New Adult Month Interview and Giveaway: Kristie Cook

1. What is NA to you? To me, New Adult books are typically stories where the protagonist is in his or her late-teens to mid-twenties. The ages aren’t exactly set in stone, but it represents that time in life when we all begin to really take charge of our own lives and experience the excitement, joy, and scariness of making big life decisions for the first time. It’s that first apartment, first ‘real’ job, first ‘adult’ relationship. 
2. New Adult: Genre or Category? New Adult is more of a category. Any genre can fit into the NA category: paranormal, sci-fi, horror, whatever. As long as the characters are at the right life stage, any genre can work.
3. What made you want to write for NA? I didn't set out to write NA – in fact, the NA label didn't even exist then. I wrote a story with a protagonist starting college. I loved that age and time in life but more importantly, it's what worked for the story. I queried the book and was told no one wanted to read about characters that age and they'd reconsider if I changed her to either YA or Adult. The change didn't make sense at all for the story – that book or the rest of the series. That's when I decided to self-publish, back when it was a huge career risk. I'm glad I did! I love my stories and I really love writing NA. 
4. What do you see for the future of NA? Now that NA has really come into its own, I see it continuing to grow and really become parallel to what YA is for teenage protagonists.
5. What do you love most about writing NA? I love being able to get back inside the heads of eighteen to twenty-somethings. It's one of the best times in life! There’s so much power and excitement when you're making adult decisions—and dealing with the consequences—without being bogged down with all of the big adult worries like mortgages, career changes, kids' futures, retirement, etc. And it's one of life's phases where the most change happens, which is really what a story is about – the decisions, consequences, and changes a character makes.
6. What NA books would you recommend to readers? Well, to get a taste of my work, along with that of four other amazing NA authors, I’d recommend that readers check out Curses, Fates & Soul Mates, a box set featuring five full-length NA paranormal novels for 99 cents!
7. What writing tips would you give to aspiring writers? Never give up on yourself—all of us start out writing crap and continue to do so no matter how many books we have out. It takes revisions and solid editing to make a great book. Keep writing. Keep editing. Keep doing what it takes to reach your goals. Failure only comes when you quit. But most of all, have fun! Live your purpose and your passion.
8. Would you like to share something about your book? I’m currently working on The Space Beyond, Part 2 in The Book of Phoenix series. Part 1, The Space Between, is available as a stand-alone book or as a part of the Curses, Fates & Soul Mates box set I mentioned earlier. The series is NA Paranormal Romance—but it’s unlike anything you’ve ever read before. The twist really surprises readers when they find out what makes the characters special. I can’t wait until everyone can read Part 2.
9. What gave you the idea for your book? Well, it all started with a dream that my husband had. Once he me about it, I couldn't stop thinking of the place, the people who would be involved, etc. My mind wandered and before long, a story was born.
10. Where can readers find your books? My books are available on Amazon, iBooks, Nook, and Kobo, and can also be requested at brick and mortar bookstores.

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New Adult Month Interview: Brenda St. John Brown

1. What is NA to you?
To me, New Adult is a category of books that focus on the stage of life post high school. It may be college or work, but it’s all about “firsts” and independence, and the ups and downs that come with that.

2. New Adult: Genre or Category?
I think New Adult is a category because, even though it’s started off as primarily contemporary romance, it’s starting to expand into other genres.

3. What made you want to write for NA?
My first (now shelved) book was NA before NA was even a thing. I queried it and my response from agents was focused more on the fact that the characters were in college than the story, itself. They all said there wasn’t really a market for that age group. I shifted to write YA, but my heart was definitely with older characters. SWIMMING TO TOKYO was originally written as upper YA, but Spencer Hill Contemporary suggested I “age it up” to NA and I jumped at the chance.

4. What do you see for the future of NA?
Slowly, other genres are embracing NA, which I love. I’m all about contemporary romance, but I love to read across genres and am excited to read some upcoming NA outside of contemporary.

