PG Forte, author of the erotic romance, WAITING FOR THE BIG ONE, is here with us today at AUTHOR TALKS!Dubbed an ‘author to watch’ by Euro-reviews, her critically acclaimed Oberon series was also named ‘personal favorite reads of 2005’ by reviewer Carrie White (of Book Worm Critics and Sexography). Although her writing runs the gamut from dark-edged paranormal romantic-suspense to won’t-take-itself-at-all-seriously romantic-comedy , there’s one thing you can be sure of: It might not hit you right away but, sooner or later, there will be heat. 'Cause PG...it’s a name, not a rating!
You can visit her website at http://www.pgforte.com/ or her blog at http://www.rhymeswithforeplay.blogspot.com/!
Welcome to Author Talks, PG! Can you give us a little bit about your background?
I kind of think of myself as a California author--up until now, anyway. I've lived there (primarily) for over twenty years now and all my published books to date have been set here. However, some of my current works in progress are set elsewhere and that's something new and different for me. It's exciting.
How long have you been writing?
Forever, really. But seriously, on a more or less full time basis, writing books...about seven years.
Has it been a bumpy ride to becoming a published author or has it been pretty well smooth sailing? Would you like to tell us how you became published for the first time?
It was pretty easy to get e-pubbed. Of course, I have to credit my very well connected critique partner for pointing me in the right direction. As I recall it, we attended a convention together and she kept throwing me at publishers until one stuck!
In terms of print publishers...I've been hampered by the fact that my first series of books was very long and didn't fit neatly into a single category. But I have high hopes that some of my newer books will find homes with print publishers in the not too distant future.
Personally, I'd be happy to stay e-pubbed forever, but from a business standpoint, being in print currently has more legitimacy. Unfortunately.
Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind sharing who he/is is? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even feel it’s necessary to have one?
I never really found an agent with whom I could see eye to eye. I'd like to, but...hasn't happened yet.
I think it's very necessary for a lot of print publishers--especially the really big publishing houses where everyone wants to be--not so much for others and not at all for e-publishers.
Can you please tell us about your book and why you wrote it?
Waiting for the Big One was originally written for a zodiac themed contest. That's part of the reason for the Astrology theme of the book, something that's confused some reviewers since the story wasn't released as part of the series for which it was written. I wrote it at my critique partner's insistence. Yes, the same CP--I sometimes suspect the woman doubles as my muse.
It was the most fun of any book I've written. It's a very sexy, light hearted, humorous, story. The main character, Gabby, has been waiting for her soul mate to arrive. Little does she know, he already has--but he's been waiting for her to realize it! It's going to take a little competition, an earthquake, a lot of astrological musings, some good food and a fantasy menage before these two sort things out.
Do you plan subsequent books?
Absolutely. Actually the second book in this series, Love, From A to Z was just released (also from Liquid Silver Books) and I've finished the third book in the series, Let Me Count the Ways, as well. I'm very excited about them all--I hope readers will enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Are you a morning writer or a night writer?
Mostly a night writer. I've always been a night owl. Lately though, I've noticed I'm doing more writing during the day.
Any final words of wisdom for those of us who would like to be published?
Don't give up and don't limit your options. There are a lot of different markets out there and each book needs to find its own audience. Write from the heart. If you write the book that you'd want to read, at least someone will be happy with it--you. And the odds are very good that you'll write something that others will love as well. And always remember that the only person you're in competition with is yourself.
I kind of think of myself as a California author--up until now, anyway. I've lived there (primarily) for over twenty years now and all my published books to date have been set here. However, some of my current works in progress are set elsewhere and that's something new and different for me. It's exciting.
How long have you been writing?
Forever, really. But seriously, on a more or less full time basis, writing books...about seven years.
Has it been a bumpy ride to becoming a published author or has it been pretty well smooth sailing? Would you like to tell us how you became published for the first time?
It was pretty easy to get e-pubbed. Of course, I have to credit my very well connected critique partner for pointing me in the right direction. As I recall it, we attended a convention together and she kept throwing me at publishers until one stuck!
In terms of print publishers...I've been hampered by the fact that my first series of books was very long and didn't fit neatly into a single category. But I have high hopes that some of my newer books will find homes with print publishers in the not too distant future.
Personally, I'd be happy to stay e-pubbed forever, but from a business standpoint, being in print currently has more legitimacy. Unfortunately.
Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind sharing who he/is is? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even feel it’s necessary to have one?
I never really found an agent with whom I could see eye to eye. I'd like to, but...hasn't happened yet.
I think it's very necessary for a lot of print publishers--especially the really big publishing houses where everyone wants to be--not so much for others and not at all for e-publishers.
Can you please tell us about your book and why you wrote it?
Waiting for the Big One was originally written for a zodiac themed contest. That's part of the reason for the Astrology theme of the book, something that's confused some reviewers since the story wasn't released as part of the series for which it was written. I wrote it at my critique partner's insistence. Yes, the same CP--I sometimes suspect the woman doubles as my muse.
It was the most fun of any book I've written. It's a very sexy, light hearted, humorous, story. The main character, Gabby, has been waiting for her soul mate to arrive. Little does she know, he already has--but he's been waiting for her to realize it! It's going to take a little competition, an earthquake, a lot of astrological musings, some good food and a fantasy menage before these two sort things out.
Do you plan subsequent books?
Absolutely. Actually the second book in this series, Love, From A to Z was just released (also from Liquid Silver Books) and I've finished the third book in the series, Let Me Count the Ways, as well. I'm very excited about them all--I hope readers will enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Are you a morning writer or a night writer?
Mostly a night writer. I've always been a night owl. Lately though, I've noticed I'm doing more writing during the day.
Any final words of wisdom for those of us who would like to be published?
Don't give up and don't limit your options. There are a lot of different markets out there and each book needs to find its own audience. Write from the heart. If you write the book that you'd want to read, at least someone will be happy with it--you. And the odds are very good that you'll write something that others will love as well. And always remember that the only person you're in competition with is yourself.
Thank you for coming, PG! Would you like to tell my readers where they can find you on the web?
Thanks for having me. It's been a pleasure!
I can be found at http://www.pgforte.com/
I also have a MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/pgforte and my own chat group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pgforte
Thanks for having me. It's been a pleasure!
I can be found at http://www.pgforte.com/
I also have a MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/pgforte and my own chat group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pgforte
