Jeremy Lane, author of "Here and Gone" visits Page Readers

Jeremy Lane stopped by Page Readers to share his work "Here and Gone."  Enjoy!

First Jeremy, tell us a little about you:


I was born and raised in Texas (not hard to tell after reading my stories), and currently live in North Texas with my wife, two daughters, and a son who currently resides in a small apartment in my wife’s womb, and will be moving in to his already-prepared bedroom at the end of October.

My life was fairly peaceful and uneventful growing up. I don’t have any traumatic or life-changing anecdotes to share from my childhood, but I believe aspects of it definitely come through in my writing--most times without my realizing it.


What is your story about?
“Here and Gone” is a collection of short stories about the ability of a brief encounter to have a lasting impact on a person’s life. The stories are all linked by this theme--a quick interaction or experience that changes how we think, how we live, and how we exist.


How did this story come to you?

I think of this collection as “The Big Purge.” It was this exercise where I needed to get rid of these things that reside in the part of your brain where, though you don’t consciously think about them, some action needs to be taken. I tend to write something, then when I’m done I’ll read it and think, “Yeah, ok, I know where that came from.” Like I said, it’s a purge.


What compelled you to write it?

The better question may be, ‘What compelled you to write at all?’, and the answer is: my wife. I struggled with trying to understand what I wanted to be when I grew up well into my twenties. My wife would just shake her head and say, “You should write. You’re good at it.”

Let me save the men who are reading this interview a little time. Just listen to your wife. She’s always right.

Jeremy, you will stay happily married a long time with that attitude.

Who is your favorite character?

Annabel Shay, hands down. It was the first story I wrote, and her character still resonates with me. Whether I am reading or writing, a strong no-nonsense female character is what I am drawn to. You see that a bit in Ceely Dawn as well.


What was your favorite scene to write?

Tough one. Probably the rail car scene in “The Reflection, Only Hers” with Annabel and Mr. Cottle. Strategically it worked out just like I wanted it to. Rarely does a scene end up on paper the way you see it in your head--this was one of the few times it did.


How long did it take you to write the story?

I wrote the collection over a stretch of about eight months. I abandoned a story or two, then came back and tied them together. “The Guest” was written over half an hour with my wife cooking dinner and my kids watching Sponge Bob with the surround sound at full volume.


Do you have a release date?

The Collection will be available through Ether in the coming weeks. The paperback version was just recently released.


How will it be available?

eBook and Print


Where can we find?

“Here and Gone” has been picked up by publisher Ether Books located in the UK, and is available through their mobile publishing app. Ether is on the forefront of an exciting change in the way people consume literature, and I highly suggest people check them out. Ether can be found in the app store, and you can learn more about them at http://www.etherbooks.co.uk./

The paperback version of this collection can be found here.


What has your publishing experience been like?

I am hesitant to answer this question due to the millions of war stories out there from writers trying to get published. I self-published briefly, then saw an article about Ether, submitted some work, and they grabbed it. It moved much quicker for me than I anticipated. I am in talks now with a few agents about a print version of the collection. I’m taking baby steps in this area--I want an agent for the long-term and am proceeding with caution. If I have my way I’ll be able to say, “Glad that’s over. Now back to writing.”


Where we can we find you online?

I am using Social Media exclusively right now. I feel a bit closer to the reader this way, and I may move to a website at some point, but for now people can track me down on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.

Facebook: Jeremy Lane

myspace.com/jeremymarklane

twitter.com/jeremymarklane


Are there any “Words of Wisdom” you’d like to share with our readers and fellow authors?

Well, I can share a suggestion and a belief.

Suggestion:

Be creative without over-creating. I think it is near impossible to write fiction without at least some small scene or the most minor character stemming from something or someone you know. Don’t fight this. Scenes and characters are more alive when they are fueled by experience.

Belief:

Attention all Short Story writers: The reason agents, publishers, and writers say there is no market for Short Stories anymore is because very, very few people know how to write them well. If you can write in both quality and quantity things will happen for you. Stay relentless.


Do you have any upcoming publicity events you’d like to share?

I’ll be joining Tony Kay on the Author’s First Radio show in October, and will be on Book’s-n-Authors Radio after the first of this year. I am lining up more radio and blog interviews all the time. I will be keeping Page Readers up to date as we go along.

A note to the reader – Jeremy has graciously offered his work as a prize to subscribers as Promotion a la Carte. Visit Promotion a la Carte and subscribe as a reader to be entered into the monthly drawings.


Thank you Jeremy for stopping by Page Readers to share with our readers. Keep up the great work!

