Guest Interview with....

Author B.C. Burgess!!

AM: What inspired you to become a writer?

BC: I must confess, I didn’t have an epiphany or an artistic relative for a role model, and I haven’t always known I would be an author. I’ve always enjoyed writing, sure, but I wasn’t raised to believe being an author was a sensible option. A small town girl with no money or connections becoming a successful author? Unthinkable. So I didn’t even try. Nor did I find interest in other career fields.

There isn’t anything else you’d like to be besides a writer?

Well, let’s see. I’m pitifully tender-hearted, so skim off everything in the mental and physical health fields. I’m not organized, so there goes anything having to do with files, numbers and/or large amounts of money. I’m habitually late (it’s a sickness), I’m a night owl (we really do exist), flip-flops are my constant companions (I even buy toe-socks so I can where flip-flops in cold weather), and I hate wearing constricting clothing for a lengthy period of time, especially bras (seriously, they stress me out). What kind of career is there for someone like that? Desirable options were limited, so I ended up bouncing from job to job with no goal in mind for years.

When did you get serious about writing?

I became a mom when I was 24, and thanks to my hard-working husband, I was able to stay home with our son. This afforded me plenty of time to read, and man did I read, dozens of books, many different genres and lengths. I learned what I like and dislike about books, and over and over again I got my heart broken. I hated getting to the end of stories and saying goodbye to beloved characters. That’s when I decided to write my own series. The story would be suited to my tastes, and the characters would always be mine. Thus began the Mystic series, an adult fantasy romance written for no one other than myself. I had no intention of publishing. Not because writing for a living didn’t sound like a dream come true, but because I still believed getting published was equivalent to winning the million dollar lottery.

When did your viewpoint on publishing change?

When I fell in love with my characters. They stole my heart, and I suddenly yearned to share their amazing story with others. Actually, it might be more accurate to say I became addicted to my characters, obsessed with the task of moving them forward and seeing where they’ll end up. And it’s that addiction that fuels my passion for the world I created. It’s that addiction that pushed me to publish.

How did your need to write convince you to publish?

Well, my valid excuse to stay home and play in fantasy land started pre-K two years ago, and I was faced with two options.

1) I could shelve the books, forego my penniless passion, and get a real job. You know, prove I wasn’t sitting on the couch everyday watching Oprah.

2) Or I could do something with the story I had poured my heart and soul into for five years.

Giving up my addiction did not appeal to me at all, so I got serious about publishing. I took an on-line publishing course, sent off a few query letters, then waited months for negative replies. Soon my son was starting kindergarten and I was no closer to having a valid excuse to stay home and write. That’s about the time I heard about publishing on Amazon.

You’ve since published Descension, the first book in the Mystic series. Have you been pleased with the results?

I’ve been blown away by the results! Descension has been performing great on Amazon’s Kindle lists, hitting the best seller charts in both its categories. I gave away almost 17,000 eBooks June 14^th and 15^th, and the readers’ responses have been amazing! Descension is touching peoples’ hearts, which is exactly what I hoped for. When I fell in love with the series, I told myself “If just one person loves these books half as much as I do, I’ll consider them a success.” I wasn’t even excluding my mom from that. Now dozens of strangers have come to my Facebook page to tell me they love Descension! Its success has been overwhelming and wonderful, and I’m so happy I was able to share the story with the world. And I’m dying to get the next book out.

When can we look forward to book 2?

September! Providing all goes well with my editor and graphics company, book 2 will release in September.

Please, tell us about Descension.

The entire Mystic series follows Layla Callaway, who is no ordinary woman. In fact, she’s about as extraordinary as a person can get. But she doesn’t know that. Descension begins on Layla’s twenty-first birthday, a time when most people celebrate, but Layla feels as empty as a black hole. Her mom, who was her only relative, her best friend, and her rock, died a few months ago, leaving her lonely and depressed. Shortly after her birthday, Layla’s desolate life gets flipped upside-down when she learns she was adopted under mysterious circumstances. She has a family, somewhere, and she aches to find them, no matter how much she tries to avoid setting herself up for more disappointment.