5. What do you love most about writing NA?
I love writing about the “firsts” and the “bad” decisions that are inevitable in your early 20s. It’s fun and poignant and sometimes absolutely cringe-worthy. But it’s also really honest and I love that.

6. What NA books would you recommend to readers?
I really loved Chanel Cleeton’s I SEE LONDON. Cora Carmack’s trilogy is practically an NA must-read. Stina Lindenblatt’s TELL ME WHEN is a hot NA that deals with stalking, so it’s a bit of a darker read. And I’ve always been a fan of anything written by Tammara Webber.

7. What writing tips would you give to aspiring writers?
Ass in chair. Fast draft to build word count and edit later. Find good critique partners and beta readers who aren’t your real-life friends to give honest feedback and take at least 50% of it.

8. Would you like to share something about your book?
SWIMMING TO TOKYO comes out from Spencer Hill Contemporary on July 29, 2014 (Eeep!!) and it’s an NA contemporary romance set in – you guessed it – Tokyo. I’ll be launching the cover and official blurb soon-ish, but I’m so so so excited to see this out in the world!

9. What gave you the idea for your book?
I taught English in Tokyo for a couple of years and, although I didn’t start out writing a book set in Tokyo, it quickly evolved once I got into my characters’ stories. Writing was definitely a way to “revisit” Tokyo and I had a lot of fun with that. Zosia, the main character, is half-Polish and that was her name from the very start. I’m Polish on both my mother and father’s side and Babci (the Polish word for grandmother) is based loosely on my own grandmother, who was far cooler than I’ll ever be.

10. Where can readers find your books?
SWIMMING TO TOKYO releases on July 29 and will be available at all of the usual places in e-book form first. For now, it’s on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17695321-swimming-to-tokyo

New Adult Month Interview: Carrie Butler

1.      What is NA to you? NA, to me, is what I always say at NA Alley:

It encompasses the transition between adolescence and true adulthood. Protagonists generally fall between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six—though exceptions may apply—and they’re often portrayed experiencing: college, living away from home for the first time, military deployment, apprenticeships, a first steady job, a first serious relationship, etc.

2.      New Adult: Genre or Category? I view it as a category of literature—meaning, it gives readers content expectations, but it doesn’t dictate genre-based criteria.

In other words, when I pick up an NA novel, I know what stage of life the main character is in. If I want to know more, I look to the genre, i.e. romance will have a centralized love story, science fiction will have imaginative (though scientifically plausible) elements, etc.

3.      What made you want to write for NA? I’ve been writing NA-type stories since 2007. (I say NA-type, because “New Adult” wasn’t coined by St. Martin’s until 2009.) Back then, I didn’t realize there was such a stigma against college-aged characters in the publishing world. I just wanted to write a story that straddled the line between newfound freedom and consequence. The possibilities seemed endless.

4.      What do you see for the future of NA? I definitely foresee more genre diversity, especially with speculative works.

5.      What do you love most about writing NA? Right now, the NA community is my favorite part—especially those of us who’ve been fighting to legitimize the category for years. We’re such a tight knit, yet welcoming group. It’s great having that kind of support.

6.      What NA books would you recommend to readers? I still consider Easy by Tammara Webber a pretty iconic NA read, as far as contemporary goes. On the spec. side, you might consider reading Lynn Rush’s Violet Midnight series.

7.      What writing tips would you give to aspiring writers? Don’t stop—and what I mean by that is don’t stop writing; don’t stop reading; don’t stop learning; don’t stop questioning; don’t stop trying; don’t stop pushing; don’t stop growing; don’t stop sharing; don’t stop dreaming; and hey, if you’re in a singing mood, don’t stop believin’. ;)

8.      Would you like to share something about your book? Sure! Here’s a little about my NA paranormal romance, STRENGTH (Mark of Nexus #1):

“When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, she’s stunned. Wallace Blake is everything she’s ever wanted in a man—except he can’t touch her. His uncontrollable strength, a so-called gift from his bloodline, makes every interaction dangerous. And with a secret, supernatural war brewing among his kind, there’s no time to work it out. To keep Wallace in her life, Rena will have to risk a whole lot more than her heart.”

