Shannon Lawrence & The Business of Short Stories

I'm excited to welcome my friend Shannon Lawrence, AKA The Warrior Muse, to the blog today! 

Shannon has a fabulous guide to the short story business coming out soon and I had a chance to ask her a couple of questions.

1. What was the most challenging part of writing a nonfiction book? 

I think the hardest part was figuring out how in-depth to go and how wide an array of topics to include. Luckily, I've been teaching short story workshops for years and paid attention to what attendees were asking, plus I had awesome beta readers. One of the things I asked my beta readers to do was to jot down the questions they hoped to have answered before they read the book, so they could let me know both their expectations and whether I'd met them.

2. Your cover is fantastic! How did you come up with the idea for it?

Thank you! All credit goes to my husband, who does my book covers. I pulled all the writing craft books off my shelves and we went over what I liked and didn't like about them. I knew I wanted something clean and bright and different. A lot of the craft books were dark and/or used red, but since my books are usually horror, I wanted to separate them and do something I don't usually get to do. He presented me with several great versions, including a compass I liked, but the post-its were so apropos of the writing life. I used a bunch while writing and putting this book together!

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The Business of Short Stories: Writing, Submitting, Publishing, and Marketing

Author: Shannon Lawrence

ISBN: 978-1-7320314-5-6

Format/Price: Print ($13.99) and e-book ($3.99)

Release Date: February 1, 2022

Pre-order E-book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PFSTJ2V

Pre-order paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Business-Short-Stories-Submitting-Publishing/dp/1732031452/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 

Will also be available after the release date from Ingram, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and other sites.

Blurb: Whether you're looking to add short stories to your repertoire as a solo pursuit or in addition to novel writing, The Business of Short Stories covers every aspect from writing to marketing. Learn the dynamics of short story writing, where to focus your editing efforts, how and where to submit, how to handle acceptances and rejections, what to do with reprints, and how to market yourself and your stories online and in person. The information in The Business of Short Stories has been distilled from over a decade of short story publishing experience so you don't have to learn the hard way. You'll find information on submission formatting, cover letters, querying a collection, sending proposals to writing events, how to create a website, SEO, social media, and so much more. This is an invaluable resource for short story writers.

There's never been a better time to get into short stories!

Author Bio: Shannon Lawrence has made a career of short stories, with over a
decade of experience and more than fifty short stories published in magazines and anthologies. In addition, she's released three horror short story collections with a mix of new and previously published stories. Her true-crime podcast Mysteries, Monsters, & Mayhem is going into its third season. 

Website: www.thewarriormuse.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewarriormuse

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thewarriormuse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewarriormuse/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/shannon-lawrence

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/shannondkl

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Shannon-Lawrence/e/B00TDKPOAO

Podcast Website: www.mysteriesmonstersmayhem.com

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Thanks, Shannon!

Love the answers - I'm a post-it note fan as well!

Congrats on the book! It's going to be a great resource for all the short story authors out there!

IWSG & Regrets

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!  

January 5 question - What's the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?

As a teacher, I believe that a person who doesn't make mistakes is a person who isn't trying anything new or challenging.

Making mistakes and taking wrong turns is part of learning. We get something from every step we take, whether that step works out or not. I don't spend a lot of time looking back and thinking about mistakes. I'd rather look forward to what I can do better next time.

However... I think my biggest regret might be not realizing I had uploaded the wrong file for one (okay 2) of my books. Instead, I uploaded the files from the next-to-last edit round. With multiple typos and errors. Not a ton, but still far too many!

It took me almost a year to realize my errors and correct them. Sigh.

How about you? Any publishing horror stories in your past? Anyone else upload the wrong file? Anyone else learn the hard way to triple-check their uploads?

IWSG & Publishing Paths

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

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September 5 question - What publishing path are you considering/did you take, and why?

I'm in the process of making this decision. I'm close (not there but close) to thinking that I know enough to consider publishing my stories.

Now I have to decide if I want to query or self-publish. There are many advantages to both.

I am definitely a bit of a control freak, but I also like having experts in my corner and there is lots about the process that I don't know.

