Today I have a special guest, bestselling author Wynne Channing!
She is a national newspaper reporter and an award-winning young adult novelist. She seems to have a snarky wit and creative edge that is inspiring. I am honored to have her on the blog.
When I came across her book on Amazon, I immediately bought a copy. The gorgeous cover caught my eye, and after reading the blurb, I just knew I had to read this book and get an interview. *fan girl moment*
Wynne was kind enough to take time out of her crazy-busy schedule to share her wisdom and insight into the controversial world of self-publishing. Her own success story is an inspiring tale of determination and good marketing.
Thank you so much Sherry for these great questions!
I always like to start with a little background, where were you born?
Winnipeg, Manitoba! I’m a Canadian like my heroine.
How old were you when you realized you wanted to be a writer?
I was telling stories before I knew how to spell. I drew picture books as a girl.
How long does it take you to write a book? What is the average word count?
My debut novel, WHAT KILLS ME took about six months to write. I think it’s about 62,000+ words.
Do you have a critique partner(s)?
Yes! My writing partner, Leigh Carron is another author. She tells me when my characters are well, out of character.
Do you ever use beta readers?
My beta readers are my friends and family. They’re a blunt bunch so they don’t sugar coat.
The criticism of many self-published books is the lack of editing and proof reading. Did you hire a professional freelance editor before self-publishing?
I work at a newspaper so I know the value of a good editor. I never considered self-publishing without having my manuscript edited and proofread.
Did you submit your work to agents or publishers before deciding to self-publish?
I did. Several agents told me that I was a great writer but they could not take on any more stories on vampires.
What made you decide to self-publish, and had you tried to be traditionally published before going the self-publishing route?
I was proud of my story and I wanted to share it with the world. So I worked up the courage to go indie and I’ve never looked back.
What is one of the hardest things you’ve experienced while on this self-publishing journey?
The hardest part is beginning. Self-publishing scared the crap out of me. I put it off for a year.
What do you think about the less than complimentary remarks often made about self-published / Indie books vs. traditional publishing – and do you think this perception is changing?
The industry is still evolving and I understand both sides of the argument. Just because I’ve taken the indie route does not mean that I don’t admire and respect traditional publishing. There are pros and cons to both. I believe there is room in this world for both.
Were there any major revisions to your debut novel?
Not really. The final version is faithful to my original vision.
There is a lot of talk about the publishing industry being in a huge state of change, did this influence your decision to self-publish?
Definitely. The books editor at my newspaper suggested that I go indie. He kept telling me that the landscape is changing and urged me to make a go of it.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to self-publish?
Self-publishing is not for everyone. But if you’re passionate about your product and ready for crazy amounts of work, take the jump. You can do it. And when in doubt, ask for help.
They say that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but most readers do anyway. Did you use a designer for create a book cover for you? If so, what difference do you feel this made on sales?
I think a cover is crucial. I paid a wonderful designer to create the face of WHAT KILLS ME, and I’m so happy with it. So many readers have told me that they took a chance on my novel because they loved the cover.
What marketing platforms are you using to promote your books, and how much of your time does marketing your book take?
Marketing is a full-time job. During the day, I’m a newspaper reporter. From 8 to 9 p.m., I’m a Latin dance teacher. Then from 10pm until 5 a.m., I’m a marketer/publicist. I Tweet. I post on Facebook. I pitch blogs, magazines, websites. I use Goodreads, Pinterest, Shelfari, and LibraryThing. Then I watch the sunrise.
Are you happy with the level of sales? Do you think there is more you could do to improve your sales?
I had no expectations. If my mom was the only person who bought my book, I told myself that I wouldn’t be sad. So every single sale is a wonderful gift. But WHAT KILLS ME has made it onto Amazon’s Best Sellers List (#8 in occult). Cue the explosive joy.
What do you see as the pitfalls in self-publishing?
Writing can be a lonely profession. And it’s hard to stay motivated. But no one will push your book but you. So you must do the work.
What was your motivation for this story?
