Monday, September 18, 2017

Interview with Sage Steadman, ANN, NOT ANNIE


Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
It’s a YA contemporary romance. It centered around Ann, whose high school experience is not turning out how she had planned. She’s depressed, she’s frustrated with things happening at home and she, and every other girl in school, has a massive crush on Jacob Waters. Jacob is basically the most sought after guy in school and she’s a little obsessed with him. She spends a lot of time in detention though and feels like an outcast so she doesn’t think she has a chance. Danny is interested in Ann, but he’s kind of a loner and Ann isn’t sure she wants to let him in. The story is told by a mysterious, and hilarious, narrator that we don’t meet until the end.


Do you have a favorite character?
I loved writing Danny, he’s so thoughtful and funny and wise, but just a little bit odd. I loved tapping into his energy. He’s a little bit of an amalgamation of all the people in my life who make me laugh.

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?
Most of the time I prefer silence but that isn’t always an option so that’s when I pop in my ear buds and listen to Jane Eyre, The Album Leaf, Sigur Ros. Something that is emotional but usually doesn’t have singing to distract me.

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
I do both. I usually have a basic outline that I don’t follow. As you write the story it evolves and so you have to go where it wants to take you sometimes.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?
Absolutely. My books go through several editing processes, story editing, copyediting and the final proofread. I don’t want my readers being pulled out of the story by an error I didn’t see. I want to make sure they’re able to be fully absorbed in the experience.


What have you learned during your self-publishing journey?
I’m always surprised by who ends up reading and liking my book. I go into it thinking my target audience is one group of people and then receive messages from all sorts of people. Like my first novel, “Snowflake Obsidian” I thought only women would read it, but I received a lot of messages from men who read it and loved it. I’ve also had a lot of interesting magazines write about me as well. Like, one time I think an Asian Woman’s magazine wrote something up about one of my books. So you just never know. I always used to tell people I’d meet that my book wasn’t for them. They’d say, “Oh that sounds interesting. I think I’ll read it.” And I’m like, “No, don’t. You’re not the target audience.” I try not to do that anymore.

What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?
I have a twitter, facebook and goodreads account. I also market on Amazon and through BookBub.

Social Media Sites:
FACEBOOK
GOODREADS
TWITTER

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?
Yes. It can be quite difficult. When I’m writing I disappear from the world, social media included and it’s hard to find a balance between connecting with my fans and writing my next book. So if I’m not active on social media it’s usually because I’m working on something.

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, but don’t rush through the publishing and marketing process either.

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?
Hiking, baking, yoga, eating cakes by myself, kissing dogs on the lips, talking to the TV while watching Game of Thrones.




Ann, Not Annie
Sage Steadman
Publication date: September 20th 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Ann, not Annie, is tired of her nominal existence and has vowed to turn things around by dating the hottest guy in school, Jacob Waters. Easier said than done since Jacob isn’t even aware she exists. The truth is, due to Ann’s lively temper she spends more time in detention with the rest of the school rejects than she does fantasizing about Jacob Waters wearing spandex.
Her best friend and devout alien believer, Lisa, doesn’t like the changes she’s seeing in her BFF. Neither does Danny Feller, a fellow detention inmate and resident lost boy who has started keeping an extra watchful and unwanted eye on Ann.
When a chance encounter in an empty hallway changes everything, Ann finds all her dreams coming true and she is well on her way to living the perfect life she’s always wanted. But appearances aren’t always what they seem and Ann is going to have to face not just cold hard facts, but also her past.

This book is on SALE for $1.99 during the tour.




Author Bio:
Sage Steadman was awarded a master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. While pursuing her passion for writing, she worked as a licensed mental health therapist. She published her debut novel, “Snowflake Obsidian: Memoir of a Cutter,” in 2010 under her pen name, The Hippie, and since, re-released the second edition under her real name. The novel has been deemed an “idyllic” read, filled with love, humor, romance and heart.

She is also the co-author of the gritty and inspiring historical fiction novel, “Upon Destiny’s Song,” alongside classical guitarist, Mike Ericksen, and has penned an article on teen cutting for Canadian Magazine, “Edmonton’s Child.” She has recently produced a stunning and thought-reflecting novella entitled, “The Waking Dream.” Sage is heralded as a talented writer who tackles her novels with a witty, raw and honest approach. She currently lives near Salt Lake City, Utah with family.



GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway




No comments:

Post a Comment

Your post will be published after administrator approval.