just mean and comment and don't like your work. It will always be. Ignore them, they're not worth it. Understand that not everything is for everyone. Some people don't like crime noir stories. That's fine. It doesn't make them, or me, right or wrong; they just have their own taste. For every book or drawing or comic, someone is going to like it and get what you're trying to say. That's who it was for, the people who get it and enjoy it.

There are also some great and helpful books out there for people to help them get started in all aspects of comics and writing: The DC Comics Guide to Writing for Comics by Dennis O’Neill, Making Comics by Scott McCloud, The Business of Comics by Lurene Haines, Perspective: Made Easy by Robert Lee, and a ton more. You can find more books that I recommend as well as my own books and articles on the subject at www.mikegagnon.ca.

Thanks, Mike!

Meet James Kelly, Author

James Kelly is the Young Adult author of a series of novels called The Guardian Wars. She resides in Houston, TX where she works at her family’s local business. She spends her free time corralling her two little girls and writing about any and all things that interest her. Part One of The Guardian Wars is currently available on Amazon Kindle, and Part Two is soon to be released. Learn more about James Kelly and stay up to date on future publications by visiting JameskKellyWrites.com.

1. How did you come up with the character of Olivia Tremaine?

Olivia and Rowan both came to me in a dream one night. It was a very strange sort of choppy moment between two people, but it really defined who they were to one another. The girl was maybe a bit younger and very determined, and the man was sort of a protector for her, but there was something more between them and they were struggling to come to terms with it. Olivia was the one in my dream who actually had the courage to say how she felt first, and I think that kind of stuck with me from then on as I began writing their story. Rowan might be the stronger and the tougher of the two, but Olivia is definitely the driving force in their relationship and the glue that keeps everything together.

2. What's the significance of the title, The Guardian Wars?

The series had a lot of different titles before I landed on "The Guardian Wars." In fact, I had written first drafts of all three books before I was able to pick a title. I wanted it to sort of foreshadow what the books were leading up to, even if you only get a glimpse of the bigger fight in Part One. I always felt like the thing that set Rowan and Olivia's story apart from other dystopian's is that instead of being together because they are trying to save their world, they're trying to save their world SO that they can be together. The war affects everyone, but it sort of stems from Rowan and Olivia's instincts to stick together and save one another.

3. What are the challenges--and what do you enjoy most--about writing books in a series rather than as stand-alone novels?

I think that writing a series is sort of like running a marathon. It's a very long and trying task, and there have been so many points where I had to convince myself to keep going. In the end, though, it's really rewarding, and as a writer it's sort of a dream. It's a lot more work than just a stand alone book, but at the end of each final draft, I didn't have to close the cover on their story. I'm able to keep building their relationships and create more obstacles for them to overcome. I also feel that some stories need more than just thirty or so chapters to tell. Rowan and Olivia just happened to need a bit more.

4. Do you have any advice for other authors who are interested in self-publishing but haven't taken the leap yet?

Self-publishing seemed like a very impossible thing when I first started researching it. I had submitted my book to so many agents, and I had gotten so many requests for more and even full manuscripts. They all seemed to like the story, but because the market had been so saturated with other dystopian type books, no one wanted to represent it. Don't take no for an answer. Believe in your work and even if you get told "No" a hundred times, don't let that make you feel that your work is inferior.

5. What would you like readers to know about book two in The Guardian Wars?

The Guardian Wars: Part Two has a lot more action that Part One. There's a bit more romance as well, but the important thing for readers to remember is that Rowan has essentially started a war that is much bigger than he is. Even though our main characters have found one another, their battle isn't over. It's just starting, and it's much scarier than they really ever imagined. Part Two will definitely have you on the edge of your seat a bit more than Part One, but in the end there's still that famous question, "What do you know?"

Thanks, James!

Meet Ali Larsen, Author

Ali Larsen is a self-published author. She writes mostly about life, love, and the relationship between the two. Visit her website at www.NeverSigningOff.com

1. Have you always been interested in writing, or did your desire to write develop over time?

I've always had some interest in writing, for as long as I can remember. When I was little kid, I wrote poetry and works of fiction. My book Stand By Me was actually written over the span of 10 years. But, as I grew older and wiser, I started writing based on personal experiences. My commitment to writing definitely developed over time.

