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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

BRoP Interview With Barbara Ann Wright

Apologies to my fellow blog ring friends for being late today.  My internet has been acting up.  I am taking steps to correct the issue, new provider, modem or something, it is in the works...

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), Friday, September 21st
Part 4 @ Sandra (http://ulbrichalmazan.blogspot.com), Monday, September 24th
Part 5 @ Dean (http://deanswritingtime.blogspot.com), Tuesday, September 25th


 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!)."

Welcome to The Write Time, I am excited to host part of your interview here on my blog.  So lets get started we all want to hear what words of wisdom you are willing to share with us. 

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.


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.
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Find Barbara on the web with these web sites:
Website: www.barbaraannwright.com          
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:

Angela Brown said...

Go Barbara Go! I love the advice provided and BSB sounds like a great small publisher treating all their authors like megastars :-)

Maria Zannini said...

Glad to hear Bold Strokes has been good to you.

Cheers!

Barbara Ann Wright said...

I've been very fortunate, Maria and Angela. Thanks for stopping by.