Today we are talking to Gale Laure, author of the mystery suspense novel, Evolution of a Sad Woman. Gale is here to tell us more about her book and how she is going about promoting it.
Thank you for this interview, Gale. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?
I suppose I have been writing for about ten years. It only took me about three months to write my first draft. My husband lost it when he upgraded my computer for me while I was out of town. Then after the shock, I wrote my novel from scratch all over again. Family illness with my parents kept me from pursuing the publishing of Evolution of a Sad Woman. Next my husband and I had to battle his cancer. So – now all these years later – I became published. Then cancer hit my husband once again. So I did not promote my novel. Next hurricane Ike destroyed our home. So, once again, I had to postpone promotion.
But, I am finally here promoting Evolution of a Sad Woman, my mystery, suspense, thriller and romance debut novel.
Do you write full-time?
Yes. Writing is my full time job. Believe me, writing and marketing a novel is a full time job.
Here's a fun question. You’ve met an old friend from high school and you want to pitch your book to him/her in five minutes or less. What would you say?
What have I been doing? I wrote a mystery, suspense, thriller and romance book that is selling internationally.
It is about five men who are strangers who are brought together to solve a brutal murder. It is the murder of a beautiful and unforgettable woman that they have all loved. They are taken down a dark, unfamiliar, crime-ridden road of deceit and danger. Be prepared for a surprise ending!
Who is your intended audience? Have you been able to crossover into other audiences as well?
My intended audience is anyone who likes to read mystery, suspense, thriller or romance genre. I have even crossed over into the Christian market that find the lesson in my novel uplifting. I thought only women who enjoy my novel, but men have loved the mystery, suspense and thriller aspect of my novel.
Why did you choose your particular genre?
I actually did not choose a specific genre. The story just popped into my head. The story happened to be a multiple genre. I like mystery, suspense and romance myself so perhaps that influenced me a little.
Do you ever experience self-doubts with your work?
No. I never experience self-doubts with my work. However, I do experience self-doubt about the industry of writing. It is a tough industry. There are so many books and so much choice for readers. My book is one of millions.
Where do you write? Do you have a favorite place?
Currently, I write in my wing back leather lounge chair in my living room with my laptop literally on my lap. My office is still unfinished since it was destroyed by hurricane Ike. I am having trouble finding just the right desk. I am very particular about my desk.
What kind of research did you have to do during the writing process?
I read several books and articles. Mostly I interviewed experts in the profession. For my information on Catholicism I interviewed a knowledgeable lady from a church. For my police and legal questions I interviewed officers of the law and attorneys.
Who is your publisher and how did you get accepted by them? Did you pitch your book yourself or go through an agent?
I pitched my book to so many publishers. I received rejection letters that were heartbreaking. One editor really wanted to publish it, but was out voted by a panel of other editors. My book seemed to not be the popular trend at the time.
After all the disaster in my life, my husband remembered a letter I had received from my publisher that I had forgotten. Once I pursued it, my book was published.
How are you promoting your book thus far?
I have done several book signings in bookstores. I have sent out postcards to bookstores. I had a launch party. I attended the Book Expo America. I joined several social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Authorsden, Goodreads, YouTube and others.
And now, last but not least, I am currently on a virtual blog book tour!
If you could give one book promotion tip to new authors, what would that be?
You have to promote. There are a lot of books. Get your name and your book out there every way you can!
What’s next for you?
Writing is next for me. I have an edit to finish on my next novel, The Bunkhouse that I hope to release in 2010. I am writing on the sequel to Evolution of a Sad Woman which is entitled Alana – Evolution of a Woman. I am researching a future novel entitled Time in Vieux Carre.
And stories are always popping into my head. I have so many there that it is getting crowded.
Thank you for this interview, Gale. Can you tell us where we can find you on the web?
Yes. My website is http://www.galelaure.com . My blog is http://www.evolutionofasadwoman.com .
Comments
Good morning to all. I am here this morning for a lively discussion. Please blog in with your questions or comments.
GL
Good morning to all. I am here this morning for a lively discussion. Please blog in with your questions or comments.
