Hi, and welcome to the Rave Reviews Book Club’s BACK-TO-SCHOOL BOOK & BLOG BLOCK PARTY at Stevie Turner’s WordPress blog. Location: Suffolk, England.
Here’s what I’m giving away today:
- Two coupons to download Smashwords e-copies of my Suspense/Thriller novel ‘A House Without Windows’ to readers internationally or in the UK.
- One autographed paperback copy of ‘The Daughter-in-law Syndrome’ to be shipped to UK readers only.
- Two promotional codes to download ‘The Daughter-in-law Syndrome’ audio book free from Audible.com or Audible. co.uk (I have codes for both).
Number of winners for this stop =5
For those who aren’t familiar with my books, I’m leaving my Amazon author page links below for anybody who would like to check out my work:
So that you’re not subjected to a whole diatribe about me (yawn), I’m going to blog today about a new friend of mine whom I met on ACX.com when I advertised for a narrator for two of my books, A House Without Windows and The Daughter-in-law Syndrome. Wendy Anne Darling, who has a voice similar to honeyed treacle, took up the challenge, and I am pleased to say that The Daughter-in-law Syndrome audiobook is now complete and available for purchase, and A House Without Windows is also complete and is now with ACX for final review.
http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/The-Daughter-in-Law-Syndrome-Audiobook/B01430IX3I/
http://www.amazon.com/The-Daughter-in-Law-Syndrome/dp/B01477I67K/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Daughter-in-Law-Syndrome/dp/B01430KSFE/
I asked Wendy if she would be interested in being interviewed for this blog, and she kindly agreed. Below the photo of Wendy are the 20 questions I asked her, with her answers.
- Why did you move from England to South Africa and then to the US?
My dad was in the British Navy for 15 years, and when he got out, he just couldn’t seem to settle to a normal job. He kept hankering to travel! My parents attempted to move to Canada and Persia before finding a job advertised with South African Airways – my dad was, and still is, an aviation technician – and, when he got that, we upped sticks and moved to Kempton Park; then in the Transvaal, now it’s called Gauteng. I was 12 at the time. I’m still in contact with my best friend from those days who lives in Johannesburg. We moved home to England and stayed with my grandmother in Neasden for a while when my grandfather fell ill and then I met Mike and got married and had my 2 daughters. Being a ‘world traveler’ already, when Mike was ‘headhunted’ by a company in Southern California I was all for it, and we moved to the US in 1988.
- Which of those 3 countries do you feel most at home in?
I’m at home more in the US now than anywhere else, I suppose, but my parents definitely instilled the wanderlust bug in me! If I could, I’d probably move around for the rest of my days! I’d love to spend a couple of years in several different counties, but there’s just something about Colorado that I don’t think I could ever get out of my system. I think it’s those mountains!
- Can you speak Afrikaans?
I was in high school most of the time that I was in South Africa, and being bilingual was part of the curriculum. I did become pretty good with Afrikaans, but it’s been so long since I used it that I’ve forgotten most of it. It’s very similar to Dutch. I’d probably pick it up again really quickly though, if I ever went back there.
- Give us a little insight into your book ‘Silver Lightning’. Are you working on a new book now?
I dreamed virtually the whole of ‘Silver Lightning’ several years ago, so when I finally made the decision to concentrate my efforts on writing it seemed the natural thing to do to begin with that. It’s a book that appeals mainly to 12+ boys. A boy called Alex has a dream about a magic motorbike that seems so real that he believes it will come true. The spirit of the bike is an ancient wizard who originally changed his form to help people. The wizard has had several helpers over the years, but Alex is special. One of his ancestors was the wizard’s first, and most trusted, helper.
I am writing a sequel to ‘Silver Lightning’ but I have learned so much since I started writing that I’m considering rewriting the first one as well. Having grown up with Enid Blyton, I think the first book needs a style update to make it more interesting to kids now and I also want to write more about the girls in it as well, to make it more appealing for both sexes.
The other project I am working on is an adult fantasy with dragons. It is a book my mum was working on before her death. She left about 27,000 words already written and a very good synopsis and my sister and I plan to expand the story and publish it in memory of our mum.
- Do you have a main day job?
Life has thrown me a few curveballs over the last 10 years and I ended up moving into my daughter and son-in-laws basement, suffering from PTSD and absolutely broke and broken. My wonderful son-in-law sat me down one day when I was panicking about getting a job and told me that I had a home as long as I needed one and maybe it was time that I concentrated on what I really wanted to do when I grew up! I knew immediately what that was… writing.
