"Reckless Beginnings" Journey

Book launch buzz – A week of interviews

Book launch buzz - A week of interviews

Creating a Book Launch Buzz is not easy

The clock continues to tick. Counting down the seconds, minutes, hours and days until release day is finally here. Yes, October 4th is the magic day. By the time this goes live, we will be at fifteen days until that anticipated day is finally upon us. It will be the day my book, Reckless Beginnings will finally be available to purchase.  Wow! I can’t believe it. Can you?

Preparing for the launch and bringing awareness of the event has not been easy. It has involved numerous emails to bloggers, newspapers, podcast and TV shows. Sending out a press release to various target audiences. Booking a virtual book tour. (Due to begin October 1st and run for one month.) Organize book review tours. (due to begin, October 27th.) Plan a book signing event. (This will be at the Frazier Park library, Saturday, October 13th;  3:00 – 5:00 pm.)  It has been an exhausting ordeal, but each day results from my efforts are beginning to trickle in.

My First Podcast Interview

Book launch buzz - A week of interviews

I had my first podcast interview with The Thrillers & Mystery Podcast. I was somewhat nervous in the beginning. But the host was wonderful and eased me into the interview and made feel extremely comfortable. It went longer than I had anticipated, about twenty-five minutes, but I’m quite pleased with it. I didn’t feel rushed and got to say everything that I had wanted to say. You can listen to the entire interview below.

Book launch buzz - A week of interviews

Interview with Voyage LA Magazine

I was contacted by Voyage LA Magazine last month and asked if I would like to do an interview. It was a written interview which was nice because I knew all the questions up front and there were no hidden surprises. I spent a few days, taking my time and thinking about my answers. The interview went live earlier this week. You can read the full interview by clicking on the image.

Book launch buzz - A week of interviews

Upcoming Interviews

I have also been contacted by FOX 58 BAKERSFIELD NEWS to appear on the show. A date has yet to be set. But as soon as I have it, I will post it to the locals, so they can hopefully tune in.

HOMETOWN STATION AM radio 1220 of Santa Clarita has invited me to be a guest on the show. I will be appearing live on October 9th at 8:40 am.

A Newbie to Interviews

Book launch buzz - A week of interviews

Before writing my book Reckless Beginnings, being interviewed about anything had never crossed my mind. My lifestyle didn’t require it. Now all of a sudden it has become a necessity. It’s an important method to reach hundreds, sometimes thousands of people and spread the word about my work. How quickly one’s life can change.

Like anything in life, the more you do something, the easier it becomes. I’m finding this with interviews. The first one I did, I was a nervous wreck, I felt I stumbled my words and even though I said a lot, I wasn’t saying what I had rehearsed before the interview. It’s quite a learning experience and one has to stay in tune with their mind and nerves and don’t let your nervousness run the show. With practice, you’ll begin to notice habits of nervous energy that need to be controlled. For me, it’s shifting in my seat, unable to sit still or tapping my fingers on the table subconsciously. Because of these habits that I’m unaware of at the time, I now sit on my hands while being interviewed. It works!

I will continue to pitch to the media even when the book is out. Promoting the book will never end. I have only just begun 🙂

If you know of any media outlets, (Podcasts, radio, tv, magazines, or newspapers) that may be interested in hearing about my book please send or post me a link and I will defiantly contact them.

Book Launch/Signing October 13th

Book launch buzz - A week of interviews

Book Trailer

What is a book Aesthetic?
The story behind the book
Everything books, Goddess Fish Promotions

Book Review INSPIRED BY MURDER by Audrey J. Cole

Book Review INSPIRED BY MURDER by Audrey J. ColeAbout the Author

Book Review INSPIRED BY MURDER by Audrey J. Cole

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Audrey J. Cole is a registered nurse and a writer of thrillers set in Seattle. After living in Australia for the last five years, Audrey now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children.

Website: https://www.audreyjcole.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudreyJCole

Twitter: https://twitter.com/audreyjcole

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Audrey-J.-Cole/e/B071GFZMLT

The Synopsis of Inspired by Murder

Click Image to Buy From Amazon

To write the perfect murder, he needs to commit the perfect crime.

Tired of his day job, psychiatrist Eric Lero yearns to fulfill his true destiny of becoming a New York Times bestselling author. But there is one thing he lacks to create an enthralling murder mystery: real-life inspiration. Continue reading “Book Review INSPIRED BY MURDER by Audrey J. Cole”

"Reckless Beginnings" Journey

The story behind my book – RECKLESS BEGINNINGS

The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS

Feeling the emotions of writing my book

The story behind the story

Launch day, (October 4th) is fast approaching. I can’t believe it’s only three weeks away.  It’s hard to fathom sometimes, that a story I’ve created, babied and protected, will soon be available for the world to see.  As nervous as I am, I have to say, I’m also extremely proud of myself and I wish my parents were here to witness this huge milestone in my life.

