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Friday, October 12, 2007

Welcome Robin Caroll...Author of Bayou Justice

In celebration of the release of her first book, I've invited Robin Caroll as a guest blogger to share with us today. After the interview please leave a comment and once I receive Robin's book I'll draw a name for a free copy. :) It's common knowledge that Robin is a dillegent writer. Working hard to hone her craft, she's quite competent at getting book after book completed. She just finished her fourth contracted book that will also be released through Steeple Hill. I figured it would be fun to hear about her journey from unpublished to published.


Welcome, Robin Caroll!


Author of the much anticipated Love Inspired Suspense,



Thanks for hosting me, Sabrina. As per your suggestion, I'm going to share a little bit about the challenges on the transition from unpublished to published.

The biggest challenge for me, personally, is to have realized that once you sell your book, it’s no longer your baby, but a product to sell. It’s been sold to the publisher, but now you have to work with your editorial team to focus on selling to the target consumer. The title, the characters, the plot twists, the cover…everything is focused on appealing to your target consumer—the reader. I found this challenging because I had NO IDEA what all is taken into consideration during this process.
Editors know what the readers of their specific lines look for, what they expect, and they help steer you in the direction of providing exactly that. The entire team from editors, line editors, proofreaders, typesetters, art departments, etc. all work toward the same goal as you—to make your book the best it can be to appeal to your target reader. It’s an amazing process, and I love seeing how all these different team members work together and get the final product out there to the readers. I’m blessed to be going through this journey with the awesome team I have with Steeple Hill.

Another challenge I found was acknowledging the fact that deadlines can be our best friends, or our worst enemies. It’s one thing to set yourself a deadline, make one with your cps, or even one from your agent, but it’s a totally different feeling when you have a deadline to turn in a manuscript, or revisions, or line edits, or front & back material, or galleys….there are many people waiting on you, expecting you to turn in on deadline so they can do their job, and aside from the contractual obligations, there’s the whole aspect of if you fall late, you push everyone else in the lineup running behind as well.

One other thing that’s a transition, but it’s not really a challenge, is reviews. I didn’t realize how I’d actually be nervous to hear there was a review out on my books. I’ve done the contest thing and cringed and celebrated over judges’ comments and overall scores. I guess that was preparation for handling reviews. I’m blessed that for now, I’ve gotten really great reviews. But I know a bad one’s coming—that’s just a fact because not every reader is going to love my book. I’m trying to prepare for the not-so-great review so it won’t sting. I’m a big girl. Rejections, bad scores, and so-so reviews are part of this industry. I can take it. Well, check with me after I get one and let’s see how I did! Our heads can tell us one thing, but the reality sure can sting! LOL

Thanks, Sabrina, for having me. I’ve had fun!

Robin Miller is writing as Robin Caroll. Deep South Mysteries for an Inspired Heart BAYOU JUSTICE--October 2007 Steeple Hill BAYOU CORRUPTION--February 2008 Steeple Hill BAYOU JUDGMENT-May 2008 Steeple Hill BAYOU PARADOX-September 2008, Steeple Hill
Thank you, Robin, for sharing with us. Good luck with the books and I can't wait to review Bayou Justice next week. :) Now leave those comments and I'll put you in a drawing for a free copy of Bayou Justice. :)

8 comments:

Stormi said...

That was interesting to read. I am new to the industry so its always nice to read what people have to say about getting published. Please enter me in the drawing.

Janna said...

Robin is getting published by my new favorite line of books - Love Inspired Suspense - I can't wait to read this one - please sign my up Sabrina! I'd love to win this one :-)

Janna
ryanx6@msn.com

Sabrina L. Fox said...

Thank you, ladies. Anyone who enters and doesn't win will be entered into the end of the month Love Inspired drawing. :)

And Stormi--I just checked out your blog. It's great. I'll be stopping by.

Crystal Laine said...

You don't have to enter me, since I get the club books. (Love the line) But I enjoyed the insider's insight when publishing your first book, Robin, and thanks Sabrina for getting her to do it! I look forward to reading this, Robin, as I love the setting--is intriguing.

Sabrina is going to be talking about this one day soon, too. I have faith.

Nice job, ladies!

Unknown said...

Thanks, y'all! The blog tour has introduced me to so many new people and that's been the most fun part! Be sure and drop by my website at www.robincaroll.com to enter the contest for my cajun kickoff basket!

Lynette Sowell said...

Great interview! Robin is so right-on with what she says about the editing process once a book is contracted.

Sally said...

Sabrina, enter me in the drawing, please.

Karin said...

Please enter me in the book drawing. Thank you!