As promised in the beginning of the LDS Authors Giveaway Hop I have an interview with Sherry Gammon, author of Unlovable.
Sherry is not only a very talented, promising author of young adult novels, but she’s also a very dear friend of mine. Sherry’s work is so incredible, she recently signed a movie contract for her first novel Unlovable. How cool is that?
Sherry–thank you so very much for stopping by. Congratulations on your movie contract, I can’t wait for the premiere. I’m curious about your work and your journey through publishing.
For me, getting a bad review gets me through several phases (from I-can’t-believe-is-happening-to-me, to I’m-so-done-writing, to not-even-God-can-possibly-satisfy-everyone’s-preference to I’m-so-ready-to-prove-them-wrong). How do you react to a bad review?
Luckily I haven’t had very many, nor have you, but at first I was devastated. You pour your heart and soul in to a novel and someone trashes it. Then I noticed that the people who give one and two stars are USUALLY (not always) the people who rate most novels poorly. Their reviews are less about critiquing and more about trashing the author and the author’s work. For me, the 3 star ratings are much better at honestly critiquing novels and I learn more from them. I may not agree with everything they have to say, but I do find them more helpful. Now when I want to buy a book to read, I read only the 3+ star reviews. I no longer read the 1 and 2 star reviews of my work or any author’s work.
Family and friends were all eager to buy my books. Sold all the hardcopies I had in less than a week. I thought, “This is piece of cake!” I remember receiving a notice from Amazon telling me in the next 5 days I will receive X amount for my sales. I went to Outback with my family to celebrate. How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
I didn’t! I don’t know why I haven’t, but with 6900 copies now sold, I think I deserve the Outback. Oh, Honey… ;}
Take pictures and frame them as “Celebrating Unlovable’s Fabulous Sales”.
Scenes pop in my head like popcorn in a microwave, triggered by as little as a gesture, an image, news headline or even random dialogue I hear down the street. Where do you get your inspiration for your stories?
Everywhere, same as you. I’ve been disturbed by an article I read that talked about what seems to by the growing rate of teen subside. I am currently working on a book that deals with this very topic tentatively titled Soul in Peril.
I’m not identifying myself with any of my characters, yet each one of them has a part of me. Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
No. Again, like you I try and put a piece of myself in each one. I feel, for me, this helps to identify with them better. I understand why they do what they do, and what they would do in a certain situation.
The best advice I give anyone who wants to become a writer is edit, edit, edit. When you think you’re done, edit some more. What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Edit and read your genre. Get a good feel for your target market.
Aside from writing I have a few other hobbies, the strongest one reading. What are your interests outside of writing?
I love to decorate, being with my family, and I enjoy bubble bathes!
Promoting your work is as time consuming as any other regular job, if not more demanding. What do you do to promote your books?
Book blogs and giveaways have been the most successful for me. I also respond to every comment I get and I thank people for positive reviews.
I used to work on one story at the time. Lately I have multiple stories. What projects are you working on and when should we expect another release?
I just finished a fun short story for an anthology for Prose by Design due out in June titled Pete and Tink. It’s about a very geeky boy whose mother wishes on a star for help. And boy, does he get it in the form of a 6 inch . . . I mean, 5-and-a-half inch faery. I’m also working on the story I already mention titled Soul in Peril.
In a few words what is this story about.
Soul in Peril is about a kid named Max who has it all: handsome, star baseball player, dating the head cheerleader. Until tragedy strikes. It’s also about a kid named JD whose life is the opposites of Max’s. He’s the school nerd, overweight, tragic home life and he’s nicknamed Lumpy Larry by some of the kids at school. These two come together to help each other survive in a very unique way. It’s a bit of a tear-jerker, for me anyway. I want to hold both of these two and tell them it will be okay.
Thanks for sponsoring this! I’m really excited.
With only a few days left in the LDS Author Giveaway Hop your chance to win either an e-copy or a paperback of Unlovable is only a click away. Fill out the form below and you’re all set.
Good luck everyone!
Tags: Amazon, author, book, critique partner, giveaway, giveaway hop, guest blog, LDS Authors, literature, novel, promising author, Sherry GAmmon, Unlovable, winner, young adult novels
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