The Mystic series will consist of at least five books, and Descension is the basis and build-up to Layla’s fantastic yet dangerous journey. It introduces the drool-worthy hero, a few wicked antagonists, the incredible magic, and it contains an in-depth and touching back story that tends to leave readers in tears. Throughout the series, you’ll find violence and adult sexual content, but above all, Mystic is an emotionally driven story that focuses heavily on the characters and their relationships through thoughtful dialogue and trying situations. It’s a magical journey of epic romance!

Where can people find you on the web?

Until I get an interactive website set up, my favorite hangout place is Facebook. If you leave a post on my Facebook fan page, I’ll do my best to reply, and it’s the first place I go with news about my work. If you’re not on Facebook, please feel free to email me. I love hearing from my readers!

My Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/B-C-Burgess/130722120376976

My email – b.c@bcburgess.com

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My review of Descension: 5 Star LOVED it!!

The first book in the Mystic series was a fanstastic read from start to finish. Descension introduces the story of Layla, who begins an epic journey into discovering her mysterious past of where she truly comes from. Along the way, she meets the very drool worthy and magical Quinlan (Quin for short) who shows her the magic she is capable of and also provides a key to her past.

I won't go into details, this is a MUST read and would not want to spoil anything. This story made me laugh, made my heart melt and brought me to tears. I truly enjoyed reading it and am very much looking forward to the second book in the series. Excellent Job, B.C.!!

Interview and Book Giveaway with....

Anthony Caplan!

Author Anthony Caplan has graciously offered to giveaway copies of his upcoming release, Latitudes:

2 Ebook Copies AND 2 Paperbacks!!

For your chance to win, leave a comment after the interview, don't forget to include your email address. It's that simple! Winners will be selected June 24th and notified June 25th.

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AM - Where are you originally from?


AC - I was born in Venezuela to American parents who were living overseas on what was originally a government travel and study grant. They stayed on and had four kids in something like seven years. My father liked it there. Eventually my parents separated. They were not a match built to last. They used to drink and beat each other. They were both upwardly mobile, well educated, dysfunctional alcoholics. We were the kids you read about in the newspaper who get kidnapped by their parents. But aside from that it was a unique and interesting childhood. I'm bilingual and bicultural. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

What inspired you to become a writer?




I liked the idea of telling stories that revealed the truth about the world that adults didn't talk about. I worked as a journalist out of the same impulse. But I think fiction gets closer to the real truth about real human beings. I thought I had something to say and I found through writing that I could understand myself and my relationships better. That's what made it possible for me to continue at times.

What is/are your favorite genre(s)? 


I like all writing that comes out of a genuine need to communicate on a deeper level. Ray Bradbury is the prime example of how genres can be meaningless. A good story is a good story. Some literary fiction is tiresome and boring. But so are a lot of romance novels. My taste is pretty eclectic.

Are you currently reading anything?

 


Billy Lynn's Long Half-time Walk by Ben Fountain. It's a debut novel and he is an awesome spinner of words. I can totally recommend it.

Who or what is the driving force that keeps you going? 


She doesn't know this, but it's my wife. She has absolutely no interest in my writing and at times that can be deflating. But she is one of the nicest, genuine and generous human beings you will ever meet. I have no idea why or how she has put up with me for so long.

How do you balance your personal life

with your writing career?

 


I don't believe I ever achieve a balance. It's a process. I teeter along the rope, and sometimes I fall. One thing I do is listen to my children. You can usually tell when they need help. Then you have to go and catch up. My daughters are very good at catching me up with their lives. My son is a teenager and is harder work.

Tell us about your book.

My latest book is called Latitudes - A Story of Coming Home. It will be published on June 30. It's a coming-of-age story about a boy who overcomes a dysfunctional family, kidnapping, cultural dislocation, social isolation, and discovers a gift for personal exploration and empathy for others.


What made you decide to write your book?




I wanted to write something that would essentially plot itself. So I concentrated on my personal story, basically knowing that there was something there that would clarify after a couple of drafts, then reworked it by rewriting it in the third person, tweaking some of the details and framing it with a first person narrative. For me writing is a lot like building. I'm constantly learning and expanding my structural skill at assembling narrative. This time around I took what was for me a simple story and concentrated on polishing and making it really work for the main character's development.

