Wednesday 2 August 2017

Road to Publication - Angela Marsons

I'm excited to be launching a new feature on my blog today called Road to Publication and I'm delighted to be welcoming Angela Marsons, bestselling author of the Kim Stone series, published by Bookouture to my blog.

Angela Marsons



Do you find that inspiration strikes you in specific places or do ideas come to you everywhere?

Inspiration normally comes to me from either a subject I feel strongly about or a theme that I want to explore. There has to be a reason for researching the subject and something I want to learn about. My last book Dead Souls focused on Hate Crimes, a subject that has been gradually gnawing away at me for years.

What do you usually do after you get the first spark of a fresh idea, is it straight to the computer to write the first chapter or straight to a notebook to start planning?

I normally get an idea for a book while working on a book so I get a fresh notebook and just jot down any quick notes so that the idea doesn't get away from me. Often I will have to keep the notebook with me as once the ideas start to come entire plot lines and characters will also start to run around in my mind. It means I'm always eager to work on the next.

Angela's writing desk.


How long dos your first draft usually take to write?

My first draft is written in long hand with pencils and A4 notepads. I've tried working straight onto the computer but it just doesn't work for me. My creative brain just switches off. The first draft will normally take around three months although Silent Scream poured out of the pencil and the first draft was written in 1 month while I was also working full time. 

Do you celebrate when you finish your first draft and if so how?

I don't normally celebrate a first draft as my mind is already onto the second draft with ideas of what I'm going to add, remove and measures to improve it. The second draft is the stage where I throw entire plot lines and characters away.

Is it straight to editing or do you leave your manuscript a while before you pick up the red pen?

I may just take a day but very rarely more than that as I'm eager to make it all better and whip it into shape.

How long do you spend editing before your book is handed over to the printers?

I do three full drafts of the book before it goes to my editor. As I write two books a year the whole process from starting the first draft and submission is 6 months so as soon as the book is written I am editing it for the rest of the time available. 

At what point, prior to publication do you find the nerves start to kick in or do you not get nervous in the approach to publication?

I am constantly nervous! I worry that my editor won't like it and that I have gone seriously off course. Once we've worked together to shape it and fine tune it I begin worrying about if the reviewers and bloggers are going to like it and then I start to worry about if the wonderful, faithful Kim Stone readers are going to like it. And then I start to worry about the next ....

How does it feel when the early reviews start to come in?

It is like winning the lottery, to be honest. My editor says 'you never write the same book twice' so there is no guarantee that people who liked the last book will like the next book. Every book is a different journey so the nerves never go away.

How long do you wait after finishing your book before starting on your next project?

I normally try and take a couple of weeks off once I've sent a manuscript off to my publisher but there is always a notebook close by as my mind is already thinking about the next.

And finally how do you celebrate publication day?

Publication Day is like a manic Christmas Day which is always fantastic. I love social media but have to limit myself due to my writing schedule so on Publication Day I allow myself to just chat on Twitter and Facebook and enjoy people's reactions and responses to the newest Kim Stone adventure. 


Thank you so much, Angela for taking the time to answer my questions. You can purchase Angela's latest Kim Stone novel Dead Souls by clicking HERE

You can follow Angela on Twitter here: @WriteAngie


ABOUT THE BOOK 

The truth was dead and buried...until now.

When a collection of human bones in unearthed during a routine archaeological dig, a Black Country field suddenly becomes a complex crime scene for Detective Kim Stone

As the bones are sorted, it becomes clear that the grave contains more than one victim. The bodies hint at unimaginable horror, bearing the markings of bullet holes and animal traps.

Forced to work alongside Detective Travis, with whom she shares a troubled past, Kim begins to uncover a dark secretive relationship between the families who own the land in which the bodies were found. 

But while Kim is immersed in one of the most complicated investigations she's ever led, her team are caught up in a spate of sickening hate crimes. Kim is close to revealing the truth behind the murders, yet soon finds one of her own is in jeopardy - and the clock is ticking. Can she solve the case and save them from grave danger - before it's too late? 

An addictive, sinister crime thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seat. 

1 comment:

  1. What an interesting post regarding a most favorite author of mine, Jacob! Awesome questions for Angie!

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