Our interview with Author Melody Anne!

                                                             Submit by Melody Anne


                                                                        Bio
Melody Anne is the author of the popular series, Billionaire Bachelors, and Baby for the Billionaire. She also has a Young Adult Series out; Midnight Fire and Midnight Moon - Rise of the Dark Angel. She's been writing for years and published in 2011. She hold a bachelors degree in business, so she loves to write about strong, powerful, businessmen.
When Melody isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pets. She lives in a small town that she loves, and is involved in many community projects.
See Melody's Website at: www.melodyanne.com. She makes it a point to respond to all her fans. You can also join her on facebook at: www.facebook.com/authormelodyanne, or at twitter: @authmelodyanne.
She looks forward to hearing from you and hopes you enjoy her stories.


1.    How has your life changed since you started publishing ? 

"Wow, my life has changed in a lot of ways and yet stayed the same in a lot of ways. I can do more vacations with my family, but I also work 7 days a week. I can now just take my work with me. My family is so great, and it's all about them, and spending time together. I always wanted to work from home so I wouldn't miss out on their activities. Now, I'm able to do that and still pay the bills. :)

 

2.    How do you come up with so many story ideas?

Romance is the easiest thing in the world to write about. It's all around us. I constantly talk to people, and ask questions and learn about their love stories and then twist it in my mind. Several times, I will be talking to people and then have to rush to grab a pen and paper and write it down before I lose the idea. I also read a lot, and get inspired that way, or watch sappy romance movies. There is romance everywhere we look. We just have to find it and utilize it.

3.    How much time and research was spent in the writing of each book?

Some books take longer than others to research. I'm writing a book now that involves a boat rescue. I had to order several books on the coast guard rescues so that I have accurate language and don't mess that up. I want to keep it as real as possible while still being original. Another thing I do is go to the websites of the places I am writing about and send for their chamber of commerce catalogs listing the activities in the areas. I haven't done a lot of traveling to all these places, so again, I want to be accurate, so I research the cities and sometimes, I'll ask fans what they love about their areas and use that information.

 

4.    Who is your favorite author and how did they inspire you to write?

I don't have one favorite. I love Nora Roberts. I can't imagine a romance author out there who doesn't. :) I also love Stephen King and Dean Koontz, and JK Rowlings. Some of my favorites are people I have met the last couple years such as Randy Mixter, Ruth Cardello, Kathleen Brooks, Sandra Marton (who I have loved for years) Lynn Raye Harris, Terri Marie. The list goes on and on. I could write a book on the authors who I love.

 

5.    It’s easy to see that you have a passion for writing but is there any part of it you don’t like?

Honestly, no. I used to hate editing, but Kathleen Brooks said something that has stuck with me. She said editing was her favorite part, because it meant she was no longer staring at a blank page waiting for inspiration, but a page full of words. That really changed my attitude on it. I love my job. I love that I can take it with me no matter where I go, and that I can see the world if I want to. This is about as great as it gets.

 

6.    Do you make time to read and if you do what are you reading right now?

Yes, yes, yes. I love to read. At the moment the book on my kindle is Ruth's newest release, rise of the billionaire. I have been in editing right now, so haven't got to read the last couple weeks. I'll be soaking up about 10 books while on vacation.

 

7.    Have you seen any changes in the publishing industry since you started?

Definitely. When I first published, self-publishing was really looked down upon. It still is by some, but that is fading with rising stars such as Bella Andre out there. I've had an offer to publish traditionally, but I don't want my book prices raised so high my fans don't want to buy them. I like the small house, Gossamer, that I'm with. Jack is amazing. I may go with a series with a traditional NY house, but at the moment, I'm happy where I'm at.

 

8.    Many books are going the indie publishing route; Do you see the publishing industry headed this way? Or do you think the tried and true will win out?

I think NY will need to make some big changes if they want to stay around. I have several author friends who have switched from traditional to indie. If you have a good team with you, especially a good editor, then there isn't much a NY house can do that you can't do on your own. I think there are benefits to both ways of publishing.

