I've decided to set up a Q&A section for often asked questions. There will be some answers about my books and about publishing in general.
Q. Will there be any more novels in the Dark Betrayal Trilogy?
A. Maybe. They obviously won't be part of the trilogy, but I do hope to revisit that world one day in the future. I'm not sure when that will happen, if it does happen.
Q. Will there be more books in the Flukes series?
A. Yes! Each novel in the Flukes series will revolve around a different couple. You will get peeks into lives of the characters from other books as well, but they will not be the main focus.
Q. Are you going to explain mer-anatomy and mer-sex? ( I get asked this more than I could have ever imagined.)
A. Um. I have some ideas, but we'll see. ;)
Q. Will there be more books about Samantha and Alex in Suddenly Royal?
A. The Royal Agenda is the next book planned for that series and it's Cathy's book. BUT! Sam and Prince Yummy will be making appearances in that book as well. :)
Q. Will you ever be traditionally published?
A. Maybe! I'm not sure. I'm open to all options, but it would have to be right for me and my books.
Q. Do you have or are you looking for an agent?
A. I do have an agent! Rebecca Friedman of the Hill Nadell Agency represents my work. Please direct all rights inqueries to her at: Rebecca(at)hillnadell.com
Q. Can I get signed books/ postcards/ stuff?
A. Yes, if I have any in stock. Email me at Nicholechase(dot)contact(at)gmail(dot)com
Q. Do you speak at public events/ schools/ conventions?
A. This is something that depends on the situation and timing. If you would like to speak to me about a public appearance or signing, please email my publicist KP Simmon at kpsimmon(at)gmail.
Q. How do you publish a book?
A. Well, there is no easy answer to this question. It took a lot of time, research, and patience to figure out how everything works. I'm still learning. First and foremost, write your book. And I do mean YOUR book. Write the story in your heart. Don't let other dictate what you want to say.
Secondly, get a critique partner and grow a thick skin. I'm not talking about your Mama or best friend, either. Even if you think they are mean, they aren't going to push you the way a good critique partner will. Listen to your critique partner. No, you don't have to take all of their suggestions-- not even the ones they are adamant about, but you should stop and consider everything they say.
Third, hire an editor. A real life editor. Yes, you have to pay them. If you don't have to pay them, you might want to check that they are a real life editor with credentials. (You still with me? Okay.) (If you want to self-publish, read the next paragraph. If you want to go the traditional route, skip to the next one.)
Then, you need to get cover art. No, don't slap a random picture on your book with some text on it. You need to make sure that it is all legible and readable in thumbnail size, because that's the way most people are going to see your book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Remember, if your cover looks like crap, the reader is going to assume that you didn't take the time to put something good inside of the book either. Likewise-- don't spend all your money on a cover. The content is more important.
(For those seeking the traditional route...) I can only help so much here, because that wasn't the route I wanted to go. I never queried or sought an agent. There is nothing wrong with doing so, it just wasn't the way I wanted to do things. I do know this, though: You need to have a good, polished story before you can do either. And you need to have thick skin because you're going to be rejected. At some point. Just keep on trying.
Finally, there is no finally. You need to read, surf the internet, and find other writers. No one can give you all of the answers. And if I might be so bold as to say so, if you want all of the answers handed to you, then you're already in trouble. Being an author, while awesome, and worth all of the hassle, *is* work.
Q. Will there be any more novels in the Dark Betrayal Trilogy?
A. Maybe. They obviously won't be part of the trilogy, but I do hope to revisit that world one day in the future. I'm not sure when that will happen, if it does happen.
Q. Will there be more books in the Flukes series?
A. Yes! Each novel in the Flukes series will revolve around a different couple. You will get peeks into lives of the characters from other books as well, but they will not be the main focus.
Q. Are you going to explain mer-anatomy and mer-sex? ( I get asked this more than I could have ever imagined.)
A. Um. I have some ideas, but we'll see. ;)
Q. Will there be more books about Samantha and Alex in Suddenly Royal?
A. The Royal Agenda is the next book planned for that series and it's Cathy's book. BUT! Sam and Prince Yummy will be making appearances in that book as well. :)
Q. Will you ever be traditionally published?
A. Maybe! I'm not sure. I'm open to all options, but it would have to be right for me and my books.
Q. Do you have or are you looking for an agent?
A. I do have an agent! Rebecca Friedman of the Hill Nadell Agency represents my work. Please direct all rights inqueries to her at: Rebecca(at)hillnadell.com
Q. Can I get signed books/ postcards/ stuff?
A. Yes, if I have any in stock. Email me at Nicholechase(dot)contact(at)gmail(dot)com
Q. Do you speak at public events/ schools/ conventions?
A. This is something that depends on the situation and timing. If you would like to speak to me about a public appearance or signing, please email my publicist KP Simmon at kpsimmon(at)gmail.
Q. How do you publish a book?
A. Well, there is no easy answer to this question. It took a lot of time, research, and patience to figure out how everything works. I'm still learning. First and foremost, write your book. And I do mean YOUR book. Write the story in your heart. Don't let other dictate what you want to say.
Secondly, get a critique partner and grow a thick skin. I'm not talking about your Mama or best friend, either. Even if you think they are mean, they aren't going to push you the way a good critique partner will. Listen to your critique partner. No, you don't have to take all of their suggestions-- not even the ones they are adamant about, but you should stop and consider everything they say.
Third, hire an editor. A real life editor. Yes, you have to pay them. If you don't have to pay them, you might want to check that they are a real life editor with credentials. (You still with me? Okay.) (If you want to self-publish, read the next paragraph. If you want to go the traditional route, skip to the next one.)
Then, you need to get cover art. No, don't slap a random picture on your book with some text on it. You need to make sure that it is all legible and readable in thumbnail size, because that's the way most people are going to see your book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Remember, if your cover looks like crap, the reader is going to assume that you didn't take the time to put something good inside of the book either. Likewise-- don't spend all your money on a cover. The content is more important.
(For those seeking the traditional route...) I can only help so much here, because that wasn't the route I wanted to go. I never queried or sought an agent. There is nothing wrong with doing so, it just wasn't the way I wanted to do things. I do know this, though: You need to have a good, polished story before you can do either. And you need to have thick skin because you're going to be rejected. At some point. Just keep on trying.
Finally, there is no finally. You need to read, surf the internet, and find other writers. No one can give you all of the answers. And if I might be so bold as to say so, if you want all of the answers handed to you, then you're already in trouble. Being an author, while awesome, and worth all of the hassle, *is* work.
