Guest Post

Guest Chick: DonnaRae Menard and a Giveaway

We’re so thrilled to have DonnaRae Menard stop by today to chat about the multiple ways to be an author. As Becky likes to say, “there are many paths up the mountain.” She’s also offering one lucky commenter the choice of any one of her books. See them all at her website.

Thanks to Ellen and Lisa and all the Women on board here who I haven’t met yet, for having me.

With Murder on the Small Farm, Book 4, of the Never Too Late Series recently out, and Snuffling Up Bones, Book 1, of The Pig & I series coming in October, life’s pretty hectic. Being invited to Chicks on the Case gave me a reason to sit back and reflect. So, cup of coffee and raspberry turnover in hand, here I go.

When I first got into the being published biz, I started running into people who immediately asked me if I was traditional. Pretty quickly, I figured out they meant published, not a home in the ‘burbs and 2.5 kids.

I didn’t consider it a personal question until their response was Ah-huh, and a raised eyebrow. Basically, I have always been anything but traditional. The beat of my drum is a little off kilter, and I’d rather massage the cows, then run with the bulls. Therefore, the answer depends on which of my books you’re talking about, as I have some that are self-published and others with publishing houses.

I believe the first time I heard the term Hybrid Author; it came out of an editor’s mouth. She said it the same way a lady uses a dirty word, at a whisper behind her fingers. I liked it! It made me feel sleek, special, even, dare I say it…desirable.

It became my genre, not of writing, but in writing. Yes, I run into publishers, bookstore owners, and venues where nothing that isn’t attached to a publishing house is acceptable. But I work hard. I jump through the same hoops as all other writers. It took some work to find a copy editor that gets me. Just like my partial list publisher, she keeps me true to myself.

I’m out there marketing daily. Finding my niche, my own tribe. I don’t lead with the fact I’m self-published or traditionally published, but right out front I’m telling everyone I’m doing both. There are writers who are absolutely dead certain that if they don’t have an agent, a Big-5 publisher, they have nothing.

Look around ladies and gents. There are a lot of aspiring writers, many small presses, and a growing platform for the writer that wants to experience the whole enchilada. You can write, design, market, inspire, and collect from the universe what you need. I do. The best part is that sexy little feeling of being wanted. Sure, readers want to know with the four-hundred-fifty-pound pig is going to do next. But, hey, it’s my name on that book!

Thanks for having me, Ladies and if you readers think a Hampshire Sow is in your future, let me know! Readers, do you pay attention to who publishes a book? Does it matter to you? Do you even notice? Don’t forget to comment if you want the chance to get a copy of one of my books!

Love and Kisses, DonnaRae

DonnaRae Menard began writing in junior high school and has been scribbling since. She is the author of Murder in the Meadow, 1970 cozy mystery series, In the Shadow of Pharoah, historical fiction series, The Morality Issue, The Waif and The Warlord, Detective Carmine Mansuer series, Beneath the Fountain, Dropped from the Sky, It takes Guts, Willa the Wisp, and coming soon; Snuffling Up Bones, Book 1, in The Pig & I Series. She splits her time between Vermont and New Hampshire, has an affinity for odd jobs, rescued cats, and talking about her 450-pound lap pig. Check out her website donnaraemenardbooks.com. Find her on facebook.

BUY LINK for Murder on a Small Farm

38 thoughts on “Guest Chick: DonnaRae Menard and a Giveaway”

  1. Your a new to me author but your book sounds good! Going to look into it soon. I honestly don’t notice publisher. I do pay attention to cover art but mainly its the description on the book that influences me. If I know it would be something I would enjoy… I will pick it up. I do follow a few publishers websites if I have noticed they publish a lot of books I enjoy to hear about upcoming releases.

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    1. I don’t think I was ever as much impressed or led by who the publisher was, as I was about who the author was. But now that I’m in the biz, lol, I also check to see who’s listed beside the author.

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  3. Excellent advice, DonnaRae. Thanks for emphasizing there’s not a single right answer, but many principles that guide new and established writers to publish that book rocking around in their heads. The difference is some think about it and others do it!

