Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Book Publishing Secrets with Carolyn Wolfe, Author of The Book of Tall Tales, Myth and Magic, The Moonsparrow Collection


Author Carolyn Wolfe

Name: Carolyn Wolfe
Book Title: The Moonsparrow Collection
Genre: Magical Realism
Publisher: Avid Readers Publishing Group
The Moonsparrow Collection is comprised of a tapestry of Tall Tales, Myth and Magic. This compilation of tales is the best of Ms. Wolfe's original published and unpublished Short Stories, and includes the stories that she has introduced at local public writing events and festivals.  The subject matter ranges from: A woman who turns a small town on its ear, to: a Magical midnight concert in the woods. It is a light journey into a magical world when anything can happen, and usually does


Title is available at Amazon

Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble

Excerpt from The Moonsparrow Collection

 A Beltane Tale

However, if she were really truthful with herself, she knew this was about more than just singing with him. His voice enchanted her, the simplicity of him singing in the woods, pouring his heart out with each word, set up a longing in her for more than just singing with him. That was the true reason she had not approached him.

This Beltane gathering conjured up all kinds of ideas in her head. She knew Beltane was a time of romance, fertility and new beginnings and that many a relationship had it's not so humble beginnings at this time of year. She was just not quite ready for all the feelings this gathering had conjured up in her. She simply was not quite ready yet, at least that's what she told herself.

Truck Stop Virgin

Brandy was quite a looker, the nearest thing to a sin in an unmarried woman, at least the women think so. Men are a bit more forgiving about that particular fault. Even so, everyone could tell just by looking at Brandy that this gal was trouble!

Mark U. Rye
This does not have any dragons or sword and sorcery, as a matter of fact it is more of a tall tale, but I think you just might recognize the main character, even if he is in disguise..... his name is the clue....

His name was Mark Rye, well actually, he would introduce himself far more formally then his deeply creased jeans would have suggested.  Mark U. Rye, he would grin, with a grin that sticks to you like warm oatmeal swallowed on an extra cold day.  The U. was for Ulysses, a name he was extremely proud of and never did he have the hesitation that some folks have about their middle, and somewhat old fashioned names.

Mark called himself a communicator, although his busted old guitar hardly seemed to command that sort of respectability, at least not at first sight.  But oh, that boy could make it sing with nine tongues and all of them golden!
Read the full excerpt at the author’s website
 
Interview
Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published.  Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?

Is this your first book?
Carolyn:
No, however this is my first book of short stories. I love the short story genre, to create a universe full of characters and yet have it be a very short journey, is both challenging and a lot of fun. My others books include a line of children’s picture books, The Unhappy Little Dragon and The Bedtime of the Sky and The Drowsy House .  

With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Carolyn:
I published it through a wonderful Publisher as an Indie author. In other words, the Publisher helped me format, publish and print my book, but I was in control of the process.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Carolyn:
I love being an independent author, publishing through a small publisher- Avid Readers Publishing Group. We work as a team, co-creating the process of putting my book together. I also love working with Illustrators on my children’s books and find them easy to work with, and very gifted. I am also one of a group of authors (I am not an Indie writer for them) with another Publisher in England- MoonRose Publishing. It is wonderful to be a part of a community of writers that support each others work, share frustrations, and motivate each other! I would recommend both ways of getting your work out there.  I did a great deal of research and made my share of mistakes before finding, what for me is the perfect balance.

What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Carolyn:
I have learned to be very wary of scams. I have fallen for a few along the way and it is a hard way to learn a lesson. I now read a great deal of “watchdog” blogs such as “Writer Beware”. I believe the publishing  world is changing very fast. Of course, when I first started submitting my work, in the late 1970’s- I was submitting it through the mail, with a self-addressed stamped envelope included, so that my work could be sent back to me. I poured over my Library copy of “The Writer’s Market” looking for publishers to send my work to and instead of a computer, I typed all of my work on a Selectric Typewriter! We’ve come a long way since then!!!!
I think that the Publishing industry is opening up considerably and it is no longer a stigma to be an Independent Author. As a matter of fact, I believe it is a terrific opportunity to let the public decide what they want to read, rather than have it filtered from a narrow  and perhaps somewhat elitist group of companies that tell the public what they should be reading.
I am happy with the changes that have occurred and believe that this is just the beginning.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Carolyn:
Yes, I would. I think that after a writer does their research, they will be able to find the publishing process that works best for them. I would highly recommend that an author keep control over their work and over the process of how they want their book to be out there in the world.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Carolyn:
  I would say to an aspiring author-research, research, research! There is so much information about writing, marketing and getting your work out there as an Independent author.  There are also lots of scams and expensive vanity presses that will eat up all of your money and deliver very little. Be aware of all of your options and research the publisher before committing to anything. It is a Buyer Beware market out there for Indie Publishers, but it is also very rewarding when you find the perfect process and publishing match, for your book!  Don’t give up and don’t give away all of your savings! There is the right publisher for your book out there, and if you would prefer, you can do it all yourself! Just believe in what you are doing and you will be a very happy author!
Carolyn Wolfe is a free-lance writer, published poet, and author of eight books, which range from poetry to fantasy and includes children's literature. Her body of work includes writing articles for newspapers and newsletters, and hosting poetry events in the Winchester area.

Her books include two poetry books "Notes From The Shadow Self" and "WhenThe Moon Speaks", a collection of original light fantasy stories titled "The Moonsparrow Collection" and four children's books "The Bedtime Of The Sky and Other Sleepy-Bye Stories", The Unhappy Little Dragon Lessons Begin" and "The Unhappy Little Dragon, Lessons Learned" and “The Drowsy House“.  

Her newest fantasy/romance novella, "Blades's Magic" is a sword and sorcery adventure for an adult readership. Wolfe lives in Winchester VA with her Husband Scott and many animal companions. Please visit her website

  
Carolyn Wolfe's Children's Books 




 
  
Carolyn Wolfe's Children's Book    

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