Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Annait LJ. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Annait, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Quality control is a challenge almost every entrepreneur has had to focus on when growing – any advice, stories or insight around how to best ensure quality is maintained as your business scales?
I am my own business, so naturally, I have to invest in myself. Writing is an ever-evolving art form. The prose gets better as I learn what works for me and my stories. Whether I gather inspiration from the world around me or the books I read, I take it as a learning moment on what I can do better and what my readers deserve.
As far as quality control goes, there are several avenues of approach as an author. The biggest one is an editor. No matter the different phase of editing that take place, their job is to ensure the quality of a manuscript before publication. Typos, inconsistent arcs, repetitive phrasing, misused words, all of that and more are vetted through an editor’s eyes.
As the author, the story will always make sense in my own head, even if the writing cuts corners. Editor’s bridge that gap, connecting the author’s intent with reader reception. I encourage every author to go through an editor. It could change your world for the better.
Annait, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Well, I’m fairly new to the writing world. I published my debut novel into the fantasy world 11 Nov 2022. It’s a dystopian fantasy where speaking is a crime punishable by death. My characters primarily use ASL to communicate with one another. I’ve been told time and again how this is a very unique approach to a dystopian world and I have my cousin to thank for that. He is a member of the Deaf community. From a young age, I always wondered why people did not communicate in a way he would be included. I wondered what it would be like for speaking to be the outlier and seen as the “other” method, so to speak.
So far, there are three books in my series and bound to be one or two more. I think I’m most proud of my characters resonating with so many people. Writing Young Adult (YA) novels is a daunting task that I can’t get enough of. Introducing a younger demographic into a world of complexities and holding their attention through each page is something that makes me proud of my craft.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
As an author, my clients extend to readers and other authors alike. Getting my books into the world is only half the battle. Marketing is another quarter. I think the most important aspect would be to convey other aspects of myself. Getting to know the person behind the words and making connections, whether in person or on social media platforms, can revolutionize your reader/support base.
I consider my life to be pretty mundane. Wake up, go to work, read something, write something, watch a couple of k-dramas, go for a run, go to sleep. It all seems simple, nothing noteworthy, but people want that connection of the mundane because it leads to something extraordinary. The realization that “we’re all just people” is a powerful revelation and suddenly, you’re more than a person holding a book.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I’ve always been my first fan. My books are initially for me, and everyone else reaps the benefits during publication. Putting the stories I wished to see in my childhood on shelves, even if it’s only my own, is what I dreamed of. Finding out there are other people who enjoy the story was an unintended bonus that I am always thankful for. There may never be a time where a story isn’t circulating in my head and I love that for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.authorannait.com
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- Facebook: authorannait
- Twitter: authorannait
- Youtube: authorannait
- Other: And all other social platfoms @authorannait