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    1. Times are changing, and fast. Writers can’t sit back any longer and ponder. My advice to all writers is that if there is a way open to you, take it. Robert Frost left us wondering about the path untaken. Me, I run down one, then cross the woods to the other.

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          1. Oh no, quite the contrary, DonnaRae! I meant, you would have been buddies but it was not to meant to be because you were of a much younger generation!

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  4. I sometimes notice who the publisher is but it does not matter to me. I am more interested in the covers and the authors. Thank you for this chance at your giveaway. pgenest57 at aol dot com

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  5. As an avid reader of several genres, mostly cozies of late and historical fiction, I must say that I rarely, if ever, look at the publishing houses. I also rarely look at the cover art. I love to find new authors and concentrate on their stories, not the publishing house. I am also from New England and I love your new series has a pig. I’m looking forward to reading your stories!

    Thank you for sharing your talent with us!

    Carol

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    1. Awesome. Early on I was told to pick a genre and stick to it. I tried, I really did. Lasted all of five minutes. It’s rattling around in my brain, making my fingers itch, I’m putting it out there. I hope you enjoy Bonita’s pranks. They, even though the book is a work of fiction, are all true.

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    3. Awesome. It’ll be out there soon, available on my website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and nook. If your library is interested, Imgrin. I also have a couple of giveaways going. Find me on facebook. Somebody is going to get lucky. Ah, well, I mean…

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  6. Congratulations, Donna Rae! You are absolutely right – there is no one way. Right now, traditional is good for me because I don’t have the resources to be good at self publishing. But someday, maybe.

    I never noticed the publisher of the books I read.

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    1. Liz, might I suggest that if you get the chance to hear or talk to someone who self-publishes, you sit in. I lecture on it, and work one on one with people just getting started. I had to learn by the seat of my pants, but I’m willing to share with all.

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  7. My guess is that about 99% of folks don’t pay any attention at all to who’s the publisher of the books they read, and I think it’s grand that it’s so much easier to get one’s books out there to those readers these days, with the option of trad, hybrid, or self for publishing one’s books. The more books the merrier, right?

    Thanks so much for visiting the Chicks today, Donna Rae, and hurrah for your books! (I especially love the title of The Pig and I series.)

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  10. DonnaRae, thanks so much for guesting! Generally, the publisher doesn’t mean anything to me. But there is one time when I’ll check: if it’s a particularly good or bad cover. In that case, I want to know who’s responsible!

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    1. I never thought of it that way, maybe because I’m willing to say no, I don’t like any of these options. I have found that covers I’ve designed aren’t exactly what I wanted when the book comes out. As a self-published, I can remedy that. When a publisher is involved, I get to stand in front of the bathroom mirror, and throw a private tantrum.

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  11. When a publisher is involved, you’re given options. I’m not afraid to say none of them is what I want, let’s try again. In a self-published, there have been times I thought the cover was fine, until the book came out. In that arena, I can remedy the problem. Thank you Ellen, for all of your support.

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  12. DonnaRae, you’re the best–and everyone loves and respects you and your books because–traditional or indie–you do everything in your own unique way. (And very quickly, too, I might add.) Cheers to you (and a certain large piggy)!

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  13. DonnaRae, thank you so much for joining us and for this fabulous piece!

    I never thought much about publishers–until I wanted one! Now I’ve gone back to how I felt as a reader. For me, it’s what’s on the inside that counts (namely, a great story and characters).

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    1. You know, I met my first publisher at a convention where I had rushed the gate. And, because I was clowning around and telling pig stories. Is that hilarious? Really. Ask Bruce Robert Coffin, he was there. I think he was a little put off by a female with an in-residence pig and 17 cats.

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  14. The publisher isn’t something that matters to me. I am a visual learner so I tend to be drawn to great covers with bright colors and a cozy vibe. After being drawn to the cover, I will check out the blurb next to learn more.

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  16. A lady that seems to enjoy Winter, and writing.  Great choices! Kathy We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust our sails.

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  17. Thank you for this, as a fellow hybrid writer. I never notice publisher. I pick up a book and open to a random page to see if the writing is good.

    Because what else is it all about?

    Best of luck with your new series, it sounds great!

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