Jen: Ericka Scott and I met when I was assigned to be her editor at StarDust Press. In fact, I was the original editor of The Werewolf Whisperer, so I'm a bit biased when I say that it's an awesome book and I'm very happy it's found a new home (and a more eye-catching cover). Ericka, welcome to Book Talk with J & J. Please share a short bio with us.
Ericka: I’m a multi-published author of seductive suspense. I’ve been writing stories since grade school and I’ll read anything under the sun (including the back of cereal boxes in a pinch). I got hooked on romantic suspense in college. Now, when I’m not chauffeuring children around, wishing I had a maid, or lurking at the library, I’m spinning my own web of fantasy and penning tales of seduction and suspense. I live in Southern California with my husband and three children.
Jen: Tell us about The Werewolf Whisperer (your recent or upcoming release) and where it's available.
Ericka: Celebrity dog trainer, Serena O'Toole, had the perfect life. She has a boyfriend, kind of, and a job she loves, well, she used to love it. And the audition for a national television spot could skyrocket her dog training show, “Woof”, to the stars…if it doesn't bore her to death first. Then, when she thought things couldn't get any worse, a sexy-voiced stranger calls to tell her that her brother, Michael, is missing. He's hiding in the desert outside his new home in Eclipse, California . It only takes her a few minutes to pack her bags and head off to a town not marked on any map.
The last thing Jackson Hardy wanted to do was to involve another civilian. But, unless the horror writer, Michael O'Toole, was found in the next two days, he would die. But, from the moment Serena's black VW Beetle rolls into town, Jackson knows he's lost his heart. He can't keep his mind, or his hands, off her. She's beautiful, talented, irresistible. Everyone in town notices her charms… Everyone . But Jackson knows to fall in love with her, and make love to her, would be a fatal mistake.
When Michael is found, Serena decides to stay and get to know Jackson better. When she looks in his eyes, she realizes he exudes a sex appeal she is helpless to deny. Nor does she want to. But for a man who can't keep his hands off her, Jackson is sure in a surprising hurry for her to leave. But someone in Eclipse is equally determined for her to stay…forever.
The Werewolf Whisperer was released by Phaze on August 4th. You can buy it for $4 here: http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=The+Werewolf+Whisperer/exact_match=exact
Jen: At what age did you discover writing and when were you first published? Tell us your call story.
Ericka: I’ve always loved writing stories. In seventh grade, a friend and I wrote a mystery novel in the tradition of Agatha Christie meets Sam Spade. I didn’t start writing for publication until my daughter was born. It took four years to get my first short story published. I was struck speechless although I’ve been told I squealed a little. I still remember the thrill of seeing the contract. It’s a feeling that never gets old.
Jen: In three words, how do you describe your writing?
Ericka: Spooky, chilling, and hot.
Jen: Do you have any “must haves” in your writing?
Ericka: My heroine’s must be spunky and my heroes sensitive.
Jen: What is it about the romance genre that appeals to you?
Ericka: Life is pretty tough these days and I love to escape into my writing. It’s wonderful to be able to create a happily ever after time and time again.
Jen: Is there a genre that you’d like to write?
Ericka: One day I’d like to tackle Science Fiction.
Jen: Do you have a favorite character or one that you identify most with?
Ericka: Not really, my favorite character(s) are the ones I’m currently working with. I end up living with them (and sleeping with them – get your mind out of the gutter, I mean dreaming about them! LOL)
Jen: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Ericka: As I said in my bio, I’ll read anything. My favorites include Janet Evanovich, the Lincoln-Child writing team, Jeffrey Deaver, Dean Koontz, and of course, Nora Roberts.
Jen: What do you do in your free time?
Ericka: Free time? What is that? LOL. With three kids all going in different directions and different times, I find it tough to figure out where I’m headed. But as a family, we love camping, hiking, and watching movies. I also know how to knit but don’t have the time for it these days. Perhaps when I’m “old” I’ll be able to pick it up again.
Jen: What's next for you?
Ericka: I’d love to say New York. I recently sent out proposals for a project and the rejection slips are coming in fast and furious. My current work in progress is about a haunted lighthouse. Then, I’m going to tackle another shifter project revolving around big cats. I hope to get back to Eclipse and my werewolves early in 2009.
Jen: Where can you be found on the web?
Ericka: My website is at http://www.erickascott.com/ and you can friend me at http://myspace.com/erickascott.
Jen: Are there any questions you’d like to ask our readers?
Ericka: Lots and lots of questions. The typical one of what makes you buy a book – the cover, the blurb, or the author. And a not so typical one – what types of stories do you want to read that aren’t out there or that you have trouble finding?
