Author Interview & Giveaway: Sarah Lampkin
It's time for the first Writing Desk Blog interview of 2019!
Today, I am joined by debut author Sarah Lampkin, whose novel To Dream is to Die is now available through The Parliament House Press.
In addition to the interview, Sarah was kind enough to partner with me to give away a digital copy of To Dream is to Die! You will find details for how to enter the giveaway at the end of the interview!
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Writing
Desk Blog:
Hi Sarah, thank you for joining me for an interview here on the Writing Desk
Blog! Congratulations on the publication of your debut novel, To Dream is to
Die, the first novel in The Dead Dreamer series. For those who are unfamiliar
with your novel, if you could describe To Dream is to Die in one sentence, what
would it be?
Sarah
Lampkin:
A New Adult paranormal novel that will have you wondering what truly happens
after death and what it would mean to come back.
***
WDB: You are currently
working with an Indie publisher, The Parliament House Press. In your opinion,
what makes an Indie publisher different from a “traditional” publisher?
SL: Working with an
Indie publisher allows you to keep your creative integrity a bit more than with
your average "traditional" publisher. Usually, larger publishing
houses would read your manuscript before asking you to make some sort of change
to make it more marketable. But with an Indie publisher, you have a bit more
freedom when it comes to the story you're telling. There are pros and cons to
both, of course, but keeping the story as you've created it is a huge bonus.
***
WDB:
Has
your experience as an author been primarily with traditional/Indie publishing,
self-publishing, or a mixture of both? If the answer is both, is there one
avenue of publishing you prefer over the other?
SL: Over the past 10
years, I had been focused on self-publishing. During that time, I had been
submitting my manuscripts to multiple agents and publishers. I have hundreds of
rejection letters hidden away somewhere, I'm sure. But when Parliament picked
up To Dream is to Die, it was my first experience working with an Indie
publishing house. Personally, I do prefer this to self-publishing. By using an
Indie publishing house, it gave me resources I didn't have access to in the
past. They've been extremely helpful.
***
WDB:
I’ve
also heard you will be attending your first conference this year as a published
author, BookCon in New York City. What are you looking forward to the most
about this conference?
SL: I am! It will be
my first conference ever and I am so excited to meet so many other writers and
industry titans (or at least see them from afar)! Although I hope to spread the
word about To Dream is to Die, I will be working to meet as many people as
possible. Whether they be readers, writers, or publishing professionals. From
what I've seen on Twitter (yes, Twitter), the writing community contains some
of the most amazing people.
***
WDB:
Plotter
or pantser? Along with that, do you already know how many books you’ll write
for The Dead Dreamer series, or are you playing a bit by ear?
SL: Pantser, 100%.
Okay, maybe 95%. When I begin writing, I'll start seeing scenes play out in my
head, and from there it's basically me watching a movie in my head and writing down what happens. Even I'm
surprised with what my characters do sometimes. It keeps things interesting.
But after a while, I'll eventually start plotting things out so it will all
stay connected and make sense.
Yes! There will be 4 books in the series.
Each book will focus on a different year in Brenna's experience at Nephesburg
College. So, To Dream is to Die will be focusing on her freshman year.
***
WDB:
What
is your favorite method for connecting with readers and other writers? Social
media, conferences, meet-ups, or a combination?
SL: Right now, it's
via social media. I stay active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay
connected with other writers, and readers. I'll let you know if I change my
mind and prefer conferences!
***
WDB:
These
next questions are ones I like to ask in each Writing Desk Blog interview, it’s
so interesting to see the range of responses I get!
Where do you typically work from? (Home,
office, coffee shop, etc.) Is there any place you find you're more productive
than others?
SL: You can mainly
find me writing in my home. I'll move wherever I'm comfortable with that day. I
tend to suffer from chronic back pain, so it changes constantly. Some days I'll
be in my office, others I'll be at my kitchen table. I usually won't go out
into public to write, mainly because I want to stay in my sweat pants.
***
WDB:
If
you are able to tell us, what’s next for you? Will we be seeing another
installment in The Dead Dreamer series or something different?
SL: I am actually
already working on the next installment to the Dead Dreamer series! There are
also a couple side projects I'm working on, as well. The next installment of
the Dead Dreamer series will be released October 2019!
***
WDB:
Best
piece(s) of writing advice?
SL: Keep at it. There
will be those who don't like what you've written and there will be those who
love it. All that really matters is whether or not you love it. What you write
is a part of you. Its your soul on paper. If you don't put it out there, no one
will.
***
WDB:
Something
about you that people may be surprised to know?
SL: Probably not that
surprising for those who follow me, but I am a complete gym rat. I'll wake up
at 3:45 every morning during the week to get a two hour work-out in before
going to work. It helps with my chronic pain, and also my mental sanity.
Open Internationally:
*****
TO DREAM IS TO DIE Giveaway Information:
There are multiple options available for entering this giveaway:
Instagram:
There are multiple options available for entering this giveaway:
Instagram:
- FOLLOW both me (@ccwriter_) AND Sarah (@slampkin.author)
- LIKE the corresponding Giveaway post.
- For a BONUS entry, COMMENT on the post and tell us your favorite paranormal novel/writer.
- FOLLOW both me (@CCwriter_) AND Sarah (@Lampkin_S)
- LIKE the corresponding Giveawy post.
- For a BONUS entry, COMMENT on the post and tell us your favorite paranormal novel/writer.
- COMMENT on the post and tell us your favorite paranormal novel/writer.
- For a BONUS entry, SUBSCRIBE to The Writing Desk Blog updates (by email).
Open Internationally:
- Prize for both US and non-US residents - (1) Digital copy of To Dream is to Die.
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