Interview with Captivate Author Vanessa Garden

                                                       
 In a glittering underwater world, nothing is as it seems…


For the past twelve months since her parent’s death, seventeen-year-old Miranda Sun has harboured a dark secret- a secret that has strained the close relationship she once shared with her older sister, Lauren. In an effort to repair this broken bond, Miranda’s grandparents whisk the siblings away on a secluded beach holiday. Except before Miranda gets a chance to confess her life-changing secret, she’s dragged underwater by a mysterious stranger while taking a midnight swim.


Awakening days later, Miranda discovers that she’s being held captive in a glittering underwater city by an arrogant young man named Marko… the king of this underwater civilisation!


Nineteen-year-old Marko intends to marry Miranda in order to keep his crown from falling into the sinister clutches of his half-brother, Damir. There’s only one problem. Miranda is desperate to return home to right things with her sister and she want’s nothing to do with Marko. Trying to secure her freedom, Miranda quickly forms an alliance with Robbie- Marko’s personal guard. However, she soon discovers that even underwater, people are hiding dangerous secrets…

Interview with Vanessa

Thank you for finding the time to answer some questions, how has your day been?
Great, thank you! And thanks for having me :)

Tell us about your latest addition to the world?
My debut release coming out in January '14 is a Young Adult underwater-world fantasy titled CAPTIVATE. Captivate is about a seventeen year old girl who is dragged underwater while out for a midnight swim at a secluded beach. She awakens days later in a glittering underwater city where she is expected to marry a nineteen year-old king whose throne is under threat.

What is the best thing about about being an Australian Author?
I think Australia has an amazingly supportive writing community. I'm a member of the Romance Writers of Australia and have attended two conferences since joining four years ago. After each conference I've arrived home full of confidence and new skills because of the support and guidence of the lovely writers (published and unpublished) who attended with me. I have made some wonderful friends too :)

Was the writing process different for Captivate and Carrier and if so how?The difference in the two would definitely be the setting. Captivate is a fantastical, underwater setting, with more detailed world building required, whereas with Carrier, I was able to use our gorgeous Australian outback, a setting I have lived and breathed in several times, so it was a little easier to place myself in my character's shoes.

Do you have a favorite book out of the ones you have written? (mean question, I know)Aha, the 'chose your favourite child' question. Can I say Captivate and Carrier equally? No? Okay, then I'd have to say Captivate... for now ;)

How long does it take you to write a book?Usually three months for a very rough draft, then a re-write a couple of times (where I cut and add lines/paragraphs or even chapters), followed by a more detailed edit.

How do you feel about NANOWRIMO?I think it's a great idea and especially good if you've been stuck on a particular project or if you want to give an idea you're unsure about a try (if it doesn't work after a month, at least you gave it a shot). I once completed a project during a self-imposed NANO during a different month, May, I think. I completed the story in fourteen days. It was a messy draft, but a complete story at 70,000 words.

Can you tell us something quirky about your self?When I was a teen I learned how to play the bass guitar after becoming obsessed with Flea, the bass guitarist from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. They are still one of my favourite bands.

What is a typical day in the life of Vanessa Garden?I wake up with my kids (all early birds), have a nice strong coffee, help get them ready for school (while sneaking in a bit of reading), drop them off and head to work at my local bookstore where I usually end up spending the money I earn on books, then come home and make dinner with my husband and kids and just enjoy each other's company. I usually write for an hour or so when everyone's gone to bed, but most of my writing gets done on my two weekdays I don't work at the bookstore.

What can we expect next from you?CARRIER, my YA post apocalyptic sci-fi set in the wilds of the Australian outback coming out March 2014. I can't wait to share Lena and Patrick's story!

Do you have any advice for your readers who might also be wanting to write?Read as many books as you can get your hands on to develope the natural rhythm of a story. Have fun while you write. Be daring and write the book you'd love to read!

How can readers of The Book Mystress contact you?I'm @VanessaGarden27 on Twitter. I'm also on Goodreads and my blog https://vanessagarden.blogspot.com.au



Thanks for having me! :)



You can buy Captivate at the following locations
Booktopia
Amazon
Ibook

Interview + Giveaway: with Bad Juju Author Dina Rae

Two teens turn to a Voodoo bokor to right a wrong. Their curiosity with the dark arts backfires into obsession.
Lucien Nazaire flees his Haitian homeland and settles in a Wisconsin trailer park filled with elderly tenants. He hires sixteen year old Jake for odd household jobs. The boy proves to be the perfect candidate to pass on his Voodoo legacy. 

