FAQ Table of Contents

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Michelle M. Pillow

Pen Names

Madelyn Porter

Erotic Romance

(www.madelynporter.com)

Naomi Kalling

YA/Teen Fiction

(www.naomikalling.com)

I'm also a photographer.

CAN YOU HELP ME GET PUBLISHED?

WILL YOU READ MY UNPUBLISHED BOOK/MS/WRITING?

Due to legal reasons...

I DO NOT/WILL NOT/CAN NOT READ UNPUBLISHED WORK.

All unpublished material sent to me will be promptly destroyed or deleted, unread. Sorry, no exceptions.

After a flood of email requests, I needed to post this: I CANNOT help you get your book published, nor can I tell you how to write a book (the process is different for everyone), nor can I do test readings of your material. I DO NOT/WILL NOT/CAN NOT READ UNPUBLISHED WORK.DO NOT/WILL NOT/CAN NOT READ UNPUBLISHED WORK. All unpublished manuscripts/books/writing samples sent to me will promptly be destroyed or deleted, unread.I am honored that you value my opinion and wish to seek it out, but please don't ask. Refer to the individual publisher guidelines for submission information. Everything you need to know is there. If you have another question, feel free to email. I don't bite.

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How do I...?

(get published, submit, what are the guidelines for, have you test read...)

 I don't mind helping other authors, but I CANNOT help you get your book published, nor can I do test readings of your material. (see above question)

Please refer to the individual publisher guidelines for submission information. Everything you need to know is there.

The only advice I really have that is worth anything is to do your homework. Publishers put their submission guideline out on their websites for a reason. Follow them!

There is tons of info on the web as to how to write queries, ect. You just have to spend the time and read up. There is no magic formula. I wish there was, lol. You just have to put in the hours and do the work.

And, yes, it is very hard to get published. It's a very competitive business.

 

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WHERE CAN I BUY?

It depends on the publisher and the book, but typically they are (or can be ordered by) all major bookstores and indie bookstores. Or, you can look online at:

FIND A MISTAKE?

I'm only human, as are my team of editors, proofers, final line editors, test readers, etc. We make mistakes. I'm also a self-perfectionist so I want to hear about those mistakes*.

Ok, maybe not last Friday night mistakes, just the book or website ones.

If you find a mistake in one of my books, please email me the following information:

As a reader what can I do to help promote you?

You can wrap your arms around yourself and hug yourself from me. I mean it. The fact so many of you email to ask me how you can help spread the word about me/my books is awesome! The best way to help is by asking your local bookstores/libraries carry my books. Another awesome way to help is by taking the time to write a quick online review of my books—Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ARE, they all offer spots for readers to write reviews. I have to say, it tickles me to no end when readers go the extra mile and write a review (good or bad). I understand fully that taking time out of one's busy day to comment about my title is important, again, good or bad comments.

Sum up:

Talk about my books online.

Post about my books.

Blog about  my books.

Put up online reader reviews (always honest, if you hate a title say so, I won't hold it against you... if you love it, say so)—It should be noted that The Raven Books already has a set number of “professional” review sites that it automatically sends to and we have a person in charge of this who tracks and logs all ARCs sent for review to professional sites.

Agree/disagree with reviews already posted on various vendors

Hit the LIKE button on my titles at vendors

Agree or disagree with TAG words on vendors.

If you see someone is reading an author who is similar to me, suggest they try me (politely, of course... but we know this goes without saying).

Anything online is the single MOST important thing you can do to help me. Why? Simple, because the majority of my sales have ALWAYS come from ebooks. And with the market shift moving towards ebooks more and more each day this is becoming so for many authors. Not just me.

If you would like some promo goodies (bookmarks, etc) to pass around to your friends, local bookstores, reading groups and libraries please email me michelle_pillow@yahoo.com with subject header PROMO GOODIES. Include your name and snail mail addy in the email. I can't promise when they'll be mailed out or how many will be sent. It depends on what I have on hand and how often my personal assistant is able to get to mailings.