Covers and formatting are 2 examples of things I don't know much about. Can I learn to do them? Probably. Will they be at a professional level? Not sure.

So, even more decisions to make, things to learn. I'm glad I like learning new things!

As many of you know I have a family member who has recently required emergency surgery and is now in the long recovery process. This is going to take up a lot of my time for the next several months so my publishing choices will be on the back burner for a while. No worries, though, I'll get there when the time is right.

How about you? Are you a control freak too? Isn't nice to have experts in your corner?

IWSG & Schedules & SQUEEE!!!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

January 3rd Question: What steps have you taken to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?

Am I allowed to cry here? Or laugh ... hysterically?

Yeah, my life is more than a little wacky at the moment and things like schedules for anything other than the day job are more than a little loosey-goosey.

That said, I do tend to write during the weeknights - after the rest of my Real Life has been dealt with. I can usually get in thirty minutes to an hour a night, which isn't bad. Because of family commitments, the weekends tend to be a write-off (yep, pun intended). The whole attempt-at-publishing thing has been put on hold for the past 6 years due to Real Life and its many demands. Instead, I've been working on improving my craft and learning (there's always SO MUCH to learn!).

I'm hoping to one day have an actual schedule and be able to push my way into that publishing world!

EDITED TO ADD:
SQUEEE!!!!! 
Some of you may remember a while back when I said I wanted to try my hand at writing a short story. It was outside of my regular genre, but the prompt from the IWSG anthology had my brain ticking. Fast forward to today and my story was chosen as one to be included in the anthology. I'm thrilled and looking so forward to working with Diane & her team at Dancing Lemur Press. Thank you so much!

How about you? Do you thrive on schedules or do they make your soul quiver?

Phillipa Nefri Clark & From Shadows to Sunshine

Please welcome Phillipa Nefri Clark to the blog today!
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From shadows to sunshine… my path to publishing

I was born with stories in my head, of that I’m certain. From a very young age, earlier than school, I read and wrote and drew. Cartoons, little stories, snippets of ideas. Often about horses and beaches.

Nobody nurtured me, not until grade four when my teacher saw what other people overlooked. He took pity on me and showed kindness in what was otherwise, by then, a difficult and confusing childhood.

Dad soon departed with my big sister, leaving me with a prescription drug dependent mother and two younger, disabled brothers. At fourteen, my mother changed my age on my birth certificate and sent me out to work. It was just after a teacher had met with her to discuss a writing scholarship. No more education for me.

I kept writing, late at night on an old typewriter. It was my happy place and driven by something I still don’t understand. I even wrote a novel and sent it to Mills & Boon. Somewhere, I have their very sweet rejection letter. 

A sense of obligation kept me supporting the family until at the age of twenty I moved to New Zealand. Such freedom! My new life was filled with performing arts as I wrote and performed songs, did theatre and some TV, and discovered screenplays. 

Six years later, home beckoned and after a few false starts, I found my husband to be and life changed again. Two wonderful sons, our mutual interest in showing dogs, a move to running our own business - all filled my life. Almost.

Writing still consumed me, one way or another. I wrote lots of expert pieces on dogs, a number of which were published around the world. I edited our own canine annual with distribution in fifteen countries. Doing the marketing for our business gave me plenty of copy writing opportunities.

Fiction kept nudging me and over more than a decade, I wrote bits and pieces of a book I’d named The Stationmaster’s Cottage. For a few years I played with scriptwriting again, writing five feature length scripts, one which was optioned for a while. Cottage was further developed in that format.

About two years ago I got serious. With my sons almost ready to find their own way in life, it hit me hard that I’d not pursued my one unwavering dream. Write a novel. Publish it. Part of my new resolve was fuelled from finding my big sister after some forty years apart. Although I never saw my father after he left, I have her back.

I wrote. Deleted. Started over. Fought every demon and one by one, sent them packing. It was cathartic to overcome the hurdles I’d made. Although fear filled me at times (and still does), I began to find the little girl inside again. I love horses and beaches. I am me, not the person my mother said I was. No education? No problem. That’s what a good editor is for.

