Please share with us your path to being published.
My path is a little unique, because I started in non-fiction. A few years ago, I wrote a Bible Study workbook for pet lovers called All Creatures of Our God and King: What God’s Word Says About Animals. I am both an animal lover and a Christian and the book really started out as a personal project. I was just curious about what the Bible had to say about animals. When it was finished, my teenage son urged me to send it to a Christian publisher that specialized in pet-themed books. They contracted it right away. Once it was published, I started the transition to becoming a romantic fiction writer.
How long did you write before your first book was published??
One year.
How many books did you write before the first was published??
Well, the first book I wrote was the Bible Study book. But when I started writing romance, I wrote two full manuscripts before I got a contract. That first romance I attempted has never been published and probably should never see the light of day!
Who was your first publisher?
For my romantic fiction, The Wild Rose Press.
What was the name of your first book?
Do You Hear What I Hear?, Hoofbeats & Heartstrings Book One was my first full novel. My second romance novel is Love, Lilies & the Unbroken Straw, Hoofbeats & Heartstrings Book Two. It is an Easter romance and was just released this week. I’m so excited about this book.
Have you ever finaled or won in a writing contest?
Yes.
If so, which contest(s), which book(s), and which year(s)?
I’ve won the following honors and awards:
Winner 2008 Pet Sitters International Humor Award for my ongoing chick lit serial Chihuahuas are Better than Facelifts.
Winner 2008 Spaniel Journal Contest for my short memoir Angel & Me about my English Cocker Spaniel.
Third place winner of the 2006 American Kennel Club Short Fiction Award for my short story Bonbons & Truffles, which is a short romance story published by The Wild Rose Press.
Winner 2006 Westminster Kennel Club Angel on a Leash Writing Award for my short story Sacrifice.
I’ve also been a finalist for the past three years in a row for the Dog Writers Association of America Maxwell Medallion for Excellence in Short Fiction, although I’ve never won. I am becoming the Susan Lucci of that award.
Do you feel contests are a good use of your energy and time?
Some, yes.
Would you recommend that writers enter them? Why or why not?? ?
I do recommend contests because they give a writer valuable feedback and exposure to new groups of people (sometimes including important editors). Plus, if you final or win, they make great marketing tools. I think the key is choosing the right contests to enter. Ask yourself which ones are the best for your career.
What is your favorite animal, real or mythical and why?? ?
At this point, you probably already know…dogs. I love dogs in all their furry, sloppy, tailwagging glory. I think they are the embodiment of unconditional love.
If you decided to no longer write, what would you do instead?? ?
Well, I always wanted to be a Rockette and perform at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Does that count? Okay, maybe not. Um, I suppose I would do something with dogs, like work at a doggy day care. That would be fun, for sure. But I would miss the creativity of writing.
What are your best promotion tips for other writers?
Get your name out there and be creative. What sets you apart from all the other romance writers out there? All of my books have animal characters, especially dogs. So, my tagline is Teri Wilson, Romancing the pet lover’s soul. I have all my signings at pet stores. It’s how I reach my target audience.
What works best for you?? ?
For an online presence, I really like to guest blog. It’s fun and a great way to get to know new people. And since my books appeal to dog lovers, I write an ongoing chick lit column for a dog magazine called Chihuahuas are Better than Facelifts. In the next week or two, I am going to start a new, regular blog for the online version of the San Antonio Express News. It is called Petstyles of the Rich and Famous and is all about celebrities and their pets. I think this will be another great way to attract new readers to my books. Anything that gets my name and work out there in front of my target audience is a great thing.
Where do you get your ideas for your stories?
I’ll admit it. I live vicariously through my characters. Don’t we all? Who wouldn’t want to be able to talk to animals, like Simone from my book Do You Hear What I Hear? Or, be able to heal horses with her touch, like the heroine of my new book Love, Lilies & the Unbroken Straw? And what plays out between my heroines and my heroes are usually my hidden romantic fantasies. That’s probably more than you wanted to know.
Where are you published?
I am published with The Wild Rose Press (fiction) and with Eden Publications (non-fiction). All of my romance titles are available at www.thewildrosepress.com.
Where can readers contact you?
?
I love to hear from readers! They can visit me at www.teriwilson.net or shoot me an email at puppylove@satx.rr.com.
Sneak peek at Love Lillies & Unbroken Straw:
He wore a straw cowboy hat, frayed leather work gloves and faded jeans. Period. She suspected he had boots on, but he stood too close for her to get a glimpse of his feet. He didn’t have on a shirt, though. That much was certain.