As I settled down to writing ‘Silver Lightning’ I knew that it could take some considerable time to make any money as an author so I started looking into other things. I have always loved to read aloud and have had many people tell me that I should use my voice to make money, so I researched and found Amazon’s ACX division for audio books. After only a few auditions I got my first offer to produce an audio book and, as I am getting better at the process and becoming known I am getting more offers than I can handle – a lovely challenge to have! As I don’t have a traditional 9-to-5 job I can concentrate on recording, editing, and my writing, and right now I’m working 10 to 12 hours a day, seven days a week doing that and loving it!
- Which do you favour the most; writing, illustrating, or narrating?
As I get known and can pick and choose from the better projects I will be able to make more on the projects I choose to take on and cut down a little on the actual amount of narration I do. I was thrilled to receive offers from Stevie Turner and another couple of authors recently whose books and writing styles are marvellous.
My first love in life was illustration and I have a degree in Visual Communications – basically, computer graphics and have worked in the field for several years. I enjoyed doing that and will probably always do my own artwork but I have definitely grown to love writing the most so I’d say a mix of 50% writing and 25% each of narration and graphics would be my dream!
- Have you ever acted in any TV programmes?
I’ve only made it to TV once on a local programme when I was Mistress Page in ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ for a local Taste of Shakespeare production. I have been in several plays over my lifetime and am considering reader’s theatre right now as I must find a way to branch out of my reclusiveness and meet some people! My youngest daughter lives in Southern California and has been on many popular shows but has yet to get a speaking part and is now looking for work behind the camera.
- How many audio books have you narrated?
I think there are 8 out on sale now, with a further 2 in the QC phase with ACX and another 5 waiting, so by Christmas I will probably have 14 or 15.
- What is your favourite pastime?
Reading!
10. What is the one possession of yours that you would hate to lose?
I lost my own home to foreclosure and bankruptcy 6 years ago, so I don’t have to imagine this one. I love being with my family but my goal is to have my own place again in the not-too-distant future! Of the possessions I have left, I’d find it very hard to live without my computer and decent internet. J
- You have a degree in visual communications. I would like to learn more. Is this an academic / I.T course, or is it a practical one (for example sign language for the deaf)?
As I mentioned above, Visual Communications is really another way of saying computer graphics except that the degree covers audio visual, 3D graphics, art history, marketing, and a plethora of other fun stuff as well. If you’ve seen ‘Silver Lightning’ you’ll probably realize that my focus is actually hand illustration but I grew to love Photoshop and Illustrator as well.
Now though, I wish I’d taken more video and web design classes as well.
- What’s number one on your bucket list?
Become totally independent by writing best sellers and narrating brilliant books, followed closely by travelling the world.
- Where will you be spending your holidays this year?
There’s nowhere quite like Colorado at Christmas. Especially when we get a ton of snow, which happens quite often!
- How would you advise a young person about life in two words?
START NOW!
- Do you wish you could go back to your childhood and live your life all over again?
No. But I do wish I could go back in time and concentrate on writing a lot earlier. I was a housewife looking after kids for so long that, if I’d started then, I would be a lot further along now. Hence, the 2 words above!
- Have you ever had a paranormal experience?
I do actually believe I saw a ghost once. I grew up in Fareham, Hampshire in a caravan site located right next to Cams Hall; a huge mansion that was falling apart at that time. One night I woke up and saw a lady dressed in grey carrying a candle walk through the end of my bed and through the wall. Apparently it wasn’t the first time she’d been seen!
- Are you a perfectionist, or have you a more laissez-faire attitude?
I think I’m actually a perfectionist but I tend to mask it well with procrastination! I’m afraid to start something if I think I can’t do a good job. Being my own boss now is curing me of that though as I’m doing what I really want to do. My business is called ‘The Voices in Your Head’ and those voices now insist that I don’t second-guess myself and do the best that I can do with the time I have.
- You have just narrated ‘The Daughter-in-law Syndrome’. Do you think that speaking generally, mature men go to great lengths not to argue with their mothers?
Ummm… ARE there really any mature men? I think, all joking aside, that guys tend to be their mother’s sons all their lives. In my own experience, I’ve never seen a guy argue with his mother, but I never had a brother and had 2 girls myself, so guys have always been a bit of a mystery to me.
