Lindsay Lees is originally from Los Angeles and holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, and while growing up and later in college, she split her time between the two countries. Lindsay earned a B.A. in 2008 from Manchester Metropolitan University, and next an M.F.A.in Creative Writing from California College of the Arts.
The Willing is Lindsay’s debut novel. She currently lives a quiet Southern life with her husband and a houseful of pets.
Visit her website or connect with her at FACEBOOK and GOODREADS.
INTERVIEW
Thanks for letting us interrogate you! Can you give us a go-for-the-gut answer as to why you wanted to be an author?
It was Toni Morrison who said, “Write the book you want to read.” That’s why I wanted to be
an author.
Tell us (we won’t tell promise!) is it all it’s cracked up to be? I mean what are the perks and what are the demands?
I honestly don’t know if being a writer was a choice for me. Not when the choice is between not writing and living with the untold story taking up space in my head. The story had to come out otherwise it would have probably driven me mad. So yeah writing is definitely more than it’s cracked up to be. Especially when a story takes up so much of your mind and imagination. The perks of writing are self-satisfaction. Knowing that you’ve accomplished something that most people couldn’t begin to consider. The demands are on time and allowing yourself the opportunity to accomplish things at their own pace and not just the one your ego demands.
Which route did you take – traditional or self-published – and can you give us the nitty gritty low down on what’s that like?
After unsuccessfully attempting the traditional publishing route I decided to self-publish. I knew that my story deserved a chance at hitting the market. The path has been a long one because I wanted to ensure that the book as up to the standards of traditionally published work. I searched and vetted the best editor to work with and let that process happen organically from the delays to the numerous edits. It happened in its own time and I had to accept that it wasn’t going to just happen overnight.
What’s the snarkiest thing you can say about the publishing industry?
The publishing industry is subjective and bias but then again so are readers. Unfortunately there’s a lot of agenda pushing that occurs in society today and that is very apparent when it comes to the traditional publishing world.
Tell us for real what your family feels about you spending so much time getting your book written, polished, edited, formatted, published, what have you?
Fortunately I have a very supportive family and husband who have fully encouraged my dream to publish. They are inspired by my fortitude and impressed with what I’ve been able to do without the help of traditional publishers.
What was the craziest or insane thing that happened to you in the book publishing process?
Well it seems pretty obvious that Coronavirus was the craziest thing to happen to everyone and it also happened to coincide with the publication of my book. In some ways it afforded me the opportunity to focus without any distractions. It also opened up a lot of opportunity when it came to digital marketing and attracting readers who possibly had a lot more time to sit down and get into reading books again.
How about the social networks? Which ones do you believe help and which ones do you wish you could avoid?
Social media is a fun, engaging and occasionally frustrating way to market and attract readers. It can sometimes feel like it’s more for show than substance. While certain sites like twitter can be seen as places where people just look for validation for their feelings and unfiltered thoughts without any meaning or purpose. I’d say that Instagram has the most engagement for writers and readers.
Book sales. Don’t you just love them (or lack of?)? How are you making the sales happen for you?
Book sales are tricky. Certainly the perk of being traditionally published is the benefit of being secured a spot in book stores and the support of an entire marketing team. I’m relying on blog tours at the minute to attract some readers.
What is one thing you’d like to jump on the rooftop and scream about?
You’ve never read a book like mine because nobody’s ever written one quite like this. It’s entertaining and infuriating but honest to it’s core. It will leave an impression whether you love it or hate it.
Okay, too much sugar for you today! Here’s a nice cup of Chamomile tea and come on over and sit under the cabana and watch the waves roll in. Now…can you tell us what you love about being a published author and how all those things above doesn’t matter because it’s all part of the whole scheme of things and you wouldn’t have it any other way?
I love the feeling of accomplishment. I did something that I’d been dreaming of doing for over a decade and finally made it a reality. I love knowing that my book is a tangible product now that I can hold and share with the world.
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