Today on Love, Virginia, we welcome author Shannon Leigh! Thanks for stopping to chat! Please tell us a bit about your latest release, or what's coming up.
I haven’t had any new releases, per se. But I have had 5 stories re-released in audio format over the last year from AudioMinx. They are still available in ebook from Amber Quill Press, but now audio as well.
I’m currently working on several stories. One is a re-write of my very first published story, Immortal Desires. I’m hoping to find it a new home this year. Another story I’m working on is a full-length science-fiction romance, Krécelian Mate. I haven’t decided where I’m going to submit that one as of yet. I’m also working on a joint endeavor with Rebecca Suma, The Age of the Vampire, and hope we’ll get it submitted this year. I’m still working on the long awaited sequel to More Than Prophecy, When Destiny Summons. And lastly, I have a few other ideas I’m tinkering with. I’m hoping 2011 will be a productive year. I’ve been lazy long enough, time to get the ol’ rear in gear.
How did you become inspired to write this work?
I’m going to select 1 story from the list above, Krécelian Mate. I had initially started that story as a short story project for my publisher, Amber Quill Press, but it quickly grew into a lengthy novel. I had never attempted a science-fiction story before so the idea intrigued me. Being a longer novel, I’ve had time to develop the characters and plot and hope that when it’s released, it’s a story readers will love.
Did you have to do a lot of research to complete this work?
Since I knew diddly-squat about outer space, star constellations, space ships, etc. I had to do some pretty extensive research. Putting it into words the reader would believe and be able to associate with was a challenge in itself. But it proved rewarding. It got a lot of neat idea and will hopefully delve some more into the science-fiction romance/erotica genre.
Mostly a pantser. I do better on a deadline. When I have too much time, I procrastinate. I rarely use an outline. I just sit down and start writing. Miraculously, it all seems to go come together by the end.
Do you prefer to write one specific genre, or are you a bit all over the map? What is your favorite genre to write and why?
I prefer paranormal the most. I’ve always had a fascination with magic and mystical beings so this is the most comfortable for me. I have dabbled in contemporary and my do so again in the future, but paranormal will always be my favorite. There’s just so much you can write about in that genre. The possibilities are endless.
Of your backlist/WIPs, which would you say was the easiest to write? The most challenging? Why?
The easiest was probably Chinatown Buffet, my only contemporary. Other than a little research to find the perfect city for the story to take place, it didn’t require a lot of effort. I was a short, fun story that came to me fairly quickly and was easy to put on paper. The most difficult story was probably EROTIKOS, because it had three main female characters and 3 male. I had to develop six characters in a very short amount of pages. It turned out to be a fun story and I’m contemplating a sequel.
Are you published primarily in print or eBook, or both equally? Which format do you prefer and why?
Primarily in ebook. It’s nice to actually see your book, hold it in your hand, feel the pages, but I know ebooks are more accessible to people and cost less. I can’t say which I prefer, but I have to be logical and say ebooks can’t be beat. The majority of my sales have been in that format.
I own a Nook, which I got for Christmas last year, and I love it. This year, though, I got an iPad and it has pretty much made me Nook obsolete. It’s so nice to be able to read in the dark. I’m hanging on to the Nook though, never know when I might need it. Taking the iPad out of the equation, I’d buy a Nook again in a heartbeat, especially the new touch-screen version.
Do you have any social media profiles/pages where readers can follow you?
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/author_shannon_leigh
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Shannon.Leigh.Reid
Do you have a blog/Yahoo group for readers to stay updated on your works?
Blogger: http://authorshannonleigh.blogspot.com/
Yahoo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shannon_Leigh_Newsletter/
Desert Island quiz: you can only bring one album, one DVD set for your favorite TV show, and one movie. What are they?
Chris Daughtry, Angel, Lord of the Rings
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