“Working with multiple editors has also helped to dispel the fear factor and angst of failing.”
~~Marlene Bell
My Genre Chose Me
An Interview with Marlene Bell
Marlene Bell has many talents as you’ll see in her first response below. This is an interview that will show you the powers that come with self-publishing, self-taught skills, and self-confidence. She also has some wise advice about promoting your work. Her stories about creating her latest book, A Hush at Midnight, should empower you as a writer and a human being.
BLG: Tell us about yourself. What prompted you to become an author?
MMB: I’m an artist, photographer, and sheep breeder turned author. Our 4H club asked me to write a how-to book on raising sheep, and in 2009, I published a little journal/self-help book on raising backyard sheep. The experience was so enjoyable, I decided to jump headlong into writing novels. How hard could it be? Ha!
A little of my background: In 1985, I started a craft-type business called, Ewephoric. At the time it was considered a mail order venture, complete with a catalog where my husband and I offered my sheep artwork as gifts to sheep collectors. Eventually, the Ewephoric website went up in 1998 with our product line. www.ewephoric.com
BLG: How did you pick your genre?
MMB: I didn’t. The genre chose me. My initial draft of the very first book began as a romance. By the time the book entered editing, the story had become a mixture of romantic suspense, international mystery, and thriller all rolled into one. My developmental editor told me to pick one and stick with it. Romantic Suspense felt right for Stolen Obsession. I’ve become the most comfortable writing twisty mysteries and realized that by the time the second novel from my Annalisse series was published.
BLG: Where did you learn to write mysteries?
MMB: I’m a big fan of television mysteries and read many mystery authors, both domestic and British. Everything I’ve learned about fiction to date is self-taught through how-to craft books (over one hundred,) and online bootcamps from Writer’s Digest and literary agents. My official training is in art, but I’ve found one should be a natural creative in order to write well. In my case, having artistic abilities has helped my books.
BLG: I know this is your fourth book. What’s gotten easier as you draft and edit?
MMB: I’ve managed to publish six (6) books in print and eBook, not including the memoir I retired long ago. The writing process has become easier due to repetition and knowing what to expect with each new release. Working with multiple editors has also helped to dispel the fear factor and angst of failing. A strong set of professional editors won’t allow the author to fail and risk negative comments about poor editing skills. Talented women have kept me out of trouble with readers.
Each new book still has its challenges, though. A Hush at Midnight presented frustrations that surprised me. I found out early that I’d become too complacent and comfortable with my series characters. The novels seemed to flow much easier in the outline stages because the people I’d created had become real friends, in a sense. Developing a new protagonist in a standalone mystery had me second-guessing my abilities to write other stories other than my series. The extra six months it took in early drafts was something I hadn’t planned for.
BLG: How have you found your writing community?
MMB: From the time I began to write the Annalisse series, other authors and beta readers were so supportive. Because of the many years promoting Ewephoric, I’d learned the importance of promotion and keeping products and a professional business presence in front of the public. This knowledge has helped me publish books and experiment in an area so different than mail order gifts and raising sheep.
Social media friends and navigating an online presence is a must. The ability to interact with readers is also expected, especially as an independent publisher. Watching successful traditionally published authors is worth taking note. We can learn a lot from the publishing houses and what they do for their authors. The more books in a writer’s repertoire, the public is more convinced to take a chance on reading a new author. Winning book awards also adds credibility to the work. The out-of-pocket expense is well worth the effort. It’s promotional gold if fortunate to pick off a top national or international award.
BLG: Tell us about Ewephoric Publishing. What was involved in setting it up? How do you get your books into bookstores? Do you publish books by other authors?
MMB: I publish under my business name and only my work. It’s a subsidiary of my sheep gifts business. Signed novels and the children’s book are combined with the other products we offer online at Ewephoric. Getting books into bookstores as an independent is something I haven’t mastered yet. I have a few books in the Ingram Spark book list, but that platform isn’t the easiest to navigate. Bookstores can return books purchased through Ingram and not sold within a window of time, but the author pays all return expenses. It’s hardly worth it when large numbers are returned. Series books should be read from book one forward for the most reader enjoyment. Some stores skip installments and chose a later one, I’ve found. That doesn’t always work positively in bookstores. I’ve tried some back door methods to get a few books into stores, but nothing has been the right path forward so far. I’ll eventually get there! Ingram still has possibilities with the right book.
BLG: What tips can you give authors to help them publicize their work?
MMB: Authors should jump into free promo venues when possible and be prepared to put out their own money for virtual book tour promotions. However, new authors should be careful giving away too many free eBooks unless he or she has quite a book catalogue with strong, positive reviews. eBook readers looking for the next freebie can be brutal with reviews. They have no money invested in your book and are not beholden to be pleasant about stories they find hard to enjoy.