Jake LaRue lives in foster care with his abusive uncle. The Voodoo gives him a sense of power within an otherwise helpless situation. Despite his loner status, he instantly connects with Henry, his only friend in high school.
Henry Novak has Asperger’s Syndrome. He fixates on historical events, most recently the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Like Jake, he becomes passionate about the dark side of Voodoo. They learn how to cast spells on those they hate and lust.
Months after the Haitian earthquake, Henry convinces his family to volunteer for the island’s reconstruction. Their mission turns into a nightmare when he mysteriously walks off of the campsite and returns in a catatonic state.
Bad Juju is a balance of horror, romance, and literary fiction intended for adults and mature teens. The plot uses research involving the Voodoo religion.

Interview

1. Tell us about your current work.



I am working on a nonfiction book about the conspiracy of Big Pharma and Big-Agri. I went into the project knowing almost nothing and am having my mind blown away.

2. What do you have coming up?



My new book will hopefully be out in the winter of 2014. Nonfiction takes much longer to write than fiction.

3. What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?



I was once called a racist by a social justice reviewer because I wasn't "fair" to devil worshipers. Many Freemasons have written that my novel, The Last Degree, was pure crap.

4. How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?



I don't mind a bad review if it's honest, but when someone who has a different agenda trashes my work, then it's a little frustrating. Luckily, most of my reviews have been wonderful and it's always a thrill to see someone read my work and take the time to review it.

5. When are you going to write your autobiography?



LOL. Not for a while, if ever. My life is pretty boring, just the way I like it.

6. Are the names of the characters in your novels important?



Sometimes. I try to give some of the characters hidden meanings. Like the Easterhouse family in both my Halos-Easter is associated with Christianity and the family is at a crossroads about what is good and what is evil. Sometimes I throw in the name of a good friend or family member for fun.

7. How do you come up with the titles of your novels?



The Last Degree is about the 33rd degree in Freemasonry. My Halo series is about fallen angels. Bad Juju is about Voodoo. I want the titles to go with the themes.

8. Are there any occupational hazards to being a novelist?



My hands cramp up and I get constipated from sitting long periods of time. Seriously, that would probably happen anyway. Occasionally, I get a papercut.

9. What's your favourite fruit?



I love cherries and almost always have a banana for breakfast.

10. what is your favourite bedtime drink?



Water or peppermint tea.

11. What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?



Realizing that the odds of being the next Stephen King are slim to none, but improving the craft and meeting others who love to read and write are what it's all about.


12. Has the dog ever eaten your manuscript?



LOL. Plenty of times, metaphorically speaking. I've thrown out more pages than I care to confess.

13. Do you enjoy giving interviews?



Yes, and thanks for having me. I especially love being on the radio. I've been a guest on dozens of shows and have so much fun.

14. Do you research your novels?



Yes. I believe it's the main reason which makes me attractive to radio hosts. I am a teacher by trade so I try to do my homework! Know quite a bit about Voodoo, Freemasonry, fallen angels, Enoch, witchcraft, mind control, conspiracy theories, and much more. I am a true believer in much of what I write.

15. How much impact does your childhood have on your writing?



My childhood was not a happy one so I use the pain to draw from. I am far from perfect and can easily connect with heavily flawed characters.

16. Are you jealous of other writers?



Would love Dan Brown's or George RR Martin's bank account! No, not really. I do think it would be so wonderful to see your book turned into a film or TV show because that's how I write-a movie playing inside of my mind.

17. What makes you cry?



Just about anything. I am easily touched or saddened or empathetic or frustrated, whatever. I'm emotional, but I try to be private about it.

18. What makes you laugh?



I have a great sense of humor and love dark comedies. My husband is the only person I know who consistently cracks me up.

19. What's the loveliest thing you have ever seen?



My family and my dogs. Was in awe of Yosemite, Smokey Mountains, and Lake Tahoe.

20. Do you have any advice for upcoming writers?



Make yourself write everyday, even when you don't feel like it. If you let a manuscript get cold, it will probably never get finished.

21. How can your readers contact you?



http://dinarae.co, www.dinaraeswritestuff.blogspot.com, @haloofthedamned, FB: https://www.facebook.com/DinaRaeBooks. I'm also on Goodreads and Pinterest.

