Shiloh Walker’s new book, Through the Veil, is out on June 3rd. She’s here with us today to answer our questions. Make sure to leave a question in the comment section if there’s anything our interview didn’t cover!
Book Binge: Can you tell us a little bit about your first book sale?
Shiloh Walker: Oh, I’ve got two ‘first book’ sales. The first one was with my first publisher, the e publisher, Ellora’s Cave. I was at the point to where I was about to put writing on the back burner for a little bit-or at least the attempt to get published. Then I got a contract offer from Ellora’s Cave and it’s been a roller coaster ride ever since.
But the second offer through a whole new set of loops and turns into that ride. I got an IM from my friend Lora-she told you
You need to call Angela Knight. Now.
Me: Why?
Lora: Just CALL her.
Me: Why? (Getting excited but too nervous to get too hopeful)
Lora: Just CALL her. And then call me.
So I call Angela Knight.
Me: Lora told me I was supposed to call you.
Angela: Yeah. Hey, do you know your email is bouncing?
Me: Uh…no…(after swallowing my tongue)
Angela: Yeah. It is. So Cindy Hwang would like to talk with you. Can I give her office number?
Me: (after I recover from my heart attack) Yes. (in a very thread, squeaky, voice)
*G* Writers, stay on top of that email box. I’m telling you, it’s important.
BB: What is your writing process like? Do you outline or fly by the seat of your pants (so to speak)?
SW: A little bit of both. I never used to plot out, but a lot of stuff gets wasted that way. Lots of stop- and-start. Not very productive. So I at least try to plot out in advance while I write.
BB: What is the best thing about being a writer?
SW: *G* Shutting up the voices in my head. Being able to make a living from writing. It’s a dream come true. Of course, even if I never sold another book, I’d still write-I have to, it’s the only way to get silence. But doing what I love for a living is a priceless gift.
BB: How did you get your start in writing?
SW: Hard to respond. I read a book in school at some point and hated the way it ended, so I came up with my own ending. But I’ve always had stories in my head. First time I recall writing them down was in 6th grade.
BB: What’s your typical writing day like?
SW: After several hours of procrastinating, getting bratlets to school/sitter/etc, I usually go through what I’d written the previous day and then sit down… AWAY FROM MY PC and the INTERNET…and write on my laptop until it’s either time to pick up the kids or I need a brain break.
Nothing terribly organized. I lack organizational skills.
BB: You write for several different publishers. Is there a difference in writing for Elloras Cave and Samhain than for Berkley?
SW: Yes-definitely. With Berkley, I’m often pitching a book months, or even a year or more before I write it. With my epubs, I often don’t try to sell the book until it’s written. Very different. With my epubs, I don’t have the deadlines I have for Berkley. Deadlines-big difference there.
And word count. I tend to have stories in my head of all different sorts. Some take more pages to tell that story, some take less. Writing for the epubs gives me an outlet for the shorter stories, and there’s the financial benefit as well, writing for more than one place.
BB: What do you think is the best book you’ve written?
SW: Through the Veil or The Missing
BB: What was your favorite book to write?
SW: The Missing. Or maybe Through the Veil. Both of them have been in my head for years and I just now felt ‘ready’ to write them.
BB: Your new book, Through the Veil is out on June 3rd. Is this the beginning of a series?
SW: Possibly. Most likely. At least three characters have potential.
BB: Where did you get the idea for Through the Veil?
SW: From my husband. And he got the idea from a bruise. I wake up with bruises…a lot. No medical reason, I just bruise easy. There was this one on my leg, HUGE, and he gives me this look and shakes his head. People are going to think I beat you. Then he says, You need to write a book about a woman that wakes up bruised all the time and it’s because she’s getting sucked into another world in her dreams.
Viola. Inspiration.
BB: If there is a reader that has never read one of your books, which one would you recommend?
SW: Depends on what they like. Contemporary, probably Beautiful Girl. Erotic romance, His Every Desire. Paranormal, Through the Veil or The Missing.
BB: You write both paranormal and contemporary romances. Are there any other genres you want to get into?
SW: Eventually I want to try my hand at more fantasy or SF. Possibly outside the romance genre. Most of my stuff will almost always have a romantic aspect, I think, but when time, deadlines and other obligations allow, I’m going to try my hand at fantasy. I’ll always write romance, though. I love romance.
BB: What do you currently have in the works?
SW: Chains. It’s a single author erotic romance anthology for Berkley. After that, a Hunter book for Berkley. Beyond that…not sure.
BB: What advice would you give aspiring authors?
SW: Keep writing. A writer can’t stop with one book. Don’t ever give up.
BB: Who is your favorite romance author?
SW: Oh….hard question. Lynn Viehl in all her many personas, Lora Leigh, Shelby Reed, Nora Roberts, …I can’t list just one.
BB: What is your favorite romance novel to re-read?
SW: Stardoc by SL Viehl
BB: Pepsi or Coke?
SW: Diet coke.
BB: What’s your biggest weakness (shoes, books, chocolate, etc)?
SW: Chocolate, a glass of wine, a book & a bubble bath. Gimme those and I’m putty.
BB: Chocolate or Vanilla?
SW: Vanilla
BB: Coffee or Tea?
SW: Depends on my mood.
BB: Favorite movie?
