Saguaro Books Radio Hour: Recent Episodes
Mary Nickum
The Saguaro Books Radio Hour is about all aspects of publishing middle grade and young adult fiction. We discuss writing, editing, promotion, value of critique groups, interview some of our authors, have readings from some of our titles, interview local authors who have not published with us and interview other publishers of comparable size.
Welcome to the last show of our series. We’ll do a recap of the shows that comprised this Saguaro Books Radio Hour. Of course, you can listen to any or all of the shows by logging in to https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/3831/saguaro-books-radio-hour.
Three Saguaro Books authors to be interviewed on the April 1 Saguaro Books Radio Hour:
1) Carolyn Savage - The Gardenia Curse
2) Robena Egemonye - The Fence Mender
3) Jenny Uzelac - The Whiskers Gang
Listen to what they have to say about Author Fools Day
Interview more Saguaro Books authors: Damon Piletz Kristin Sexton Charlene Vermeulen
- Tell us about your book
- What experiences in your life led to your choice of subject for this book?
- When did you begin to write?
- Why did you write this particular book?
- What else are you working on?
- What has been your greatest inner struggle to overcome with relation to your writing career?
- What words would you like to leave the world when you are gone?
- Where can we learn more about you and your books?
- Where can we buy your book?
Erik Shein is a Visionary, Novelist, Entrepreneur and Animal Welfare Advocate. He started his writing career with Sterling Publications and is the author and co-author of over 30 nonfiction and fiction books. He is the owner of the Creative Asset Company, Arkwatch Holdings, LLC and the founder of the Arkwatch Foundation.
Erik tells us about writing nature fantasy and his book, Thunder, an Elephant’s Journey...
Good Morning and welcome to the second segment on Marketing. I will talk more in depth on marketing, publicity and promotion. If you heard last week’s show, you know the differences between those terms; if you missed last week’s show, be sure to listen to the taped version of the show on the VoiceAmerica website.
Many new authors assume the publisher will market the book. In the “old days”, that was probably true. Not any more. Marketing and everything that goes along with it fits squarely on the author’s shoulders. With that sobering statement, we’re going to talk about marketing and its varying facets.
Our Guest is Saguaro Books author, Fran Orenstein. Fran is an award-winning author and poet, wrote her first poem at age eight and submitted a short story to a magazine at age twelve. She wrote professionally and academically until she retired and began to write a variety of fiction and poetry. Two historical Young Adult romance adventure novels, The Calling of the Flute and The Spice Trader’s Daughter. In paperback, an eBook and a graphic novel, Fat Girls from Outer Space is a contemporary ‘tween novel on bullying and self-image. Finally, The Shadow Boy Mysteries, a mystery series for kids 8-13. (All published by Saguaro Books, LLC)
Our Guest this morning is Saguaro Books author and editor, Tonya Coffey. Tonya Coffey lives in Stearns, Kentucky with her husband and two teen sons. Together, they inspire her to push her boundaries in whatever she faces. If she isn't reading a fantasy novel with lots of action, you will find her sitting in front of a canvas, painting the landscape which is so abundant around her home.
Ok, you’ve heard the last few shows and now you’ve decided to take the big step of submitting. Before you do though, you’d like to know more about the process, so it’s time to take a walk through the step of query, submission, re-working, re-submission, acceptance/rejection, final submission, contract.
Many published writers say that critique groups contributed to their success. Critique groups can help you improve your writing, detect weaknesses in plot, structure, or prose, and whip pieces into shape so they catch an editor's interest. Does criticism by other writers really help?
I am an author and publisher. My idea to found Saguaro Books, LLC resulted from the difficulties I experienced as a first-time children’s author seeking a publisher. I realized there needs to be a publisher who works directly with authors, excluding agents. Saguaro Books, LLC is just such a publisher.
To begin our show, I brought the other two principals who make up the Board of Saguaro Books, LLC, John Nickum and Erik Shein.
I’ll begin by introducing you to Saguaro Books:
Saguaro Books, LLC is a publishing company specializing in middle grade and young adult fiction by first-time authors.
Why first-time authors? Why don’t we work with agents? We make every effort to encourage authors, even ones we reject. Those rejected are advised as to what needs to be done to make the draft submission-ready to submit to another publisher.
John Nickum: My role in the company
Erik Shein: My role in the company