With the draft ready to submit for publishing, I found the courage to phone an agent, someone I’d been referred to. One of her first questions was about my education. What qualifications did I have to be a writer? Achilles heel well and truly hit, I hid for a week. But I have a son who believes in reaching goals no matter what and he made sure I kept going, this time taking the indie route.

On Valentine’s Day this year, I published The Stationmaster’s Cottage. After a few hiccups finding my way around retailers, I went wide and have direct accounts with everyone except Nook. This morning, the book received its thirtieth review on Amazon. And this week, it got into the top one thousand books Amazon US.

Exactly nine months after its publication, its sequel, Jasmine Sea, has its release date. I’m definitely speeding up as a writer! My confidence occasionally slips, but there is a sense of fulfilment and excitement in my life like no other. 

I started in the shadows. Sometimes those shadows creep toward me but now I use them to power ahead. We all have our hidden fears, our reasons not to shine, but they can be replaced, or at least harnessed, to bring energy and light into our lives and writing

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Phillipa Nefri Clark grew up around lonely Australian beaches with wild seas and misty cliffs. From a young age she wrote stories and dreamed of being a writer. There were many detours along the way as she trod paths as diverse as a travelling sales rep to singing and acting. Fascinated by film, Phillipa wrote five feature length screenplays, one which was optioned. Now living in regional Victoria on a small acreage close to a mountain range, she markets the family business a few days a week and writes the rest of the time. With nonfiction credits for specialist canine publications, she finally returned to stories with the release of The Stationmaster’s Cottage, a dual timeline romance, in February 2017. Her great loves, apart from writing, are her family of two young adult sons and her husband, their Labrador, music,  fine wine, and friends.

On the web:

Website      Facebook    Twitter     Author Page

Jasmine Sea: A River's End Love Story. Book Two

Sometimes facing the past is the only way forward.

Starting over never felt better. Christie Ryan adores the little cottage she’s renovating, the seaside town that embraced her, and Martin Blake, the man she longs to marry. Ex-fiancé Derek Hobbs is finally out of the picture, and there are no more secrets in her life or mysteries to solve.

Will the arrival of a mysterious woman who commissions a portrait from Martin under a cloud of secrecy break her after all? Unrest and suspicion remind Christie that happiness can be fleeting, and when the peaceful town is shattered by crime, her past is again thrust into the limelight.

With one chance and only minutes to save those she loves, Christie comes face to face with her greatest fear—and there is no way around it.

Jasmine Sea follows on from The Stationmaster's Cottage, set shortly after its stunning conclusion.

Buy on:

Amazon Kindle

Paperback

Amazon UK

Amazon Aust

Nook

Kobo

Enter to win signed copies on Goodreads!

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Wow! I was covered in chills as I read this. Congrats to Phillipa on overcoming those hurdles and emerging from the shadows.

Facing our fears is always a challenge - and something I need to work on!

How about you - are your fears holding you back?

K.A. Servian & Self Publishing

Please welcome K.A. Servian to the blog today!

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I decided to self publish because I'm a control freak. I am in control of the creative process from start to finish and while I use a development editor and beta readers, I make the final decision as to whether or not their suggestions are implemented in the manuscript.

I was a clothing and jewellery designer for many years and came to trust my own creative judgement. Ultimately, my name is on the cover, so I should be responsible for all the decisions, including the cover-I do them myself on photoshop. 

The only disadvantage with self publishing is the lack of a support team and promotional budget. I have been gathering a team of people around me, including an editor, proof and beta readers and I also have Nas to do the final line edit, formatting and promotional side which is essential. Thank you, Nas. 

When I receive notes from my developmental editor and beta readers, I consider them carefully. If there is more than one editor and/or beta reader, I look for 'trends' in their comments. If one person suggests a change that I'm not sure about, I check to see if anyone else has suggested the same change and then make a decision. 

I've spent my working life as a designer, so my creative efforts have been judged by everyone from agents to shop owners to customers, plus I'm studying applied writing, so I'm used to tutors and fellow students critiquing my work.  

