Come Meet Debut Author Joan Swan - Plus a Giveaway!

Happy Wednesday, readers! Is that a nice hunk of man-candy on that cover or what? Today, as part of Published Author's Month here at WordWranglers, author Joan Swan is talking about her latest release - and how to keep a busy schedule without losing your sanity! On with the interview:


Kristina: Your debut book, Fever, just released. How crazy has the past year of your life been?
Joan: Oh, wow. Little hard to describe. Eating, drinking, breathing writing and promotion. Since I have a day job out of town, over the last year—or longer—I’ve really had two jobs. I also have two daughters, three cats, one dog and of course, the husband. J On my work days, I write and/or do writerly related duties before and after the day job. On my “off days” I write and plan and promote and do lots more of those writerly related duties. So, I go all day every day, from the time I get up to the time I fall asleep, and even then I fall asleep thinking about my story, my plot or my characters.
Granted, I am extreme. I’ve taken on a heavy promotional venture for my debut release. I believe a great deal of a person’s success directly relates to the efforts they put into an endeavor, a.k.a. we reap what we sow. And to get my writing career off to as solid a start as possible, I was willing to sacrifice some things in my life for a limited amount of time to accomplish this.
I’m just gearing down from Fever’s release and will be revamping for Blaze’s October release so I’m not inundated again and can actually have a life while writing and working. J At least…that’s the plan.
Kristina: You've become really active – in a good way, I think – on social media. How important are sites like Twitter and Facebook for authors?
Joan: Each author’s capacity for, and interest in, promotion is different, and I would never prescribe my intense method for anyone else. I can only say that Twitter and Facebook have been hugely instrumental in my ability to network with other authors. Those relationships have introduced me to readers, who, for a debut author without a following, are priceless. I do believe there are good ways and bad ways to utilize all forms of social media and I would suggest anyone looking at picking up social media as a marketing tool first research others using it successfully and then mirror their habits. In my opinion, Twitter, Facebook and blogging are vital tools in my promotional toolbox.
Kristina: With all the changes in publishing right now, what are your tips for new writers?
Joan: Perfect the craft. No matter what form an author decides to publish in, the bottom line to a reader is…a good read. Readers are masters at deciphering quality from crap. A good read is created from good craft: storytelling, plot, subplot, character, pacing, theme, prose, etc. There are no shortcuts. No magic beans. Learn how these elements work, how they interact, how they bring life to a story and you’re halfway there. Learn how to applying them in unique ways to satisfy your specific audience and you’re home free.
No one gets a second chance to make a first impression. Publishing too soon can cost an author readers, and readers don’t easily forget an author’s name—good or bad. Seeking an agent before your query or your partial is perfected can result in unnecessary rejections on a winning premise. Take the time to get it right…really, really right…before you take that leap. But then…TAKE IT.
Kristina: What is the best part of the writing life, for you?
Joan: Getting lost in the story. Developing characters to the point where they break free of my marionette strings and start performing on their own. Brainstorming and generally cavorting with other like-minded insane creatures like me.
Author Bio: Joan Swan is a triple RWA® Golden Heart finalist and writes sexy romantic suspense with a paranormal twist. Her debut novel with Kensington Brava, FEVER, releases February 28, 2012. Her second novel, BLAZE, follows in October, 2012.
In her day job, she works as a sonographer for one of the top ten medical facilities in the nation and lives on the California central coast in beautiful wine country with her husband and two daughters.
Book Blurb: Fever
Dr. Alyssa Foster will admit to a bad boy fetish…
But when she finds herself face to face with a convicted murderer with determination for freedom and an eye on her as his get out of jail free card, Alyssa knows she’s in deep trouble…. Not just because Teague Creek is a prisoner desperate for freedom, but because his every touch makes her desperate for more.
A man with a life sentence has nothing to lose…
Teague Creek has one shot at freedom, but his plan to escape with a hostage develops a fatal flaw: Alyssa. On the run from both the law and deadly undercover operatives who know of his strange abilities, he needs to avoid trouble, but every heated kiss tells him the fire between them could be just as devastating as the flames that changed him forever.
Giveaway:
· A print copy of FEVER, US/Canada shipping.
· All comments are eligible for tour grand prize of either a COLOR NOOK or KINDLE FIRE. Enter: http://joanswan.com/giveaways/blog-tour-ereader/

Comments

  1. LOve bad boy's and Teague's story is hot!

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  2. I love his name! Thanks for coming today, and I admire your dedication to promotion. We'd all be better off if we were willing or able to do more, and I'm sure your stick-to-it-iveness will pay off!

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  3. Hi Krisit and Joan! Wonderful interview :)

    Joan I have a copy of FEVER that I'm hoping to read soon. I had it sitting on my counter for a few days and you wouldn't believe the amount of comments I got about that awesome cover by everyone who came to visit.

    Reading the blurb on the back cover has me hooked.

    Congrats on your book and your writing!

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  4. Congrats on a wonderful year, Joan! I have read great reviews about this book...great cover, BTW!

    books4me67 at ymail dot com

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  5. LOVE the cover!! So nice to meet you, Joan! Learn the craft is wonderful advice every writer should follow! It sets you apart for sure. Thanks so much for sharing with us and your book sounds fabulous :)

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  6. Thanks for being my guest today, Joan! Teague sound like a great hero, can't wait to dive in!

    Great advice to learn the craft, couldn't agree more. Showing up to write is the first step but learning craft, I think, is a strong second.

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  7. Hi, Joan~
    I've "known" you for a long time from the RWClist. I hope you rocket to the top of the sales heap. This cover is unbelievable. Yum.

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  8. What a great interview! Thank you so much for sharing your advice. I think those are definite things that any author or aspiring author should remeber when writing a story. Very nice to meet you! Great cover! Great blurb! Can't wait to check it out:)

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  9. Congrats on the new releases, Joan! I remember critting your romantic suspenses back in the day. Good to see all that hard work has paid off for you.

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  10. Congratulations on your book! And thank you for passing along your writing advice.

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  11. Congrats on the book! You're cover is awesome!

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  12. Great advice and even better cover lol. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Love your cover! Congrats on your new release and thanks for sharing your writing wisdom.

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  14. Great inteview, Joan and Kristi! Loved the blurb and the cover is smokin'! Congrats and wishing you much success...

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  15. Wow, you sure pack a lot into your days. All the best with your release. it sounds super.

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  16. sorry I missed this Joan! but I support the hell out of you and your series! well done
    cheers
    Liz

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  17. UGH, sorry I missed the posting and replying to comments ladies! It was my all day travel to RT in Chicago day......the things we do to get to conferences!!

    Thanks for the congrats! I love FEVER and hope you all will too. :)

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