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Welcome 2009 Publisher’s Weekly Reader’s Choice Winner Beth Trissel
 Posted by Autumn Jordon May 26 2010, 12:04 am in author interview, guest author, historical romance, new releases Today we welcome 2008 Golden Heart® Finalist, 2008 Winner Preditor’s & Editor’s Readers Poll winner, 2008 Winner Preditor’s & Editor’s Readers Poll winner and winner of the Publisher’s Weekly BHB Reader’s Choice Best Books of 2009, Beth Trissel. Beth, You recently had a new release. In fact today, right? Could you tell us a little about it?
I was inspired by all the intriguing old homes I grew up living in and or visiting. Victorian, plus some 19th and 18th century. Virginia is a highly historic state. Also, interestingly enough, the British Murder Mystery series called Midsomer Murders, to which I’m addicted, fueled my inspiration. Their plots take place in modern times but in old manor homes, ancient chapels, quaint villages, sometimes with the added flashback to the distant past. Did you have to do any special research for the novel? I always research like a mad woman and obsess over every detail, but wasn’t actually able to visit Scotland. Being a British junkie, I watch PBS and rent British shows and films from Netflix and have done for eons as well as read many novels written by British authors, so that helps. And my family roots are English Scot’s-Irish, reaching well back into colonial America and far beyond to the British Isles. I’m fortunate that our genealogy is well documented. We can trace lines back to Chaucer, a direct ancestor fourteen or so generations back, and some general who served under MacBeth. *Yep, that dude really lived. Our family has tie-ins to the Salem Witch trials and all sorts of fascinating eras. This rich legacy is a source of considerable inspiration to me. Why do you write in the genre you do? I write both historical and light paranormal with a strong historical element because I’m passionate about the past. Visiting your website, I can tell this is so true. What was the hardest scene to write? That entire book was hard to write! I thought I’d never make it through, and now it’s my favorite book. How did you become the 2009 Publisher’s Weekly Reader’s choice winner? (Tell us a little about the contest) And has this achievement opened any doors for you? Fellow author and friend Mona Risk told me about Barbara Vey’s annual contest held at her niche of Publisher’s Weekly where she accepts nominations/votes for various authors. The titles I noted all fell somewhere in the romance genre. Then I alerted my internet fans/friends at myspace, facebook, etc, and people went to her site and voted for the three titles I had out on 2009. All three finished in the top ten. I noted that some of the folks logging into vote grumbled that I’d found ways to cheat because some of the names my fans registered under were odd, like Sock Puppet Monkey, but that’s because they weren’t required to use their real names if they didn’t want to and at Myspace often times people don’t. Their votes are still only counted once. It was a fair win. I’ve had these complaints before because I’ve never ever lost a contest that requires votes. People just can’t believe how a new author could have that many fans/friends, but I’ve worked very hard making connections at myspace, etc, and built a strong internet fan base. And I really value my fans, many of whom are now friends. They spread the word and help my base grow. An enthusiastic fan is worth their weight in gold. Here’s the link: http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/beyondherbook/?p=29 I couldn’t agree with you more, Beth. You have an amazing backlist. Would you like to tell us a little about it? I’m rather eclectic. I love history and fantasy, can write straight historical or a blend of both. I started out with a focus on colonial American, including the Shawnee Indians and the colonial frontier, and the American Revolution, then branched out into light paranormal as well as exploring my English Scots-Irish roots. I’m currently working on a story set in England during the French Revolution, and am planning a sequel to Somewhere My Lass. What is the best writing advice you’ve received? Write what you love because if you don’t no one else will. What is the worst advice you’ve heard, to you or an author? To write for the market, focus on what sells. Are you a goal setter? Yes. Self-imposed generally although I do have some editors nudging me now. Do you have a writer’s cave or are you able to write anywhere anytime? I have a cave when I’m not buried under people and sometimes a troll in there with me. I feed it dark chocolate until the rumbling subsides. Conferences: What advice can you offer to author’s attending them? Make the most of your investment; they’re not cheap. Attend workshops, meet and greet, make some good contacts. Write the book of your heart. What does that mean to you? The book of my heart is the first book I ever wrote and rewrote until I finally got it right, coming out this fall, an American historical romance entitled Red Bird’s Song. Writing that book and the research I did for it, all that it encompassed, was the most amazing adventure ever. I literally put my whole heart into it. And when I finished, I realized, it’s all about the journey which is why I can’t imagine not writing what I love. Yes, I look forward to sharing my stories with other kindred spirits, but the true meaning for me was in the doing. How can readers contact you? bctrissel@yahoo.com My website also has my facebook, myspace, twitter and blog info at: www.bethtrissel.com Thanks so much for having me here. Blessings on you all. As the Shawnee say, Tanakia, until our paths cross again. Share:
              
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Since this is Beth’s release day, we’re serving cyber bubbly and chocolate covered strawberries. Help yourself and congratulate her on another great release.
Ooooooh lovely goodies.
Thanks so much for my cyber party! They’re the best, no calories. I am delighted to be here. I love this blog and all you swell ladies. Do I get a complimentary pair of ruby slippers?
Yeah- on the good and bad advice. So true.
You inspired me to open a split of champagne and have a mimosa in your honor. Clink clink to many sales and congrats on your release day
and pooh on all the grumblers.
