Aaron Speca - Me and My Others: May 2014

Friday, May 30, 2014

Finding Fiction Friday - Nic Tatano

Today on Finding Fiction Friday, we get to know Nic Tatano, a multi-genre author with a very interesting background. Let me allow him to introduce himself ...

I'm a HarperCollins Author and television news veteran. Right now I'm spending most of my time writing romantic comedies and young adult novels, but I still work in broadcasting.

I spent more than a decade as a television news reporter and anchor before becoming an author. My work has taken me to some incredible places... from the floors of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions to Ground Zero in New York to Jay Leno's backyard. My stories have been seen on NBC, ABC and CNN, and since I'm past my on-camera expiration date, I currently work as a freelance network field producer for all the major networks.

Nic, tell us about your journey. When did you first think about writing for publication and how did it all come about?

Back in 1998 I had left the news business for a time and was running political campaigns. There's a lot of down time in a campaign and I got an idea for a novel set in the world of television news and politics. Of course I didn't know what I was doing when I first sent it out, so I spent some time with a few local authors who helped me a great deal. I also attended a few writer's "boot camps" along the way and re-wrote the first novel a few years ago.

"The Race" by Nick Harlow available
on Amazon and elsewhere

By the way, that first novel is titled "The Race" under the pen name Nick Harlow and is available in ebook form. It actually sells pretty well and often cracks the top 100 in political thrillers.

I've written about a dozen novels along the way and I'm a genre-hopper. Four rom-coms, three young adult, four thrillers, one sci-fi. Last summer I got my first book deal with HarperCollins for three romantic comedies, then later signed another contract for young adult books.

Tell us one thing about yourself that you think might surprise us.

I once had a "tryout" with the Atlanta Braves. They were in town holding open tryouts and I was a reporter at the time so I thought it would make a fun story. I borrowed a uniform from the local minor league team and the Braves scouts played along and let me pitch one inning. I gave up four very long home runs, and they made a big production number out of walking to the mound, calling to the bullpen and taking me out of the game. It was a blast and a very cool memory.

Available now in e-book and
in paperback on June 12, 2014

First, I know it’s not your first work, but tell us about your book “The Adventures of Jillian Spectre” that has just been released.

This is my first Young Adult book, which is a paranormal romance. Jillian is a seventeen year old mystic seer with extraordinary powers… she cannot only see the future but makes a connection with an angel in the afterlife. She also discovers a second power… the ability to "project" herself and be in two places at once. She lives in Manhattan's "Mystic Quarter" which is a neighborhood filled with people who have supernatural powers.

This is basically "good vs. evil" story and Jillian has to team up with other supernatural characters to defeat the forces of evil. It is also a series, with the second book set to come out this summer.

What was challenging to you about writing a Young Adult novel, or did it come easy to you?

It came naturally, which surprised me since I don't have children and never had a date in high school. But my wife is a teacher, so I'm around kids a good deal. And I like to read YA. (Ironically, when I was a kid I read Jacqueline Susann novels I "borrowed" from my mother.) I really enjoyed the innocence of the first Harry Potter books and wanted that feel since I'm rather tired of dystopian YA books. I think young people need a more positive view of the future and hopefully my book will be uplifting. Teens have enough angst in real life.

Find out about "It Girl" and Nic's other
books on Amazon

You also have an ongoing series with HarperImpulse. Tell us about that and what is special about your upcoming release in that series.

It's not necessarily a series as the characters change, but the heroines in my books are always snarky redheaded TV news women. It's a series as far as the titles are concerned (Wing Girl, Boss Girl, It Girl, and the as yet untitled fill-in-the-blank Girl.) "It Girl" is something different in that it is a serialized novel which will be available in three different formats, ebook, paperback or six episodes. On June 6^th the first episode will be released, with a new one every three days or so. Then the full versions will be out on the 26^th. So readers have the option of reading along the way or all at once. The first episode is free.

We're also trying something new with the serialization. Episodes two through six will have recaps of the previous episode, while episodes one through five will feature coming attractions, just like a serialized TV series.

This book is also different in that it is an "across the pond" romance, as the heroine is American and one of her love interests is British.

How have you brought your own life experiences to bear in your fictional writing?

All the heroines in my books work in TV, and I draw on my own experience in the field. As for knowing how women think, you'd be amazed at the sex talk in newsrooms; women aren't shy about discussing their love lives or asking guys for advice on the subject. I've always had a lot female friends since the industry is dominated by women. And I've always been that "guy friend" women have when they need advice or a shoulder to cry on.

But none of the characters are based on real people, nor are they composites.

If there is one character you’ve written or are writing that you would really like people to meet, who would it be and why?

