Interview with Alex Bailey

Author of Once Upon a Romance (A Dream Come True Book 1)

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

I’ve lived my whole life (except for a 9-month vacation in “The Most Magical Place on Earth”) in Maryland.

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

My first book written was different from my first book published. I started writing 20 years ago when something inexplicable happened on my lunch-time walk . . . an entire story came to me. I cut my walk short, ran back to the office, and wrote the ending. That book will never see the light of day, but it was the beginning of my writing journey. I decided to publish my first book because my author critique group encouraged me to!

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

I write stories with a splash of magic. Not high fantasy. But ordinary stories with only a touch of magic. I believe in everyday magic and love reading those types of books.

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

Anyone who believes in the power of magic in our lives.

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

How very difficult it is. My first book took me over a year to write, traveling to/from work on the metro – by hand! And then I’d rush home and type up the pages at night. This was pre-laptops! Marketing has also been a surprise – how very difficult it is to reach the right reader.

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

Write more. Join an author’s critique group ASAP! It took me 15 years to learn that you must get feedback before you can grow and improve your writing.

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

All of them?

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

Finding enough time to get it all done.

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

My biggest strength i all of them is this – I do it! So many authors give up because it’s an enormous task to complete a book, publish it, and market it. The only way to get it done is The Nike Creed – Just Do It!

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

My weakness is being distracted by social media. I’ve met so many wonderful authors and want to converse with them, that I spend too little time getting things done sometimes. Authors are the kindest, most generous, most supportive group of people I’ve ever met!

When do you think you will write your next book?

I constantly have multiple books in many stages of the process. I currently have two with my editor and am half done with one and starting another.

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

I’ve self-published each of my books. I like the ability and freedom to change anything about my books, covers, blurbs, cost, etc. I know there’s positive and negative with each process and I’ve heard complaints from fellow authors with each type, but for me, at least for now, it works.