Self-published to the Majors
A 2008 SCBC Literary Feature

A Q&A Session with Author Eric Pete

What is the one challenge you’ve faced since beginning your writing career? To build upon the level of readers with each book and to sustain the excitement and twists between the pages.

Was there ever a point where you thought writing would not work for you? Those questions/concerns pop up from time to time. The publishing industry can have some unsavory similarities to the music industry these days, but I'd continue telling my stories in some way or another.

What is the single most thing or event that pushed you into the literary world? My wife's faith in me and circumstances with my day job coming together at the right time prompted me to finally do it. .

Do you feel writing is for those trained to write or for anyone who has a story to tell? Moreso for anyone who has a story to tell. That said, they still have to know how to convey that story on the pages in a way that's interesting to the reader. It's a gift, but can be honed with training and experience.

Why publish you first book(s) on your own? Because I didn't get an offer from the various publishers I'd solicited. From researching the business, I'd already anticipated having to do it myself.

Could you image your life without writing today? It's hard to imagine. Writing has opened so many doors for me. It's offered an outlet for my imagination as well as a refinement of the way I look at my surroundings, movies, music, etc.

What is your process for creating a novel? Overall vibe/theme (which can come from a variety of sources/experiences), basic story, characters that inhabit this world and their relationships to each other. I begin by scribbling and brainstorming on notebooks or post-it notes then let everything evolve. I'm not one for knowing the entire story ahead of time, simply high points and pivotal moments. Most of my writing is done directly on the computer.

Do real life events help mold the scene and your characters for your novels? Yes. Although my writing's fiction (for the most part), my experiences and real life events can't help but mold some of my thinking. I try to root my characters in reality in terms of their backgrounds and the world in which they live. The lines blur in that I use real locales oftentimes.

Realistically, which is harder, becoming self-published or mainstream? Hard question to answer. It depends on: who you are (Established celebrities or those with a built-in audience have an easier time entering the market.), what you write (If your particular genre is the new "it" thing), and at what period in time you chose to enter the literary arena (Timing is everything.). Self-publishing used to be more difficult, but technology has allowed advances in Print On Demand, etc. Mainstream can be harder to enter, but once you break through, it can be less strenuous on the wallet.

Do you think an author finds value in there work if they are immediately mainstreamed vs. being self-published? Probably depends on the individual. Self-publishing does teach you lots of valuable lessons from a business standpoint though.

Who would be one of your favorite self-published authors, past or present? Karen E. Quinones Miller.

Being that you were once self-published, do you feel you should help other up and coming authors learn to self-publish? Yes. Although the process has changed slightly and the market has exploded, I'm always willing to share my experiences.

Which self-published author has caught your eye recently? Jacqueline R. Scott, author of Holding Grudges.

Which mainstream author has caught your attention? Lolita Files.

Do you receive more or less feedback from readers now that you are mainstream? About the same.

What is the one most surprising thing you have learned in creating novels? How insane I really am.

How many more years do you feel you will continue writing? It's hard to say. As long as the stories continue coming to me.

The SCBC thanks Eric for her participation in this featured project.

Contact Eric via his website at www.ericpete.com and www.myspace.com/authorericpete
or email heyeric@att.net.

Author Interviews