A novel of Spiritual Healing & Unlikely love in the Montana Wilderness

I found a novel I loved and had to share it with you. You can almost taste the wilderness and the life springing from the pages of it! It’s bestselling author, Doug Hiser’s new novel, Montana Mist, Winter of the White Wolf. Set in the town of Rime, Montana the pages are replete with loners, free spirits and those simply looking for a place to lose themselves for awhile.

Here’s what reviewer Tracy Riva said, “The scenery in Montana Mist vividly springs to life bringing the mountain town and its surroundings into keen view as you peruse the pages of this piece of modern folklore. Hiser brings not only the people of Rime, but also the wild inhabitants of its nearby mountains to boldly dance across the screen of your mind.

“What follows is one of my favorite passages from the book, a tall tale that I suppose could have happened somewhere, at sometime but probably takes place only in our fascinated imaginations. It is the tale of a one-eyed wolf appropriately named Cyclops and a huge bull moose which no wolf in his right mind would normally dare to attack alone:

“Suddenly Cyclops darted in and snapped at the moose’s hind leg. The wolf was fast and quick and he had drawn first blood. The moose grunted and bellowed in rage, snot flung from his large nostrils as he twisted in response to the biting pain in his rear leg. Cyclops rushed in again and the moose was slower. The one-eyed wolf bit the moose in the other hind leg. Throughout the entire engagement Cyclops had been silent but the moose groaned and grunted and snorted in anger. The moose’s shoulders quivered and his mouth opened and closed as oxygen was sucked in. Cyclops had one more trick to play against the big Bull Moose. This is the part where I wish you could have been there…that one-eyed wolf ran around the staggered moose and got behind him again. Cyclops was too quick for that big engine of power. The moose was caught off guard as the one-eyed wolf leapt high and far from behind. That wolf jumped on the moose’s back.”

“ …At first the moose just stood still, breathing hard and tossing his antlers back and forth. Finally realizing there was a wolf sitting on his back the moose started to jump and run. I saw that crazy one-eyed wolf straddling that wild moose and clinging with all four paws and biting a clump of thick hair on the moose’s neck. Cyclops didn’t try to attack the moose. He was just trying to stay on for the ride. That moose jumped and ran all over that clearing trying to dislodge Cyclops. That was the strangest thing you ever saw, a crazy one-eyed wolf riding on a bucking moose.”

Hiser knows how to tell a story and he uses masterful prose to bring his work to life for you to enjoy. I highly recommend Montana Mist, Winter of the White Wolf- reading it will leave an indelible impression on you. Get it today with loads of bonuses! http://bit.ly/e0hWKz

Catching up with Author Jan Sydnam

Author Jan Sydnam was the very first guest on Page Readers.  Listen to that first interview here. 

I met Jan on a writers forum.  As I browsed through the members, her profile picture caught my eye.  She was riding a horse.

Being an equestrian lover myself, I sent her a connection request.  She told me about her book and her quest for publicity and to make a long story short, Jan was a big part of the idea that became Page Readers.

First, a little more about Jan:

Jan Sydnam moved to Texas in 2003 to escape the ongoing constant wet drizzle of the Pacific NW. Although she loved the greenness of her surroundings there, the rain was depressing to her as an outdoor type person. Her current home sits amidst a herd of horses that she breeds, trains and shows. Jan made a name for herself in the horse show arena starting in 1970 and has many National wins to her credit. She has either ridden or trained the horse that was declared the winner. Since moving to Texas she started taking her talent in the area of writing, a bit more serious and wrote her first novel in 2007. That novel “Oh, For God’s Sake” was released in November 2008 and has been followed by four additional true crime event books with more in the works. Jan divides her days between writing and riding and does both with the passion she is well known for.

Visit Jan online at her website.


Now, a little about her book, "Oh For God's Sake."

Kathleen Heckertt was born into a life of abuse & neglect. With a manipulative monster for a father and a mother with no backbone, Kate faces deception at every turn.

A secret held by her mother only complicates living with a father who plays physical, emotional & mental games with this child. Like all children, Kate seeks only parental love.

Regardless of her destructive environment, she must make a decision. Her choice will determine the path her life takes as she fights to gain control of her feelings toward God and society.

With twists & turns that seem too painful to face, Oh, For God's Sake will keep you on the edge of your seat. The author aptly portrays experiences from her own life, leaving readers begging the question..."How can Kate ever survive?"

How long ago did you write OFGS?
It took me about six months and that was between the sweaty palms and fits of crying. In my Acknowledgments, I thanked my husband for standing by me as well as standing clear as I went through the painful task of reliving some painful moments of my childhood. Now days I can write the same amount of words in almost half the time.

