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. There are three books in the Royal Series and each book revolves around a different character. BUT! Sam and Prince Yummy will be making appearances in those book as well.
Q. Will you ever be traditionally published?
A. Yes, sir! HarperCollins has purchased the North American rights for the Royal series. I'm absolutely delighted to work with them and can't wait to see what we accomplish together! I'm technically a hybrid author which means that I am both, traditionally and self-published.
Q. Do you have or are you looking for an agent?
A. I do have an agent! Rebecca Friedman of the RF Literary Agency represents my work. Please direct all rights inqueries to her at: Rebecca(at)rfliterary.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
At this time I am not selling signed copies, but hope to be able to do so once again in the future. I'm sorry guys, but if the situation changes I will make a post to let you all know. If you would like to receive a signed bookmark or post card, please send a self addressed stamped envelope to:
Nichole Chase
P.O.Box 1667
Statesboro, Ga. 30459
(Please keep in mind that this may take several weeks to a month, but I will get you your stuff!)
Q. Is The Accidental Assassin part of a series?
A: Yes. Each book will be told from a different couples POV, but will continue the story started in The Accidental Assassin.
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 or Jessie Edwards at HarperCollins/Avon.
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. Research agents and publishing houses. Query the ones that represent authors that write stories similar to yours.
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. There are three books in the Royal Series and each book revolves around a different character. BUT! Sam and Prince Yummy will be making appearances in those book as well.
Q. Will you ever be traditionally published?
A. Yes, sir! HarperCollins has purchased the North American rights for the Royal series. I'm absolutely delighted to work with them and can't wait to see what we accomplish together! I'm technically a hybrid author which means that I am both, traditionally and self-published.
Q. Do you have or are you looking for an agent?
A. I do have an agent! Rebecca Friedman of the RF Literary Agency represents my work. Please direct all rights inqueries to her at: Rebecca(at)rfliterary.com
Q. Can I get signed books/ postcards/ stuff?
A.
At this time I am not selling signed copies, but hope to be able to do so once again in the future. I'm sorry guys, but if the situation changes I will make a post to let you all know. If you would like to receive a signed bookmark or post card, please send a self addressed stamped envelope to:
Nichole Chase
P.O.Box 1667
Statesboro, Ga. 30459
(Please keep in mind that this may take several weeks to a month, but I will get you your stuff!)
Q. Is The Accidental Assassin part of a series?
A: Yes. Each book will be told from a different couples POV, but will continue the story started in The Accidental Assassin.
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 or Jessie Edwards at HarperCollins/Avon.
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. Research agents and publishing houses. Query the ones that represent authors that write stories similar to yours.
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.