|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Hello all!
|
|
|
Welcome to our Professional
Connection live interview.
|
|
|
My guest tonight is Sheri Gormley.
|
|
|
Sheri Gormley is the Director
of Marketing & Promotions at http://www.virtualtales.com/, which
delivers serialized fiction via e-mail to its subscribers through its
website. She is also the author of the Fantasy serial THE EYE OF CAER
WEILEN http://www.caerweilen.com/
, which first appeared on the Keep it Coming e-serial website and now continues
its run at Virtual Tales.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Hello, everyone!
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Sheri, welcome!
|
|
|
I'm so pleased to have you here
tonight.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Hi, Mary! Thanks for having me
here.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I actually have published a
serial and I had a ball doing it. It used to be a common fictional form.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Yes it was... and will be
again.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Short shorts and serial pieces
do seem to be coming back.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
It's fun, and challenging, and
nerve-wracking, all at the same time.
|
|
|
I think it's because of the
time factor.
|
|
|
We're all so busy, and it's
hard to commit
|
|
|
to reading for many hours at a
time to read a book. Shorter works are satisfying, and still complete.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I agree. I think people are
asking for their entertainment in smaller and smaller bites.
|
|
|
So let's begin at the
beginning.
|
|
gskearney
|
I didn't have chance to check
out the site yet, but I was wondering, are the serials more like TV serials
where each program stands more or less alone, or is there a continued plot
from session to session?
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I think a definition is in
order, don't you?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Yes, here goes.
|
|
|
Serials are more like soap
operas
|
|
|
than stand-alone episodes.
|
|
|
It's like reading a book, or a
series of books
|
|
|
with each "issue"
having a cliff-hanger ending. You get very familiar with the characters and
the plot develops.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
So how did you get involved in
serials?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
I saw an ad for
KeepItComing.net, which was founded to deliver serials.
|
|
|
I had an idea for my Caer Weilen
stories, so I applied as a writer.
|
|
|
It was accepted and published,
and the rest is history, I guess.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
And now you're involved with
Virtual Tales. That is all serials isn't it?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Mostly serials, but also
e-books as well.
|
|
|
Virtual Tales was founded when
KIC went out of business.
|
|
|
The publisher had a family
crisis, and shut it down.
|
|
|
That left lots of authors and
readers in the lurch.
|
|
|
All that was left was the
Yahoo Groups forum board
|
|
|
and a bunch of us got together
and decided to start a new venture.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Cool. How long has Viortual
Tails been in operation?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
The site went live last June
(2006)
|
|
|
and has been building steadily
ever since.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
For those of you who are
interested in writing a serial
|
|
|
you'll find an open market on
the LR newsletter that is up on the website right now.
|
|
|
Tony Burton is looking for
serials.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Virtual Tales is also looking
for serials
|
|
|
especially Horror and Romance.
|
|
info
|
Even though you have a
cliff-hanger for an ending, do you still need to write that next book in
the series if you really don't have an idea or intend for that one to be
the last? Some books seem to have that cliff-hanger ending designed to be
satisfying and yet makes the reader guess.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I think there's still some
confusion about what a serial is, Sheri.
|
|
|
It's easy to confuse it with a
series.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
A serial is a novel that is
broken up into smaller chunks.
|
|
|
It has a beginning, and an
end.
|
|
|
And when all is done, it
usually is published as a novel.
|
|
|
Think Charles Dickens. Most of
his "books" started out as serials
|
|
|
like A Christmas Carol, etc.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Analog Magazine occasionally
publishes serialized SF novels.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Virtual Tales publishes
serialized novels.
|
|
|
Each issue is 1,500-2,500
words
|
|
|
and we e-mail the issues out,
twice a week, to each customer who subscribes.
|
|
gskearney
|
Sounds to me pretty much like
each issue is more a less like a chapter of a novel with the stipulation
that it has to have a complete story arc of its own?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
That's about right
|
|
|
but the catch is, you have to
hook the reader
|
|
|
so they want to come back and
keep reading.
|
|
|
Some serials are as short as
40 issues.
|
|
|
Some (like mine) are 80+.
|
|
|
The great thing for the writer
is
|
|
|
that they can make money while
they are writing their story.
|
|
|
In other words, you don't have
to have a completed manuscript for a novel
|
|
|
to get your serial published.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
As long as you don't decide
halfway through that you need to change something you have already written
at least! J
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Absolutely! Organization is key.
|
|
|
Plus, every Virtual Tales
author works with a professional editor
|
|
|
who helps the writer avoid
trip ups in plot, character names, descriptions, etc.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
This sounds like the perfect
venue for the writer who loves to plot as she writes.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Or who already has a detailed
plot arc
|
|
|
so they can keep organized.