2. I noticed that you publish in PDF format and sell your own books on your website. Why do you publish and distribute independently instead of through big retailers?

I actually considered trying to get my work published, but I wanted to try selling it all myself first. I figured having it up myself was a good way to gauge if anyone would actually purchase my writing. I chose the PDF format because I see it as a very universal file type that anyone would be able to view.

3. As someone who writes both poetry and prose, how do you decide which genre is the best for the ideas you want to express?

My writing sort of chooses me. Whenever I have an idea, it usually comes to me formed already. I'll think of a couple rhyming sentences, and then I'll write a poem. Or I'll think of a couple lines and know it would work as prose instead. The real challenge is deciding between prose and articles. For that I just see what sounds better at the end. Then I make whatever changes I need to.

4. Who are some authors, artists, musicians, or other people who inspire you creatively?

I would say one of my biggest inspiration is Gerard Way (formerly of My Chemical Romance). He always had an attitude that said "it's okay to be a little messed up." I've always felt different, so his message really stood out to me. But my biggest inspiration is the author Christopher Gutierrez. He made an entire career out of telling stories about his life. They aren't even well written, but it's because he always delivers powerful messages with them. He's an amazing author. Every time I feel like my writing isn't very good, he reminds me that it doesn't have to be. It just has to have a whole lot of heart.

5. What projects are you currently working on?

I'm currently working on two novels. One is a sort of autobiography about the places I've been and the people I've known. The other is about the challenge of living with a mental disability. I was diagnosed as bipolar when I was teenager. It's been rough journey into adulthood. Obviously, it affects personal relationships, keeping a job, and everything else. I want the message of the book to be that it's okay to be a little messed up.

Thanks, Ali!

Meet Adam Salviani, Author and Publisher

Adam Salviani is a novelist and publisher, who over the past two decades has delighted readers from around the globe. He is a bestselling author and as owner of Raider Publishing International, has published over 1,200 titles since the company's inception in 2005.

Learn more about Adam by visiting www.adamsalviani.com and www.adamsalviani.org.

1. Have you always enjoyed writing?

Yes, writing has always been a way for me to escape since I was very young. I dove into writing novels as a teenager... which wasn't easy... but I think those experiences at a young age have really helped me become a more well-rounded writer.

2. What motivated you to start a publishing company?

I had been on a month-long book tour in Europe, promoting my third book, The Lost King, and it was a life-changing experience for me. That being said, the support of my publisher at the time... or lack of support... was shocking. I decided at that point to take what I made from the book and start my own company, which has now been around for over ten years and been quite successful.

3. How have you managed to get so many books published as an independent publisher?

We've always been a very popular destination for authors looking to get their books published. I think our message of giving our authors complete creative control over their own work really resonates with writers. We've also always accepted writers based on the quality of their work, no matter where they are in the world, which has also made us very popular.

4. What is your advice to authors who are looking to publish their work?

My advice would be to focus on publishers who give priority to promotions. What the industry doesn't want you to know is that most production services are the same. Promotions show the true intentions of the publisher and if they want your book to succeed or not, or if they're just looking for your money. Make sure that they commit to at least some promotion in the contract. This will give you a much better chance for success.

5. When do you know that your own work has reached the point where you want to share a book with the world?

That's a great question and one that is different for every writer. Personally I suggest that authors single out someone in their lives who will give them an honest opinion of the work, not just what they want to hear. If that person approves of your book, then it's as ready as it will ever be.

Thanks, Adam!

Meet Truth Devour, Author

Truth Devour writes: "It is hard to determine precisely what my passions are, given the world presents with so many opportunities. The spaces I like to dabble: writing, reading, traveling, photography, painting, drawing, poetry, music--basically anything that gets my creative juices flowing and supports the mood I am feeling compelled to express. I embrace as many creative variants as time allows to willfully drink from the experiences that assist in coloring the pages of the books I choose to write and you choose to read."

Listen to Truth read the first chapter of her novel, Wantin, in the video below. Wantin is the first book in Truth's Enigma series.

