Today in the spotlight, I have the pleasure welcoming Michelle Brooks author of Bone Dressing to the blog.
Welcome to the blog Michelle, what inspired you to write BONE DRESSING?
The idea of Bone Dressing, the world of Syd and Beau, was the whispered creation of a dream. One night I went to sleep, not a single thought of writing a book, and the next day I woke up with not only one book, but a series of seven, and could hardly write fast enough to get the outline down on paper before it slipped away. After that came a mountain of research, a ton of writing, learning the indie-publishing industry, and voilà … Bone Dressing took its first breath. Now, after even more research, more writing, and tweeting out the wazoo, Bone Dressing: The Dreaming is about to join Syd’s world on bookshelves. What a gift to have awoken to … this grand adventure of becoming an author.
Indie publishing- Why do you think it’s becoming so popular?
The publishing industry is changing before our very eyes … into what, exactly, no one seems quite sure. The parameters and dynamics of every aspect of the publishing process (writing, editing, publishing, promoting, …) have been affected by this, and that holds true across every genre. Because of this, finding representation with an agent through the standard route has become antiquated, obsolete and exponentially more difficult than in the past. Why? Those methods are outdated, slow, inefficient, overflowing with compromise and unreasonable demands, and even the agents of legend are terrified of what is now the land of the unknown. They have little to no knowledge of the how-to’s of today’s publishing scene in comparison to that of the pre-eBook phenomenon days, much less how to select, contract, educate and represent their clients, we the writers.
In addition, and more importantly, the changes that are currently evolving are infinitely more supportive of writers taking on the challenges faced with self-publishing. For, although there generally isn’t a lovely offer from a publishing house sitting in an indie author’s bank account, what is there in spades is an innate freedom, ownership, sense of accomplishment, personal investment and genuine enthusiasm afforded by the inherent risk, glamour, challenge, and as yet undefined potential reward and success associated with the indie publishing industry.
Are these pluses enough to sustain the indie author long enough to achieve a level of success comparable to that of the published author of the glory days of the past? Well, I suppose that depends on how loudly the author’s stomach is growling that day!
BONE DRESSING has become a movie, who is playing your main character and why?
You know, I've thought about that for days upon days. Color me crazy, but I do believe Bone Dressing will be served at your local theater in the not-so-distant future. But, a “Syd”, huh! Syd is such a strong female, in a world of soft, ditzy, help-me-please actresses that she, by mere definition, would require a relatively unknown actress to capture her heart, and, by extension, that of the world around her. On the other hand, Mr. Johnny Depp would be a superlative Mr. A. He would not only have the sharpened teeth to sink into the role, but it would be a character he has yet to tackle in his acting career … truly a win-win scenario. Besides, Johnny seems to enjoy the intimacy, longevity, and room for character growth a series affords.
What top three Indie books would you recommend to readers and why?
Only three? I can’t. There are too many fantastic indie authors out there. My recommendation is to try a bite of as many you find of interest. If you like what you taste, go back for seconds, if you don’t simply move on to the next. Not every book is for every person. I think most everyone knows that, but so very many forget. Whatever book you read is in your hands at that moment because you chose to pick it up. If it’s not to your taste, put it down and pick up what you want to read. Don’t blindly fill your plate with a whole mess of Ding Dongs if what you really want is steak and potatoes … or pink fluffy fairy tales … or dark YA ...
Of course there are those books that do need help, but today there are so very many indie books that are truly fantastic. Having said that, time is precious. Visit an indie author’s blog, listen to their tweets, read a few reviews – the good and the not so good – and actually choose an indie book that’s a good fit for you.
So, what’s on your reading menu today? A tasty bit of Amanda Hocking’s mostly-indie Trylle or My Blood Approves YA series, a hearty slab of Yvonne Mason’s true crime The Last Rites … or perhaps you’re ready for a sumptuous slice of Bone Dressing?
What’s on the horizon for Michelle Brooks?
Wow! Good question. Next stop on the Bone Dressing express would be … The Awakening, book 3 of the Bone Dressing saga. On a personal level? Lots and lots … and lots … of smiles and laughter and hugs and kisses … can’t ever forget those kisses! As my Twitter profile states, I am a kissing enthusiast, y’know?
What do you want readers to walk away with after reading your book(s)?
Now, that is a great question … and one with a very simple answer. I want them to walk away from Bone Dressing with a belief of the rightness of this life … of the breath-taking richness of the world around them, the good and the bad … of the unquenchable magnificence of the being they cradle within themselves … and of the radiant beauty of the dressing covering their bones, and that of those around them, in every moment of every day … of the exquisite unbroken perfection of our Bone Dressing …
Michelle, thank you for being on the event, the answer to your last question just blew me away....I myself cannot wait to discover the world of Bones you have created.
GIVEAWAY
Today Michelle is offering an Ebook copy of Bone Dressing to a TBR reader. To enter please leave a comment, all winners will be announced at the end of the event.
Sydney Roberdeau lost her parents as a young girl. Waiting for her life to start and the freedom that will come with her eighteenth birthday, Syd spends much of her time haunting the local cemetery. It is there, stretched out among the dead, that she feels most alive, most at home. Until one rainy night when Beau, Sarah and T.J. crash her ghostly sanctuary, appearing out of nowhere, turning her already inside-out world one degree past upside down.
Syd must now revisit past lives, dressing in the bodies of her previous selves & bone dressing. Her only chance to outrun the evil breathing down her neck is to face her own worst nightmares and her strongest desires. But if she can't stay out of trouble in this life, how can she possibly fix mistakes from past lives? And just how many lives has she lived, loved and lost? What is Syd exactly, and what will she risk for the life of a man she doesn't remember, the man she spent a lifetime with, the man she loves? Everything including her very own life?
Web~Goodreads~Buy: Bone Dressing
Whoa. What a very cool and very creepy makeup job! I can't stop staring at it:) I can't believe she just went to bed one night and woke up with a full series of 7 books in her head, that's amazing! That never happens to me:)
ReplyDeleteLOL- Jenny....me either!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, now I really hope this book gets made into a movie because I'm a huge Johnny fangirl. He is definitely the kind of actor that would be up for the challenge.
ReplyDeleteLove the makeup!! Looks awesome! But, I really enjoyed the Interview! I am amazed by the Indie Publishing world, truly I am! Indie Authors are special and I love this, they need to be a writer but also a marketing specialist and many of them so such an amazing job! They often come up with the best promotional ideas and it's fun to see them grow :)
ReplyDeleteWow, no thought of writing a book and then to wake up with a 7book series? Crazy cool! Great interview and the book sounds very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview and I would love a copy of the ebook!
ReplyDeleteHello, Michelle and Tina. I really love this Indie Series you're doing, Tina. Keep up the good work. I hope to swing by for as many as I possibly can.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Ladies. I would love to be entered for the opportunity to win the book.
Like everyone else, I'm trying to keep from staring at Michelle's photo. ;)
-Jimmy
That make up is seriously scarey! Really like the sound of bone dressing, looks like it could be a great read x
ReplyDeleteNice interview and casting choice.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com