I’ve had the absolute joy of connecting with the indie
published author I’m about to introduce you to. She’s been a fabulous resource
when it comes to self-publishing. I respect how she’s constantly looking for
ways to grow her audience and help fellow writers.
Thrilled to have you get to know more about Heather Day
Gilbert and her most recent book, Trial by Twelve!
Now for the interview ~
Wendy: What is your favorite
part about the writing process?
Heather: Ooh, tough! I love brainstorming but I also like when I can
finally get in there and start getting words on the page. I think the best
thing is when the story and characters start to take on a life of their own and
start filling in the blanks for me. :)
W: You’ve independently
published four books. Can you share a little bit about your experience writing
and releasing each?
H: I'd be glad to! For my debut novel (Viking historical God's Daughter), I went all-out.
I went out on a limb many times, asking reviewers/endorsers to read, and I'm so
thankful I did. I also gave away a LOT of books, which I just realized when we
did taxes this year!
For my second novel (contemporary mystery Miranda Warning), I did many of
the same pre-buzz marketing techniques, but not all. I tried to do a reduced
blog tour and give away fewer books. I also didn't fixate on getting a slew of
endorsers because my readers said once they find an author they like, they
don't even read endorsements.
For my third book (non-fiction Indie Publishing Handbook: Four Key Elements
for the Self-Publisher), it took far less time to get out because
it's a very short book! I did ask many indie authors to contribute to the bonus
chapter at the end that discusses their best indie advice, and I was blessed
with some lovely endorsements. I didn't push that book as much, marketing-wise,
because I was already writing my next mystery. :)
My fourth novel was my second mystery, Trial by Twelve. That was faster
to write as it's only about 55,000 words, compared to the 82,000 for my first.
I'm planning for all the following mysteries in A Murder in the Mountains series to be around 50-55k, because I
really love writing books that
length. I love reading them, too! I'm doing giveaways with this one, but not
doing a Goodreads giveaway this time around (I think!). I'm not doing a massive
blog tour, but I've approached previous reviewers and offered early reader
copies and they have been enthusiastic about reviewing this one too
(thankfully!).
With my second mystery, it was basically my first
"sophomore effort" in a series. So I was so fearful my readers
wouldn't find it measured up to the first. Thank the Lord, many are saying they
liked it better and they are enjoying
getting to know the characters even more. I'm so thrilled because I was scared
it might go the other way! I feel like with each book, I'm getting to know my
readers better, which is such an amazing, almost symbiotic feeling.
W: Best writing advice
you’ve ever received?
H: "The ones who don't give up are the ones who get published."
An agent told me that once, and it's true--even if it doesn't mean you're
traditionally published. If you don't give up, your books will finally get out
there. If you give up, it's all over (but trust me, I've thought of giving up
many times!).
W: Please share why
you’d love for people to read your latest novel, Trial by Twelve.
H: If you enjoy small-town, amateur sleuths and psychological
mysteries, Trial by Twelve is a novel
you'd probably enjoy. You can read it without reading the first in series, but
you might want to so you learn a bit more back-story on the characters who
appear.
Tess Spencer is a married sleuth, so I love delving into her
(very realistic) relationship with her lawyer husband, Thomas, and with her new
baby, whose name we learn in this book! It's also fun to bring her in-law
relationships to life on the page. As for her immediate family...let's just say
they have some problems! But those issues will also morph as the series goes
on. Basically it's interesting to hang out with these people you feel like you
know. :)
HEATHER DAY GILBERT enjoys writing stories about authentic,
believable marriages. Born and raised in the West Virginia mountains, she
believes that bittersweet, generational stories are in her blood. A graduate of
Bob Jones University, Heather has been married for eighteen years and has three
children.
Heather's Viking historical
novel, God's Daughter, was an Amazon Norse Bestseller for an
entire year. She is also the author of Miranda
Warning, Book
One in A Murder in the Mountains Series,
and the Indie Publishing
Handbook: Four Key Elements for the Self-Publisher.
Website: http://heatherdaygilbert.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/heatherdaygilbert
Twitter: @heatherdgilbert
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/heatherdgilbert/
E-Mail: heatherdaygilbert@gmail.com
Trial by Twelve Blurb:
Tess Spencer loves her low-key job at the Crystal Mountain
Spa, which allows her plenty of down-time with her one-year old daughter and
lawyer husband, Thomas. But when a pool installation turns up eight skeletons
in the spa's back yard, Tess becomes entangled in a sleuthing job destined to
go awry.
As the investigation gets underway, someone dumps a fresh
body near the excavated burial site, confirming unspeakable fears. A serial
killer has returned to Buckneck, West Virginia...a skilled hunter with a unique
taste in prey.
When Tess agrees to help the cunning Detective Tucker gather
clues from the inside, she discovers the posh spa hides more than dead bodies.
Even as she sifts through layers of deceit, Tess realizes too late that the
killer's sights have zeroed in on her.
Unpredictable psychological mystery replete with memorable
characters, Trial by Twelve is Book
Two in A Murder in the Mountains series.
Thanks so much for letting me visit, Wendy! I love that we've both been in this writing biz for a while and I remember the first time I stumbled onto your lovely blog, years ago. And your writing is also so lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Heather! I'm thrilled to have you as a guest. I know your writing will move many!
DeleteSuch a fun interview! Looking forward to reading Heather's books. My definite favorite is just finally getting to WRITE, as well. Best of luck to you, Heather, with all of your writing!
ReplyDeleteThat's what it all comes back to for me. In all the marketing, promoting, talking, teaching, etc. craziness...my peace comes with the writing.
DeleteThank you, Anne Marie! I agree--adding book publishing/marketing to the process can be a drain, but there is also a rich reward to it. Thank you for commenting!
ReplyDelete