1. What first inspired you to start writing your Enigma series?

I had already written eight novels which to date have remained unpublished. In a turn of chance, I was presented with an awakening to the realities of my life's expiration date. It was at this point I decided to re-evaluate my career choices to pursue a path more fulfilling to me. Shifting my career to align with my creative desires was set to present an ultimate impact in all facets of my life. This resulted in me creating the Adult Contemporary Romantic Trilogy I have titled the Enigma series. I felt it was important to create something that was more than just a love story. It is a compelling life story.

2. How would you describe your protagonist, Talia Jacobs?

The self-publishing review group made the statement: Talia is the type of person everyone wishes they knew but very few get to meet.

She is her own person. A clandestine individual who sees the world through her own unique style of assessment and understanding. She internalizes an immense amount and trusts few. Life has consistently reminded her that she is responsible for herself and that she must be accountable and responsible for her choices.

There is a balance of strength and weakness in her that is depicted throughout the series. She admits to her mistakes and attempts to right her wrongs where possible. Talia has a natural ability to evoke strong connections with all who cross her path.

3. What are some of the challenges involved in writing romantic fiction?

To me this series is far more than just romantic fiction, and so I never personally felt there were any challenges. In saying this, I can imagine if I allowed myself to spend time thinking about the concept of romance I might begin to feel that it's all been said and done before, hence stifling my creative flow.

My biggest challenge when in the process of writing is to shield myself from what is out there in the marketplace. I refrain from reading or watching movies to ensure I reduce any outside influence or noise as I see it. Eg: It's hard to write lyrics and music to a song when you are listening to music in the background.

4. Why did you choose to self-publish your books, and what has your publishing experience been like?

I'm not a fan of rules, and when it comes to my creative expression, I really don't want to be told what I can and can't do. It's okay when you are known in the industry and have established followers and a proven demand for your works. I have no doubt those in this position can call the shots, but as a new person in the literary arena, I am less likely to be granted the freedom that self-publishing affords me.

The learning curve for self-publishing and marketing is steep. I really enjoy the challenge of being an advocate for my own work. I'm constantly learning new things about the process.

5. Would you tell us a bit about the project(s) you're currently working on?

I am just in the process of finalizing book one called Illuminarium of the Soliloquy's Labyrinth Series. I am planning to release this at the beginning of May this year. This series will fall under the genre of Adult Contemporary Fantasy / Paranormal with a psychological edge.

NOTE: Truth Devour would like to invite you to participate as a reviewer of her books. Here's some info about her review crew project...

Take the journey with me...

CALL OUT FOR: SUPER REVIEW CREW

Soliloquy's Labyrinth Series

I'd like to put together a team of bookworms who enjoy reading & review contemporary fiction to participate in the assessment of my entire series as it is released. (Est. 5 Series). The Super Review Crew will receive advance notification of upcoming releases which includes things like cover reveals, release dates & a guaranteed spot to be among the first to hold the opportunity to review the E-book for free.

How it works?

Go to www.truthdevour.com.

Join the Super Review Crew mailing list to confirm you would like to participate. All readers selected on the team must be able to download the book via AMAZON USA, as this is where the gift card is issued from. This is an E-Book review.

All participants are asked to post a star rating & review to AMAZON & Goodreads at a minimum. If you are able to Blog, post on social media this is treasured and much appreciated but completely up to you.

I'm looking for open & honest reviews so no opinion will be vetted, squashed or edited by me.  I want you to place your review directly to the sites you are connected with. I will read them there & always be grateful for your participation.

Spread the word to your friends who might be interested, book clubs ~ all are welcome.

Thanks, Truth!

Meet Rich Marcello, Author

Rich Marcello is a contemporary fiction author, poet, and songwriter. He worked for many years as a technology executive, managing several multi-billion dollar businesses for Fortune 500 companies. During his time in technology, he never stopped creating art, and eventually his love for song and the written word grew to the point where he walked away from his first career to pursue poetry, song, and fiction with the same enthusiasm and discipline he demonstrated in business. Rich has published two novels, The Big Wide Calm and The Color of Home. Born in New Jersey, he lives in New England.

1. Reading about your novels, I like that your lead characters are artists. How do you choose your characters' professions and other key details about their lives?

Because I've been around the arts all of my life, either through songwriting, poetry, or over the last four years, writing novels, I tend to include at least one character in each novel who is an artist. In the first and second novels, I chose musicians. In the third, one of the main characters is a poet. It's a way for me to write, at least in part, from something I know and love well. The artists in my novels tend to be surrounded by folks who are not traditionally artistic which provides lots of contrast.