Beth:
Welcome and Happy Book Birthday!!!
What a fantastic interview – you hit on so many great points. Wishing you every success with SOMEWHERE MY LASS!!!
Addison
Thanks guys! Love being here. And there are inevitably grumble bunnies.
Happy release day, Beth. I just love what you had to say about writing the book of your heart. Many sales to you….
Now I’m humming “Somewhere my Love” as I type – except I’m changing it to “Somewhere My Lass”
Welcome and congrats. I’ll happily eat chocolate strawberries and sip champagne – those won’t go to my hips. The book sounds great. I do love time travel books. Something so very escapist about it. But, alas, it will have to wait another week for me. Gotta get fifth grade graduation and baseball out of my way before I can relax.
Enjoy your day, Beth!
From one time traveler to another – I love that genre. My first book, Fiona, was also the book of my heart. Wonder why that is? Great interview and congratulations –many sales.
Patsy
Lots of luck on your new book. I’m sure it will be as good or better than the last.
Mega congratulations.
Ann
Thanks so much. Glad to see so many time travel lovers among us. And there is nothing like the book of your heart, especially if it’s the first.
Congrats on your release day, Beth! Great interview…and how cool to have links to both Chaucer AND MacBeth!! (All my ancestors are farmers, as far as I know.)
Sounds like you’re also a testament to the power of online social networking! I love the way community grows!
Many happy sales to you!!
Congratulations on your new release, Beth!
Thanks and yes, I am definitely a testament to the power of social networking. I’ve also made a lot of wonderful new friends.
Hi Beth. I admire your hard work to get a good network and fan base. Being a new author, I know how much work that takes.
Welcome, and congratulations on Somewhere My Love!
I’d love to hear your call story, if you have the time.
make that Somewhere My Lass…
Thanks Jamie. You can congratulate me on both.
I had entered Somewhere My Love in several contests, including the Golden Pen where it finaled. I have forgotten now which contest it was but they had an editor from The Wild Rose Press as one of the judges and she told me if I decided to go the smaller publishing route to please submit it, so I did. My editor for Somewhere My Love was Anne Seymour who fell all over it, thankfully, and loved my series idea. I was delighted to receive my call ‘email’ from her, which is normally how Wild Rose editors communicate, but not always.
Most readers had been extremely positive about my work but certainly not all, so I was on pins and needles waiting to hear back about Somewhere My Love. I am so glad I chose to go with the Wild Rose. I love it in The Garden and all my editors have been fabulous. I’ve now worked my way up to senior historical and light paranormal editors, both wonderful women to work with. The editor for Somewhere My Lass is Amanda Barnett who held my hand and labored over every detail until we got it right. I can’t say enough good stuff about her. She’s also been available on the phone which is good because we’ve had a lot to discuss.
Great interview, Beth and happy new release day!!
Stopping by to say congrats on your new release, Beth. I wouldn’t know any other way than to write from my heart. Glad to hear of your success. How can you miss writing about something you love – it comes through in your words.
Thanks ladies. And writing what you love is the only way.
Happy Release Day, Beth! I love the early American period stories you’ve written, but to see you wing off to Scotland? How very exciting! May this book prove to be another hit for you.
Congratulations on your release, Beth. Once again, it’s confirmed how important social networking is to an author’s success.
Congratulations on your release day, Beth! May it be a happy one.
A question: for authors preparing to dip into the social networking waters, any advice about the best way to wade in and/or the best use of social networking time?
Beth, I loved SOMEWHERE MY LOVE, and look forward to reading your new release. I love time travels, too. By the way, our family traces back to Macbeth and to Duncan, so we are almost kin. LOL I love digging into family lore for stories, as you obviously do also. Best of luck with SOMEWHERE MY LASS and with your health.
Beth, congratulations on Somewhere MY Lass as well as your other books. You are an amazing, prolific writer and always able to shuffle so many things. Enjoy this special release day and al the best!
Thanks so much. I have kindred spirits here and possible old Scottish kin, I see.
As to how to wade into the social networking, that’s a good question because it is fast evolving. Facebook is growing and myspace is hanging in there but not as popular as it once was. I try to keep up with both, have friends and fans at both. I acquired these initially through seeing who among those good folks at myspace were readers, mostly women, and went from there. Sent them a nice note, told them a little about myself. I’m a farmwife, mom, grandmom, gardener, pet lover…so looked for common ground to comment on. I sent pics of our lovely valley taken by my mom…Since then I’ve gotten very active in blogging and met some new friends that way too. A number of myspace pals moved to Facebook so I’m having to hunt them down. It’s not as easy as it once was with everyone at one site. And then there’s Twitter. Whew…I’m not very active there.
Wow, Beth, you really are an accomplished writer! I’m so honored to have designed some of your covers.
I’m thrilled to have you Tamra! Your covers make it much easier to sell the books. Rae does a super job too with my historicals. I’m delighted with you both.
Happy Release Day, Beth! Some really great advice, thanks for sharing!
Thanks to all of you for hosting my release day party.
Fun information, Beth.
Happy release day, Beth! Congrats on your PW Reader’s Choice Award–that must feel so gratifying.
Nobody does time travel like Beth Trissel!
Happy release day to a wonderful, strong spirited, talented, author!
Wonderful interview ladies. Sounds like another fantastic read, Beth. Wishing you all the best in everything.