Are you doing what you really want to do in life? I am a teacher and I am a writer and so yes, I am doing what I want to in life. I would like to add settling down and having a family as I have not had that opportunity, but hope that will come to me later in life. Yet, I have been able to travel the world, particularly eight years in Asia, and for me that satisfies a lot of what I have want in life.
In your career as a writer - what do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses? I am well travelled and have a lot of experience with various struggles and emotions as well as with different cultures and peoples and feel that would be my greatest strength. I am a fountain of ideas. But a weakness of mine would include my elation at finishing a novel and becoming too excited, resulting in early release when the novel should be through more edits. I have learned from the past not to release a novel too soon, so that it has the chance to develop more fully and successfully.
What are some of your favorite websites for writers? www.authorssupportingauthors.ning.com www.paranormalromances.ning.com www.bittenbybooks.com www.permutedpress.com www.kindleboards.com www.gothicnet.com and I love a variety of blogs related to paranormal, science fiction and history on blogger. Blogger is preferable to word press for me.
What are some of the tools you use for marketing? I enjoy using online services for my eBooks such as public publishing services by smahswords and scribd and some editorial public services like urbis and authonomy. I also like to market on blogger and a bit on word press and weebly. Some other marketing techniques include virtual book tours and facebook...as well as some of my favorite sites listed above. Offline, I like to create bookmarks, posters and sale my books locally at bookstores, libraries, and in schools, markets, malls and anywhere I am welcome. I enjoy speaking with fans and telling people about my novels. Flyers, and business cards are also useful. Giveaways and contests both offline and online are also great promotional devices! I have used all the above:)
Are you satisfied with your experiences as a published author? (things you’ve noticed that could be improved, what you’ve enjoyed, what you’ll do better next time…) I started publishing novels about a year and a half ago and I have learned quite a lot! I’ve learned to properly edit and have a variety of eyes on your novel before allowing the public to buy and view it. I have learned that reviews online through blogs and ezines are very useful for promoting. Word of mouth is very important and building friendships as well as networking is vital to success. I am satisfied with my experiences of having my novel for myself to enjoy; however, I do things differently now than when I first started publishing in 2009. I have learned and I am very happy with what I have discovered and the changes I know I can make to improve the publishing and marketing processes.
Win a copy of Ami's book Hunted of 2060 HERE and visit her site http://amiblackwelder.com to preview or purchase her books
