Repost with a twist: Interview with Middle Grade Author, Chris Eboch

Last year I interviewed fellow Spellbound River Press author, Chris Eboch after the release of her book Ghost Miner's Treasure. Next week Chris has a new book coming out with Spellbound River. The book, The Eyes of Pharaoh, was featured on my #IMWAYR on Monday. It's the story of Seshta, an Egyptian temple dancer, who places her dreams on hold to save her friend and prevent the fall of Egypt. I really loved this book. In celebration of next week's February 24th release, I'm reposting some of her interview today.  

When did you decide to become an author?

I originally went to college to study photography. I discovered I did not want to be a professional photographer, but I got a great education in creativity and critiquing. I also wrote for the school paper, which got me thinking about writing magazine nonfiction as a career. After a couple of years trying to do that on my own, I went back to college and got a degree in Professional Writing and Publishing. I worked for a couple of magazines briefly before selling my first middle grade novel, The Well of Sacrifice. From then on, I was a children’s book writer!

Tell us about your journey. How did you get your first book published?

I had spent a summer traveling in Mexico and Central America with a friend. That inspired The Well of Sacrifice, a novel set in ninth century Mayan Guatemala. I started writing it while I was looking for work, because I needed something fun to do in between temp jobs and sending out resumes. I’d always loved middle grade fiction and had continued reading it into adulthood. It seemed like a fun place to explore, and shorter than writing an adult novel. It turns out my style, which tends to be fast-paced and tight because of my journalism training, works well for kid lit.

Was there ever a point when you felt like giving up?

I sold my first novel, which in retrospect is astonishing. But I couldn’t sell the next half-dozen novels I wrote. I did manage to get some educational work for hire. That kept me active in the children’s book industry. Otherwise, I don’t know if I would have had the stamina to keep going after so many rejections. I estimate I’ve had at least a thousand rejection letters, if you count all the short stories, articles, novels, and queries to work for hire companies. But the only way to succeed is not to give up.

Is there anything about being a published author that has surprised you?

I’ve been published since 1999, so I have had many surprises, but I suppose I have adapted by now. The publishing business is wacky and outdated, which becomes very clear when you try to explain it to an outsider. It’s slow to update, but fortunately, today we have many different options. And most of the people working in it, from authors and illustrators to agents and editors, are fabulous.

Any advice you would give to a writer just starting out?

Don’t be in too much of a rush to get published. It takes a long time to learn your craft, so take classes, read books and magazines about writing, study other books, and find a great critique group. Eventually you might want to hire a professional editor to give you personalized feedback.

You’ll definitely face rejections, bad reviews, and more at some point in your career, so try to put aside the concept of “failing” and instead focus on “learning.” Maybe your manuscript was rejected by 50 agents. Are you a better writer now than you were before you wrote it? Do you know more about querying? Have you developed a new resistance to rejection? If you’ve made progress as a writer or as a person, then that process was a success.

Also, it’s important to remember that people have different obligations, training, financial resources, and family support. All those things can affect your career path, and so can luck. Do the best you can with what you have, but honor and celebrate your whole self. You are more than just a writer.

Here's how you can learn more about Chris and her books:

Spellbound River Press 
Chris’s website

Sign up for Chris’s newsletter

Chris at Amazon

Chris’s GoodReads Author Page

Chris on Facebook

From Self-Published to Small Press: The One Year Journey of The Sweet Spot

Exactly one year ago today, on my 41st birthday, I self-published my middle grade novel, The Sweet Spot. Now a year later, the book has an awesome new cover and was republished in March by Spellbound River Press. Today, on my 42nd birthday, I will share the story of my book's first year.

Pressing the Button

When I was making the decision last year whether or not to try the traditional route again or self-publish, I thought of it as deciding whether or not to press the button. That's because I had been all set up to self-publish, I just hadn't made the final decision to launch the book out into the world. I had already used Createspace to make proof copies that had been placed in my classroom, my children's classrooms, and my school library. Kids were already reading the book and asking me where they could buy it themselves. But I still wasn't sure what to do. I was worried that by pressing the button and self-publishing one book it meant that all my future books would also have to be self-published. I wasn't ready to give up on the traditionally published book dream. 

Then I went to the 2015 NESCBWI conference. That year a new term (at least new to me) seemed to be the buzz word in the room - hybrid author. I went to panels and workshops that explored this idea. The hybrid author was an author who had some books self-published and some traditionally published. I spoke to hybrid authors and well published self-published authors, and they told me that it wasn't easy, but there were so many things they loved about being the one in control. Suddenly pushing the button didn't seem so big and scary. I could make the decision book by book. There were just some rules that I had to follow:

• The book had to be my best work.
• It had to be professionally edited.
• It had to look professional.
• It had to fill a hole in the market.

In order to understand why I felt my book fit those parameters, you'd have to know the history of The Sweet Spot. The book was finished in 2011 and was good enough to get me into the Rutgers-One-on-One conference where I spent a few hours with a mentor editor. The revised version immediately got me an agent. My agent and I went through rounds of revision and finally sent it out into the world. Editors had some nice things to say, but it didn't sell. It went through more revision. Same result. Finally we decided to place the book in a drawer. But in 2013, the book started calling to me to work on it again. I read through all the editor feedback and made some major changes (including turning the entire book from past tense to present tense and resurrecting my main character's dead mother). It was beta read and critique group scrutinized. I worked with my elementary school art teacher, Karen Jacobson, on a cover illustration. I stuck it in a Createspace cover template, and then, as I mentioned before, I printed copies and gave them to kids. By the time the conference came around in 2015, the book was ready for the world... or at least that's what I thought.

There were also two more motivations to do it - Daniel and Annie. My children were starting to get to an age where they were going to (at least feel) they were outgrowing middle grade books. I wanted them to see their Mom followed a dream that started before they were old enough to read and made it come true.

On June 11, 2015, I set a price and pressed the button. 

Being A Self-Published Author

Using a virtual launch party and my birthday to get the word out, The Sweet Spot sold 50 copies in the first two weeks. 5-Star reviews started coming in on Amazon and Goodreads. Friends and strangers loved Sam's story. Local kids who had never spoken to me before ran over to tell me how much they loved the book. 

In November I attended my first author event, nErDcampLI. If you ever want to feel like an Author Rockstar, just make your way to one of those events. My books sold out! 

The book was sold at my school book fair and I signed the book and did a video interview at Carmel Academy in Greenwich. 

I also set up my first school visits and in February I visited two local schools. The kids were great, asking thoughtful questions and really embracing the story of my publishing journey. They didn't care whether the book was self-published or traditionally published as long as it was a great story.

But there were disappointments. A number of bookstores seemed excited about my book and were ready to order it, but they couldn't. Even though Createspace Expanded Distribution claims that your book will be available everywhere, that is only true for their most popular books. Even at an incredibly low price point that made me $0.78 per book, stores couldn't order it for a competitive price and would only do consignment. And many wouldn't even do that. A bookseller who I knew personally told me flat out that as much as she wanted to support me, she wouldn't support the book because Createspace is owned by Amazon. She promised that if I should ever find a way to publish it differently, she'd be happy to help. 

Joining a Small Press

At the same time that I was working to get the word out about my book, a new press was being born. The group (which didn't even have a name) was looking for middle grade novels that were self-published and doing well (getting good reviews) or series that had previously been traditionally published but had been dropped by the publisher. I submitted The Sweet Spot and it was well received. There were only two things the group didn't like - the price point and the cover. 

I had no problem changing the price, but I was pretty attached to my cover. The press set me up with illustrator Lois Bradley and she started sending me designs. I was very, very lucky to get Lois. She listened to my feedback and ended up creating a cover that had enough connection to the old cover that I could tell it was the same book. My main character looks like the same character and she's even wearing the same uniform. But the new cover really does pop in a way the old one didn't. There are so many fun design elements, from the baseball at the top and on the spine, to the ball and bat on the back. I have watched students in my school library look over the new and old copy of the book. They choose the new cover every time.

