Thursday 4 December 2014

AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH E.J. SHORTALL

 
Today is Day 4 of our Author Spotlight and giveaways. I am happy to introduce Author E.J. Shortall.
Below you will find an author interview with E.J. Shortall and all her book information and links. Enjoy!!!!
-Akeisha
 
 
 
 
Q. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
   A. There’s not much to tell really. I’m mum to ‘the child giant’, my very tall 16 year old
son who I am very proud of. For the last 12 years I have been working in education, supporting students and teaching IT. Besides the writing I also enjoy baking cakes and decorating them and very amateur photography.
 
Q. What/Who inspired you to write your first book?
    A. I can’t say there was one person or event that truly inspired me to start writing, I just
did. I got back into reading after wondering what all the hype was with Fifty Shades
of Grey. After reading the series... a few times... my love of a good story was rekindled
(no pun intended). That addiction just got worse once I received a tablet for my
birthday and the first thing I did on it was download the kindle app. After that my face
was pretty much buried in the thing 24/7. Friends and family kept saying I should try
writing, and I kept saying ‘nah, I have no creativity for that’ and besides a good reader
does not a good author make.
Anyway, at the beginning of September 2013 I was getting ready for work one morning
when the opening paragraph of Silver Lining popped into my head out of the blue. It
was so vivid, like it was being dictated to me, that I decided to jot it down ‘just in
case’. Well, as soon as I did, I couldn’t stop. I wanted to know why this character was
moving out on her own, what had happened to her? What was her name? What did her
apartment look like? Once I’d started I couldn’t stop. Three months later I typed the end
and promptly burst into tears. I couldn’t believe I had done it.
 
Q. What is the hardest thing about being an author?
   A. Time. I never have enough of it to do what I need to do. Unfortunately for me,
I’m not in a position to be able to do this full time so I have to fit writing, editing,
administration, promotion, networking... all in around my full time job.
 
Q. What is the best thing about being an author?
   A. Aside from the ability to create such loveable and sometimes not so loveable
characters and their stories, I have met some amazing people. By nature I am a very
shy person. This whole writing thing, though, has brought me out of myself more
and as a result I have met some wonderful people who I now class as good friends.
I would have never met them had it not been for the books. I am also constantly
blown away by the selfless acts of so many people who happily blog about and
promote what we authors do simply because of their love of books. Thank you to
each and every one. Despite the sometimes negative things we come across, I do
truly love being an author and being a part of this wonderful community of readers
and writers.
 
Q. What are some things you did to market your books? Did you find this difficult?
   A. As an indie who is still so new to the game, I have probably only grazed the top of
any great marketing strategies. It is a constant, time consuming battle trying to
keep your work in the public’s eye. It is made even more difficult when social media
platforms work so hard against you. I guess my biggest marketing tool, though, is
social media where I try to interact with readers as much as possible.
 
Q. If you had to pick one character from your books which one would you say was your
favourite? Can you tell us why?
A. Oh, that’s a difficult one. As my ‘babies’ I think Craig and Amber will always be my
favourites simply because they spoke to me the loudest to get me doing this thing.
At the moment, though, I am writing something new, a standalone novel, and the
main female character is sassy and feisty and I love writing her. She is so different to
Amber.
 
Q. When is your next book coming out? Can you tell us a little about it?
    A. I’m not sure when it will be out yet. I’m hoping it will be February/March time. It is
called Prepared to Fight and is a story about fighting in more ways than one. But that
is all I am spilling at the moment.
 
Q. Can you tell the readers why they should take a chance and read your work in 40
words or less?
  A. “E.J. has a way of transporting you into her story and you get completely lost in her
unique characters.” - Amazon reviewer. Along with fact I try to make my characters
real and relatable that kind of sums it up.
 
Q. What advice would you give to up and coming authors?
 A. Just do it. Honestly, if I could do it you can to. You may not write a masterpiece first
time round. It may take you months, or it may take you years to complete, but if
you have a story buzzing around your head, let those characters speak; let them tell
you their story. Even if you never publish, that feeling of accomplishment when you
type ‘the end’ is indescribable.
 
Q. How can readers get in contact with you or find out more about your books?
   A. Oh there are so many ways. I am more active on certain platforms than others, but I will
always try and get back to people quickly. Before I did this writing thing, when I was just a
reader, I would get stupidly excited – still do now in fact - if an author replied to a message
I sent them. I remember the feeling of joy that they had taken the time out to respond to
me. That’s how I strive to be. If someone has taken spent their money and taken the time
to read my books, the least I can do is say thank you when they reach out to me. So, feel
free to message me, tweet me, tag me, poke me, email me, pin me, + me and whatever
other ‘me’s you can possibly do. I’d love to hear from you.
Facebook account:https://www.facebook.com/E.J.Shortall
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/e.j.shortallauthor
Twitter: @EmMeeS_1
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/E.J.-Shortall/e/B00IPOFTJU
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7739015.E_J_Shortall
Google+: https://plus.google.com/118313903783768805758/posts
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/EmMeeS1/
Booktropolous Social: https://booktropoloussocial.com/index.php?do=/profile-194/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/emmees1
Tumblr: http://authorej.tumblr.com/
Linkdin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejshortallauthor
 
 
****BOOKS BY E.J. SHORTALL****
 
 
Silver Lining, by E.J. Shortall:
 
Amber Merchant had it all. Living with and engaged to her teenage sweetheart, a nice house and
the job of her dreams. Not anymore!
 
Following a devastating revelation from her Fiancé, Amber finds herself single once again and
moving on. To protect herself she vows to stay away from men and guard her wounded heart.
 
During an evening out to celebrate her newly single life, a chance encounter with a tall, dark and
handsome stranger leaves Amber’s head reeling. Intrigued by her draw to him but scared for her
heart she flees.
 
Craig Silver, twenty nine year old CEO, is the last person Amber needs in her life. Battling his
own demons, Craig is content on a life of meaningless affairs, one night stands and no
commitments.
 
At first it seems their attraction is mutual… until she runs.
 
When fate intervenes and their paths cross again, Craig refuses to take no for an answer.
Encouraging Amber to take a chance on a single date he sets them on a path of love, lust, truth
and deception.
 
 
 
 
 
***TEASERS****


 
 
*******************************************************************************
 
Silver Dove
 
Full of romance, intrigue, emotion and passion, Silver Dove is the concluding part to Craig
and Amber’s story that began in Silver Lining.
 
After the chaos of their early relationship and with their history of broken pasts behind them,
Craig and Amber prepare to say ‘I Do’ on their Happy Ever After.
Life rarely runs to plan though.
 
Amber has fought long and hard to bury her fears and become a stronger person, but when
old feelings resurface and tragedy strikes, it takes an intervention from Craig to prove her
doubts are unfounded and to believe in love and hope.
 
Just when they think they are at a point where they can be happy and move forward together,
the pair find themselves fighting obstacles and difficulties that will truly test the strength of  their bond.
Can Amber gather the strength to fight against the forces trying to destroy her? Will Craig
keep his promises of remaining truthful? As a couple are they tough enough to battle through
these turbulent times and emerge stronger than ever?
 
 
Silver Dove:
 
 
 
***TEASERS***



 
 
********************************************************************************
Please check our blog for a chance to both books and a $5.00 giftcard by E.J. Shortall

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