9.      What gave you the idea for your book? STRENGTH—and ultimately, the whole Mark of Nexus series—started as a "what if" scenario. What if a unique, supernatural race lived among us? What if there was more than one? How would the world stay in balance?

I listened to music while I plotted out a few points, and the 2005 Five for Five cover of "All I Know" came on. Wow. The lyrics—especially the first few lines about bruising each other—really struck me. As I considered them, the figurative meaning morphed into a more literal scenario. How tortured a man with uncontrollable strength must be... falling in love for the first time... unable to touch the woman he loves without hurting her...

That's how the romance element fell into place. ;)

10.  Where can readers find your books? Ta da!

STRENGTH (Mark of Nexus #1)
2nd Edition E-Book: Kindle Nook Kobo Smashwords iTunes/iBookstore Sony Reader Store	2nd Edition Paperback:                 ·         Amazon             ·         Barnes & Noble             ·         Createspace             ·         Diesel
COURAGE (Mark of Nexus #2)
1st Edition E-book:                ·         Kindle                ·         Nook Kobo Smashwords iTunes/iBookstore Sony Reader Store	1st Edition Paperback: Amazon Barnes & Noble Createspace Diesel

New Adult Month Interview: Ana Bastow

1. What is NA to you?
It's when the characters are starting to challenge themselves by making choices they didn't had to as children/teens. Is having to face the consequences of ones actions, usually for the first time in their lives.

2. New Adult: Genre or Category?
Category the genre is too young to have conventions and tropes just yet. Category is good enough for the moment. It also give us more freedom as writers and readers to experiment and create.

3. What made you want to write for NA?
It just happened. I didn't even knew about the genre until I did research in to where I should list it. My leading lady just happened to start telling me her story halfway through college.

4. What do you see for the future of NA?
I see only good things. People seem to be interesting in exploring this stage on everyone lives through fiction more everyday. I think we will have NA movies in no time!

5. What do you love most about writing NA?
The challenges and knowing that my characters can figure things out for the first time. A lot more room to make mistake and struggle without looking immature.

6. What writing tips would you give to aspiring writers?
I don't think I'm qualified to give advice. We all have our different demons to fight.

The best I could say is "Whatever you are struggling with now you are not alone many other writers dealt with the same issue. Many failed but many others conquered. Try your best to overcome it and count yourself among the ones that made it."

May the muses have mercy of our words.

7. Would you like to share something about your book?
It's a cozy college romance with nerdy protagonists. I think we are ready to see some STEM characters falling in love. My leading lady is an ambitious physics student. She wants to be the first one to out this discovery so she can win a Nobel prize. But along the way she discovers love, lies and her true self. Her life changes forever.

8. What gave you the idea for your book?
I actually write fairytales and I was toying with the idea of writing something in a contemporary setting. It started with a simple premise: “What if a scientist were to discover that magic is real and not only real, she is immune to it?”. I made some notes and drawings for a few months. But it was not until March, 23 2011 while I was visiting Spokane that I could start writing. I had a vision in the bridge while watching the water flowing: my leading couple was having their first dance and their first kiss. The story grew overnight from there until I had enough material for three books, maybe more. It was a magical experience.

9. Where can readers find your books?
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FLY4MW2
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hypothesis-the-hekapolis-trilogy-1
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hypothesis-the-hekapolis-trilogy-1-ana-bastow/1117926537?ean=2940148860211

New Adult Month Interview and Giveaway: Selena Laurence

1. What is NA to you?
NA is fiction that centers on characters who are in their late teens to mid-twenties and experiencing a transition point in their lives. They are dealing with a particular set of issues that are directly related to their age. Things like higher education, career choices, military service, sexual development, forming lifelong relationships, etc.