2. What inspired you to leave your job in technology and pursue your writing career?

Back in college, my English professor told me he would teach me to write novels if I switched majors from engineering and business to English. I was broke, so I stayed with engineering and business, but the desire to write remained with me all of my technology years. A number of years ago, I got the idea to write three novels about different kinds of love, and decided to leave everything technology-wise behind and go for it. It was the best decision of my life. The Color of Home, about romantic love, came out in 2013. The Big Wide Calm, at its core about platonic love, was just released. And The Beauty of the Fall will hopefully be out next year. After that, I have ideas for ten novels floating around, and plan to write for the rest of my life.

3. How does your previous experience in songwriting carry over into your current work as a novelist?

In two ways. First, I sometimes write about the songwriting process in my books. How one goes about creating a song is a process many people have not seen in detail, so it adds richness and authenticity to the main characters. Second, because songwriting is in part about conveying emotion and about the beauty of a phrase, I try to carry that over in my novels. Sometimes I'll spend an hour just on one sentence trying to get the words just right. With that said, because the first two novels had musicians in them, I've decided not to include any in The Beauty of the Fall.

4. What do you find most fun--and most challenging--about writing novels?

I like the process of writing every day first thing in the morning. When I wake up, it's loads of fun to start with a blank page and create something new. But not just that. I really love all aspects of writing. Creating something new. Re-writing. Word-smithing a sentence or phrase. Plotting. Pacing. Becoming a character for a time. All of it. The most challenging part is knowing I can only write five hours each day. After that, I'm toast. I have so much to write about, I wish I could up my hours. Smile.

5. What do you see as your goals as an artist over the next few years?

I'll finish The Beauty of the Fall. After that, I'll just keep going and write the next novel. I tend to love literary fiction, so I'll probably keep writing novels with which focus on truth, honesty, kindness, compassion, and love. Or more accurately, how folks intentionally and unintentionally have a hard time living their lives in those things.

Thanks, Rich!

Meet Sheri Meshal, Novelist

Sheri Meshal spent most of her childhood on an old farm in Iowa. A minimalist, Sheri currently lives in Chicago sans furniture with her dog, Kylee and her roommate and fellow writer, Mack Oliver. When she isn't writing, she's traveling and spending time with her nieces and nephews every chance she gets. Chokecherry is her second book.

Learn more about Chokecherry on Sheri's website, and by watching the book trailer below.

Sheri also visited this blog in December of 2012 following the release of her first book, Swallowtail.

1. I remember the story of your first book's journey to publication. What was different in your experience of seeing your second book to publication?

There's such a massive learning curve when you become an indie author, but I have to admit the second time around was easier. I felt more comfortable and confident in my marketing endeavors, along with shooting the cover and all that. It felt good, right.

2. The main character of Chokecherry is a writer: what do you have in common with your protagonist, and where do your lives diverge?

So funny you should ask! I love what I often refer to as "deliciously flawed characters." I wanted explore writing about a truly broken protagonist mending herself. Dana is about as broken and flawed as they come, so much so, some readers have a hard time relating to her. Luckily they all love Stu so much that they cut Dana some slack. Anyway, imagine my horror when readers and fellow writers began asking how much of Dana was me and telling me how they could see me in Dana--yikes! It was daunting at times writing in first-person, but Dana is a fictional character.

I said before, though, I suppose there's probably a little of me in all of my characters, even the dogs. I will admit I do write myself well, but not the way Dana does. When I can devote six or eight straight hours to a chapter, I feel my life comes back into balance. I've never spent any time in a psych ward. I do love me a good farm, though.

3. How important is setting (from Queens to rural Iowa) in your book?

I love writing about places I know well. I've never been to Queens, but Chokecherry is a real place, our old family farm from my childhood. Today it looks nothing like I remember. Sadly, it's completely unrecognizable. It was a lot of fun putting everything back the way I liked it and then some. I feel like writing about places I know well gives me so many layers to work with, which allows me to bring much more detail to the setting and really breathe life into it.

