The official blog for THG StarDragon Publishing. Publishing spiritual/paranormal fantasy and poetry, and open to non-fiction spirituality works. Please don't forget to visit the side pages and check out the main site as well. There is now also a podcast!
Selkies' Skins
Current book in series Temple and Skinquest. Enjoy Castle and Well from Amazon, B&N and Smashwords while waiting for that and the prequel's audiobook "Pearls of Sea and Stone: Book of Seals".
Part Two of the Ian's Realm Saga is finished, ready, and available for purchase and download on Dianne Gardner's Gumroads store. You can listen to the story on any device that plays MP3 and are not locked into streaming only (unlike some venues can be).
It has been a pleasure working on this project. Part Three is in production and available for pre-order directly from the author. By ordering from the author directly you ensure that she receives more, especially in projects where narrators or illustrators are paid up front. Please also check out her other projects.
Here is my interview with author and president of Pen It Publications, Debi Stanton. As with all the interviews I am working my way through doing I hope to cast more light on the individuals that make the publishing world work. By illuminating these areas perhaps it will overall be a less mysterious place for those thinking about joining it.
===
Pre
Interview Questions:
a)
Is Debi Stanton your legal name or a pen name/DBA name? If so, would
you mind telling us why you chose one over using your legal name.
It is my legal name.
b)
Are you an author, poet, illustrator, editor, game writer, game
creator, publisher, or multiple? If you have multiple roles in the
publishing community then which ones are they? If you have multiple
roles feel free to answer each question with sections for each role.
I own Pen It! Publications, LLC with my husband, Ray. I am also
an author of 17 books and I always have more in the works!
c)
What books, games, or other publishing related projects have you been
involved in the production of? There are way too many to list.
We have published over 500 books in the past 4 years and have more
coming in every day. We are excited to be a part of each and every
author’s story.
===
1.
What got you interested in (writing/illustrating/editing, etc.)? I
have been writing since I was a child. I was a voracious reader and
writing was a natural transition. I minored in Art, but don’t
illustrate, it is much too hard! And editing…that is probably my
least favorite thing about writing, so we pay others to do it 😊
2.
What company or companies are you doing work for/with? (In case you
have more than one job and want to give them a shout out or it
impacts your publishing at all.) We own Pen It! Publications, LLC
which is a traditional publisher.
3.
You are the President of Pen It Publications. Can you tell us the
story behind the company and what caused you to get involved with it?
My husband and I got married in 2014 and he had just written his
first book. I had published a few. He was shopping his book around
to publishers and was just not happy with what they offered. Most
were vanity presses who wanted to charge him thousands of dollars. I
was already publishing Pen It! Magazine, a magazine for authors and I
had been traditionally published, but always felt like I was just a
number. So, I mentioned that I always wanted to start my own
publishing company. I knew a lot about publishing, but didn’t know
much about the business side of it. Ray had owned his own business
for over 30 years and said, “well, I do.” So within two weeks,
we were up and running. We hired 1 illustrator and 1 editor, and we
were in business. Now we employ around 50 people and have hundreds
of authors. I truly love what I do. Our motto is: Everyone has a
story…What’s yours?
4.
What projects are you currently working on?
I
am working on a series of books called: People Watching…. The
first one is People Watching…In the Airport. They are going to be
funny looks at people watching.
5.
Do you have any future projects in mind to take on? I have a
novel that I need to finish that I started a few years ago. I have
16 chapters done but just haven’t had the motivation to finish it.
I won’t share that title right now.
6.
What is your favorite project you have done? Wow, each project we
work on for our authors is wonderful…so I’ll talk about one I
have written myself. My favorite book is The Fellowship Flock. It
hasn’t been much of a seller, but we are going to do a new cover
for it and republish soon. It is set in Fairhope Alabama and
surrounds a little church and all of the comedy and drama that
ensues.
7.
