Interview with Melissa Foster
Good morning and welcome back to Mary’s Garden everyone! Fall is in the air and the leaves are starting to turn. What a wonderful day for a treat. Yes, I have my usual treats and beverages! Please find you something to enjoy, then find a seat, and relax. The treat I referred to was our guest; award winning author, Melissa Foster. Please give her a big welcome. First, we’ll begin with a bit about Melissa.
Bio: Melissa Foster is an award-winning, International bestselling author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.
Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.
For more about Melissa please visit her web site.
Mary: Welcome Melissa! I’m very excited to have you visit Mary’s Garden. Now that we know a bit about you from your bio, please tell us about you as a person. Something that we can’t find on your site.
Melissa: **WAVES** Hi Mary! Thank you so much for sharing your blog with me today. I love all things happy, and I find happiness in all things. Seriously, I’m one of those people who sees rain and thinks about dancing in it. I have huge wooden letters set up like scrabble on my wall that read “Think Happy” “Inspire” “Listen” “Share” and they cross each other and share letters. I don’t like fake chocolate. I love funky clothes, and I have six brothers who I adore.
Mary: I’ve been over your site, love that it’s very user friendly. That doesn’t have anything to do with my question I just wanted to comment. I know that you are an Indie Author, but maybe there are those who do not know what that means. Can you share what that is? And why you decided to go the route of Indie Author?
Melissa: I’m glad you are enjoying my site. An indie author is an author who publishes without a publisher behind them. “Indies” retain the rights to their books and they might hire formatters, cover artists, and editors (and I think all authors should hire editors), but they publish on their own, manage their own books, and of course marketing (or hire a firm to help them do so.
I have worked with two awesome agents, and I will likely continue to for some time on a variety of levels, but for a genre hopper who writes fast and likes to maintain control of her voice—like me—publishing independently was the only viable option. Most traditional publishers can’t keep up with two books per year, much less seven.
I do think that traditional publishing is valuable, and maybe one day I’ll turn a great deal and decide to go down that path again, who knows, but for now, my path is indie and I couldn’t be happier. The way I see it, we’re all “writers” and whether you are published traditionally or independently, it’s important to support each other. We are one.
Mary: I know that you’re a busy person and I promised to keep this short, so just one more question. What is your next career goal?
Melissa: Mary, you know my career goal will change ten minutes after I write this, right? My goals change often, but my immediate goal is to make my new romance series, LOVE IN BLOOM (Snow Sisters and The Bradens) the best it can be for my readers. I had a goal this year of completing the series, and after months of writing 10K/day and 6 weeks of editing for each book, I’m right on target. Now that I think of it, my next goal is to take a real “day off” – I’m not really sure what that means anymore.
Mary: Time for a little bragging… Please share with us your newest release or upcoming release, or heck both if you would like!
Melissa: Thanks, Mary! My contemporary romance series, LOVE IN BLOOM is a nine-book series featuring two sub-series: The SNOW SISTERS, Kaylie and Danica Snow, and THE BRADENS. I’m releasing one book every 30 days. In book three of the Snow Sisters you will begin to meet the Bradens, a family of six hot, wealthy, and lovable siblings. The Bradens will be joining the Snow sisters in this light, fun, and sexy series—Love in Bloom—and I hope that my readers fall in love with Danica, Blake, Kaylie, Chaz, the Braden siblings, and all of their friends, just as I have.
