Scifi/Fantasy author, Rosalie Skinner

I’m pleased to have “series” author, Rosalie Skinner, on my blog today. Rosalie’s love of the ocean, nature, history and horses has enabled her to give her books an authentic air. She is the author of a series of eight books called “The Chronicles of Caleath.” Book one, Exiled: Autumn’s Peril will be released in September, 2011.

Rosalie, tells us a little bit about your first book.

Rosalie: Caleath is a star traveler, a surveyor of planets and champion of virtual reality games, who is abducted and stranded on a planet where magic happens and science and technology is regarded as alien. He has a plan to escape using a survey beacon he knows landed on the southern continent. Things get complicated when a wizard saves his life and in return Caleath promises not to kill another of his rangers, alas, they are the assassins. They are programmed by the same man who abducted him, and they determined to kill him. To stay alive he must stay ahead of them. He takes a hostage who turns out to be a woman who makes his life even more complicated. Book One Exiled Autumn's Peril, chronicles the journey to find the beacon and Caleath's one chance of escape.

Katie: I want to read this book, and I’m an adult. You say your book has been read and enjoyed by young adults and adults alike. When you were writing the book, did you write with that slant, or were you pleasantly surprised at the varying age group of readers?

Rosalie: I was very surprised. One of my proof readers is a young girl who was still in school. She was one reason I kept writing. When I self-published the first book I found the few copies I had were read and loved by my friends, their fathers and even grandmothers, so I had stumbled on a story that appealed to most ages.

Katie: You created your own world for this sci-fi/fantasy book. What special challenges did you face in world creation?

Rosalie: Creating the world was fun. Although a fantasy world I wanted readers to be able to visualize and empathize with the terrain, so I based the world on familiar settings.

Katie: Why did you decide to write in this genre?

Rosalie: I have always loved reading science fiction and fantasy and wanted to use ideas from both areas of interest. The story evolved before I thought about genres.

Katie: What sort of research did you have to do for this book?

Rosalie: When writing Fantasy I believe the reader needs to imagine or understand why things happen and think they are almost possible. Research is vital to achieving this. Of course the magic is pure fantasy, but everything else is based on laws of physics, facts of nature and new developments in science. Research pays off when your ‘fiction’ foreshadows ‘fact’. For example; I came across an article that said before Man travels to Mars, we will need to develop three different types of nanobots to combat the radiation astronauts would be subject to in their nine month trip. I had already written nanobots into my story, so it was great to hear that in reality they worked on the same principal.

Katie: This book is first coming out in ebook format through MuseItUp Publishing. What made you chose that form of publication?

Rosalie: Ebooks are becoming more popular and a successful way of publishing. With Kindle and e readers at affordable prices, this market is growing daily. Print books will always have a place on the bookshelf, but for readers to access books easily ebooks are the next big thing.

Katie: You say that the first four books in this series have already been self-published twice. What difference is there in the process between ebook publication and self-publishing?

Rosalie: The relief of being with a publisher who knows what they are doing is overwhelming. To have the Chronicles of Caleath released as a series of ebooks with Museitup Publishing is a dream come true.

My self-publishing experience has been educational to say the least. The first publisher went out of business within weeks of my 800 page book being printed. Luckily I had ordered a few copies and was able to get reader feedback. My readers then sponsored my next printing adventure and although there were pitfalls and disappointment, again the story was available. It was published in two shorter books. None of the books were edited professionally, covers were a nightmare and they were not readily available. Firstly, because the company went out of business. The second attempt failed because printed books cost so much to transport here in Australia. Although things are improving now, the high cost of postage and not being able to restock shelves made the whole process painfully unsuccessful. The good thing is that the books I did purchase and pay to get here, have given readers a taste for the series. They sold out of the local bookshops, and the library needed additional copies for their readers, all my copies were snapped up and I struggle to keep hold of my last copy. Even as they were printed I already wanted to re write/ edit them and re design the cover, but that all costs more. Mistakes stay.

Katie: What words of advice would you give to an author who is trying to decide between self-publishing and e-book publishing?

Rosalie: Today’s market is changing rapidly. The availability of e-books globally has changed the playing field. My leaning is toward the e-book market. Create a following for your story. Print versions can always follow.

Thanks for having me as your guest today Katie. It has been a pleasure. If anyone has further questions, please ask. I will endeavor to answer them.

By the way, Katie, I love the premise of your book and the cover art is stunning. It is on my shopping list as a perfect Christmas gift.

Katie: Thanks for being my guest today. You can learn more about Rosalie Skinner on her blog Ramblings from Lady Rosalie at www.rosalieskinner.blogspot.com ,

at her website www.dragonmuse.webs.com,

or on Facebook page, facebook.com/ladyrosalieskinner

She also welcomes new members to the Facebook group, A Gathering of Fantasy Readers and Writers.

Ghost Dog of Roanoake Island's author C.K. Volnek

I’m pleased to welcome children’s author C.K. Volnek to my blog today. She says, “Everyone has a story. Happy, sad, good, bad, all rolled up in the simple truth of who we are. We may think we are nothing special, but in fact we are everything to someone. I grew up in Nebraska, enjoying life in small town USA; riding horses in summer and sledding the ginormous hills in winter. I am married to my best friend and together we have three children. I am proud to announce my first two novels, Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island and The Secret of the Stones, will be released in 2011.”