22. Last words?



If you like Haitian Voodoo and wild teens, you'll love Bad Juju!!!!! Pick up a copy today! http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Juju-ebook/dp/B0097L9FHW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380593510&sr=8-1&keywords=bad+juju

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Interview with Yvann from Reading Fueled by Tea

armchairBEA book expo America from your click here for more info

1. What is the best thing about London?
It’s so London-y. I cycle past St Paul’s Cathedral every morning and it never fails to take my breath
away. I ended up cycling past Buckingham Palace and around Trafalgar Square last night simply
because they were on my route. Cab drivers call me “luv” and tourists stop me for directions. I can go
out to the theatre whenever I want and know that short of Broadway, this is the best selection of
theatre in the world. The whole city stopped for the Royal Wedding last month and cynic though I
was until the last minute, there is something astounding about 2 million people celebrating with
simply joy the happy wedding day of two complete strangers. In Hamburg everyone is formal but
warm once you get past the efficiency. In Sydney everyone’s laid back. In Oxford, everyone’s a
genius. I love all of these cities but London is unique.
2. How do you choose what book to review next?
Sometimes, it’s the first one off the shelf. Sometimes my cousin who lives in the spare room (called
The Resident Cousin on my blog) gets to my books first and insists I read them right now.
3. Explain your blog layout why did you choose that layout?
I had a very colourful, widget-crammed layout over at Typepad, but I thought it looked a bit childish
and I am trying to make my blog more professional. So I migrated to Wordpress and tried to make it
look cleaner. One column on the sidebar bugged me though so I settled for two.
4. Sunday Salon or IMM?
Sunday Salon. I like In My Mailbox, but my influxes of books are too irregular for a weekly feature. I
like that Sunday Salon is chatty and people talk about their week in general. Now if IMM was about
the crazy things that turn up in my email mailbox…
5. Describe or put a photo of your book shelves/cases?
One standard IKEA issue Billy bookcase, in beech colour. Completely packed full, double-stacked,
books on top, books slid in between the top of the books on a shelf and the shelf above, a little pile
to the side of the bookcase… plus a few on my desk and one by the bed and a little pile at the door
waiting to go out. Until I have the dream house and library, The Physicist (my lovely husband) has
told me I may have one bookcase and one only. This might seem harsh until you realise there are
over 300 books in that one book case and I’ve read about 3% of them because I tend to get rid of
books again after I’ve read them. When he points out that I acquire books at 5 times the rate at
which I read (and I’ve read almost 40 books this year), I think he has a point.
6. Have You Ever Been To Australia?
Many, many times! Just got back from there last week.
7. Favorite thing about Book Blogging?
I started blogging because I wanted to record my thoughts about what I read. That was a year when
I read maybe 10 novels. I have read nearly 40 already this year and my love of reading has come
flooding back. The slight pressure to have something to post is enough to make me think of reading
as something I have to do, rather than a waste of time. Any excuse 
8. Least Favorite thing about Book Blogging?
I always feel like I’m missing out. My Google Reader fluctuates between 0-1000, depending on
whether I had a clear-out that week, and I know that there are so many great blogs out there that I’ll
never get to! It makes me a bit sad.


THIS OR THAT
Asia or Africa? – I love Asian food so will have to say Asia.
Ketchup or mustard? – Ketchup. Mustard is vile.
Cats or dogs? – Cats – I have two geriatric kitties at my parents’ house.
Outside or inside? – Outside in the sun, inside in a storm
Shower or bath? – Shower. Bath is just sitting in a warm puddle.
Pants or shorts? – Pants. Shorts for playing sport, but I have cyclist’s thighs and shorts are
not always flattering!
High heels or flats? – High heels. I love being tall.
Long hair or shaved? – Long hair, my nickname at school was frequently Rapunzel.
Break or tear apart? – I don’t know – in what context? I’m going with break. It sounds
more decisive.
Gas or electricity? – Gas to cook with – so much easier to adjust the heat. Electricity for
everything else – it’s greener.
Hot dog or hamburger? – Neither. Steak sandwich with cheese, bacon, onions and
mushrooms. No salad; salad’s for rabbits.
Lettuce or spinach? – Spinach. See above.
Aluminum or plastic? – Plastic usually. Unless we’re talking about aeroplanes.
Sex in the City or Melrose Place? – Never watched either. SITC film was awful. I prefer
West Wing, The Mentalist, How I Met Your Mother or The Big Bang Theory.
Brad Pitt or George Clooney? – Pitt has the facial structure of a monkey and I find it
deeply unnerving. Can I pick James McAvoy instead please (including gorgeous Scottish
accent)
Police Academy or Robocop? Never watched either. I’m an aspiring (and failing) nerd
though so I’ll go with Robocop.


