I didn’t write yesterday. (Gah! I hate admitting this!)  I had to finish up some promo work for IMMORTAL DANGER.  Yesterday, in her interview, Elisabeth talked about how promo work can be such a big part of a writer’s life. So very true.

With each book that I release, I experiment a bit with my promotional methods. Different ads, different mailings, etc. This time my new item is my poster. I’ll be sending IMMORTAL DANGER posters to the 700 Bookstores that Care (through RT).  For my last release, I shipped out bookmarks to these stores. So, yep, this is my experiment this time.

Since I”m also planning to attend the big RT convention in Apri, I’ll be creating other promo items–T-shirts, buttons…maybe a few surprises for the event.  I’ll give some of those items away here soon. So keep watching! The catch phrases that kept coming up as I think about my t-shirts and buttons?  “Dragons are hot.” Or… “Vampires love dragons.” (With a fun fang, heart, and dragon tail design.)

Michelle had an interesting post over at Magical Musings yesterday.  She was talking about out-of-the-box marketing.  Her post was really timely for me. (Thanks, Michelle!)

So I’m wondering…what is the best book promo item that you’ve ever seen?

Hi, everyone! I’m starting a new feature here at the blog–each Wednesday, I’ll have author interviews up for your reading fun.  🙂

And for my very first interview, the fabulous Elisabeth Naughton will answer questions for us!

Elisabeth has a fantastic new book out now. STOLEN FURY is a sexy, romantic adventure–and just look at this gorgeous cover!

1.  Hi, Elisbeth!  Thanks for coming by for an interview. Please tell us a bit about yourself and the genre (or genres) that you write.

Hey Cynthia, thanks so much for having me here today!

For those of you who don’t know me, I live in Oregon and write romantic adventure for Dorchester. My first book, STOLEN FURY, (the first in a trilogy) released 12.30.08. The last week has been a little nerve wracking, but very exciting. Tonight is my big launch party in honor of the release, so I’m gearing up for some fun, some socializing and my first book signing.

I also have a new paranormal series which will release in spring 2010. It’s based on the heroes from Greek mythology. I’m very excited about writing both adventure and paranormal.

2. Describe STOLEN FURY in 15 words or less.

Fifteen words….okay, here goes…

To unearth a centuries-old secret, an archaeologist must team up with the rakish thief who’s stolen both an ancient relic and her heart.

I think that was more than 15. Uh oh…failed already….

3. LOL—okay, now use as many words as you’d like to describe your story.

Whew…more I can easily do…

Archaeologist Lisa Maxwell has staked her career on collecting the priceless set of ancient Greek reliefs, the three Furies. She finds the first, Alecto, and while lecturing in Italy, meets Rafe Sullivan, a man who briefly distracts her from her goal. After a passionate seduction, Lisa wakes to an empty bed and, worse yet, an empty safe. But she’s not the kind of woman to get mad, she plans to get even…even if she has to partner up with the sexy scoundrel who swindled her. Together they’re on the run to find the last two Furies. But Lisa soon finds Rafe is the least of her worries. Other treasure hunters are hot on their trail–and they’ll kill to get to the prize first.

4. Which character do you like better from STOLEN FURY—the hero or the heroine?  Why?

Oh, that’s a tough question. Lisa is a real spitfire, doesn’t put up with much and calls it like she sees it. For that I adore her. I think she’s the way I’d like to be but can’t be (because of that whole politically correct thing. LOL).

But Rafe, well, I have a real soft spot for him. He’s a scoundrel. A thief who lies, drugs the heroine and steals from her at the beginning of the book. But underneath he’s a real softie. He’s got layers and reasons for what he does, and this wild attraction toward the heroine he didn’t plan for but can’t seem to get away from. It’s fun to watch him fight what he feels for her, and eventually (because it’s a romance) give in.

Both characters change a lot over the course of the book, and what’s fun is knowing they wouldn’t have changed without meeting the other.

5. What is the most challenging part of being a writer?

For me it’s juggling family and writing. I quit my teaching job after my second was born (I taught junior high science for 8 yrs and now have three kids, ages 9, 6, and almost 4) to be with my kids. I think there’s a part of me that feels I should be happy as a stay at home mom, doing nothing but caring for my children. But I quickly discovered I needed more. That’s when I got serious about writing. I guess you could say I have some mother’s guilt lingering over the fact I’m not the mom volunteering at school all the time, baking cookies right and left and planning fun activities every day after school. However, we’re all built differently, and I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to discover a career I love – writing. Yeah, my kids don’t always have dinner on the table right at 5pm, we eat out a lot and I’m never 100% sure what’s happening at school, but I’m modeling to them passion and drive, and I’m showing them what it really means to go after a dream, so I try to remind myself everyday that’s important too.

My kids are very proud of my book (even though Mommy won’t let them read it) and several times this past week I’ve nearly been in tears thinking about their excitement over seeing the book on the store shelf, wanting to take the book to school to show everyone and the way my daughter has “suddenly” decided she wants to be a writer. That’s gone a long way to alleviating some of my guilt…almost. 

6.  In a fight, who would win…Dracula or the wolf-man?  What? This question seems odd? Please, folks are dying to know this answer.

Oh, wolf-man. Easy. Why would people think that’s an odd question?

