Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Author Interview With Nancy S. Thompson



Today I'm super excited to have fellow blogger buddy, Nancy S. Thompson, here to share some wisdom about publishing her book, THE MISTAKEN. Here we go...


Thanks for having me over, Julie! 

1. From idea to final product, how did The Mistaken come to be?

The idea came from a song, 30 Seconds To Mars’ Hurricane.  The lyrics—“Tell me, would you kill to save a life?  Would you kill to prove you’re right?”—intrigued me, and really got me thinking:  I wondered, what could drive a good man to commit a violent crime, and could he redeem himself afterwards?  Though I added many layers to the story, and the characters’ motivation evolved, the heart of the story never changed.  In the end, the story’s theme of forgiveness emerged.  

2. Can you give us a brief summary of your writing process? Plotter? Pantser? Somewhere in between?

I sat down each evening while watching TV and handwrote what I thought was an outline, so that would make me a plotter, right?  But now I’m thinking that outline was really a first draft, sans dialogue and setting.  After all, it was fully detailed.  So maybe I’m actually a pantser since I wrote that first draft off the top of my head.   

3. The Mistaken is published by Sapphire Star Publishing. Can you tell us a bit about your experience with a small publisher?

After querying fifty or so agents, I decided to submit directly to a new small press I’d been hearing about.  Shortly thereafter, SSP offered me a contract contingent on one major revision.  Once I agreed, the deal was done, and I’ve been very happy.  SSP owners Amy Lichtenhan and Katie Henson are both knowledgeable and work hard, promoting each book and author.  They gave me a great deal of control over cover design and promotion, and support me like I’m a member of the family, because that’s what we are at SSP.  And a happy family at that!    

4. Can you offer us any advice about book promotion? What's working for you and what isn't?

It’s early, but so far Twitter and Facebook are working well.  Even more effective is blogging.  Besides my own blog tour, my publisher has an extensive tour set up with a slew of book bloggers and reviewers.  They’ve also sent my book out to all the well-known, major book reviewers.  I’ve also had a great response from the successfully published authors I’ve requested blurbs from.  Amazon will prove to be a great resource, as is Goodreads, both of which publish ratings and reviews for The Mistaken.  I’ve been fortunate enough to have great preliminary feedback well before my launch date.  

5. Is there any writing or publishing advice you'd like to share with us?

Oh, I have tons, but I’d say the most important things to remember are to always be true to yourself and write what you love most; finish your first draft before trying to revise it; find and utilize as many critique partners—not beta readers—as you can, especially the really tough ones; query widely; and, as Winston Churchill famously said, “Never quit!”

Thanks again, Julie!   

Thank you Nancy for stopping by and sharing your experience with us :)

Visit Nancy’s blog, follow, and leave a comment during her book tour for a chance to win an ARC of The Mistaken.  Plus, 5 runner-up winners will each receive an ebook.  

You can also find her on her publisher’s website, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook.  

Purchase here:
Also available at Sony, Kobo, iBooks, Diesel Bookstore, and Baker & Taylor in 2-3 weeks

Praise for The Mistaken:
“A deliciously slow burn that builds to a ferocious crescendo, Nancy S. Thompson's THE MISTAKEN kept me riveted until the very last page. Tyler Karras is a complex and flawed protagonist, and his redemptive journey makes him the perfect anti-hero. This psychological suspense is a standout, and I can't wait for Thompson's next book.”
~ Jennifer Hillier, author of CREEP and FREAK

“Nancy S. Thompson's debut novel, The Mistaken, is a first-rate thriller full of hair-raising twists and turns.  Pursued by the police and the Russian mafia in San Francisco, brothers Tyler and Nick Karras are fascinating, fully-drawn, desperate characters.  The action is non-stop.  Thompson's taut, intriguing tale of revenge, mistaken identity, kidnapping and murder will keep you enthralled and entertained.” 
~Kevin O’Brien, New York Times Bestselling Author of DISTURBED and TERRIFIED

“Fast-paced and emotionally gripping - once the ride begins, you won't stop reading until it ends."  ~Alex J. Cavanaugh, author of CASSAFIRE and CASSASTAR


The Mistaken Blog tour:
10/23:  Julie Musil
10/25:  Matthew MacNish
10/26:  LG Smith
10/27:  Aimee Jodoin
10/31:  Jennifer Hillier
11/1:    Angela Peart & Livia Peterson
11/19:  Arlee Bird




27 comments:

  1. You Sapphire Star girls are Rocking it out! Good luck Nancy!

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    1. Libby, you're so right....SS girls are definitely rockin' it!

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  2. The Mistaken is an amazing book and SSP is an amazing publisher! Go Nancy!!!!

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  3. I'm so excited for you, Nancy. Go get em!

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  4. Yes, let's hear it for blogging! And small publishers.
    And Nancy and her awesome book!

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  5. Great interview, and glad to hear things are going so well.

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  6. Your publisher did a lot for you. Most people don't realize how much small presses really do promote and help their authors.

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  7. Great interview Nancy and Julie. It was great hearing how Nancy came up with the idea for her story and how her publisher has helped her with marketing. Good luck with your book.

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  8. Awesome interview! The concept behind her book seems awesome. Don't you just love it when one simple song lyric involves into an entire novel? :)

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  9. You have some pretty great reviews there! Like others, I'm intrigued that the idea came from song lyrics. Maybe I better turn up the radio!

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  10. Great, great interview, Nancy! So true, never quit. I love all words of wisdom, Nancy! It could help me in the future! You're one awesome lady, Nancy! Can't wait to read The Mistaken now! *hugs Nancy*

    Thank you Julie for having Nancy over here! :)

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  11. Never give up, never surrender! Yeah, so glad Nancy went with the small publisher. It's worked out really great for her and a lot of her fellow writer buds, too. :)

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  12. I'll second that! We're a very happy family at SSP. :) Hooray for Nancy!

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  13. Thanks for hosting me, Julie! It meant a lot to me, you being a mentor and all.

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  14. All the best, Nancy. The book sounds t-riffic.

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  15. Everyone, thanks so much for your kind comments about Nancy's book. Its so fun to see one of our bloggy friends' books out on the market!

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  16. "Never quit" is pretty apt, when it comes to publishing. Congrats Nancy!

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  17. Mmmm... some interesting info with regards to small publishers...
    Everything of the best, Nancy.

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  18. I love success stories like this one! Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and thank you, Julie for hosting!

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