I met author Beth Ciotta online.
(Yes, that's how I pretty much met ALL of you. Your point?)
To be more specific, I met Beth through Facebook, I believe. Or maybe it was through a blog post. It might have been on her blog, maybe the WG2E blog. Yeah, I think it might be that one. Anywho, I clicked over and liked what I saw so I starting following a blog she had last year called
The Year Of Me. It was all about focusing on herself and her goals, working to be come her best self while achieving her goals. I found Beth to be smart, witty and very encouraging. We became supportive of each other as we tried to live healthier lives.
Well, 2011 turned out to be big for the writer Beth Ciotta. She signed two multi-book publishing deals, which leads us to where we are today, celebrating the upcoming release of Fool for Love, book 1 in The Cupcake Club series. When I heard about the signing, I made a note to contact Beth about an interview, and when I dropped her a note last month, she graciously agreed to answer a few questions.
Thanks so much for having me, Patricia. Your first question prompts a very long story. I’ll do my best to condense!
My background is mostly rooted in entertainment. I made my living as a stage performer—singer, character actress, dancer, emcee—for almost thirty years. I started singing professionally at fourteen and officially retired from performing in my early forties. Much of my time was spent performing in the Atlantic City casinos where I also did short stints as an entertainment coordinator and also a PR coordinator. I started writing (inspired by my love of reading!) when I was thirty-two. A bit of a late start, but I truly believe that my background in entertainment contributed in a major way as far as preparing me for a career in publishing.
I read and wrote obsessively, joined writers’ organizations, attended conferences, networked, honed my craft, submitted to several agents and publishers and endured piles of rejections for about seven years before selling my first paranormal romance, a collaborative effort written along with my friend (and longtime critique partner) Cynthia Valero. We wrote three novels for ImaJinn Books, a small publisher, before branching out on our own to pursue solo careers.
Since then I’ve written six books for Medallion Press, five books for HQN (Harlequin), and I recently signed a four-book contract with St. Martin’s Press, plus a two-book and one e-novella contract with NAL (Penguin). I also contracted with Harlequin Nocturne for a Christmas Anthology along with Heather Graham and Kathleen Pickering.
For what it’s worth, I endured several months of multiple rejections from multiple pubs on multiple proposals between the last contracted book with HQN and signing with St. Martin’s and, a couple of weeks later, NAL. I mention that because I believe there’s a misconception that the hardest part is selling that first book and then once you’re in, you’re in. Truthfully? It never gets easier and nothing is a given. It’s been a long and very tough road, peppered with glorious excitement and major disappointments. All I can say is passion and perseverance, folks. Never lose sight of your dream. Never give up.
You keep changing the look of your website, although you have one of the prettiest author websites around. Many authors are challenged just to keep their websites up to date. What’s the impetus for the continued change?
Since hiring a professional website designer in 2005, I’ve actually only had two website designs. I loved the first design—Rae Monet does amazing work—but it focused on the contemporary work I was doing for HQN at the time. In late 2010/early 2011, I signed with St. Martin’s Press for a small town contemporary series as well as NAL for a steampunk series and a few months later Harlequin Nocturne for a paranormal novella. I felt strongly that I needed a website that reflected all the subgenres I’m writing, including the historical westerns on my backlist. I brainstormed with Rae and she came up with the fabulous design you see now at
www.bethciotta.com I glad you like it, Patricia. That design makes me smile! As for keeping it up to date… that reminds me, I need to get some updates and info to Rae stat!
That said, I change the look of my blog as often as I change my hair color. And that’s a lot! I always try to keep it relevant to my writing, but what can I say? It’s like redecorating a room or buying a new wardrobe. It’s fun! Although I must say, I don’t see changing it anytime soon due to time restrictions. For that same reason, I now only blog important or exciting news. Facebook is my home for daily interaction.
Beth, you have two very different series coming out, the contemporary romance Cupcake Lovers series in which book 1, Fool For Love, releases this month (August 28), and the steampunk romance series, The Glorious Victorious Darcys which releases later this year. This had to make for some serious overlap in writing. Do you find it difficult to write in these very different genres? What do you do to make the mental switch?
