SQ: How long does it take you to write each book?
SM: My typical time is three months, but lately my deadlines are running a bit tighter.
SQ: How many published books did it take before you were able to support yourself financially through book-writing?
SM: I think I had published 15 books before I quit my full-time job. I had been published for something like ten years, doing one book a year (sometimes two) for what seemed like forever before I got a big enough contract that I could support myself.
Bette Davis once said, 'Getting old isn't for sissies.' But I would amend that to 'Publishing isn't for sissies!' You really need to be committed to both craft and career. You must always be thinking down the board and you need to know it's going to be work. Fun work to be sure. But work.
SQ: Do you have a literary agent and if so, who?
SM: My agent recently retired, so when my current contract expires, I guess I'll be agent hunting again!
SQ: Do you recommend acquiring a literary agent?
SM: Absolutely. A writer expends so much of his or her brainpower on writing that I don't believe we have sufficient energy or time left to really understand the intricacies of our contracts. Plus, agents have contacts we may not be able to cultivate. And on top of that, it's always good to have somebody in your corner!
SQ: How do you market your books and which ways work best?
SM: Harlequin has a set distribution system. There isn't anything I can do to impact it. I work toward name recognition so that once my books are on the shelves they will sell, but that's about all I can do. Typically that means having a website, placing some ads in publications I know will reach my readers, and promoting myself at conferences.
The best way to 'market' your books is still to write the best book you possibly can.
SQ: How do you manage to balance family life with writing?
SM: I'm married to a wonderful, wonderful man. He's always taken the lead with our children, doing things like coaching Little League, driving our daughter to gymnastics and cheerleading practice and disciplining them. I'm always here, so he doesn't work alone, but he takes the lead.
Also, I have workshops on my website about goal setting and time management because I discovered that no one gets anywhere in this world without goals and a plan to achieve them. I work very hard to make sure I use every day to its full potential. I consider my family the most important part of my world, so their needs are scheduled in (many times) before my writing!
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