Please welcome Robin Tidwell to this month’s Friday Feature Author Interview. Robin writes books in the dystopian genre, a genre that has grown a great deal in popularity in recent years.
Her journey to publication also led her down the road to becoming a publisher herself. Robin will be available all day to respond to your comments, so if you have a question be sure to post it in the comments.
At what point in writing your book did you begin to look for publishers?
Not until the end. I was terrified that no one would like it, and after hearing the advice not to query until I had a finished manuscript, I waited until I typed “the end.”
How did you choose the publishers you queried?
I looked on Query Tracker and other websites, read agent blogs, followed everyone in publishing on different social media platforms. I was looking for an agent as opposed to a publisher, but wanted to learn as much as I could.
We know marketing our books is a major part of what we authors do these days. How are you tackling that?
Online, of course, via Twitter, Facebook, my website and blog. I also carry cards with me so I’m always prepared to talk about my books. Back in October, I hired a publicist, and she’s gotten me quite a few radio interviews. I also guest blog on occasion, and am interviewed from time to time. I speak at conferences and other events and do book signings.
How do find your speaking gigs and guest blog opportunities?
I do have a speaking gig page on my website, but I don’t advertise it much. It must be effective, though, because I average half a dozen or so each year. And they always say good things about me afterward . . . as far as I know! As for guest blogging, while I’ve been invited a number of times, often that’s a matter of seeing an opportunity or request and following up on it—simply asking.
What was the worst thing to deal with in the publishing process? What was the best?
Well, the answer is complicated: both the best and the worst were starting my own publishing house!
I self-published Reduced, then re-issued it after I started the publishing house. I was working on the next book, Reused, and I was stalling. So I thought, hey, why not do this for other people? It seemed so simple! I mean, I had learned a lot just doing two of my own books, but I’m telling you, it all came at once, fast and furious, and there were plenty of days that I thought I was in over my head.
I had several mentors, and I waded through a lot of information. It’s just now, a little over two years later and having published 37 books, that I’m starting to think I might be doing it right! The mistakes I see most often, from those who self-publish, are simple and easy to fix: not justifying the right margins, not using the right margins or fonts, bad cover design, and lack of editing. And of course, little to no marketing.
What advice do you have for writers for during the process between acceptance and release?
For starters, the smaller the press, the quicker your book will likely release. But in the meantime, meet people—in person, online, hang out in bookstores and libraries. Make friends! And build your author website, start a blog, join groups—but don’t get too bogged down. You need balance between online and real life.
Balance is so hard to find, but I agree. If writing is your full time job, you have to plan for those face-to-face real life moments. Do you have a another book in the works? A publisher already lined up?
Since Repeat is coming out this month, the fourth in my Reduced Series, I’m going to have time now to focus on my “great American novel.” I think. It’s been in my WIP folder for a while, so . . . here’s hoping!
If your book was made into a movie, who would you pick as the leading characters?
Every author’s dream, right? Maybe? I’d go with Angelina Jolie, because I really admire her and she’s always a strong female lead.
Thanks for being here with me today, Robin, and sharing your experience. I wish the best of luck with your publishing company and with the success of your books.
ABOUT ROBIN TIDWELL:
“Robin is the author of the dystopian novels REDUCED, REUSED, and RECYCLED, and lives in the St. Louis, Missouri area with her husband, Dennis, and their youngest son. She has a rather eclectic educational background, and finally finished her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies. She has held a plethora of jobs, appointments, and volunteer positions, and tries very hard to make it through one week at a time without a crisis.
Connect with Robin: www.RobinTidwell.com Robin’s books on Amazon
ABOUT The Reduced Series: Reduced (2012), Reused (2012), and Recycled (2013)
Rocking Horse Publishing
Reduced:
“A devastating biological agent is about to be released, to be tested in remote areas. Rumor has it, though, that there is more to this than meets the eye. One group makes plans to hide out, and survive, in case that rumor proves to be truth. Meeting at an abandoned summer camp near St. Louis, Missouri, a dozen old friends gather after the alarm is raised.
“Life becomes more precious, more tenuous, as time passes. Government controls tighten; people are herded into the city . . . or killed. Towns are obliterated. And soon, the enemy agenda becomes obvious.
“Abby will come face-to-face with death, bear the responsibility for a young girl, and endure the severing of childhood relationships in the most terrible way imaginable.
“From mere concealment to reconnaissance to aiding a rebellion, where will it end? Will the entire region be decimated, and who will be left alive to know?”
Great interview–very informative, well done, both of you “:)
Raymond, glad you liked it. I feature an author every third Friday of the month, so be sure to come back and visit. And if you have any questions about getting published, don’t hesitate to ask.
Thanks, Ray!