I knew going in that it would be difficult because there was a stretch where I was alternating writing historicals for Medallion and contemps for HQN. But, honestly, this is a far greater challenge than I anticipated as the deadlines are a little tighter. Deadlines for first drafts, revisions, copy edits, and page proofs on two different series overlapping. Not to mention switching your mindset from contemporary to steampunk. Two very different beasts. I don’t have any tricks for addressing that, I just do it. It’s not for the fainthearted and I have no social life outside of Facebook, however I feel extremely blessed to have this incredible opportunity. Two series of my heart with two spectacular publishers. Both of my editors are a dream as is my agent. They keep me sane!
You’ve also written historical romance, paranormal, romantic suspense… Is there any genre of romance you’d never write? Although you obviously enjoy them all, is there one genre that is closest to your heart, as a reader or a writer?
Never say never because you never know. Just because I’m not inspired to write erotica or science fiction or hard core fantasy right now, that doesn’t mean I won’t wake some morning with a burning idea! On the flipside, there is a sub-genre I haven’t been published in yet, but am very much inspired to write and that’s paranormal YA. I have two proposals waiting in the wings. As for choosing a favorite . . . I can’t! I truly enjoy them all!
With the release of Jinxed in e-book format (one of my favorite e-books from 2011), you joined the ranks of authors branching into indie publishing? What’s been the biggest learning from that experience? Will you continue to indie publish?
Actually JINXED, CHARMED, and SEDUCED were repackaged and released as e-books by the original publisher—Medallion Press. I have yet to branch out into Indie publishing, but I’m very grateful that that option is now open to me as well as all writers. The learning curve, from everything I’ve read and heard, will be quite time intensive. It’s not something to pursue casually. Luckily there are some fabulous freelance editors and formatting services out there. I’ve started compiling a list for future reference.
It’s tough to keep up more than one blog, especially with your writing schedule, but I really enjoyed your blog that was all about being healthy and being your best you. How do you define “best you” these days and where are you on the road to getting there?
Aww. I loved seeing you at that blog, Patricia. Thank you for your kind words. That blog was called “The Year of Me” and it was a very personal endeavor inspired by the loss of my younger brother to cancer the same year I turned fifty. I wasn’t upset about my milestone birthday, but I was extra sensitive to how short life can be and I wanted to make a concentrated effort to take better care of myself—for me and my loved ones. Unfortunately, taking care of myself sometimes means acknowledging that I can’t do it all and there are only so many hours in the day. Hence, I couldn’t keep up with ‘The Year of Me.’ I am, however, still committed to a healthier lifestyle. Low-fat meals, not eating after 6pm, and some form of daily exercise—even if it’s just a powerwalk with my dogs. Oh, and water. Why is it so hard to drink ample amounts of water? Jeesh.
I miss that blog, but it's good to know you're continuing to pay attentio to your health. I know what you mean about the water. Can one drink too much?
One last question: What is your favorite cupcake?
Red Velvet. No, German Chocolate. No! Dang. I can’t pick. I love them all!
Please give us a blurb for Fool For Love and one for Her Sky Cowboy, the first book in the Glorious Victorious Darcys series.
SHE’S CRAVING A SWEET NEW LIFE…
Call her a fool, but chef-in-training Chloe Madison wants to have her cake and eat it too. So when her boyfriend dumps her for some French tart, she decides to start over from scratch—with a new life and job in Sugar Creek, Vermont. What could be sweeter than cooking for an eccentric lady who’s crazy for desserts? What could be more tempting than joining a club called the Cupcake Lovers? Just one thing: local business-hunk Devlin Monroe...
AND HE’S THE ICING ON THE CUPCAKE
Although he’s the grandson of Chloe’s fun-loving boss, Devlin Monroe is all work and no play. Micro-managing the family business, he doesn’t have time to indulge in life’s sweetest pleasures—until he meets Chloe. How can he resist such a vibrant, beautiful woman who brings so much passion to the table? But when old grudges and secrets threaten to destroy the Cupcake Lovers, Devlin must decide if his feelings for Chloe are a recipe for disaster—or a sinfully delicious ever-after…
For those who are interested, you can find an excerpt here.
GIVEAWAY: Beth is offering either a copy of Fool for Love (will be shipped once she receives her author copies) or one of her latest HQN titles, Out of Eden or Into The Wild. Winner's choice. Just leave a comment on this post with your email address. A winner will be selected on Monday.
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.
