1. What is your name and where do you call home?
B. Kristin McMichael, Central Ohio for the time being- I am looking for a new job, so the location may change in the next year if I am lucky!!
2. Do you have a pen name?
I am publishing under my middle name as I am published in the scientific community under my first name. (I am a scientist and part of that requires me to publish articles in scientific journals each year)
3. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?
To Stand Beside Her: To be the best courier, Leila follows three rules: always work alone, never stay in one place too long, and never fall in love. Too bad she didn't follow her own advice.
4. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
My second book which is the start of a new series is going to the editor at the end of January. TSBH book is a stand-alone novel, so right now there are no plans for more with this one.
5. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
Honestly, I have been writing as long as I can remember. I have sheets of paper from first and second grade where I have stories (though only five sentences long). I have always written, but with life- college took over and I had no time. It wasn’t until after I got my PhD, that I decided to try again. My husband’s work was on Saturday mornings, so I had the house to myself. After four weekends alone, I had this novel. There were no plans to actually have anyone read my novels, but with his pushing, I am putting it out there.
6. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?
Yes, this is my first novel and I am trying to get started, so I am more than happy to have people review my books. Right now I don’t have a print book (still working on that) but I have ebooks that I will gladly give out for reviewers.
7. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?
Char of Wicked Cover Designs made the cover. There were details from the book, but I was pretty open to anything. I wanted more of a feeling than specific book cover and told her to do anything. I think she did a great job.
8. How did you come up with the title for your book?
This was very hard. This book was name “unnamed” for the whole time I was writing it. I don’t actually remember how I came up with the name. Once I made it though, it fit and worked well.
9. What is your opinion on ARCs?
ARCs are a nice way to give reviewers a book before it is published. Reading an ARC, you have to know there will be a few mistakes, but it is nice for the author, as they can get it out there earlier, and the reviewer, who can read a book before it is out there.
10. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?
I am hooked on ebooks. I got a nook for my birthday just about a year ago and read almost a hundred books on it the last year that I have been reviewing books. I can put twenty books on it and take it anywhere. It is nice as you can just pull it out anywhere and read without having to worry about if you are at the end of a novel and need to bring two along.
11. Are you a self-published / Indie author?
At this point I am self-publishing. I have one book that I am out querying for an agent, but this year will be an adventure in self-publishing. I plan to release at least 4 novels this year and see how it goes.
12. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?
Yes. I do that. I mostly skim it a second time though, or if it has been years, I can reread it. I can’t even list how many times I have done that. I do it now when I find a book that I especially like the writing. I read a second time to analyze it and try to find what it was that I like so much.
13. Have you ever bought a specific edition of a book because of its cover? (For example a UK, US or Canadian version)
No, but I hate when they do that. I read a book once based on everyone saying to read it. The US cover was horrible, and I really didn’t want to read it. Turned out it was a great book, just a bad cover. When I mentioned it to people, they said, check out the UK cover. It was so much better. I have to wonder if they would have sold more US copies with a better cover.
14. Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?
I will open a book based on its cover, but if the writing is bad I will not read it. I have collected over one hundred books for free this last year on amazon. I review most of them, but if the book is badly written, I won’t continue, no matter the cover.
15. What is your favourite film based on a book?
I don’t really like any movies based on books. I have enough of an imagination that I don’t want another picture of something. Many times it is not how I pictured it and then I am disappointed with the movie. The only way I even enjoy a movie based on a book now is if I read the book afterwards and not before.
16. What is your favourite book genre at the moment?
I am into fantasy. I like sci-fic also, but it is a lot of dystopian right now. I like that but prefer more options in my sci-fi. Fantasy is filled with options right now (though there is an emphasis on vampires, faeries, angels, and werewolves- which I have been saying I will not read another of any of those but end up doing just that!)
17. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
I am reading a few: I just finished The Ballad of Aramei by JA Redmerski today and plan to start Existence by Abbi Glines. I am hoping to get ahold of I am Number Four to give that a shot also. I read up to 2-4 books a week sometimes, so maybe I’ll be onto something else soon. I try to get the e-books of them but will settle for a library book if needed.
18. Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing?
I pretty much do the “mom thing” type of hobbies. I cook/bake, sew, etc. I have two little kids, so most free time is spent playing with them. There is not any more time left over for other hobbies.
19. Where can your readers follow you?
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bkristinmcmichael
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/bkristinmcmichael
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BKMcMichael
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bkmcmichael/
Thankyou so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world!
Cool interview. I am fascinated by the scientist/writer combo! My husband is a scientist and I'm the writer and I see how we think so differently sometimes.
ReplyDeleteBook cover looks great. Good luck B. Kristin!!!