Felicia Rogers Interviews Melissa Foster

 

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Maryland, where I currently reside.

 

Tell us your latest news?

I would love to! I have recently signed on with the amazing literary agent, Jenny Bent, who will represent my suspense books. I’m excited to be working with Jenny, and find her to be a dedicated, intelligent, and supportive agent. I’m feeling very blessed by our connection.

 

Production of the actual website for the WoMen’s Literary Café, is in process. The Café is a free site designed to promote the connections of authors, readers, and the rest of the literary community—bridging the gaps and teaching authors how to market, while offering a wide variety of no-cost promotions. There’s no reason every author, Indie or traditionally published, shouldn’t succed. They just need the tools to get there, and our goal is to help them learn how to achieve their publishing dreams.

 

MEGAN’S WAY has been optioned for film, and that is very exciting!

 

My next release, COME BACK TO ME, a work of contemporary fiction, is going to be released in early November.I’m hosting a virtual launch party with 30 other authors, where readers will have 72 hours to purchase more than 35 books at just 99 cents each!

 

What book are you reading now?

I’m reading I’D KNOW YOU ANYWHERE by Laura Lippman.

 

What are your current projects?

I’m currently working on a handful of rewrites to CHASING AMANDA for Jenny Bent, as well as a second suspense novel, TRACES OF TARA. On my back burner, though often sliding up to the front, is a women’s fiction/YA crossover, SHADES OF GRAY.

 

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members?

The wonderful women on The Women’s Nest. I consider them family, but since there is no blood relation, and I only know them via cyberspace, I am slipping them into this category. These women support me during my most difficult days and cheer me on with my successes. I adore them, and would be so much less without them.

 

 

Do you see writing as a career?

Absolutely. This is my job, this is what I do from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, September through June. I just happen to be one of the lucky people who crave work time.

 

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Through my new awesome editor, Kristen Weber, I have learned how to add even more suspense to my writing, so yes, I’d change the flow of the book just a tad, and, in fact, that’s what I’m currently working on.

 

Who designed the covers?

I designed both covers, MEGAN’S WAY and CHASING AMANDA. I’m currently working with Frauke Spanuth on the design of the cover for COME BACK TO ME. I did, however, use a wonderful photographer for the CHASING AMANDA cover. His name is Wayne Birnbaum, and he was amazing to work with.

 

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Letting it go into the public’s hands. It’s a very scary process.

 

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Yes. Don’t ever be in a rush to put out a project before it is properly edited and polished. We writers spend a year or more writing our books, and when we reach the end, we’re often in a rush to get it out to those who have anxiously awaited our work. It’s imperative to slow down, take a break, and let someone other than your mother, sister, best friend edit your work. Independent eyes that can be brutally honest and are experienced with copy editing is a must.

 

We owe it to our readers to put our best book forward. You have one reputation, and it rests in your hands. Protect it by putting forth your best efforts.

 

What is your favorite quote?

This sounds very self-serving, but I live by my own motto: Enjoy each and every day. No one else can do it for you.

 

Where is your favorite place to read?

Sitting on a dune at the beach in Cape Cod.

 

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you desperately want with you, and why?

My family, internet connect, and a computer. I could love and be loved, enjoy music, read, write, and stay connected to those friends I’d have left behind.

 

I appreciate Melissa's honest words.  Publishing a book, allowing it to go out into the public, automatically brings certain things.  There will be those who love it and those who hate it and they are never afraid to let their opinions be known.  I do love Melissa's motto…Enjoy each and every day.  No one else can do it for you.  What great words of wisdom.

 

Check out Melissa's books on Amazon

 

Read more about author Felicia Rogers