Author's Name: S.D. Grady
Website: www.SonyaDGrady.com

Sonya Grady is a multi-published author who enjoys writing historical romance as well as erotica and contemporary romance.

New Release:
AN ACCOMPLISHED LADY
Wings ePress, July 2007

Miss Fiona Fairweather is attempting to become what everyone expects of a well-born lady. Bound by duty to wed where her deceased parents wished, she fights to deny the powerful attraction she feels for another—the flirtatious Lord Rocheford. Dare she trust her wild heart or succumb to a sedate life of elegance?

Brief Excerpt:
Scotland, 1814

The sturdy palomino pony raced across the top of the world; her hooves sweeping through the heather, sending the lush scent of the highlands up to her rider. Fiona kneed her mount on, glorying in the wind whipping through her red curls. Her Irish wolfhound racing on Maira’s heels leant his voice to the joyous afternoon. Fiona laughed and urged the pony on towards the rocky outcrop.

The day’s chores were completed now. The Connolly’s, a pair of crofters living in a tiny dell, had the medicine for their boy and a visit to Michael the shepherd had resulted in the happy birth of a pair of twin lambs. More>>

On Writing

Is it cliché to say I've always been writing? Mom's typewriter enchanted me from the time I was five. However, it took until I attained the ripe old age of 35 to pursue this lifelong hobby professionally. Mostly because the stories just never stopped pestering me and I figured I ought to do something about that.

Anything in particular draw you to the genre(s) you write?

I tend to gravitate towards Historical romance, mostly because I love to dream in a fantasy world. Men are allowed to be true princes, as only we would imagine princes to be, and ladies dress in silk and lace. I don't know that I would really like to live in corsets and five layers of clothing, but it is a nice picture. And of course, as time goes on, world history turns into something more like myth. Characters like Henry VIII and Cleopatra are easily woven into a story full of wonder.

On the Writing Process

Does this mean I'm a pantster or an outliner? *chuckles* My computer is full of first chapters that never grew into a complete book or story. The ones that make it to fruition usually begin with me being able to see the end. I manage to outline a basic storyline, but in the execution, the plot rarely sticks to the plan. There is a lot of discipline. I give myself deadlines for new chapters, revisions, critiques and submissions. The rush of brilliance and all night typing rarely comes to me. Writing a book takes time and dedication.

Where do you get most of your ideas from?

I don't think there is a most. Sporting events, news clips, fairy tales, old houses…I guess that's why they call it inspiration.

What's the hardest part of writing for you?

There's two answers here.

1.) Grammar. Just when I think I've figured out one rule, another drops out of my head. I really do feel sorry for my editors.

2.) Filling up the word count! So many of my stories present themselves to me in a snapshot, I have a difficult time expanding them into something marketable.

On Writing Schedule

It's more a matter of squeezing in writing time around the rest of life. When my husband works evenings, I have more time to really concentrate. I can only hope one day, it'll be squeezing life in around writing.

On Writer's Block

I've run into blocks on books, but not complete writer's block. One of my recent projects took me over two years to write. However, between spurts of, "What will my character do next?" I managed to complete a separate novel and three novellas. I just keep writing.

On Conferences and Contests

Contests certainly helped me to find the confidence to keep plugging away at this crazy profession. I try to keep an eye on the amount of money I put into my work, so I don't enter often. They also provide an extra incentive to focus on various aspects of the craft. I'm still waiting to see if the last contest brings me a contract.

On Being a Published Author

The best part is knowing that I achieved a goal I worked toward for many years. That is most gratifying. The worst part is the conception that I actually know what I'm doing now, just because of that contract. I still feel lost! The biggest challenge is definitely all the promotion that goes with selling your book.

Best Advice Received

Research! Research your topic, research your market, research the publishers. The more you know, the less you look like an amateur when submitting your work.

On Promotion

While ultimately good writing sells books, first the readers have to know to look for the book! Self-promotion is key in kicking off an author's career. The new writer should understand that success won't happen overnight. It takes time to build fans and a backlist. Treat yourself like a product on the shelf at a store. People never buy the new small can hidden on the top shelf. They might grab the shiny, jar that is front and center.

On Publishers

So far, I have only explored the ebook world. My July release An Accomplished Lady is with Wings ePress. They have been releasing about ten books a month in all genres of non-erotic fiction for over a decade. They provide POD services for their authors through Paws N' Print. They only release novel length works, 50k-100k.

My August release A Widow's Justice is with loveyoudivine. They have been in business for just over two years, offering alternatives to the standard romantica that is so popular. They have just opened their doors to submissions. Until recently, they only invited authors to work with them. Print versions of books are setup through POD services.

I have two other novellas pending release. The Elements of Love and The Shape of a Woman are both contracted at Forbidden Publications. A rapidly growing presence in the erotic epublishing world, they are actively seeking submissions and respond to queries within a reasonable amount of time.

What Are You Working On Now?

This is quite a question. With so many titles moving forward in the publishing process, I've been spending the past month in the editing cave. It's rather tortuous in there. I've missed my storyworlds. I've two other novels that are in submission purgatory at the moment as well. Does the stress never end?
On the drawing board, I have a NASCAR romance begging to be written and well as possible sequels in my Elements of Love series. I also have a weekly commentary article in the Tuesday Frontstretch Newsletter. The Newsletter is affiliated with http://www.frontstretch.com, a premiere independent NASCAR news website.

Advice for Aspiring Writers

Know your stuff. When writing historical romance, know the difference between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Time affects so many things about humans: the way we dress, talk, technology, foreign affairs and advances in general knowledge. Don't guess about this stuff…research it. Your readers can smell out uncertainty in a second!

Besides that, don't feel like you have to script your book in the standard Regency period. Take your characters on an adventure in a time and place romance readers haven't visited recently. Make your book stand out!

The Last Word

If you're still reading, thank you! If anything I had to say you found of value, I'm thrilled! As I continue to move forward, discovering more about his craft, I am continually overwhelmed by all that I have yet to accomplish. Still, as long as I find something that inspires me to tell a new story, I'll be clicking away on my keyboard.

Thanks again for this opportunity to share with all of you.

Visit Sonya online at http://SonyaDGrady.com/