I think people would really enjoy meeting Veronica Summer, the heroine in "It Girl" because she says exactly what she thinks on live morning television. She's also one of those gals who is gorgeous but has no clue that she's seriously attractive. She's spunky as hell and incredibly loyal, the kind of take-no-prisoners gal you'd want in a foxhole. If, you know, women hung out in foxholes. But if she was real, you'd dig one for her, and she'd stock it with booze and chocolate.

What about being published with HarperImpulse and the book industry in general has most surprised you?

I had heard horror stories from other authors about big publishers. One took three years to get a book to print. Another had a book coming out in a few weeks and couldn't get his publicist to return his calls, then found out two days before the release that she'd left months ago. Others signed contracts and the books were never published at all.

I'm amazed at the speed that HarperImpulse gets things done. Within one year of signing a contract, they will have published four of my books. And since I've spent my life in a fast-paced deadline oriented business, I really appreciate people who move quickly. They are very professional and treat you as a member of the team. And, of course, being Brits they're extremely polite. Finally, I enjoy talking to them on the phone because I love those accents.

Is there someone you can point to as being your biggest encouragement in moving forward with this book and writing in general?

My first professional sale was a Star Trek short story bought by editor/author Dean Wesley Smith. In addition to having written about a hundred novels he runs boot camps for writers, two of which I've attended. I've learned more about the craft from him than anyone and he's always been very supportive of my work. He also got me to stretch my talent, which is how I ended up writing romantic comedies.

As for "It Girl" my editor at HarperImpulse Charlotte Ledger and publishing director Kimberly Young always have kind words for me. They're the ones who asked me to be part of the serialization, and I'm very flattered to be the first one chosen for this.

What is next on your plate after “It Girl”?

I just finished the aforementioned "fill-in-the-blank Girl" which features a heroine who loses her network TV job and ends up working in the world of politics. She catches the eye of a presidential candidate who happens to be single and their relationship turns into an American version of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Will she be the next Jackie Kennedy and bring Camelot back to the White House, or find that true love and politics don't mix?

Before we get to the close of the interview, a quick hit – favorite sport and team?

NFL football, and the New York Giants. Don't even bother trying to get in touch with me on Sundays in the fall because I have the Sunday Ticket package on Direct TV and go into an eleven hour NFL coma.

Ok! To close the interview, I have ten questions for you, plus one. Here they go!

What is your favorite word? Firefly.
What is your least favorite word? Closure. Overused in the news business and it doesn't really exist for people who have endured a tragedy.
What turns you on? Redheads. I married one.
What turns you off? People who talk about money.
What sound or noise do you love? The ocean.
What sound or noise do you hate? Rap music, which is an oxymoron.
What is your favorite curse word? $#!*%@! (Sorry, wife is a teacher and her students might read this.)
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Advertising. I was a copywriter for a time at a radio station, and I think I might have made a good Don Draper. (Without the adultery, chain smoking and drunken stupors, of course.)
What profession would you not like to do? Toll collector. Imagine people giving you money all day and not being able to keep it while breathing car exhaust.
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? "I know you're going to ask me this first, so I'll just save you the trouble and tell you that Lyndon Johnson had JFK killed, aliens landed at Roswell and most of Jimmy Hoffa was buried at Giants Stadium."
What question have you never been asked, that you wish someone would ask you? I wish someone would ask me to be a commencement speaker at a college. My opening line would be, "Welcome to the real world, kids. Guess what? Not everyone gets a trophy."

Nic, thanks so much for spending time with us. Can you let us know where to follow you, and where we can go to purchase your book?

I have a blog: thechannelingauthor.blogspot.com

My twitter handle is @nictatano

My books can be purchased from any online retailer and paperbacks can be ordered through any bookstore.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Finding Fiction Friday - Wendy Lou Jones

Today on Finding Fiction Friday: HarperImpulse edition, we are very happy to get the chance to speak with Wendy Lou Jones, author of the HI title "The Songbird and the Soldier". Wendy talks to us about this and upcoming books and researching settings. But first, a bit about her in her own words ...

My name is Wendy Lou Jones. I was born and raised in West Sussex, England and moved to Birmingham to study Medicine at University, where I was lucky enough to meet my husband. We now live in a little village in Herefordshire with our two grubby boys. I discovered a love of writing not long after my youngest son started school. And if you were to ask me what it was that made me make the switch, I’d tell you quite simply, that it started with a dream.

Wendy, tell us about your journey with this book. When did you first think about writing for publication and how did it all come about?

