I’m interviewing Abbie MacInnes today.  Please help me welcome her.  Abbie will be giving away a copy of His Fifth Avenue Thief to one lucky commenter, so be sure and leave a comment for her.

1. How did you get started writing?

I had the idea I could write a romance while in college. I was taking a Sociology course on serial killers. My idea was of course, for a romantic suspense. It was totally horrible and messy plotwise, one of those books quite unsalvageable, but so much fun otherwise. I didn’t know anything about plotting or characterization. Ah those days of ignorant bliss. LOL That first idea sparked the dozens I’ve had since then.

2. What genre(s) do you write in and why?

I’ve always loved Historicals. My latest release is a novella set in New York City in 1850. For me, Historicals transport me back in time. It’s so much fun learning about the past and setting characters during a war or famine etc. I also write Contemporary western romances. What can I say, I love cowboys. They’re honorable, strong, tough and resilient.

3. What inspired your latest book?

The movie Gangs of New York inspired Cathlene, my heroine from my story. She’s a turtledove just like Jenny from the movie.

4. What is your favorite part of writing?

Ah, I love when an idea smacks me in the brain. I love when everything comes together, the characters, the plot, the story. Sometimes it happens in the first draft, but mostly everything comes together during the revision process.

5. What is your least favorite part of writing?

I’m not terribly fond of editing. I’m a perfectionist. Sometimes I’ll need to pull myself back because ten minutes will have passed and I still haven’t found the perfect word. There’s no such thing as perfection, but when a paragraph reads just right, it feels wonderful.

6. What is your next project and when will it be released?

I’m working on several projects now. A timetravel Regency romance and a contemporary. I’d hoped to have something out this month, but personal matters have intruded and I’ve had to change my release schedule as a result.

7. What is your typical day like?

I have a day job, but I’m fortunate enough to be able to set my own schedule. I work three days a week and write on the days I’m not scheduled. Of course there’s so much that needs my attention, I have to really put my writing first those days before other things. I’m quite new to self-publishing. I’m still figuring out how to schedule all the tasks necessary before putting out a new release. Since I’m acting as publisher, author, CEO, there’s much that needs my attention. I’m still getting a handle on juggling all that needs done. *g*

8. How much time do you spend promoting your books? What works best for you?

I’m not the greatest book promoter. *g* I have my blog, and I tweet and post to Facebook, and I’m a member of several Yahoo loops. I try not to be too annoying and in your face because I don’t like just receiving messages/posts that mostly say “Hey, look at me and what I have.” I designate a half hour a day to browsing tweets and FB posts and blogs, and commenting/liking/retweeting when something interests me. I’ve found that blogging has been the most beneficial for me. I have my Sunday Sweet Spot Author spotlight feature where I promote other authors, so I’m not just giving readers my opinions and ideas and making it all about me me me. And I love giving back to other authors because when I first started writing, several authors welcomed me to their blogs. I love that kind of networking. It’s fun and easy and interactive.

9. How has your experience with self-publishing been?

It’s definitely been a learning curve, but I’m not on this journey alone. I’m a member of the Indie Book Collective.

www.indiebookcollective.com

and Indie Romance Ink.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/indieromanceink

Interacting with fellow members and seeing what options are available to me has made my experience with self-publishing very fun and profitable. It’s a lot of work as I said before.

However I’m not one to put all my eggs in one basket. I’ve been published with a few digital publishers, and when I began self-publishing, I noticed that both my titles with publishers and those I’ve self-published feed off each other if you will. I’ve decided that I’m not going to self-publish everything I write, but it’s definitely something I will continue to utilize because I’ve seen the benefits from it, such as knowing what works in terms of paid promotion and gaining new readers. And though most digital publishers can get an author the same distribution self-publishing can, many publishers have a massive, and loyal reader following, which takes time for indie authors to establish.

10. Where do you get the ideas for your stories?

Everywhere. I love listening in on conversations in restaurants or coffee shops and seeing what I can use from them.

11. What advice do you have for other authors wanting to self-publish?

As a businesswoman who wants to write full time and make a living from my writing, I thought it important that I educate myself on all the publishing options out there. As early as this time last year, I swore I’d never self-publish. That thought wasn’t founded on anything sound. Keep an open mind and always be willing to change. It’s difficult being in this business, but if you keep an open mind and continue to keep up with all the changes in publishing, you should be just fine. I’m glad I didn’t dismiss self-publishing because I wouldn’t be where I am now as an author or a person.

Bio:
Abbey MacInnis is a published author of Contemporary Western romance. Along with Contemporary, she writes Historical, Paranormal and erotic romance. Whether she’s being swept off her feet by a Medieval knight, regency rake, or cowboy or cop, her heroes are always strong men who’ll love their women unconditionally.

On most days, Abbey can be found at her computer, penning her latest tale. A tale where love, respect, and passion combine to create a satisfying and happy ending. She invites you to step in to the pages of her romances, to leave your worries behind and get swept up in her world.

Check out my latest release:

His Fifth Avenue Thief

Two years prior, Irishman Aaron O’Connel took his life from rags to riches. Chance and wits have kept him alive in 1850’S New York City. But no amount of money or success can bring his love Cathlene back from the dead. When a thief sneaks her way into his mansion, the last woman he expects to find absconding with his belongings is his long lost wife.

Abandoned on New York’s shores, a widowed, penniless, and ruined Cathlene O’Connel was left to fend for herself in an unfamiliar world. Fear and circumstance drove her to a life of thieving in order to survive, but her heart risks the biggest danger of all when Aaron hands her a scandalous proposition: A son in exchange for her freedom.

Now that he has her back, Aaron doesn’t intend to let Cathlene slip between his fingers. He’ll do whatever it takes to regain her trust and love. But when an enemy from Cathlene’s past resurfaces, Aaron not only faces battling for Cathlene’s heart, but also her life.

Available at
<a href=”http://www.amazon.com/His-Fifth-Avenue-Thief-ebook/dp/B005F9VRB2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1312084280&sr=1-1″>Amazon</a>

<a href=”http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-hisfifthavenuethief-583609-148.html”>All Romance Ebooks</a>

<a href=”http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-fifth-avenue-thief-lyn-worthen/1032670348?ean=2940013136625&itm=1&usri=his%2bfifth%2bavenue%2bthief%2babbey%2bmacinnis”>B&N</a>

<a href=”http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/77195″>Smashwords</a>

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