Interview of Total-E-Bound Publishing & Stacey Birkel

BIO:
Despite literature and history being her passions, when Stacey went to university in the 80s, everyone said, "Oh don't go into Liberal Arts...all you can do then is teach!"


So she got her degree in business and, surprisingly, did well at making a career out of it. After a break to start a family, the thought of going back to the rat-race didn't appeal, so Stacey returned to her first love—the written word. She joined Total-E-Bound Publishing in 2009 and gives thanks every day that she now works doing what she's best suited to.

In addition to editing, Stacey is a multi-pubbed author under different pen names. She lives in Oregon with her family and loves that her two girls want to be editors and authors...just like Mom.

Website: http://www.totalebound.com/
Blog: http://totalebound.blogspot.com

Q: Describe your job.
A: As Editor-in-Chief, I oversee acquisitions and the editing process of our titles from start to finish, as well as supervising the editorial staff. I also keep my hand in and content edit for a few authors who haven’t been able to let me go.

Q: What motivated you to get involved in the romance industry?
A: Well, I’ve been involved as a reader since I was a pre-teen sneaking my mother’s romance novels. They were my escape all through school and college. But my career path was in business, so I set my interest aside for a while and it wasn’t until after I was at home raising my girls that I decide to see if there was a place for me in the genre. If you guessed that it once again became an escape for me, you’re right! And this time around, I managed to find a fit that was less about vicariously enjoying the books and more about being a part of the process.

Q: Finish this sentence: Romance is....
A: ....the belief that ‘happy ever after’ isn’t just a saying—it’s hope and a promise.

Q: Ebooks or print. Do you read both? If you read ebooks, what reader do you have?
A: I do read both. I’ve come to embrace e-books for the ease and flexibility they provide, though I don’t have a dedicated e-reader…yet. I typically do my reading on either my laptop as a break between tasks, or on my phone while I’m waiting for my girls at an activity. But I
still like to have some print books so I can read in the bath, one of my relaxation rituals at night. I don’t think that will ever change since I’m afraid I’d drop something electronic in the water!

Q: What do you consider the best way for an author to do promos?
A: I firmly believe that, while readers appreciate news and updates, there is a point at which they can start feeling negative about an author if all they ever hear are repetitive urgings to buy their book. I think that being present and accessible is the key to fostering positive visibility—sharing some of what makes you tick, if not in your personal life, at least as an author.

Q: Conferences and conventions. Do you attend any and how do you decide which ones to go to?
A: I attended my first RT this year and have already registered for next year! It was a great experience and I’m sure I’ll be back every year. I make my decisions on which to attend in tandem with my company’s administration and marketing team, though there are some I enjoy and voluntarily go to. I’m on the West Coast of the US, so I do take proximity into consideration, as my travel time does cut into family time.

Q: What are your guidelines for a writer/author to submit a book/manuscript for a review or to sell?
A: Total-e-Bound welcomes submissions of quality erotic romance in all gender pairings and subgenres. Our guidelines are on our website at http://www.total-e-bound.com/submissionguidelines.asp