INTERVIEW with Author Kerri Nelson!

Book Title:  Courting Demons

Blurb:

Paisley Barton was already having a bad day before she turned her husband into a rat.

First, she was fired by her boss and then came home to find hubby in the shower with a naked blonde chick. They say that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned but this break-up may just unleash hell on Earth when Paisley casts a spell of vengeance against her philandering husband.

After her spell casting inadvertently opens a portal between dimensions, Paisley finds her family home transformed into a nightly courtroom for settling disputes between demons of the underworld and she’s the judge! If that’s not enough, she’s got to deal with a charming, ancient demon named Camden who wants to be her personal bodyguard while trying to explain her husband’s sudden, mysterious disappearance to sexy police Detective Dalton Briggs.

But Paisley will show them all that an everyday working mom is better equipped than most to deal with the mystical mayhem…and with a tempting demon hottie and a flirtatious young detective vying for her affection, she soon learns that being single again isn’t so bad after all.

“When a wronged wife turns her cheating husband into a rat, you know you have to keep reading! Kerri Nelson offers up a lot of fun and wild magic in Courting Demons!” --Bestselling author, Linda Wisdom, Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend

Read more about Kerri’s books at her website:  www.kerrinelson.com

Follow her on Twitter here:  www.twitter.com/kerribookwriter

Visit her industry blog here:  www.thebookboost.blogspot.com

Buy Links (print and e-book versions available 9/15 wherever books are sold but here’s the publisher link—free gift available with purchase of print copy—while supplies last):

http://jupitergardens.com/Courting-Demons-by-Kerri-Nelson-print.html

or

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Courting-Demons-ebook/dp/B005OAY7TG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316621839&sr=8-1

Giveaway for the day:

Leave a question or comment to be entered to win today’s prize: A Custom made Momwitch Bread Bag Clip and a Witch Broom Pen Prize Pack!

 Then, enter to win my book tour Grand Prize Kindle by following me on tour and e-mailing me the answers to each question of the day at the end of tour.  The more questions you answer, the more entries you gain.

Question of the Day: 

What is the name of my author promotions blog?

Details on how to enter to win the GRAND PRIZE Kindle at the end of my “Dark Days of Demons Tour” located here:

http://kerribookwriter.blogspot.com/2011/09/courting-demons-blog-tour-win-kindle.html

Excerpt link for Courting Demons: http://www.jupitergardens.com/excerpts/kn_cd.html

Today, I’m interviewing author Kerri Nelson.  Her book Courting Demons is an Urban Fantasy/Romance and was released on September 15, 2011.

 Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in? 

KN:  This book is a cross between an Urban Fantasy and a Paranormal Romance.  The reason the blend is so unique is because the book is mostly about the main character’s journey and the new directions her life is moving in.  She experiences these changes via wild action and unbelievable chaos that disrupts nearly every aspect of her normal life as a wife and mother.  So, in that respect, it is very much an Urban Fantasy novel.  But I find it very difficult to write a book without some romance in it—so you will see her falling for someone as well.  Romance is my typical genre and it plays through here but UF is a new genre for me.

 When did you start writing toward publication? 

KN: I really became serious about it in the last decade.  But I’ve always been a writer of something or another.  I love to write and find it very therapeutic. 

Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?

KN: Yes, in fact, I have three complete manuscripts that have never been published that I wrote and completed before I ever sold my first novella.  But I’ve returned to one of them and I’ve revised it and hope to publish it soon. 

I send out all my manuscripts myself.  I’m a big advocate of submitting and submitting and then submitting some more.  You can’t ever get a “yes” if you’re too afraid of getting a “no”.

Why have you become a published author?   

KN: Through sheer stubborn persistence and blatant determination.  Also, via submitting, submitting, and then submitting some more!

Do you have any rejection stories to share?

KN: I have way too many rejection stories.  In fact, I’ve recently received quite a few rejections as I’ve attempted to switch genres away from romance an into more mainstream mystery fiction.  Very difficult to get accepted in a totally new genre.  But one of my fave stories is a rejection letter that I received which told me to “keep on reading”.  I wasn’t sure if this was a misprint and they meant “keep on writing”.  Or if they really wanted me to give up on writing and just stick with reading.  LOL

 What is your writing routine like?

KN: I don’t have a set routine because I have so many at home responsibilities with the kids and other commitments.  But the one routine I do have is to make time to write every day.  Even if it is only for 15 minutes—I make time to write something.  It is important to me and good for me.  Always make time for your writing if you want to succeed.

 What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?

KN: I do all sorts of promotions.  I even own my own promotions company that will celebrate its second anniversary in November this year.  I’m particularly fond of blogging and attending any sort of reader/writer event where I can meet new people (and potential new readers). 

The help I have comes from my other author friends and acquaintances in the business.  Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today—it is as simple as that.  Make connections whenever and wherever you can.

 Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?   

KN: Holding that completed and printed book in my hand and smiling down at it feels pretty good.  But to get a letter or e-mail from a reader who has really enjoyed your book or been personally touched by it in some way—well, you can’t beat that.

 Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped ?

KN: Yes and yes.  I’m a member of both Romance Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.  I’m also active members of various chapters with both of these organizations.  They’ve all helped by providing me with emotional support during the ups and downs of this volatile career.  They’ve provided valuable critique partners and promotional opportunities.  And mostly they’ve given me the encouragement to keep going and keep improving.  I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

 Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract? 

KN: If you want it—if you really want it—get it out there for people to see.  Don’t be afraid to send your work to publishers.  Skip the agent route if it is not getting you a response that you’d like to see.  Go for smaller publishers or mid-size houses who will be eager to work with you and help you build a platform.  Decide if your goal is to share your work with others and if it is…get it out there and get it published.  Don’t wait around for someone to come knocking at your door. 

There may never be that “perfect golden” deal that you’ve been waiting on.  You may have to make it happen a little differently than you’ve dreamt of but you can get published if/when you decide you’re ready to make it happen.

 What’s next for you?

KN:  I’ve almost completed revisions and edits on my first mainstream mystery/thriller and I’ll be sending it out the first week of October.  I’m very excited to see if I can sell it in that genre. 

I’m also wrapping up several other smaller projects and there may be a sequel to Courting Demons just around the corner (wink, wink).

Thanks for hosting today, Sarah.   

A little bit about the author:

Kerri Nelson discovered her love of writing at an early age and soon became a columnist for her local newspaper winning the Outstanding Young Journalist of the Year Award for her efforts.

After a fifteen year career in the legal field, Kerri fulfilled her lifelong dream of publication and is now an award winning multi-published author of nearly every genre under the sun (and moon) and also writes young adult fiction under the penname K.G. Summers.

A true southern belle, she comes complete with a dashing southern gentleman and three adorable children for whom she often bakes many homemade treats.

Kerri is an active member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America as well as numerous chapters including Futuristic Fantasy & Paranormal Writers and her Presidency of Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.

©  Kerri Nelson 2011