Interview with Clara Bowman-Jahn

We have a special guest this weekend. Clara Bowman-Jahn, author of "Annie's Special Day," joins us for a short interview. You may recognize her as one of the participating authors of the 'Voices of Fiction' series and one of eTreasures' authors.

Welcome, Clara. Have a seat and get comfortable, let's get to know you a little better.

What genre do you normally write?

Clara: I write memoir but have a published picture book out. Also have an essay in the anthology of “The I word” “Words that inspire” edited by Kate Gould and have three flash fiction stories in the anthology of “Campaigner Questions 2011” edited by Catherine Harrie.

What got you interested in writing, and what inspired you to write your first book?

Clara: Actually, funny you should ask that. That very question is the nature of the essay in Kate Gould’s anthology “ The I Word” about how I have journaled since I was fifteen years old and as Gal. says “You reap what you sow” finally seeking publication for a story I had written in my journal of a little girl hearing beautiful birds.

Who has influenced your writing and how?

Clara: My mother started me on my writing journey writing inspiring quotes down in my journal long ago. It finally grew to be my brain, remembering my daily life for me as it passed by. Reading the great authors hasn’t hurt either. I just can’t read enough to satisfy me. My reading influences me, too.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Clara: Read, read, read.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers?

Clara: Read, read, read. And then write , write and write.

Where can people learn more about you and your work?

http://www.clarbojahn.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ClaraBowmanJahn
https://twitter.com/CBoJahn
http://clarbojahn.wordpress.com/ 
http://www.etreasurespublishing.com/pages/Clara-Bowman%252dJahn.html

Thank you so much for joining us today. It's been a delight.

Voices of Fiction - Traditional or Self-Publication - Part Four

Welcome to Voices of Fiction.

We continue our discussion on publication choice, traditional or self-publication.

Please welcome our authors.

Vicki Batman likes to kick back with a diet Coke and write crazy things for her characters. She has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??" - Website, Blog, Amazon

Karenna Colcroft is the alter ego of a shy, sedate wife and mother. She has been writing since age five, and dove into erotic romance in 2006. Her first book was published in 2009, and since then she has had over thirty stories published. She lives in the northeastern US with her two children and her real-life romance hero husband. - Website, Facebook, Twitter

Carole Ann Moleti is a nurse-midwife in New York City, thus explaining her fascination with paranormal and urban fantasy. Her newest fiction is featured in Beltane: Ten Tales of Magic. Excerpts of Carole's memoir, Someday I'm Going to Write a Book: Diary of an Urban Missionary has been published most recently in the new, irreverent Not Your Mother's Book Series. - Website, Blog, Twitter

Pembroke Sinclair has had several short stories, novellas, novels, and nonfiction published in various places. She writes an eclectic mix of fantasy, science fiction, horror, some romance, and previously Westerns. - Blog, eTreasures, Amazon



Welcome Authors! It's wonderful to have you back.

What is your publishing method choice: Traditional or Self-Publication? Why?

Vicki Batman - I choose a mix because it's like the stock market--don't put all eggs into one basket. If something no longer works in one area, then being in another one can be advantageous.

Karenna Colcroft - For the most part, I prefer traditional publishing. I'm not very business-minded, so having someone else deal with the paperwork and bookkeeping, as well as supporting me with promo and marketing, is very helpful to me.

Carole Ann Moleti - I am sticking to the traditional publishing method for now. I am not a good editor and can't do my own cover art. Plus, if I had to do all that formatting, uploading, and distribution, I wouldn't have time to write and market my stories.

Pembroke Sinclair - Technically, those two choices don't fit my publishing method. My publisher is an indie publisher, a small house that does both eBooks and the occasional print version. In a way, it's like traditional publishing because the books go through an editing phase and get a cover, but they aren't placed in physical book stores. I prefer this way because no traditional publisher wants me and I don't have the time to self-publish. Either way anyone chooses, though, the most important thing is to get your books in the hands of readers.

Thank you all for joining us today.

Readers and Authors, feel free to ask questions and leave comments concerning this topic in the comment section below. You may also send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com

(Disclaimer - Bios and photos submitted by authors.)

Voices of Fiction - Traditional or Self-Publication - Part Three

Welcome to Voices of Fiction.

We continue our discussion on publication choice, traditional or self-publication.

Please welcome our authors.

Cara Marsi, former corporate drone and cubicle dweller, and award-winning author, is published in romantic suspense, contemporary romance and paranormal romance. She also writes short romance stories for women’s magazines. Cara and her husband share their house with a fat black diva of a cat named Killer. - Website, Twitter, Facebook

Liz Crowe’s groundbreaking romance sub-genre, “Romance for Real Life,” has gained thousands of fans and followers who are interested less in the “HEA” and more in the “WHA” (“What Happens After?”) Her books are set in the not-so-common worlds of breweries, on the soccer pitch and in high-powered real estate offices. Don’t ask her for anything “like” a Budweiser or risk painful injury. - Website,  Blog, Facebook

Terry W. Ervin II is an English and Science teacher who enjoys writing. Gryphonwood Press published the first two novels in his First Civilization’s Legacy Series (FLANK HAWK and BLOOD SWORD) and he is busy writing the third novel in the fantasy series. In November 2012 Gryphonwood Press is slated to release Terry’s first short story collection, GENRE SHOTGUN. - Website, Blog

Children’s Picture Book author, Clara Bowman-Jahn, of “Annie’s Special Day” is living the life of her dreams an hour at a time. - Website, Etreasures



Welcome Authors! It's wonderful to have you back.