SW: Oh, man… just one? Can’t do it. Bruce Almighty, LOTR trilogy, Brother Bear
BB: Favorite T.V. show?
SW: Law & Order. House.
BB: If you watch Dancing with the Stars, who should win this season?
SW: Eh, I don’t even know who’s on it. I’m burnt out on celeb this and celeb that and reality everything else.
BB: Favorite color?
SW: Blue
BB: Mexico or Hawaii?
SW: *G* Neither. Ireland.
BB: Fly or Drive?
SW: Depends on where I’m going.
BB: Beach or Mountains?
SW: Mountains
Again, thanks to Shiloh for being here with us today!
Don’t forget to leave a comment if you have any questions for Shiloh…
hello ms walker
i have not yet had the opportunity to read your books, but i see your comments every so often at dear author so according to the bizarro logic of cyberspace i feel like we’ve been introduced
i love the beautiful cover art of ‘through the veil’ and laughed at your inclusion of ‘brother bear’ as a top three fave movie (let me guess – you have a son aged between 5-8?). anyone who enjoys brother bear is clearly a discerning, marvellous person and so now i certainly have to go locate one of your books. preferably this one.
Hi Shiloh,
I too have been impressed with your blurbs and book covers.
I believe the first time I came across your name was through Paperback Writer’s summer workshop last year.
I love the premise of Through the Veil and can’t wait to read it.
Renee
I have to let you know Ms. Walker your book is already out in Kansas at the local Boarders *blushing* I bought it on Monday. And after I the move I plan to dig it out and start reading. (which means I will read it about the time Amazon would have sent it to me LOL)
anyone who enjoys brother bear is clearly a discerning, marvellous person and so now i certainly have to go locate one of your books. preferably this one.
Heh… okay, yes, I have a monster…uh…son. Romeo does like Brother Bear, but I think I like it more than the kids.
My husband and I vacationed in Alaska on our honeymoon and the cartoon actually captures the beauty of the land very well.
*G* And the beauty of Native Alaskans. My husband is part Eskimo so I’m partial.
I too have been impressed with your blurbs and book covers.
I believe the first time I came across your name was through Paperback Writer’s summer workshop last year.
I love the premise of Through the Veil and can’t wait to read it.
🙂 The book covers and blurb with my Berkley stuff is blind luck. 😉 I’ve been very, very lucky.
I have to let you know Ms. Walker your book is already out in Kansas at the local Boarders *blushing* I bought it on Monday.
I’m not surprised, Sarai. I’m not big enough to have a ‘hard’ street date. Still, I’m kind of hoping for good things with Veil. I hope you like it!
Beautiful Girl and His Every Desire are my favorite titles, and I can’t wait to read both the upcoming stories-The Missing and Through The Veil.
Thanks, Cathy!
Fun interview! I can’t believe this story. Email always conks out just when you need it most!
Rowena, if you pick up Beautiful Girl, I hope you like it.
I went to Ireland almost seven years ago and loved it. So desperate to go back.
We’re going to Alaska this year and that’s almost as good, though. 🙂
Ladies, thanks for letting me plaster my name and book all over your blog for a while. 🙂
I loved this story, and it’s so distinctive of Shiloh’s voice. I also love her Hunters, and she has some of the most amazing witches (real ones, not just nasty chicks) in her stories.
I’m curious: which stories are the toughest to write, paranormals or straight contemporaries?
I’m curious: which stories are the toughest to write, paranormals or straight contemporaries?
Neither.
I’ve kind of settled into a pattern. If I’m writing a contemp for Berkley, then I’ll do a paranormal or suspense or something for my epubs. Then I flip. Keeps my brain from getting too bogged down on one set thing.
Fantasy is actually the hardest to write, which is weird, because I’m a die-hard fantasy lover and I’ve always wanted to write more fantasy.
But it doesn’t come as easily.
Rowena…sigh…Alaska is so…unbelieavably beautiful. I think I’m actually going to swing a signing while I’m there and I’m psyched. Not every writer can say they’ve done a signing there. It’s like heaven on earth-at least in the summer. 😉
🙂 Don’t worry, I will.
I’m a picture FREAK (as long as I am BEHIND the camera). I even got a cool new camera and a zoom lens, and I’m debating on whether to get a wide-angle lens for the trip.
Yes, there will be pics….
😉
If I ever make it to Cali, I’ll try to remember. I’ve got a couple of individuals threatening to with hold treats if I don’t get to NYC or a little farther out west soon.
But I’ve got the best reason in the world…not an excuse…reason… *G*
I got bratlets. Young bratlets. They needs their mama so until they are a little older, it’s either work it into a family trip or stay fairly close to home. I’m working on it, though. Working….
🙂
Beautiful Girls it is…I’ll have to put that on my list of books to read soon.
Thanks for stopping by to hang out with us over here at Book Binge, Shiloh!
I’d rather go to Ireland too! 😉
Ooh Alaska! I used to watch Men In Trees and I remember wanting to visit there to see if all of the men look like Plow Guy…haha.
But I will definitely be reviewing BG just as soon as I finish it so no worries! =)
And it’s all good, we enjoy when cool authors come by and hang, good times. =)
Ooh, you’ll have to take pictures and post them on your page or something, I’d love to see Alaska in the summertime!
A signing out there? That would be fantastic, you let me know if you’re ever in L.A. I’d love to come meet you!