On March 22, 2016, The Sweet Spot and its new cover was released by Spellbound River Press.

Small Press Publishing

I may have lost some of the control over my book, but getting The Sweet Spot into bookstores and working with a team of supportive people has been a welcome addition to this journey.

I continued doing school visits and author events, with Lois' help, created some awesome baseball cards for the book, and most important, I'm having so much fun.

I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen in its second year.

Interview with Middle Grade Author, Sam Bond

Today I am excited to have Sam Bond, a fellow Spellbound River Press author. The first book of Sam’s Cousin in Action series releases from Spellbound tomorrow! What I love about the books is that each of the cousins is so unique and kids can explore the world on adventures with the cousins and their not so typical grandmother. 

When did you decide to become an author?

I’ve always liked writing. I used to make up stories for a news leaflet twice a year for my operatic society and then in my thirties I decided to write murder mysteries, except I didn’t want to kill anyone! It wasn’t until my children reached reading age and I was having difficulty finding books that represented them, that it all fell into place and writing children’s adventure books became my passion.

Tell us about your journey. How did you get your first book published?

My first book, CIA, Operation Golden Llama, was released three years ago. I originally tried to go the traditional route with an agent and editor, but it turned out their vision of my book was at total odds with my own. I seriously considered re-writing the book, but decided I would prefer my books to remain true to how I envisioned them and have a smaller audience, than change them and enjoy larger sales.

Was there ever a point when you felt like giving up?

Not really because I enjoy writing so much that it doesn’t seem like work. Time literally flies when I write, I can look up and three hours will have passed when it seems like just twenty minutes. Sometimes it’s hard when you don’t see many sales, but I get fan mail and parents approaching me in the street telling me how their children love my series and that makes me remember why I am doing this.

Each of the books in the Cousin in Action series has a setting around the world. How do you decide where your book will take place and how do you learn about your settings?

I traveled around the world twice in my twenties and understand the importance of experiencing different cultures. I wanted to bring these different worlds and experiences to readers that may never have traveled outside their state/county, let alone the US or Britain.

I started off with Peru and Machu Picchu because these were the next two countries on my bucket list. I figured if I couldn’t visit myself, I could at least have fun submerging myself in research. England for book three was a no-brainer and by that time I had decided to set each book in a different continent, doubling back to Asia at the end, when the cousins will visit China.

For both Peru and India I read a lot of children’s non-fiction books on each country, watched documentaries, spoke with people who were either from the country or had visited, and finally asked beta readers who knew the countries intimately to read each book and make sure there were no glaring errors and that the books rang true.

My fourth book is set in Egypt and I have indulged myself by re-reading for the third time my favorite series of books set in Egypt. There are about fifteen books in the series and I have thoroughly enjoyed becoming immersed in all things Egyptian.

Your Cousin in Action series will release tomorrow from Spellbound River Press. Will there be any changes to the series that we can look forward to? What are your hopes for the series now that it’s part of this new press?

I’m very excited about becoming part of the Spellbound River family and readers will be happy to know there are no changes to the books, other than a few formatting edits. My hopes for the CIA series is what I think all authors strive for - to have their books read and enjoyed by as large an audience as possible.

Is there anything about being a published author that has surprised you?

I had no idea how wonderful it was going to feel to have children tell me how much they enjoy my books. I had a parent write to me recently and tell me that I am THAT writer for their child. I am the author that made their child a reader. What greater joy could one have than knowing this?

Any advice you would give to a writer just starting out?

Network with other writers in your area and make sure you have a critique group. I would also say be prepared to make changes, but at the same time know when to be true to your vision.