Christabel drug her gaze from the stranger’s rippling abdominal muscles and somehow managed to look him in the eyes. Of course, they were nearly as distracting. Clear, ice blue. Twinkling with good humor. “Um, I guess I could use a little help.”
He flashed a crooked grin. “Pop the hood and I’ll have a look.”
“Thank you.” She did as he said, scooped her dog into her arms and stepped out of the car while he held the door open for her.
A gentleman. Nice.
“I’m Declan, by the way.” He tipped his hat and gave her a wink.
She made every effort to keep her gaze focused firmly on his face… or the car… or anywhere but his bare chest. “I’m Christabel. Thanks for your help, but I’m afraid my car might be hopeless.”
“We’ll see about that.” He took off one of his gloves and scratched the dog on the chin. “Cute Chihuahua. What’s her name?”
“Snowdrop.” The pup’s nose quivered and she licked the tips of Declan’s fingers. In the past weeks, Christabel had wondered more than once what kind of dog she’d brought home. “Do you think she’s a Chihuahua? I wasn’t sure.”
“Definitely a Chihuahua. See the dome-shaped skull?” He ran his fingers over Snowdrop’s forehead, pausing to scratch behind her ears. “It’s a dead giveaway. Is she a rescue dog?”
Christabel’s tongue tripped on her reply. It was a loaded question to say the least. “Y-you could say that.”
“It looks like she’s lucky you came to her rescue, then.” He met her gaze over the top of the dog’s head and she became transfixed by his sapphire eyes. There was an intensity to them that made her feel transparent, as though he could read her thoughts. “Snowdrop, huh? Nice name. I suppose that’s because she’s white like snow.”
She tore her gaze from his, telling herself she was imagining things. Of course he couldn’t tell anything about her just by looking at her. “Actually, a snowdrop is a type of flower.”
“Really? I’ve never heard of one before.”
“They have a unique history – their own mythology.” What was she doing standing here rambling about flowers? She needed to get out of here and figure out what she was going to do with her life.
“Do they now?” Declan’s brows lifted and he leaned closer, clearly interested in the story behind Snowdrop’s name.
“According to legend, the snowdrop started as a snowflake that was magically transformed into a flower to comfort Adam and Eve when they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. Now they’re known as a symbol of consolation and hope.” Her cheeks burned with heat and her gaze darted once again to his muscled physique. She looked away, trying to ignore the fact that he was half as naked as Adam himself.
Declan’s face grew serious, his voice quiet as a whisper. “What do you hope for, Christabel?”
Hope. The word alone held so much weight. She’d come here today with a heart full of hope, only to have that hope dashed. What did she dare hope for now?
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/love-lilies-the-unbroken-straw-hoofbeats-and-heartstrings-p-1173.html
Comments
10 Responses to “Author Spotlight: Teri Wilson”
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Hi Terri,
Thanks for coming on by and sharing your brand new release with us.
How do titles come to you for your books?
Raine D.
That’s so funny you asked that question! A couple weeks ago my critique group did a little intervention with me because they hated the title of my current work in progress. And I’ll admit it was bad. It’s much better now – Rodeo Redemption. That has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?
So, obviously titles aren’t my thing. I sometimes need help in that department!
Teri
Hi Teri & Raine,
Great interview and I love the pet-related covers. Congrats on the coming release.
Wonderful excerpt, Teri! Your brand is savvy. Great job!
Teri, I remember when I first moved to Florida and I didn’t know a soul. It appeared to me that the people living here were rather cold and unfriendly. Later on, I realized it was because Florida was such transient state then.
Anyways the girl next door was friendly, but her husband he was really a stiff one. But when we brought the dogs home that first day and he saw them, things changed.
His wife told me it’s because he felt that anyone who loved dogs and treated them like members of the family was an animal lover, and they “were his kind of people, they have good hearts.” To him, that made all the difference in the world.
A story with a good heart makes all the difference in the world of books and is my kind of reading.
Great questions Raine. Teri thanks for the tips on promo. I love the concept of books with a pet theme. Very original!
Hi Teri! Great interview. Your animal Bible study sounds intriguing.
Good interview.
Patsy
P. L. Parker
Hey Terri…Had to check you out since you’re an animal lover:) I’m not a huge chick-lit fan but certainly do enjoy them from time to time. Loved the excerpt from “Love Lillies & Unbroken Straw.” I wish you all the best….Nancy
Hi Teri! We Chihuahua fans have to stick together. Hope all is well in HOT Texas. It’s cool here in the mountains of North Carolina today. Your new book sounds great! I always put a Chihuahua in my stories, you know, and the one on your cover looks just like my little Baby.