Michelle

I am going to have to correct you on the chicklit assumption - I do the majority of these myself, and it's not a genre I tend to read. There may some 'women's fiction' authors there, but as Michele Gorman has said, that's actually a different genre. I know for a fact that there are some crime, horror and YA writers in there. I have found that I tend to interview authors when I read a book of theirs which I like, as it makes for a more interesting interview. I really don't want to have a series of interviews all with the same questions. The author chat is much easier, as it opens it up to the lovely people here... but I don't want authors left sitting here with no one talking to them.

I'd appreciate some more views, either way. I'm quite happy to set this sort of thing up, but not if there's no real interest.

Thanks Ian - these are usually authors who I've read, or at least know through Twitter, and I think it's a better approach than allowing everyone to come along and do their own promotion!

I'm in contact with quite a few publishers and authors, but the authors are not always the really well known ones. Do you still like reading the interviews if you haven't read anything of the authors, and would you still like the author chats set up? I personally think that they can be interesting, as they can be used to get opinions on general topics and the author's experiences, even if you haven't read their book... but I'd like to know your views. Thank you

Michele, can you talk us through your publishing process? For example, you've discussed cover design on your blog, but I know many authors have told us they don't have a say in the matter. Do you have a good team, or are you given more freedom because you publish on kindle?

They're all separate books, can be read in any order.

Welcome Michele! Are you still with said boyfriend, and do you miss the US?

I've decided to revive the Featured Author idea, but a little differently, calling it Author Chat. I've invited Michele Gorman to come along and help out - I 'bumped into' Michele on Twitter, when she posted a blog post about paid-for reviews. Her blog has some interesting discussions on it, and so I thought there might be some interesting things to chat about on here. Michele is originally from the US, but she now lives in London. Her 2 chick-lit books are Single In The City (paperback and kindle) and Misfortune (kindle). She's also just released Little Sacrifices under her pen name of Jamie Scott, which is historical fiction. I'm sure Michele would be happy to discuss her publishing process, why she chooses kindle etc. She's discussed cover design, paid-for reviews and blog tours on her own blog, so I'm sure there's plenty we can talk about. Bear with us whilst I get Michele registered, and please think of some interesting questions. I'm going to start by asking her why she chose to leave the US and move to London?

have now finished The War of the Wives and Throne of Glass, which means I now have 3 reviews to catch up with. I'll also have a few copies of Deity to give away. I'm now on the 3rd Dark Tower book - they're rather strange in places, but King has got me hooked! I do like the little catch-up bit at the beginning.

Some more information would be nice - unless of course it's own book, in which case I recommend reading our promotional policy.

We do prefer members to post their reviews here, to encourage discussion.. rather than simply linking to their blog. Thanks

Moving away from this particular case, and looking at the idea of blogs and reviews in general - when looking for reviews, do you assume that all blogs are run as a hobby, with only free books exchanging hands? Would you like to see a clear disclaimer on a blog, or even each review, stating whether a free book has been provided, or money has been accepted? Personally, I'm starting to get a bit disheartened by it all, wondering what is behind each review - have they been paid, do they know the author (even if just through twitter), are they pressured by a publisher, etc? The same goes for amazon - just how many reviews are genuine, and how many are connected to the author, or paid for? I then wonder if people feel the same about my own reviews, and those on our blog - even though I know myself and our reviewers are always honest. I think there's a lot to be said for forums such as this, where reviews have no influence at all (well, genuine members, rather than the promoters!). Unfortunately publishers and authors seem very focused on blogs these days.

She's also received a legal threat from them, which is very sad. If you visit the original link, she's written about it at the top of the post.

I got a battery for my laptop from ebay, and it was fine. Just pick someone with a good rating, and preferably someone who runs a store. I used these people... http://stores.ebay.co.uk/up-battery?_trksid=p4340.l2563

It still makes me question them though - consider that they decide they want to review a book, accept the author's money, then find out they don't like it - do you think they'd still write an honest review? I suspect that the payment puts a lot of pressure on them to write a good review.

Also, out of interest, do you think this makes it clear that they charge for reviews?

Hmm.. you've peaked my interest with this one!

Thanks for your input - the place in question is a chick lit review blog, which I don't think has a particularly strong influence in the industry. Michele's blog post is quite eye-opening.. they look at a book being offered, read around to see what others think, and then decide whether they think they can offer a good review (just how can you judge that without reading the book yourself?!!). If so, they then go on to charge $95 for their review.

This is an issue brought up by Michele Gorman on her blog, and it has generated a lot of discussion both there, and on twitter. http://michelegormanwriter.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/should-bloggers-charge-for-reviews.html It would appear that most reviewers and bloggers are quite shocked by this, as the vast majority do not receive any form of compensation, apart from a free book. I include myself in this - I'm always excited and happy to receive said free book, and if I enjoy it, I then also enjoy helping to promote it. I'd like to ask you how you feel as readers - does it bother you that some people are being paid to review a book, and would you trust their opinion? Does it bother you if you know the book has been provided for review, rather than something the reviewer has picked up of their own choice? Or have you given up on reviews altogether?!

