Naomi will be awarding a Somewhere Rainbow, a Jewelmark wearable-bookmark by Craftswoman, Laramie Sasseville featuring carnelian, citrine, blue Amazonite, blue zircon, to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a free download card for her previous release, Spirited, to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop.
http://www.dreamspell.net/
The Jewelmark has an extra-long ribbon, allowing it to double as an ascot.
Name: Naomi Stone
Tell me about your most recent book:
Wonder Guy is the first full-length novel in my series of Fairy Godmothers' Union stories. Science major Greg Roberts is all formulas and logic. Neither will win him the heart of his lifelong true love, girl next door, Gloria Torkenson. When his fairy godmother Serafina offers to give him super- powers, Greg accepts, hoping to earn a shot at Gloria’s love. is murdered and her fiancé brushes off her shock and mourning, Gloria begins to see her engagement for what it is: a desperate bid for security. It’s Greg who is at her side, comforting her when she needs it most. His natural thoughtfulness and newly emerged confidence capture her attention. But Gloria’s desire for stability makes it hard to trust her heart.
Is your book self-published? If not, who is your publisher?
Wonder Guy was published by Lyrical Press and is available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble and the Apple Store; I published the collections of my other Fairy Godmothers' Union stories, Three Wishes and More Wishes.
Are there any other books or projects that you are working on that you would like to share?
I just collaborated with Avon author, Lizbeth Selvig on a steampunk short story that we submitted for inclusion in the upcoming RWA Anthology. Now I'm working on the next in my series of Team Guardian superhero-romance adventures. The first of these adventures, Sweet Mercy and Safe Haven were published by Champagne Books.
What got you into writing?
My runaway imagination. I've been daydreaming wild adventures for myself since before I could read or write. Once I learned to read and discovered that books are the true home for daydreams, there was no stopping me.
Where can potential readers find your book(s)?
WonderGuy E-book from Lyrical Press is available at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Guy-ebook/dp/B00D0BPCQI Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wonder-guy-naomi-stone/ 1115425663?ean=2940016414614 The Apple Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/wonder-guy/id626153432?mt=11 After her friend Print-on-Demand version is available via
Createspace:
http://www.amazon.com/
Wonder-Guy-files-Fairy-Godmothers/dp/1481866893
Are you on social networking? Where can we follow you?
Twitter: NaomiStone0RWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naomi.stone.5
Do you have a website?
Naomi Stone website: http://www.dreamspell.net/LKS/stories.html
Who has been the person that has provided you guidance and support in your career?
More than one person has helped. My critique partners have been the biggest help. They've helped me write the best stories I can, offering feedback chapter by chapter, along with encouragement and simple friendship. One critique partner in particular has a good grasp of the market and has put me onto several tips that led me to publishers who ended up making offers on my work.
What genres do you like to read?
I read in a lot of different genres: romance, science fiction and fantasy, historical, mystery, suspense, and classics like Jane Austen and Alexander Dumas. I grew up reading a lot of folk and fairy tales, and animal stories like Jack Kjellgard's and the Black Stallion books of Walter Farley. I still read childrens' books, young adult as well as picture books. A good story is a good story. I tend to prefer a touch of magic or mystery in my reading, but can get caught up in just about any compelling tale.
What do you do to improve your writing?
I work with my critique partners, and take their feedback seriously. I don't always follow it, if I think something else works better, but I always consider it. I find that giving critical feedback helps me, too, as I can be more objective about the work of others. I can recognize a problem in someone else's work, and only later realize that I've been doing the same thing.
I attend workshops and conferences. In September I attended a 'Save the Cat for Writers' workshop based on the book by Blake Snyder. I've attended workshops by Donald Maass and Deb Dixon. I've attended the 4th Street Fantasy convention, which has an emphasis on practical issues for writers of fantasy fiction, and regularly attend local f/sf conventions that include workshops and discussions on writing.
Besides writing, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
Singing. Games. Surfing the internet. Beading, and other arts and crafts. I have a lot of interests, which can make it hard to sit down and focus on a story, especially a full-length novel, in the concentrated way it requires to complete a draft and go through it again and again until it's something I can be proud of.
I put singing first on the list because my favorite social activity is to participate in sing-alongs. such as a Rise Up Singing group, in which half a dozen to a dozen or more people take turns making selections from the songbook of that name and singing them accompanied by a few guitars and assorted other instruments, including my mandolin. And there's also the 4th Saturday Filk Circle, a smaller group who get together once a month to sing songs inspired by science fiction and fantasy literature and media. Many, but not all of our songs are humorous, and many feature lyrics original to our group.
In your opinion, what makes a great author?