The first and second books, SISTERS IN LOVE and SISTERS IN BLOOM are already available (the actual launch date for SISTERS IN BLOOM is Oct. 9). I had the good fortune of having Jane Porter read SISTERS IN LOVE. Here’s what Jane has to say:
See the release schedule below for further details:
SNOW SISTERS
1. Sisters in Love, September 9, 2013
2. Sisters in Bloom, September 9, 2013
3. Sisters in White, October 28, 2013
THE BRADENS
4. Lovers at Heart, December 9, 2013
5. Destined to Love, January 9, 2014
6. Friendship on Fire, February 9, 2014
7. Sea of Love, March 9, 2014
8. Bursting with Love, April 9, 2014
9. Hearts at Play, May 9, 2014
In addition to the contemporary romance series, WHERE PETALS FALL will release within the next month as well. Below is a brief description of the book:
On the surface Junie Olson’s life looks idyllic, from her handsome husband and beautiful daughter to her successful business, the bakery she always dreamed of opening. But in the past few months her world has slowly unraveled. Her precocious child is withdrawing, showing unexplainable signs of emotional regression, a condition that frays the bonds of Junie’s once impenetrable marriage. When her father dies suddenly of a heart attack, Junie packs up her daughter and goes home to help her mother. Her homecoming stirs up memories of the nightmare she thought she had put behind her, the disappearance of her childhood friend, Ellen. Haunted by recurring memories of what happened on that fateful day, Junie must gather the courage to revisit her past and untangle the secrets surrounding her missing friend, and the trauma that has caused her little girl to climb back into herself. As the pieces come together on the event that shook her small town, and at the risk of losing everyone she loves, Junie will question everything she thought she could rely on and everyone she thought she knew.
OKAY Mary, just one more share, if you don’t mind. This is an exciting offer for readers!
On October 7 I am joining 6 other authors and releasing a 7 book boxed set for only $.99! It’s a great way for readers to gain access to authors they’ve not yet read and these writers are awesome! DESPERATE ACTS will be available across all venues. 7 Bestselling authors – 7 thrilling tales: Erotic confessions, spine-tingling twists, smothering fog, family secrets, and unexpected loss all lead to "Desperate Acts." Seven bestselling authors illuminate the dark, dangerous choices people make when everything that matters is on the line...
Mary: Thanks! Now that you have a bunch of new fans and followers, tell us where we can find you. Social Media, the whole nine yards.
Melissa: Yes, please, stalk me! I love to hear from readers!
Website: http://www.MelissaFoster.com
Twitter: @Melissa_Foster
My social network for women: http://www.TheWomensNest.com
World Literary Café: http://www.worldliterarycafe.com
Fostering Success: htto://www.fostering-success.com
Facebook Melissa Foster: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor (Fanpage)
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster
Thank you, Melissa, for joining us at Mary’s Garden today it has been a pleasure getting to know you. And it was a great post/interview you've shared with all of us. Thank you, again.
The pleasure is all mine, Mary. I’m honored to be a guest on your blog and to meet your readers. Thank you! xox
Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.
For more about Melissa please visit her web site.
Mary: Welcome Melissa! I’m very excited to have you visit Mary’s Garden. Now that we know a bit about you from your bio, please tell us about you as a person. Something that we can’t find on your site.
Melissa: **WAVES** Hi Mary! Thank you so much for sharing your blog with me today. I love all things happy, and I find happiness in all things. Seriously, I’m one of those people who sees rain and thinks about dancing in it. I have huge wooden letters set up like scrabble on my wall that read “Think Happy” “Inspire” “Listen” “Share” and they cross each other and share letters. I don’t like fake chocolate. I love funky clothes, and I have six brothers who I adore.
Mary: I’ve been over your site, love that it’s very user friendly. That doesn’t have anything to do with my question I just wanted to comment. I know that you are an Indie Author, but maybe there are those who do not know what that means. Can you share what that is? And why you decided to go the route of Indie Author?
Melissa: I’m glad you are enjoying my site. An indie author is an author who publishes without a publisher behind them. “Indies” retain the rights to their books and they might hire formatters, cover artists, and editors (and I think all authors should hire editors), but they publish on their own, manage their own books, and of course marketing (or hire a firm to help them do so.
I have worked with two awesome agents, and I will likely continue to for some time on a variety of levels, but for a genre hopper who writes fast and likes to maintain control of her voice—like me—publishing independently was the only viable option. Most traditional publishers can’t keep up with two books per year, much less seven.
I do think that traditional publishing is valuable, and maybe one day I’ll turn a great deal and decide to go down that path again, who knows, but for now, my path is indie and I couldn’t be happier. The way I see it, we’re all “writers” and whether you are published traditionally or independently, it’s important to support each other. We are one.
