Two Ends of the Pen: Interview with D. Lieber, A VERY WITCHY YULETIDE

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?

Absolutely! This happens to me all the time, almost with every book I write. For instance, right now, I am working on a spin-off book where a minor character from The Exiled Otherkin is getting his own novel.

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
Yes, my first three novels were published with a small publishing house.

How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?
About a month, which I am told is very fast. Yes, it was the first novel I had ever written: Conjuring Zephyr.

Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish? Are you doing both?

I went a little bit of a different way. Technically, it would be true to say that I am self-publishing now. But on the other hand, I’m not. I started my own publishing company. And though Ink & Magick is currently only publishing my work, I do hope to branch out and publish other authors someday.

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?
I wanted more control over things like genre categorization. I also wanted to be able to track my sales more accurately.

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?
I have always been very involved in all of my cover designs, both with the designer from my previous publisher and the designer I work with now. My current designer (Section 28 Publishing), is so patient with me about redoing things I don’t like. I never approve a design I don’t love.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?
Definitely! I would never even think about publishing a manuscript without a professional editor going through it. As someone who used to work as a professional writer/editor in a more journalistic capacity, I know that it doesn’t matter how good of a writer you are, you always need an editor! Writing and editing are two different skills.

Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?
Yes! My books are all over the place: Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple, Audible, Overdrive, !ndigo, Thalia, Bol.de, Mondadori Store, Angus and Robertson, Vivlio, and probably some other places I don’t even know about.

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?
Yes, I always seem to have at least three things going at once. I am marketing my new release and backlist titles, have a title in production (anywhere from beta readers to editors to design), and am usually writing all at the same time. And that’s hoping I’m not getting distracted by a new idea that wants attention. No wonder I’m always surprised to hear when it’s Friday.

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?
Spend the money on high-quality professionals. Your book is self-published, but that doesn’t mean it has to be an inferior product. Hire a good editor you work well with and a graphic designer who is professional and listens to you.

BLURB:

First love is hard to forget, and even harder to ignore…

Evergreen Pendre wasn’t planning on going home for Yule. But when her Mom tells her the old coven is coming for a visit, she wants to see everyone. Well, almost everyone.

After four and a half years, Sawyer Collins finally has a chance to reconnect with his first love, Eeva Pendre. He might have been too shy to tell her how he felt before, but he’s changed. And he’s determined not to let her slip away this time.

As the coven prepares for Yule, they are reminded that not everyone has the holiday spirit in this contemporary Pagan holiday romance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

D. Lieber is an urban fantasy author with a wanderlust that would make a butterfly envious. When she isn’t planning her next physical adventure, she’s recklessly jumping from one fictional world to another. Her love of reading led her to earn a Bachelor’s in English from Wright State University.

Beyond her skeptic and slightly pessimistic mind, Lieber wants to believe. She has been many places—from Canada to England, France to Italy, Germany to Russia—believing that a better world comes from putting a face on “other.” She is a romantic idealist at heart, always fighting to keep her feet on the ground and her head in the clouds.

Lieber lives in Wisconsin with her husband (John) and cats (Yin and Nox).

Published Works:

Conjuring Zephyr June 2016

The Exiled Otherkin November 2017

Intended Bondmates June 2018

In Search of a Witch’s Soul (Council of Covens Noir, #1) March 2019

Dancing with Shades (Council of Covens Noir, #0) August 2019

Once in a Black Moon March 2020

A Very Witchy Yuletide October 2020

Links:

Website: www.dlieber.com

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/dlieberwriting