CJ Maxx, author of the sensuous romance novel, COMING BACK A VIRGIN, is here with us today at AUTHOR TALKS!C. J. Maxx has always enjoyed writing, whether in the military writing citations or efficiency reports, in the private sector writing articles for trade journals, or in his personal life writing in newsletters for volunteer organizations. He turned his interest in writing to fiction in 2002. C.J. and his wife live in northern Alabama.
You can visit his website at http://www.cjmaxx.com/.
Welcome to Author Talks, CJ! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?
I first wrote a piece of fiction back in high school. The teacher accused me of plagiarism. I was insulted back then. Now, I see it as a compliment. As I stated above I got serious about fiction in 2002, after retiring from the electronics industry. I wrote a political novel and an action/thriller before I tried romance.
Can you please tell us about your book, COMING BACK A VIRGIN and why you wrote it?
I couldn't write a romance scene at all so I wrote this short story to teach me to do that. I thought it was a pretty good story but I couldn't sell it to anyone. Then I decided to make it an erotic romance. Well, that changed everything. Now, people wanted to buy it.
What kind of research was involved in writing your book?
This isn't a story that required much research. I have this thing about reastaurnats and menus. If I write about one, it will be an actual restaurant and their menu. Same with wine, it'll be real. Other than that, the story revolved around the writer and his main female character.
How much input did you have into the design of your book cover?
Well, I suggested something but the artist had a better idea. I really like the cover.
Has it been a bumpy ride to becoming a published author or has it been pretty well smooth sailing?
Is a roller coaster a smooth ride? I have my stack of rejection letters like most novice writers. I have been to the peak a few times, too. This business requires a thick skin and a lot of patience. It might be smooth for celebrities, but not for everyone else.
For this particular book, how long did it take from the time you signed the contract to its actual release?
I signed the contract on September 8th, 2006 and the book was released on August 1, 2007. A little less than a year. That's probably about average for releases now.
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?
If I had a breakout novel, I'd want an agent. I don't think it's necessary for e-books or for small publishers. I've never had one but have a bunch of reject letters from them. I also have received a few encouraging letters.
Do you plan subsequent books?
Yes. I have to write the breakout novel. That's the only way I can become rich and famous.
Are you a morning writer or a night writer?
I'm a morning person. I usually get up between three and four in the morning. The time between wake-up and eight-thirty in the morning is available for writing. My two granddaughters, ages 3 & 6 show up after that and take over my life. No writing happens after they get here.
If money was no object, what would be the first thing you would invest in to promote your book?
I would place print ads in magazines aimed at my target audience.
How important do you think self-promotion is and in what ways have you been promoting your book offline and online?
Self-promoting is essential. I've been on various groups touting my books. I had an interview on a local TV stations just prior to a booksigning at a local bookstore. I've placed an ad to promote one book. Right now I'm with PR person Dorothy Thompson of Pump Up Your Book.
Any final words of wisdom for those of us who would like to be published?
Just keep at it. Refine your work, know what you're writing about, edit out the boring stuff, keep your reader's attention. There's no one thing that's the magic bullet, it's a lot of small things together that will make you sell.
Thank you for coming, CJ! Would you like to tell my readers where they can find you on the web and how everyone can buy your book?
My website is http://www.cjmaxx.net/. Thanks for having me. I've enjoyed the opportunity to pitch my book. The book is available for Whiskey Creek Press-Torrid at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=211.
Thank you for coming, CJ! If you would like a chance to win a copy of ONLY MOMENTS, leave a comment below. All winners will be announced at http://www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.blogspot.com/ on Sept. 30. Good luck!
Tags: Author Talks, author interviews, online book promotion, free book publicity, author interview, public relations, virtual book tour, CJ Maxx
