Author Inspired to Write and Publish |
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“I never dreamed my book would do as well as it has,” explains Alferio. “I’m having so much fun. I’ve sold over 1,000 copies and I have a very strong reader base. I’m constantly getting asked when the next book will be released. It’s a great feeling to know people are enjoying my work.”
Debbie Alferio describes herself as an author of ’morally and tastefully written’ fictional romance novels. Due to her strong family values and desire to promote wholesome relationships, particularly amongst her younger readers, A Forever Kind of Love, the first book in what Alferio plans to make a five book series, contains no sexually explicit material.
Alferio explains what inspired her to write. “I began writing after a dream I had one night in which I was having a conversation with a man I didn't know. For some reason, I addressed him as 'Mitch', even though I know no one by that name. Upon waking, I had a story starting to form in my head based on this dream. I went to my computer and the words began to flow. I have no formal training in writing whatsoever, and I had not written, nor had a desire to write, anything prior to the dream.”
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Two months into writing her manuscript, Alferio realized how difficult it is to utilize a traditional publisher, so she decided to begin looking into self-publishing. Although she had signed a contract with another self-publishing company prior to contacting AuthorHouse, after a four-hour conversation with an author services representative (ASR), Alferio decided to forgo the initial contract and sign with AuthorHouse. Alferio describes AuthorHouse as “a fantastic company with a great reputation and reasonable prices.” |
She elaborates, “Whenever you call them with a question, you talk to a person, not a machine, which is a rarity these days,” states Alferio. “My ASR is always there when I need him. Our conversations are never under two hours. It’s not just a business relationship. I consider him my friend.” A portion of the proceeds from each book benefit the American Cancer Society.
Although, she had signed a contract with another self-publishing company prior to contacting AuthorHouse, after a four-hour conversation with an author services representative (ASR), Alferio decided to forgo the initial contract and sign with AuthorHouse. Alferio describes AuthorHouse as “a fantastic company with a great reputation and reasonable prices.” She elaborates, “Whenever you call them with a question, you talk to a person, not a machine, which is a rarity these days,” states Alferio. “My ASR is always there when I need him. Our conversations are never under two hours. It’s not just a business relationship. I consider him my friend.” A portion of the proceeds from each book benefit the American Cancer Society.
Why do I write?
Writing releases a part of me that only seems to exist when my fingers touch the keyboard—creativity, imagination and wit that I didn’t know I possessed suddenly come from within. I don’t work with an outline or any premeditated ideas of what I’m going to write. When I sit down at the computer, I just let my imagination take control and suddenly I see everything start to unfold before my eyes. I escape into another world, and like an actor preparing for a major role, I become my characters, letting them take full control. . I love putting my characters in different situations and seeing how they handle them. It’s like getting to experience life from a different perspective.
What inspires you to write?
My original inspiration for writing came from an actual dream—upon awakening, I had a story in my head and six months later, it became my first novel! That ‘divine inspiration’ still motivates me more than anything, but now I have my readers to thank for inspiring me as well. Nothing can describe the feeling it gives me when someone tells me that they loved the book, or that they could personally relate to one of the characters or scenes in the story. It’s then that I have the satisfaction of knowing that I have done my job well, but more so, that I am doing what I feel I was called to do—share my voice with the world through the power of the written word.
What has it meant to me to publish my work?
Being published has given me the chance to meet a multitude of wonderful, talented, and interesting people. I love not only sharing my story, but hearing those of others as well. In a world where violence and sexuality seem to take a front seat, it has also given me the opportunity to promote books where the characters practice strong moral and family values. As long as I am able, I plan to continue on this exciting path!
For additional information visit her Web site at www.freewebs.com/debsbooks.