What was your publishing experience like with OFGS?
I sent out two...yes only two query letters because I was so sure that it was a winner! Well, I waited and waited...publishers take their time! But after three months of nail biting I received an email and a package within moments of each other from a publisher that was interested in publishing my book. The founder of that company included a letter with the contract that in part stated..."You do not sound at all like a first time writer." Then he went on to explain that they receive well over 100k MS a year and they only make offers to 6-9% of the authors. They accepted my MS because...they viewed it as being "Marketable."

Most writers fail to recognize that publishers are not there to make them famous or make them money. The publisher wants to make the bucks!

What did you do to promote your work? (What worked, what didn’t)
I found that making hundreds of calls to the smaller bookstores myself worked. It took time but it paid off especially when I represented the local area as an author. I also contacted groups and schools that might find my book to be of benefit.

Where can we find the book?
Oh, For God's Sake can be found online at many of the booksellers that sell at a discount...or at local bookstores. The last time I checked, Borders and Barnes & Noble were both out of stock...which is good!

Was this your first experience publishing your work?

Oh, For God's Sake was my first published book. Since then I have three other books available.

Lost in Plain Sight that will be re-published in 2011

The Beaten Path - for Marilyn Bloodworth released in 2010

Doors Locked Backwards – for Jamillah Roberts being released in 2011
When I’m not writing a novel I’ve been keeping busy by writing e-books and other short projects

What made you decide to go into ghost writing?
To be honest, it was for the income…at first but once I realized that I had a writing style that was unique, I stopped ghostwriting in the true sense of the word and started asking that my name appear on the cover along with the storyteller. I no longer wanted to be the GHOST that no one ever recognized. Not everyone can make that jump but it’s always worth the attempt!

What has that experience been like?
Well, once I got that “lucky break” I’d been waiting for…of being recognized for my style…I acquired a Publicist and from there the road has been sooooooo much smoother.

Any advice to give to writers thinking of going into the ghost writing business?
My advice to all writers is JUST DO IT! Meaning…just keep writing everyday! Get at least 2000 words down every day! With time, you’ll start picking up gigs that will get your name and talent out there. Don’t plan on staying ghostwriters…go for the moon! Hey, in this business, there’s a lot of space to climb when you’re good!

What is your “routine” for writing?
That’s my other strong advice to writers! Discipline yourself!!! The more you write, the faster you’ll advance and get better jobs. I treat writing as a FULL TIME JOB! You can’t cheat because the only person you wind up cheating is yourself!

What other advice would you like to pass along?
I’ve been helping others with their MS and their story ideas and the one thing I keep running into is the desire to write when there’s really no talent. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but everyone has a story but not everyone can write. Writing is much like singing or dancing. You can learn only so much and the rest is up to you to develop.

In the end, some people will never make it into the final five on American Idol. The same goes for the way the brain works when people write. Some can and some will just be able to do it for their own pleasure and there’s nothing wrong with that.

The rub comes when they start complaining that publishers have no taste or don’t know a good MS when they see it.

No publisher is going to spend even a second longer when they spot typos and grammatical and syntax errors in a MS.

Writers need to take a course in writing. Writers Conventions are great for this info. Too many writers get their information from movies and TV…bad idea and it’s not realistic! Publishers never call you or offer you a hefty check when you’re an unknown writer! It just doesn’t happen that way.

Publishers do this as a living so we must give credit where credit’s due. Be realistic when it comes to your talent! If the rejections keep coming…take a class or find help but don’t blame the publisher! They need to read only the first paragraph or your MS to decide whether it’s a keeper or not. Remember, they get thousands of MSS in the mail every day. So, if your story starts out boring…it’s HELLO TRASH CAN!

There are a lot of talented writers out there and my five suggestions to them are:

1. KEEP WRITING

2. WRITE EVERYDAY

3. GET QUALIFIED HELP IF NEEDED (not your neighbor or sibling who’s never written anything but their name)

4. FIND A PUBLICIST (Yes, they’re expensive but their worth their weight in gold)

5. STAY POSITIVE

Thank you Jan for stopping back in.  Congratulations and continued success in your writing career! 

Book Review: "Total Law of Attraction," by Dr. David Che

We’ve all seen The Secret, and have done our best to put The Secret into action. And I’m sure it’s working its magic in your life in some positive way. It’s all good!


But, it gets better. Dr. David Che has given us the missing steps in “Total Law of Attraction.” If you’ve been doing all the visualizations, the staying positive, the dreaming of the future, and yet you still seem to be hitting road blocks, it’s because you’re not working the “whole plan.”

In easy, step by step instructions, Dr. Che gives us the missing pieces, without confusing us with quantum physics or mystical metaphors. Plain English, easy to understand and even easier to put into action.