When I started this blog, (fourteen months ago. (Has it really been that long?) I wrote an article titled; It takes courage to publish your book.  It was written, soon after I had signed the contract with my publisher and suddenly everything seemed so surreal. I am feeling the words I wrote even more so today. There are so many emotions that go into writing a book and this truly puts it all into perspective.

What inspired me to write Reckless Beginnings

The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS

Over the past couple of months, I’ve done a number of interviews on podcasts, websites and book blogs. The most common question was; What inspired me to write the book? A question I’m sure I’ll be asked, at future events. Then it occurred to me that I’ve not discussed this topic on my own site. So I think it’s about time.

Reckless Beginnings is women’s fiction based on True events that have happened in my life. Tammy Mellows, (the main character) is me. I wanted it to read like a story and not a memoir, (personal choice,) therefore, names, places and some facts about certain events have been altered.

I developed a passion for writing at the early age of fourteen. I think having an author for a father had something to do with it. It was around this time, one of my older sisters ran away and couldn’t be found. Unable to search for her, I became frustrated and began writing in a journal to gather my thoughts. My book begins with the disappearance of my sibling.

The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS

A few years later and with my sister still missing, chaos began to erupt in my own life.  I was on a path of making hideous choices and in denial because I wanted the white picket fence and the perfect American family life and ignored any signs that may disrupt that dream.

I allowed my life to be dictated by a heroin addict, the father of my child.  Believing that his needs were more important than mine, I got swallowed up in his lifestyle, losing my sense of direction, courage, and identity. Throughout the chaos, I continued to write in my journals.

During that time, I searched for books written by other women that found themselves in the same predicament as myself but came up short.  I only discovered “How to” books, but they were not the voices I wanted to hear. I needed to know how they coped.  What did they do? I wondered what their everyday lives were like; I yearned for some sort of connection with someone.  I had so many unanswered questions.

I had an idea

That was when the seed was planted for my debut novel, Reckless Beginnings. But it didn’t happen right away. I tucked it away and continued to struggle with the battles in my life.

Twenty years later I still had not written the book, but the thought never left me. When my father suddenly passed away in 2010 and a year later I was diagnosed with breast cancer I began to think seriously about the book and began writing the outline. Eight years later it’s finally going to be published. (Phew.)

The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS

Writing it twenty plus years later was extremely difficult. It didn’t occur to me that I would have to revisit such a dark time in my life and allow all the emotions I felt back then to resurface, in order for it to show in my writing. At times it became unbearable and I had to walk away, regroup and attempt certain scenes a few days later or sometimes weeks later.

So why did I put myself through such pain?

While writing the story I gave myself the title; The Silent and Forgotten One and soon realized, anyone who is involved with an addict becomes such a person. You may ask, Why? It’s because over time we allow our lives to be consumed by the addiction. We become a shadow, believing their needs are more important than ours. we become afraid to speak, stand up for ourselves or make any kind of decisions to better our lives. It’s a lonely place and we only feel safe with ourselves and our own thoughts. We lead a double life, letting those on the outside believe everything in our lives is a bed of roses and yet in reality, behind closed doors we are living a nightmare.

When I couldn’t find any books written by others living such a life, I felt they should be heard and one should be written. I wanted to show the flipside of addiction. How it effects the significant other of the addict. Back then I was a victim, I now call myself a survivor.

I needed to dig deeper

I also needed to understand myself during that time. Why did I put up with the abuse, keep silent for so long and not leave right away?  Most of it was because of fear but much of it had to do with denial and wanting what most normal families had. Writing the book helped me unravel all of that and I’m hoping it will help others come to terms with their situation and listen to a voice who has been there and find the courage to turn their lives around.

So there you have it. I hope this brings you some insight into the background of my book. Even though it was hard to write at times, overall I’ve enjoyed the journey and I hope you will enjoy the book.

Other articles about the book

The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS
What is a Book Aesthetic? And why I made one for my novel
The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS
The Synopsis of Reckless Beginnings
The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS
Press Kit

Book Trailer

Author's Corner

Book Review and Interview with Sally Crosiar – Author of Come Back

Interview with Sally Crosiar - Author of COME BACK
click to buy from Amazon

Come Back is the debut novel of Sally Crosiar which I’ve had the pleasure of reading over the last couple of weeks and what a joy it has been. After reading the book I was able to interview Sally and write an honest review of her book which you will find at the end of this post. All answers are in her own words.

About the Author

Interview with Sally Crosiar - Author of COME BACK

 

( Copied from About Author  page)  Sally Crosiar lives in the Finger Lakes of New York State where she reads incessantly, enjoys time in and on the water, savors dark chocolate with red wine at every opportunity, and teaches about health and play for Empire State College. She is the author of  Find the Love of Your Life, based on her own true story, My Uncle Dave, a children’s book with an adult message, and co-author with Dr. Sidney B. Simon of Love Builders Tools to Build Every Relationship. Come Back is her debut novel.  Continue reading “Book Review and Interview with Sally Crosiar – Author of Come Back”