 

9.    Do you have any online sites where others can read more of your writings?

No. I offer 3 free books right now, and a couple discounted books, so I don't post my writing anywhere else. I like the security of picking up the books through amazon, iBooks, or the other places. I have an amazing manager at amazon, too, who I love. My books are now being made into audiobooks, thanks to him.

 

10.Do you have any more stories in the works? Have you ever thought of writing in any other genre?

I have my stories planned out for at least a year, and I can't seem to write fast enough. I wish there were more hours in the day. :) The Andersons have a new line coming out, starting this June 30th. It's available for pre-order now. I have 2 more books for the Surrender series, and then I have to complete the Tycoon series. As for another genre, yes. I have my YA series out now with the final book in that series coming in December. I am also working on a horror book, but don't have a release date on it right now.

11.Who would be your first choice to play Arianna of your book Submit (Surrender Series Book Two) if it were ever to become a movie?

I honestly don't know. I watch very little tv anymore. I get in maybe a half hour a day on my ipad. I just download show on it, but I would rather write than watch tv. I do love a good movie, but even those have been slow lately. I think Alice from twilight may be good for her. I don't even know the actresses real name, but I love her.

 

12.If you could meet anyone from any time who would it be and what would be your first question?

That's a tough question because having this opportunity is priceless. Instead of really meeting someone for a moment, I would love to have 2 hours to sit down with Nora Roberts and ask her some of these questions you've asked me. I would love to know how she keeps her stories fresh after having 200 books published. This woman is amazing. I do get to sit down with Sandra Marton in July who has over 80 book out, and believe me, I will pick her brain. She is an amazing woman. I love learning the different creative processes of these powerful, strong women who have taken the world by storm. They are my heroes.

You can find out more information on Melody Anne’s books on her blog site here

http://www.melodyanne.com/

 

also you can follow her on her Facebook page here too!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/authormelodyanne

Childhood Memories with Natalie Star!

 

 

 

 

 

                                        Childhood Memories – I have so many!

I used to be a imaginative child, so maybe that’s why I can write paranormal and feel okay in doing so.

I used to have an imaginary playmate. I’m sure I drove my mother nuts with him. I don’t remember what he looked like; I only remember it as a “him”. His name was Doomus. I don’t know where or how I came up with that name, but I believe we had a dog by that name too, whether it was before or after my playmate I don’t recall. What I do remember is that his “house” was an exact replica of mine, but it was upside down on my ceiling. I could look up and see his as a mirror image, and he was usually doing what I was, just above me. Except when we ate, played games, or left the house he came down to join me.

I remember once we were trying to cross a busy four lane road to go eat dinner at a local pizza place. When traffic was finally clear my mom tried to get me to cross and I wouldn’t. She was upset with me and asked why I wouldn’t go. I said, “Doomus wasn’t ready, and I didn’t want him to get run over.”

A favorite of mine is when my mom tells a story of when I was young and I got a bottle of soy sauce (the kind that comes out in spurts when you shake it), and I got on top of my bed and jumped up and down with the bottle open. It spurted all over my ceiling and when my parents found me they had no idea what it was all over the place. My father stuck his finger in it to smell it then he tasted it (brave move). They eventually found the empty bottle under my bed where I stashed it, and that identified what was all over my room. I don’t remember the fallout from that, but I do know I blamed it on Doomus. You see, Doomus was the trouble maker in my family, not me!

Thanks for stopping by to read my guest blog, I hope you enjoyed it and have many days jumping on your bed -minus the soy sauce! (Can you imagine how much fun that must have been?)

Looking for PR, interviews on blogs, radio or newspapers!

 

 

Bruce Goldwell gave me the idea, I know its gonna stretch things but I am willing to give it a try. Every day make a media contact. Radio, PR, blog interview, what ever. So I think I will put it out there, if you have a blog or a radio show... or a newspaper and would like to interview us, do a story on us or what ever. I can provide info, answer questions or what ever you need. We are up for the challenge! Starting today we are going to try and contact one media outlet a day. Hey, its worth a try!