For more about Sam and her books, you can visit her at Spellbound River Press. You can also follow the adventures of the cousins on Sam’s blog, which is written from the point of view of her characters.

Interview with Middle Grade Author, Chris Eboch

Today I am interviewing fellow Spellbound River Press author, Chris Eboch. Chris is the author of over 30 books for children, including nonfiction and fiction, early reader through teen. Her Haunted series features a brother and sister who travel with their parents’ ghost hunter TV show and try to help the ghosts, while keeping their activities secret from meddling grownups. The fourth book, Ghost Miner's Treasure, released from Spellbound River Press last week.

When did you decide to become an author?

I originally went to college to study photography. I discovered I did not want to be a professional photographer, but I got a great education in creativity and critiquing. I also wrote for the school paper, which got me thinking about writing magazine nonfiction as a career. After a couple of years trying to do that on my own, I went back to college and got a degree in Professional Writing and Publishing. I worked for a couple of magazines briefly before selling my first middle grade novel, The Well of Sacrifice. From then on, I was a children’s book writer!

Tell us about your journey. How did you get your first book published?

I had spent a summer traveling in Mexico and Central America with a friend. That inspired The Well of Sacrifice, a novel set in ninth century Mayan Guatemala. I started writing it while I was looking for work, because I needed something fun to do in between temp jobs and sending out resumes. I’d always loved middle grade fiction and had continued reading it into adulthood. It seemed like a fun place to explore, and shorter than writing an adult novel. It turns out my style, which tends to be fast-paced and tight because of my journalism training, works well for kid lit.

Was there ever a point when you felt like giving up?

I sold my first novel, which in retrospect is astonishing. But I couldn’t sell the next half-dozen novels I wrote. I did manage to get some educational work for hire. That kept me active in the children’s book industry. Otherwise, I don’t know if I would have had the stamina to keep going after so many rejections. I estimate I’ve had at least a thousand rejection letters, if you count all the short stories, articles, novels, and queries to work for hire companies. But the only way to succeed is not to give up.

Is there anything about being a published author that has surprised you?

I’ve been published since 1999, so I have had many surprises, but I suppose I have adapted by now. The publishing business is wacky and outdated, which becomes very clear when you try to explain it to an outsider. It’s slow to update, but fortunately, today we have many different options. And most of the people working in it, from authors and illustrators to agents and editors, are fabulous.

Your Haunted Series was just released from Spellbound River Press. Will there be any changes to the series that we can look forward to? What are your hopes for the series now that it’s part of this new press?

Aladdin/Simon & Schuster first acquired the series, but they dropped it when my editor left. That was disappointing, because I’d hoped to have at least 8 to 12 titles in the series. If The Ghost Miner’s Treasure does well, I’d love to continue writing these adventures. I had plans to set the next one at the Alamo, which has several associated ghost stories, and I have notes for possible future books. Someday, I could even take the kids to other countries!

I love how your character, Tania, interacts with the ghosts in your book. Is it hard to write for an invisible character?

I initially envisioned older brother Jon telling the story, even though he can’t see ghosts. That does make it more difficult to describe the scenes with the ghosts, since he only hears about them secondhand. Then I debated whether Tania should really be the main character/narrator, since she can see the ghosts and she drives much of the action. But I like the complications that arise for Jon because he can’t see what’s happening, and Tania isn’t always great about describing the situation, which can add humor.

I also think the conflict becomes more subtle and realistic this way. Tania’s goal is to help the ghosts deal with whatever is keeping them in this world, so they can move on. Most kids won’t face anything like that. Jon has to figure out when and how to believe things he can’t see. He struggles with doing the right thing. On the one hand, he has loyalty to his sister and helps keep her secrets. But he also has a responsibility to keep her safe and a desire to be honest with others. He has to figure out his role in all of this, in life. So I think kids will identify with him more.

Any advice you would give to a writer just starting out?

