WATCH OUT: Kit Wylde

SC: I want to welcome you all to another edition of Watch Out. This week I’m pleased to bring you author Kit Wylde. Welcome to Watch Out, it is so great to have you here.

SC: For the readers out there who might not know about you or your work, can you please tell them a little about yourself.

Well, I am not only an author, but I am publisher. Okay. I’m more publisher than author because I have very little time for writing. (I own two houses: Wild Child Publishing and Freya’s Bower.) Fortunately, my muse is easily bribed to stay silent (Chocolate does the trick.), or I’d be in trouble.

SC: Can you tell us a little about your current release?

My “current” release is Hieroglyphs. It’s my latest, although it’s not particularly current as it’s been out for over a year. (See, I don’t have a lot of time to write.) Personally, I love this story. It’s one of those stories where I started to write it first, came up with the general idea, and then started to do research, only to find the research confirming my “fiction.” (Insert the soundtrack to Twilight Zone here.)  I know a number of authors have had the same experience. It’s a bit freaky when that happens.

SC: Which do you prefer eBooks or paperback?

It depends. I enjoy both. If I can get it in eBook format, I’m more likely to buy that, though. My publishing houses publish primarily eBooks.

SC: What influences the topics, and genre’s that you pick to write a story in?

The inspiration of the story is where the genre goes. It seems, though, that most of my stories have paranormal in them. For instance, Last Chance, a erotic romance, has a pair of meddling ghosts and the heroine is a Tarot card reader. Hieroglyphs is more of a suspense/paranormal and involves Egyptian gods and reincarnation. This has light romance. The focus is more on the mystery of the hieroglyphic scroll, and solving it, than anything else. Trash, a short story I wrote several years ago, is straight horror but has a demon in it. (Trash is not on sale anywhere, but was published in a magazine or two.) Know It All was based on a dream and is a bit of a horror/fantasy story. One could contend there is paranormal in that one as well. It’s only available in the print version of Weirdly, a well-received anthology of strange tales of which there are only a few copies left. The Whispering House chapter book series is definitely paranormal. Only one story doesn’t contain paranormal elements and that would be Tahitian Nights under my pseudonym Alyce Brown. That one displays my acerbic wit in all its glory. (grin)

SC: One thing readers might be surprised to know about you?

I do not like horror, will not read it unless I have to, and definitely won’t watch a horror movie. Yes, it’s odd as I have written one or two horror stories, but that’s just the way it is.

SC: What is the biggest misconception you think people have about erotic authors?

People seem to think we are sex addicts and that being an erotic author means we will corrupt their children and anyone else we come in contact with. Um, no.

SC: Your favourite part about being an author?

Seeing where the story takes me. I am a panster, which does get me into trouble at times. I never know where the story will go until it ends, and that, to me, is fun. [Symbol]

SC: What are you currently reading?

Hm… I have a few things I am reading. Right now, it’s Wayne Dyer’s Wishes Fulfilled, which is a self-help non-fiction book.

SC: Currently listening to?

Silence, and it’s lovely.

SC: What is your view on authors jumping into self publishing their books?

I think authors need to do what they believe is best for their career. In some cases, it might be self-publishing, but, for most, I think publishers are the better route.

SC: Have you ever self published a book and or would you consider ever self publishing?

Hm… Well, I do own a publishing house and all of my stories in publication are published there, so I guess you could say that I’ve self-published. Of course, they are edited by someone other than myself.

SC: What is your opinion on financial companies enforcing censorships on publishers with regards to the content that they are able to sell and not sell?

I disagree. They aren’t just censoring publishers, but customers as well. As long as what we are doing is not illegal, I don’t see the issue.

SC: Describe your books in 3 words.

Fabulous, mind-blowing entertainment. (grin) Okay, that’s technically four, but two are hyphenated together to make one.

SC: How important do you think is a brand to an author and their career?

Very important, especially in the beginning. Readers want to know what they are buying. Establishing a brand and promoting it will draw the audience you want to you and keep them, provided you continue to produce quality material.

SC: Every author deals with rejection in their career. What is your advice when it comes to rejections?

Life is full of rejection. You can’t let it stop you. However, if a rejection gives you some helpful suggestions, I would consider taking them. (Helpful, not “don’t ever write again.”) The editor must see potential or they wouldn’t bother saying anything.

SC: As a reader how much do reviews impact your view about a book you want to read?

It depends on the review and the book. Just as in movies, I find I don’t always agree with a reviewer. This happened recently. There was a review on one of the major sites. The reviewer panned it, but I had read the book. It was marvelous. On the other side, I’ve seen rave reviews of books where I could get past the first two pages. So, for me, it really comes down to the excerpt, the blurb and the cover. Now, if a friend who has similar tastes has read the book and recommends it, I’m more inclined to buy. Also, if I’ve interacted with the author and I like them, I’m apt to take a look at the book. If all that I’ve mentioned before is true, they’ve got a sale.  

SC: What is the best advice you ever got with regards to writing?

Tell the critic to take a hike and just write. You can always come back and revise (which I hate to do, by the way. Once I’ve written a story, I want to move on. Unfortunately, revision is a necessary evil if you want a quality product.)

SC: What is one pet peeve you have when it comes to publishing?

How much time do you have? (grin) There are many, but I try to focus on the positive aspects of publishing or I’d be certifiable. (grin)

SC: Any advice for new writers out there?

Persevere, keep writing, and know your grammar and punctuation! (Oops! The publisher slipped in there.) Seriously, stay focused and write because you love to. If you keep your eye on the prize, you’ll eventually get there.

SC: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

Well, they can find me at http://marcibaun.com. There is a link for Kit Wylde on the site. You can also find my work at http://www.wildchildpublishing.com or http://www.freyasbower.com/ when you search for Kit Wylde, Rosa Orrore (my horror pseudonym), or Alyce Brown.