Guest Interview: Author Anne Michaud

Once again, I've got my good friend, Anne Michaud on my blog with an interview and a contest! 

1) The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Give me a quick run down of what’s happening in your writing world these days.

Well, I've been hard at work on my sequel, Girls & Aliens, and I'm outlining the next installment, Girls & Ghosts. There's this French novella about Hiroshima that needs editing and a screenplay idea floating around in my brain. Oh, and did I mention my next YA novel, Killer Girl? Yep, I'm busy all right.

2)  What kind of writer are you? Do you plot your stories out? Do you have a particular routine? What does your writing “day” look like?

I outline everything that comes up as the story gestates, then write accordingly.  I often stray, but then I readjust the outline, to not get stuck. My routine is write as I wake up, eat, walk the dog, write, eat, write, read, go to bed. My life is so glamorous, I fear people will get jealous.

3) How long have you been writing for?

Full-time, since my Master's in screenwriting eight years ago. It never stopped since, it comes out in short stories, novellas,  novels, scripts. It just won't leave me alone. Seriously, is there a drug for it to stop? Help!

4) What’s your opinion on agents? Traditional Publishing? Self publishing? Etc.

I used to dream of traditional publishing and agents, but recently, I'm not so sure. I want to make a living out of this writing bug, and from what I'm reading on the internets, it doesn't happen as much as it used to with trad pub. I'm adjusting, I'm not locking doors, I really want to see my work in hardback at Indigo, but if it doesn't happen, no one's gonna die.

5) Where do you think we’re going in this crazy publishing world?

Exactly where we are: some will buy indie, some will buy trad, some a mix of both. I refuse to believe paper books will vanish, and I'm fed up of readers snubbing indie from bad experiences. Like everyone else, I want to read good books, and hardbacks aren't immune to suckiness, just as indie isn't either.

6) What is the best way to sell books?  To get your name out there?

If I only knew. I'm guessing good reviews get word of mouth, then some sort of blog tour to reach potential readers, and if luck is involved, it'll work. If not, all that hard work for nothing – until the next book comes out and it starts all over again!

7)  What are your goals for the future? Where do you want your writing to take you?

I want to learn a living from my writing, which means after I finish my transcription contracts at 4 in the afternoon, I go to my WiP and write until my brain bleeds. On free weekends, I write some more. I've read over and over again how indie writers can actually reach their goals by productively releasing more than one book in a year, so that's what I'm trying to to.

8)  If you could get inside the head of one writer (living or dead) for an hour, who would it be and why?

Neil Gaiman, because his world is beautiful and frightening, and I wish so much to be part of it. Not in a creepy fangirl way, more like a character he shapes into someone dark and demure. Oh yes, me loves the dark.

Anne is not only a talented writer but she also makes these super cute skeletons...here's your chance to win some! 

Contest Info

Author Bio

She who likes dark things never grew up. She never stopped listening to gothic, industrial and alternative bands like when she was fifteen. She always loved to read horror and dystopia and fantasy, where doom and gloom drip from the pages.

She, who was supposed to make films, decided to write short stories, novelettes and novels instead. She, who’s had her films listed on festival programs, has been printed in a dozen anthologies and magazines since.

She who likes dark things prefers night to day, rain to sun, and reading to anything else.

She blogs http://annecmichaud.wordpress.com

She tweets @annecmichaud

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