4. Do you believe that writing--and other art forms--can save us in the face of personal crisis?

I do believe writing can save us. I've written myself into a much better state of mind many times. I will say journaling doesn't always do that for me, but writing fiction does. I suppose that's where the healing element of Chokecherry began. I thought it would be so neat to have somewhere to go to reconnect with nature, art, words, animals, and music to help heal one's heart after a tragedy. Such places probably exist, but it seems like such a luxury that I could only imagine it as something magical like Chokecherry.

5. How do you balance your day job with your writing life?

I don't do a very good job of balancing my day jobs with my writing life. I worked ten hours marketing at the dental office yesterday and fourteen hours driving the limo today. I was too tired to write, even when I found little pockets of time. It's weeks like these when I worry I may never get to write full time. I'm a pretty positive person, but the indie market has become so saturated; my experience launching Chokecherry has been completely different from Swallowtail. Both were really well-received, but there are just too many books out there now. I had to laugh when another writer quoted the old Pogo cartoon, "I have been to the mountaintop and seen the enemy. It's us." It's true to a degree. Many of us became fed up with the big six publishing houses taking years to make decisions, so we took matters into our own hands... millions and millions of us. Amazon doesn't take books off the shelves like brick and mortar stores do. All those indie books--the good, the bad and the ugly--are there forever. Readers are drowning in them. I just have to keep writing. I've tried not writing. I never last very long.

I recently had a great visit with author, Beth Hoffman. She's the neatest person. We're both farm girls who'd written stories about healing farms, so we had a lot to talk about. I confided that I wish I had more patience in my writing, but I always feel I rush too much. Her response? "Don't you think that's probably because you're working two jobs while writing novels?" I had to laugh. It was like I'd been struck in the head with a bolt of lightning. I can't believe that never occurred to me. Yet I fantasize all the time about taking a month off of work just to write, so some part of me must know how much better my writing could be if I just had more time. I always say my writing is nowhere in the ballpark of where I want it to be. Then again, it might be at the hotdog stand, but I need it on the pitcher's mound before I leave this world. I'm determined to find more time to write. That's the only way it's ever going to get there.

I've got to say, my readers really keep me going. I am constantly blown away by the fantastic things readers have to say about my books. For the first year, most of my reviews brought me to tears.

Thanks, Sheri!

Introducing Sara C Roethle, Author of the Xoe Series

Sara C. Roethle was born and raised in Arizona. Still there, in case you were wondering. Besides writing, she's currently working on a degree in English. When she's not "working" either on her books or schoolwork, she likes to practice yoga with extremely poor form, and paint things no one would ever want to hang in their home. Another current obsession is Final Fantasy: A Realm Reborn... taking up way too much of her time.

Sara published her first novel, Xoe: or Vampires, and Werewolves, and Demons, oh my!, in 2009. Since then, she's added two more books to the series, Accidental Ashes and Broken Beasts. She's currently working on a book outside of her Xoe series and says that she'll hopefully get it published by the end of summer 2014.

Find Sara's books on Amazon, and learn more about Sara and read reviews of her work on Goodreads.

Meet Wright Forbucks, Author

Wright Forbucks (also known as W4$) is a comic fiction writer. He is the author of The General Store, The Walking Man, Even Steven, and most recently, Billy Grist. He lives in Massachusetts, in a town that grows apples. He is married with children. He is also devout Red Sox fan, a graduate of an Ivy League university, and an inventor of many fun things. Learn more about the author and his books on his website.

1. You have one of my all-time favorite author names. What's the story behind it?

Real simple. It's my real name :)

Actually, the name pokes fun at myself and Indie Publishing. I think many "writers" rushed into self publishing thinking it was a gold mine. I was one of these people. I make some decent bucks inventing things, but often I was not paid my royalties due by my broke or greedy licensees. So, I decided to write a book to see if I could cash in on some direct payments from Jeff Bezos. In all, I've made a few hundred bucks on book sales, so I no longer have any illusions about writing for big bucks. Instead I write because I really enjoy it. This amazes me because I never had any desire to be an author, but now I'm loaded with ideas for books and having a great time with it. I totally look forward to writing and try to put in an hour or two a day. I also discovered I have an ability to consistently write 500 words an hour and I never have a bout of writer's block. I'm not sure this is a skill, but I can crank out books and it is a very part time thing for me.