Is this career something that you always wanted to do? Yes, I
started writing, transitioned into running writing groups, then to
publishing Pen It! Magazine and then into Pen It! Publications.
8.
Do you find it difficult, or find some aspects more difficult than
others? I truly hate editing. I tend to get sucked into the story
and skip over errors, so we pay others to do that job.
9.
Have you observed any way that an author or poet makes it harder for
themselves to find a publisher? Have a good query letter. I get
submissions all the time that are just attached to an email with no
query letter, no information about the story, etc. Also, make sure
that you have edited it to the best of your ability. It doesn’t
have to be perfect, but do the best you can.
10.
I have noticed and heard many younger people trying to figure out how
to become an illustrator. Do you have any specific advice or
suggestions for those budding artists? We do hire young talent.
The best tip I can give is to be diligent. If an author or publisher
gives you a book to illustrate, be timely, keep in touch and be
responsible to meet your deadlines. It’s very important to us and
to our authors that we publish in a timely manner.
11.
What is a normal day like for you? Is this your side job or main job?
Gosh, I work from about the time I get up until I go to bed some
days. I am always answering email, helping format books,
corresponding with staff. It is a crazy life, but I love it.
12.
How do you manage balancing this with family and any other work you
may have? It is important to do, but sometimes I find I neglect
things other than work. Ray and I take a vacation at least once a
year. Last year we went to Hawaii and Israel. I just have to say,
“I’m not working” and let the authors and staff know that I am
going to be away. They are very respectful of my time and know I
will be in touch as soon as I can.
13.
What hobbies do you have? Besides writing? I would say travel.
My husband and I love to travel.
14.
If you could be anything in the world besides this, what would it be?
Besides this huh? Well, probably a teacher at a college…teaching
writing of course. Or, I would lead conferences and seminars. I
love being in front of people and teaching them.
15.
Do you feel that school helped set you up toward following this path
in the publishing industry? Yes, definitely. I majored in
English and took multiple electives. I had one teacher, Mrs. Lloyd
who really inspired me. She was a creative and inspirational lady
and I admired her greatly. I have five degrees, so I guess I was an
education junkie. I have an Associates in Business, a Bachelor’s
in Business, a Bachelor’s in Computer Software Technology, a
Master’s in Business and a Master’s in Health Care
Administration…and lots of Student Loans! LOL
16.
If you could go back to school is there anything you wish you had
paid more attention to? History. I love reading non-fiction and
I wish I had been more into history.
17.
What advice do you have for the next generation? Don’t doubt
yourself. You can do it!
18.
What advice do you have for your age peers that may also want to take
part in the publishing industry and specifically with your area
within it? Publishing is time-consuming. It can take over your
life, but the rewards are so worth it. Be kind to people and they
will love working with you.
19.
Is there anything else that you’d like to add that we didn’t
discuss?
I
would just like to say thank you to all of our authors and staff.
You have made us what we are today. I am so very blessed to have all
of you in my life. I can’t thank you enough.
=Flash Fiction Only Pods=
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/teresa-garcia-34
=Financial assistance for the projects=
Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/Amehana
Ko-fi: http://www.ko-fi.com/amehana
Paypal: http://paypal.me/thgstardragon
=Other places and ways to support=
Want to visit me, see some of my other works, or support me? Find me at:
THG StarDragon Publishing, Mythical Minstrelsy & Arashiryuu Productions Discord: https://discord.gg/hvswe2A
DeviantArt: http://amehanarainstardrago.deviantart.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Garcia/e/B009Q938VE
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TeresaGarcia
Storenvy: http://thgstardragon.storenvy.com/ Check now and then for new things, some I can't list just yet.
Publishing Website: http://www.thgstardragon.com
Publishing Blog: http://www.thgstardragonpublishingblog.com
Commissions Info: https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/journal/Commissioning-Information-566657935
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/Amehana
Livejournal: http://rainstardragon.livejournal.com
Dreamwidth: http://rainstardragon.dreamwidth.org
=Reviews, Readings, and Requests=
Want to send me something to read on here or to review? Have a particular request?
