Beyond Her Book

In the past couple of weeks, several authors have passed through Milwaukee on their book tours.  This week I had the pleasure of lunching with historical writers Julie Anne Long and Laura Lee Guhrke.

 

BV:  You started young with your writing.

JAL:  The moment I could write I began writing stories.

BV:  Laura, when did the writing bug hit you?

LLG:  My mother says I wrote my first book at age 4.  I don’t remember this.

BV: Why Romance?

JAL:  Because I love putting a hero and heroine through their paces and leading them to a happy ending.  I love taking an emotional journey with them.  I get to like a new love story with every book.

LLG:  Happy endings are the best!

BV:  How has the e-book revolution affected you and your books?

LLG:  Tremendous!  Where to start?  Places like Goodreads now does what brick and mortar stores used to do.  By word of mouth I’ve seen a huge growth, especially last year.

JAL:  Work of mouth moves the books more quickly.  It converts interest into sales immediately.  Before readers had to go to the store who may or may not carry the book.  Passionate readers who Tweet also help.

BV:  Have you received any feedback from readers regarding e-books vs paper books?

JAL:  I think a lot of avid romance readers are embracing 3-book vs paper, even steadfast traditionalists because of the instant gratification factor.  I know many readers buy books they love in both digital and paper formats.

LLG:  I find mrmore and more readers going e-book, but paper has a strong, very loyal folling.  I’d say 60% paper, 40% e-book is how mine breaks down.  It also depends on if the reader wants the ability to trade books – that might keep paper fans sticking with paper books so they can trade them  And paper books don’t have the problem of having the same reader.  With paper, you can just loan the book by handing it over, but if you like instant gratification, there’s nothing better than e-books.

BV:  What’s up next?

JAL:  The next book in my Pennyroyal Green Series, A Notorious Countess Confesses will be out in November.

LLG:  I”m starting a new Edwardian series (thing Downton Abbey).  Since I’m still in the beginning stages, so I can’t tell you much, but the heroine has a secret that when revealed will rock the hero’s whole world.

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bottom Line:  “Free books are the best calling card.”  ~  Laura Lee Guhrke

 

 

Tags: Julie Anne Long, Laura Lee Guhrke

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