Mary: I know that you’re a busy person and I promised to keep this short, so just one more question. What is your next career goal?
Melissa: Mary, you know my career goal will change ten minutes after I write this, right? My goals change often, but my immediate goal is to make my new romance series, LOVE IN BLOOM (Snow Sisters and The Bradens) the best it can be for my readers. I had a goal this year of completing the series, and after months of writing 10K/day and 6 weeks of editing for each book, I’m right on target. Now that I think of it, my next goal is to take a real “day off” – I’m not really sure what that means anymore.
Mary: Time for a little bragging… Please share with us your newest release or upcoming release, or heck both if you would like!
Melissa: Thanks, Mary! My contemporary romance series, LOVE IN BLOOM is a nine-book series featuring two sub-series: The SNOW SISTERS, Kaylie and Danica Snow, and THE BRADENS. I’m releasing one book every 30 days. In book three of the Snow Sisters you will begin to meet the Bradens, a family of six hot, wealthy, and lovable siblings. The Bradens will be joining the Snow sisters in this light, fun, and sexy series—Love in Bloom—and I hope that my readers fall in love with Danica, Blake, Kaylie, Chaz, the Braden siblings, and all of their friends, just as I have.
The first and second books, SISTERS IN LOVE and SISTERS IN BLOOM are already available (the actual launch date for SISTERS IN BLOOM is Oct. 9). I had the good fortune of having Jane Porter read SISTERS IN LOVE. Here’s what Jane has to say:
"A beautiful story about love and self-growth and finding that balance to happiness. Powerfully written and riveting from beginning to end."
National bestselling author, Jane Porter
National bestselling author, Jane Porter
See the release schedule below for further details:
SNOW SISTERS
1. Sisters in Love, September 9, 2013
2. Sisters in Bloom, September 9, 2013
3. Sisters in White, October 28, 2013
THE BRADENS
4. Lovers at Heart, December 9, 2013
5. Destined to Love, January 9, 2014
6. Friendship on Fire, February 9, 2014
7. Sea of Love, March 9, 2014
8. Bursting with Love, April 9, 2014
9. Hearts at Play, May 9, 2014
"With vivid prose and a tender heart, Melissa Foster has crafted a psychological and emotional mystery fueled by love in all its forms."
Jennie Shortridge
Author of Love Water Memory
On the surface Junie Olson’s life looks idyllic, from her handsome husband and beautiful daughter to her successful business, the bakery she always dreamed of opening. But in the past few months her world has slowly unraveled. Her precocious child is withdrawing, showing unexplainable signs of emotional regression, a condition that frays the bonds of Junie’s once impenetrable marriage. When her father dies suddenly of a heart attack, Junie packs up her daughter and goes home to help her mother. Her homecoming stirs up memories of the nightmare she thought she had put behind her, the disappearance of her childhood friend, Ellen. Haunted by recurring memories of what happened on that fateful day, Junie must gather the courage to revisit her past and untangle the secrets surrounding her missing friend, and the trauma that has caused her little girl to climb back into herself. As the pieces come together on the event that shook her small town, and at the risk of losing everyone she loves, Junie will question everything she thought she could rely on and everyone she thought she knew.
Mary: Thanks! Now that you have a bunch of new fans and followers, tell us where we can find you. Social Media, the whole nine yards.
Melissa: Yes, please, stalk me! I love to hear from readers!
Website: http://www.MelissaFoster.com
Twitter: @Melissa_Foster
My social network for women: http://www.TheWomensNest.com
World Literary Café: http://www.worldliterarycafe.com
Fostering Success: htto://www.fostering-success.com
Facebook Melissa Foster: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor (Fanpage)
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster
Thank you, Melissa, for joining us at Mary’s Garden today it has been a pleasure getting to know you. And it was a great post/interview you've shared with all of us. Thank you, again.
The pleasure is all mine, Mary. I’m honored to be a guest on your blog and to meet your readers. Thank you! xox
Comments
Stanalei, it's been a stellar year, but it's a little nutty to do that many :-)
Melissa it was a pleasure getting to know you!
Mary