Please welcome Ann Summerville.
Ann, you set your book, A Graceful Death, in Cornwall, England, where you once lived. Did you still have to do research or did you depend on memory?
The descriptions were from memory. There was an unusually high tide when I lived there. The shops stacked sandbags outside their businesses. It was deep enough for the lifeboat to drift through the main street. Even though it has been a long time since I lived on the Cornish coast, my memories are still vivid. It’s a beautiful county and although the tourist industry is very present, there are still many areas that have not changed for hundreds of years. Occasionally, I’ll include a news story from the local paper The West Briton. Fortunately, it’s available online.
I’m having separation anxiety parting with paper, but I’m sure one day I’ll jump in with both feet and purchase an e-reader. There are many different formats of High Tide available on Smashwords.comThis month to celebrate the release of High Tide, you’re reducing the price to $2.99 for all e-reader downloads and giving away three books on your site. A lot of authors are worried about having to do the majority of their book’s promotion. What other things are you doing to get the word out about your books?
I’m concentrating on the blog tour at the moment and blogging is my main avenue for getting the word out. After I get a chance to take a breath, I’ll look into doing local book signings. I have contacted some stores and my books are currently available at The British Emporium in Grapevine. Book promotions help in several ways. I’m finding a lot about my readers and what they are looking for which I think publishers often lose sight of. Although I love writing, I love hearing that someone has enjoyed my books even more.What part of writing do you enjoy most? Research? The first draft? The dialogue? Seeing the characters come to life on the page? Something else?
I enjoy getting to know my characters and seeing the story come to life. Sometimes it changes dramatically in the second draft.What’s next? Are you writing another book? Or maybe you’re busy with promoting High Tide?
I’ve always been intrigued with the Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells. There are so many stories swirling around the abandoned structure and I thought it would be a great setting for a mystery. I’m working on the second draft now.Thank you Ann!
You can catch Ann on her blog, Cozy in Texas, or her website. You can also ask her a question here in the comments section.
Nice interview. Thanks. I'll check out her blog too. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteLou
Hi Lou. Thanks for coming by.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to swing by and check out that blog. Great interview. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. A Graceful Death sounds intriguing with its base in Cornwall.
ReplyDeleteI've been to England, but only once. It's still an "exotic" setting to me. And it's fun to read books set in exotic places, I think.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your books signings, Ann.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview - thanks Ann, and good luck with the blog tour and book signing!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you Helen for hosting. :)
Good interview, ladies. Ann, when you're ready for an eReader, I highly recommend the iPad!
ReplyDeleteHi all! I do find it interesting to see how authors are doing e-tours and promoting their books.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I've been thinking about an e-Reader. My DH has an iPad, but I don't know that I need all the bells and whistles that he has. Haven't made up my mind, though. He sure loves his.
Thanks for inviting me Helen and asking such thought provoking questions. I haven't had much interest in e-readers but one of my friends showed me her i-pad this week. Amazing how thin it is and the screen is so clear. I may have to take a leap and put it on my Christmas list that way it will give me time to think about it.
ReplyDeleteAnn
I was intrigued by your review of High Tide. I enjoyed reading the interview too.
ReplyDeleteSome of our memories of place we've been are so vivid. Capture the imagination and starts your mind wandering... what if..? Nice to know I'm not the only one whos sees or remembers a place and thinks that way.
Ann, my husband is an early riser. Almost every morning when I come downstairs, he's sitting in the dark reading his iPad. That's when I'm most envious!
ReplyDeleteSia, your comment makes me wonder if each person has that "place" in their heads that they remember fondly. I do.
Great information. I love to hear about others successes. I look forward to following.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the interview and am sure I will enjoy High Tide.
ReplyDeleteOr remember because it made them afraid. Got them both, Helen.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, ladies. Cornwall is so gorgeous -- what a great place to set a book!
ReplyDeleteInteresting insights. I'm at the beginning of marketing. My book (Sourcebooks) comes out in November. I've read a lot about blog tours. Some say it didn't drive any sales at all and others had a great response. I wonder what the difference is. I'll go check out your blog...maybe you answer the question there.
ReplyDeleteIt's good you remember enough to set the story in Cornwall. I've lived in London for 3 years but I have to rely on maps and photos from Internet to set my stories now.
ReplyDeleteSteamy Darcy