For some reason the publish button just wouldn't function on this one, originally supposed to be up on 23rd June. Me and tech, what can I say?
Kitty runs the Great Minds Think Aloud site, and it's an absolute treat - pop over and visit when you get the chance. Book give-aways, reviews, and just a great way to spend a couple of hours. She's currently fundraising for the Migraine Research Foundation - personally, if they find a cure, I will be a very happy little author - so if you're up for a giggle and a great cause, check it out.
Kitty runs the Great Minds Think Aloud site, and it's an absolute treat - pop over and visit when you get the chance. Book give-aways, reviews, and just a great way to spend a couple of hours. She's currently fundraising for the Migraine Research Foundation - personally, if they find a cure, I will be a very happy little author - so if you're up for a giggle and a great cause, check it out.
You are currently working on your BA in Business Administration, which is pretty close to a full-time job by itself.
What made you decide to get involved with publishing and indie authors?
I have always been an avid book reader and lover of great
literature. I can remember being quite young and writing down stories of my
own, sadly none of which I have now. Books have always been a huge part of my
life and I am in the midst of writing a novel with a dear friend of mine. I
suppose you could say that my love of everything literary was the reason behind
it all, but there is more to it than just a love of books.
When I began Great Minds, I started to realize a whole new realm
of authors I'd never known existed. These authors are independent and
struggling to make it on their own. Others are unable to get the attention of
larger publishing houses. After reading several amazing books, ones which I
could hardly put down, I began to realize I needed to do more than just form
another book club. I wanted to help. I wanted to promote and get their names
out there.
A year later, here I am trying my hand at Independent
Publishing. I only hope I can do as much for these wonderful authors as they
have all done for me over the past year. I have never known a group of more
gracious, interesting, and delightful people than the Independent Authors I've
had the good fortune of meeting.
You are the visionary and creator of Great Minds Think Aloud
Literary Community. Tell us a bit about your
company. What is your vision and aims for GMTA?
As a lot of people know, Great Minds was created with the vision
of being another book club, though based majorly on the internet alone. I never
expected it to grow into what it has. However, after meeting so many people
that loved books and literature as much as I do, I began to expand my vision.
Soon, I began doing interviews with Independent and Big House Published
Authors, give aways - both themed and author based, and posting book cover
reveals, book releases, and everything else I could to help get them noticed.
Since then, I have decided to try my hand at publishing and hope
to expand even more. I guess you could say my vision is to give the Independent
Authors as much support and encouragement as I can. We also offer services such
as manuscript editing, book cover art and creation, advertisement, book
trailers, and much more at very reasonable prices for authors and publishers
outside of Great Minds Publishing. We intend to have our hand in as much as we
can when dealing with Independent Authors, and will always have their best
interests at heart.
What are you most passionate about?
I think what I'm most passionate about is great literature and
helping people. I have always been something of a philanthropist and truly
enjoy being able to help others. The greatest feeling in the world is to see
someone else succeed from what you have either taught them, helped them
accomplish, or had a part in, even in the smallest way.
I can honestly say, having worked with numerous authors over the
past year, I get a little thrill every time I see something great come from
something I have done for them. Whether it’s a rise in the sale of their books
or another publishing company showing interest in publishing their books, it
simply makes me happy.
Complete this statement. “If you can dream it . .
.”?
It is possible! I have always been a believer in dreams. I tell
everyone that if you visualize it, dream it, or if it even holds a spark in
your mind, then your goal can be achieved if you set your mind to it. There is
nothing a human being cannot do if they have the drive, the emotion, and the
will. Yes, it takes hard work, perseverance, a sense of direction, and a lot of
motivation, but it’s all well worth it in the end.
Do you have a five-year plan? I'm trying to get one together, although in the very fast changing world we're currently in it needs to be pretty flexible.
Wow, great question. I can't say I haven't thought about where
I'd like to be in five years. I guess it all goes back to the question before
this one. In five years, I'd love to see myself in a position where I don't
have to worry about things, such as: if I can afford to pay my child's college
tuition, if I can pay the next light bill, whether or not we'll have a roof
over our head. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I just want to be
comfortable. I want to be self-sufficient and able to take care of my family. I
want to not have to worry and, most of all, I want to be doing exactly what I'm
doing now! Of course, it would be nice to have a little more help and be able
to pay for that help.
I can honestly say, I work hard, day in and day out, but in
light of it all, I'd never change what I have done or what I plan to do and I
intend to keep going for just as long as I can.
What advice can you give to authors who wish to market their
works effectively?
First and foremost, don't be afraid to ask for help. If you feel
passionate enough about getting your work out there, ask friends and family to
read your manuscript. Take all constructive criticism to heart. Don't let it
get you down if you get a few bad reviews or a few people that don't enjoy what
you've written. What you have to remember is that not everyone has the same
opinions. Your work will appeal to those that enjoy what you write. You will
find your audience, but it's always a trial and error game.
Make sure, before you publish a book whether by yourself or even
through a company, you are 100% satisfied with what you've written, the editing
that's been done, the work your publisher has put into it, and the
representation you are getting from them. Don't hang your hat in one spot too
quickly, shop around and fine a place you know you and your work belong. If you
decide to go it alone, it's still a great idea to find a good editor. You know
your work. You know what you write, but a lot of times you won't see the
errors, punctuation problems and other details. They will.
Marketing is hard, I've not only learned that through my
endeavor with Great Minds, but also from the classes I take online. It's not an
easy road and there are so many things an author needs to know before taking
that big step. (By the way, thank you Doug Lucas for teaching me a heck of a
lot along the way. I love you young man!)
Are you currently working on any of your own writing for publication?
Right now I am working on (when I have the time, of course) the
first book in what is hoped to be a series called "Seminole". This is
a partnered work with a friend of mine, Amber Rendon. She and I met one another
in the strangest of ways and realized that we had quite an unmatched talent in
partnered writing. We are working at a snails pace to someday have a book out
there you will all enjoy. I can say this, it is paranormal/supernatural,
whatever it's called these days but before you groan and moan about, "oh
no not another one" I can say that this will be a bit different than what
you're use to. Some old favorites may make an appearance as far as supernatural
beings are concerned, but there will be quite a lot of new and exciting ones
making a debut... stay tuned!
Where can we find you?
You can find us pretty much all over the web. Usually if you
just Google, "Great Minds Think Aloud" you will pull something of
ours up from somewhere. But for the benefit of those who would like a bit more
detail, I'll list our links below:
Great
Minds Main Site:
http://www.greatmindsliterarycommunity.com
Great
Minds Publishing:
http://www.greatmindspublishing.moonfruit.com
Great
Minds Review Hub:
http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com
Great
Minds Blogger:
http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.blogspot.com
Great
Minds Weebly: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.weebly.com
Great
Minds Posterous: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.posterous.com
Great
Minds Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5208422-kitty-bullard-great-minds-think-aloud
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| Kitty Bullard - writer and creator of GMTA |
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