This lady is a classic, how cool are some of those answers? hell yeah!!

Interview with Terry of Spades high

ABEA is awesome little thing that i am paticipating in for the week it is for people who cant get to BEA click here for all the info

Today's third interview is with Terry of Spades high

1. What is the most you have ever lost gambling?
- probably 7 oreos… I don’t really gamble, unless you consider using Doritos chips, candy and oreos as gambling when playing cards with my husband. =)
2. Have you ever been to Huntington Beach? (my dream destination)
- no I haven’t, sadly I haven’t traveled much. Thank goodness for the Internet!!
3. Best Thing about America?
- Free speech, free religion, and the food portion of Fast Food Restaurants… Did you see how big a small drink is in McDonalds!? It’s the size of a medium! LoL
4. Did you watch/enjoy the Royal wedding?
- I’m not really much for T.V. and when I do, it’s usually cartoons (18mo son) or TV Series. I watch the news scarcely.
5. Favorite thing about blogging?
- Meeting new people… Everyone is so creative, and it’s a great way of meeting new people from the comfort of your own home.
6. least favorite thing about blogging?
- Never enough time to do everything and you risk the tendency of technical problems.
7. describe or send a photo of your bookshelves/cases

8. Ever been to Australia?
- no, but I would love to!! Anyone want to buy me a ticket? ^_^

THIS Or That

Brad Pitt or George Clooney? – Brad PItt
Police Academy or Robocop? – Police Academy
Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston? – Angelina Jolie
Comedy or horror? – Comedy
Detective or documentary? – Documentary
Facts or fiction? Depends, I always want to know facts; but I love to read fiction
Books or movies? - Both, it’s hard to choose
Laptop or desktop? – Laptop
Microsoft or Apple? – Apple
Underwater or high in the sky? – High In the Sky
Peanuts or Snoopy? – Neither, im not a fan of the Peanuts and Snoopy anything
The Smurfs or Tintin? The Smurfs!!!
Roger Moore or Sean Connery – Sean Connery

Interview with Chrystal from Snowdrop Dreams

ABEA is awesome, you should paticipate click here for the info



Today second interview is of Crystal from Snowdrop Dreams

1. What is the best thing aout Canada? Good question - EVERYTHING! The beautiful landscape, the diversity of culture, the museums, the history... I could go on and on.

2. How do you get books on your ipod? (need to know) Ummm... I only load audio books on my ipod using a program the my local library uses. So I don't think I will be much help there. I use a Sony Pocket Reader for my ebooks (which comes with it's own program to load them with).

3. Why did you name your blog Snowdrop Dreams? I used to write reviews for a site that reviewed romance novels and instead of using our names we used flower names - I chose Snowdrop because it means new beginnings and hope (which I was in desperate need of at the time). Then when I ventured out on my own to review I decided I liked Snowdrop so much and that this was a dream come true - so Snowdrop Dreams of Books became my blog name. 

4. I love crafting too, I am thinking about scrapbooking any tips? Don't let others push you into spending too much money on supplies right away. Pick the things you like or are drawn to and let your gut help you design - it is your scrapbook afterall and should reflect your personality and your style. Start with a small porject first, beacuse taking on too much at once can be frustrating and make you not want to continue.

5. Describe or put a photo of your book shelves/cases (I've attached a picture for you) I have my main bookcase organized by colour. It makes me happy to look at everyday.

6. Have You Ever Been To Australia? Yes back in 2004! I had a three week trip along the Gold Coast! I loved every minute of it. Held a koala bear, fed kangaroos and a walaby. Made a scrapbook about my adventure. (I'll attach a picture of that too)

7. Favorite thing about Book Blogging? Meeting other bloggers, finding great new books from reading other book blogs and being able to be me and spread my love of books!

8. Least Favorite thing about Book Blogging? When blogger stops working. :(

THIS OR THAT

Asia or Africa? Africa

Ketchup or mustard? Mustard

Cats or dogs? CATS!