2. New Adult: Genre or Category?
Genre, definitely. Although there has been a heavy influence from Contemporary Romance in these early years of NA, I don't think that's the whole picture.

3. What made you want to write for NA?
First of all I love to read them. Secondly, I love that place in your life. It was so hard when I was in it, but looking back you can see all the possibility and opportunity. It's fun.

4. What do you see for the future of NA?
I think we'll continue to see more variety in NA, things like fantasy NA, paranormal NA, historical NA. I think that while romance has been associated very strongly with NA, what's really happened is that we've developed a new type of Contemporary Romance that's edgier and younger than it used to be. Things like biker romance, rock star romance, all the tattooed guys and MMA fighters. Those have been tagged as NA, but really they are simply this new form of modern romance, and many of them don't even fit the profile for NA, but that's where the readership originated. In a sense I think that original kind of NA has evolved into this edgier modern romance and true NA will move off in the other direction of more variety and subgenres like I mentioned above.

5. What do you love most about writing NA?
I love the freedom of making it whatever you want it to be. Because of NA's strong ties to self publishing, it's been a place where you can sort of try anything as long as you can find a readership. That's a wonderful thing, especially for a romance writer like me, because in the past, romance has been a very confining genre for a lot of writers.

6. What NA books would you recommend to readers?
Wow, there's a lot, and I think I'm more likely to recommend writers than particular books. Not to be cliched, but anything by Colleen Hoover, anything by Cora Carmack. Also Nyrae Dawn, Jessica Sorenson, Tammara Webber, and for some newer (to NA) writers - Lisa Desrochers, Lisa Swallow, Beverley Kendall, and Viv Daniels.

7. What writing tips would you give to aspiring writers?
That's so tough, because honestly what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. But first and foremost: read. All the time. In the genre you want to write, but also in others. Read and read and read. Then write and write and write. Show your writing to people whose writing you respect, and go from there.

8. Would you like to share something about your book?
I have an NA romance series - the Hiding From Love Series. Three of the four books are out: Camouflaged, Hidden and Concealed. They're interrelated, but each one has it's own tied up ending, so no cliffhangers. The main characters are all friends/relatives, but it switches protagonists from book to book. The last of the series is slated to release in April and is called Buried. My brand new release is actually the first book in a new series (Lush), and qualifies as NA (heroine is 24, just out of grad school), but it's also a rock star romance, so it's appealing to a pretty broad readership, not just NA. Finally, I will be starting an all-new Upper YA/NA digital novella series - The Bittersweet Chronicles - this summer. I'm really excited about it. There's going to be a whole town in Alabama, with a high school, a college, sports teams, love affairs, drama, angst, a little comedy.

9. What gave you the idea for your book?
*Laughing* Since I just told you about ten or so of them that's sort of hard to say. It's tough to rein me in sometimes! Honestly though, I have no idea where I come up with the stuff I do. It just appears in my head and I go with it. I'm a pantser not a plotter, so it'll evolve and morph as I write, and it ends up how it ends up!

10. Where can readers find your books?
My books are on Amazon, BN, Kobo and iTunes. And you can always go to my website for more detailed information on all of them: www.selenalaurence.com





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Interview: Elisabeth Grace

Today I have with me New Adult author Elisabeth Grace. She is the author of the AMAZING book Rumor Has It and the upcoming sequel, Picture Perfect.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I've always liked to write. When I was in public school if the teacher asked for a 2 page story I wrote 20 pages. She'd call my parents and ask them to talk to me about staying within the guidelines. At eight I was writing articles to send to Reader's Digest to be published. LOL I had high hopes apparently but at that age you have no fear of rejection.

How did you get into romance? New Adult?

I got into romance books when I was pregnant with my daughter and devoured the Twilight series. Edward Cullen made my heart go pitter patter and I went out in search of more book boyfriends to do the same. I write contemporary romance as well (but have yet to publish it) and fell in love with New Adult when it came into the scene. For me it filled a void that was missing between the young love of YA books and the more mature romances of the usual contemporary romance.

