Interview with L.B. Stimson

Author of Redwood

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

Born in California. Raised in north-central Idaho and I currently live in Virginia.

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

I enjoy travel and the adventurous side of me took hold after college. I took a semester off to intern at the U.S. Department of State and fell in love with Washington, D.C. I returned to the area after I graduated from college. I literally packed everything I could in my car and drove from California to the east coast with nothing but a road map and hopes for the future. (This was long before cell phones and GPS).

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

I’ve always enjoyed writing and I was at a point in my life that I needed to make a change.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

My books are character driven and delve into the darker side of human behavior. My ghosts are authentic and crafted from personal experiences. Given my leanings to Gothic Horror my writing style has been described as slow, melodramatic and poetic. I set the stage for my characters in Redwood however in part two (Reclamare) I do increase the pacing of events. I’m working on the final book and plan to release it in spring 2020.

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

Readers who enjoy gothic-styled ghost stories without gore.

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

I started my publishing journey without having done a lot of research regarding the nuts and bolts of the industry. I was surprised by the opportunities for indie writers as they compete against those who are traditionally published.

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

To do your homework when it comes to business relationships. And, do not rush to press.

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

I would love to reach a world-wide market.

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

My biggest challenge has been the rebranding of my Redwood Trilogy since my publisher closed their doors earlier this year. I’ve done a complete overhaul on the covers along with editorial updates to both books.

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

My writing strengths include a strong descriptive detail regarding the setting and characters. I have an ability to create emotional responses in my readers. My biggest strength in publishing is knowing I have the technical and creative competence to self-publish. Marketing is an on-going process. I am continually studying other authors, networking and trying new avenues to reach readers.

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

My biggest weakness cuts across all of these areas. I can be a bit of a procrastinator.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I am currently working on three books. My main focus is to wrap up the final book in the Redwood Trilogy and build on my other Southern Gothic Horror Saga-The Pale Shade of Winter.

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

I started my publishing journey with an independent publisher but since they closed their doors earlier this year, I am now self-published.