Need to send something the old-fashioned way? Maybe you've got a hard copy of a book you want reviewed, or a copy of some of your own work for me to look over? Perhaps you have some of your work you'd like me to record?
THG StarDragon Publishing
Attn: Teresa Garcia
PO Box 249
McCloud, CA 96057
USA
Email necessary? Send me a note at ladyrainstardragon@hotmail.com but bear in mind that I have been having problems with it eating things sometimes from even verified senders.
Today I share my interview of Rochelle Lazauskas, author of the children's books "Moey's Big Back Yard" and "Moey's Day At The Farm," which I illustrated for.
You can purchase these books on Amazon or direct from the publisher. If you're in McCloud for the annual Lumberjack Fiesta you can also drop by my book booth to buy a copy!
Filmed using the short Miikare cellphone/tablet stand for my tablet with answers and the tall telescoping Miikare cellphone/tablet stand to hold the phone.
=======
Pre Interview Questions:
a)
What name and gender are being used to refer to you? If they do not
match your birth name and gender are you open about it? You do not
have to disclose legal/birth name and gender, but if you want it
mentioned you write under an assumed identity or have more than one
identity you work under for this industry that can open up new lines
of discussion.
a)
Mrs. Rochelle Lazauskas
b)
Are you an author, poet, illustrator, editor, game writer, game
creator, publisher, or multiple? If you have multiple roles in the
publishing community then which ones are they? If you have multiple
roles feel free to answer each question with sections for each role.
b)
Author
c)
What books, games, or other publishing related projects have you been
involved in the production of?
c)
Moey's Big Back Yard & Moey's Day at the Farm
===
1.
What got you interested in (writing/illustrating/editing, etc)?
1)
I have always been interested in writing and story telling.
2.
What company or companies are you doing work for/with?
2)
I publish through PenIt! Publications
3.
What projects are you currently working on?
3)
I currently am writing my third in a series children's book
4.
Do you have any future projects in mind to take on?
4)
Working on my future project ( see # 3)
5.
What is your favorite project?
5)
Any project concerning my dog, Moe. So, both of my books.
6.
Is this career something that you always wanted to do?
I have always wanted to write a book,
and have been writing short stories for many years.
I have not published any of them,
though.
7.
Do you find it difficult, or find some aspects more difficult than
others?
7)
When the ideas come to me, I find it very easy to complete the
thought.
8.
What is a normal day like for you? Is this your side job or main job?
8)
Writing is sort of an extra curricular activity for me.
9.
How do you manage balancing this with family and any other work you
may have?
9)
I write in the quiet hours, when others are asleep or not at home.
10.
What hobbies do you have?
10)
I like to paint, draw, & make one of a kind jewelry. I love to
try any kind of craft project, and love to keep my hands busy.
11.
If you could be anything in the world besides this, what would it be?
11)
I would love to be in the medical field, helping others.
12.
Do you feel that school helped set you up toward following this path
in the publishing industry?
12)
Absolutely. In school I took creative writing classes & that's
been an enormous help.
13.
If you could go back to school is there anything you wish you had
paid more attention to?
13)
Yes, that'd be math. I've never been very good with math.
14.
What advice do you have for the next generation?
14)
It's never too late to do what you love. Never give up.
15.
What advice do you have for your age peers that may also want to take
part in the publishing industry and specifically with your area
within it?
15)
Don't let anyone stop you from writing, if you truly love to write.
It is never too late to reinvent yourself. Grandma Moses did it, I
did it, and so can you!
16.
Is there anything else that you’d like to add that we didn’t
discuss?
Other places and ways to support
Want to visit me, see some of my other works, or support me? Find me at:
THG StarDragon Publishing, Mythical Minstrelsy & Arashiryuu Productions Discord: https://discord.gg/hvswe2A
DeviantArt: http://amehanarainstardrago.deviantart.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Garcia/e/B009Q938VE
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TeresaGarcia
Storenvy: http://thgstardragon.storenvy.com/ Check now and then for new things, some I can't list just yet.
