We were lucky to catch up with Colleen Baxter recently and have shared our conversation below.
Colleen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
I was discouraged by the increasingly limited options in traditional publishing. Fewer publishing houses, agents seemingly more difficult to approach or query, it just seemed so impossible. So, I decided to try indie publishing.
Unfortunately, so has everyone else, and the market is now glutted with books in a wide variety and quality. Without a hefty marketing budget, my books get lost. After investing heavily in editing, cover art, and formatting, it seems unlikely I will ever recoup these expenses.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have always loved mystery, and have long been intrigued with the paranormal. So, it made sense to combine these into a series in which a medium is confronted with murder and uses her abilities to help solve them. I try to bring to life relatable characters in realistic settings. Relationships are core in my work, and are built and evolve through the course of the story.
I am most proud of the fact that The River House won the Maggie Award for best mainstream novel with a central romance.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
It would have to be the dynamic between freedom and discipline. One ties me to the work of creation, the other is how I feel as a result of the work. It is almost as though the more I work to release the stories inside me, the freer I am.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal since I learned to read was to write a book. Later, I knew I wanted to be published so that others could read my work. It’s as though I have started a conversation that isn’t complete until someone reads my words…
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Cnhillmystery.com
Image Credits
Dar Albert