7.    What’s your favorite scary movie?  Come on, spill.  No explanations—just name it.  Let everyone else guess why.

The Lost Boys

8. Tell me the one thing you wish you’d known about being a writer, um, before you became  a writer.

Only one? Oh, gee…

Okay, let’s see…I wish I had known how much actually goes into being a published author besides writing. That’s something else I’m struggling with right now – mostly the time management aspect of promotion, public relations and edits/revisions/proofing that go into putting a book ‘out there’. I’m lucky right now that I have some awesome deadlines (meaning, not tight at all) so I can focus on promo for STOLEN FURY’s launch. I can’t imagine doing all this and being on deadline right now as well. It’s obviously a skill I’m going to have to learn soon. But for now I’m thankful I have the time to just enjoy this first release without the pressure of writing another book right this minute.

9. What is your writing schedule like?

I generally write at night when the kids are in bed. So 8-midnight is prime writing time for me when I’m in drafting mode. I can edit and do promo during the day with the kids around, but not write. Two days a week (when my youngest is at preschool) I also write, but that’s hit or miss lately it seems as I’ve been doing a lot of promo then as well.

10. Tell me anything you’d like to tell me.  🙂

STOLEN FURY is the first book in a trilogy. The second, STOLEN HEAT, releases August 2009, and the third, STOLEN SEDUCTION, in early 2010. The books are connected by characters, so books two and three focus on secondary characters from STOLEN FURY.

In honor of STOLEN FURY’s release, I’m running a fun, interactive contest on my website. Go to www.elisabethnaughton.com/fortune.html to play. Embark on your very own quest, partner up with a sexy treasure hunting guide and enter to win $100 VISA gift card!

Thanks for participating in the interview, Elisabeth! And have a great time at your launch party! Congratulations!

Monday, again.  These weekends have seriously got to stop passing by so quickly!

I did give my presentation on query letters and synopsis writing on Saturday–I should have that information posted on my website soon. I’ll be sure to post a blog when the info is up.

But for now…let’s talk books.  🙂

Ellie Marvel has a new interactive book out now. Oh, yeah, I said interactive. Remember those “Choose Your Own Adventure” books? (I devoured the books as a kid.) Well, Ellie has used ebook technology to create an interactive adventure for romance lovers.  Here’s the blurb for MEGAN’S CHOICE:

Megan Malone, the quadrant’s fastest zip ship pilot, is overworked, overtired and craves the surf, sun and sex of a paradise planet vacation. When her employer receives an urgent commission from the government requesting Megan’s services on a diplomatic mission, she’s all set to refuse–especially when she finds out her domineering ex-lover Yusef Gunnen will be part of that mission. But what Megan doesn’t know is that she’s no longer calling her own shots. You are calling the shots. And what you decide Megan will do at the end of each episode will change her life forever.

* * *

I think Ellie has a brilliant idea with this book. Choosing my adventure? Controlling the characters? I am so there.

Anya Bast has a new paranormal out (okay, it comes out on Jan. 6).  WITCH HEART is the third book in her Elemental Witches series.  I love Anya’s witch stories. Great books with lots of action and twists. You can’t go wrong with a Bast book.

And, if you’re looking for a sexy book that is filled with emotion, then Megan Hart has the story for you.  Megan does sensual, emotionally gripping stories like no other writer I know.  Her latest book, STRANGER, is available now (and was chosen as a Top Pick by RT!).

Anyone else want to make some book recommendations?

And, if you’re a writer (one who writes hot romances) then you should definitely check out the 2009 Manic Readers Romance Novel Writing Contest.

Tomorrow, I’ll be giving a presentation on writing a query letter and a synopsis at my local RWA meeting. If you’re in the Mobile area and want to stop by, just click here for the meeting information.

And if you’re not in the area and you’re curious about the presentation, no worries!  I’ll post my handouts in my “For Writers” section here on the website.  I’ll put a note up on the blog when the handouts are posted.

In other news, I am completely addicted to Supernatural now. How, how did I miss this show for so long?  I got Seasons 1 and 2 for Christmas. I’ve been averaging about three shows a night. Addicted. Yep, that’s me.

Anyone else wanna share and tell me about your favorite present this year?

I haven’t made my new year’s resolutions yet.  Nope. Haven’t done it. Haven’t even really thought about them.

Seriously, this isn’t like me. Normally, I’d have a list of about ten items (or more) going by now.  But the last week has been crazy busy (I know you can all relate) and I’m currently scrambling to get promotional materials designed so I haven’t been thinking enough about my resolutions.  I’ve got to have some. I always have resolutions. I mean, come on, sure, I’ll break the resolutions within a month, but I need that month!

So, since I don’t have resolutions to post, I thought I’d do a year wrap-up with my writing.

In 2008, I wrote:

One novella

Three novels

2 Partials

And a pear tree…okay, no, that was lame, sorry!

One of the partials (3 chapters of an unfinished manuscript), I did for fun, but the other–well, I want to to finish it very soon.

So let me just go ahead and say what I want to write in 2009. Hey–these are my writing resolutions! Sweet!

1.  Four novels. I can do this. I know I can.

2. One novella. I love writing novellas, especially after I’ve written a 90,000+ page manuscript. It is such a nice change of pace for me.

Since Santa–um, okay, not Santa but my mom–gave me an Alpha Smart, I’m hoping to see my productivity kick up in 2009.  I’m going to start typing and see how far I can get in two hours time. No Internet breaks. No email surfing. Just typing.  Let’s see what happens.

So, at least I now have writing resolutions for 2009.  I’m on the right track!

What about you? What are your resolutions for 2009?

I hope you all have a safe and happy new year’s celebration.  I’ll be heading out with my hubby and some friends. We’re going to see the moon pie drop. Oh, yeah, I said moon pie. Dropping.  It’s a GIANT moon pie.  I’ll have more details about that–and probably some pics, too–later.

Happy New Year!!