How long did it take for you to get published and what was the journey like?
I decided at 12-years-old that I wanted to be a writer. I was an avid reader; I never went anywhere without a book. I excelled in English and literature classes in high school. I thought I wanted to be a journalist (I didn’t) then I thought I wanted to be an English teacher (I really didn’t). Eventually, I got married, moved to Nevada, and found a job as editor for a small Las Vegas publisher. After I had my son, I decided I wanted to stay home. The entire time I pursued publication. I really wanted to write romance novels for a living. In 1998, the year my son was born, I got a contract offer from Hard Shell Word Factory. A year later, they published my romantic comedy, DADDY IN TRAINING.I entered a lot of contests. I started to place and win, which sometimes meant a cash prize. Sometimes winning meant a read by an editor. I was the grand prize winner in Silhouette Romance’s Yours Truly contest. I got a critique from Gail Chasan, but not a contract offer. I took that novel to HSWF as well (it’s now out of print). To supplement my writing income, I became a freelance editor. I’ve actually been editing since I was fifteen, where I learned how to condense and cut (lots of cutting). Writing an article with limited space meant learning how to be succinct. Eventually HSWF published six of my books (only three are currently available there now). I worked with other e-publishers over the years and learned to be very circumspect about submissions. My friends started submitting to erotica e-publishers, and I thought, what the heck, I’ll try it. After that first paycheck from Ellora’s Cave, I decided to write only erotica for the online markets.

Tell us about your call story?
As I said, I entered a lot of contests. Even though electronic publishing was becoming more and more known and accepted, it wasn’t bringing in a lot of money, and the readership was small. I still dreamed of writing for New York. In 2003, I entered the annual Writer’s Digest writing competition–and I won the Grand Prize. In the spring of 2004, I got to go to New York and meet with four agents, one of whom was Stephanie Kip Rostan. She took me as a client and four months later, she sold my first project to New American Library, an erotic romantic comedy (with fantasy elements) called CUPID, INC. Then she got me a two-book deal for my series about small-town PTA moms turned into vampires. Today, NAL has contracted a total of nine books, five of which are currently published.

For those who aren’t familiar with your work, tell us what you write and who you write for?
Currently, I write paranormal romances and erotic fiction for New American Library, who is my primary publisher. I no longer write for the e-book market, although Ellora’s Cave will be re-publishing several of my updated and revised erotica novellas.

How long does it take you complete a book, start to finish?
If I had a writing routine, I might know the answer to this question. I think I’ll go with Nora Roberts’ response when I asked her the same question years ago, “You time biscuits, not books.”

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in your career?
I started in electronic publishing in a time when NO ONE knew what an e-book was. By the time I finished explaining to readers HOW to read my books, I’d lost the opportunity to talk about my novels. Today, readers can download a book to their computers, e-readers, phones, so at least explaining the technology isn’t necessary anymore. In addition, some traditionally published authors spent a lot of time and energy bashing e-books and those who wrote them. When I signed my first e-book contract, I proudly announced it to Romance Writers of America and went off to join the Published Authors Network. Not only did RWA start making policies that excluded e-books authors from benefits and privileges, they ousted those of us who’d joined PAN. Needless to say, I no longer belong in the organization. As an aspiring author, I learned a lot from RWA and I think it serves a valuable purpose in the romance writing community. But I also think that writers should consider following their dreams no matter where it leads; the path you choose may not always be the most popular one.

Do you believe in muses?
Not really. There are days when there’s really great flow. And there are days when it’s like pulling teeth. The important thing is that you sit down and write. I’ll quote Nora again: I can fix a bad page, but I can’t fix a blank one.

What influences and inspires you? Any authors?
Good writing. You read a great book and you think, “I want to do that. I want to invoke that kind of emotion. I want to be that clever.” But mostly, you want to enjoy reading another author’s story as much as you enjoy writing your own. Currently, I’ve been inspired by Dean Koontz, Carl Hiaasen, and Charlaine Harris. I love how they write, how they plot, how they draw me so completely into their stories.

What’s your take on self promotion? What have you found to work the best for you?
My take is that every author has to promote. The publisher won’t do it unless you’re a superstar. That’s the reality of the business. I think communicating with fans via discussion groups, blogs, and message boards are the most effective. Getting your book into the hands of readers who will tell others about it–there’s nothing more effective than word-of-mouth recommendations.

What do you think of social networks? Are you on any of them?
I think they can be invaluable tools for authors. I’m mostly on MySpace and Facebook. Readers will track you down and friend you. You can send out a bulletin or send an event invitation in just a few minutes.

www.myspace.com/brokenheartvamps

www.facebook.com/pages/Michele-Bardsley/17630278275

How about blogs? Do you read them? Write your own? Guest blog? What do you think works best? And do you have any favorite blogs or blog posts?
Blogs are wonderful. I read them all the time. And I do write one on my own website, but not that consistently. And yeah, I do plenty of guest blogging. That’s a lot of fun! My current favorite blog is called Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda: wouldashoulda.com/ Toni McGee Causey introduced me to that one. My other favorite is BFF Dakota Cassidy’s blog: www.dakotacassidy.net because she blogs about everything and makes it funny. And two more faves: Mark Henry’s Zombie Chow, mdhenry.livejournal.com/ and Jeff Strand’s Seriously Whacked, jeffstrand.livejournal.com/

What’s your opinion on having an agent? Do you have one currently?
My opinion is that if you hope to break into the New York market, you should have one. They get to be grumpy and demanding with the publishers, and you get to write without worrying about contracts and money. Mark Henry found this great link: agentquery.com My agent is Stephanie Kip Rostan with the Levine Greenberg Literary Agency.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve been given?
BIC-HOK: Butt in Chair, Hands on Keyboard.

Do you have any advice for new writers?
It’s your dream. Live it the way you want.

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