Welcome Mat Wednesday: Amber Stokes

There’s a book on my Kindle I can’t wait to read. In fact, it’s calling my name right now…Bleeding Heart, a new release from debut author Amber Stokes.

I’ve never officially “met” Amber, but just from interacting with her online, I can tell she’s a total sweetheart, a dedicated writer and reader and…just plain cool. I mean, look at her headshot. She’s reading a C.S. Lewis book!

So while you enjoy Amber’s Q&A, I think I’ll dive into her book. OH, and in a few weeks, be sure to stop by Amber’s website to check out her official blog tour, which will include a Rafflecopter giveaway. Thanks so much for being here today, Amber!

1) I love the title Bleeding Heart…and the premise of your story. Can you tell us what sparked both?


Thank you so much! Bleeding Heart is actually a sequel (although I believe it works as a stand-alone; otherwise, I don’t think it would be a good idea to publish it first, LOL). So the spark of the idea for this book comes from the first book I wrote, Forget Me Not. I wanted to take some secondary characters from that story and explore their next steps. 

As for the title, that also comes from the first book, in the sense of continuing a theme. Forget Me Not references the flower it’s named for, and it also explores the theme the title suggests…so when it came time to start book 2, I looked up some flower names and latched onto bleeding hearts. The title and the premise are intertwined, and the title really helped to shape the story as I wrote it.

2) You decided to go the indie publishing route with Bleeding Heart…very cool. Can you describe a bit of that process to us?


I think it’s safe to say my indie journey really began when I responded to author Lena Goldfinch’s call for beta readers back in January. I got a taste of what the finalizing process was like for her, and I had the privilege of watching the last leg of her journey to getting Aire(YA fantasy romance) published. From there everything just kind of snowballed. *grin*


I joined Seekerville’s Speedbo challenge in March and finished writing Bleeding Heart. Unlike when I finished Forget Me Not, I felt ready to take the next step – to edit and to prepare the book for publication. 

I don’t know when exactly the thought of self-publishing became real for me, but somehow it did. My freelance editing business was starting to actually go somewhere, so I was already learning to enjoy being an independent business owner. And I knew that Bleeding Heart’s plot and length were not traditional. While I had in mind that I was going to self-publish the book before I sent it to my wonderful editor, Elizabeth Ludwig, her comments on the overall story seemed to support that route. She cautioned me that, unless I was willing to change the story a great deal, I would have a hard time getting it accepted by a traditional publisher…and I just wasn’t willing to change the story that much.


So now that you have the back story (*wink*), the process went a little something like this:

~ Finished the book!

~ Hired an editor (Elizabeth Ludwig) for macro editing and copyediting

~ Worked with a designer (Lena Goldfinch) on the cover

~ Planned a cover reveal

~ Incorporated edits from my first editor

~ Hired a proofreader (Rachelle Rea)

~ Sent e-ARCs out to reviewers

~ Incorporated edits from my proofreader

~ Finalized the book in preparation for uploading on KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

At the time that I’m writing this, I’m still in that last stage. Hopefully, by the time this is shared with everyone, the book will be up on Amazon in Kindle format*, and I’ll be working on blog tour stuff. *wink* Lena Goldfinch will also be doing my print formatting and print cover – so a paperback version is coming soon! After the blog tour I should hopefully be knee-deep in other writing projects so I can start the process all over again…

*It is! You can purchase Amber’s book here!


3) What’s been the most challenging part of writing and/or publishing this story?

To be honest, ever since I’ve finished the book, everything’s been flowing rather well. Granted, my Twitter friends will tell you that I’ve struggled with focusing on edits and pushing through all of the steps. But the hardest part was probably finishing the first draft, since that took me a couple of years to do. It’s exciting but difficult to get the words on paper – and I’m rather short-winded, anyway!

4) What’s your greatest hope for readers of Bleeding Heart as far as spiritual takeaway?

My greatest desire for my readers is that they will be reminded of hope that’s bigger than the sorrows of life and rest that can be found in trusting God’s will. Bleeding Heart involves my wrestling with fears and frustrations regarding love, and I feel like the writing process allowed me to find perspective and come to terms with some of my questions. That doesn’t mean I don’t still have questions! But I feel like each story I write helps me to grow a little bit more. It’s all a part of the journey, and I do hope that readers will be blessed in some way by sharing this particular journey with me. 


5) What’s next for you writing-wise after Bleeding Heart?

Well, I very much want to write a companion short story for the series that’s been running around in my mind ever since an early reviewer inspired me to consider it. There’s a contest I want to enter it in if I write it, so we’ll see what happens with that! I figure I can still publish it as a $.99 e-book or something no matter what happens. *wink*

Also, I’m feeling like maybe it’s finally time to edit Forget Me Not, so I hope to tackle that and then publish it as the prequel Winter 2014. And after that? Well, a certain secondary character already has a title for his book, so another sequel might be in order!

