 AUTHOR
PROFILE: Leslie Dicken w/a Jordanna Kay
Author's Name: Leslie Dicken/Jordanna Kay
Website: www.LeslieDicken.com,
www.JordannaKay.com
Leslie Dicken (w/a Jordanna Kay) writes historical, gothic and
futuristic sci-fi romance. Her debut novel is available from Samhain
Publishing.
New Release:
The Price of Discovery
Samhain Publishing, August 2006
A sexy alien with secrets to hide, an irresistible reporter determined
to expose the truth; when resistance succumbs to temptation, they
are forced to pay the price of discovery.
On the hunt for a juicy story and a promotion, Erin Price is determined
to prove she can move beyond her past mistakes. An eerie Victorian
house in the middle of nowhere and a sexy stranger hiding secrets
could be her ticket to success. Racing against time and a competing
journalist, Erin breaks every rule to be near the stranger. When
she discovers the truth, she'll be forced to decide if her career
is more important than her heart.
Drakor has nothing but contempt for Earth after his best friend
disappeared on the planet during a previous assignment. When his
family accepts a critical mission to find a cure for bone crippling
disease at home, Drakor is forced to return to the planet he despises.
As his birthday nears, Drakor is losing time to find his life
mate. Will his encounters with a nosy reporter change his opinion
of Earth and is his deep attraction to her proof that his true
life-mate is human? When a series of failures force Drakor to
take his family and run, will he leave behind the only person
he can ever love?
On Writing
I always made up stories in my head. It's how I kept myself entertained
on long car rides. After reading some of my mom's romances as
a teenager and then studying Wuthering Heights in school, I just
sat down one day and began to write. I wrote every day (long hand
back then) until I had a finished book. College, marriage and
a baby got in the way, but once personal computers became mainstream,
I started again and haven't looked back.
I've always been drawn to historicals. I loved thinking of a time
when women wore long ball gowns and men were lords. Ironically,
my first sale was not a historical but a futuristic--I liked Star
Trek too!
On Her Writing Process
What writing process? LOL! I write when I have the time. Period.
Sometimes that's every day, sometimes it's not for weeks. Ideas
often come from dreams I've had. Both stories I sold to Samhain
Publishing were dreams. Other ideas come from something someone
said. A brief sentence Jo Beverly once said in a workshop became
my sale to Triskelion. My book that finalled in the Golden Heart
came from a sentence I created for a topic of the week when I
was president of FTHRW.
The hardest part of writing is trusting in my instinct and believing
the story has merit. I write the first few chapters easily but
then stall and worry there's not enough to finish the book. Usually
a few brainstorming sessions with friends will help kick me over
that hill.
On Writing Schedules
See above! The time I typically write is from 8:30 pm to 11:00pm.
I have a full time job and three kids. I write after they've gone
to bed. Sometimes I can't write every day. I'm simply amazed how
some people are able to write quickly.
On Writer's Block
Oh yes, all the time! In the past, I gave up on that particular
story and moved onto a new project. These days I have friends who
will kick my behind if I do that. So I whine to them and they help
me with ideas and give me confidence to get moving. Sometimes it's
just a matter of reading and letting my muse rest.
On Conferences and Contests
I love conferences. Mostly because I see my friends. <g>
I've met with many editors and agents during conferences and although
I've gotten requests, none resulted in a sale, or even got me my
agent. The same with contests. They are fabulous for feedback and
giving me validation, but I rarely got requests from them. However,
I know many others who credit contests with their sales. I guess
it really depends. I'm out of the contest circuit for a while now.
;-)
On Getting "The Call"
I guess it was actually an email. Coming from an epub, they'll
email you with an offer and tell you all about their company and
what's involved. It's a different process from NY, I understand.
Still, I was shocked when I saw that email. Not only was the turn-around
time quicker than I expected, but I really thought they'd at least
request revisions first. Since that first sale to Samhain, I've
sold three other stories to various publishers. Your confidence
level just soars, and it shows to editors.
On Being a Published Writer
The best thing is seeing your cover for the first time. Being
able to tell people they can "buy" your book! It's hearing
your editor tell you that they really love reading this story and
want more from you.
The worst thing is that you still have to wait. Not only that, you've
given up control. It's not about entering contests and submitting
to editors anymore. It's about waiting to hear from editor, waiting
to get that contract, waiting for reviews. It's frustrating, but
exhilarating.
Best/Worst Advice Received
Don't give up. I know we hear it all the time. But it's true.
With each book you write, your talent and craft improves. Each
new story brings you closer to that magic call. I can look back
now and see how far I've come, how far I've grown. It's amazing.
I can't think of any [bad advice I've received]. Guess if I heard
it, I didn't listen!
On Promotion
It's HUGELY important. Especially if you are epubbed. You have
to get your name out there. Get a website. Start a blog. Join
in on chats. Participate on loops. I've not done my best to remain
active on FTHRW's loop, but I'm busy putting myself out there
on my publishers' loops and keeping up with my blog. However,
don't let promotion take over your life either. I have to pull
back sometimes and ease up on some loops. There's only so much
of me to go around.
On Publishers
I love Samhain. They are a great group of intelligent and talented
authors and editorial professionals. Their contract is very author
friendly and their covers ROCK! I know they have big plans in their
future and I'm thrilled to be a part of their team. I'm new to Triskelion
and The Wild Rose Press so I don't much to say about them, but I'm
excited to be there.
On Agents
I really wanted an agent. I know very little about contracts and
just am not good at standing up for myself. I sent out many queries
in my hunt for an agent and got close a few times. Then finally
The Knight Agency read my Golden Heart finalist, MARK OF THE MONSTER,
and called me (though she had it before it finalled). I still get
giddy when I see my agent's name in my Inbox! <G>
What's Next?
LOL! Well, let's see. First thing is to finish up a short story.
Then, I'll revise the historical I sold to Triskelion. And then
it's back to my work-in-progress, another historical gothic, so
that my agent can get me a two-book deal! LOL!
Any Advice for Aspiring Writers?
What can I tell you that you haven't already heard? Don't compare
yourself to other authors (it's hard, I know). Don't think one
rejection (or several) means you aren't any good. Write what you
love, not what you think will sell. Keep plugging away. Think
of five years from now. You may not be published, but will you
be happy knowing you gave up and now you watch TV all the time
instead of write?
The Last Word
Carefully research before you submit anything. That includes agents
(yes, it's true, no agent is better than a bad agent). Review publishing
houses to know what they want. Even if you send to an epublisher.
They aren't all the same. They don't all accept the same types of
stories. Ask around and see where all the buzz is.
But remember, even when you sell, you haven't reached the end of
the journey. Honestly, I'm starting to believe, it's only just begun!
And Good Luck!!
Visit Leslie/Jordanna online at www.LeslieDicken.com
and www.JordannaKay.com
(Interviewed September, 2006)
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