 

We are a mother and son writing team. This started as a school project that blossomed into what it is today. We have met many people along the way, signed on with a small publishing company called MasterKoda Select Publishing, found a wonderful artist who also happens to be an author in his on right who drew the wolf and young man on the cover of our book. Dan Peyton put in a lot of love into that drawing. Our story is varied in that we are not solitary as most writers tend to think. We have a team of people who we work with. Editors, artists, cover designers, publishers, marketing groups, the list is endless! We all work together to put out a book that is worthy of the big 6 publishing company standards. So if you need someone to interview, or are looking for someone for a radio show, to do an article on for your magazine, e-zine, newspaper or what ever you are publishing. We are ready willing and able to be that subject!

 

this is me, plain and simple

Hi, my name is Wendy and I am one half of the writing team of a mother and son writing duo. Charlie is my son and the reason this all got started in publishing. I have always loved books, everything from getting my first joke book from those book ordering things we got from school; the scholastic readers, to the Nancy Drew and the Hardy boy’s mysteries. I read everything I could get my hands on as long as it was fantasy and YA or even just fantasy. The thought of being published never crossed my mind because I didn’t even have a clue as to how or where I would start. I loved authors and thought they were the best people because they could create worlds and people and take you into away from your everyday life and make it a wonderful life.

I grew up and got married and had children. We read books, but only had a few and the kids always wanted more stories. So one night I started telling my kids stories with them as the main characters, anything from meeting Billy Ray Cyrus to My boys solving a haunted house mystery. The stories always involved the kids and always varied from night to night. I then hit on one where they basically do like a Narnia thing and go to a parallel universe. I had never read or even heard of Narnia so didn’t know it existed. But the kids had grand adventures and always saved the day. If the kids were fighting a bit more I told a story where they were in a cave of mysteries to rescue a friend and got separated. They knew in those caves once you disappeared you never came back. And it got them to stop fighting, as much.

All the kids love to read books. My youngest had learning problems in school but loved stories. He had stories in his head but didn’t know how to express them in writing. So he would tell me his stories. As he grew older he got to writing and worked very hard on getting his ideas out on paper. The principal gave him the task of writing a book, editing it and publishing it. We took that challenge even though neither of us or the principal had any idea of how to go about it. We contacted local authors; we read everything we could get our hands on. It was like some big mystery and you had to sort through a ton of stuff to find out how to do it. No one wanted to share advice or give away how they did it.  We worked on the story but since I was the eldest and Charlie was still a minor I contacted editors and people and submitted to agents so they could deal with me. I doubted everything and since we were broke couldn’t snatch up the first golden ring dangled in front of us with a price tag.

First we found how to publish independently via the Amanda Hocking story in the Des Moines Register but Charlie wanted a paperback book. Not an e-book. He wanted something tangible and he could hold in his hands to say, “I created this.” We discovered that CreateSpace was for paperback books and allowed him to have that. So we were off and running. Fast forward a couple of years, we got published, Charlie graduated with a grade for publishing a book and we managed to sell books almost every month.

Then we met Kim Mutch Emerson and got signed on with MKSP. We had edited the book to the best of our ability but since we don’t have a formal education in it and we didn’t know much about formatting. We did the best we could. MKSP helped us do it better, much better. Has it always been an easy road? No. it hasn’t but it has been a road, but I would be willing to travel again. Is it always easy trying to keep the writer happy and the editor happy? No, but it’s all a learning experience I wouldn’t trade for the world. I would love to write full time and argue with Kim over whether or not we can create an additive that would stabilize gas to last more than a year  by just agitating it to mix it up and it’s good to go again. Lol

So in a nut shell that is our story. We are still on the road and still on the journey and I am excited to see where it goes and how it all comes out. I hope to someday be able to just be a writer and co-author and make a living at it. But for now, I have to write and work as well. It severely cuts into our discussing story time but we are trying to make it work. We chatter when we can and create when we can. I look forward to getting to know everyone! Have a great day!

