Today's Interview is with Indie Author Regina Sirois, Author of the Literary Fiction Book 'On Little Wings'. Indie Author News has featured the book last week in this post.
Interview with Regina Sirois
Interview with Regina Sirois
Alan Kealey (Indie Author News): What is your (writing) background?
Regina Sirois: I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Missouri State with a degree in History and a minor in creative writing. History is almost as writing intensive as creative writing, so I spent four years at a keyboard and in writing critiques.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite book, and who or what are your writing influences?
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite book, and who or what are your writing influences?
My favorite authors are Dodie Smith, James Herriot, and Jerry Spinelli. My favorite novel of all time is a tie between Bronte's Jane Eyre and Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle. Oh, and Remarque's All Quiet On the Western Front. Better stop before I think of another one.
"I will never do something that hard again!
And then, I do."
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I write if I have something to say. I write obsessively until a story is done. And then I walk away and say, "I will never do something that hard again!" And then I do. Because I think of something else I want to say. Insert sigh.
You just scared me. Did you say easiest? Nothing comes easy for me. I worry about every word. I am plagued with self doubt and self criticism. The hardest thing is working through the voice in my head that tells me to chuck my rubbish and quit. Probably because half of the time I'm with the mean little voice. Mean, but honest.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I'm still debating if I am a writer.
Regina, tell us a little about your first novel 'On Little Wings'.
This is a story that champions the idea that magic, true magic, is what happens inside of each of us every day. It is a human story. No time shifting, mythical, portal, sci-fi anything. Just a girl. And a secret. And a quest. And a crazy old movie star. And a grumpy genius. Oh yeah, and old three pirates. You know, every day stuff.
This is a story that champions the idea that magic, true magic, is what happens inside of each of us every day. It is a human story. No time shifting, mythical, portal, sci-fi anything. Just a girl. And a secret. And a quest. And a crazy old movie star. And a grumpy genius. Oh yeah, and old three pirates. You know, every day stuff.
What inspired you to write the book?
I wanted to tell my daughter a story that would make her think and make her hope.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
This is a true crossover book that sits on a tightrope between young adult literature and adult literature. I wrote it for young adults but 45 of my last 50 reviews have come from people who are over the age of twenty. Currently the book is for sale on Amazon and Lulu, but I have signed with an agent and it may not be available anywhere if it is purchased by a publishing company while they process it for a new launch.
How would you describe the success of your book? (Sales, Awards, Reviews)
I have very little to add here. My book was "launched" less than three weeks ago. If telling my best friends that I wrote a book is a "launch." I made it available for free so my friends and family could tell me what they thought. I did not advertise or network. I'd never been on twitter. So it came as a shock when the book went slightly viral and shot up to #2 on lit. fiction for all of kindle and #74 in the paid kindle store for the top 100 books. I think the true success is in the reviews. Some of them make me cry. (I should clarify and say happy tears)
What did you do to promote yourself and your book?
What did you do to promote yourself and your book?
Nothing. I had 15 followers on my blog and I told them. Then I linked my announcement to my 100 friends on facebook. My husband posted a link on a tech site that he uses to let his friends know. If every person I told bought the book, I could account for less than 200 sales.
How long did it take to write the book?
Ahem. Cough. Let's skip this one. No, wait. I'll be brutally honest. I gathered the story and tried to get it right for six years. Then I wrote for one straight year. Then I queried for another six months. Then I gave up and decided to never, ever, for the rest of eternity, write again. Or one year. Whatever came first. So anyway, I hate math. You can add it up if you find it worth your trouble.
Please, tell us where you self-published the book.
Amazon and Lulu. But I didn't really think of it as self publishing. I just wanted a physical copy to give to my daughter someday. I thought of it more as printing a copy.
Did you hire an editor and/or Cover Designer for your book?
How magically wonderful is it that I, the writer, am married to a renowned artist/designer/photographer? Beautiful fate. My one true love designed my cover and I did my own editing.
"Don't write to be discovered"
Can you give some tips for other Indie Authors regarding the writing and self-publishing process?
First of all, don't listen to a girl who just announced her first book three weeks ago. That being said- Don't write to be rich. Don't write to be famous. Don't write to be discovered. Write because you hope what you say today will be better than what you said yesterday. Expect more and better from yourself than anyone else will ever demand from you. And instead of writing to the world at large, think of one person, one person who loves you and believes in you, and tell your story to that person. That is the only way I survive this process.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
Yes. If I don't throw it away first (always that danger) it will be about a teenage boy who wants to join the air force to help his father relive his glory days in the service. It is a self discovery, father/son tale that is fast, smart, sarcastic, poignant and funny.
Are you planning to move forward as an Indie author or are you looking forward to have one of your next books to be traditionally published?
I currently have representation for On Little Wings. I will see if and how traditional publishing goes, and then decide which I prefer for my next book.
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only 99cent eBooks or do you see this just as a marketing phase of the book sellers to move readers into the digital book market in a fight for future market shares?
I really don't know. What I do know is no matter how much I love my favorite books, I always, always want another. There is no such thing as too many incredible books. There is room for everyone.
"I just want to learn how to make beautiful words"
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job?
I am a stay-at-home for two incredible little girls. I cannot think of writing as a career. It is a love/hate thing for me. I need the freedom to know that I can write when I need to write and run away from it when I need to run away from it. I have no aspirations for a career, no desire to make money. I have everything I need in life already. I just want to learn how to make beautiful words.
How can readers connect with you?
I love to hear from writers, readers, dreamers, doubters, the whole shebang. I can be reached through my website, blog, twitter and my facebook page.
Thank you so much for the Interview, Regina. Good Luck with your future book projects.
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Connect to Regina Serois via Twitter: @ReginaSirois
1 comment:
This was a lovely interview, and I think Regina's hubby did a wonderful job on the cover.
Wagging Tales
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