For my serial, which is about dragon-human hybrids
|
|
|
I set up spreadsheets and did
all kinds of research
|
|
|
and have very detailed notes
about family lineages. I drew maps.
|
|
|
I have an "aging"
spreadsheet that shows how old my characters
|
|
|
are (or will be) at certain
points in the story.
|
|
kish100
|
Can it be a main story with
mini-stories stuffed in?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Yes! Absolutely.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Complex plotting is okay?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
In fact, Virtual Tales has
several anthologies of short stories right now.
|
|
|
Complex plotting is the best,
as far as I am concerned.
|
|
|
It shows the author
"knows" their subject matter, and it has a way of really drawing
in the reader.
|
|
|
Try explaining a soap opera to
someone who doesn't watch it.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Or explaining Harry Potter
Book 6 to someone who's never read books 1-5.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Good point!
|
|
klmiller
|
Is it easier, harder or the same
difficulty to find a publisher for a serial vs. a complete novel....In general,
of course?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Well, the market for serials
is just opening up.
|
|
|
There are only a few
publishers right now
|
|
|
but it does seem to be
expanding lately.
|
|
|
I think it gets back to the
time thing again.
|
|
|
You can read a single issue of
one of our serials in about 10 minutes.
|
|
|
That's about the time you have
for a break at work, or a few minutes at lunch.
|
|
|
It's fun to read on your PDA,
too.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I think also, you are getting
more and more people who are happy reading on the internet and that makes a
quick weekly dose of story episodes a natural.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Yes, I agree. But our research
found that most people
|
|
|
need a fix more than once a
week to stay interested.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I think this is going to catch
on. Look at the popularity of the soaps! Yeah, you're probably right. What
is the frequency of your issues?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Each serial publishes twice a
week for now, though we are considering going to a more frequent schedule
down the line.
|
|
geezer
|
How many stories do you have per
issue?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
One story per issue. For
example, if you ordered my serial, THE EYE OF CAER WEILEN, your e-mail
|
|
|
would have just one issue of
CAER WEILEN.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Ah, I see!
|
|
|
So you could order, say, ten
different stories!
|
|
|
Clever.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Yes, and they publish on
different days, based on genre.
|
|
|
So you can get a Fantasy on Monday,
and a Horror on Tuesday, and so forth.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Can people mix and match? Say
they want all fantasy? Or mystery?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Yes, you choose whatever
stories you want, for a very nominal fee.
|
|
gskearney
|
What if you come in late? Do you
still start at issue #1 or do all subscribers get the same issue each time?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
It's just for 10 issues, or 5
weeks.
|
|
|
You will always start at issue
1
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Nice price. I'm going to have
to subscribe.
|
|
|
Try it out.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
You can try out any story on
the site for free.
|
|
|
The first four issues (2
weeks) are always free
|
|
|
then you can choose to
continue the story with a paid subscription or not
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
How complicated is it for you
at Virtual Tales to keep track of which subscriber gets which issue? It's
not like everyone gets the June issue!
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Our system is completely
automated.
|
|
|
Our Director of Technology is
a professional web programmer. Our Chairman, Dave Law, is also
|
|
|
a professional writer, editor
and publisher. He has lots of good experience. And I am a professional
|
|
|
marketing director, so I know
how to promote our website and our stories. And June Dieh
|
|
|
is a professional editor and
writing coach. She works with the other editors to review all submissions
|
|
|
and select the ones for
publication. Our Director of Technology is Daniel Reppenger, by the way.
|
|
|
He's completely automated the
site so that once you set up your account
|
|
|
it knows who you are and what
you've ordered. So even if
|
|
|
you take a break from a story,
and come back to finish it several months later
|
|
|
it will know where you left
off.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
This impresses me. I'm looking
seriously at the future of fiction on the internet, and this is one of the
most promising venues I've run into.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
It's been a blast so far, and
more good stuff is coming up quickly.
|
|
|
Next spring we'll be rolling
out a great promotion for new serial writer wanna-bees
|
|
|
called "Serial
Idol." It will give aspiring authors a chance to write a serial from
scratch
|
|
|
have the world and our judges
vote on each issue, and then win a contract.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Oh, nice!
