What genre do you write and why?
I don’t stick to any
particular genre, but my current serial falls in the Western genre, though the
western organization is attempting to have that changed to American West.
Tell us about your latest book.
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| http://amzn.to/1FQd5o1 |
I like to refer to my
current book as a BioNovel, though no such novel exists. It’s not a western,
but a story of two people learning to survive together in the harsh climate of
the west amongst crooked politicians and untrustworthy adversaries.
As the story goes: An heiress from New York is sent out west to New
Mexico to marry her pre-contracted fiancé, John H. Tunstall.
It’s a situation that leaves her desperate and
unhappy until she meets William H. Bonney, a hired-hand who works her fiancé’s
land and who will become known as Billy the Kid.
She falls in love with Billy, but the setting is
tumultuous as there is a cattle war brewing.
Lucy’s fiancé is murdered, and as a result, this
sets off what becomes known as the Lincoln County War.
Lucy’s life is threatened, and so she is hidden
away by the very men who are deputized to ride on Tunstall’s side; the Lincoln
County Regulators, a posse of regulated men that Billy rides with.
Lucy is brought into the eye of the storm, so to
speak, as she must ride out the trails with The Regulators, bearing witness to
the bloody violence that ensues during the war.
What marketing methods are you using to
promote your book?
Currently I use
Twitter, LinkedIn, Constant Contact, Facebook (my favorite), and my website of
course. I also have the option to run ads in western magazines, and am a part
of the Western Writers of America who do a lot to help promote their authors.
What formats is the book available in?
The book is available
in print and eBook.
Who are your favourite authors?
I truly don’t have
any favorite authors. I find my books based on word of mouth or by browsing
Kindle of local bookstores.
What advice do you have for other
writers?
I find that the
advice most authors have for fledgling writers is to tell them to keep at it
and not lose hope--that it will happen for them. While I tend to agree with
this some of this advice, to a degree, my
advice is this: Be prepared to do the work. If you’re a true writer, doing the
work will be the ultimate test as to whether or not you’re likely to succeed.
Simply telling writers it will happen for them is a falsity. Today, with
self-publishing available to everyone, that certainly makes it easier, but
writers should ask themselves one question: Do I want to be a good or great
writer, or a writer who’s merely a hack?
What's your favourite quote about
writing/for writers?
Write honestly.
Honest writing often makes the best books.
What's the best thing about being a
writer?
The best thing is the
accomplishment, without a doubt, but a lot of respect comes with being a
traditionally published author that I can’t deny I enjoy.
Where can people find out more about
you and your writing?
They can find me on
my website: www.nicolemdixonauthor.com ,
Twitter: @NikkiMDixon
Lucy Howard. She’s a
socialite who hails from the east, but she has a lot of grit and an amazing
attitude--she’s a fighter! I think she’s a fun character who champions
Victorian women of the time period.
Why do you think readers are going to enjoy your book?
When I wrote this
series, I wrote it so that it would be palatable across all demographics, not just the western niche. It’s a contemporary
piece with Victorian sensibilities, and I think readers are going to enjoy the
fact that the book is written as a fun ride; it’s edgy, has grit and humor, and
the bickering that goes on between Lucy “Lucky Lu” Howard and Billy the Kid is
irresistible! It truly is not your average “western”.
How long did it take you to write your book?
It took me 3.5 months
to physically write the book (I type 100 wpm), but it took me 3 years to come
up with the story.
Who designed the cover?
The cover of the
first book was designated by the publisher, but Book II should have a cover I
had an artist design for me that I feel fits the book’s tone a little better.
Did you learn anything from writing your book that was
unexpected?
That those closest to
you are not as supportive as you would like them to be. I don’t believe anyone
expects someone they know to actually write a book and have it published. It
was also a very lonely business, a fact that is well known in the writing
community but only just discovered by me as I worked on it.
Where can a reader purchase your book?
Fortunately, because
I’m a traditionally published author, my book is located at most independent
bookstores, but of course they can find it at Amazon.com and
BarnesandNoble.com. They can receive the eBooks through Amazon and B & N,
but also Google Play and iTunes/Books. the eBooks are $3.99.
What are you doing to market the book?
I’m making a lot of
connections in the western niche, of course, but am also using Twitter and
employing Hootsuite for that. I have my website and run ads on Facebook groups
set aside for book advertising. I also run ads in the proper magazines.
Who inspires you?
My parents, of
course. They’re always behind me 100%, and my husband is a wonderful support
system as well. But when it comes to true inspiration I look to myself. After
all, it’s me who has to find it in me to keep going.
How do you research your books?
I use the major books
readily available on Billy the Kid, and I also use accredited websites for
certain information such as clothing and hardware used during that time period.
Fortunately I’ve made a lot of connections with those who still operate out in the
west who can answer questions for me as well, including some well noted
historians.
What is your work in progress? Tell us about it.
Currently I’m waiting
to receive the manuscript for Bandita Book II from the publisher so that I can
get started on editing. I began writing Book III, but only managed to get about
25,000 words in before I had to force myself to realize that it would be unwise
to proceed without going over the manuscript for Book II. I am also working on
a contemporary novella but can’t say when it will be finished.
What are your thoughts on self-publishing verses traditional
publishing?
I have a love/hate
relationship with self-publishing. I like the idea of self-publishing because
it removes a lot of red-tape and allows the writer to be in charge of their own
vision, whereas publishers have their own ideas and procedures which can get in
the way. The problem I have with self-publishing, however, stems from the fact
that it allows just anybody to be a writer which creates a lot of white noise
when it comes to advertising,
I think it’s a good
idea for a writer to exhaust all potential avenues when it comes to traditional
publishing because it gives the writer street-cred; the writer is having their
work appraised by those who’ve been in the business (though they must be
careful who they submit to. There are websites that help writers learn which
publishers to look out for called http://pred-ed.com/)
Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
Learning how and
loving to read inspired me. I’ve been writing since I was six years old.
Does your family support you in your writing career? How?
They do support me
now that my writing career is in full swing. They’ve always encouraged me, but
writing tends to be one of those dreams that are not easily attainable, and
truly, it does take a lot of effort!
You have to really want it.
What are you currently reading?
I just finished
reading The Picture of Dorian Gray
What books or authors have most influenced your life?
Who can say? I’ve
read so much in my life--I read books, spit them out, then look for the next
one. Some aspects of King’s writing have influenced me, it’s fair to say, but
only quite minimally.
When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
I spend my time like
most people: I watch television, see my friends, read (of course!), and network, network, network!
author interview
Bandita Bonita
books
Interview
interview feature
Jo Linsdell
Nicole Maddalo Dixon
Romancing Billy the Kid
writers and authors
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