Don’t be in too much of a rush to get published. It takes a long time to learn your craft, so take classes, read books and magazines about writing, study other books, and find a great critique group. Eventually you might want to hire a professional editor to give you personalized feedback.

You’ll definitely face rejections, bad reviews, and more at some point in your career, so try to put aside the concept of “failing” and instead focus on “learning.” Maybe your manuscript was rejected by 50 agents. Are you a better writer now than you were before you wrote it? Do you know more about querying? Have you developed a new resistance to rejection? If you’ve made progress as a writer or as a person, then that process was a success.

Also, it’s important to remember that people have different obligations, training, financial resources, and family support. All those things can affect your career path, and so can luck. Do the best you can with what you have, but honor and celebrate your whole self. You are more than just a writer.

Is there anything else about you or your books you would like to tell us?

I’ve written several other novels for ages nine and up. The Eyes of Pharaoh is an action-packed mystery set in ancient Egypt. The Genie’s Gift draws on the mythology of 1001 Arabian Nights to take readers on a fantasy adventure. In The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan girl in ninth-century Guatemala rebels against the High Priest who sacrifices anyone challenging his power. In Bandits Peak, a teenage boy meets strangers hiding on the mountains and gets drawn into their crimes, until he risks his life to expose them. Learn more at www.chriseboch.com, visit my Amazon page, or sign up for my newsletter.

I also have two books on the craft of writing, You Can Write for Children: How to Write Great Stories, Articles, and Books for Kids and Teenagers, and Advanced Plotting. Check out my writing tips at my Write Like a Pro! blog. You can also sign up for my workshop newsletter for classes and critique offers.

I also write for adults under the name Kris Bock. I write novels of suspense and romance involving outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. The Mad Monk’s Treasure follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. What We Found is a mystery with romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. Whispers in the Dark involves intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit my Amazon page.

Thanks so much for having me!

Thank you for joining me! Here's how you can learn more about Chris and her books:

Chris’s website

Sign up for Chris’s newsletter

Chris at Amazon

Chris’s GoodReads Author Page

Chris on Facebook

See Chris’s books at Amazon, B&N/Nook, or IndieBound.

The Sweet Spot has found a home!

I am very excited to announce that The Sweet Spot and its sequel, The Perfect Trip have found a home at Spellbound River Press. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:  

Hannah Eastman

Publicity Manager

Hannah@spellboundriver.com

SPELLBOUND RIVER PRESS ACQUIRERS SPORTY GIRL SERIES

February 1, 2016  — Spellbound River Press is excited to announce that it has acquired the rights to Sporty Girl Book blogger Stacy Barnett Mozer’s self-published middle grade novel, The Sweet Spot, a series about the obstacles one 13-year-old girl faces when she persues her dream of playing baseball. Spellbound River Press will rerelease the first book The Sweet Spot in March 2016, with the sequel, A Perfect Trip, releasing in March 2017.

“I really like the book and would recommend it to girls playing a nontraditional sport. Of course no reason boys wouldn't like it either,” said Justine Siegal, founder of Baseball for All and a pioneer for women’s rights in the sport. The Sweet Spot is geared for kids eight though twelve.

The inspiration for The Sweet Spot came from a conversation Mozer had with the director of a baseball sleep away camp. When asked whether a thirteen-year-old girl could attend the camp, the director said, “I mean I can’t say she can’t come. But, you know it is a sleep away camp, that she would have to sleep here.” After doing additional research and talking to girls who had experienced being the only girl on a boy’s team, the plot of The Sweet Spot was born.

As for having the book come out with Spellbound River Press, Mozer says, “I am so excited to be part of this new publishing venture. I have read all of the books on Spellbound River Press’s first list and I am thrilled to have The Sweet Spot among books, authors, and a press that really understands the middle grade reader.”

About Spellbound River Press

Spellbound River is a small, independent press focused on quality books for middle-grade readers. Spellbound River Press produces professional, distinctive, and innovative books from a stable of talented authors. At Spellbound River, great stories are around every bend!

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