Outside or inside? Both depending on the season

Shower or bath? Bath

Pants or shorts? Pants

High heels or flats? Flats

Long hair or shaved? Long hair

Break or tear apart? Break

Gas or electricity? Electricity

Hot dog or hamburger? Hot Dog

Lettuce or spinach? Lettuce

Aluminum or plastic? Plastic

Sex in the City or Melrose Place? SATC!

Brad Pitt or George Clooney? Brad Pitt

Police Academy or Robocop? Police Academy

Small note from The Book Mystress: How AWESOME is the color coded book case? and Koalas arent Bears they are just Koalas but they are still cute all the same, thanks so much Chrystal, xx

Interview with Meaghan from a Little Bookish

ABEA continues today is day three find out all the info here

Today is interview day todays first interview is of Meaghan from Feeling A Little Bookish, enjoy!

I'm really excited to be participating in this blogger interview!  Thanks for having me! 

1. What is the best thing about Canada?
I love Canada.  I don't know what it is exactly but it is amazing.  We have so beautiful parks and campsites.  We also have free (well paid for through taxes) healthcare which is has its ups and downs but mostly I am thankful for this.  I love Canada's education system and how there seems to be less of a gap between the rich and the poor compared to other countries (this is not to say that there isn't a gap but it seems less than other countries).  Anyhow, I can't really sum up what I love about Canada other than that it is beautiful.  If you haven't visited I suggest you do.  

2. describe your book selves or send a picture?
Here are some pictures of my bookcase.  It is set up right now to divide two rooms and I have completely filled both the front and the back of my bookcase.  It is huge and it took a long time to put together.  I have always said the best test of a relationship is to put together IKEA furniture and my fiancee and I survived that challenge twice with this shelf.  I have my shelf divided into different sections.  I have all my hard covers together, all my trade paperback books and then all my mass market paperbacks together.  I also have a huge middle grade shelf and a shelf for all my teaching materials.  

3. how close are you to your goal of 100 for the year?
Right now I am book number 53.   I haven't been able to make my target for the last two years but I think I will this year.  My reading may slow down in the summer because I am getting married in August.  I'm hoping it won't though because I have the summer off work.  

4. how do you prounounce Ottawa?
Ottawa is the capital of Canada and is pronounced as follows: Ott-uh-wa.  Pretty much the same way it is spelled. 

5. Ever Been to Australia?
I have never been to Australia but I have always wanted to.  It's just not in the budget right now.  I'm hoping to save up and go one year over the summer.  

6. Best book ever?
Best book ever? This is a tough one.  I have so many favourites.  I can't just pick one so I'll give you a couple of my faves.  Here they are: 
1. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood- This is the ultimate dystopian novel.  
2. This much I know is True by Wally Lamb- It is an amazing story about two brothers. 
3. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling- not much explanation needed.  
Well, I guess I gave you my top 3.  

7. any pets?
Well, I live with my in-laws right now and they have a dog who I always call my pet.  His name is Webber and he is the sweetest thing you've ever seen.  He's a weimaraner and he thinks he is a lap dog sometimes.  He is also my reading buddy; he follows me outside everytime I read on the deck and he lays there with me until I go in. 

8. Why do you blog?

I really like the network of other book lovers you meet.  I can't get enough of finding the latest book and this gives me the opportunity to write about something I have passion for.  

This or That

Eat in our out? I prefer to eat in but I must admit I get lazy sometimes and then eating out it is.  

Car or subway? In Ottawa, I say a car but in Toronto I say the subway. 

Oprah or Jerry? If I had to chose I guess Oprah although I'm not a huge fan of either. 

White or black? what about gray?  

In the country or abroad? Hmm... I love travelling but I also like being home.  So I say a balance of the two. 

Madonna or Paris Hilton? Neither... if I had to pick I guess I'd say Madonna because at least she has contributed something of substance to our culture. 

Ocean or mountains? Definitley oceans.  I love swimming and had a blast snorkeling in Barbados in February. 

Forrest or beach? Hmm.. I love camping but I also love laying out on a beach and reading.  I have to pick both. 

Ice cream or sorbet? Definitely ice cream but I do love a good gelato. 

Review & Author Interview: Life was easier when boys where stupid by Sarah Billington

This is The Book Mystress's first Author interview, if you would like to see a Author interviewed, email me and i will do my best to get it done for you, keep in mind that authors are very busy people, thanks for stopping by!!

.

