Lorie Lewis Ham interview with David Alan Binder Lorie Lewis Ham bio: Most of my writing for the past 9 years has been non-fiction in the online magazine that I publish and am editor-in-chief of-Kings River Life. www.kingsriverlife.com  About King’s River Life Magazine: Welcome to Kings River Life Magazine, a California online magazine with a focus on the San Joaquin Valley and beyond. One of our goals is to connect people to their community by sharing stories about local entertainment, events, ministry and community service opportunities, our schools, local leaders and so much more. Since our readership has now expanded way beyond the San Joaquin Valley, we also have entertainment, literature, food and pet articles that appeal to anyone no matter where they live. We have a very strong mystery section and a growing fantasy/horror section as well, where we feature not only reviews of all sorts and author interviews, but also short stories.
For our local articles, we will include as many of the small towns that dot the landscape along the Kings River in the San Joaquin Valley of California as possible, while also including entertainment articles from the larger cities like Fresno and Visalia & throughout much of California. We heartily support the arts and their importance in our lives and wish to provide not only exposure to local artists but to make people in the area aware of the many opportunities to enjoy and support the arts right here in our Valley, without having to travel to San Francisco or Los Angeles. Kings River Life was created by local journalist and published mystery author Lorie Lewis Ham who has been a part of this area for 50 years. With the help of many wonderful Valley area contributors and San Francisco webmaster Dorian Rhodes, this online magazine was launched on May 29, 2010. My personal blog has been a bit inactive but I hope to have a new book out next year http://mysteryratscloset.blogspot.com/ You can follow me on Twitter @mysteryrat or @kingsriverlife 
1. Where are you currently living? Reedley, CA
2. What is the most important thing that you have learned in your writing experience, so far? Write what you love. If you just write to be commercial, it will show.
3. Tell us your insights on self-publish or use a publisher? That is a really hard decision these days. Self publishing is no longer looked down upon--even Stephen King is doing it--and if you have outlets to sell your books you can potentially make more. A lot also depends on what you are writing--things go in cycles. Right now the bit publishing houses are dropping a lot of cozy mysteries and fantasy novels. There are also a lot of great small publishers out there for certain genres.
a. Who is the name of your publisher and in what city are they? My first 4 books were published by PublishAmerica (before they gained a not so great reputation) They are in Maryland. My last book I self-published through Amazon.
4. Any insights eBooks vs. print books and alternative vs. conventional publishing?
If you are self publishing eBooks are cheaper to sell, and sometimes even if you aren't they can be a good way to get a new reader to take a chance on you. I enjoy reading both.
5. Do you have any secret tips for writers on getting a book published? Just know that it is going to be hard (most of the time a few get lucky) and that you will be spending more time promoting your book, than writing once it comes out.
6. How did you or would you suggest acquire an agent? Any tips for new writers on getting one? I had 2 agents-one was a scam so be careful, the second one was just bad timing--it was also a time when publishers weren't buying new mysteries, so she suggested I try my hand at small publishers. If you want to get in with a big publishing house you have to have one. See who represents authors you like or who write similar to you and see if they are taking queries. Get to know authors at conferences and get suggestions.
7. Do you have any suggestions or helps for new writers (please be specific and informational as possible)? Read, read, read. Write a lot! Practice makes perfect. Get involved in a writer's group because you may have problems with your story that you will never see or hear, but someone else would. Write because you love it, because very few writers make a living from it. 8. What was one of the most surprising things you learned your creative process with your books, editing, publishing or illustrating? How much work promotion was. 9. How many books have you written? Five published, am working on a new one. 
10. Do you have any tricks or tips to help others become a better writer (please be as specific and information as you possibly can)? Sam info as on question 9
11. Do you have any suggestions for providing twists in a good story? Experience life and read, and watch TV and movies and ideas will come. 12. What makes your or any book stand out from the crowd? My first books featured a gospel singer--it was something no one else had ever done.
13. What are some ways in which you promote your work?
Social media is vital! And getting reviews.
14. What is the one thing you would do differently now (concerning writing or editing or publishing or illustrating) and why?
I would not have gone with my publisher and would have kept looking. Other than that you learn from the journey. This time out I am likely self publishing.
15. What saying or mantra do you live by? Never let anyone tell you that you can't. 16. Anything else you would like to say? Only be a writer if it is in your soul and you just have to do it. It is not an easy life. Do it because you love it, not for money or fame. |