Canvas Skies and Price of a Bounty author S.L. Wallace talks about her interest in her writing, her Reliance on Citizens trilogy, and her plans for the future.
Why do you write? Is it something you’ve always done, or always wanted to do? Or is it something that you started fairly recently?
I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I’ve only recently become interested in sharing my stories with the world. My first full length novel, Price of a Bounty, was published in August 2011, and the sequel Canvas Skies was just released this month, March 2012. The Reliance on Citizens trilogy will conclude with Heart of Humanity sometime this year.
Tell me a little about your book.
Keira, April and Scott live in a dark future society in which the Divide between the classes has become accepted by the Working Class (most everybody) and enforced by the Elite (the wealthy). The Maddock siblings, as well as a few other key players become involved in a Resistance movement that is trying to enact change.
Are there any authors who inspire you?
Wow, there are too many to name. However, other self published authors have been my biggest inspiration. The community of self published authors I’ve met online has been extremely supportive.
How do you write? Do you make yourself write a certain number of words per day?
I write as often as possible, and that can range from two to eight hours per week. Most weeks, I’m guaranteed a total of four hours by heading to the public library or to a local coffee shop after work.
Did you try to get a conventional publisher or agent interested before you opted for self-publishing?
No. I chose to self publish because I wanted to retain all rights to my work and so I would be fully invested in every step of the process from writing to editing to publishing.
What goals have you set yourself? Do you want to sell a certain number of books in 2012? Is there some way you measure success, on your own terms?
As long as I continue to make sales and readers continue to report that they’ve enjoyed my books, I have succeeded.
How have you marketed your book(s)? Have you used social media (Twitter, Facebook etc)? Have you paid for any advertising (Facebook Ads, Google Ads etc)? And how did it go?
I have an author Facebook page at S.L. Wallace and a blog called Crossroads of Humanity. I’ve also participated in a number of interviews and done a book signing at a local book store. I have not paid for ads.
Have you signed up for KDP Select? If you have, how has it gone for you? Do you think free promotions are helping with your paid sales? If you haven’t signed up, why not? Are you worried about the exclusivity clause?
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I signed up for KDP Select. However, the best advertising for me has been my free promotional days through KDP Select. Those free days have even increased my sales overseas. I’m not worried at all about the exclusivity clause because my paperback is still available everywhere.
Away from Amazon, have you had much luck with other outlets? Do you use Smashwords, Barnes & Noble etc?
Prior to joining KDP Select, I was using Smashwords and Barnes & Noble, but I had few sales through those outlets.
Do you worry about Amazon gaining a monopoly in the ebook market?
Amazon is working as a business, and they’re treating their authors well. The other companies will have to make some changes if they want to keep up.
What’s next? Are you working on anything at the moment? Do you have anything new coming out in 2012?
Canvas Skies has just been released. It picks up right where Price of a Bounty left off. This book focuses more on April, who is returning to Tkaron as Aimee. It also takes a closer look at the corrupt government of Terene. I’m just starting two other novels. Heart of Humanity is the final book in the Reliance on Citizens trilogy. It will take a closer look at the consequences of certain events that were introduced in the first two books. I’ve also begun writing a darker fantasy novel with another author. It’s my first experience as a co-author, and Google Docs has made that process so much fun.
S.L. Wallace’s Price of a Bounty and Canvas Skies are available from Amazon. You can also visit the Crossroads of Humanity blog.
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