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Without having to go through
the regular submission process, which is challenging.
|
|
gskearney
|
Thirty-nine cents per issue
comes to about the same price per 1000 word as paperback books, which seems
slightly high as a buyer, but good for authors. How much of that do the
authors actually get?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
I speak from experience on
that, too, since my story had to go through the submission process.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Gary makes a point about numbers, although I think I'd find
the price worth it for the convenience.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
It's a bit higher than a book,
but remember, you are paying for convenience.
|
|
|
Books don't come to your
e-mail box
|
|
|
twice a week, on schedule
|
|
|
ready to be read, printed out,
or carried into a meeting on your PDA :o)
|
|
|
Many of our subscribers use
business addresses to receive their serials.
|
|
|
I suspect they are using it as
a daytime diversion from work :o).
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Yep, the 'read on your lunch
hour' (or when your boss isn't looking) is a big plus, I bet.
|
|
|
So what is the pay to the
writer? As long as we're talking numbers.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Exactly -- because it looks
like an e-mail.
|
|
|
The breakdowns are 60% to the
writer
|
|
|
20% to the editor
|
|
|
10% to the cover artist
|
|
|
and 10% to the website.
|
|
|
We pay out quarterly through PayPal.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Wow, that is the same as 60%
royalties on the cover price. Lady those are good numbers.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Correct! The author is doing
most of the work, and deserves most of the profit.
|
|
|
But the editor is important
too.
|
|
|
One thing that sets our site
apart from others is our professional editing staff.
|
|
|
Every serial, once accepted, is
assigned to a professional editor
|
|
|
who works with the author to
polish the final version. In my case, my editor
|
|
|
has been invaluable. I'm
writing a Fantasy, and she's pointed out many times when I haven't
|
|
|
explained the way my world
works to the reader.
|
|
|
I know how the magic works,
but the reader does not, and as a neutral third party
|
|
|
she let's me know when
something doesn't make sense. Plus she's top-notch on grammar, usage and
spelling.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I'm very glad to hear you speak
of your editorial policies...
|
|
|
because quality will help you
propagate readers!
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Yes, and it helps a new author
hone their craft.
|
|
gskearney
|
Many of the novels that have
been serialized in Analog as Mary mentioned have also been published later
in paperback at least. Have any ezine serials been so honored?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Yes. We have a few that are
going into e-book then into paper very soon.
|
|
|
But we can't do that until the
novel is complete.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I would think that ...as with
Analog...big publishers would be interested if you’re getting enough
numbers in terms of readers. The print
|
|
|
market is a different group to
sell to.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Yes, which is why we formed a
partnership with Dragon Moon Press...
|
|
|
to handle the paper side of
things. We're also looking into podcasting our stories.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Good move. I think that's a new
market looming on the horizon.
|
|
janecj333
|
How common is it for one of the
big NY publishers to re-publish a serial as a novel?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
I think so, too.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I think the Analog serials have
all been published by NY houses.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
I honestly don't know. I
haven't worked with any NY publishers before.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I suspect, Sheri, that if you
grow to the point where you have a really large subscription base, you'll
hear from NY.
|
|
|
They watch new market trends.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Well, since I come from New York, at least
I'll speak the language.
|
|
speckledorf
|
Do you have a "most
popular" genre or do most sell about the same?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Oh, that's a good one.
|
|
|
It's actually story-driven,
rather than genre driven.
|
|
|
Some of our most popular
titles are Westerns, believe it or not -- but they're really, really good
ones!
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Western action, male POV or
western romance?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
That's why we do the free
trial thing.
|
|
|
So you can try out a story to
see if it's for you.
|
|
|
Westerns run all over the
gamut.
|
|
|
We've got a popular western
romance, Hannah
|
|
|
and an historical western, The
Last Gunfighter
|
|
|
and a tongue-in-cheek comical
western, Rough Justice.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I'm wondering about the
demographic of your subscribers. Do you know, offhand, what it is?
Age/gender/socioeconomic range, I mean?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
I wonder about that, too!
Seriously, Daniel is working on that aspect right now.
|
|
|
We’ve got a very good
stat-recording mechanism set up, and we're just gathering the data now
|
|
|
but we have lots of readers in
the US, Canada, the UK and Australia.
|
|
|
And I have to assume they all
have a computer with Internet access.
|
|
|
We'll know more about the
demographics later next spring.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
You know, I have not run into
you in the sf/fantasy universe and that's probably a prime market for
this...a high percentage of very savvy internet users. You might keep that
in mind for marketing.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
I certainly plan to.
|
|
|
It’s been hard the past
6 months, because we're so new.
|
|
|
And we didn't get our shopping
cart operational until June
|
|
|
and we just brought the gift
certificate program on line
|
|
|
plus we've been hiring talent
(editors, artists and authors).