6) And just for fun: If you could hang out with any of your characters for a day, which one would you choose…and how would you spend the day??

Myghal, one of the heroes of Bleeding Heart – a red-headed Cornish man with a mixed-up accent and a tender heart. I think I’d drive him up to the Trees of Mystery. That way he could enjoy the redwoods in a setting where he wouldn’t have to worry about chopping them down or anything! LOL. 

We’d walk through the redwoods, take a ride in a gondola on the Sky Trail (would love to see his reaction to that!), and browse the gift shop and museum. Then we’d eat at the Forest Café across the street before heading back down the coast. Maybe we’d stop in Trinidad or McKinleyville and take a walk along the beach or just sit on a bench and watch the sea. 

And, of course, this would be a night when Humboldt Folk Life hosts one of their square dances, because you better believe I’d take him with me to one of those! *wink* He’s an awesome fiddler, so I’m sure he’d try to join the band, but I imagine I could talk him into joining me for a few dances…



*****
Amber Stokes has a Bachelor of Science degree in English and a passion for the written word – from blogging to writing poetry, short stories, and novels. After her brief time at college in Oregon, she is now back home among the redwoods of Northern California, living life one day at a time and pursuing her passion via freelance editing and self-publishing her debut novel, Bleeding Heart.


Okay, readers, your turn: What character in a book or movie would you spend a day with? 
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    Comments 34

      1. Thank you so much, Kate! It was my pleasure. 🙂 (And I’m grateful to Melissa for letting me do an interview instead of a guest post – a little bit easier on the stressed-out mind!)

        And I really appreciate your interest in Bleeding Heart! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂

        ~Amber

        Reply

    2. You saw what book I was reading, Melissa! *fist pump* One of my professors picked out books for the graduating students in our American Military History class, and I chose The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis. I took a class on C.S. Lewis’s works my last semester, but I hadn’t read that one yet. That pic is of me reading the book the day after graduation (I believe) in Denny’s. 😉

      Anywho, thank you so much for hosting me on your awesome blog! I’m honored to be here. Even though we haven’t met in person yet, I can tell you rock, too! It’s been great getting to know a little more about you via Twitter and your blog. 🙂

      ~Amber

      Reply

      1. And thank YOU for being here, Amber. Yep, I noticed it was a C.S. Lewis book…I’m a fan. 🙂

        Love having you here today and it’s been fun getting to know you, too. I’m excited for your book to hit the virtual shelves. I know readers are in for a treat!

        Reply

    3. ” … hope that’s bigger than the sorrows of life and rest that can be found in trusting God’s will.”
      I always love discovering the reasons behind an author’s story … and I love the spiritual truth woven through Bleeding Heart!

      Reply

      2. Thank you so much, Beth! I’m glad that resonated with you – this series so far has been so personal for me to write, but I hope that the spiritual truth also remains with the readers in some way. 🙂 It is neat hearing from the author himself/herself what they way to share!

        ~Amber

        Reply

      2. Thank you, Lindsay! 🙂 I agree with Melissa – each person’s publishing journey is so unique, especially nowadays with all the options open to authors! I’m so glad you enjoyed hearing about mine. 🙂

        ~Amber

        Reply

    7. Amber, I remember seeing you over at Michelle’s site and I’ve been waiting for your book to come out! So excited to see it’s available:) Going to go pick it up and add it to my Kindle list. Cannot wait to read it – and loved seeing your journey here!

      Reply

      2. That’s right – you left such a sweet and encouraging comment on Michelle’s lovely blog! Appreciated that – and appreciate this one so much, too! 🙂 Thank you for picking up a copy of Bleeding Heart and for reading about my publishing journey! I hope you’ll find the story worth the wait. 🙂

        ~Amber

        Reply

    9. Amber! Hello, there! What fun to see you over on Melissa’s blog. 🙂 Exciting stuff you’ve shared here – thanks for sharing with your readers some of the thoughts that went into Bleeding Heart. Cannot wait for those possible future projects.

      Melissa, I must second your comment – Amber *is* a sweetheart! She’s such a generous soul and I admire her blogging presence, and appreciate her friendship. Oh! You’ll enjoy Amber’s book – at the halfway point, I am impressed with her unique voice. Cannot wait to read your review! 🙂

      Reply

      1. Hello, dear Rissi! It’s fun to be here. 🙂 My pleasure – and I can’t wait to share some more about those future projects with you all! (I think I might have a little fun with “guess the title of book 3” during the blog tour or something. ;))

        And awwww! *blushing* I can most definitely say the same about you and your sweet friendship! I’m touched by your words about Bleeding Heart, too. 🙂

        ~Amber

        Reply

      1. So glad it intrigues you, Lisa! The model’s expression is so interesting…the cover actually inspired an added scene when I edited the book. 🙂 Lena did a lovely job putting the cover together, and I’m very pleased with it!

        Happy to share – thank you for reading!

        ~Amber

        Reply

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