Sarah Sundin
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Since I’m heading to Texas for the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference (ACFW) in Dallas next week, it’s only appropriate to interview Texan Leann Harris. Leann is a prolific writer, with twenty-one published romance, suspense, and romantic suspense novels published.
Leann, how did you get into writing?
Leann Harris
I taught deaf high school students math and science until I had my first child. After the birth of my second child, I started to write. I had stories running around in my head and my husband brought home a TI personal computer and thus my writing career was born.
A Rancher for Their Mom by Leann Harris
How many books do you have published?
My last Indie book will make 21.
How did you get your first book contract?
An agent came to my local RWA (Romance Writers of America) chapter. I gave him my manuscript. He loved it and submitted it to Harlequin. At that time, there was no ACFW.
What has helped you promote your books the most?
Since I first published with Harlequin, the promotion was the line. I’ve done the literary signings at the RWA conferences. I did a Goodreads giveaways for my last Love Inspired book. Since I’ve published Indie books, I’ve just done face-to-face promotion, bookmarks, and I plan to develop a strategy. I’m looking for ideas.
Aren’t we all! What mistakes or wrong assumptions did you make with the marketing of your first book?
When my first Indie book came out, I had just finished chemotherapy and was starting radiation therapy, so I only did bookmarks.
Totally appropriate in the circumstances! Did you see God open any doors you never expected in the promotion of your books?
My books are miracles. I was in the middle of a multi-book contract when my cancer was found. At the end of chemo, I didn’t have words for the second book of my contract. While I struggled for words, God brought back a book I’d written earlier, so I edited it and put it out as an Indie. I had another book I’d finished set in WWII, and I used that as the second book of the series. I’m working on book 3 now. I also finished the books on the Harlequin contract. That series, Rodeo Heroes, dealt with professional rodeo cowboys.
That’s very impressive while going through chemo! Now that you have been writing a while, what do you find works best for you in promoting your work and why?
Well, I’m experimenting with different avenues. I feel like a newbie at this, looking for ideas.
What are your top tips for writers with their first book contract?
If it’s a multi-book contract, I’d check on how the payments of the books are structured. No joint accounting.
Thank you for sharing with us, Leann!
To learn more about Leann and her books, please visit Leann’s website and Leann’s blog.
Writing for Him,
Sarah Sundin