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Oh goodness, you're just
getting started, but I really think you have a huge growth potential! I
certainly wasn't criticizing, dear! J Hardly!
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
I've only been able to do two
promotions so far.
|
|
|
Oh, I know that -- I'm just
jumping on myself, really. I'm eager to push the envelope a little, too!
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I think you folks have a HOT
idea, and you're the first!
|
|
|
I am truely impressed and I am
not easily impressed by publishing start ups!
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Well, the first after KIC,
really.
|
|
|
Thanks for compliments! We
really have an amazing team assembled.
|
|
|
I'm looking forward to growth
and success.
|
|
kish100
|
Is fantasy ok? Basically that is
what I write.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Fantasy is FABULOUS! It's what
I write, and it's what I read. If you have a good idea, go to our website
and read the submission requirements.
|
|
kish100
|
How many stories per week would
you be required to write?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Once you get accepted, you'll
have to write 14 issues before your story will be posted for sale.
|
|
|
Then, you'll need to complete
10 issues each month until the serial is complete.
|
|
|
Though we do allow for breaks
and time off, if you ask for it in advance.
|
|
|
This was actually one of the
big improvements over KIC.
|
|
|
Their schedule was killer!!
|
|
|
I had to write my serial on
vacation,
|
|
|
I couldn't stop writing
because KIC pre-sold my serial
|
|
|
so I had to deliver or I would
loose the contract.
|
|
|
Virtual Tales only sells
issues that are complete.
|
|
|
If you need a break, we let
your readers know and then tell then when you've posted new issues.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Have you had trouble with
authors failing to complete their submissions according to schedule at all?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
No, not so far. We have had a
few family emergencies and a wedding, though, and it's okay as long as we
know in advance.
|
|
|
We recognize that our authors
need a life, too!
|
|
klmiller
|
Perhaps I missed a little
something, does the STORY define a serial as complete or are you expected
to just keep going and going?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
The STORY defines it as
complete. When the author says, this baby is done, then it's done.
|
|
|
Of course, we're always open
to a sequel :o)
|
|
speckledorf
|
Is there a max number of issues
for each story?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
No, but there is a minimum. We
want to see at least 34 issues, which is about the length of a novella.
|
|
|
If it's an anthology of short
fiction, then we'd like to see at least 34 short stories.
|
|
kish100
|
What kind of word count/per
issue are we look'n at?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
An anthology should have a
theme, by the way...
|
|
|
Our very popular horror
serial, Curious Accounts of the Imaginary Friend, has a narrator that tells
the stories. Very nicely done!
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Nice! Watson and Sherlock.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
We like to see at least 1,500
words per issue, and usually top it off at 2,500.
|
|
|
We don't want them to be too
long, since many of our readers want a quick fix, not an online e-book
|
|
|
or that's what they would have
purchased.
|
|
kish100
|
If you only do segments how do
writers pitch their storyline?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
I don't understand the
question. What's a "segment"?
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I think he's asking how to
submit a story to you.
|
|
|
If it's not yet written.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Oh, you send us the first four
issues
|
|
|
along with a complete story
synopsis,
|
|
|
your bio and some promo copy.
We like to know what the author thinks are the selling points.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Good. And the submission
guidelines are on the website, yes?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Then our editors read the
materials and give their evaluation. If they like what they see
|
|
|
they ask you to send
everything you've got, and then it goes to the Board for a final vote.
|
|
|
Our submission requirements
are on the website, yes.
|
|
info
|
Does the author need to discuss
with you when it is done or is it strictly when the authors says it's done?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Nope, the author has the
control there -- it's your story, after all.
|
|
|
We've already had a few
stories that are complete. One author, in fact.
|
|
|
finished his first serial and then
sent us his next! That's going on line next month.
|
|
builder guy
|
Do you keep the same mc in each
issue, or is it a good time to introduce new characters in different issues
to merge later with your main mc?