Do you have any upcoming events or book promotions?


My book Latitudes is being published at the end of June and there are free giveaways on Goodreads and on several blogs, including this one. For more information and links for Latitudes once it is published, check my webpage. Of course, you will find it at all major retailers online and at most bookstores.

Where can people find you and your work on the web?

My website: http://anthonycaplanwrites.com

My blog: http://thenewremembrance.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anthony-Caplan/348326781857597?ref=tn_tnmn

Twitter: @AnthonyCaplan1

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/633215.Anthony_Caplan

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 Anthony, it was a pleasure working with you, thank you  so much for sharing your amazing story with us. I wish you the very best in all of your future endeavors.

An Interview With.....

Author Kathleen Patel!!

Fellow midwesterner and author friend, Kathleen Patel, stopped by to visit about her books,

The Dolls & Hiren's Magical Adventure.

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A - Where are you originally from?

K - I was born & raised in Chicago. Although I have lived on both coasts, I always return to my Midwestern roots.

What inspired you to become a writer?

As I remember it, the minute I learned to read, that was it. It was the most exciting thing that ever happened to me. Reading was a gateway to new worlds. I wanted to be able to open new worlds for others.

What is/are your favorite genre(s)?

I have very eclectic taste, but I have a soft spot for the paranormal.

Are you currently reading anything?

I’m always reading at least three books. Currently, I am reading ‘Megan’s Way’, by Melissa Foster, ‘The Havenshire Resistance’ by Diane Rapp and ‘Wake up and Dream’ by Dr. Barbara Lavi

Who or what is the driving force that keeps you going?

I believe it is my destiny. (Wow- that sounded dramatic : )

It feels right. I worked as a sales executive in Manhattan and then Chicago, for many years. That left little time or energy to devote to writing. Thankfully, we left the rat race and now own a small family business in suburbs of Chicago. I have more flexibility in my schedule; more time to devote to my writing.

How do you balance your personal life with your writing career?

I’m working on that. The business aspect of being an author eats up a lot of my time. I really need to schedule more time to write.

Tell us about your book.

My latest book, ‘The Dolls’ is a paranormal/horror. It was just recently revised and professionally edited. When I published the book initially, a reviewer pointed out a couple of typo’s (embarrassing), so I decided to’ bite the bullet’ and hire a professional to edit the book. I had to cut back on groceries- but I fit it into my budget : )   it was the best thing I could have done. I ended up expanding the story and even changed the ending. 

The inspiration for this book actually came from a vacation in the Costa del Sol, Spain. My cousin, Mary, and I had a crazy time. Things happened to us that you only see in movies. The book is a work of fiction, but…

My first book, ‘Hiren’s Magical Adventure’ is a tween to young adult, paranormal, mystery. This fable unfolds in in India. A teenager named Hiren visits his grandparents for the summer. Nothing could have prepared him for this strange world filled with magic and mystery. He encounters exotic creatures, a forbidden jungle, and a ghost that haunts the eerie palace. He meets a mysterious girl who leads him closer to the secrets. He finds himself facing life-threatening danger in his quest to solve the family mystery.

This book is based on some factual events that happened to my husband, growing up in India. There might be a little fiction thrown in for fun ; )  I was so happy with the editing done with ‘The Dolls’, I decided to do the same with this book. So now, I have a new and improved version that I have just released.

What made you decide to write your book?

For ‘The Dolls’, it was my cousin, Mary O’Donnell. Through all of our drama, she kept telling me, “You’ve got to write a book about this!”

‘Hiren’s Magical Adventure’ came together when I spent a couple of months in India. It truly is a different world. I had some intense experiences. Even with all the differences, I realized that deep down inside, people are so much alike. It’s a revelation.  

Where can people find you and your work on the web?

This is my Amazon page: http://amzn.to/LvpbVi

This is my blog: http://anirishpatel.blogspot.com/

You can follow me on Twitter here:  http://bit.ly/IPytLm

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Kathleen, as always, it's been a treat working with you! Thank you for stopping by to share your books and life with us. I wish you all the very best in your future endeavors.