I had been writing for about 5 years, but had no idea if I was any good at it or not, so I sent The Songbird and the Soldier off to Jefferson Franklin Editing and after a bit of a tinker, he loved it!!! You could have knocked me down with a feather! Having said that, I still had no luck getting an agent, so I decided to take the plunge and self-publish. It had been up and running for about 3 weeks when I was lucky enough to be picked up by HarperImpulse.

Tell us one thing about yourself that you think might surprise us.

I carried a severed head across a room once. My dad never got over that one. – It wasn’t his!!! Just to clarify. I told him about it.

Available on Amazon

So, please tell us about your book “The Songbird and the Soldier”.

It’s the story of one woman’s struggle to maintain a relationship across the miles. Torn between her old crush and a new admirer, Sam is put through the mill as she fights her very own battle of hearts and minds, while the soldiers are away fighting in Afghanistan.

There are two main settings to the book. Can you tell us a bit about how you went about capturing the differences between the two worlds (England and Afghanistan) that Andy had to navigate?

I tried to capture the peace and tranquility of the rural setting of England, and the carefree days around them and then set it against the harsh dusty heat of a war-torn summer in Afghanistan. MANY documentaries on the conflict were watched in the making of this book. J

Available to pre-order
Release Date June 5, 2014

You also have another book coming out with HarperImpulse very soon. Tell us about that and when it will be available.

By My Side is due out on 5^th June. It’s the story of a hospital based romance between a grieving consultant surgeon and an A&E nurse and it becomes the tale told to a sad young woman at a funeral.

If there is one character you’ve written or are writing that you would really like people to meet, who would it be and why?

Oh, that’s tricky. I tend to be serially in love with all of them. At the moment I’m writing about a character from By My Side who has taken centre stage in the next book. Peter Florin. He’s a tortured hero who needs the love of a good woman – I do so love a tortured hero! But you can’t meet him. Not yet anyway. For now he’s all mine.

What about being published with HarperImpulse and the book industry in general has most surprised you?

I think the most surprising thing for me has been myself. Usually I’m very placid, but I seem to turn into a complete diva the moment my revisions come in. (When your editor says ‘Yes, I like it, but maybe it would be better if …’)

Is there someone you can point to as being your biggest encouragement in moving forward with this book and writing in general?

Probably my editor, Charlotte. Without her faith in me, I would be far more afraid to try.

What is next on your plate? What kind of stories do you have bouncing around up there?

I have just finished the third draft of my next book, the follow on from By My Side. It came about during the revision process, when I needed to understand more about another character and I fell in love with him too. Apart from that I have a set of country village stories on the back burner and a few quite ambitious ideas in my head. Let’s just hope I can write them.

To close the interview, I have ten questions for you, plus one. Here they go!

What is your favorite word? Pillow
What is your least favorite word? Fail.
What turns you on? Eyes and voices.
What turns you off? Swearing and smoking.
What sound or noise do you love? Silence.
What sound or noise do you hate? Metal wind chimes.
What is your favorite curse word? Bollocks!
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Forensic Pathologist.
What profession would you not like to do? Teacher
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Come on in, Wendy; they’re all waiting for you.
What question have you never been asked, that you wish someone would ask you? Can I offer you a £300,000 to publish your book?

Wendy, thanks so much for spending time with us. Can you let us know where to follow you, and where we can go to purchase your book?

Thank you for having me.

You can follow me at @WendyLouWriter and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/escapeintolove

The Songbird and the Soldier is available now: smarturl.it/songbird (for the UK) And all major online retailers via http://www.harperimpulseromance.com/authors/wendy-lou-jones

Friday, May 16, 2014

Finding Fiction Friday - Caroline Storer

Finding Fiction Friday returns, starting off a special series of interviews with authors from HarperImpulse, a division of Harper Collins! To kick things off this week, we have a great time speaking with Caroline Storer, author of "The Roman" which is now out on Kindle and will be released in paperback on June 12. Caroline, welcome to the blog!

Hi. Thanks for the invite onto your fabulous blog. My name is Caroline Storer, and I live on the beautiful (if slightly windy) island of Anglesey in North Wales (UK). (Anglesey, you may recall was recently the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – William and Kate. I did invite them over for tea, but unfortunately they were too busy!) I’m happily married to my own Alpha Hero, Colin (a retired Police Detective), and have one step-son and grandson. By day, I’m an Environmental Health Officer for the local Council. My work can be quite challenging to say the least, and no one day is the same. I find escaping into a good book (either reading or writing one) a great way of relaxing once I’ve finished work. I am a voracious reader of anything “romantic” and have been since I “borrowed” one of my grans Mills and Boons when I was around 13!

Caroline, tell us about your journey with this book. When did you first think about writing for publication and how did it all come about?