I recently reviewed Split Second by Cath Staincliffe, and it was such an interesting book, I asked her for an interview.... Hi Cath – you already have quite a few books to your name, can you briefly tell us a little about what you write? I’ve written a series of private eye novels, then two police procedurals based on my TV show Blue Murder. My recent books have been standalones though I’m also writing a series based on the TV police drama Scott & Bailey. Your standalone titles are about moral dilemmas and decisions. How do you decide which ones to explore? They have to be situations I can imagine myself being in, something that might happen to any of us – and situations where I’m uncertain how I would respond. One of these, Split Second, is published in July, so could you tell us a little more about it? Yes, it’s about what happens when a group gang up on a teenager on a bus. Most of the passengers do nothing, pretend it’s not happening, but one young man intervenes. The book looks at the consequences that follow and tells the story from three points of view. What sort of research did you need to do, and how difficult was it? I didn’t need to do a great deal for this book, partly because I’d already written about police investigations before but with these standalone books we hear from victims and relatives rather than detectives. I did check court procedure with a writer I know who works with the probation service. You’ve recently won an award for one of your short stories. Can you tell us a little more, and how you felt receiving it? The Short Story Dagger! I was totally surprised and over the moon. It was for a story called Laptop in Best Eaten Cold edited by Martin Edwards. My friend Margaret Murphy was joint winner of the dagger with me (the judges couldn’t choose between us) for her story The Message from the same anthology. How long have you been writing for, and how did you start? I’ve always written but started seriously by going to a weekly writers workshop. That led to publication of some of my poems and short stories and eventually to my first novel – which won a competition and was published as a result. You also write for the radio – is there much difference for you as a writer? Yes, I think so as everything in radio has to be conveyed through dialogue – and silences or sound effects. There are no passages of description or inner monologues and so on. Radio is very writer friendly though and I get to attend recordings and work with the producer and the cast. What comes next for you, and what are you working on at the moment? I’ve just delivered Blink of an Eye, a new standalone about a death by dangerous driving. Now I’m writing a second Scott & Bailey novel, then another standalone. I’m also working on two more radio plays in my Legacy series. Tell us a little about you as a reader – what do you like to read, and what’s on your bedside table at the moment? I do read a lot of crime but not exclusively. I love anything with a good story and a vivid setting. I’ve just read Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel and Sarah Thornhill by Kate Grenville – loved them both. Oh, and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. I’m currently reading The Siren by Alison Bruce and next up Shadow of the Rock by debut author Thomas Mogford. I enjoy finding new writers and this looks like it’ll be a bit different. Is there a book you wish you’d written? That’s a hard question. Probably a children’s book, something that generations grow up with and love, like a Dahl title or Ahlberg. That must be amazing – to have a special place in a reader’s affection. You can find out more at Cath's official website.

Have finished Deity by Steven Dunne.. unusual, and recommended for all crime fans. Have started War of the Wives. It's a bit emotional, so I think I'll start Throne of Glass as well. On audio, I'm just over halfway in the second Dark Tower series.

My review of Seraphina

Today is publication day, so I wondered how many were buying this in hardback? I have to say that I preferred the first book, but there was plenty in this one, and I remain excited about the final book in the trilogy. I haven't written a proper review, but Shadow of Night is all set back in 1950, and the focus is more on Diane, and her developing witch powers and abilities. It's obviously very much a historical novel, with lots of historical people and names cropping up. To start off the thread, I have a few questions which Deborah took time out of her hectic schedule to answer. All other info can be found on her website... http://deborahharkness.com/ If you haven't bought it yet - Go do so now! Q. How much research has gone into your books and the historical aspects, and have you visited any of the various places mentioned? A. I’ve been studying history since 1982, and have been a professor of history since 1994—in other words, I’ve done a lot of research. I just didn’t know that it would get used in a novel one day. I’ve lived in London and Oxford, and visited Prague and the Auvergne. It’s easier for me to write about places I know. Q. When writing about the various creatures, did you know what powers and features they would have from the outset, or did they develop during writing? A. I knew what the creature characteristics wouldn’t include fairly early on, but other aspects of daemons, vampires, and witches evolve as my understanding of the characters evolve. Q. When you started writing, did you know that there would be a trilogy, or did you find you simply couldn’t fit their story into one book? A. I knew the story of Diana and Matthew would be in three parts. Two months into the writing, I knew there would be more than one book needed to cover those three parts. Q. And finally, when you’re not writing, what do you like to do to relax? A. I love to garden and cook—those are my favourite forms of domestic recreation. And I’ve recently climbed up onto a horse again after a seventeen-year hiatus. I’m finding that incredibly relaxing.

It mentions Narberth, Kilgetty and Sandsersfoot. It really does have a feel of 'Welshness' about it.