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Or do you prefer a strong single
POV?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
We prefer a good, strong story
-- in whatever format/viewpoint that works best.
|
|
|
My story, for example,
introduces new characters over the first 8 issues.
|
|
|
You don't even meet the main
character until issue 6.
|
|
|
That's just the way I wanted
it to be.
|
|
|
And every issue takes the
viewpoint of the character that's featured in that issue.
|
|
|
You really get to see what
everyone is thinking, but in a very structured way.
|
|
|
That was important to me,
because the book is really about tolerance, the need to see other sides of
a story.
|
|
|
What seems evil to one person
is goodness to another.
|
|
|
The reader gets to decide what
they think about each of the characters and their actions.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
But of course the reader has to
be able to keep track of the story. J
|
|
|
So a huge cast of characters
might be a problem.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Oh yes, absolutely! I only
have 4 main characters, but they are traveling and meeting others
|
|
|
and encountering prejudice and
friendship. It's really about the 4 characters, though.
|
|
kish100
|
If you have 2 stories accepted
is that 20 issues a month.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Yes, that's why we only accept
one serial from each author at a time. You have to
|
|
|
finish the first serial before
we'll let you do another one.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Let's pause for a moment here.
|
|
|
Sheri is going to give away
three gifts tonight.
|
|
|
Want to tell us what you're
giving away?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
I can give away free, 10-issue
gift certificates to visitors
|
|
|
so, when combined with the
initial 4 free issues
|
|
|
you'll end up with 14 free
issues of a story. If you're thinking about
|
|
|
writing for us, why not find
out what our stories are like?
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Sheri has just generously
offered to simply give all of you the same free trial
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Hey, I'm the Marketing
Director. I can do that!
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
So if you want to send your
email address to me, you can try out Virtual Tales.
|
|
|
Thank you SO much, Sheri. You
can add me to that, too. J I was going to go subscribe
to it anyway.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Sounds good!
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
I'll email you all the
addresses when we're done, Sheri. Thank you so much!
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
You're welcome!
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
So...while I'm busy recording
all these email addresses... what do you think makes a good serial? As
opposed to a non-serialized novel?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
It starts with a great story,
and some strong characters.
|
|
|
And I think that short stories
also make good serials
|
|
|
when they're part of an
anthology. I'd love for a group of writers
|
|
|
to get together and do a theme
anthology for us by genre.
|
|
|
That way, the pressure to
write 10 issues each month would be less.
|
|
|
But it would have to be a very
tight group, with a very compelling story arc.
|
|
|
Not random stories, per se,
but related stories. I think our readers like a bit of continuity.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
That's a fine idea, Sheri. I
bet the Storycrafters -- an online critique group -- might be up for that
challenge. Eh, speck?
|
|
info
|
I've been working on a series of
shorts aimed at YA about a cat. Was thinking of putting them into a book.
Would something like this be of interest to you?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Well, if they come up with a
proposal, we'd love to see it.
|
|
|
Absolutely! YA is hot!
|
|
|
In fact, we have a very
popular YA story right now.
|
|
|
Earrings of Ixtumea, and you
can learn more about it at the site.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Oh, that's cool. Nice to know
that YA is doing well.
|
|
speckledorf
|
Actually, I'm over here drooling
at the thought of the Storycrafter anthology. J
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Not only did the story get an
award, but the cover artist is entered for one, too.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
That's great, Sheri. What
award?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Oh, it's an art award for YA
books -- I have it in a note from the artist. I'll be posting it on the
website over the weekend.
|
|
speckledorf
|
Are your YA's the same length?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
No--again, it's up to the
author.
|
|
|
But again, we do have the
minimum.
|
|
|
Our horror anthology went to
46 issues, I believe.
|
|
|
That's 23 weeks, or about 6
months.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
So what is the best part of
writing a serial? What's the most fun aspect for you?
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
You're going to think I'm a
nut, but
|
|
|
it's the discipline part! I
HAVE to write -- I can't get out of it.
|
|
|
I have subscribers who send me
questions and want to know
|
|
|
when the next issues are
coming. I can't be lazy.
|
|
|
I can't goof off. I have to
write.
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
That's a very interesting
point. Look at the popularity of the nano contest.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Um, what's the nano contest?
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Write a novel in the month of
November for National Novel Writers Month.
|
|
|
You have to drop everything and
WRITE for 50,000 words.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
Ah, I must be living on
another planet! I haven't heard about that.
|
|
|
Ew, no thanks! I like writing
3,000-4,000 words a week. That's enough for me!
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
It has gained a HUGE following.
(As can Virtual Tales. :-))
|
|
builder guy
|
I like the fact that westerns
are doing so well with you. It's nice to break away from the tech world.
|
|
Sheri Gormley
|
I guess you're not the only
one who feels that way.
|
|
|
When we looked at the stats
from KIC, we realized that their best sellers
|
|
|
were all westerns. We invited
some of the former KIC western writers
|
|
|
to bring their story on board
with us, and they did
|
|
|
and they are doing very well.
They get lots of fan mail, too. :o)
|
|
Mary Rosenblum
|
Ah, I am SO curious about your
reader demographics!
|
|
|
And |