Today I host part V of interviews with the Blog Ring of Power. Here are the other links:
Part 1 @ Terri (www.terribruce.net) - Wednesday, September 19th
Part 2 @ Teresa (http://twfendley.com), Thursday, September 20th
Part 3 @ Emily (http://emlabonte.blogspot.com
Part 4 @ Sandra (http://ulbrichalmazan.
Part 5 @ Dean (http://deanswritingtime.
Terri introduced Barbara to our blog ring this way:
"Barbara Ann Wright whose debut novel, Pyramid Waltz, is releasing in September. She's a member of Broad Universe and her blog "I Write Women" is one of the FUNNIEST I have ever read (she illustrates her points using photos of posed Barbie dolls. It's hilarious!)."
Tell us about your route to
success –did you use an agent? How did you land your agent and/or publisher?
I
did not use an agent. I sent my work directly to Bold Strokes, following their
submission requirements. I heard back from them within three months. I urge
people to not be scared of going to a publisher directly. Even if you're scared
of negotiating a contract by yourself, you can always hire a contract lawyer to
look over it for you, just be sure that lawyer is familiar with publishing
contracts.
Why did you choose to go
with a small/independent press?
I
like the "family" nature of a small press. I've emailed directly with
not only my editor, but the president of the company as well as an author
liaison, the cover artist, and many others. I've spoken directly to the people
that handle promotion and set up author signings. I've never been forbidden
contact with anyone; I've never had to go through a middle woman. And my emails
have always been answered within a day or so. I don't know anyone at a large
publisher who's gotten this sort of treatment unless they're a megastar. BSB
treats us all like megastars.
What are the most important
elements of good writing?
Character
and plot. In that order. When I read, I need to believe the people and their
journey. Apart from that, I'd have to say stabbing scenes and kissing scenes,
preferably not at the same time…unless you swing that way.
Do you have any advice for
other writers?
No one
will ever believe in your work as much as you do, so you have to keep moving
forward for its sake. You can always learn something new, so never stop
practicing.
What are your current /
future project(s)?
Right
now I'm editing the sequel to The Pyramid
Waltz, called For Want of a Fiend,
and writing the third book with these characters. OMG, I'm squeeing so hard
after typing that. I still can't believe the incredible ride I'm on! Woo!
Bio:
Barbara Ann Wright writes fantasy and science fiction novels
and short stories when not adding to her enormous book collection or ranting on
her blog. Her short fiction has appeared twice in Crossed Genres Magazine and once made Tangent Online's recommended reading list. She is a
member of Broad Universe and the Outer Alliance and helped create Writer's Ink
in Houston. The Pyramid Waltz is her
first novel.
She is married, has an army of pets, and lives in Texas. Her writing career can be boiled down to two points: when her mother bought her a typewriter in the sixth grade and when she took second place in the Isaac Asimov Award for Undergraduate Excellence in Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing in 2004. One gave her the means to write and the other gave her the confidence to keep going. Believing in oneself, in her opinion, is the most important thing a person can do.
She is married, has an army of pets, and lives in Texas. Her writing career can be boiled down to two points: when her mother bought her a typewriter in the sixth grade and when she took second place in the Isaac Asimov Award for Undergraduate Excellence in Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing in 2004. One gave her the means to write and the other gave her the confidence to keep going. Believing in oneself, in her opinion, is the most important thing a person can do.
Book
blurb for The Pyramid Waltz:
To
most, Princess Katya Nar Umbriel is a rogue and a layabout; she parties, she
hunts and she breaks women's hearts. But when the festival lights go down and
the palace slumbers, Katya chases traitors to the crown and protects the
kingdom's greatest secret: the royal Umbriels are part Fiend. When Katya
thwarts an attempt to expose the king's monstrous side, she uncovers a plot to
let the Fiends out to play.
Starbride has no interest in being a courtier. Ignoring her mother's order to snare an influential spouse, she comes to court only to study law. But a flirtatious rake of a princess proves hard to resist, and Starbride is pulled into a world of secrets that leaves little room for honesty or love, a world neither woman may survive.
Starbride has no interest in being a courtier. Ignoring her mother's order to snare an influential spouse, she comes to court only to study law. But a flirtatious rake of a princess proves hard to resist, and Starbride is pulled into a world of secrets that leaves little room for honesty or love, a world neither woman may survive.
Find Barbara on the web with these web sites:
Goodreads
author page: http://www.goodreads.com/BarbaraAnnWright
Twitter:
@zendragandt
Amazon:
amazon.com/author/barbaraannwright
Smashwords:
Other:
What
format is your book(s) available in (print, e-book, audio book, etc.)
It
is available in print now and will be available in e-book form on September 18,
2012.
3 comments:
Go Barbara Go! I love the advice provided and BSB sounds like a great small publisher treating all their authors like megastars :-)
Glad to hear Bold Strokes has been good to you.
Cheers!
I've been very fortunate, Maria and Angela. Thanks for stopping by.
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