A new interview...

 Read the latest interview I've given here. Many thanks to Cecilia Lee. 

What's the difference between being traditionally published and being self-published?

There's a world of difference between being traditionally published and being self-published but it's not what you might think...

People often associate books which are self-published with something that is poorly written, badly thought-out and possibly lacking in merit. And it's not always an incorrect assumption. There are indeed books which are out there and available to buy, which quite frankly, would be better used as fire kindling than entertainment. These are the books which were possibly rejected by every literary agent and publisher alike. 

But - and it's a big but - there are a growing army of authors who have chosen to self publish. Not because their work has no merit, but because they want the control over their stories, characters and book covers that self-publishing can give them. I'm one of them. 

In fact, I have recently taken the rights for two of my traditionally published books back from the publishers concerned, and plan to self-publish them instead. This might sound like an insane idea, but having spent a long time having to live with a book cover I really hated and being told that the publisher had decided on the image and that was that, I'm very glad to be going it alone. 

That's not to say there haven't been obstacles along the way. For there have been many. 

Deciding on fonts, on letter sizes and paper thickness...cream or white paper, drop caps at the start of a chapter or not? The decisions I've had to make and the things I've had to learn in order to make those decisions, have been almost endless. 

But I've already republished two books...and there's a whole lot more to come.  Check here for my most recent books and look out for the others coming soon. 

Author interview.

Introducing author Rita Lee Chapman. 

Rita is the author of seven books. Here, I have the pleasure of interviewing her. 

How long have you been interviewing authors? 

I started running interviews on my website in 2013 and have featured a different author each week ever since.

Why do authors interest you so much? 

It’s interesting to learn how other authors plan their writing, what they do when they are not reading or writing and to read excerpts of their work. 

Have you ever written anything yourself, or do you have any ambitions to do so? 

I have self-published seven books since 2012.  I have written a four-part series, the Anna Davies Mystery Series, a book for horse lovers and two crime mysteries.

Do you have certain expectations of how an author will be, due to the type or genre of writing they do? 

To an extent.  For example, I think mystery writers are usually quite different from those who write, say, sci-fi.

 Have you ever been disappointed with an interview and why? 

A couple of interviews contained very short answers which tend to come across as a little stilted.

 Do you feel that most authors are honest about themselves? 

I like to think so!

Have you ever wished that an interview went differently to how it did? 

Unfortunately I don’t get to speak to these authors.  I send them a list of questions and they answer the ones that interest them, so unless they are extremely abrupt I’m usually pleased with the outcome.

Have you ever discovered someone you thought you could be friends with, or conversely who you instinctively didn't like, from their answers? 

Yes, quite often I come across an author I can relate to.  They often find me through Goodreads or Facebook so sometimes we catch up again.

Having interviewed so many, you must get a sense of which authors will do well and which won't. Have you been proved right? 

There are some authors whose path I cross quite regularly but I don’t make a point of following the careers of so many authors!  Some of course are notable for their beautiful writing style.

And finally, who would you have loved to interview but can't (Dickens etc)?

I would have to say Colleen McCullough.  One of my favourite books is The Thorn Birds, which had a lasting effect on me. 

Can you tell us where we can read your interviews? 

Guest Authors are posted on my website at http://www.ritaleechapman.com

And anything else you want to add.

If any authors are reading this and would like an interview, please contact me through the website.

The Anna Davies Mystery Series:  Missing in Egypt, Missing at Sea, Missing in London, Missing in France.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083RQ2QDG/

 

Winston – A Horse’s Tale, for horse lovers from teenagers upwards

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G9QOZGE

 

The Poinciana Tree, a crime mystery

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XGGY2PZ

 

Dangerous Associations, a crime mystery

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1501062905