March 26, 2019

Note From Rochelle

Dear Writers,

Are you planning to publish a book but not sure whether to try traditional publishing or go indie? I can help you choose the path that will work best for you. Schedule a consultation to talk through the possibilities.

I am delighted to welcome Silvia Acevedo to the blog to talk about her brand new book, God Awful Rebel. She’ll launch her book at Boswell Book Company in Milwaukee on Monday, April 1 at 7:00 PM. The evening will include a conversation with Wisconsin author Valerie Biel and a book signing. Read on to learn how you can win a pair of Acevedo’s books!

Enjoy!

Rochelle

Writers@Work: An Interview with YA Author Silvia Acevedo

by Rochelle Melander

Can you tell us about your book series and your brand new book, God Awful Rebel?

The GOD AWFUL series is the tale of a not-so-likable Cupid who loses his place in Olympus and fights his way back – and into our hearts.

In God Awful Loser, he’s challenged for his throne and must win the confidence of fellow outcasts to win back his crown.

In God Awful Thief, he’s tasked with stealing a powerful relic from a god with whom he has bad blood. The fate of the kingdom depends on his sticky fingers.

In God Awful Rebel, the final book in the trilogy, Cupid faces his most deadly challenge yet. Three snake-haired sisters, long assumed dead, lay siege to the heavens, and Cupid must discover a secret power or lose all he holds dear – but this power could corrupt. Cupid must search his beliefs to become the god he’d most like to be.

I’m very pleased with how the series wrapped up. It’s a joy to see Cupid’s transformation not just to a likable character but a lovable one, and the ending makes me smile every time I think about it.

I’m curious about your transition from television journalist to author. How did that come about?

Reading was a passion for me since my childhood. As an adult, and especially as a journalist, I did a great deal of writing – only it was the concise, measured non-fiction of news copy. One day, I decided to write some fiction in my off time. It was challenging to flesh out my terse storyline, but I grew to love letting my imagination soar. Today, I enjoy the benefits of getting to write for both the children’s and news markets.

What led to your decision to start an indie press and publish your own books?

There were a lot of reasons that had me leaning toward self-publishing: controlling the finished product, longevity as opposed to brevity on shelves, timeliness, etc. Self-publishing was booming, and, between my husband and me, we had the chops to do it and do it well. Our products, books included, are well received and even award winning, and we’ve earned distribution through various markets. Having said that, I’m certainly open to the idea of traditional publishing. Both methods have merit and advantages.

What advice do you have for other authors who want to indie publish?

Don’t be afraid to indie publish, but do cozy up to the idea of homework. There’s a lot to learn, and that’s a good thing! Even if your homework consists solely of selecting a servicer who will complete every step for you, you still must research service providers. If you choose to piecemeal the project, there’s homework there, too. The good news is there’s no hurry. You can take the time to do it the way that best suits your goals and personality type. The more you learn, the better you can help your book succeed in the manner that resonates with you and makes you most happy.

You have been very successful at marketing your books. What advice do you have for authors about getting the word out about their work?

Depending on your work’s topic and style, you’ll have unique opportunities to champion your book. Do so where you can. Help others do the same. Join and contribute to the writing community near you or related to your work. Plug in and you’ll enjoy the added benefit of associating with like-minded creatives, all of whom want to see each other succeed.

Now that the series is wrapped up, what’s next for you?

I’ll be out and about this year talking about God Awful Rebel and the finished series at various conferences and events. I’ll also be writing again. My next projects are picture books.

What are you reading now?

You caught me at a moment when I’m cleansing my literary palate. I read a lot of children’s lit, but, having just finished writing my own YA, I decided to read something more for my own age group. I just finished Lori Rader-Day’s Under A Dark Sky, a murder mystery set in a dark sky park. I like the occasional cozy mystery too.

Back to kid lit, I’ve read about a zillion picture books lately. One that stands out to me is Linda Vander Heyden’s rhyming picture book Hanna’s Tall Order: An A To Z Sandwich, in which Hanna wants her sandwich to include at least one thing starting with every letter of the alphabet. Funny and really well done. Next I’ll start Karla Manternach’s middle grade Meena Meets Her Match about a color-loving girl whose battling the gray blahs. Hopefully soon the gray blahs of winter will pass, and I’ll be sitting outside in the sun rooting with Meena for a return to vibrant color! It’s coming, everyone. Have faith!

About the author. Silvia Acevedo is a journalist and children’s book author. In her 20-plus years in news, she covered everything from presidential candidates to food-on-a-stick. She guest hosted a Milwaukee TV morning talk show and currently freelances at various news publications.

As an author, Silvia is on the leadership team of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators-Wisconsin. She writes mythology for teens on up in her GOD AWFUL series, which includes her debut, God Awful Loser, followed by its sequel, God Awful Thief, and the final book in the trilogy, God Awful Rebel, releasing April 1, 2019.

Win books!

Would you like to catch up with the series? Acevedo is giving away five pairs of her first two books. These will be delivered to you as ebooks. Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway