Interview with Renae Marie Schwemmer

Author of Old Bones

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I was born and raised in Wisconsin where I currently reside with my family and our ever-growing family of rabbits, chickens, and ducks.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

I reside in the same area and just recently moved closer to my childhood home.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

I always wanted to be a writer when I grew up but never had the confidence to pursue it. When I was hospitalized in 2012 I decided then it was time to pursue my dream of being a writer.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

I write a variety of genre including western, romance, erotica, mystery, contemporary, and coming of age. I like to tell a story with characters whom are sometimes broken or are less than perfect and enjoy lots of details.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

I think anyone looking for a heartfelt story would enjoy my romance, coming of age, and contemporary stories. Those look for a great read that has you turning the page would enjoy my mystery and westerns.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

I always knew I wanted to get my stories out there and thought having a publisher was the only way to go, but little did I know that it can be difficult to find the right publisher. And marketing…that is one of the toughest areas for a lot of writers.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

I would have told my younger self not to wait so long to pursue my writing career. Do it as soon as you feel the passion to start writing.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

I would love to reach over a hundred people who might be interested in my books. I offer a variety of genres so hopefully there are readers who would love my books.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

Sometimes I struggle with a deadline. It’s easy to get distracted with work, family, and other things so I’ve had to actually schedule writing time on the calendar and treat it like an appointment or job to sit down and write.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

My biggest strengths with writing a book is that I have been saving ideas and pieces of stories over the years and I have folders and notebooks full of stories to finish. I will never run out of an idea for a book! My biggest strength with publishing is that I’ve been traditionally published and self-published and have a learned a lot about how to create a professional looking finished book. And with marketing my books, I’m still putting together a good plan.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

I think my biggest weakness with writing a book is deciding whether I want it to be a sand alone story or a series. I’ve struggled with that in the past. I also think with publishing, I sometimes struggle on the back cover blurb or possibly which genre my story might categorize into. As far as marketing, I’m still working on the best plan for my stories. That’s a harder area and requires a larger plan.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I am currently working on three stories at this time. I am finishing up a sequel to my western, working on an exciting story about vampires in the west, and starting a women’s fiction novel that I hope will bring awareness to some issues women face in their personal and work lives.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I have been traditionally published and self-published. I like both.