Tell us a little about your book.
The Angry Woman Suite, a Kirkus Critics’ Pick, is modern historical suspense (most of the action takes place in the 1930s and 1950s) with elements of coming-of-age, and of course a love story at its core, about a celebrity double murder at the turn of the 20th century, in Pennsylvania, and the attendant fallout on three generations of two families.
The title refers to a suite of ten portraits that figure predominantly in the plot. Declared “labyrinthine” by a Montreal Books Examiner reviewer, The Angry Woman Suite is full of twists and turns you don’t see coming until you’re well out of one and already into the next.
What inspired you to write this book?
Two things: I was writing character sketches for a class—in this particular instance, what I call the “crazy shooter” character who goes bonkers and shoots up a grocery store, yet everyone who’s ever known him swears he was the salt of the earth. Now, there’s no crazy shooter in The Angry Woman Suite, but the first character I created—Francis—was good and bad, sweet and mean, and so on. In short, a paradox like the crazy shooter character, and I wanted to explore that. Everything followed paradox, including going to Chadds Ford for a wedding and visiting the Brandywine Battle museum (the battle serves as metaphor for one of The Angry Woman Suite’s themes of independence). While at that battlefield, I imagined a woman looking back at her life, at her fight for autonomy—and that, between paradox and autonomy, is when I knew I had my book.
What are you doing to market your book?
Kirkus Reviews was my first big toehold. I’d had an agent, but she quit the book business. So I told myself I’d get a review from Kirkus, and if it was halfway decent, I’d consider it a “sign” to go indie (either way, trad or indie, you have to do your own book promoting). Well, the Kirkus review of The Angry Woman Suite was wonderful and amazing and every other superlative you can think of—and here we are. I’m also doing lots of guest blogging (in addition to www.leefullbright.com ); giveaways (especially at Goodreads), and interviews at review sites. I’m entered in competitions, and heavy into what I call “review.begging,” which sounds rather pathetic, but is paying off. In addition, Kirkus Reviews recently ran an ad in their newsletter (good); and I’ve also got an ad at Goodreads (good for a while), and Facebook (save your money).
How have sales been? Where have you had the most success?
The Angry Woman Suite is just out (3/10/12), so considering we’re in an introductory phase, I’d say sales are fine for where we are right now.
How are readers/reviewers reacting to your book?
This is the best part! Readers and bloggers tell me they’re loving The Angry Woman Suite! Ditto for Kirkus Reviews, of course (I am currently pending Publishers Weekly and Midwest Book Review) . . . many of the blogger reviews are still out, so I’ll hopefully be having more fun in another month or so when they hit. Right now, though, there’s a common thread to the reviews that are in: the words engrossing, superb, and fantastic.
What was the biggest challenge you faced writing this book and how did you overcome it?
Two of the three narrators who propel The Angry Woman Suite forward are male (and I’m not), so my biggest challenge was writing from the points of view of men! I ran almost every line of male dialogue past the men in my life. Two minutes into the first read, they all nailed me on the word fabulous.
What are the future plans for you and this book?
To keep introducing The Angry Woman Suite around, until September or so.
What is your next project?
I’m a third of the way into a first (untitled and on-hiatus) draft of a whodunit-and-why novel about a rape and murder on the banks of the San Diego River, loosely based on the San Diego Chelsea King case a few years back—only my story will be set mid-century. I plan on picking this project back up in September.
Have you published anything else?
I have one completely unpublishable novel in a drawer, but The Angry Woman Suite is my first published novel.
Any advice for other writers/indie authors out there?
Write the story you love, even if it’s painful. The love will show. So will the pain. An epic story has both.
Work on your story everyday, but always wrap a writing session at the top of your game—you’ll start the next day’s session rested and healthy and still at the top of your game. Neurotic artists are so yesterday.
Many writers are interior people and promoting our own work sounds about as appealing an idea as snow-shoeing without, well, snowshoes. BUT I’m here to tell you: it’s not that bad (I thought it would be, too). It’s a keyboard mostly, not a face-time Broadway audition. Keep stuff in perspective and keep moving forward. Have some fun.
