We were lucky to catch up with Joanne Fisher recently and have shared our conversation below.
Joanne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?
In the Indie-publishing industry, we see audiobooks are becoming very popular right now, so I have taken advantage of this growing trend. I have 3 audiobooks on the market: The Melbourne Connection (2 cities on opposite ends of the world are connected by 3 horrendous murders), Her Spanish Doll (he gave her a doll, she gave him her all)
and With All of Me Part I (1 woman, 3 men. What could possibly go wrong?)
Upcoming is Good Things Always Happen in Springtime (an interfaith couple escape Nazi Germany and end up working for the allies taking them to their final destination: freedom)
The Devil of St. Gabriel (a drop dead gorgeous blonde falls for and becomes obsessed with a priest from South Africa)
Many people these days are always on the move so audiobooks offer the reading experience in any environment, any time of the day, and it’s as easy as listening to music.
Joanne, 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?
I am a Canadian/Italian/American author and so far, I’ve penned 13 books: 3 steamy romances, 3 Christmas Novellas, 2 murder/mysteries, 2 historical fictions, 1 collection of short stories and 2 travel guides. I dabbled in poetry when I was a child but only because it was a school project but later on in life, I became an avid reader, but I didn’t start writing until my mid-forties. Once I published my first book, With All of Me, I joined a couple of writers clubs, educated myself by participating in many writing webinars and just kept on writing. Since publishing my first book in 2017, I have arrived at 13 with # 14 to be released this fall.
In 2019 I was elected President of the Space Coast Writers Guild which is a local writers group dedicated to helping writers become published, whether traditionally or self-publishing. This group of artists has inspired me to write and promote my books while, we, as the guild, inspire creativity in them. It’s a win-win for all.
Every month, I email out a newsletter with a surprise in everyone. If you’d like to be part of our newsletter group, please email me at [email protected]
Or you can visit my website at www.JoannesBooks.com Here you can view my book trailers, read the teasers to all my books, listen to the audio clips and with 2 clicks, you can buy the E-book of your choice. If you would like a paperback signed by me, please email me and I will snail mail you a signed copy. Just pay shipping and handling.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
When I finally finished my first book, I did not know this industry well at all, so I did some research and ended up publishing my book, With All of Me, with Authorhouse. These publishers are called “vanity” publishers because they take advantage of the vanity of a writer. They make you feel like you’re the only author in the world and place you on a pedestal. But little do you know that they make millions of dollars off naive writers like you. Yes, they publish your book but they charge you enormous amounts of money to do it. They charge you hundreds of dollars for exposing your book at a book festival and in the end, your book is on a shelf somewhere inside a tent for a few hours. Then they continuously call you for other events that cost more money. They never stop. These are the telemarketers of authors. Once you sign a contract with them, they will never let you be. I learned the hard way, so I’m passing this information to you. Stay away from vanity publishers. If you cannot find a traditional publisher to publish your book, then self-publish. These are the only two roads to take. There are no middle-roads.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
At this moment, I write as a hobby. I still work full-time so I have a steady income. Nonetheless, I love putting my ideas on paper (word document) and creating a novel that I know in my heart, readers will love. Then, when I receive great reviews, either on Amazon or in person, that gives me incentive to write more and to improve my writing as well. So, right now, for me, writing is personal gratification especially when I receive reviews like this one: 5.0 out of 5 stars Unforgettable
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time and I stayed up far too late reading it. Its central characters are Father Nicholas, a Catholic priest and Lucy, the beautiful but cunning ex-con who falls in love with him and employs her charms in an effort to seduce him. She even converts to Catholicism, to receive instruction and gain access to Father Nicholas. Wanting to help her reform, the well-intentioned priest does not see the devil behind her pretty face. Will her wiles convince him to quit the priesthood? Will it be too late when Father Nicholas sees beyond Lucy’s mask? The answer to these questions makes this book unforgettable. Flora R.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.JoannesBooks.com
- Instagram: joannes_books_2018
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReadJoannesBooks
- Linkedin: joannesbooks
- Twitter: @JoannesBooks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxfgBhEOo6MX0Ad0JKXE-EQ
Image Credits
images from www.pixabay.com