Great authors, as opposed to authors who are simply good or competent, are authors who are unflinchingly honest when it comes to what goes on in the hearts and minds of their characters. They write about things that matter to people. These can be as simple as the life of a pig and a spider mattering to each other, or how much going to a fancy ball matters to a drudge who spends her life in the cinders, or as complex as the impact of a civil war on the lives of the people struggling to survive the changes it brings to their lives.
Are you a social butterfly or do you prefer to keep social relationships to a minimum?
I'm somewhere in between those extremes. I enjoy social events on a fairly regular basis, from board game parties and sing-alongs to large science fiction conventions - - and when I'm on my own I find plenty of ways to entertain and enjoy myself. I often find it easiest to write with people around me, while I'm sitting in a café or fast food restaurant. I enjoy feeling connected to a community, but with no demand to focus on anything but the story.
Do you have a specific place that you write or do you just write wherever you are when you get in the mood to?
I like writing in cafes and restaurants, but I'll write wherever I can find the time and opportunity. I'll write on moving buses and trains, in bed, on a park bench. Sometimes I'll even write sitting at my desktop computer.
Self-publishing or traditional publishing. In your opinion, what is the best route to go?
That depends on several factors. If you are already a big name author with an established audience, you could do a lot better publishing independently and raking in the higher royalties. You won't need to spend much - if anything - on promotion and marketing. People will already be looking for your next book.
If you can afford to spend money on promoting your book and on professional production values, you may also find independent publishing profitable.
If you don't have the money or the skills to assure that your book is professionally edited and your book cover professionally designed, or have the marketing skills, you'd do better to find a publisher who wants to take care of all that.
Have you won any awards for your writing? If so, tell me about it.
In Minneapolis we have a weekly paper, 'The City Pages' that sponsors an annual fiction contest. My short story, Survival placed third in that contest one year and was published with the other winners and I received a hundred dollar gift certificate at a local bookstore. My novel Spirited (since published by Champagne Books) placed in a couple contests sponsored by chapters of the Romance Writers of America.
Do you have another career besides writing?
I design book covers and format books for digital and print-on-demand publishing, as a service for independent publishers, through Final Draft Partners: www.dreamspell.net/finaldraftpartners/
This grew as an offshoot of my freelance graphic design and illustration services. My BA was in studio arts and archeology, but I went back to school at a tech college years later to learn professional publishing software like the Adobe Creative Suite. I got started on book formatting when I put together my first collection of short stories as an independent publishing project.
Are you on social networking? Where can we follow you?
Twitter: NaomiStone0RWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naomi.stone.5
Do you have a website?
Naomi Stone website: http://www.dreamspell.net/LKS/stories.html
Who has been the person that has provided you guidance and support in your career?
More than one person has helped. My critique partners have been the biggest help. They've helped me write the best stories I can, offering feedback chapter by chapter, along with encouragement and simple friendship. One critique partner in particular has a good grasp of the market and has put me onto several tips that led me to publishers who ended up making offers on my work.
What genres do you like to read?
I read in a lot of different genres: romance, science fiction and fantasy, historical, mystery, suspense, and classics like Jane Austen and Alexander Dumas. I grew up reading a lot of folk and fairy tales, and animal stories like Jack Kjellgard's and the Black Stallion books of Walter Farley. I still read childrens' books, young adult as well as picture books. A good story is a good story. I tend to prefer a touch of magic or mystery in my reading, but can get caught up in just about any compelling tale.
What do you do to improve your writing?
I work with my critique partners, and take their feedback seriously. I don't always follow it, if I think something else works better, but I always consider it. I find that giving critical feedback helps me, too, as I can be more objective about the work of others. I can recognize a problem in someone else's work, and only later realize that I've been doing the same thing.
I attend workshops and conferences. In September I attended a 'Save the Cat for Writers' workshop based on the book by Blake Snyder. I've attended workshops by Donald Maass and Deb Dixon. I've attended the 4th Street Fantasy convention, which has an emphasis on practical issues for writers of fantasy fiction, and regularly attend local f/sf conventions that include workshops and discussions on writing.
Besides writing, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
Singing. Games. Surfing the internet. Beading, and other arts and crafts. I have a lot of interests, which can make it hard to sit down and focus on a story, especially a full-length novel, in the concentrated way it requires to complete a draft and go through it again and again until it's something I can be proud of.
I put singing first on the list because my favorite social activity is to participate in sing-alongs. such as a Rise Up Singing group, in which half a dozen to a dozen or more people take turns making selections from the songbook of that name and singing them accompanied by a few guitars and assorted other instruments, including my mandolin. And there's also the 4th Saturday Filk Circle, a smaller group who get together once a month to sing songs inspired by science fiction and fantasy literature and media. Many, but not all of our songs are humorous, and many feature lyrics original to our group.
In your opinion, what makes a great author?