Joining forces with other writers in email blasts is also something worthwhile to get into. This isn’t a one-and-done business. For me, it’s seven days a week, answering email, social media questions, engaging with readers comments, sending out books, merchandise, and thanking those kind enough to leave a book review. And, oh, there’s the parking the backside in the chair in front of a Word document writing the next book…
Being thankful toward readers goes a long way to boosting your stature in the literary community. Bibliophiles tell others about great novels and friendly authors. Word of mouth is the king and queen of publicity no matter the business.
A word of caution. There is such a thing as over promoting books in places like Facebook and other platforms. Too much “buy my book” promoting can be a turnoff to those who might be thinking about picking up something you’ve written. Be sure and sprinkle promotions with fun content about pets, scenery, and the occasional giveaway. Book groups are great for this.
BLG: What else would you like readers to know about you and your work?
MMB: My work is generally available on ewephoric.com. For books exclusively, those can be found at my author website, marlenembell.com. Each book has its own page and excerpt, including the awards each installment has acquired along the way. Print and eBooks are available across multiple retail online outlets such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I’m a very approachable author and love to hear from readers.
@@@
“Be a good literary citizen – support your fellow writers by going to their events and buying their books and posting reviews.” ~~Eleanor Vincent
Love is Complicated
An interview with Eleanor Vincent

BLG: The book tells us a great deal about your background. When did you know you were a writer, and what was your favorite writing job?
EV: I wrote my first short story at age 12 under a tree in my backyard. In high school I wrote for my school newspaper and one of my English teachers told me I wrote well enough to have a professional career. Back then, I thought writers were men who lived in New York City and wore smoking jackets. I began writing professionally at age 23 – my favorite job was as a reporter for several newspapers, among them The Worthington Daily Globe, the Sacramento Bee, and The Western Slopes Connection in Nevada City, California.
BLG: This is a courageous tale. Did it start in your journals, with a particular incident, or somewhere else? When did you know you had enough material for a memoir?
EV: Everything begins in my journals. Originally, I had submitted a query to Vine Leaves Press for an essay collection based on columns I had written for the Rossmoor News, as well as some standalone essays.
They wrote me to say they loved the voice and the topics and asking me if I could write specifically about my later in life marriage. They accepted my book provisionally as a “revise and resubmit.” I had already written a book proposal and sample chapters for a memoir about my marriage, so I took those chapters and began revising them. Most of this book was drafted in Elizabeth Stark’s Advanced Craft Class in Zoom sessions during the pandemic and workshopped in Zoom rooms in that class, and later by colleagues at the Writers Grotto and Left Margin Lit, my writing communities.
Also, Vine Leaves assigned a developmental editor to work with me as I wrote the book, Melanie Faith. She was amazing, responding to tranches of chapters as I wrote them. I mention all of them in my acknowledgements.
BLG: What techniques do you use for shaping memories into a book with strong scenes and a message?
EV: Being in the present moment. Daily meditation practice, deep concentration, and my ability to visualize and re-experience a scene as I’m writing it all lead to more vivid writing.
To write well, you need to be fearless – or if you feel fear to work with it and write through it. I surrounded myself with very accomplished writers and I took their feedback to heart. Elizabeth Stark’s class – which I attended for more than 3 years – was an amazing laboratory where we got to practice the craft of writing and get immediate feedback. That led to way better first drafts.
Then workshopping the material with people in my writing community, and incorporating Melanie’s feedback, led to a more polished book. I happen to love revision – partly that’s my journalism background, but also because I’ve been fortunate to work with writers who are skillful editors. “Writing is rewriting,” as one of my teachers used to say. All my work goes through multiple drafts.
BLG: What do you hope readers will take away from this story?
EV: Love is complicated. All of us encounter obstacles in our relationships, but with enough skill and motivation, we find ways to overcome them.
If the obstacle is a differently wired brain, the challenge becomes much harder, especially when the neurodivergent person has been masking, or copying neurotypical people their entire life, and is skillful at that. Patterns become cemented in place, and without a diagnosis and the tools and support to modify certain behaviors, it’s extremely difficult to sustain intimacy.
I want readers to see how much I loved my husband, and how very hard I tried to enter his world. I believe he also loved me deeply, but he did not have the capacity to offer sustained closeness. Without that, I found it impossible to survive, and terribly lonely. As we grew apart the marriage became emotionally abusive.
BLG: How did you develop the ability to write so deeply and honestly?
EV: I strive to live my life authentically, and that carries over to my writing. I’ve always been an outspoken, and some would say an “overly” frank person. Growing up with two gay parents in the closet, I developed antenna for anything phony or false. I paid a heavy price for their masking, as did my sister and brother. I put a premium on honesty in all areas of life, so of course I apply that to writing.
