Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long does it take you to write a book?

A. Typically four to six months. The more deadlines I have, the faster I have to write.

Q. How do I write a book?

A.Writing takes a lot of hard work, patience, and determination. If you’re serious about writing a book, I strongly recommend that you take creative writing classes and/or attend workshops where you can learn about the craft of writing. You can also visit your local library or bookstore, or go online to find articles that give valuable tips on writing and getting published. There are tons of resources out there for aspiring writers. You must do your research.

Q. Will you read my work and provide feedback?

A. Unfortunately, no. See, I'm not an editor, publisher, agent or writing instructor. Reading and critiquing submissions takes a lot of time. If I did that, I wouldn't get much else done, namely writing books. And I don't think my editors or fans would really appreciate that, since they expect me to write books. So please do not send me your work. Pretty please, with sugar on top.

Q. You self-published your first book, Ghosts of Fire, through iUniverse. How would you rate your experience with iUniverse? Should I use the company to publish my book?

A. Overall I had a positive experience and would recommend iUniverse to any aspiring writer. When I was ready to have my work published, I researched a number of print-on-demand (POD) publishers and chose iUniverse based on strong author testimonials and the affordable services the company provided at the time. It was definitely the right choice for me. Ghosts of Fire sold moderately well, received glowing reviews, and won a few awards. It took a lot of hard work and determination on my part to promote the book, but my efforts paid off when I landed a publishing contract the following year. Before you ask—no, I don’t believe my iUniverse experience had anything to do with the sale. Self-publishing through iUniverse definitely helped me get a product out there, but the rest was up to me. I had to send out copies of the book to reviewers and to local newspaper editors, I entered contests, I set up book signings, I attended conferences and participated in workshops, etc. In other words, I did whatever was necessary (and within my budget) to promote my book and get my name out there. If you decide to self-publish through iUniverse, the Publishing Services Associate (PSA) assigned to you will be more than capable of answering your specific questions. A lot has changed since I used the company in 2002.

Q. Should I get a literary agent?

A. It’s up to you. Literary agents are experts in the publishing industry. They have networking contacts with various editors and know better than writers which editors would be most likely to buy their work. Agents can also give writers an added advantage when negotiating contracts. They know the market value of their clients’ work and know how to negotiate contracts so that writers receive fair terms (ideally). At the same time, no agent is better than a bad agent. An agent who is not willing to work hard on their clients’ behalf is not someone you want representing you. If you’re ready to begin submitting your work to agents, Writer’s Digest publishes an annual Guide to Literary Agents. It contains a comprehensive listing of literary agents who might be interested in your work, and provides information about various genres they represent, what they’re looking for, the works they’ve sold to publishers, their submission guidelines, etc. The guide also contains sample query letters, synopses, and other tips and articles for aspiring writers. The Guide to Literary Agents was an invaluable resource for me when I first started out in 2002. You can find it at your local bookstore or library, or online.

Q. Can you recommend an agent?
 
A. Every writer is unique. An agent who’s perfect for one writer may be ineffective for another. I suggest you consult Writer’s Market Online.

Q. Who is your literary agent?

A. I am most fortunate to be represented by Jessica Faust of BookEnds, LLC. If you have any business-related questions about my work--you know, the type of questions that might make my eyes glaze over with confusion--please send an email to Jessica. If you're interested in learning more about her agency and the type of books she represents, I encourage you to visit her lovely, informative Web site.

Q. How do I submit to publishers?

A. If you’re not interested in using a literary agent to submit to publishers, I recommend that you research the different publishing houses, find out which ones are publishing books similar to your own, then submit a query letter to the appropriate editor based on the publisher’s guidelines. Never send a complete manuscript to an editor unless they specifically ask for it. And don’t waste your time (and money) sending queries to houses that do not publish the type of book you’re writing.

Q. Can you recommend a publisher or help me get a foot in the door with your editor(s)?

A. See the above answer to find out the best way to contact a publisher.

Q. What if I keep receiving rejection letters?

A. You’re not alone! Every writer I know has received the dreaded rejection letter at some point in their career. If you think you’re getting more than your fair share and you don’t know why, I recommend that you read as many as books as possible that are released by your target publisher(s). This will give you a better idea of what editors are looking for. It could be that your writing style fits into another genre, or perhaps the editor just bought a manuscript with a similar storyline to yours. When you receive a rejection letter, don’t be afraid to write the editor back and politely ask for insight into why he/she passed on your book. Editors are super busy, but if you can find one who is willing to give you some constructive feedback, you can really learn a lot from what they tell you. Getting feedback from family and friends is great, but just remember that literature is subjective. What some people may like, others might not. Above all else, I encourage you to be patient and persistent. Don’t allow rejection letters to discourage you. If you’re doing everything you can to hone your writing skills and to make your book the best it can be, don’t lose faith that your work will eventually find a home with a publisher. It may take a while, but if getting published is your dream, you absolutely must pursue that dream until it is achieved. You owe it to yourself!

Q. Do you know that Sade has a song named "Maureen"?

A. Yep! I love that song. When I was in college, I used it for my voice mail recording. Very cool. Sometimes I even tell myself that Sade named the song after me. Hey, I can dream, right?

Q. Do you do guest appearances at book club meetings?

A. Sure! I love to meet with book clubs and participate in discussions about my work. I'm always grateful and excited to have my books chosen for monthly reading selections. However, at this time I'm not in a financial position to travel very far to attend book club meetings. I am available, however, for teleconference discussions. If you'd like to invite me to be a guest author at your book club meeting, please contact me via email.

Q. How can I contact you?

A. The best way to reach me is via email. I love to hear from readers! Believe me, I read every single email I receive and strive to respond to every last one. Due to my demanding writing schedule, sometimes I respond within days--or sometimes a month later. But please know that I always appreciate hearing from you, so please keep in touch!