I’ve always loved writing. I remember my primary school teacher reading out a story I had written in class. The story was called “The Gate”, and she said she loved it. But I didn’t start writing fiction until I’d finished University (degree and Masters). My first attempt at writing a “romance” was when I was around 27. It didn’t get far. Life then got in the way, and I didn’t start writing “properly” until I was around 45. It took me 5 years to get my present book deal – and I celebrated my success a few months after my 50^th birthday.

Tell us one thing about yourself that you think might surprise us.

I may be 51 now – but I still love rock music (including Heavy Metal). The louder the better!

Now let’s get to the book itself. Tell us about your book “The Roman”.

THE ROMAN - ROME AD 79 - The one woman he ever loved was the one woman who betrayed him. And now, the Roman will have his revenge… Marsallas and Justina were young, beautiful and desperately in love once, until a tragic betrayal tore them apart. Six years have passed since that day and Marsallas has since thrown himself into the deadly world of chariot racing, gaining fortune, fame, and a salacious reputation throughout Rome. His bed could be kept warm by a different woman each night if he chooses, but his heart remains iced over as the memory of Justina’s betrayal continues to haunts him. The last thing he expects is to see her again, but when she steps back into his life he sees a chance to avenge his broken heart. But beneath the hurt, an attraction so intense still burns between the two, and as their fates begin to intertwine once more, their determination to resist one another starts to falter…

Roman Empire (Power and People)
British Museum National Tour... Opening Night.
Spot Caroline Storer's Novel 'The Roman'
from Harper Impulse.

Historical fiction can be a particular challenge. How did you go about researching this book?

My love of Roman history, which has been with me since childhood and the film’s The Gladiator, Spartacus and Ben Hur were the inspirations behind my book. My hero is based on General Maximus Decimus Meridius – a.k.a Russell Crowe in The Gladiator. I’ve watched this film about 10 times now and I’m still bowled over by his gorgeousness! He is the typical alpha male Roman hero IMHO.

There is an immense amount of research needed when writing a historical book. It is very hard to get the balance right when writing a historical romance. Too much historical detail can make the book heavy and clunky, more like a historical textbook rather than a romance, and this will detract from the main characters too. You need to sprinkle in historical detail, not overload the book with it. Also you have to ensure that the chronological details are correct otherwise readers will complain. For example, I once read a Roman romance where the author referred to a touch as being like an “electrical current”. This pulled me out of the story right away!

Can you speak a little about the role of Christianity in this book, and whether any personal experiences of yours influenced your writing?

Although my book is not an “Inspirational Romance” per se, there are references to Christianity in it. Several of the minor characters are Christians, and by their deeds and actions they very much influence the Hero and Heroine. As a Christian myself I’ve always been fascinated in the Roman era, and was blown away by the film Quo Vardis which I watched as a teenager. The story of the burgeoning Christian movement and Nero’s cruelty and madness in punishing Christian’s after the Great Fire of Rome has stayed with me ever since.

If there is one character you’ve written or are writing that you would really like people to meet, who would it be and why?

I may be biased, but I would love to meet my Heroine – Justina- in my book The Roman. She is a sculptress who creates wonderful bronze statues.

What about being published with HarperImpulse and the book industry in general has most surprised you?

How much time you have to spend promoting your book, and getting it “out there” on as many author platforms as you can!

Is there someone you can point to as being your biggest encouragement in moving forward with this book and writing in general?

A few years ago I won an on-line Pitch competition with Michelle Styles (who writes historical romance for Harlequin Mills and Boon). She said a lot of encouraging things about my writing, and gave me some invaluable advice. Her kind words made me determined to become a (paid) writer, and get published.

What is next on your plate? What kind of stories do you have bouncing around up there?

I’ve just turned in my second contracted book to my editor Charlotte Ledger at HarperImpulse. It’s another “Roman romance”. I’m also editing my third book – this time a Viking romance. I’m also tinkering with another Viking, as well as a Regency.

To close the interview, I have ten questions for you, plus one. Here they go!

What is your favorite word? Discombobulated.
What is your least favorite word? Diet.
What turns you on? Reading
What turns you off? Cruelty to animals.
What sound or noise do you love? The sound of my dog gently snoring.
What sound or noise do you hate? Garage music.
What is your favorite curse word? I do use the “F” word quite a lot *blushes*.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I would have liked to have been a Chiropodist.
What profession would you not like to do? Social Worker (Damned if you do. Damned if you don’t.)
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? “Hello and welcome to Eternal Life.”
What question have you never been asked, that you wish someone would ask you? “What’s it like being a New York Times Bestselling Author?”