Jen: Many thanks to Ericka for joining us. Answer one or both of Ericka's questions or ask Ericka a question and you'll be entered in this week's contest. Ericka is giving away a ebook copy of any one of her backlist titles (Crystal Clear, Postcards from the Dead, Tinsel Time, Fool’s Gold, To Catch a Casanova, or The Vampire Oracle: Chalice) to a random commenter. You have until Friday, August 29th around 5pm PDT to post your comment to be entered to win.
Interview with Ericka Scott
Posted by Jessica | 2:00 AM | contest, interview, romance | 14 comments »
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Loved Werewolf Whisperer, really liked your take on werewolves.
What makes me buy a book? Blurb mainly. Yeah I do have authors that are auto-buys. I know from experience that I'll like what they write, and I'll buy genres I don't normally just because it's written by one. But other than that, it would be the blurb. A good cover might make me pick a book up, but it's the blurb that makes me buy it.
It's the story blurb that will first catch my interest, then I will check on an excerpt. For my favorite authors, I tend to auto-buy everything they write under whatever names they use. I've discovered lots of great stories from blogs like this that introduce us to a new author.
The excerpts are the best and I also auto-buy my favorite authors.
Yes. Definately auto-buy my favs. Blurbs or excerpts will draw me into buying a new book. Great interview too!
makes you buy a book – the cover, the blurb, or the author.
well really all three od those things. if I do not know the author then the cover and blurb it what I use. if I know the author then it's just the blurb. the cover would not have any say on if I bought a book or not really. but nice covers I am always attracted too. and they will tempt me to pick a book up and see what it is about.
The blurb usually, I don't usually buy because of the cover because I've heard that the author doesn't have any control over that.
Ericka, thanks so much for being with us this week. I really have very happy that The Werewolf Whisperer found a new home after StarDust Press went belly-up. :)
For me, it's the blurb that sells me. A cover, author or even title will make me take a closer look, but that blurb is the final sell.
As for what I'd like to see that isn't out there... that's a hard one. But since we're talking paranormal with the Werewolf Whisperer, I like to see more alternate shifters and not always wolves (don't get me wrong, I still like wolves... just want some variety).
First of Jen thanks for having Ericka here great interview. I stopped over at Ericka's website and checked out all of her books over there and WHEW those covers are HOT!! So Ericka as you can tell I am a cover girl, if the cover doesn't interest me I won't even read the blurb. There is an exception to that though. There are a few authors that I will get there books no matter what. I loved the excerpt for The Werewolf Whisperer. Thanks for stopping by again. Have a great day.
I pick up a book cause of the cover, but the blurb is how I decide to buy or not. The Werewolf Whisperer sounds great!
Keep the comments coming. Ericka plans to be with us this week. I was just visiting her blog (http://erickascott.blogspot.com/) and read that her daughter was in surgery today. So, let's keep her family in our thoughts and prayers.
I go with favorite authors first. Then books I've heard buzz about, read excerpts for and blogged about.
Hi Ericka! When I heard about THE WEREWOLF WHISPERER as the title, I thought it was so unique! You get to keep all your titles you come out with?
Love reading your interview. Most genres I read now are from trying ebooks out in the genres and so glad I did. SF is new for me, so when you do get a story out, I'll be there to read it!
Really its a combination that has me buy the book, but really important is the genre and blurb. I do tend to not read pure horror or inspirational, so I usually don't go further with those books when I find out the genre (I'm a wimp when it comes to pure horror, but so love my werewolves and vamps and demons, and... :) I love a blurb that gives me a glimpse of what I'll find as the story and too I like knowing what the sensuality will be. Thats hard with print books. I never know and I do read all sensualities, but sometimes I too pick what I want to read with my mood. Also I so think a cover has to fit the book/story. I see a comedy cover and think its not a romance and that has happened before that it was!
I do miss historicals. I don't see as many come out not as before. It was ebooks where I could often depend on reading some sizzling ones but much less of them now so I'd love to read more of them!
It's so crazy at what makes us pick up a book of an author we've never read before. I tend to stop at certain covers or even the size and color of the book. That won't determine if I actually read it, but I'll stop and look at least.
I have a question for Ericka Scott...
One of my bestfriends used to write some juicy short stories in highschool. I think she still has a knack for writing, but with a full time job, 3 kids, and a million other things, she doesn't have a chance to write anymore. How do you find the time? How easy or difficult was it to find a publisher? What steps would you recommend to someone starting out?
Ok... that was a few questions, but maybe it will help someone else just starting out.
The book sounds interesting by the way!
-jessica
Congrats to Kristina. Please pick one of the backlist titles from the blog and e-mail me at admin.bookblog@gmail.com with your choice and prefered ebook format.