February 23rd, 2009
Shelia M. Goss is celebrating the release of her fifth women’s fiction novel - His
Invisible Wife on the Invisible Love tour. She’s also the author of My Invisible
Husband, Roses are thorns, Paige’s Web, Double Platinum and the new teen series, The Lip Gloss Chronicles. I’m thrilled she stopped by to answer a few questions. Enjoy!
1. Why did you initially choose to self-publish?
After encouragement from other authors and readers of my unpublished works, I decided to take a leap of faith and try publishing myself. I’m glad that I did. I learned a lot about the publishing business and I feel that it helped prepare me for entering the mainstream world of publishing.
2. Would you encourage other authors to self-publish?
There are pros and cons to both being self-published and being with a traditional publisher. My best advice is for the author to do their research on both and decide which route is best for them. At this stage of my career, being with a traditional publisher works better for me.
3. What was your journey to getting published by Urban Soul?
By the time I got picked up by Urban Soul, I had gained some success prior with my book My Invisible Husband. The book was on several best-sellers list including the Essence Magazine Best sellers list. I think because of that prior success, I got noticed by the publisher. I went through the normal process of sending a query, etc. and the rest is history.
4. When facing rejections early in your writing career, what motivated you to keep going?
I feel that God gives us all talents. Writing happens to be the talent He blessed me with so I didn’t let rejection deter me from my ultimate goal of getting published. Rejection to me is like fuel to a furnace. It kept me motivated to learn as much as I could about the craft and proceed forward until some of the barriers broke down.
5. What book(s) have contributed to your writing success?
Story by Robert McKee
6. Who has been a support on your writing journey?
There have been many people. The number one person would be my mom. During those weak moments, she was the one to remind me of the gift so I wouldn’t give up. Vincent Alexandria and Magdalene Breaux were two authors who mentored me and I’ll always be grateful for them because I learned a lot from them about publishing. Emma Rodgers of the now closed Black Images was the first bookseller to give me my start and she introduced me to Francis Ray. The ladies of the seriousnovelist (Carla Curtis, Peggy Eldridge-Love, Linda Grosvenor, Cherlyn Micheals) were there during the beginning stages and were not only a wealth of information, but a great support system. I could go on and on. I’ve been blessed to be part of a good network of writers from the beginning stages of my career until now.
7. You write both women’s fiction and young adult. How do you shift between genres?
I only work on one manuscript at a time so it’s easy for me to write in multiple genres.
8. How do you balance the work of writing and promoting your novels?
By the grace of God…lol Promoting is fun but tiresome because it can eat up a lot of your day. I’ve learned how to do graphics so I’ve been able to implement those skills with promoting my books. My normal routine is to work on promotions at least an hour a day so I can at least feel like I’m getting something accomplished in that area.
9. What is one question you wish aspiring authors would ask you and how would you reply?
Wow…now that’s a hard question. I don’t know what that question would be, but I do have a few comments. The best advice I could give an aspiring writer is to write a complete manuscript, revise, join networking groups and research. Google is a writer’s best friend. When asking questions to other authors, be specific. A generic question like “how can I get my book published?” will not yield you the response that you want. Why? Because there’s no magic formula to getting your book published. Asking specific questions will show that you’ve taken the time to do your research and that you’re serious about the craft of writing.
Visit Shelia’s website www.sheliagoss.com or www.thelipglosschronicles.com for more information about her books.
About His Invisible Wife:
Texas businessman Jacob “Jake” Banks is about to lose his business and everything else he’s worked for until his uncle dies and leaves him as the executor of his estate–only catch is, he has to marry and marry a specific woman in order to cash in on the inheritance. Big problem, since Jake has vowed to be a bachelor for life.
Brianna Mayfield is at her last rope. Her father lost his business due to Jake’s uncle turning down a loan. She’s convinced this caused her father to fall into a deep depression. She blames the Banks and vows to pay them back one day. When she sees an ad in the paper for a job at her self-proclaimed enemy’s company, she feels her luck is turning around. She applies and is later approached by Jake with a proposition she can’t turn down.
How far would you go for a million dollars?
His Invisible Wife can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com. It will be in stores in July.
February 19th, 2009
Stop by on Monday, February 23rd for my interview with national bestselling author Shelia Goss.
And don’t forget my contest.
February 12th, 2009
Want a free romance or two? Harlequin wants to help. To celebrate their 60th anniversary they’re giving away sixteen romances–just download and enjoy. Find out more here.
February 5th, 2009
Today I’m over at eHarlequin contributing to the “Yes We Can” marathon. Please stop by and don’t forget to read the other authors.
February 2nd, 2009
This month the Harlequin Community celebrates Black History Month with twenty-eight Kimani authors sharing their interpretation of the “Yes We Can” message every day. Please stop by and get inspired.
January 27th, 2009
Today I’m over at Access Romance talking about getting out of reading ruts.
January 22nd, 2009
If you’re feeling frustrated about the publishing industry I hope these will give you a good chuckle.
From the Typewriter to the Bookstore: A publishing story
And if you’re bored, I’ve add another jigsaw puzzle for Body Chemistry on my Black Stockings Society Page.
January 13th, 2009
Oops! In my last blog I forgot to mention my January release. So for those of you who haven’t gotten your copy of the third book in The Black Stockings Society,Body Chemistry is now out! I was thrilled to discover that it received a 4 1/2 star Top Pick from Romantic Times magazine.
January 7th, 2009
Sometimes a New Year is difficult to face because you feel it will be more of the same. Some people eagerly write out their resolutions and goals while others don’t know what they want. They just know it’s not what they have. So if you’re one of the people who don’t know what they want try this exercise.
What would you want your tombstone to say? How about your obituary? Would you want it to be three lines or half a page with a picture of you at the peak of your glory? Go ahead and dream. Imagine the plays you’ve written, the bookshelf crammed with your books, the awards you’ve won, the lives you’ve changed or the charities you’ve helped and/or created. Let your mind run free and write it down.
Then step back and look at what it reveals. Perhaps from that you can find a kernel of what your destiny is. Now take a deep breath and have the courage to go for it. You want to be a playwright? Type the name of your first play or write an outstanding review. Design the book cover for your book, sketch the painting you’ve always wanted to try. It doesn’t matter if you just put your toe in the water or jump in. Go for it, you don’t have forever.
An article of interest:
Seven Things I’ve Learned about Writing Part II
Make 2009 your year!
December 31st, 2008
I don’t believe in New Year’s Resolutions because they leave most people disillusioned by February therefore I’m a goal setter instead. However, that’s enough about me. If you want to make resolutions for the New Year here are five to consider.
1. I resolve not to send out a terrible query letter like this.
2. I resolve not to be self destructive (i.e. turning to the bottle, drugs or that bag of double stuffed Oreos) if I get a rejection(s), a nasty review or any type of discouraging news.
3. I resolve not to compare my first draft efforts to that of a bestselling published book (I will remember that published books have been rewritten and edited many times to be polished for public viewing).
4. I resolve to do my research so I don’t fall prey to scams like these.
5. I resolve to be proactive. To take responsibility of my career. I will know my priorities (emailing is not writing, it’s chatting; blogging is fun, but manuscripts mean money).
That’s it. Have fun and create your own resolutions if you wish or create one solid goal that you intend to accomplish.
Happy New Year! I wish you a 2009 filled with contracts, royalties and riches.
