Thursday, May 22, 2014

The Publishing Journey of David Vermont author of The Last Confession of the Vampire Judas Iscariot



The Last Confession 

Name: David B. Vermont
Book Title: The Last Confession of the Vampire Judas Iscariot
Genre: Multiple (Fiction, Fantasy, Vampire, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction)
Publisher: Koehler Books.
Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published.  Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?
David:    I had spent a few days traveling for work.  I was returning home and I was exhausted.  I was just worn out from the previous few days.  Normally, I would work on the flight home, trying to catch up on what I missed while I was away.  But this time I just couldn’t.  The airport terminal was small so there was no book store but there was a rack of paperbacks at the convenience store.  So I scanned them, found one by a fairly well known author whose name I recognized and that sounded interesting and bought it.  I started it on the flight home but after 2 or 3 days of reading it I put it down.  It was the first book I ever didn’t finish.  I said to myself, “I can write a better book than that” and so I set out to do just that.
Is this your first book?
David:      Yes, The Last Confession of the Vampire Judas Iscariot is my first book.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
David:    I think Koehler Books is considered small press.  I choose them for several reasons.  First, they were not afraid to take on Christian themes and have other Christian themed authors working with them.  Second, they have a relationship with Ingram, the largest book distributor.  Third, they were the first ones to like the book and make me an offer.  I would have said No if the deal wasn’t right but given the first to things I felt good about them.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
David:     The hardest thing is getting anyone to look at the manuscript.  You send it out to tons of people and most don’t even acknowledge it.  I really appreciated the publishers who took the time to send rejection letters that at least made it seem like they considered the premise.  I got some really nice notes from some very small publishers.  Trying to sell it was hard but those notes made me feel like I had a chance. 
The best thing was my editor.  I got her later, after I had already been sending it around for a while.  She was great; she helped make the book better and gave me a warm introduction to my publisher, which helped me get the deal.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
David: To me it is similar to applying for a job.  Most people don’t get hired by just sending out resumes.  You need a warm introduction.  You can send your resume, or in this case your book, out to a lot of people but you have the best chance to get a positive response when someone walks it into the decision maker and says, “Hey, you should take a look at this.”
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
David:    Yes.  Koehler had been great.  I almost always deal directly with the top guy.  They always get back to me right way.  They are responsive to my questions.  I think, small publishers are good for first time authors.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
David:    I was halfway through my first attempt on a different book when the story of Judas as a vampire kept invading thoughts.  At first I resisted, what if I got halfway through Judas and then couldn’t finish?  Then I would have two books half done and nothing to show for it.  I put aside my other book and began writing The Last Confession of the Vampire Judas Iscariot.  It was the best decision I made.  Follow the voice inside your head.
About The Last Confession of the Vampire Judas Iscariot
Of all the people who ever lived, surely Judas Iscariot, history’s most notorious betrayer, must be in hell. Or maybe not.

After watching the crucifixion of Jesus, Judas despairs over what he has done and fumes that the Messiah he put his trust in has turned out to be just another pretender like all the rest. The toxic mix of emotions is too much for him to bear and Judas commits suicide by hanging himself.

He is restored to life by the Devil and made into a vampire apostle. The Devil teaches Judas to manipulate men and history. He becomes a king, a general, a teacher and a blacksmith, whatever is needed to effect the outcome of history and move it towards the goal of his new master.

Each time he is ready to move on to his next incarnation he must drink the blood of an innocent victim to be restored to his youthful vigor. But despite his many powers and abilities Judas knows there is one thing he desires and cannot have. Finally Judas meets a laicized priest, Raymond Breviary, and tries to steal from him what he was denied two thousand years before.

  File Size: 604 KB
  Print Length: 154 pages
  Publisher: Koehler Books (April 15, 2014)
  Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  Language: English
  ASIN: B00J4GISH8



About David Vermont 

Author David Vermont
Born and raised in New York City, David B. Vermont now lives in Alexandria, VA with his wife and four kids.
An attorney and accomplished litigator at one of Washington D.C.’s top law firms, he began writing about religion when he was asked to author a series of articles explaining the Catholic faith on the popular blog 52 Prayers.  He now writes regularly about his faith as the leader of an online Bible study group.
The Last Confession of The Vampire Judas Iscariot is his first foray into fiction. 

Friday, May 16, 2014

Interview with Deirdre Thurston Author of the Book of Short Stories - Caught -Capturing Moments Worth Treasuring in a Women’s Life.