I was living in Taiwan for a few months and at night, I could hear cockroaches scurrying around my room. Needless to say, I couldn’t sleep, afraid they’d rent out my mouth for a party. So I would lie there, thinking all sorts of crazy things, asking myself all sorts of questions: “What would happen if I suddenly disappeared?” “What if I fell into a hole? What if that hole was filled with blood?” Man, that would suck. That image, of a young woman climbing out of a well and soaked in blood was what started it all.
Your book title rocks! Was it the original title or did it change along the way?
Thank you! I didn’t name the book until I was done. I wanted something to reflect both the action and the humor in the story. I think the title does the job.
Be honest, how many drafts did you do on this book?
I rewrote as I went and then went back and tweaked countless times. But when it was done, I didn’t go back and do any major overhauls.
How do you come up with your character's names?
I have a multicultural cast, so I love names from around the world. Sometimes I choose a name and then as the story progresses, I find that it doesn’t suit them anymore. Then I do a “find and replace” until I’m satisfied.
Are your books available in both eBook and paperback versions?
WHAT KILLS ME was launched this summer first as an eBook. A paperback version is coming shortly.
Which is more difficult to write, dialogue, action, or a love scene?
The love scenes. In the midst of chaos and death, I don’t believe in swooning damsels and bulging pectorals. The love in WHAT KILLS ME happens organically. It evolves. A connection, trust, tenderness is built over time. That is my personal reality.
How do your family and/or friends feel about your book or your writing venture in general?
As a newspaper reporter, I’ve covered murder trials and political elections, so colleagues and sources were taken aback when I published a paranormal YA novel. (Try having this conversation with the local politician: “Hi, how are you? I’m fine. Oh, I’m writing a book about a girl who falls into a well filled with blood...”) But what they don’t know is that the fiction writing came first. I started writing creepy, gory, weird, dystopian etc. stories when I was a little girl. My closest friends and family know that about me and are super supportive.
Who is your favorite author, and what really excites you about their work?
Wow. I have so many. I admire so many different writers. Ernest Hemingway for his economy of words. Rohinton Mistry for his rich narration. Cormac McCarthy for his poetic prose. Can’t choose just one.
Tell us a little about your next book.
I’m working on the sequel to WHAT KILLS ME, which continues Zee’s adventure with the vampire monarchy. Their destinies are linked which makes the stakes so much higher. After I complete the series, then I’m planning to write a dystopian thriller set in high school.
Fun Bonus Questions
What are you currently reading?
I read a lot of non-fiction for work. Right now, I’m reading Claudia Hammond’s Time Warped, a book about the mysteries of time perception.
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
Loved “Sex and the City” and “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.”
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Lover of fun.
Laptop or desktop?
Laptop.
PC or MAC?
MAC.
Who is your fictional character crush? (movie, TV show, fiction)
I’ve always had a soft spot for Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice).
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
I’d want to fly and avoid those awful line-ups at the airport.
Buy WHAT KILLS ME:
About the book (#8 Amazon’s Best Sellers List for Occult):
An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race. So when 17-year-old Axelia falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire bladesmith Lucas, must battle to survive. How will she convince the empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?
About the Author:
Wynne Channing is a national newspaper reporter and award-winning young adult novelist. Wynne loves telling stories and as a journalist, she has interviewed everyone from Daniel Radcliffe and Hugh Jackman to the president of the Maldives and Duchess Sarah Ferguson. The closest she has come to interviewing a vampire is sitting down with True Blood‘s Alexander Skarsgard (he didn’t bite). She briefly considered calling her debut novel “Well” so then everyone would say: “Well written by Wynne Channing.”
Connect with Wynne:
Thank you for sharing your insight with my followers, Wynne. I wish you much success!
Happy Reading,
~Sherry
Learn more about the Spellbound Series
She sounds like an awesome person and author, and I feel the sudden urge to go buy What Kills Me!!
Great post!!
BTW- LOVE the cover!
Thank you so much Sherry! Back at you!
Thank you so much Sherry! Back at you!