Great authors, as opposed to authors who are simply good or competent, are authors who are unflinchingly honest when it comes to what goes on in the hearts and minds of their characters. They write about things that matter to people. These can be as simple as the life of a pig and a spider mattering to each other, or how much going to a fancy ball matters to a drudge who spends her life in the cinders, or as complex as the impact of a civil war on the lives of the people struggling to survive the changes it brings to their lives.
Are you a social butterfly or do you prefer to keep social relationships to a minimum?
I'm somewhere in between those extremes. I enjoy social events on a fairly regular basis, from board game parties and sing-alongs to large science fiction conventions - - and when I'm on my own I find plenty of ways to entertain and enjoy myself. I often find it easiest to write with people around me, while I'm sitting in a café or fast food restaurant. I enjoy feeling connected to a community, but with no demand to focus on anything but the story.
Do you have a specific place that you write or do you just write wherever you are when you get in the mood to?
I like writing in cafes and restaurants, but I'll write wherever I can find the time and opportunity. I'll write on moving buses and trains, in bed, on a park bench. Sometimes I'll even write sitting at my desktop computer.
Self-publishing or traditional publishing. In your opinion, what is the best route to go?
That depends on several factors. If you are already a big name author with an established audience, you could do a lot better publishing independently and raking in the higher royalties. You won't need to spend much - if anything - on promotion and marketing. People will already be looking for your next book.
If you can afford to spend money on promoting your book and on professional production values, you may also find independent publishing profitable.
If you don't have the money or the skills to assure that your book is professionally edited and your book cover professionally designed, or have the marketing skills, you'd do better to find a publisher who wants to take care of all that.
Have you won any awards for your writing? If so, tell me about it.
In Minneapolis we have a weekly paper, 'The City Pages' that sponsors an annual fiction contest. My short story, Survival placed third in that contest one year and was published with the other winners and I received a hundred dollar gift certificate at a local bookstore. My novel Spirited (since published by Champagne Books) placed in a couple contests sponsored by chapters of the Romance Writers of America.
Do you have another career besides writing?
I design book covers and format books for digital and print-on-demand publishing, as a service for independent publishers, through Final Draft Partners: www.dreamspell.net/finaldraftpartners/
This grew as an offshoot of my freelance graphic design and illustration services. My BA was in studio arts and archeology, but I went back to school at a tech college years later to learn professional publishing software like the Adobe Creative Suite. I got started on book formatting when I put together my first collection of short stories as an independent publishing project.
READ THE BLURB
Greg Roberts has been in love with the girl next door since they were both twelve, but Gloria Torkinson is engaged to marry someone else. Greg can only respect her choice in the matter - until his fairy godmother pops in with a different idea. As a mysterious, masked superhero Greg can appear to Gloria in a whole new light and win her love. But super-heroing is trickier than Greg knew, creating its own problems and uncovering inimical forces in his world that he never suspected. He'll have to discover the true hero in himself before he can set things to right and win at love.
READ AN EXCERPT
“Let go.” He plucked at her arms, still clenched around the cherry stem. Gladly she released it, turning at the urging of his hands to transfer her hold to him. She clasped her arms around his neck, and in the instant her eyes met his, looking out from behind his mask, she forgot her fear and her weariness. A bolt of exhilaration shot through her, an inexplicable joy.
Gloria grinned, letting the world drop away below them. She hardly registered how they’d shot into the sky, leaving mosquito hordes far below. She might never have this chance again. The belly dancers of the world might surround him as soon as they returned to earth, the way they’d done when he’d stopped that rogue elephant in Uptown. She’d have to go back to her life and her work and responsibilities. Right now this magnificent man’s arms wrapped tightly around her and his gaze stayed locked with hers. For the moment he was hers.
His masked face drew close, his breath warm on her mouth. Gloria leaned in, brushed her lips across his chiseled, slightly parted ones, thrilled as they softened and opened beneath her light touch. She bore down, parting her own lips to kiss him in earnest.
Oh Lord. If they weren’t already up among the clouds she’d be flying now. Who knew a kiss had the power to unlock such a rush of sensation, become a whole new dimension of delight? It had never worked that way before. His mouth met hers with equal fervor and with a tenderness melting her from crown to toes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
It all started when my parents had to go and teach me to talk. Then they sent me to school
where I learned to read and write. I learned to read and pretty soon I fell in love with books and
stories. I loved fairy tales and tales of magic from the very start. Even before that I loved to
daydream; I daydreamed myself into adventures with my favorite TV characters. I dreamed up
adventures crossing time and space on my own, meeting characters out of history and stories.
Books gave me the sense that there was a home waiting for my daydreams, a place where they
belonged.Buy Links at Lyrical Press:
http://lyricalpress.com/2013/06/07/new-release-wonder-guy-by-naomi-stone/
Loved the interview, thanks for sharing Naomi!
ReplyDeletetiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for stopping by, Emily!
DeleteThank you for hosting
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for having me here today, Librarian Judith!
ReplyDelete