And action is what we want! We all want to live the lives of our dreams. With Dr. Che’s book, “Total Law of Attraction,” you will be on your way!

Christopher Craven stopped by Page Readers for a few questions about his latest book "October Sun."

Author Christopher Craven answered a few questions about his newest book "October Sun."

Welcome Christopher! 

Start us off with a little background on you.


I grew up the scrawny middle child in a semi-liberal family in Phoenix, Arizona. From the time I was able to write my own name, I knew that I was destined to write for the world. Thank goodness my mother handed me my first adult novel in junior high. I prefer to write erotic romance that explores the love between kindred spirits and romantic suspense. I also enjoy barefoot strolls along the beach, but can most often be found roaming the Eastern Colorado plateaus when I’m not writing or working my daytime job in retail. Your readers can find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authorchriscraven and online at http://cravenheat.blogspot.com/ or they can email me at mailto:authorcraven@gmail.com

What is October Sun about?

The backcover sums it up best:

Love is the strongest force in the universe…

Defense attorney Miles Turner seems to have it all. At the height of his game professionally, he’s just been hired to defend a famous L.A. party boy’s less than stellar reputation, a case that stands to earn Miles a small fortune. And to top it off, his love life isn’t bad either. Even the headache he can’t seem to shake isn’t strong enough to overpower the tenderness he has for his partner. Miles Turner is finally happy.

Landon Black is living a life beyond his dreams. Finishing his degree towards a career he’s always wanted, Landon might spend his days studying, but his nights are filled with the one thing he can’t live without--love. Even the thought of spending a weekend at the upcoming Black family reunion with his less than tolerant father isn't enough to extinguish the excitement Landon feels at the reality of a getaway trip with his lover.

But it can be taken away in an instant…

As members of the “Black Pack” come together in the snowcapped mountains of Colorado at Lake Alexander, no-one can see what’s looming ahead-- an event with consequences so severe it stands to alter all of their lives forever.

Prepared with nothing but his integrity and a heart full of hope, Miles is praying for a miracle while Landon, forced to play a high stakes game of life-or-death, is asking himself if the love he has is enough to offer.

How did this story come to you?

Well I was at the mall and I spotted a gay couple that fit the description of Miles Turner and Landon Black, then I started running into idea after idea. I wondered what was going on in their minds, what kind of life they lived, what jobs they held. By the time I sat down to do a small plot outline, I had a great story mapped out. I dug deeper into my characters heads and listened to what my characters were saying and a great story came to life.

What compelled you to write it?

There are a couple of messages hidden between the lines that were influences from my personal life.

Who is your favorite character?

My favorite character is Landon Black. He is married to a defense attorney, Miles Turner, who is the other leading character. One of the reasons I like Landon most is his attitude. When he gets upset, the drama unfolds through each screeching angst filled statement. In ‘October Sun’ he is called on trying out for the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff, because with Landon Black, it’s no holds barred.

What was your favorite scene to write?

My favorite scene to write was the family reunion at Landon Black’s family ranch on the Grand Mesa wedged in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. In these scenes, I introduce some important characters that play out through the second half as well as I have written a family dinner scene that I’m certain everybody should be able to relate to in some form or another. There’s also a spot in those scenes that describe the book cover just perfectly.

How long did it take you to write the story?

“October Sun” took at least six months to be in completion.

When will it be released?

“October Sun” releases on January 11th from Rebel Ink Press. Your readers can check it and some other great titles out at their website: www.rebelinkpress.com .

How is it available?
It will be available as an e-book then released in a print anthology with the next two titles in the series, February Kin and December Man, in late 2011.

Where can we find it online, or if print, where?

October Sun will be available at ARe, http://www.allromanceebooks.com/ , Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/, Barnes and Noble, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ , and a few other fine e-retailers.

What was your publishing experience like?
I submitted to Rebel Ink Press via a call for submissions on Facebook. I wouldn’t trade traditional publishing for anything. The amount of exposure and presentation is much greater than that of a self-published book. Another positive aspect to traditional publishing would be the quality of editing. There’s nothing better than having a polished manuscript.

Where else can we find you online?
People can reach me at my website and on Facebook at:

http://cravenheat.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/authorchriscraven

I also love to receive comments from readers. They can email me at: authorcraven@gmail.com

Do you have any other upcoming publicity events?

I plan on having a release party via Facebook that will point interested acquaintances to the appropriate purchase links and websites. If your readers are interested in joining me on Facebook, please direct them to http://www.facebook.com/authorchriscraven so they will see a link to the event.

Thank you Christopher, for stopping by.  Congratulation on the release of your book!

Thank you Nanci for having me and I look forward to giving your readers something new and romantic to read.