Our Journeys as Writers - Clicking Our Heels

Our Journeys as Writers – Clicking Our Heels

Writing Careers are journeys. Today, the Stiletto Gang authors talk about the road each has followed. No two are quite alike – even those writers on the blog who do some writing together.

 

Mary Lee Ashford (1/2 of Sparkle Abbey) - Like many others, not at all. I am currently traditionally published both with the Sparkle Abbey series (Bell Bridge Books) and the Sugar & Spice series (Kensington) but the path has been more roller coaster than anything I could have imagined. Still with all the ups and downs, I feel incredibly lucky to get to do something I love so much! 

 

Shari Randall - My writing career? My vision of a writing career was formed by watching Joan Collins in Dallas - fabulous travel, fabulous assistants, fabulous wardrobe. The reality is a bit different, but happier with a lot less feuding.

 

Linda Rodriguez - No, it’s always a surprise. I didn’t expect to debut (for novels) with a major trade publisher, but I won a contest. Later, I didn’t expect to be dropped when my books were doing well, but they engaged in an editorial bloodbath and shed a lot of writers, too. I have to keep reinventing myself as a writer—and that’s okay.

 

Anita Carter (1/2 of Sparkle Abbey - For the most part yes. I thought I’d have published something on my own, but I’m not there yet. As Sparkle Abbey, we’re getting ready to venture into self-publishing so ask me again in a few months. I might have a different answer! Ha!

T.K. Thorne - Heavens no.  It’s been a roller coaster. At this point, I guess I’m a hybrid. Mostly traditional, but one self-published.

Debra H. Goldstein – Not knowing better, I thought it was a snap the first time I had a book accepted. Then I was orphaned. I was told, write something different. I did. It too, was orphaned after publication, but both books were later reprinted in a mass market format. And then, I had a series take off. I’m about to turn in book 5 of the Sarah Blair series, but hold your breath, pray, (and buy a few copies of Four Cuts Too Many on pre-order) and maybe they’ll give me a contract for books six through?

Kathryn Lane - My writing career began after a two-decade career in the international corporate world that took me to over 90 countries. Those travel experiences have provided me with a wealth of material I incorporate into the settings of my novels. Being an author has been incredibly satisfying and has led me to paths I never envisioned – such as traveling to research specific locations where I set my novels, and the most important part – wonderful encounters with fans, either in person at book presentations or online, who tell me my Nikki Garcia mystery series or my short stories have impacted them and brought them good memories.

Debra Sennefelder - Yes, it has. I am traditionally published with Kensington and I’m very happy for where I am at the moment.

Kathleen Kaska - My publishing path has been traditional.

 

Saralyn Richard - Mine is just getting started--a lifelong dream come true.

 

Lois Winston - Definitely not. I started out traditionally published, then went hybrid, and now I’m completely indie. Back when I started out, that was the last resort of the writer who couldn’t sell a book to a publisher and turned to vanity presses. Now it’s where you find many authors who have taken similar paths.