- Do you prefer to be inside writing, illustrating and narrating, or outside walking and looking at the view of the Rocky Mountains?
I’ve become a bit reclusive; my mum was agoraphobic and I’m afraid I’ve followed in her footsteps as far as that goes so I stay inside more than I should. When I DO go out, I love the scenery here and I must make a pledge to myself to walk more, but it’s tough going alone.
- Which one thing would you take with you to a desert island?
I’m not going to any desert island unless they have wi-fi and I can take my laptop! If I can’t have that, there’d better be boxes of books washing up on the shore!
Thanks very much Wendy for your most interesting answers. I look forward to also producing The Pilates Class, and A Rather Unusual Romance audiobooks with you!
That’s all for me on this stop. I’ll see you at the next blog on the awesome Rave Reviews Book Club’s Back to School Book and Blog Block Party!! Click on the link below for the whole tour:
UPDATE ON WINNERS OF MY BLOG STOP:
MY FIVE WINNERS WERE(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER):
1. MICHELLE ABBOTT (E-BOOK COPY OF ‘A HOUSE WITHOUT WINDOWS’)
2. RHANI D’CHAE (AUDIO BOOK OF ‘THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW SYNDROME’)
3. HARMONY KENT (PAPERBACK COPY OF ‘THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW SYNDROME’)
4. LINDA MIMS (E-BOOK COPY OF ‘A HOUSE WITHOUT WINDOWS’)
5. MOHANALAKSHMI RAJAKUMAR (AUDIO BOOK OF ‘THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW SYNDROME’)
PHS said:
Sorry I missed visiting yesterday but the holiday weekend was rather busy. I hope you had a good day hosting the block party, Stevie!
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Stevie Turner said:
As you can see, there’s nearly 90 comments! I’m very pleased!
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PHS said:
Awesome!
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Larry Hyatt said:
Hey there Stevie. I enjoyed that.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Larry!
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Natalie Ducey said:
Hi Stevie! Really enjoyed learning a little more about you and your work! It’s so lovely to be introduced to Wendy as well. Kindest wishes across the miles! 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Natalie!
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Michael Lynes said:
Hi Stevie,
Thanks for hosting the latest iteration of the RRBC Back to School Blog/Block Party – these month-long parties are just a blast, (Feel like I am back in school myself at a never-ending college bash! 🙂
Thanks for sharing the very insightful and interesting interview with us all, your friend Wendy Anne Darling, she sounds like a person whom we would all like to become acquainted with, fascinating!
Lastly – I read, enjoyed and reviewed “For the Sake of a Child” – very good work that – and a serious and important subject. Good show!
MikeL
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Mike, and thanks also for your review.
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hotcha1 said:
HI STEVIE! THIS IS MY SECOND FAVORITE GENRE! HOPE YOU GET WAY DOWN HERE!
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Stevie Turner said:
Here I am. If you don’t win, leave your email address on my website and I can send you a promotional code.
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Christa Nardi said:
Stevie, this was a great interview! Good luck with your books and audiobooks!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks!
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Maurice Miller said:
Nice job Stevie. Thanks for making us all aware of Wendy, who has quite a fascinating background and lots of talent to go with it. Hope I win the giveaway and get to experience that talent first hand with the audio book!!
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Stevie Turner said:
Hi Maurice. If you don’t win, then leave your email address on my website and I can send you a promotional code.
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Marc Estes said:
Great post and interview. It was filled with insights
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Marc.
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Bette A. Stevens said:
Enjoyed the post, Stevie. Now following your blog and shared your post on Twitter. 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Bette!
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Rhani D'Chae said:
Hi Stevie. What a fun and unique post! I am always in the market for a good audiobook so I will beputting yours on my To Be Heard list. 😃
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Stevie Turner said:
Great! Promotional codes for the audio book can be obtained by contacting me on my website and leaving your email address.
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Stevie Turner said:
Hi Rhani, you’ve won a promotional code for ‘The Daughter-in-law Syndrome’ audiobook! Please contact me on my website with your email address and I will send you a code. http://www.stevie-turner-author.co.uk/
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beemweeks said:
Hi, Stevie! I have been a huge fan of your writing for a while now. And your interviews are among the best in cyberspace! Fantastic way to combine the two! I want to send best wishes to you and to Wendy on this day of your blog stop!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Beem. Hope your day goes well today.
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Gwen Plano said:
This was an amazing blog, Stevie. I loved reading your interview of Wendy. The concept, the script, the actual story….AMAZING. Thank you for the journey…..