Life Was Easier When Boys Were Stupid

Ebook By Sarah Billington
Published: Apr. 10, 2011
Category: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Chick Lit
Only Availble on Ebook : http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/52869

Ebook Description

Jess is at a party and girls and boys around her are locked together at the lips and hips. When did everyone grow up so fast? She's not sure she wants to, but her girl friend Carla points out a boy across the room with eyes only for Jess. Life Was Easier When Boys Were Stupid won the Gippsland Award in 2009's Fellowship of Australian Writers Awards. 

 My Review

Life was easier when boys where stupid. Is a very quick read, but I enjoyed it. It was kind of like a “Now you see it, now you don’t” type of thing, I love how familiar the story was, and to be honest, how Australian it was. Only an Australian author, knows when to use the word “Bloke.” Apart from the Australiana I felt from the short story I do think it is a story a lot of people can relate too,  The only problem I had? Just as I started getting into the story and drifting off into Jess’ world it ended! I was bummed.

About The Author

In Sarah’s own words:

I’ve had a multitude of publications—literary journals, magazines and local newspapers, I was commissioned to write a short film for Ponto Combo Productions which we filmed and everything (NOTE: When filming all day on a beach, wear sunscreen or be a painful lobster the next day and get laughed at), was a quarter finalist in the 2006 International PAGE Screenwriting Awards and had a highly successful  screenplay reading of my TV Pilot, Playing Grown Ups. You have no idea how cool it was to see actors reading my words and scenes and BEING those characters. It was aMAzing. I have feature articles, movie reviews, arts reviews and interviews published in newspapers and magazines and just recently had a series of articles written about me as a local girl out in the big wide world (I’m home now after 6 months in America and Europe) oh and I won the Gippsland Award in the 2010 Fellowship of Australian Writers Awards. How cool is that.

The Interview:

 is this short story based on personal experience?

Not my own experience, no. My high school girlfriends never pushed each other towards boys…mainly because there weren’t many around! I went to a Girls School and didn’t personally know many boys during high school. That’s all changed now. The story wasn’t based on my own experiences, but I’ve definitely succumbed to peer pressure in other areas, and that’s just what Jess did. And look how well that turned out!

Are any characters based on anybody you know?

Sorry to say, I didn’t channel anyone I know or knew for this one, I did try and channel the vibe though, the way it felt to be in out of your depth in a social situation. I’ve been there, we all have, right? There’s a certain feeling I get, and I hope I got it across.

On your blog you share of your love of animals, what types do you have and what are their names?

I adore dogs. I would be quite happy to turn into the crazy dog lady with a bazillion dogs one day. The bazillion dogs part I’m happy to do now, but I might leave the crazy part for later. I have a blue heeler called Tessa. I fostered her out from this great shelter here in Melbourne called the Save A Dog Scheme. They’re a pound who do not put animals down when they’ve had them too long. And instead of living in a cage all the time, they send animals to homes which helps them with domestication and trusting people again (some of them need some help in that area) and getting a new home! Tessa was my first foster dog…and my last. When people started becoming interested in her I realised I couldn’t give her up, I loved her too much. She now lives with my parents by the beach because I can’t have a dog where I live, but she’s happy there and has a doggie best friend and I get an enthusiastic greeting each time we’re reunited.

Best book you have read this year?

I just recently read Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson, and loved it. I have Scarlett Fever sitting next in line to be read. And wow, The Maze Runner by James Dashner. I just wish the sequel was out in Australia already! That book taught me so much about plotting and twisting expectations every time a reader gets too comfortable. Seriously great read.

Most bizarre question you have been asked as a writer?

I don’t know about bizarre, but a common one is along the lines of “have you been published yet/why’s it taking so long?”. People in the publishing industry understand that it’s a really slow process, but most people in my daily life aren’t publishing professionals. Everything about being a writer is slow. It takes a couple of months of dedicated work to write a first draft of a novel, then you put it aside for a couple of weeks so you can come back to it and forget all the awesome and see it as a regular reader, see it warts and all. Then you write your query letter to agents and send it off and wait and wait for it to reach the top of their inbox. Then they request to see your book and you wait and wait for them to read it (it’s a full NOVEL, people. It takes time.) and then they offer to represent you (yay! I’m repped with the Herman Agency) and then they give you revision notes so you take a couple of weeks to revise your book and send it back. Then she sends it off to some publishers (along with all of the other literary agents and writers in the world, so you can imagine what THEIR TBR pile looks like) and that can take months before they’ve reached your work. And then it takes time to read it. But they might not buy it. They might ask for some revisions so you do them and send them back in a couple of weeks/months and they might pass on it anyway and you start all over again.