About Writing Romance and Real Life

It's funny how many times I get asked if I "do" the things in my books. Ah, the illusive "things". The key to being a good fiction writer is to be able to tell a good story. I happen to like telling stories of not only people falling in love, but of their other emotions and influences as well.

In short, no I am not my characters. Some of their traits are influenced from my life, some are imagination, some are research, etc, etc...

In my opinion, if you only write what you experience, you're not a very good fiction writer.  Fiction is a job that takes great imagination and all I can hope is that a few people like mine.

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I'm a reader, I want to help.

First, thank you for asking.

I'm touched by the number of emails I receive from readers asking how they can help promote my books. You all rawk! Depending on what you're comfortable with, you can do several things. You can talk to your favorite bookstores (or library) about carrying my books, or just ordering you a copy. If a bookstore carries my title, let me know so I can help support them by sending more readers there.

You can post reviews about the books you've read, letting other readers know your thoughts. These can be done online where you've purchased the title. I am not asking you to write a good review. Post your real thoughts. I want to know what you think.

If you have an event and need promo items, or signed bookmarks, email me. Whether or not I can fulfill the request will depend on my current stock of supplies.

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How long did that first book take?

Honestly, it's hard to say. I wrote before even thinking of publishing, for fun in spare time and not in any consistent time blocks. So when I finally submitted, it was my 8th book written and I was already on book 10 writing wise. Then I had to go back and clean up. I've published a few of those first ones-- Mountain's Captive, Emerald Knight and Maiden and the Monster, but not all. Some I need to dig up from the cyber graveyard, lol. They haven't even seen a publisher's slush pile.

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When was your first book published?

April 2004, The Mists of Midnight

My 50th contracted book published was Realm Immortal 2: Faery Queen, Samhain Publishing, Sept 2006

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E-publishing?

Epublishers like The Raven Books, Samhain Publishing and Ellora's Cave Publishing, are called 'E' because they start books off as Ebooks. But many of their titles go to print and can be found at traditional outlets like Borders and Waldenbooks, Amazon.com, ect. In my experience, there is no difference between writing for a epublisher as opposed to a traditional publisher who puts out print first and ebook later.

I work for both traditional and epubs and they are basically the same as far as what they demand from you. The quality demanded is the same, with variances only in house style. The only difference is the format in which the final product is first presented. And ebooks have faster turn around from conception to being published, as you don't have to wait for the print setup, distribution, ect and can publish more books faster, though the print versions do come along slower (thus the delay between my ebook and print releases of the exact same book in most cases)

 

Why E-books and why do you have covers?

Thank you, Ellen Fisher, for this answer

Why E-books?  Well, why not E-books? by Ellen Fisher

The number one reason sited is waste. When a print run goes through on paperbacks, about 50% of those are expected to be recycled or thrown away. This is a lot of wasted paper when you multiply maybe 10,000 copies per title x 150 titles a month.

Also, I've read that about 75% of Americans are connected to the internet. Which means more are using computers.  Why go to a store if you can just instantly download a book to read when you want it?  And with handhelds nowadays you can store several hundred novels in one unit.  Talk about some light traveling!  Besides, as my friend Ellen pointed out, with the price of gas these days isn't it reasonable to cut out some of those side trips?

You can also adjust the font size with E-books.  As many get older, it's harder to read the finer print.

So why not E-books, they're just as well written.  There is faster turn around time for your fave authors, so you don't have to wait forever for that next release.  I'm not saying I don't like print books, cause I really do. But, the way I figure it, a good story is a good story, no matter the format.

Why do E-books have covers?  This is simple.  E-books are just like print, only they are on your computer.  We all like to look at the covers when shopping, it's just all part of the packaging.  And, since a lot of E-books do eventually go into print, they're going to need a cover all the same.  In my opinion, I like having a picture to go along with the book. And, at least at NCP, the covers do tend to match the characters inside.  I don't know how many print books will have a red head on the front only to give me a blonde between the pages.