2. When writing comic fiction, do you generally have a sense of what will read as funny to other people, or do you regularly share your work with other readers to get a feel for how it plays?

I do not test my stories to see if people think they are funny. I couldn't care less. I just let it rip and hope for the best. My books start with a concept. I then make up a related story in my head. I then write the story down fast--very fast. I don't use an outline. I then re-write the book a couple times to make sure the quality is good. All the funny stuff happens in the first draft. I never come up with a funny thought when I'm in editing mode. After I complete each book I'm overwhelmed by a desired to re-write the whole book again to make it better, which I'm doing to The General Store to make it more light-hearted.

3. Who are some of your favorite writers of comic fiction, and how did you get started with your own writing?

My favorite writer of comic fiction is Kurt Vonnegut. I loved Blue Beard, The Sirens of Titan, and several of his other works. Frankly, until recently, I didn't read many novels. I spent a good deal of time reading technical articles about physics, public health, and other things that interest me, but I only read a few novels a year. So, I don't know my own genre. In fact, on several occasions a real writer has sent me an email saying I remind them of some famous author who I then have to google. Per above, I got started writing because I thought I could cash in on the ebook wave--maybe some day :)

4. What is your "day job," and do your colleagues know about your writing career?

Nobody knows I write books, but my lawyer, and Uncle Sam. My wife and family don't even know I write books. I am not ashamed of my work in any way, but it's just my thing. I'm not looking for advice or acclaim. I like to keep things simple, and sometimes keeping your mouth shut helps. I received an email the other day saying it's a damn good thing I have a pen name, because if radical Islamists read Billy Grist, they're going to try to kill me. This is true. But, to this I say, bring it on! (You can talk tough when you have a pen name.)

I real life :), I'm a engineer and scientist. I make a living inventing things. Most of my inventions involve the manipulation of light. I have numerous patents and a couple million unit sellers on the market, so I do okay, not fantastic, but I have no boss and I usually make ends meet.

5. As a writer who values originality, what's helped you to get your books into the hands of interested readers, outside of mainstream channels of the "big" publishers?

I have zero desire to work with a publisher. I want to do my own thing without interference. This means I have a very small following, but I'm cool with that. I'd write for ten or ten million. I started out with Twitter which led to relationships with a few authors which led to a few readers. I then did a free giveaway of The Walking Man at Amazon, and for some reason, 8000 downloads happened in a few hours. I picked up many readers after that event. In comparison, Billy Grist, a better book, only received 81 downloads over the same time period. So...I'm currently struggling to find readers. However, based upon my reviews to date, which are not from family and friends, I seem to be picking up a few readers, which is all I need. If people like reading my books, great. If not, there's not much I can do about it because I have no desire to write a book based upon an outline with proven sales appeal, which does not mean my next book is not going to be about a voluptuous teenage-female vampire who hangs out with an orphaned wizard :)

Thanks, Wright!

CUL8R Teen Time Travel Mysteries

Four teenagers travel back in time to save a life and solve a mystery. Will they be successful? Will they make it back? The CUL8R Teen Time Travel Mystery Series asks these questions and more. The first book in the series, OMG, was released in December 2012, and book two, BRB, will be published in April 2013.

OMG begins when Kelly, whose parents died in a car accident, moves from Texas during early summer to live with her Aunt Jane. Kelly quickly becomes friends with Scott, who has a reputation as the school's number one geek. Added to the mix are Scott's best friend Austin, the popular quarterback who runs with the cool crowd but has stayed loyal to Scott, and cheerleader Zoey, who is very focused on getting Austin's attention. Through a twist of technology, the four teens go back in time to help a girl who pleads for their help. They solve the mystery, but are then faced with the dilemma of whether or not to right a wrong or to let history stand. The four end up on the time travel adventure of their lives.

With the time travel twist, these novels put the main characters in a unique fish-out-of-water scenario. Also, the author includes some history lessons by blending real historical tidbits into the past locations and times the characters visit. Time travel allows the author to take some of today's most difficult events in teens' lives while showing the characters using real world intellect and skills as the characters solve mysteries and accomplish worthwhile missions in a time before they were born.

For more about this unique series, see http://www.cul8rseries.com.