Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Author Interview Series - Laura Eno

In preparation for the release of The Soulkeepers, I'll be posting a series of author interviews on So, Write. I decided to do this because I wanted to learn how other people thought about and promoted their work.  Over the next several weeks you will read interviews with both self-published and traditionally published authors, some who write fiction, some non-fiction, for readers all over the market.  The questions are similar but I think their answers will fascinate you.

Laura Eno
I'm very excited to kick off this series with fellow #fridayflash contributor, Laura Eno. I'll confess I'm a fan and actually have this book but haven't read it yet.  Here's what she had to say.


Please tell us a little about yourself and what motivated you to start writing?

I've always had a creative outlet, including painting, silversmithing and home decorating. When the economy made silver creations unfeasible and my husband refused to keep moving so I'd have a fresh house to decorate, I became possessed and started writing. Really. I sat down and words poured out of me.

I have two muses who help me write. Jezebel, who is a menace from the Underworld—with tentacles—and a terrible flirt, likes to attend parties and swim in the punch bowl. Mr Fluffy is a somewhat more dignified personality, who happens to be a human skull.

Don't Fall Asleep is the fifth of dozens of novels I plan to write, in several different genres. Two things are mainstays in my writing, though, regardless of genre. They all have a fantasy element and all focus on personal development.

For a list of all my books, you can go to my Amazon Author Page.   I'd love to have you drop by my blog A Shift in Dimensions, as well, where strange things generally happen. 


What is Don't Fall Asleep about?

The female lead is a Dream Assassin, a highly specialized skill and only rumored to exist. She enters dreams and kills people, but physically they've died from a heart attack. She has her own moral code concerning her work, along with needing to sort out some personal problems, naturally.


How did you come up with the idea for Don't Fall Asleep?

I'd written a short story, to be included in an upcoming dark fantasy collection, and fell in love with her character. As for the actual idea, the voices in my head mutter all the time. I take no responsibility for their channels of communication.
What makes Don't Fall Asleep different or special compared to the other titles in this genre?

Every writer hopes their story is different from anyone else's, but I'd have to say that a dream assassin is different from the standard hired gun.


What type of reader do you feel will enjoy this book the most?
Anyone interested in soft sci/fi, paranormal talents, or adventure/thriller. Also, that person would have to enjoy a strong female heroine.


What has been the most difficult part of the publishing process for you? The most rewarding?

Setting up the files is a learning curve, but I think the most difficult part is promotion. I don't want to beat people over the head with info on my books—but I want people to be aware of them. It's a difficult balance.

The most rewarding, of course, is having absolute control over content, cover and price. The only people I have to answer to are my readers.


You're a veteran to self-publishing with five books in print. What advice can you give someone like me who is just starting out?

Ask questions. People are willing to help and happy to share their experiences. Realize that writing the story is only the beginning of the process. Celebrate each sale and don't quit your day job. Don't fold after negative reviews. Have plenty of chocolate on hand.


Where can we buy your book?

Thank you, Gen, for inviting me here today. I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming book!

Thanks Laura, for visiting and for the great advice.  I'm looking forward to reading this one.

Search This Blog