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for your comment Gwen, and also thanks for the review of AHWW which you did recently.
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Joye said:
I am always looking for new authors to read. You write the kinds of books I enjoy reading.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you. There’s a new short story on pre-order today – ‘The Noise Effect’, which will be published in November.
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Stevie Turner said:
I’ve had great support for my RRBC party today. Thanks everyone! Am signing off now and will moderate any further comments tomorrow.
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kimwrtr said:
Nice interview with Wendy, Stevie! I could tell you knew Wendy well by the questions asked. I just finished “For the Sake of a Child” a few minutes ago and have “A Room Without Windows” in my TBR list.
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Stevie Turner said:
Wow! Thanks for your tremendous support!
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kimwrtr said:
You’re welcome & oops, I meant “A House Without Windows.”
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Mohana Rajakumar (@moha_doha) said:
I review audio books for a magazine – totally impressed by how many titles you’ve recorded/are going to record!
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Stevie Turner said:
Hi Mohana, thanks for your comment. If you don’t win one of the official prizes but would still like a promotional code to review ‘The Daughter-in-law Syndrome’ audio book for your magazine, please do get in touch.
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apboustead said:
Books sound interesting grate how you have promoted someone instead of yourself
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for your comment. I figured it’s better that way!
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Shirley Harris-Slaughter said:
Stevie and Wendy, This is an interesting twist to regular blogging. And a narrator too. It was the “voices in my head” that got me to write my first book. I talk about that extensively. Very good post Stevie & Wendy.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Shirley. There’s been enough said about me. I thought it was time to focus on somebody else!
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John W. Howell said:
Very interesting interview Stevie. This was a very creative way of introducing an audio book and getting more information about Wendy who seems very talented.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks John. I wanted something different for my day, and it seems to have worked!
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John W. Howell said:
I would say so.
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Ernestine Rose said:
Great interview! It opens up new avenues to work in the publishing industry! And what a wonderful story! Have a great tour!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Ernestine for your comment!
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Bruce A. Borders said:
What an interesting interview! Thanks for “sharing” Wendy with us!
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Stevie Turner said:
Glad you liked it, Bruce!
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Rebecca Reilly (@RebeccaReillyL) said:
Stevie–I loved that you interviewed another for your party! It was great to spend time with both of you! I just finished my first recording of one of my books. I enjoyed the voice acting, but the detail work was tedious! have a blessed day!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Rebecca. Good luck with your audio book.
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Brian O'Hare said:
Great interview, Stevie. Wendy sounds as nice as she looks.. House Without Windows was great to read. Wonder what it sounds like with a narrator, especially one with a voice like honeyed treacle.
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Stevie Turner said:
Hi Brian, thanks for commenting. I’ll be getting some more promotional codes when AHWW comes out. Just message me if you want one and then you can find out!
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Yvette M Calleiro said:
I love your selflessness and support of other indie authors. I’ve always wanted to put my books on audio and eventually will get around to it. Thank you for sharing with us another dynamic and interesting author.
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Stevie Turner said:
Hi Yvette, thanks for commenting!
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johnfioravanti said:
This was one of the finest interviews I’ve read in a long while! Your honesty is so appealing. I hope your success continues in all three fields of endeavour. Just a great post to share with everyone in the Block Party today, Stevie!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks John for your comment.
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Jonna Hawker Turek said:
I like everything about your blog, Stevie, and the interview with Wendy held my interest to the end. Thanks for showing us how it should be done.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Jonna for your comment.
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coldhandboyack said:
What an interesting post! This is something we rarely get to learn about. Thanks for sharing it today. Wendy’s own story is kind of uplifting too.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for your comment. Yes, Wendy is making the most of her life as best she can. It’s all we can do isn’t it?
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coldhandboyack said:
Very true, but some crawl inside a shell and stay there. It takes guts to get back to life.
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Linda Mims said:
Stevie, I applaud your grace. You epitomize what I’ve learned RRBC to stand for—to promote and uplift others! Wendy’s interview was immensely interesting. She sounds like a character from a book that I’d love to read. Great Job!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for your comment Linda.
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Stevie Turner said:
Hi Linda, you’ve won a code to download ‘A House Without Windows’ from Smashwords. Please leave your email address on my website and I will send you the code. http://www.stevie-turner-author.co.uk/
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Traci Sanders said:
This was a very creative way to ‘pay it forward’ to your narrator. Wendy has lived quite an adventurous life and has suffered some heartache. It’s wonderful that she’s able to now do something that makes her happy. I still look forward to reading, ‘A House with No Windows’ by you, Stevie. Enjoy your blog celebration day!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for your comment Traci. I hope you enjoy ‘A House Without Windows’!
