Why Author Networks are FUN!

Today, I'm happy to have fellow Independent Author Network author Tonya Kinzer who is also graciously hosting an AWESOME giveaway! Those familiar with her writing know that Tonya's one spicy lady! You can learn more about her "The Boss' Pet" series at her website:

http://tonyakinzer.com (adults only).

L.C. Hi Tonya! Welcome to the blog. Tell us a little about your books and the genre you write.

T. K. I write erotic romance for adults and would be happy to answer any questions about them from the adult readers in the group. (http://www.tonyakinzer.blogspot.com)

L.C. Thanks for keeping it PG-13 for us here, Tonya! ;) So how long have you been writing? Have you always known that you wanted to write?

T.K. I’ve been writing for many years and also write under another name in another area of romance novels. I keep both names separate so not to get my readers confused…or my kids! I began writing when I found so many of the romance novels weren’t written as well as I’d have liked them to be and thought to try my hand at it. Whether they’re better than what’s out there, I can’t say, but I’m gaining a readership and they like what I write.

L.C. That's very cool! And what, would you say, has been your greatest triumph as an author?

T.K. The greatest triumph would be finally seeing my books available for sale and actually being purchased by the public! I choose to self-publish my books. I’ve not submitted to an editor or publisher so I’m not self publishing because I got rejected by them. I’m a bit of a control freak - yes, hubby would vouch for me on that - and I like to do my own covers the way I want and design them the way I want. Being in charge of when my books will be released is another good point of why I do this myself. I’ve missed my personal deadlines a few times only because I also have a day job - we own our own business - and that takes priority over my writing at this point.

L. C. Aren't all business owners sort of control freaks? (Yeah, my hubby and I own a business, too!) 

One control freak to another :o), do you have any strange habits or rituals when you write?

T.K. Some authors can write at Starbucks or a coffee shop but I prefer to write in my office at home or take my laptop out on my covered deck in the shade with the smell of lavender in the air from my gardens. When I’m surrounded by quiet, my imagination takes off and my fingers fly over the keyboard!

L.C. That sounds lovely! Besides your lavender gardens, where is the most exotic or strange place you've ever traveled to?

T.K. We’ve been to Palm Springs CA a few times, not that it’s an exotic city, but when you’ve heard how wonderful it is and how many movie stars have and do live there, it was nice to visit our friends who live there now and be able to say we’ve been there. It’s a beautiful valley and Palm Springs is only one city among many. There are street fairs downtown, flea markets and great restaurants and shopping centers!

L.C. I dunno! Palm Springs is pretty exotic! I used to travel to that area at least once a month on business, and it's beautiful -- especially with all of the blooming bougainvillea and pristine hotels -- truly an oasis in the desert. Which leads me to my next question. If you were stuck on a desert island with one of your characters, who would you want it to be, and why?

T.K. That would have to be The Boss in my books…but I have my own Boss so can I take them both?? *wink* I’ll behave here!

L.C. Heehee! You mentioned movie stars before. What is your favorite movie of all time, and why?

T.K. Being a romantic and a lover of anything set in England, Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood will always be on my shelf. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it. I love the castles, the gowns, the accent - Englishmen could sweep me off my feet! 

L.C. Speaking of movies, if a big-shot Hollywood producer offered to turn your latest book into a motion picture, who would you want to play the lead roles?

T.K. That’s a tough question…I’ve not thought about it but hhmmm…the female role could be Sandra Bullock and The Boss could be Pierce Brosnan, perhaps…there are several who would fit the bill, I’m sure.

L.C. What do you like to do when you're not writing?

T.K. I love working in my yard, trimming the bushes and trees, pulling weeds and planting more flowers. The peaceful sound of chirping birds calms my mind; there are 15 bird houses in our yard so they wake us up early! I love hearing them; what a way to wake up, to the sound of happy birds in the back yard. If I get stuck writing, I head outside and as I work, my characters come back to me with new scenes and things to write about. Sometimes new characters show up wanting their own book written about them. That’s when it’s fun to write. Many times my characters have changed the story on me, too. I will be writing what I want and they tap my shoulder and tell me different! 

L.C. You had me at "working in my yard"! Landscape design used to be my business, and continues to be my (very therapeutic) hobby! All right, Ms. Kinzer...last, but not least, SELL IT! Tell us why we should read your books. (The heat is on, buah ha ha!) And also, (for the other Indie authors out there) share with us how you market your books.

T.K. Writing in the erotic genre is getting more fun as the story lines can go in any direction. Some are hot, spicy love stories between a man and woman, while yet other stories get downright steamy and the pages could burn your fingers. I hope my stories will pull you in to be a silent character alongside mine as they make their way through one adventure after another.

In order to sell your books, you have to make sure your website has the proper content to pull in the visitor, then make them want to stay on your site and roam around. If the pages are too busy, the visitor gets annoyed and closes the page. Besides your main website, you have to be willing to be a part of the social networking that’s out there. Today, that is a must. Get your Twitter account going and post so others can see your name, but more than that, your posts must be something others want to be a part of - again, pull them in with your words and make them want to visit your websites. Facebook is another must. Many don’t like to ‘waste their time’ but that is where the readers learn about who the author is because so much is posted out there. I try to be careful and not put my entire life on my sites. Post articles of interest on your blogs; make them something readers want. I do many author interviews such as this on my blog and more readers are visiting my pages.

Building your platform as an author is what will pull the readers in and want to know more about you. Even those with a publisher behind them have to do a lot of their own marketing to get their name out there. It’s a never-ending task of being seen on the internet and in print. Write more books, do more interviews, be available for chats. Your readers want to know you so give it to them. If you’re good at writing helpful articles, get them posted where several can get to them. I’m on many, many websites and yes, it takes a lot of time, but I love the marketing aspect of the business.

I’ve gone off on a tangent here, sorry. I have a few links on my site for authors who need to know a bit more to get started in the business so feel free to roam around there. Take an hour a day and get your name out there…it’ll take time, but it WILL happen.

L.C. Thanks for these great suggestions, Tonya! And thanks for being on the blog! It's been a pleasure getting to meet you!

T.K. Thank you for having me here today. I think I chatted past some of the topics but I love the biz and my excitement takes off. I love helping other authors and I love talking with readers. Please visit my sites, comment on my blog and follow me on the net.


Alright, here's today's SUPER contest! Tonya Kinzer is giving away a $15 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky commenter! Just leave a comment for her and she'll choose a winner on or around Thursday, August 11th. (That's day after tomorrow folks!) Comments must be received before 11:59 p.m. EST Wednesday. Feel free to leave as many comments as you like, but only one per person will be entered to win! Thanks everyone, and GOOD LUCK!

     Tonya Kinzer writes erotic romance for readers who love to become a silent character within the story! You will be pulled into scenes to partake of the activities, to feel what her characters feel and taste what they taste...strong sexual desires! Be prepared to enter a world you'll not want to leave and can't wait to get back to. Their future holds new submissives and demanding Doms.
     Her series, The Boss's Pet, will take you on a journey alongside Nick and Sondra as they venture into a lifestyle that pulls them deeper into a world of sensuality and submission. You'll not want to miss any of the books in this series so stay locked on her website to know when the next books get released.
     Bk 1 - The Contract Bk 2 - Office Training Bk 3 - Sharing Among Friends Bk 4 - ? Out in Oct??