October is National Book Month and to celebrate books and authors in Texas, I asked North Texas author Jeanne Guzman to talk about what it means to be a Texas author.
Jeanne, would you tell us a bit about yourself?
Born and raised in Maryland, I got to Texas as fast as I could. Mother of 4, Mimi to 9 1/2, and Keeper of the Zoo, my husband and best friend and I enjoy life to its fullest. When we're not traveling around Texas in our motor coach, I'm sitting at home office typing away at my computer. Now I live in South Dallas County.
Jeanne, how does being a Texas author make you the writer you are?
This is a good question, and I’d have to say that being based here, Deep in the Heart as the song goes, makes my storytelling real, as each one of my books begins or ends somewhere in Texas, be it Austin or along the Red River. Being able to walk there, or drive by and see the location I’m writing about helps me bring these locations to life. There really isn't a better place in the world next to Texas, as far as I’m concerned, and I honestly don’t believe I would have made the choice to write had I not moved here.
Is being a Texas-based author more difficult in some ways? Harder to get NY attention? Or not?
This is another good question, and in my honest opinion, I don’t’ believe it’s any easier or harder to get attention from a NY publisher, editor, or agent. I believe it has everything to do about how an author presents themselves, how they present their writing, and how persistent they are.
In an interview at As We Were Saying, a blog about Fort Worth writers, Jeanne was asked what she saw beginning writers doing wrong. Jeanne said:
Thinking they have all the answers. You can’t just wake up one morning and say “Hey, I think I’ll write a novel today” and honestly believe it will happen just like that. Writing is a constant learning experience. It’s work. It’s blood, sweat, tears and hours and hours sitting in front of your computer or typewriter.
Jeanne Guzman has a successful series called the Dragon Hunter series which include The Dragon Within, and Dragon Lover. Jeanne, tell us a bit about your books.
Dragon Lover was the first in the Dragon Hunters series, released through Gypsy Shadow Publishing, an Austin based indi-publisher, in November 2011. It was voted one of the top 10 books in 2011 through Predators and Editors.
Publisher's Weekly says, "For eighteen years Kimball Crossley trained for the day she'd come face-to-face with the demon who murdered her parents. Nothing could've prepared her for the dragon who would change her life forever. Dmitri of the Langhier Clan is one of the elite Dragon Hunters. For eighteen years he's stood against evil, believing he'll forever be a warrior for his people. That is, until the night he's confronted with his future. With whispers of war in the air, can Kimball learn to trust what she's always hated and accept her love for the Dragon Hunter? Dmitri's skills as a hunter are superior, but can he accept that women, particularly his woman, can be as strong in mind and body as any well-trained hunter? Can they put aside their differences long enough to save both their worlds?"
The Dragon Within is the second book in the Dragon Hunters series, released through Gypsy Shadow and was released this month, October 5th, 2012.
"Angelica Crossley is trapped in a never ending nightmare where she's forced to re-live two very important moments in her life. Her parents' death and her own kidnapping. Angelica's only hope to re-join the real world is Preston of the Anshar Dragons. Stepping through the Flames of Prophesy, Preston enters Angelica's nightmare to rescue her from her torment. In the process, he discovers the true reason for her forced slumber. He was meant to bear witness to the evil responsible for her captivation. A dragon from his past. A dragon he thought long dead. His father. As Angelica recovers, Preston leaves her side, thinking the only way to give her peace of mind is to hunt down his father and send him into the flames. Through doubts and mistrust, Angelica and Preston must mend the breach between them, solidify their bond, and learn to embrace the Dragon Within." ~ Amazon.com
For more information about Jeanne Guzman and her books, see both her website, RomanceInFlight.com, and her blog, romanceinflight.blogspot.com.
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