GL
You say being a mystery, romance, suspense and thriller author is a full-time job. Does that mean part-time book authors will not succeed?
Paige,
No. I am not saying a part-time author cannot make it in this business. If that author has a lot of support from their family and spouse, it could work. But it will take a lot longer and be a lot harder.
I know several authors who work at this part-time. They are doing fine. Just be prepared for a lot of work!
If you want to be an author, do not be discouraged. Go for it.
GL
You say, "be prepared for a lot of work". I suspect you mean making time to write, researching topics. What else?
Payge,
No. Writing the book is the easy part. The research is not that hard either. But after the book is published you will need to do book signings in bookstores, send out postcards to bookstores, have a launch party, attend trade shows and have someone build a website and a blog for you. You will need to join several social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Authorsden, Goodreads, YouTube and others. You will also want to try a virtual blog book tour which brought me here to this blog today. All these things market your book.
Good luck with your book!
GL
Would a christian or religious person enjoy reading your murder mystery and thriller book?
Yes, Lizz. I have had a lot of Christian bookstores carry my novel. I do want to warn you about sexual situations, violence and language within the book. But one of the five men in my novel is a Catholic priest. He is a good man who struggles with his belief as many people do from time to time. I think you will find a wonderful Christian theme within my novel, if you look for it.
I hope you will give it a chance.
GL
I have been following (in the wings)your blog tour this week. I like the premise of your novel and your road to publication sounds a bit like mine right up to Ike knocking and blowing down my house. I also was born in Golden Triangle and now reside in Houston.
I'm a full time writer caring for four kids under 4 and it is a bit busy.
Much luck on the rest of your tour. My site wade-inpublishing and speaklowericanthearyou which is my blog.
Yes, Lizz. I have had a lot of Christian bookstores carry my novel. I do want to warn you about sexual situations, violence and language within the book. But one of the five men in my novel is a Catholic priest. He is a good man who struggles with his belief as many people do from time to time. I think you will find a wonderful Christian theme within my novel, if you look for it.
I hope you will give it a chance.
GL
Would a christian or religious person enjoy reading your murder mystery and thriller book?
Nancy,
Thanks for following me this week. Wow! We do have a lot in common. I am so glad you blogged in. I will take a look at your site and blog.
Four children under 4 - Whew! You are one busy lady.
I will be on this tour until Dec. 16th so feel free to blog in any time. I would love to hear from you.
Best of luck on your book!
GL
Will you ever write a book or novel in another genre besides mystery, suspense, thriller and romance?
Carmela,
The answer is yes. My next novel, "The Bunkhouse", is a historical, mystery, thriller, romance novel with a science fiction twist. I wrote it for my husband who is a sci-fi fan.
I will go where the stories in my head take me. As long as they pop there, I will follow them So far, most of them have been mystery, suspense, thriller and romance. But that could change. For instance - "The Bunkhouse", I never thought I would write science fiction. But I did.
GL
How is your virtual book tour coming along? Do you plan on any other type of advertising, marketing, or promotion of your ficiton mystery-suspense book on the internet?
Carmela,
The answer is yes. My next novel, "The Bunkhouse", is a historical, mystery, thriller, romance novel with a science fiction twist. I wrote it for my husband who is a sci-fi fan.
I will go where the stories in my head take me. As long as they pop there, I will follow them So far, most of them have been mystery, suspense, thriller and romance. But that could change. For instance - "The Bunkhouse", I never thought I would write science fiction. But I did.
GL
My tour is going very good. My book sales at Amazon were way up today. My internet advertising and marketing guy is currently building a viral website campaign for me. I don't know what this is, but it sounds good. He says it will attract book readers to my website.
GL
How is your virtual book tour coming along? Do you plan on any other type of advertising, marketing, or promotion of your ficiton mystery-suspense book on the internet?
Good night to all. Thank you for visiting and blogging in today at The Examiner. I enjoyed your delightful questions and comments.
A big thank you to The Examiner for hosting me this day. The visit was delightful.
GL
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