Katie: Please tell us a little bit about your book, Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island.

C.K. Sure, Katie. Thanks for allowing me to join you today. Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island is a modern day ghost story with a twist.

Twelve-year-old Jack Dahlgren has discovered an incredible secret outside his new home on Roanoke Island…a secret that could ultimately unlock the age-old mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island. The mystery of how, in 1587, 117 colonists disappeared without a trace. But the secret Jack has found is terrifying. A horrible evil creature is haunting Roanoke Island and it’s up to Jack to stop it.

Shrouded in Native American folklore, Jack must piece together the clues surrounding the missing colonists and how this evil came to be. With the help of newfound friend, Manny, an Indian Shaman, and an elusive Giant Mastiff, Jack accepts his task to uncover the secrets of the horrible evil and find a way to destroy it, before it destroys him.

Katie: Is this your debut novel? What is the motivation behind writing this novel and future novels?

C.K. This is my first contracted novel, Katie. And I’m pleased to have two more following close behind it. All three are Middle Grade novels.

I love writing for this age group. Kids are so open and ready for adventure…if you can keep their attention. I understand this dilemma first hand. My middle son didn’t like to read; too many other distractions to pull him other directions. So, my muse decided to make it my mission by motivating me with fun adventures that tweens will enjoy reading, and if they learn something along the way, then that’s just icing on the cake.

Katie: What made you choose to write about this historical time frame?

C.K.: My story takes place in modern day; however the reader does get to relive the history of the early colonists as my characters experience what life was like during 1587. It was, and still is, an incredulous mystery. Just how does Jack Dahlgren get to experience the past? I can’t give away too many secrets, but if my readers like ghost stories and Native American folklore, they’ll enjoy Jack’s adventure.

I have to smile when I think of how the story came to be. After coming across an article about the Lost Colony, my muse went on the warpath. The mystery enthralled her and she asked question after question. How? Why? Where did they go? I couldn’t answer her. She wouldn’t rest until she came up with her own answers. And so the seed for Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island began to grow. This is my version of what happened to the mission colonists of Roanoke Island.

Katie: Do you think you will write more fiction based on historical facts?

C.K. I haven’t written a story based in the past yet, but much of my writing is based on the past. I’ve been told ‘you have to know where you came from in order to get where you’re going.’ I do believe there is a lot of truth in that statement. And I love to take history and make it alive. It isn’t the dull and boring subject many kids think it is. History is full of real people, real adventures, real heroes.

Katie: What kind of research did you do before writing this book?

C.K. I did a lot of research about Roanoke Island and the Lost Colony as I was writing Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island. I researched the island, historical facts of the early colonists, Sir Richard Grenville and the Algonquian Village of Aquascogok. I even found a list of the colonists’ names and used actual names to create my Colonist characters. With these historical facts, my readers will discover that history is alive with wonderful adventures.

Katie: What’s your favorite part of this book?

C.K. The story is rather suspenseful and very action-packed. But I think my favorite part is in the end, when Jack makes everything right. Jack has taken on a great responsibility and in doing so, learned a lot about himself, his family and the power of forgiveness.

Katie: I see that this is an e-book, to be published with MuseItUp Publishing, with another two in the wings. What made you decide to go the e-book route?

C.K. My books will first be introduced as e-books through MuseItUp, but the traditional print version will follow. But e-books are making a big impression though in readers today and I believe we will see this even in middle grade books. My local librarian said that almost half of all books sold are now sold as e-books and I’ve even heard of a school that did away with text books and gave every student an e-reader. I think it is going to start spreading quite rapidly. But, I do admit, I’m glad to have the traditional print version available as well.

Katie: What three things have you learned about publishing an e-book?

C.K. I’m still in the process of learning all the ins and outs of publishing. I’m working hard at marketing my name and making people aware of my upcoming books. Technology is amazing and sometimes I feel like I’m barely keeping abreast of the waves. There’s web pages to create, blogs, facebook, myspace, twitter, youtube, as well as joining groups like Jacket Flap and Good Reads. It’s been a fun adventure, but I have to watch myself and make sure I leave time to write.

Katie: What is one piece of advice that you would give to an author who is considering publishing their book in the e-format?

C.K. My advice isn’t so much for the format of the book because I see most publishers offering both versions. My advice is for the author seeking a publisher. When an Author is looking for a publisher, they need to choose wisely. There are many good publishers out there, but there are some that aren’t so good. I have contracted my three books with MuseItUp Publishing because I respect and trust them. That is an element that is important to me. I have known Lea Schizas for several years, working with her before she and her team opened the publishing doors of MuseItUp Publishing. It gives me comfort to have my books find a home with someone I know and trust.

Katie: Thanks, C.K., for being a guest on my blog today. You can learn more about her on her website, www.ckvolnek.com, her blog, httP://www.ckvolnek.com/blog.html. She can also be contacted at ckvolnek@yahoo.com.