Tell us a little about the book?

The book blurb can probably do that better than I can so here you are! ;)

 All publicity is good publicity, right? Unless you’re recent college grad Ellie Wagner and an embarrassing video of you and your boyfriend goes viral. Every man in your life abandons you, but who knew a one-minute clip of your latest doomed relationship would brand you a slut, prevent you from getting your perfect job, and force you to keep doing the one thing you swore you’d never do again…live with your mother.

But staying with mom and her latest boy-toy (is this husband number four or five?) until your life turns around might not be all bad. Especially when you fall – literally – at the feet of a sexy, green-eyed stranger who offers you freedom and a life of luxury on a gold-rimmed platter.

There’s only one little problem – the man of your dreams is none other than Mason Nash, the latest hip-hop star busting up the music charts. Fame and fortune are his calling cards and he’s vying to steal the show on a new reality TV series that will catapult him into mainstream stardom. Hello spotlight.

The man behind the famous persona is perfect for Ellie in every way, but can she overcome the ugly pitfalls that come with Mason’s celebrity status? Or will she be forced to choose between the man she loves and the independent life she longs for? After all, fame and fortune aren’t always what they seem and not all publicity is good publicity…

What were your struggles with writing your protagonists and antagonists?

Honestly, these characters just flowed out of me. Some books are a struggle to get every word on the page and others just come from somewhere within. I was fortunate that Rumor Has It was one of the later. My biggest struggle was probably with Troy. He needed to be the antagonist to Ellie and her relationship with Mason, but I still needed the reader to see and understand why Mason would work with someone like him.

Where did the idea for this book come from?

Originally the concept for the series started when a friend of mine got divorced and went back into the dating world. I realized how things had changed since I dated in my early 20's. Social media was a game changer. That thought led me to think about how transparent today's society is with social media, celebrity culture, smart phones, YouTube, etc. It really changed the dynamic of relationships and I wanted to explore that over the series as a whole.

What is your writing method?

Get the kids to bed as early as possible and get my hands on the keyboard. LOL As a serious answer I'd say I plot the book and pants the scenes. 

Why did you decide to go with self publishing?

I liked the idea of having the freedom to write what I want and write a book to the length that the story needed to be. Maybe I'm a little bit of a control freak but I wanted to decide for myself the little things like the cover, release date, editor, etc. It's turned out to be a lot of work but I've met so many amazing people in the process that I don't regret it a bit.

Is there anything you want your readers to get out of your books?

I think there is a different theme to every book I have planned in the series, but for Rumor Has It I think overall it's that things aren't always what they seem on the outside and not to sit in judgment of others. Everyone has their struggles and we shouldn't assume that we know what someone is about at first glance. That, and of course some entertainment value and perhaps a new book boyfriend. ;) 

 

Tell me a bit about yourself.

I live outside Toronto, ON Canada with my husband and two small children. We have a killer cat spawned by the devil. I have bite marks on my wrist as I type this to prove it! Life is busy as I have a full time job and my husband's work keeps him busy a lot of evenings and weekends, but I'm blessed to be surrounded by a wonderful group of family and friends. I have an addiction to chocolate, reality TV and David Gandy but beyond that I'm a regular well adjusted person! ;)

Where can the reader find you books?

Amazon-------> http://amzn.to/1bgmkvt
Barnes & Noble-------> http://bit.ly/IE8yrh
Kobo-------> http://bit.ly/1hy1QCF
Smashwords-------> http://bit.ly/1hy1QCF 

Author Interview and Giveaway: June Kramin

Today we have author June Kramin with us to discuss her upcoming book Money Didn't Buy Her Love. Read about her writing method, then enter to win a copy of the book.