Caught Book Tour

Name:  Deirdre Thurston
Book Title:  CAUGHT
Genre:  Short stories, vignettes, essays
Publisher:  Koehler Publishing

About Caught

A collection of short stories, literary sketches and vignettes each capturing a moment in the life of someone a lot like you. Each story delves into human themes: expectation, desire, hope, loss, fear, joy, peace, suffering, redemption. The narrative is filled with subtle irony, humour and touching observations. The stories highlight our era of increasing social disconnection, in which technology is replacing intimacy and life occurs at a pace that challenges people’s ability to stop, observe and interpret their own existence and its relationship with those around them.

It highlights the everyday moment and provides nourishment for the harried soul. The overriding message in Caught is: that any moment in every life can be viewed as worthy of treasuring. Whether that moment is filled with despair or joy; they provide entertaining relief and nourishing benefits.







Interview
Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published.  Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?
Deirdre: I have always dreamed of writing a book from when I was a little girl. That was after I decided becoming a nun wasn’t really ‘it’ for me anymore. I was 5 years old.
Is this your first book? 
Deirdre:  Yes
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Deirdre: I sent the manuscript to a book publisher in the USA as I wanted a traditional publisher. I did not want to self publish.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Deirdre:  Cons: You have to put yourself out there and be critiqued/judged. There is little time left to write because you are busy doing things for the publisher, social media, etc. Pros: All the above and the excitement of seeing your work in print and knowing you have accomplished what you set out to do.
 What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Deirdre:  My journey has been amazing. My publishers have been a delight to deal with. They had humour and empathy all the way through the process. Everything was discussed with me and my wish to keep the antipodean voice in my stories respected.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Deirdre:  Yes but we are all different so do what you think is right for you
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Deirdre:  Start writing. Don’t worry what about. Just sit down and free flow. Morning pages is an excellent beginning.

Author Deirdre Thurston
About Deirdre Thurston
I’ve been an observer of people my whole life, always intrigued by the unfolding of everyday events and what those events take on in the eyes and lives of ordinary people.
As well as seeing — and feeling — the angst and the pain, the fragile hopes and dreams, the joys and the frustrations that make up the human condition, I’ve also always been able to see the funny side.

My vantage points have been from the perspective of a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother, an aunt, a friend and a confidante — I’ve looked at life through many lenses, yet always my own observations have been enriched by the points of view of the other players in those unfolding dramas.

And always inside of me, from the time I was five years old, has lurked a writer — framing my observations and cataloguing them. Storing them up until I was ready to capture them on paper.

At 57 I began crafting my lifetime of observations into sketches and vignettes. Two years later I knew it was time to start sharing my stories with the world.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Book Publishing Secrets with Lynn Steward, author of 'A very Good Life'

Lynn Steward is a successful business woman who spent many years in New York City’s fashion industry in marketing and merchandising, including the development of the first women’s department at a famous men’s clothing store. Through extensive research, and an intimate knowledge of the period, Steward created the characters and stories for a series of five authentic and heartwarming novels about New York in the seventies. A Very Good Life is the first in the series featuring Dana McGarry.  
Find out more about A Very Good Life on Amazon.
Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published.  Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?
Author:
I always enjoyed business-related writing and thought a non-fiction self-help book, with life-lessons I learned along the way, would be a fun project.  But, as often happens when you put yourself out there, I discovered another path and took it: I developed a TV pilot about New York in the seventies because, as they say “Write what you know” and I know New York. I’m a native of Long Island, and between attending school and working, I spent twenty-two years in Manhattan. I was so overwhelmed with ideas, the TV series expanded to five seasons! Appropriately placed in the New York City of 1975, which was International Women’s Year, the plots in the series intermingle fashion legends, business icons, real events, and untold stories, providing a behind-the-scenes look at inspirational women in the worlds of art, fashion, and business.
After meeting with professionals in the entertainment industry, I realized that the main character needed more drama and the plots had to be developed, and I felt the best way to do that was to convert the pilot into a novel.  A Very Good Life is the first in a five-book series inspired by the TV show and featuring Dana McGarry. 
Is this your first book?
Author : Yes
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Author:  Self-published with CreateSpace. I spent three years researching, developing and writing, so I was ready to publish. I knew it could take years to find an agent, and more time to be picked-up by a traditional publisher.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?
Author: There were no cons. I did extensive research, and found bloggers tremendously helpful. I also hired a good team: a graphic designer, a formatting company, two editors, a proofreader, and a lawyer to vet the manuscript. The Amazon team was great and responsive, and the whole process went smoothly.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Author: I am grateful for the opportunity to self-publish, and I appreciate the opportunity to be found by a traditional publisher if I am successful on-line. In the meantime, I am happy to be published, selling books, and ready to start Book Two of a five book series.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Author: Yes. Do your homework; all the information you need is on-line. It is a relatively easy process with the right support team.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Author: Write about what you know and enjoy, and keep writing. Don’t worry about elements of style and grammar, that’s why we have editors. The more they edit, the better you’ll get.