(Meier Writers) In what genre(s) do you write?
(KJ Waters) I write science fiction, time travel, romantic suspense, thriller and non-fiction. (MW) What’s the favorite book you’ve read?
(KJ) As a child I would have to say The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. As an adult Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. (MW) What’s the favorite book you’ve written?
(KJ) Mark, it’s like picking your favorite child. I love each one in their own special way. (MW) Who has been most instrumental in your publishing career?
(KJ) Definitely Suzanne Kelman. (MW) What keeps you away from writing?
(KJ) I just quit my part time job and what a relief. It was my crutch for giving me a steady income while I wrote but turned into a time suck that wasn’t bringing me happiness. I am now focusing solely on writing and building my Author Consulting business, while maintaining my podcast schedule of recording (Blondie and the Brit, Writing Publishing and Beyond) once a month, working on book covers with Blondies Custom Book Covers, and enjoying with my three amazing kids. (MW) What writing resource gives the best value for the money?
(KJ) I use The Marshall Plan for Fiction Writers, by Evan Marshall. This is what I used for the beginning and gives me the underlying structure to bring out the best in my story.
(MW) What did you do with your first paychecks from writing?
(KJ) Most of what I made at the beginning went right back into marketing and editing my books. (MW) Tell me about how you manage your time.
(KJ) I have an ever-growing list of things to do but I keep a white board nearby and keep me focused on that needs to be done now. (MW) What marketing have you done that gives the best results?
(KJ) I’m currently toying with AMS (Amazon Marketing Services) ads because I believe they have the greatest potential to bring in sales. They’re super complicated so I’m still learning that skill. My most successful promos to date have all been through Authors Cross Promotion’s (https://www.authorsxp.com/?atid=48) $10 ad to promote a new or sale book. The other tool I’ve used for best results is to grow my newsletter and put it out once a month. I always see my Amazon rankings boost. (MW) How much time do you spend actually writing?
(KJ) Not nearly enough, especially in the summer when I have three loose blondies running amuck (my kids.) During the school year I try to write around 4 or 5 hours a week, but I hope ditching the part time gig will give more time to devote to it on a daily basis.
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