Interview with Lesley Beiro

Author of Glimpses Beyond the Veil

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

Originally, I am from South Africa.
I currently reside in Prince George, Virginia, USA

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

I met my husband in New Jersey when I was a nanny there in 1992. We, and our three boys moved to Prince George, just south of Richmond, Virginia in 2005. It was time to get away from the hustle and bustle of a busy state, and found some tranquility in the rural country side of the place we now call home.

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

Although the idea for my first book was birthed in 2001, I did not actually start writing until around 2009, when I had spiraled into a pit of depression. It was in that low spot that the Lord reminded me of the idea for the book, and He challenged me to pour my energy into something positive instead of focusing on my circumstances. Once I started writing, the story poured out onto the computer screen, sometimes surprising me at the twists and turns the characters would take. But the most challenging part of the journey was the three years it took me to find an editor, agent and publisher. If not for the support and encouragement of my friends and family, and the dream of seeing my book in print, I may have given up. So thankful that I did not!

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

I have something for everyone.

My first book called ‘The Kiss’ is an inspirational Fiction story, about forgiveness, marriage and faith.

My second book is the true story of my mother’s life, growing up in apartheid, South Africa. Discover the challenges she overcomes in being married to an alcoholic, dealing with grief and loss, followed by an inspirational coming to America journey

My third book is called ‘Glimpses Beyond the Veil, Encounters with Eternity’. A true story of the journey I took in caring for my mother in the months before she died, where she shared with me glimpses she was seeing beyond the veil of death.

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

Those seeking to be inspired and encouraged, and willing to build their faith, through the example of both fiction and non fictional characters.

For anyone who lost someone,and is dealing with the struggles of grief, I would recommend reading ‘Glimpses Beyond the Veil’. Besides exploding your faith about where we go after death, I believe you will find peace and healing. In writing it, I know I did.

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

The process takes much longer than one might expect. I was surprised to find how much I had to mature and grow, in accepting criticism and rejection, in order to get a far superior end product than when I had first begun.
The process of writing ‘Glimpses Beyond the Veil’ was cathartic for me. The stories I share, churned in my heart for months before I actually sat down and started writing, but once I was done, I had that ‘peace that passes understanding’ that the Bible speaks about, and the healing from grief had begun.

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

Fully embrace every step of the journey. Recognize that there will be frustrations, tears and rejection, but they are just stepping stones to the joy of holding that first edition in your hand. And then having readers thank you for writing something which profoundly affected them, makes you realize that it can become a gift which keeps on giving, with each new reader.

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

To encourage, means to give courage to others with your words and actions. All of us, need to be offered hope and a reason to keep going when we face trials of many kinds. So ideally, I would like to reach a multitude of people who need to be encouraged.

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

The biggest challenge and frustration has been to be patient with the process. My expectation of immediately being invited to speaking engagements, and seeing royalties from sales role in, has been unrealistic, to say the least. But in time the opportunities are slowly crossing my path. I must continue to actively seek out opportunities for book signings, speaking engagements and online platforms to market myself and my books.

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

In writing I would say that my biggest strength is self discipline. I’m often asked how I can work full time, raise three boys, and still find time to write. My answer is that I don’t watch too much TV and I take every opportunity I can find, to pull out my laptop.

In publishing, experience is key. Learning from my mistakes, as I waded through the waters of finding a publisher, and knowing what their requirements are. Asking questions and learning from other authors has been invaluable.
In marketing, it is important to recognize that no one cares about your books as much as you. Speak about your books, advertise on different online platforms, seek opportunities to share your books in forums and book signing venues. Your enthusiasm will be your biggest marketing tool.

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

In writing it is easy to get stuck, and once you lose forward momentum, it can be difficult to move in a new direction.
In publishing, it was difficult to realize that there are publishers who seek out specific genres, and would have no interest in the work, into which I had poured my heart and soul.
For mass marketing, it takes money to make money, and since I cannot afford the opportunities which could flood the market with my books, I must take the slower route to success, exercising patience and endurance.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I have already started on a sequel to The Kiss, which focuses on Dr. Sam and his story. Several readers have asked for it, so I continue wrestle with plot and characters to produce a story with telling.

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

For my first book I used a hybrid publisher, after months and months of trying to find a traditional publisher. But since then I use the lessons I learned, to self publish my next two books. I still hope to eventually work with a traditional publisher, when I can prove to be a worthy investment to them, to partner together in bringing hope and inspiration to readers around the world.