I know not to be precious about my writing or take constructive criticism personally, I see it as an opportunity to learn and improve my craft. Anyone who reveals their creative efforts to the world must accept that everyone who sees their work will have an opinion about it. Some will be positive and some negative, but if you're happy with what you've produced, then that's all that matters.

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After a twenty-plus-year career in the applied arts industry, including owning her own fashion and jewellery labels, Kathy decided to turn her creative skills to writing fiction.

Her first novel, Peak Hill, was a finalist in the Romance Writers of New Zealand Pacific Hearts Full Manuscript contest in 2016.

Kathy now squeezes full-time study for an advanced diploma in applied writing in around writing novels and short stories, teaching sewing and pattern making and being a wife and mother.

K A Servian on the web:

Website       Facebook     Twitter     Instagram    Author Page  

Join K A Servian’s Newsletter and get a free copy of: Missing the Obvious.

Grace is trying to come to terms with her mother's death and handle the unexpected arrival of her ex-boyfriend when a mystery document she finds in a box in the attic turns her life on its head and raises questions she is compelled to answer.

In her search for the truth, she stumbles into the middle of a missing person cold case in a small town where the inhabitants have kept a secret to protect one of their own for twenty-five years. Grace's investigation unearths long-held rivalries and opens old wounds, causing the past to collide with the present with terrifying results.


Buy on:

Amazon Kindle      Amazon Paperback

Shame on Who? (Short Prequel to Throwing Light)

In 1979, fifteen-year-old Jane Smith announced to her parents that she was expecting a baby. Thirty-five years later, the repercussions of the decision made by her father on that day come home to roost in the romantic thriller 'Throwing Light.' 'Shame on Who?' is a short prequel to the book and provides insight into the dramatic events that changed Jane's life.

Amazon Kindle

Enter this Goodreads Giveaway to win paperback copies of Throwing Light!

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Thanks K.A.! Being a control freak is a definite advantage if you're going to self-publish!

What about you? Any control freaks out there?

Joanne Dannon & Indie Publishing

Please welcome Joanne Dannon to the blog today!
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I started my writing career in 2005 when most books were read in print and self publishing was virtually unheard of. I loved romance, always have, so it was only natural that I would start writing in the genre I loved.

I have to confess that back in 2005 I had no idea what I was doing. Yes, there are some authors who can write and have their first book is published. But I wasn’t one of those writers.

I learnt what writing craft was and started reading as many craft books as I could. I connected with other writers  (through  Romance Writers  of Australia) and soon had a couple of critique partners who provided honest and valuable feedback on my writing.

Fast forward a few years and I was managing to write one novel a year. Not a lot but then I had two children, my corporate job and a hubby who travelled a lot. I had plenty of rejections from romance publishers which was difficult and many times I considered to stop writing. 

I then took six weeks off work, did a Margie Lawson course with a friend and with my newly found confidence, I wrote the story and the hero I wanted to write. 

Note - this book was published in December 2015 as Kisses under the Spotlight which currently has 4.7/ 5 star ranking on Amazon.

Instead of a hero who was a banker or CEO or entrepreneur, I created Alex Jackson, a singing, dancing superstar. Just think of Michael Bublé, Hugh Jackman and Adam Garcia all rolled in to one super hero! Yum :) My mentor, the amazing Melanie Milburne, who’s written over 55 books for Mills and Boon told me no publisher would want a dancing, singing hero.

And guess what? She was right! Every romance publisher I submitted to rejected my book. 

But I was determined not to change my hero. I’d written what I loved and wasn’t prepared to compromise. I wrote a series and this was book number 1. Unable to sell the first book, meant my other books couldn’t be published. 

With a corporate job, I just wrote what I wanted. I wrote the heroes, heroines and storylines that I loved. It was a defining moment for me because even though my books were being rejected, I knew they were much better from when I’d tried to fit them in to a “box” of what I thought the publishers wanted.