ANSWER PROVIDED BY ELLEN FISHER, AUTHOR

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E-books going into Print

Many e-books will go into print eventually, so there is a possibility that the rest of my work will someday be available that way. If you wish to see a particular e-book in print, the best thing is to email the publishers (and get your friends to do it too) to let them know what you want to buy the book in paperback. It doesn't mean you have to buy it, but helps the editors know there is an interest in seeing a particular work in print. It also helps us authors out, as there is stiff competition for getting stuff in print.

UPDATE: Many of my books (almost all) are now in print, or coming soon.

To see what titles are from what publisher, click here.

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BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS:

Requesting one of my books to review

Each of my publishers have a set list of review sites they auto-send to.  Please verify that your site is on the list through your site administrator. Requests should be placed through them. Thank you.

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About My Futuristics

The Dragon Lords success has truly floored me.  I'd never expected that in a million years.  They were my first attempt at futuristic, though I have notebooks full of ideas I’ve written down over the years. 

This Dragon Lords series actually started as a short story with Morrigan and Ualan from The Barbarian Prince that grew into four mid-length novels.  I just signed a contract and felt really inspired to do something different.  Ideas just kept popping into my head as I tried to make all four heroines different.  Actually, I’d lie in bed with a notebook beside me to write the ideas down because I couldn’t sleep.  I’ve perfected the art of writing in the dark.

Many readers started demanding Var books {the cat shifting enemy of the Draig (Dragon Lords)}.  So, from that, Lords of the Var was born.  Whereas the Draig trust fate and are raised believing that their life mate is predestined, the Var men are raised to put no stock in love.  In fact, their father King Attor raises them not to ever fall even consider falling in love.  It’s quite the opposite concept from the Draig race.  Look for these to come out after the Dragon Lords.

I’ll keep writing and expanding the series as long as people want them.  One thing I want readers to know is that all my futuristic will connect somehow.  I’ve got short carnals, Galaxy Playmates.  They also connect to the others.  I also have several plans for other spin-off series.  So, if you want to see more of anything, all you have to do is ask.

DRAIG AND VAR QUESTIONS:

I was just curious to know if the few female children of the Draigs and Vars can shift?

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Tribes of the Vampire FAQ

THESE WILL BE RE-RELEASED SOON!!

Where did you get the idea for Tribes?

The idea was purely mine.  Some of the tribal names were taken from various vampire legends.  I did that to make them sound familiar.  That way, when the reader is reading the books, it will strike a familiar note with them, like maybe our legends have it wrong and this is really where those myths originated from.  Other than those few names, everything else was from my head.  I have the whole world set up, much of which hasn’t come out in the books yet.

About the characters? Will Jirí have his own book?

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What is your next project?

My moods change with my whims. We will just have to see. You can look at my ‘works in progress’ page to see what is currently being created. Be warned, I neglect these pages often. :) I'd rather be writing books.

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How do you come up with ideas for books?

Truthfully, it is usually late at night when my overactive mind won’t let me sleep or while I am in the shower. They just pop in there out of darkness and I have to crawl out of bed, sometimes six or seven times a night, to write them down or they will never leave me alone. (And, if by some miracle I can go to sleep without putting them to paper they will leave me forever…so it’s better to listen to the voices.) In the shower, I usually finish early, run to my office dripping wet in a towel and try to write a coherent thought while endeavoring not to freeze to death.

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How do you promote?

There are several, cheaper ways for promotion on the internet. The best route is to do your research, visit author blogs, websites, publisher sites, review sites. Offer to do interviews, set up yahoo newsletters or chat groups, and open a facebook account, twitter, ect.

The number one thing for marketing yourself and your books? Have a website. Make sure the style represents you and your books. Extra content can be key to getting readers there, but remember the number one reason they come to your site is to learn more about you and your books. Make it easy to navigate and try not to have a lot of outside advertising clogging up the pages. Also avoid auto play sound features like music or videos. You want readers to be able to find the information they need in a non-intrusive environment. Everything you want readers (and possible media outlets) to know will be centrally located in one place, and everything you do--inside the books, advertising, chats, blogs, vlogs, social media bio pages, etc--can point to that central location where you control the content.