BLG: You’ve been writing for a long time. Do you have writing groups, classes, or teachers you recommend?
EV: My biggest recommendation is to study the business of writing. That is not something that is taught in most MFA programs. You can write the most beautiful prose in the world, but if you don’t understand how the business works it will be very tough for you to be published and share those beautiful words with readers. For that, I follow Jane Friedman, religiously. I’ve learned so much from her over the last two decades. There are others that give good advice about marketing and finding your audience – Dan Blank and Sue Campbell come to mind – but Jane provides the best overall perspective on publishing with the least amount of ego.
Other than that, practice your craft. Play tennis with the pros – find a community where the writers are published and generous with their feedback. Writing groups can be helpful, but they can also be dangerous if the focus is too narrow, or too personal. Look for classes and teachers that speak to you. I’ve been writing professionally for 53 years, and I still take classes. Never be too proud to learn. Be a good literary citizen – support your fellow writers by going to their events and buying their books and posting reviews.
BLG: Your online publicity has been quite visible. What recommendations do you have for writers wanting to get the word out about their book(s)?
EV: Spend a lot of time thinking about your ideal reader. Who is she? What does she watch and listen to, as well as what does she read? What can you provide for her that will be most helpful, what is the story she needs to read or hear? Then go find her on the channels where she hangs out and share your story.
Be willing to be vulnerable. Try to connect, not to sell. Be aware of your limitations and strengths and put plans in place to overcome them or to amplify them. For instance, I hired a digital assistant to manage my social media during the launch of my book. I’m great at networking in person, but I’m a “high touch” gal, I’m not “high tech.” So, I networked my way to a smart young poet who makes her living helping writers launch their books on digital platforms. In addition, I hired a publicist who works behind the scenes on Amazon and Goodreads to run ads and promotions. All those are things I’m not that good at.
I’m putting my efforts mainly toward setting up in person events and networking with other writers, and letting others manage the digital infrastructure. If you’re good at technology, by all means do it yourself. But if that’s not your thing and you can afford to, hire help.
BLG: I know a little about Vine Leaves Press because I’ve been published in “50 Words or Less.” How did you find them and how do you like working with a European company? Any advantages or disadvantages that you’re willing to share?
EV: I love working with Vine Leaves. I had experience working with a small press for my first book, Swimming with Maya, so I had reasonable expectations. I knew there was a lot I’d have to do myself, but I loved their aesthetic and cover designs, and the community they create for their authors online. I was able to have input the whole way, and I got to work with an incredible developmental editor without paying a penny for that service.
Because their books are print on demand and they don’t take returns, finding bookstores to host events has been a challenge. So, I’ve leaned into my writing communities to host events, and funded one event at the Unity Center in Walnut Creek myself.
I’ll do bookstore dates in January by consigning books myself, and after that at any bookstore that will have me, but my primary focus is connecting directly with readers through my website, my newsletter, social media, and book clubs.
BLG: Where can readers buy copies of Disconnected and where can they learn more about you?
EV: Visit my website at https://www.eleanorvincent.com and sign up for my monthly newsletter; follow me on your social feeds. You can order the book directly from Vine Leaves Press, or from Indiebound, Powell’s Books, or Amazon.
BLG: Many thanks for sharing your thoughts and practical advice with us. You have excellent, actionable ideas to share.
There are so many reasons to buy a copy of Disconnected. Get a copy and be prepared for some enlightening discoveries.
@@@
“When the time is right… re-enter the meditative writer state.” ~~Beth Castrodale
Mysteries Unfolding Gradually
An Interview with Beth Castrodale
It took me a while to get to Beth Castrodale’s The Inhabitants, but once I did, I had trouble putting it down. I was fascinated by the way she moved from grounded reality into the possibility of ghosts. She kept me wondering and believing in the authenticity of this story, and she made me wonder about some unexplained phenomena in my own life.
In the interview below she talks about her experiences and motivations, and she gives wise advice, especially for any writers who may feel stuck.
BLG: Tell us about your earliest stories. How old were you when you started writing, what were your subjects and who encouraged you?
BC: Early in grade school, I made my first attempts at fiction, and my favorite thing to write was spooky stories. Often, I’d create staple-bound, illustrated booklets that told tales of ghosts or haunted houses or castles. My parents were hugely supportive of my work, and they bought me books that helped feed my interest in ghosts. One of my favorites was Gus Was a Friendly Ghost.
BLG: What triggered your interest in ghost stories?
BC: I’ve always loved a good scare. Aside from that, I’ve always been intrigued by the fictional possibilities of ghosts—for example, the ways in which they might be responses to grief or longing for a loved one, or suggest unfinished business of some sort. Often, ghost stories say far more about those who encounter spirits than they do about the spirits themselves, and I love that aspect of such tales.
BLG: Did you do an MFA program and if so, do you recommend it? What advice or class has helped your writing the most?