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When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I was told since the 3rd grade that I would be a writer. I guess life got in the way. It wasn't until I hit forty that I settled down and started writing. The first story I did was for my daughter. I guess I learned to love when someone flipped out over what I had done & wanted to do it again.

How did you get into romance?

I was more of a thriller reader than romance, so it was kind of a surprise that my books took that twist. I was even upset at the "romance" label put on my time travel novel. So many guys liked it, I was afraid some men would stray at seeing "romance". But, when you write about a girl with an attitude, a man that loves her unconditionally, and there is a lot of sex going on, it is what it is. LOL. I guess I have enough guy banter and such that a guy can still admit to liking a few of them. I'm a sucker for happy ever after and wanting readers to get lost in someone's else's life for a while.  

Tell us a little about the book?

Money Didn't Buy Her Love just completely fell into place for me. It started with an idea of a man slamming on his brakes to avoid hitting someone. That turned into a woman and suddenly, she was in a wedding dress. Their age differences and lifestyles came out & I thought "what a mix-matched couple. They have to fall in love!" I really love the twists it took. My son happened to get married right after it was finished. When I saw the picture of my daughter in law - I knew she was in touch with her inner-Dani in that pose. I just had to use them for my cover.

What were your struggles with writing your protagonists and antagonists?

I actually don't struggle - I let them boss me around! Tee hee... I guess some people would call that a problem, but I learned long ago to go with the flow. When I write - it's like I'm reading it. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Where did the idea for this book come from?

I stop at a county highway every day on my way to work. There are no people around, yet every day for about a week, I imagined slamming my brakes to avoid hitting someone. It was driving me crazy. I had just finished edits on something so I decided to write it out and make it go away. This book is where that took me.  All of my novels start with 1 silly thing nagging at me. I'm just glad only 1 hits me at a time!

What is your writing method?

By the seat of my butt. Pantsing is the term. Each day I open up my word doc, read the last page or so and continue where I left off. Rarely do I have any idea or plan. Sometimes I have a sentence or 2 of what I think may happen,  but those notes usually get deleted. I can only say my characters are the boss so many times before people think I'm crazy. Well, I am. That's a whole different ball of wax! I say do what works for you.

Why did you decide to go with this type of publishing? (indie vs trad vs self)

I have used 3 small publishing houses. I have had some great experiences and will say nothing but good about any of them. I recently re-released a couple of those titles so I decided to try on my own with this one since I found such a great book designer. No matter who your publisher is, you will do a lot of the promo work. I have a pretty good following going so I wanted to try to just release this one on my own. Maybe the winter has been too long and I have the blues, but I just wan't up to the querying thing. We'll see how it goes. I have a few more books I have to get to yet. Not sure if I'll hunt for an agent or just get them out there myself again.

Is there anything you want your readers to get out of your books?

I keep teasing that I try not to teach a lesson. I want the reader to be able to escape into someone else's life for a while. You can be jealous of their trip to Maui and cheer Jeremy for standing up to Dani's father. I aim for a "feel good" when they are done and want to leave them wanting more. A couple readers have even thanked me for making them cry. I've had people nag for sequels - a few got their way. :)

Tell me a bit about yourself.

I'm a pretty mellow soul these days. The long winter has made us even worse movie buffs than before. When the weather is decent, I ride my horse around our home. We live in a great spot. I also love taking my 2 dogs for walks. You'd be amazed at the scenes that pop into your head on a quiet, country road. I work for a printing company doing graphics.

Where can the reader find you books?

I'm at every major outlet. Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Smashwords... it's in every format available. Most are in print - a few (Any Musa releases) you can only get from me at signings. They are a coveted "Promo Print run only" kind of deal. I do offer them as giveaways as well. Follow my facebook fan page for all giveaways and special promotions: http://www.facebook.com/JuneKramin or my website: http://www.junekramin.com/ for all buy links.

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Author Interview: SS Hampton, Sr.

Today we have author, S.S. Hampton, Sr.

