Welcome Penny, thanks so much for joining us today. Let's just jump right in.
Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
The book I’d like to talk about today is Lady In Waiting, published by MuseItUp Publishing. It is an historical romance.Mabriona is cousin to the beautiful and spoiled Princess Alana. When
Alana is forced to marry a man she despises, Mabrina is torn between
her loyalty to her cousin and her attraction to the handsome Prince
Blayne.
Tragedy befalls the cousins on the way to Prince Blayne's castle. Servants,
believing Mabriona to be Alana, refuse to listen when she tries to explain.
While she waits for Blayne to recover, Mabriona meets his equally handsome younger brother, Madoc, a bard.
When Blayne awakes, will Mabriona choose life with a future king, will she be sent home in disgrace because of her inadvertent lies, or will Madoc win her love with his poetry?
Do you have a day job as well?
I retired from my day job in 2008. At that time, I was working as the Office Manager for the Columbia County District Attorney. A year or so after I retired, I took on a part-time job as an editor for MuseItUp Publishing. I also care for my 97-year-old mother and help out with my young grandchildren on a regular basis.
Where do you get your ideas?
I tend to get my ideas from lots of places. I take notes when someone tells a story I think is interesting. I cut out articles from newspapers or magazines that appeal to me and make me think “what if?” Sometimes something that happens to me becomes part of a story. Most of my non-fiction articles are related to my volunteer activities. Lady in Waiting, however, was a bit of a fluke. I wrote it simply because I was interested in the time period and felt compelled to try my hand at writing an historical romance.
How do you handle writers block?
Since I enjoy writing both fiction and non-fiction, plus I write for adults and children, I don’t generally face writers’ block. If I’m stuck with a story, I can switch to something else and then go back to what I had been working on with a clear head. I believe variety helps keep me going. Also, since I’m the type of writer who doesn’t feel obligated to write every day, if my muse isn’t singing, I’m usually not working.
How do you market your work?
I use the Internet for most of my marketing. I am on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, as well as JacketFlap. I have a blog where I feature other writers on a regular basis. This gives me contacts to other bloggers with similar interests (such as yourself) who offer to reciprocate with a spot on their blogs.
When I have a new release, I set up a virtual blog tour that will last from two to four weeks and makes stops with bloggers around the world, ensuring exposure to a large audience. Depending on the age level of the release (and if it is a print book), I have done local book signings, library readings, and school visits. I always do a press release and send off information to the local newspapers.
How did you come up with the title?
The title for Lady in Waiting was easy since I wrote a story about a young woman who was employed as a lady in waiting. It’s a bit of a twist on the words, though, since it turns out she is also a lady who is waiting for the love of her life.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I have written many more short stories than books. In fact, while Lady in Waiting is available in eBook form, it is only about 15,000 words long. I have written over a hundred articles and another hundred or so short stories. They have been published in a variety of magazines and online ezines. I collected sixteen of them (fantasy and science fiction) and released them through Sam’s Dot Publishing and Smashwords: A Past and A Future. I have two other stories with MuseItUP: Love Delivery (contemporary romance) and Mirror, Mirror (time travel romance). I have recently released a picture book, Boo’s Bad Day, through 4RV Publishing. I have contracts for three other children’s books with them: Ghost for Rent and Ghost for Lunch (middle grade paranormal mysteries) and Coat of Many Colors (children’s picture book).
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Finding the time to write is probably my most challenging problem. There always seems to be one more thing that needs handling. It’s always worth it, though, when I finally do sit down and work on a writing project. I also have a hard time staying focused long enough to finish a full-length novel, which is why I enjoy short stories and children’s books, which tend to be shorter.
Who designs the covers of your books?
I have had several different illustrators and have been very pleased with all of them. Each publishing house has its own artists. Depending on the genre of the book, an illustrator with expertise in that area is assigned to do the artwork.
Where can people buy your books?
Thanks for asking!
Lady In Waiting: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/search?keyword=penny+lockwood+ehren&limitstart=0&option=com_virtuemart&view=category
Love Delivery:
Mirror, Mirror:
Boo’s Bad Day:
A Past and A Future:
Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz has published more than 100 articles, 75 stories, a chapbook, and her stories have been included in two anthologies. She writes for both adults and children. Her fiction has appeared in numerous genre and children’s publications, and non‑fiction work has appeared in a variety of writing, parenting, and young adult print magazines and on line publications. She edits for MuseItUp Publishing. Visit her web site at http:// pennylockwoodehrenkranz.yolasite.com. Her writing blog is located at http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/.
Penny, what a great interview. I'm glad to have learned so much about your success as an author. I'm sure many will be hopping over to your blog and other sites to check things out. Thank you for joining us today.
Okay, everyone, let's drop Penny a note and let her know what you thought of the interview and her new book, Lady in Waiting. Thank you all for stopping by once again.
All my best,
Dee Ann
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