BC: I don’t have an MFA, but over the years, I’ve taken part in several fiction-writing workshops, as well as writers’ groups that spun off from these workshops. My M.O. has been to maintain, as much as possible, a regular writing habit; to get honest feedback on everything I write; and to read as much as I can.
BLG: What tips do you have for developing believable, 3-dimensional characters?
BC: In the early stages of writing a novel, I try to get a good handle on what’s driving characters in the context of the story—what they want most, and what’s getting in their way. Then, I try to inhabit them as I write each scene. What I mean by this is that I try to immerse myself in a given character’s point of view, almost forgetting myself as I move about their world. On some days, this state is easier to reach than on others, and there’s no magic way of getting into it. One thing I try to do is shut off my inner critic and to visualize the character’s surroundings as clearly as possible. The process is almost a form of meditation. In fact, it’s the only meditating I do!
BLG: What was your process for plotting this story and switching between ghostly and normal worlds?
BC: Early on, I sketched out a rough story arc, just to have a general sense of where the story might go, while also leaving plenty of room for discovering new angles as I wrote. As far as switching between ghostly and normal worlds, I considered that a matter of pacing—offering breathers from unsettling scenes and also allowing some “quiet” space for character development.
Another point about pacing: I tried to have the mysteries within the story unfold gradually so that there’s an ongoing tension/feeling of suspense.
BLG: Tell us about your publishing journey. How did you find Garland Press for your first book, who recommended the contests you entered, and how did you decide to go with Regal House?
BC: I was very fortunate that Garland’s publisher reached out to me after reading a short story of mine that she really liked. She asked if I had any novels in the works, and it turned out that I did. The novel was Marion Hatley, and it became my first published novel, which Garland released in 2017.
I found the contests on my own. As I recall, I consulted the Poets & Writers database for contest listings.
When I was looking for publishers for my latest novel, I was really impressed by what I’d read about Regal House. I feel very fortunate that they liked my book and put it under contract.
BLG: What suggestions do you have for marketing a book not published by the Big Four?
BC: Over the years, I’ve tried so many things on the marketing front, and it’s impossible to tell whether any of these efforts have had a direct effect on my book sales. Still, I believe it’s worth trying as many approaches as possible to build awareness of your work over time and, hopefully, draw new fans. Here are just some of the approaches I’ve tried: reaching out to book bloggers, or paying for a virtual book tour; aiming for as many advance reviews as possible, either from trade reviewers (Kirkus, Foreword Reviews, etc.) or ARC reviewers from services like BookSirens; reaching out to booksellers and librarians, sharing with them any positive trade reviews you’ve received; writing and placing articles that have a connection to your book but are not promotional; advertising on Facebook or other outlets; reaching out to podcasts for interviews; building an email newsletter subscriber base; and providing email subscribers with regular content that’s not baldly promotional.
BLG: What else would you like readers to know?
BC: So many writers feel deeply discouraged at times—from rejections, negative reviews, extended periods of writer’s block, and so on. From time to time, I’ve been discouraged that way myself, and during such spells, I’ve found it helpful to take a break from writing, to spend time with friends, and when the time feels right, to try to re-enter that meditative writing state I spoke of earlier—even if I just get down a paragraph or two. (That state is one of the main reasons I’ve kept writing.) I thought I’d share this in case it’s helpful to anyone else.
BLG: Where can we learn more about you?
BC: The best place to find more information about me and my work is my website: https://www.bethcastrodale.com/.
@@@
If you know an author we should interview, send me a note through the Contact Box near the bottom of the home page.
Lynn,
Thanks so much for this informative newsletter, and the excellent questions you had for me, and for lifting up Disconnected. Writers helping writers is a fantastic approach to the writing life, which can be solitary, but also joyful when we work together. Much appreciation to you.
Eleanor
You’re an excellent author to work with. I found your answers quite enlightening. Makes me want to get back to submitting. Thanks!
Thank you for the interview! I enjoyed the short visit with you and your writers. Happy Holidays to you, Lynn! Marlene
You’re right. It was short. Here’s an important question I forgot to ask: Who designed your book cover?
These were good interviews.
As a published author I’d like to be invited to share my story.
I was impressed with the interviewer’s questions and the author’s answers.
I learned how naive and inexperienced I was and how much more I need to learn about writing and publishing.
Thank you.
These were good interviews.
As a published author I’d like to be invited to share my story.
I was impressed with the interviewer’s questions and the author’s answers.
I learned how naive and inexperienced I was and how much more I need to learn about writing and publishing.
Thank you.
I’m interested and glad you like both the questions and answers.
Can you write back, either here or in the Contact Box at the bottom of the home page and tell me a bit about your books? I might want to read one before I interview you if you have any ARCs left. Thanks!