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Tara Fairfield said:
Great interview! It sounds like you have turned a challenging situation into an amazing opportunity. I am curious about what it costs to crate an audio version of a book and am going to look into it. Appreciate hearing your story!
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Stevie Turner said:
Hi Tara, if you use the shared royalty scheme it doesn’t cost anything to create an audio book. However, if you require more than one narrator, then you have to pay their fees. ACX allows for one author and one narrator to share royalties for no outgoing costs.
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jinlobify said:
“A house without Windows” was one of my favorite reads. 🙂 So I know your book. and if all of them are like this one, then you know how to weave the web, like the spider’s web. It is a no mean craft, and you excelled in it. 🙂 Have a lovely party, and have fun.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you for such a lovely comment!
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PeterW said:
Great post and interview. I agree with Wendy about winter in Colorado, lived there for 5 years. Those mountains.
Hope your Audible works out well for you, Stevie. 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Peter. Colorado does sound a lovely place. I live in a very flat land with not a mountain in sight!
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Jan Hawke said:
Great post and interview, Stevie! 😀 I’ve been skirting around ACX for a while now, having read a glowing report of the experience from another of my writer mates. Now, with your account of meeting and working with Wendy after getting to know each other, I’m going to HAVE to take that plunge I think.
The voice is so important in a book, so a narrator has to be a good ‘fit’ – I’m glad that you found Wendy and it all worked out so well. I know you’ll have a ball today with all your visitors! 😉
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Jan. Good luck with your audio books!
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Joan Woods said:
Great interview. Haven’t read your books yet. Would love to win one. Thanks for the chance.
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Stevie Turner said:
If you don’t win one of the 5 official prizes given out by the Rave Reviews Book Club, then message me on my website http://www.stevie-turner-author.co.uk with your email address and I can send you a audio book code for either Audible.co.uk or Audible.com
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koshkalady said:
Great interview enjoyed it …thanks for the chance….
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Stevie Turner said:
Glad you liked it!
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Michelle Abbott said:
Stevie, I loved your interview with Wendy. It says a lot about you that you chose to feature another artist. I wish you both al the best!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Michelle!
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Stevie Turner said:
Hi Michelle, you’ve won a coupon to download an e-book copy of ‘A House Without Windows’ from Smashwords. Please contact me on my website with your email address, and I will send you the code. http://www.stevie-turner-author.co.uk/
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harmonykentonline said:
This is a great post, Stevie. I love your interview with Wendy, and I wish both you fabulous ladies all the very best for your futures 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Harmony, and my best wishes go to you too.
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lizziechantree said:
What a fabulous post Stevie. It is great find out about Wendy and how she has overcome so much, but is still following her dreams.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Lizzie. I figured Wendy is much more interesting to read about than me!
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CassidySalem said:
Interesting post, sounds like you have made a cool and multi-talented friend.
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes, I think I have! Thanks Cassidy.
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S M Spencer said:
Love the ghost encounter … Oooooooo 😱😱😱😱 thanks for the interesting interview
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Stevie Turner said:
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
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Gordon Bickerstaff (@ADPase) said:
Lovely to read about Wendy – she must have a great voice for narration. I’ve got ‘A House Without Windows’ on my TBR list – looking forward to it. Have a great day and many visitors.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Gordon, and I hope you enjoy ‘A House Without Windows’!
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Lisa Kirazian said:
How fantastic to use your blog today to support and feature another artist! Says a lot about you. (I also appreciate it having worked in audiobooks for many years!)
Wishing you (both!) all the best on this blog party day!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Lisa. I think the world has heard enough about me…..!
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reviewsbynonnie said:
I loved this interview! Wendy, in a world where we have so many pretentious people, pretending to have this, and have that, boasting of these great lives only to make others feel less than, I applaud you in your honesty about your life situations. You are a hero in my eyes! I simply love it!!!
#HonestyAlwaysTheBestPolicy
#Nobody’sLifeIsPerfect
Stevie, I loved it!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Nonnie. I spent all day yesterday with a good many pretentious writers, each trying to outdo the other in their sales rankings. You’re so right. I’m going to do a blog about my weekend later this week.
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