Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Book Tour: Night Stocker by Anlyn Hansell Interview & Giveaway


Paranormal Romantic Comedy
Date Published: 1/25/2013


Blurb:My name is Meghan Foster and I'm going to save you from yourself.

That is, if a certain someone doesn't stop me...

Don't let the pretty face fool you. I am a product of a seriously troubled past, but I'm a resilient little bugger. I'm a night shift stock replenishing machine and if by chance, you don't think that sounds too exciting? You are sorely mistaken, my friend. This is my life. I can't explain it. I won't even attempt to try.

I do have certain powers of persuasion that I am more than willing to use, especially if aforementioned 'certain someone' doesn't interfere.

His name is Lance and he is by far the most delicious creature I've ever laid eyes on. I have no idea who he is or what he wants with me, but I guess I'm about to find out the hard way...

Who says stocking shelves is boring?


Interview:

1. Where did you get the idea for the novel?
A trip to Walmart at 11:30 at night… I am an avid coffee drinker and I realized that I did not have enough to make a strong enough pot in the morning so I made a little trip to my local 24 hour store.  I was wandering around the empty aisles and I could hear a group of people cracking up. I turned into the coffee aisle and there were several what I guessed were twenty something’s, stocking shelves. They of course quieted down when they realized they weren’t alone, but as soon as I left, I could hear them laughing again. It just made me wonder what on earth they do all night and how fun that must be. By the time I arrived back at my house, I had a main character and a general plot to “Night Stocker” mapped out in my head.

2. Your title. Who came up with it? Did you ever change your title?
I came up with the title after several changes. The first title was “The Devil Came Down to Walmart” but I figured Walmart and maybe Charlie Daniels would be slightly upset with that.  I changed the title to “The Devil Came Down to Sav-Som-Bux” (my fictional discount store) but that just sounded stupid.  Night Stocker is kind of reminiscent of Night Stalker and I kind of liked the play on words so I went with that.

3. Why did you pick this genre? What do you like about it?
Truthfully, I wrote this book in this genre because my sister loves to read paranormal stuff. I had written four novels previous to this one and I just couldn’t get her to read any of them.  She read this book in one night. She loved it and asked when Part Two was coming out. She devoured that one too.  Talk about a good incentive to keep writing. I really enjoyed writing in this genre because anything goes. The wackier the better, if you ask me. I love to write with a humorous undertone. Not slapstick comedy, just sarcasm and wit. Paranormal and romantic-comedy are such a fun mix. I have to do this again!

4. Since becoming a writer, what’s the most exciting thing to ever happen to you?
Getting a review from someone I did not know. Someone liked my book so much they took the time to write a review and it was a good one. I never realized the effect that someone else’s words would have on me.

5. What book are you currently reading or what was the last book you read?
The last book I read was “Bet in the Dark” by Rachel Higginson. I’m not usually a YA aficionado but the blurb sounded intriguing and the book was actually really cute and very funny. Right now, I’m not reading anything, just trying to get a novel I’ve been working on for what seems like forever, finished. I really want to read “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn. I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews for that book.

6. What is your writing process?
I always have my main characters and a general plot outlined in my head. Then, I start conjuring up dialogue and I hope and pray that I can remember it when I get to that particular scene. I do not outline, I never write a thing down, actually. Some of the best stuff I’ve written just sort of comes to me as I’m tapping away.

7. At a book signing, do you just sign your name or do you write a note? How do you come up with stuff to say? 
Believe it or not, I’m not sure if I have any interest in ever doing a book signing. If, for some reason, my writing takes off and I become popular or well-known enough to do such a thing, I suppose I would write a note. Actually, it would be really fun to sit around a table with a glass of wine and a bunch of people that want to talk about the book. I love to talk about my writing; unfortunately I don’t have many people to talk to about this since I tend to be pretty secretive about it.

8. What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I have very stressful job. I sit in meeting after meeting, conference calls, Webex conferences, daily fire-fighting at work and through it all? My mind is wandering, conjuring up dialogue, plot twists, descriptive references to people and places that I need to write. Sometimes I’m in la-la land and I have to have someone repeat a question to me because I was too busy piecing a story together. I especially love when this happens during an executive operations review meeting… it’s so embarrassing! They have no idea that I write and I like to keep it that way.

9. How do you react to a bad review?
I don’t know – I haven’t received one yet, but believe me – I will. I know that what I write is not going to float everyone’s boat. Look at Janet Evanovich – extremely popular, successful author and her reviews run the gamut from gushing enthusiasm to scathing disgust. A bad review means someone wanted to take the time to let the author and the reading population know that they expected more out of them. That the book caused such a spike in their emotions that they just needed to get it off their chest. I have no problem with that. I write reviews for the books I read because I want the authors to know what I thought of their book. We all want to know, don’t we?  A bad review to me is a learning experience. It won’t cause me to stop writing – it will just make me a better writer.

10.                How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
The very first book I published was purchased right after it went live on Amazon. I couldn’t believe it. I had told absolutely no one that I published a book so I know this person was a complete stranger to me.  I was absolutely floating on air that day. The first thing I did was pen an email to my Editor. We did a little cyber fist bumping and then I went back to work on my next novel.


Author Bio:Anlyn Hansell is a 40-something wife and mother of one residing in a small town in South-Central PA. She has a BS in Distribution, a Masters in Business and an overactive imagination to boot. Writing credits previously included all manner of extremely boring ISO documentation, a published editorial on core sand in a foundry magazine and a recurring article in her company newsletter. Not much chance for creative writing there! She began her writing career two years ago, and in that time, has completed seven full length novels. The first four novels centered around romance, but she quickly began including a mystery element to keep the pages turning. She enjoys cooking and baking and of course, indulging in the products of those pursuits. She not only loves to write, she is compelled to do so. Every morning, starting at around 3:30 am, you can find her in her living room tapping away in the dark. It truly is the best time to write! She is currently working on yet another endeavor with the sole purpose of keeping her readers up well into the night.

Contact Links:
Facebook: Anlyn Hansell
email: AnlynHansell@yahoo.com
Links to Buy 
http://www.amazon.com/Stocker-Misadventures-Meghan-Balance-ebook/dp/B00B6GAYO4

Giveaway:

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