Publishing Website: http://www.thgstardragon.com
Publishing Blog: http://www.thgstardragonpublishingblog.com
Commissions Info: https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/journal/Commissioning-Information-566657935
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/Amehana
Livejournal: http://rainstardragon.livejournal.com
Dreamwidth: http://rainstardragon.dreamwidth.org
Kitties do so love to roam, but sometimes what they really want is a home. Minnie thought that she wanted to be wild and free until she spent time with a shy little girl. Learn how they both find out what love is in this sweet story published by our friend over at Pen It Publications.
Minnie's Choice AKA Minnie's Decision
By Patsy E. Stackhouse
Illustrated by Teresa Amehana Garcia
I was paid per illustration, so sales do not net me any royalties, and my Amazon Associates account did not sell enough for them to allow it to continue so purchasing via my Amazon link nets no finder's bounty.
I notice that the latest children's book I illustrated has been posted on that publisher's website as available. In this sweet story a family explores the world of ice cream in search of new flavors and even goes to Italy as part of their search. It was a fun one to color and one with gave me a good place to implement some color techniques I had been wanting an excuse to use. I will point out that I did not do the text layout on this cover piece.
In this short children's tale we meet the Starr Family. They love ice cream so much that they go on adventures to find new flavors. Each member has a different idea. This even includes a family vacation (and a little implied romance for mommy and daddy) to Italy.
"The Starr Family's Ice Cream Creation" by Barbara Kurtz and illustrations by Teresa Amehana Garcia.
If you click the link above to buy off of Amazon I get a very small bonus from Amazon. Such purchases help me out as I was paid a per illustration fee and so collect no royalties of of this particular work. If you'd like to tip me after you've read the book please feel free. There are a few ways you can do so.
Tips and Support
Patreon:
http://www.patreon.com/Amehana
Ko-fi:
http://www.ko-fi.com/amehana
Paypal: http://paypal.me/thgstardragon
Looking for where you can find my own books or art?
Mythical Minstrelsy
Within a week we should be seeing the print edition of Mythical Minstrelsy, volume 1 (the 2015-2016 volume) hitting Amazon. It will take a few days longer generally for the print edition to link to the ebook edition. Hopefully soon I will be able to have layout ready for volume 2 print and ebook as I try to catch up my own backlog (so many projects get prioritized over my own writings). I will post again once I see that it has become available.
Illustrations
In other news I am working on color for panels 11 through 15 of the Starr Family's Ice Cream Creation with PenIt! Publications. After the completion of that children's book project I will begin the art for the next Moey book, also with that publishing house.
Selkies' Skins
I champ at the bit to get back to the current volume of the series.
The Ian's Realm Saga Trilogy
Work is still ongoing with getting clean tracks for the audiobook version of D.L. Gardner's classic book. It has not been as quiet nor as calm a summer as I needed for the rerecording of the chapters.
Dragon Hearts RPG
There have been a few delays in getting to writing the second part of the current split questline. I need to check in the work tickets to see if the gamesite owner/coder has had a change to work on the code for the first part of this installment in Fetu's saga and if anything is ready for testing.
Do you remember the dog book I illustrated for? You can meet the author in this podcast. I am so ecstatic that the interviewer termed the art as "whimsical" as that is exactly what I was aiming for.
A new page has been created in the sidebar of the Publishing Blog for Cooperative publications with other publishers and external works participated in by those that have worked with me. It will gradually expand and eventually also be placed on the publishing main website. The works that will be listed generally are ones in which I or the one listed had been paid a lump sum or hourly fee unless otherwise noted. If you purchase after clicking through on the Amazon links I will receive a little bit of kickback via the Amazon Referral Program. This is turn helps to make it a little bit easier for me to work for lower wages.
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