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Coverart?

Cover art seems to be one of the most queried subjects I get emailed about, aside from the actual storylines themselves. First, I have to thank all the wonderful artists that work on my covers. They truly are talented. Below, I've listed some of the most common questions I get in regards to those hunks we see on my book covers. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! :)

Do you like your covers?
Of course! I love them! (Most of the time)

Which is your favorite?
I like different ones for different reasons.

Don't ask me to pick between my hunks. I won't do it, lol.

Do you create the art for your covers?
No, I don't. Depending on the company, I do sometimes have a say, but my word isn't final by any means. Usually, I'm asked to supply a description of what my characters and the world looks like and the artist takes it from there. I can give a vague idea of what I'd like to see. Sometimes I get my wish, sometimes I don't. They've done a marvelous job of depicting my ideas though and I'm very grateful.

UPDATE: For The Raven Books I do have more say in the coverart, being as I have an in with the awesomely talented Ms Natalie Winters. Email queries to me.

Do you use/pick the models?
In the past, no, the publishers took care of everything through the cover artists. So those sexy princes in the futuristics was just me being blessed by the cover art gods--so to speak. However, now I get more of a say (depending on the project). 

I do use models for my website to illustrate some of my series. If you're interested in donating to a project, email me at : michelle_pillow AT yahoo.com
Copyright will be given where due as well as a link back.

I'm a model and I want to be on your books....
Ah, Thanks!!!! It's an honor to have anyone think enough of my work to want to be a part of any of my projects.

If you think you'd make a great book cover for me, just email me. (see above link)  I haven't picked a cover model yet, but I can forward your info onto the publishers and see what they say. Never hurts to ask, right? Most likely, they'd take over from there if they're interested, but I can try to direct you to the right place.
 

How many models do the publishers use? Stock Photography?
It should be noted that only a few of my pubs actually hire models directly, and then for only special projects. From what I understand, those gigs are hard to get.

I believe most use stock photography and other artist's resources that I'm just not that privy too.
 

Why do E-books have covers? 
This is simple.  E-books are just like print, only they are on your computer.  We all like to look at the covers when shopping, it's just all part of the packaging.  And, since a lot of E-books do eventually go into print, they're going to need a cover all the same.  In my opinion, I like having a picture to go along with the book.
 

If you like... New to me? What better people to ask than my current readers.

According to a reader poll, if you like these authors, you might like Michelle M. Pillow books*:

Lilith Saintcrow, Christine Feehan, Stephanie Tyler, Lorelei James, Maya Banks, Laurann Dohner, Lora Leigh, Eve Langlais, Jordan Summers, Mandy M Roth, Mina Carter, S. E. Smith, Viola Grace, Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, Evangeline Anderson, Cynthia Eden, Lauren Dane, Maya Banks, Lizzie Lynn Lee, Tracy St. John, Anne Rice (Tribes of the Vampires series), Madelyn Porter, Naomi Kalling, S. E. Smith, Linda Howard, Linda Jones, H.P. Mallory, Addison Moore, Erin Morgenstern, Stephanie Rowe, Karen Marie Moning, Coreene Callahan, Moira Rogers, Janet Evanovich, Stephanie Laurens, Heather Graham, Susan King, Mary Balogh, E L James,  Nora Roberts, Sylvia Day, Kresley Cole, Lori Wilde, Cherrie Lynn...

Are you a reader, and think I’ve missed a name? Email me.

Author want your name added or removed from this list? Email me.

*Please note I write in a variety of genres, so email if you need a more specific recommendation. These are reader opinions and do not necessarily reflect my own thoughts on the subject (as I haven’t read everything by everyone).

A huge thank you to my readers for completing the poll and helping me answer this question!

I hope that slaked your curiosity some. ;)

But, if you NEED to know more. Check out the TMI FAQ pages.

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Last revised: 8/27/2009