1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Sometime around the age of 15, though I cannot remember what the actual “trigger” was. My first publication was not until I was 38 years old, and 10 more years would pass before the next publication. Since then I have been published on a fairly regular basis.

2. How did you get into so many different genres?

Let’s see—horror, science fiction, fantasy, erotica, and military fiction. And throw in a little Western and historical fiction (Greece and Rome). I have an interest in those subjects, of course, and writing in those genres can be challenging and fun. I do and do not like being scared, though I believe it is something “hardwired” within us; science fiction, new worlds whether distant planets or time travel—stories are wonderful possibilities. Fantasy, creating new worlds whether my vision of Atlantis or writing of some kingdom that once existed before recorded history, or even writing of elves and fairies that co-exist beside us. Erotica, ahem, ‘nuff said! Military fiction—I have spent most of my adult life in the military or associated with it, so the subject is very natural and familiar. I do, however, usually like to add a supernatural element to such stories. Any Western I dabble in usually has a cavalry focus to it, and of course, a supernatural element. I enjoy dabbling in historical fiction, particularly during Greek and Roman times. Of course, some genres are more fun than others, too. Perhaps that is the key—writing, though it is a serious business, can and should be, FUN!

3. What are your struggles when writing?

Well, too many cigarettes, not enough coffee (two+ pots per day), or not enough beer, and finding myself doing some basic editing while writing the initial draft. I should just write and edit later. And of course, sometimes the story takes a turn I hadn’t planned on which requires some revision to the outline so that I retain an idea of where the story is going or may be headed toward.

4. Where do your book ideas come from?

My imagination, the news, something someone says, something I see, and even from my dreams. Ideas can pop up anywhere, especially when you least expect it. The key is to listen and observe, and write the ideas down as soon as you have them. I believe there is an old saying, something like, “Luck favors the prepared.” You never know where your next great idea is going to come from, so always be prepared.

5. What is your writing method?

Give me cigarettes, coffee and/or beer, music or a DVD playing (I cannot stand silence), an idea and/or outline, and I can start writing.

6. Why did you decide to go with this type of publishing?

I have always been poverty stricken, so vanity publishing is out of the question. Besides, selling and public relations would have rested squarely on my own shoulders. To go with a full service publisher, someone who provides the ISBN number, provides the cover artwork, assigns an editor to work with me, and finds sale outlets/distributors, all because they believe in the sales potential of my manuscript, is a much better deal. A marketing plan, or public relations, still rests on my shoulders, but I do not have to worry about the rest.

7. Is there anything you want your readers to get out of your books?

Hopefully that the readers enjoy my writings and they feel that their time has not been wasted.

8. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

As I am not sure what a “pantser” is, I will go with plotter. I generally start out with notes of “Beginning,” “Middle,” and “End.” I will write down pivotal points in the story and fill in additional details that form a basic outline. More and more these days, especially as my writing becomes oriented toward novella length stories, I find a detailed outline more useful. And I generally follow that unless the story insists on going down an uncharted path. Then I will revise the outline to ensure there are no loose ends.

9. Tell me a bit about yourself.

Ah, I love cheese pizza with extra cheese, sausage, and onion. I love orange cupcakes. My favorite breakfast is biscuits and gravy with hash browns, bacon, and a cheese omelet. I love my grandchildren; I tolerate my children, but I love my grandchildren. Oh yes. Someday I want to visit the Himalayas.

10. Where can the reader find your books?

Look for SS Hampton, Sr. at Melange Books (http://www.melange-books.com/authors/sshampton/index.html);

Musa Publishing

 (http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=50); 

and MuseItUp Publishing

(http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=514&category_id=60&manufacturer_id=249&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1).

And, thanks for having me on your blog.

