I have special guest author, CJ Maxx, here with us today at Boomer Chick! CJ is the author of the sensuous romance IN THE ARMS OF A WARRIOR and will be here to talk about his book and give us insight into what it’s like to be a published author. If you would like to find out all about CJ and his book, IN THE ARMS OF A WARRIOR, visit http://www.cjmaxx.com/.Boomer Chick: Welcome to Boomer Chick, CJ! Will you tell us a little about your book, IN THE ARMS OF A WARRIOR?
CJ: This book is about technical writer Susan Ambrose. Her grandfather wore a Green Beret, her father wore a Green Beret, her brother's a Ranger. She knows warriors. She's seen her father and brother go off to war. She's listened to war stories her whole life. She knows what it's like to be married to a soldier. She wants no part of it.
When she falls in love with engineer David Wilson it seems to be the answer to her prayers. They both work on the same program for a defense contractor. David, although attractive, is shy and inexperienced. Their romance hits several bumps before things smooth out. But, will their romance survive the cultural clash between this strong-willed Army brat and the domineering anti-war mother of her lover? What happens when the project has to field tested in a war zone? Can Susan deal with that? Has she fallen in love with a warrior? All this takes place against the background of our war with Radical Islam.
Boomer Chick: Did you find your publishing journey easy or hard in relation to getting your book published?
CJ: It was hard. I guess I have to admit this upfront. I'm a man. I used my very male name on the submission packages to the major romance publishing houses. The ones that did answer came back quick--no way, Jose. I think Ellora's Cave had the Canadian Air Force intercept it on the border and escort it back. If I had to do it again, I would have used my wife's name.
Boomer Chick: You’re published by one of the newer publishers, Mardi Gras Publishing. Why did you decide on Mardi Gras?
CJ: I knew that Mardi Gras was a start-up. I took a chance that they might take a chance on me. They did.
Boomer Chick: I’m always interested in why authors go with certain publishers. Did you try for a NY publisher first and find it almost difficult for a new author to get a contract with them or did you just prefer a small press to begin with?
CJ: I definitely tried New York first. I tried agents to no avail and then went directly to the publishers that accepted unagented manuscripts. I went to the smaller press after I gave up on the larger houses.
Boomer Chick: Can you tell us ways in which you’ve tried to get the word out about your book?
CJ: I've tried the recommended routes: Posting on the various groups to get the word out. Setting up a website. Setting up a myspace page. Joining Authorsden. Now I'm with Dorothy Thompson's Pump Up Your Book program.
Boomer Chick: What would you say is the hardest thing about being a published author?
CJ: It's not the end, you're not finished. You haven't made it yet. The hardest part is getting the word out about your book. I'm still learning about that.
Boomer Chick: What are the perks? What have you enjoyed about being a published author?
CJ: The satisfaction of finally being published is soul satisfying. Holding your book in your hand, drinking a toast to it. Being recognized as a published author.
Boomer Chick: If a writer who desired to be published walked up to you and said, “I want to be an author because I want to get rich,” what would you tell them?
CJ: I'm laughing right now. There are authors who do make a good living at writing. Everyone should have that goal but needs to be realistic about their chances. It's tough, you need to have that breakout novel. I've got one in my head. I need to get busy and put it down on paper.
Boomer Chick: What’s next for CJ Maxx?
CJ:I have an action/thriller war novel coming out on April 1st, '08 from Whiskey Creek Press. It's titled The Red Dragon. I have two erotic novellas out with a third being released on September 1st. I'm also near completion on another. These can also be seen on my website: http://www.cjmaxx.net/.
Boomer Chick: Thank you for coming, CJ, and happy sales to you!
CJ: Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to talk to you about publishing and my book.
Tags: Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours, online book promotion, author publicity, virtual book tour, book promotion, book publicity, author interview, CJ Maxx
Boomer Chick: Did you find your publishing journey easy or hard in relation to getting your book published?
CJ: It was hard. I guess I have to admit this upfront. I'm a man. I used my very male name on the submission packages to the major romance publishing houses. The ones that did answer came back quick--no way, Jose. I think Ellora's Cave had the Canadian Air Force intercept it on the border and escort it back. If I had to do it again, I would have used my wife's name.
Boomer Chick: You’re published by one of the newer publishers, Mardi Gras Publishing. Why did you decide on Mardi Gras?
CJ: I knew that Mardi Gras was a start-up. I took a chance that they might take a chance on me. They did.
Boomer Chick: I’m always interested in why authors go with certain publishers. Did you try for a NY publisher first and find it almost difficult for a new author to get a contract with them or did you just prefer a small press to begin with?
CJ: I definitely tried New York first. I tried agents to no avail and then went directly to the publishers that accepted unagented manuscripts. I went to the smaller press after I gave up on the larger houses.
Boomer Chick: Can you tell us ways in which you’ve tried to get the word out about your book?
CJ: I've tried the recommended routes: Posting on the various groups to get the word out. Setting up a website. Setting up a myspace page. Joining Authorsden. Now I'm with Dorothy Thompson's Pump Up Your Book program.
Boomer Chick: What would you say is the hardest thing about being a published author?
CJ: It's not the end, you're not finished. You haven't made it yet. The hardest part is getting the word out about your book. I'm still learning about that.
Boomer Chick: What are the perks? What have you enjoyed about being a published author?
CJ: The satisfaction of finally being published is soul satisfying. Holding your book in your hand, drinking a toast to it. Being recognized as a published author.
Boomer Chick: If a writer who desired to be published walked up to you and said, “I want to be an author because I want to get rich,” what would you tell them?
CJ: I'm laughing right now. There are authors who do make a good living at writing. Everyone should have that goal but needs to be realistic about their chances. It's tough, you need to have that breakout novel. I've got one in my head. I need to get busy and put it down on paper.
Boomer Chick: What’s next for CJ Maxx?
CJ:I have an action/thriller war novel coming out on April 1st, '08 from Whiskey Creek Press. It's titled The Red Dragon. I have two erotic novellas out with a third being released on September 1st. I'm also near completion on another. These can also be seen on my website: http://www.cjmaxx.net/.
Boomer Chick: Thank you for coming, CJ, and happy sales to you!
CJ: Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to talk to you about publishing and my book.
Tags: Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours, online book promotion, author publicity, virtual book tour, book promotion, book publicity, author interview, CJ Maxx
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