What is your publishing method choice: Traditional or Self-Publication? Why?

Cara Marsi - I have indie published several books and I love the control, I love writing what I want and not what a publisher's marketing department wants. I'm leaning more and more toward all indie publishing. But I always hire a professional editor to edit my indie books.

Liz Crowe - Traditional. I have been very lucky to find a small publisher who believed in my voice and has poured a ton of time and energy into getting me the best editing, best cover art and top notch promotional assistance. I am way too busy with my other business to take on all that myself. I want to WRITE the books and let experts in other fields do their part to make them successful.

Terry W. Ervin II - Traditional. There are some aspects of publishing that I prefer my publisher focus on rather than me. It enables me to have more time for writing, and life in general. Counting writing as a part-time job, I have one full-time and three part-time jobs, in addition to a family, church and other life activities. Plus, having a traditional publisher opens opportunities self-publishing doesn’t, such as participation at some book events and conventions, including panels and signings, which I may not otherwise have. As self-publishing continues to become better established over the next decade, I strongly suspect that may change.

Clara Bowman-Jahn - "Annie's Special Day" was traditionally published and I like that it went through a gate keeper of sorts. It validated me when it happened. However I have nothing against self-published books. There are some very good ones out there. No matter if one self publishes or go the traditional route one needs to get a good editor and pay for a good cover.

Thank you all for joining us today.

Readers and Authors, feel free to ask questions and leave comments concerning this topic in the comment section below. You may also send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com

(Disclaimer - Bios and photos submitted by authors.)

Voices of Fiction - Traditional or Self-Publication - Part Two

Welcome to Voices of Fiction.

We continue our discussion on publication choice, traditional or self-publication.

Please welcome our authors.

Karen Cioffi is a multi-award-winning author, freelance/ghostwriter, editor, and online marketer, as well as the founder and manager of Writers on the Move. - Website, Website, Website

Jade Varden is the author of the Deck of Lies series, a collection of YA mystery books that show what happens when dark family secrets are exposed. Jade also provides professional writing tips to other indie authors on her blog. - Twitter, Blog, Amazon

Thea Landen writes erotic literature, frequently in a sci-fi/fantasy setting. When she's not writing, or thinking about writing, her hands and mind are occupied by either yarn crafts or role-playing games. Blog, Amazon, AllRomanceBooks

Author and editor, Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz has published more than 100 articles, 75 stories, six e books, a chapbook, one MG novel, a short story collection, and her stories have been included in two anthologies. She writes for both adults and children. She edits for two small traditional publishers. Website, Blog, MuseItUp


Welcome Authors! It's wonderful to have you back.

What is your publishing method choice: Traditional or Self-Publication? Why?

Karen Cioffi - I prefer traditional publishing, but like and use self-publishing also. The reason I prefer traditional publishing is the advantages it offers: a team and a bit more clout for some other avenues. Self-publishing on the other hand offers speed.

Jade Varden - My experiences with self-publishing have been more positive than what I’ve had with more traditional publishing. Both have merits, both have drawbacks, and the two are remarkably similar for the majority of authors. But with self-publishing, at least you know what you’re getting and you know how you’re doing.

Thea Landen - I'm somewhere in the middle, as my books are published by an e-publisher. Not having to worry about formatting, cover design, and distribution is a HUGE relief to me - those are probably the biggest reasons I don't think I'd ever self-publish.

Penny Ehrenkranz - I have never tried self-publishing. My first published pieces were all short stories and non-fiction articles. I now have three novelettes published by MuseItUp Publishing: Love Delivery (contemporary romance), Lady in Waiting (historical romance), and Mirror, Mirror (time travel romance). I have a collection of short stories published by Sam’s Dot Pubishing, A Past and A Future. 4RV Publishing has contracted with me to publish my two middle grade novels, Ghost for Rent (a newly edited version of a previously released book) and Ghost for Lunch (the sequel). I am also under contract with 4RV to publish two picture books, Boo’s Bad Day and Many Colored Coats.

While MuseItUp, Sam’s Dot, and 4RV are not big houses, they are all traditional. There are no fees to the author, nor do I as author have to purchase the books to sell to others.

While I still need to do my own marketing with a small publisher, there is a lot of guidance, helpful tips, and encouragement, not to mention excellent editors.

Thank you all for joining us today.

Readers and Authors, feel free to ask questions and leave comments concerning this topic in the comment section below. You may also send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com

(Disclaimer - Bios and photos submitted by authors.)