 

this is where you can find our book that has finally been re published! http://www.amazon.com/Kais-Journey-Chronicles-Clover-ebook/dp/B00D3O48DK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370626322&sr=8-1&keywords=kai%27s+journey

 

 

Out of my Head: Check it out!!

Out of my Head: Check it out!!: A while back, okay several years ago, I met a fellow writer on Facebook. Wendy Siefken, who introduced me to other authors and to a Facebook...

Thank you to all who have supported us through our Journey!

 

I just wanted to say thank you to all the wonderful people who have supported us and helped us through the years! Your kindness and generosity can never be repaid but I would like to send everyone who stops by a thank you note in the mail. You can message me your mailing address to WendyandCharlesSiefken@yahoo.com

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful time at the Book launch today! Join in on the fun and prizes at this link!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/379479385502512/

Our moment with Vickie Johnstone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What has been your greatest moment as a writer?

 

Have you ever had a moment, even if it was a split second when someone noticed you for the unique person you are or complemented you on a job well done? Do you remember what that feels like in your heart?

 

Vickie Johnstone

 

My two greatest moments have been getting my first book published at the beginning of 2011, thanks to the discovery of Kindle KDP and Smashwords, closely followed by my first review for it, which made me cry because I couldn’t believe that someone liked it.

 

Kiwi in Cat City was the first book I ever finished, in 2002. Although I wrote poetry and started stories, I rarely completed the latter. I sent three chapters of Kiwi to a big publisher who rejected it, saying they were not accepting any children’s books because they had been swamped with them since the success of Harry Potter. The letter contained no feedback whatsoever on my book, so I assumed they thought it was rubbish. I now know that’s common for such letters. But, back then this crushed my confidence so much that I never submitted the book to anyone again. No one read it and it just gathered dust in my drawer. I didn’t write another novel for ten years.

 

Around Christmas 2011, I read about self-publishing. I dug out Kiwi, typed it up, edited it, found a cover and published it. I think this is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. I thought to myself, even if no one reads this, I will have fulfilled my dream, which was to publish a book.

 

I contacted about twenty of the top book reviewers on Amazon and waited. Two replied. They loved it and I was overwhelmed. No one had read Kiwi and I thought no one ever would. I then met a lot of authors in the online writing groups who were just as crazy about books as me, and since then I’ve written 10 more. At the moment, I’m working on four. Basically, the feedback I got on Kiwi and the support I received from other authors inspired me. I would never have written another book otherwise and still just have the one, gathering dust in a drawer somewhere.

 

The Kiwi Series has six books now and I hope to write more. The characters go on adventures in different worlds, such as the UnderPaw beneath Cat City, the Land of Giant Mice, a haunted house, Father Christmas’ home, the watery Isle of the Serpent and back in time to Ancient Egypt. I love the characters in these books and writing them is like watching a cartoon rolling in my head – I just have to do all the voices myself!

 

Receiving a good review is the best thing ever. I never take them for granted and treasure them. I love reading them. My favourites for the Kiwi Series are those from children. It’s wonderful to hear what they think. It almost feels like they’ve read the book with me or stepped into it, running with Kiwi and turning into a kitten to go on an adventure. Then I’m reminded of being nine again and escaping into a novel, tucked up in bed with a torch under the blanket.

 

Of all the reviews for Kiwi in Cat City, the one I love the most is from a girl called Emily who said, “This series just gets better and better. There is magic everywhere.”

 

The most magical thing for me has been publishing Kiwi in Cat City, because it fulfilled a dream I’d had since I was a kid. I don’t know if I’ll ever be a successful writer, but I do know that I’m thrilled that the books I’m writing are being read – at last. My advice to any budding author is to write away and don’t give up. Write stories that remind you of your childhood dreams.