Query Tips With Editor Megan Easley-Walsh Plus Giveaway

Today I’m interviewing Megan Easley-Walsh, owner of Extra Ink Edits. Megan’s specialty is content editing, and I can tell you from personal experience, she is fabulous, but today we’re talking about queries.

Thanks for joining me on the blog today, Megan!

Many of my blog readers are aspiring authors. For the writers at the very beginning stages of their publishing journey, please explain what a query letter is.

Thanks so much for having me, Keely! A query letter is really important to writers, as it’s the first impression that an agent or editor gets of both the book and also the writer. It’s a short one-page introduction with the aim of piquing the agent’s or editor’s attention.

What are the key elements in a good query?

A good query consists of a hook, a short paragraph or two about the plot and a short paragraph about the writer. It’s also important to list

And Then There Were... What?

It's been a while since I blogged about my writing journey. My apologies to those who follow this blog for that purpose. The truth is: I spend most of my writing time working on stories, so everything I have to say ends up in books instead of online. I've tried to keep this blog active with author interviews, book release details, and giveaways, which are all fun but not the reason most people follow a writer's blog.

So here's what I've been up to...

I originally purposed to write a 3-book series, to tell the finding love/finding their way stories of three siblings living in a hidden land. Did that. And then a month before The Land Uncharted was released, I started writing the founders' story. If you've read any of the Uncharted books, you know what I'm talking about. Details for that book's publication forthcoming.

Now comes the question I've been hearing several times a day lately: what's next?

Good question.

I have ideas. Notebooks full of ideas.

They say to do this author thing right, a writer must stick with their genre (histori-fi-mance, anyone?) and build their audience. Great, because I love the Land and could write a dozen more books about Lydia and Connor and the Colburns and Good Springs and what is over the mountains. Seriously, what is over the mountains?!

But every time I start working on the next Uncharted book, my mind wonders to a mystery set here in our world and our time. I can feel the setting and smell the air and hear my main character's voice. (Not literally, so call off the guys in white coats.)

The point is: I'm building an audience *waves to new fans* and people are loving the Uncharted books. Super! I'll keep them coming as long as the Lord allows. But how far of a stretch is it from the Uncharted series to a mystery (nothing gory, you know me) set here and now?

Personally, I don't think it would be genre-hopping for me to write a mystery since the Uncharted books are such a genre-mash and include mystery. What do you think?

The Uncharted Books at BookExpo America 2015

Uncharted Inheritance out today!

Today my third book, Uncharted Inheritance, is being released. I'm blissfully excited and miserably hollow all at once. This is not my final book, but it is the last book in this particular story arc. It is also my personal favorite thus far. Bethany Colburn is the baby of the family. She is curious and naive and daring and... oh boy!

Description: Bethany Colburn finally turns eighteen and Everett Foster is about to confess his love for her. When a new man arrives in the village of Good Springs, he brings charm Bethany has never encountered and illness the Land has never known. While the medicinal power of the gray leaf tree is put to the test and the Colburn family’s strength is stretched thin, Bethany must learn to protect her true inheritance. Uncharted Inheritance weaves heartbreak and hope while delivering long-awaited answers in this suspenseful story of life in a hidden land.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks

 

Uncharted Inheritance is also available an as audiobook.

Audible | iTunes | Amazon


I'm giving away an ebook copy of all 3 books in the Uncharted series!


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You Are Invited!!!

Want an autographed copy? Click here.

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Interview with Uncharted Inheritance Narrator Dara Kramer

Today I’m talking with audiobook producer Dara Kramer. Dara is the narrator of the audiobook version of Uncharted Inheritance. I was looking for a very specific voice for this project and when I heard Dara’s audition, I knew she would be perfect for this story. 

Thanks for joining us, Dara!
My pleasure!

You are a trained stage actress, but this was your first audiobook. What made you want to start producing audiobooks?
I have been interested in expanding my career to the voiceover world for a long time. An acquaintance had been raving about her experiences as an audiobook producer and I thought I’d give it try. It is another venue for me to perform and tell stories.

What drew you to Uncharted Inheritance?
Bethany’s spirit is really what drew me in. She has a daring yet wistful energy that I really relate to. Auditioning, I felt like the material came easy with my voice.

What was your favorite part or character to voice in Uncharted Inheritance?
My favorite thing was growing and adapting with Bethany as she learned new things and gained greater perspective. I really enjoyed voicing sections when she is dealing with someone very contradictory to herself.

You completed ACX Master Class before auditioning through acx.com. How did that prepare you for audiobook production?
It gave me all the tools I needed. I was clueless about audio recording. I am now able to comfortable and confidently record, edit, and produce audiobooks all on my own. They really take care of each of their students and make sure you come out ready to compete professionally with seasoned narrators.

Thanks for stopping by the blog today, Dara, and for the fabulous job you did with Uncharted Inheritance!
Thank you!

Here’s a sample of Dara reading Uncharted Inheritance:

Audiobook available now on:

Audible | iTunes | Amazon

Author Interview Series: Writers’ Quirks Featuring Sally Ember

Today on Writers' Quirks I'm interviewing author Sally Ember. 

Thanks for joining me, Sally. What have you been working on lately? 
Working on Volumes III and IV of “The Spanners Series.” Blogging regularly. Hosting *CHANGES* conversations between authors, an almost-weekly LIVE talk show on Google + Hangouts on Air (HOA) and YouTube, 10 – 11 AM EST USA.

Let's jump into the quirky questions...
Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters? 
I was already in unrequited love with “The Spanners Series'” Epifanio Dang's former selves (he is a composite of