Or a publisher wants to buy your book! It can take months of negotiation on the contract, then there are the editor’s notes and more revision, then the book’s sent to a copy editor who does their thang and sends it to you for revision, and then there’s the final proof reading revision (all of these editors are working on a bunch of books as well as yours so it all has to fit into their overworked schedule) and after about a year to eighteen months from the time the contract was signed (so not including all the time writing, finding an agent, revising, and the agent hunting down the perfect editor for you) a book comes out.

So um…it takes awhile. My agent is currently shopping a novel, I have another to revise and am writing a brand spanking new one. In the meantime though, I am publishing short stories through Amazon and Smashwords. 

What is your favorite type of music?

My favourite bands/musical acts change all the time, but at the moment are All Time Low, Bruno Mars, McFly and I’m surprising myself when I say Ke$ha. I listen to the Glee soundtracks a lot, especially the mashups cos they’re awesome. And Lady Gaga! She’s an interesting one, isn’t she? She sure knows how to market herself and stand out from a crowd. We may not love her um…fashion choices…but by God don’t we all take notice?

Whats next?

I’m formatting a thriller short story called The Runaway which I’ve started uploading to Smashwords and after that, to Amazon. It’s going to be a TOTALLY FREE download. I’m publishing it under the pen name Edwina Ray, as it’s darker and a bit bloodier and I don’t want to confuse fans of Sarah Billington who might expect something lighter. I have another short called I, Zombie, which is a first person zombie story that will be published under Edwina Ray as well. As for Sarah Billington, I’m writing the first draft of the first in a series of novellas called Orientating Olivia, about Olivia and her first year at University, the variety of personalities she meets and lives with, the parties she goes to, lectures she misses…the ex who wants to get back together but also the mysterious guy from the front corner seat in her lectures who she makes up this whole life for. This series is probably the most based on personal experience I’ve done, but it’s certainly not about me.

As for the traditional publishing route, we’ll see. That’s an annoying answer, I know. Unfortunately, when I started my own blog sarahbillington.blogspot.com I wanted to write about the ups and downs of attempting to get published. But then when it all started becoming real, around the time I got an agent I realised that you need to be quite close-lipped about how you’re going. I didn’t want to be all: “This agent is perfect and they’re reading my book and OMG I hope they offer me representation!” Because when other agents I’d submitted to Googled me (and they DO), who would want to take me on if they were going to be second best? Same goes for editors. It’s like going for a job interview and telling them you want the job, but you REALLY want this other job. Am I completely off topic now? Yes? Moving on.

Advice for others? Don’t talk about your rejections on line! And be professional and courteous to others, because the internet really is forever, and you never know who is going to come across what you’ve written. Though there are millions of wannabe writers out there, the publishing industry is really small and with lay offs and the closure of bookstores around the world, it’s getting even smaller. Don’t burn your bridges, peeps. And keep writing! Do it. Seriously. You just keep learning more and getting better the more you work at it.

With the introduction of eBooks and eReaders, the publishing world is changing fast. Self-publishing authors are accepting $2 million dollar book deals with publishing houses at the same time as traditionally published authors are walking away from $500k deals in order to self-publish online. The stigma associated with self-publishing is eroding and if you’re willing to put in the work, you can make a name for yourself and a nice income from self-publishing ebooks through sites like Smashwords and Amazon’s Kindle Store. But you can’t put out trash. Just because you’re publishing it yourself doesn’t mean you can put in less effort. If you’re going to make it in the industry, you must always let your work speak for you. And make it speak well.

Any thing else to say?

Thanks for reading Life was easier when boys were stupid, Monique(The Book Mystress) and I’m glad you liked it. I actually take a bit of sadistic(meanie) pleasure in the fact that you were bummed it ended so abruptly. ‘Keep ‘em wanting more’, they say!

Thanks for having me, Monique(The Book Mystress). If any of your readers would like to contact me, I’d love to hear from you!

You can find me at :

Sarah on Twitter

Sarah on Facebook

Sarah on the Blog-O-Sphere.

And if you want to buy my eBooks, go to Smashwords http://bit.ly/fC3AO1 or Amazon http://amzn.to/ffEKHD