National Novel Writing Month

WHO can participate?
If you want to write a book, you can join like-minded authors attempting to do the same.

WHAT is NaNoWritMo?
It is the National Novel Writing Month. Writers attempt to write 50,000 words. For support and camaraderie join the online registry at http://www.nanowrimo.org.

WHEN is NaNoWritMo?
Every November the event is held.

WHERE is NaNoWritMo?
You can find others in your geographic region. Attend parties and get togethers. Many areas hold write-ins (where people go and write as long and as much as you like.

WHY is there a NaNoWritMo?
We authors can use some gentle prodding to get the job done.

Rooter & Snuffle Interview with Shari Lyle-Soffe

The Misadventures of Rooter & Snuffle

Written by Shari Lyle-Soffe
Illustrated by Kevin S. Collier

Blog: http://sharilyle-soffe.com

ISBN: 978-1-933090-88-7

Format: print, e-book, CD

Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

In “The Misadventures of Rooter and Snuffle” two raccoon brothers rely on their faith to see them through difficult, and sometimes dangerous, times. They learn to find the answers for themselves. And although these brothers may not always agree on everything, in the end they always care about each other..

Author Biography

Shari Lyle-Soffe lives in the woods of Southern Oregon with her husband, a dog, and two cats. Her yard is frequented by wildlife in the form of deer, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossum, and birds. These visitors always seem to find a home in her books.

Interview with Shari Lyle Soffe

Author of the Misadventures of Rooter & Snuffle

Aday: Where did you come up with the two lovable raccoon characters?

Shari: They are a combination of two raccoons that used to visit our back porch when I was a child, and the relationship between myself and my younger brother.

Aday: I’m just getting my first taste of what it is like to hand my book over to an artist and let them draw what they see. Were you on edge about what Kevin Collier might come up with for your book? Did you envision something in your head that he created differently, good or bad?

Shari: On edge? I was excited to see how he would draw them. I was thrilled when I saw them. He does wonderful work. As an author my own vision may not be the best vision. You have to trust that you have created characters that will inspire the illustrator with what you envision. It isn’t important that you pictured a red door and he made it blue unless the red door is important to the story. I was pleased that he captured the sweetness of the two characters, that was how I saw them.

Aday: What caused you to include the exercises in the activity pad?

Shari: In all honesty that was my publisher’s idea. I can’t take credit for it. She is very big on value added books. I have to agree with her that it is nice to get something extra for your money.

Aday: What are your on going promotion plans for the book?

Shari: To promote them right along with my new books as they come out. I do what I can to make people aware of them through networking at organizations I am part of, and I am always looking for new ways to get the word out. Promotion is not a static thing. You have to keep looking for new ways to go. Where would Coca Cola be if they had used the same advertisement and hadn’t look for innovative new ways to reach the buying public?

Aday: What role have artists taken on to help promote and sell your books?

Shari: Kevin has been wonderful about creating coloring pages and drawing lessons using my characters. He also uses our characters for demonstrations at school visits and on television. We are blessed to have him.

Aday: What is the most challenging part of promoting Rooter & Snuffle?

Shari: Getting them into public schools. The books have very slight religious content. The raccoons pray or say a blessing, and one book mentions the creator. It is very mild but some schools are wary of that kind of content. Parents are happy to see that included and they buy the books. They are popular among homeschool parents too.

Aday: Did you start out writing Rooter & Snuffle as a series?

Shari: Not really. Each book contains three short stories. The idea for a series actually came from Kevin Collier. He opened my eyes to new opportunities when I was on the verge of giving up. I had listened to naysayers about e-publishers so I hadn’t even given them a try. Kevin taught me to open my mind. I told you he was a blessing.

Aday: What if any differences are there to your promoting a series and a stand alone book (at book signings, teacher visits, etc…)

Shari: Not really any differences that I can think of other than making people aware that there are more books in the series.

Aday: How do you approach resistant bookstores to get your books stocked?

Shari: I keep pushing until they give in. After all, a book signing is mutually beneficial to the author and the book store. I also let it be known that I will notify the newspaper, etc., and I ask what they want from me. Persistence is very important just like in my book Nothing Stops Noah.

Aday: Do you see the end of the Rooter & Snuffle series? What has enabled it to continue?

Shari: I haven’t given up yet. My publisher and illustrator have both indicated they would like to do another. It just hasn’t come together in my mind yet. I think the themes are responsible for it continuing. The stories have common themes that build character. Young children need to learn about sharing, caring for others, caring for the environment, peer pressure, bullying, etc.

Aday: Thanks for the interview Shari!

COME BY FOR THE BOOK MARKETING BRAINSTORM & REVIEW.

Must Have ARC Review for the Back of Your Book

I started thinking. [Scared? You should be. Lol] I was thinking about where to get reviews to quote on the back of your book.

FICTION BOOK:

-FUN

Television, Radio personality, teacher, librarian, any public official, college professor for family studies

-RELIGIOUS

Priest, preacher, religious authority figure, teacher, librarian

-CHARACTER BUILDING

Guidance counselor, child psychologist, social worker, college professor for family studies, child psychology

NONFICTION BOOKS

Experts in the field of study, museum personnel, professors/teachers, and all of the people listed under fiction books

NAMES WITH LETTERS AFTER THEM IMPRESS!!!

Tomorrow at 6:00 PM there's a radio show on the internet about getting reviews.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ThePublishingInsiders