Self-publishing, editing, body language, and a deathly Initiate.
Today I'm delighted to welcome author Sharlene Almond to my blog. Her latest novel, Initiated to Kill, came out recently, and she has just finished writing her fourth, which looks at, among other things, the bubonic plague and conspiracy theories. If that intrigues you, find some virtual coffee and cookies (gluten free - I want to share) and enjoy our conversation. 
Hi Sharlene. I read that you self-published
first, then found a publisher, which is something I did too with some of my books. Can you tell us why you self-published? And what do you like about having a real publisher?
I self-published
to enable me to contact reviewers to review my books, while at the same time
contacting publishers. Quick-starting the process meant I could get a fair idea
of what readers wanted through reviews, and publishers could get a look to see
what readers liked etc.
The best thing
about having a publisher is that they cover all the editing, book cover work
etc, without me having to pay out for things to get done. I have also noticed
that quite a few book reviewers won’t review self-published authors, or some
think because a person self-published that the book won’t be very good.
Admittedly, I do
think my novel is much better done by a professional editor.
I review quite a lot of self-published books, as well as ones released by publishers, so I guess I'm not one of those who would have said no. But I'm interested in your comment about professional editors. I read that you're
trained in editing and proofreading, so I'd assumed you wouldn't need to pay someone to
edit your work.
Although I have
been trained in that, because I have read my manuscripts so much, it’s easy to
miss the small things. As the saying goes ‘two eyes make better than one’. The
more eyes on it, the more likely things will get picked up.
While working on
my second book, I thought I had picked up as much as I could. But coming back
to it a year later to make sure I’ve covered everything, I have picked up heaps
of things that I previously missed.
Of course, with
working with a traditional publisher, thankfully I don’t have to pay for the
editing.
That's certainly an advantage, and one I've really enjoyed now I have a publisher. So, moving on to a different sort of language, I know you've studied
body-language; how do you think that feeds into your writing? Can you offer other
writers any tips?
My main character,
Annabella Cordova is deaf, so the main way she communicates is through body
language and facial expressions. Although I did plenty of research about this,
actually studying this topic enabled me to give the character a more authentic
feel to what she does.
Personally, in any
good thriller/mystery book, adding an element of interpreting body language
makes it a great read. Everyone can benefit from understanding body language.
And because I go
into detail about this aspect, it makes it a bit different than other thrillers
that might just skim over the topic.
Do you
think body language changes with time and place, or is it truly a universal language?
Body language is completely
universal. Humans are incapable of not communicating. Whether it be someone
displaying obvious signs of anxiety or anger, to someone just sitting
completely still and not speaking.
Everything we do communicates
to others, and because a lot of our body language is subconscious, we also
cannot control some of what we put across. In that millisecond, our true
feelings are exposed, and even the most accomplished liar cannot control that.
So, whether it be historical
or present day, our unconscious brain sends signals that cause an automatic
reaction, before the conscious kicks in.
The only thing I would say, is
that people are becoming more accomplished liars; whether it be through
psychopathic tendencies or pathological liars, people are learning more to mask
their inner feelings. But if someone is trained and observant, no one can truly
hide everything…
That's comforting, I guess. So, finally, I have to ask you the obvious question. Please can you tell us where you and your
books can be found on the internet.
I’m on a variety of social
media platforms, which I am happy to connect with people that want to learn
more about me and my books:
About.me: Blog: https://sharlenefreelancewriter.wordpress.com/
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Sharlene-Almond/e/B00K3ZK2ZA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharleneAlmond
Pininterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sharlenealmond/
Thank you so much Sharlene. It's been lovely to host you. I hope you enjoyed the virtual coffee, and I'll look forward to reading Initiated to Kill and posting my reviews.
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: Two men from two different generations, both initiated into a powerful organization that throughout history has sought control and uses their power for destruction. They leave behind a wake of murder, manipulation and ancient secrets.
The first man wreaks havoc in and around the Whitechapel district of London, England in the 19th century. While the other stalks his victims in the cosmopolitan city of Seville, Spain in the 21st century; knowing that only he could uncover the true motives of one of the world’s most infamous serial killers—Jack the Ripper.
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: Two men from two different generations, both initiated into a powerful organization that throughout history has sought control and uses their power for destruction. They leave behind a wake of murder, manipulation and ancient secrets. The first man wreaks havoc in and around the Whitechapel district of London, England in the 19th century. While the other stalks his victims in the cosmopolitan city of Seville, Spain in the 21st century; knowing that only he could uncover the true motives of one of the world’s most infamous serial killers—Jack the Ripper.
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