BLURB: 

December, 1941, and fresh Siberian troops from the Soviet Far East have launched savage counter-attacks against the German invaders. The Eastern Front is torn open with German units driven back, overwhelmed, or isolated. An exhausted Waffen SS infantry platoon outside of Moscow needs to know what the Siberians, hidden in a dark forest before them, are up to. A small patrol is sent into the snowy, otherworldly forest…

EXCERPT: 

A little more than a dozen snow encrusted German soldiers, remnants of a once strong motorized infantry platoon, grimly surveyed their surroundings. The frozen winter sun cast a feeble light across theiroutpost on a small rise overlooking a snowy road that bordered the forest before Moscow. Above them gray clouds painted with broad pastel strokes of reds, yellows, and purples drifted across the twilight sky.

"The sun's going down," Josef Frank said to no one in particular as he adjusted his leather “Y” straps on which to attach his field gear. He carefully checked his 9mm MP 38 submachine gun. In the savage cold their weapons and ammunition were scraped clean of lubricating oils because the oils froze and jammed the weapons. Even then, successful operation was no guarantee. His weapon sometimes fired only one to two rounds at a time. Then he checked the leather magazine pouches fastened to his belt—three magazines, thirty rounds per magazine, ninety rounds, and one “potato masher” stick grenade tucked in his belt. That was all he had left to face the fresh Siberian troops lurking somewhere within the dark forest before them—the last barrier that hid the suburbs of Moscow.

He glanced at the gaunt men wrapped in all manner of clothing to protect themselves against the painful cold. In that snowy otherwordly environment, it was sometimes hard to remember that he was an SS-Unterscharführer, a sergeant and a squad leader, in a much decimated Waffen SS motorized infantry battalion. All that was left of his platoon was gathered on the rise—an MG-34 gunner and his assistant, a trio of riflemen, a light mortar manned by two soldiers, and a pair of soldiers with a Panzerbusche 39 anti-tank rifle. Plus, he and his squad of three surviving soldiers who would soon creep into the forest to see what the Siberians were doing.

Their ground was no more than twenty feet higher than the surrounding terrain, and though it gave them a good overview, they were also sitting ducks. Low moans and an occasional cry came from among the scores of dirty white forms sprawled on the snowy slopes of their small rise of land. The shapeless forms trailed from the shadowed edges of the vast forest…

http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22&products_id=96

BIOGRAPHY:

SS Hampton, Sr. is a full-blood Choctaw of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a divorced grandfather to 13 wonderful grandchildren, a published photographer and photojournalist, and a member of the Military Writers Society of America. He is a serving member of the Army National Guard with the rank of staff sergeant, with prior service in the active duty Army (1974-1985), the Army Individual Ready Reserve (1985-1995) (mobilized for the Persian Gulf War), and enlisted in the Army National Guard in October 2004, after which he was mobilized for Federal active duty for almost three years. Hampton is a veteran of Operations Noble Eagle (2004-2006) and Iraqi Freedom (2006-2007); he has recently been told that he must retire from the Army National Guard on 1 July 2013. His writings have appeared as stand-alone stories and in anthologies from Dark Opus Press, Edge Science Fiction & Fantasy, Melange Books, Musa Publishing, MuseItUp Publishing, Ravenous Romance, and as stand-alone stories in Horror Bound Magazine, The Harrow, and River Walk Journal, among others. Second-career goals include becoming a painter and studying for a degree in photography and anthropology—hopefully to someday work in and photograph underwater archaeology. After 12 years of brown desert in the Southwest and overseas, he misses the Rocky Mountains, yellow aspens in the fall, running rivers, and a warm fireplace during snowy winters. As of December 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Hampton officially became a homeless Iraq War veteran.

Melange Books

http://www.melange-books.com/authors/sshampton/index.html

Musa Publishing

http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=50

MuseItUp Publishing

http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=514&category_id=60&manufacturer_id=249&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Amazon.com Author Page

http://www.amazon.com/SS-Hampton-Sr/e/B00BJ9EVKQ

Amazon.com. UK Author Page

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SS-Hampton-Sr/e/B00BJ9EVKQ

Goodreads Author Page

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6888342.S_S_Hampton_Sr_