Hi all

[Alison Lawrence]

Thanks for letting me on board I have six children, am heading towards 53. My oldest son is a programmer, and my youngest two, 8 and 10 just love building barns etc on Minecraft. Somehow, I manage to write a lot. I have only written two fantasy stories. I was very brave and submitted the first one. I love writing poetry too.

 

[pmmg]

Howdy Alison, welcome here.

 

[Alison Lawrence]

Thanks Happy writing

 

[pmmg]

Six kids, heading to 53 is impressive I dont know how you manage to write.

 

[Alison Lawrence]

It's all a bit hazy! I try to write everyday. I don't watch TV. That helps

 

[pmmg]

Yep, I pretty much gave up TV and video games to make time myself. I dont miss them.

 

[Alison Lawrence]

Something has to go. One has to also make time to read if you write. What do you enjoy writing most?

 

[Demesnedenoir]

Welcome aboard! I ditched sports and most tv/movies. So many time sinks out there. I pretty much only read my own work and maybe manage 1 other novel per year, LOL.

 

[Alison Lawrence]

Thank you. Appreciate. Letting most SM helps too. Not a big fan anyway

 

[pmmg]

I read a lot of stuff from people here, and do enough to say I do my homework.

I much prefer to write and create. I write sword and sorcery fiction. Heavily, or not so heavily, inspired by a lot of things you would know. I have Three and a quarter books written, in my current big tale, and am trying cross the T's and dot the I's for the first one presently. I want it published this year.

Where would one find the book you said you published? or where was it submitted?

 

[Alison Lawrence]

Shoo, well done. I haven't written a full length novel yet. Only short stories, novelettes and novellas. I submitted it to Bear Publications. They take shorter stories. This ones about 8 000

 

[pmmg]

I used to do shorts long ago, but its not really the venue for me. I dont really think in small story format. I just kind of forced it to get a faster path to feedback. I got one one or two published and won a contest way back when. But...I prefer the larger tale, of course.

I am happier with novel length stuff.

So why fantasy for you?

 

[Alison Lawrence]

Well, it's a bit of a new thing. I was writing romance, and inspirational, but I set myself a challenge. It turned out to be great fun. I had already written a novelette with a made up island world and culture.

 

[pmmg]

Put romance and fantasy together. The audience for that is already large.

Had you sought to submit any romance stories?

 

[Alison Lawrence]

Yes, but mainly self published. And quite a bit of poetry. Very healing. Just submitted a children's story with some fantasy in it. Picture book, so pretty easy.

 

[pmmg]

Nothing wrong with self published. Its becoming the new normal anyway.

You did a picture book? did you illustrate it?

 

[Alison Lawrence]

No, unfortunately. I do draw, but I don't really have the technical knowledge or equipment.

 

[pmmg]

You hired an artist?

From what you said above, I think you are in a good spot, there are large markets for Romance + Fantasy, and children's books.

I fear my market is more limited....but it is what it is.

 

[Alison Lawrence]

Thanks for the encouragement. I think there's a pretty big market for fantasy. At the end of the day, you should write what you like. I just sent my manuscript in. If they like it, they will provide an illustrator. I'm not too keen on traditional publishing, having been burnt in the past, but I decided to be brave. Years ago, I had a children's book accepted here in South Africa, did the editing. They had an illustrator lined up, but they never got back to me. Well, I did contact them, but they said I just had to wait or send it to another publisher. Self publishing has its benefits for sure

 

[pmmg]

Well, you're in good company. Not many go the traditional route here. Some do. But they both have their ups an downs. I prefer self published. It going to be my first path. It has a lot of risks, but I maintain control. It suits me.

People form all over the world here. I am not aware of another from South Africa though. Isn't that crazy. I walk just ten feet away from my computer, and my chances of running into someone from South Africa are next to zero, even if I go off a hundred miles in any direction. But here....I think the US could be the minority.