The Truth Lies in the Dark

It's always interesting to hear from newly-published writers about their experiences with both the creative and the publishing processes. Kristin Callender is one such author who recently published her first novel, The Truth Lies in the Dark, through BlueWater Press. The book asks the questions, "What if you found out that everything you thought you knew was a lie? That the people you loved and trusted kept a life-changing secret from you?" The story follows Amanda Martineau, survivor of a childhood plane crash that killed her parents and left her with no memory of her life before the accident, as she struggles to uncover the secrets of her past.

I asked Kristin some questions about her journey into the world of writing and publishing and how it was going for her so far:

(IRTM) Since March is Small Press Month, it's fitting to point out your debut novel was published by one such company, BlueWaterPress. What made you decide to bypass the agenting process and go straight to a publisher and what has been your experience thus far working with a small press? Would you do anything differently if you were doing it all over again?

(KC) Without sounding ungrateful, there are many disadvantages in choosing a small press. They are unlikely to have the staff or resources to provide assistance in marketing the books they publish. Also, smaller publishers commonly use POD (Print On Demand) instead of printing a large amount of books and storing them. This method is cost effective for them, but limits the author's sales and review options. There are also some advantages. Small presses can usually offer a higher royalty percentage to their authors and some are able to maintain a better one-on-one relationship than larger houses. And of course, the best advantage is that small presses are more open to writers without agents.  Some larger publishers will not accept anything unless it is from an agent.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to be published, especially seeing how competitive the book market is. If given the chance to do it again, I would like to think that I would do the same.  I have learned so much about writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. I try to see it all as a learning experience that will help make all of my future books that much more successful.

(IRTM) One of the biggest shocks for most first-time writers is how much of their own marketing they have to take on. What have you tried thus far and what has worked the best for you?

(KC)  I think the hardest part of marketing is putting your doubts and ego aside so you can get your book out there. I have started a website, joined many online writing groups, asked questions, and continue to read everything I can find.  There are many great websites and books for writers. I just recently learned about virtual book tours and decided to give it a try. It took a lot work, contacting book related blog and then preparing the guest blogs and author interviews, but the response has been great. Not as much in sales as in networking. I have met established authors, marketing professionals, reviewers, editors, and countless readers. I would suggest this to any author.  It also helped prepare me for my real life book signings.

(IRTM) It's unusual for an author to have any say-so in their book covers. That's why the story of your particular cover is even more interesing than it would be otherwise. How did this all come about?

(KC)  While we were in the final editing of the book my son had painted this amazing picture of New York City in his high school art class. Friends of ours were the first to suggest that it would make a great cover for my book. I played around with it a little and sent it to my editor, who loved it.  We were all surprised and proud when we received that first box of books in the mail.  I want him to design another cover for me.

(IRTM) Your book deals with secret identities and tangled family relationships. Were there any real-life experiences that helped in writing this particular scenario?

(KC) No, there is no secret forgotten life for me (Not that I know of anyway). I am fascinated with how our minds work, though. How we determine what we remember and what we forget, and how our dreams can be a window into our subconscious.  I am exploring that idea in another form now with a new mystery I am working on.

(IRTM) Do you outline before you write? (Most writers are either strongly pro- or strongly anti-outline). Either way, do you find your characters start to do things you didn't expect, perhaps even changing the direction of the story?

(KC) I do not outline. I know where I want the story to go, but really let the characters decide how to get there. I do keep a notebook though. I start every book with notes on the characters and their backstories and then I take quick notes after each chapter is finished. This helps me keep the details straight without having to go back and reread all the time.

(IRTM) You've indicated your current favorite author is Ernest Hemingway and that reading his biographies, short stories and novels help you find you own voice in you writing. Can you explain a little more about what you mean by that?

(KC)  The first book by Hemingway that I read was Islands in the Stream. It was so hard to get through, as it jumped around a lot. But there was something about the way he writes that I liked.  So I started reading his short stories and other books. I am no literature critic, but he has such a strong, constant voice in all of his writing. Even when I don't care for the subject he is writing about I am hooked on his characters and what will happen next. I like to read him when I get frustrated or stuck in my own writing. Not that I am comparing my writing to his. I am sure he wouldn't agree with my genre choices.

(IRTM) What current crime fiction writers do you admire? What writers have inspired you and taught you by example?

(KC) I am reading Nora Roberts' J.D. Robb 'Death' series now and love it. I tend to jump from mystery to romance in my own writing and love how she combines them. 

(IRTM) What do you believe are your greatest strengths as a writer? What aspects of craft are you still trying to master?

(KC)  My imagination is my greatest strength. When I am writing, the story comes alive in my mind and just keeps building as I write. It keeps me excited about the story and motivated to finish. I am always learning new things about writing, publishing, marketing, and promoting. I don't know if I will ever think that I have mastered any of it. Besides, I am a Gemini and my grandmother always said that made me a jack of all trades, but master of none.  So I will keep on learning all I can to improve all of my trades

(IRTM) Are there plans for more crime fiction stories in your future?

(KC) I am working on a contemporary romance now.  I also have started another mystery and did leave the possibility of a sequel to The Truth Lies in the Dark. I think Amanda's intuition and determination could bring her into the detective world, maybe as a private eye.