And then I went through redundancy in my corporate job at the same time my husband had a serious fall off his bike, injuring his vertebra. Then my father-in-law became seriously ill and later died. Our family needed me. I needed to care for my husband, our children and my mother-in-law. I couldn’t even think about applying for a new job when there was so much stress going on in my personal life.

And so I headed down the path of self-publishing. It sounded easy, everyone said so. I’d like to add that advice given to me was wrong, wrong, wrong.

Self publishing is hard. Sure you can stick a book on Amazon but there is much more to being a successful self-published author.

I now have 5 books published and work long hours to make my books, the best romances they can be. And behind is an amazing team that supports me – my editor, my formatter, my artist and my writing friends. 

I love the freedom that being an indie writer brings however, despite the enormous work load, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I write the stories I love but what makes the long hours worthwhile are the beautiful reviews and feedback I get from my readers. I am one very happy romance writer.

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Joanne Dannon has been living in the world of romance for as long as she can remember.  From doodling love hearts on her school notebooks to regularly reading romances, Joanne’s world has always been filled with the excitement of love stories. So it was just a natural for Joanne to begin writing the genre she’s always loved. 

Formerly a policy writer by day and romance writer by night, Joanne now spends full time writing the books she adores. Creating heroes for readers to fall in love with and heroines to cheer on, her characters are people readers can identify with.

Joanne writes to give her readers the experience she still loves to savor—indulging in a sigh-worthy-happily-ever- after, being swept away from the everyday by diving into a delicious romance novel.

Joanne Dannon is a happily married mother of two heroes-in-training who loves spending time with friends and family.  She can be found on Facebook and her website www.joannedannon.com chatting about reading, writing, cooking, vintage-inspired dresses and all things romantic.  She loves to hear from readers.  

Joanne Dannon on the web:  

Facebook      Website      Instagram      Goodreads

An Unforgettable Holiday

A Magical Christmas In Jerusalem

Australian project manager Kiara Lonsdale is career focussed and determined to provide and care for the grandmother who raised her. Taking time off work to vacation has never been high on her agenda, but this year she’s made an exception. She’s helping her gran fulfil a life-long dream by accompanying her on a Christmas to the Holy Land tour.

Jacques Lenoir and his extended family run tours in Israel and he’s committed to their business. Jacques feels responsible for his grandparents’ welfare since they risked their lives, and others’, as operatives in the French Resistance, during the War.

But over romantic dinners in the desert, camel rides, and mud baths at the Dead Sea, sparks fly between Kiara and Jacques. Will this only be a holiday romance or will a touch of Christmas magic make it last a lifetime?

A Magical Chanukah in New York

Lisa Sassoon has shunned the scandal of her loser-ex cheating on her by escaping to New York. Instead of sightseeing, she’s become a recluse focusing on helping the less fortunate at a homeless shelter.

Gabe Olivari, entrepreneur and savvy business New Yorker, can’t let go of the pain of losing his best friend. So caught up in his own grief and believing he doesn’t deserve to be happy, he compensates by pushing everyone close to him away.

But when Lisa and Gabe meet, there is an instant connection that forces them to question not only their behaviours but their aspirations.

Can a dash of Chanukah magic help Lisa and Gabe realise that sparkling dates and dreamy kisses can lead to more? Perhaps even a lifetime of happiness?

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Thanks Joanne! Indie publishing is definitely Hard Work - and you're doing it very well. 

How about you? Indie or traditional or a combination of the 2? Are you a fan of Christmas stories (I am and Joanne's are great!)

IWSG & The Finish Line

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Question for October 5th: When do you know your story is ready?

Simple Answer: No clue!!!

Complex Answer:

I haven't published yet, so I really don't know when the story is ready. I'm a tinkerer and when I learn something new I want to apply it to the stories I've written. 

Which means --> REWRITE!

And driving myself crazy. I think I have 6 (or more???) stories that have been written that have potential to be published. BUT, none of them are ready. Some are a lot closer than others, but none are THERE.

Will they ever be?

Some days I doubt it, but more and more, I think I'm getting much closer to answering YES!

How about you? Are you a tinkerer? Can you let a story be, or do you always want to dive back in?