A Pinot Noir to Die For (A Black Swann Investigation Book 2) By Wayne Kerr

5/18/2019

Multi-volume author, Wayne Kerr, introduces us to his latest mystery involving Reggie Swann, "A Pinot Noir to Die For":
Wine… Rock ‘n Roll… Murder! The morning after a huge party at his opulent Okanagan winery, legendary Rock ‘n Roll icon Milo Getz is found face down in a large tank of Zipper Ripper Red, one of his extremely popular wines. The police rule his death as accidental, but the grieving widow doesn’t agree. She believes her husband was murdered and hires Reggie Swann to investigate. Who would want to harm the successful celebrity? Reggie quickly discovers that the controversial rock star has almost as many enemies as fans. From his offensive song lyrics to the raunchy wine labels that outraged the traditional winemakers in the region, the dead singer managed to stir up contention wherever he went. Lust, hate, greed and jealousy are just some of the motives Reggie uncovers as she delves deep into the latest: Black Swann Investigation

This story and Wayne’s writing is so good! I was sorry to read the last page.
I wanted more! More of Reggie and her survival instincts, more of her growing crew that surround her with love and respect.
I wanted more of the plotting that Wayne is so good at. The scene-setting is easy to visualize, the action is clear and the dialogue is quite humorous at times. Reggie and the supporting cast come across as quite real.
This is such an enjoyable read; I award 4.9 stars to “A Pinot Noir to Die For”.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Pinot-Noir-Black-Swann-Investigation
https://www.goodreads.com/-a-pinot-noir-to-die-for
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pinot-Noir-Black-Swann-Investigation

You can follow Wayne:
http://waynekerrnovels.allauthor.com/
https://twitter.com/waynekerrnovels
www.facebook.com/wayne.kerr.792740
http://www.waynekerrnovels.com/

You can write Wayne: waynekerrnovels@gmail.com

I have already reviewed the first book in this series:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/framed-black-swann-investigations-book-1-by-wayne-kerr

I have reviewed another exciting book by Wayne Kerr https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/-ric-a-dam-doo-the-snow-devils-by-wayne-a-d-kerr

Tags: private investigator, woman, sleuth, mystery, procedural, police

Copyright © 2019 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction.

61 Comments

Wayne Kerr link

5/20/2019 10:41:40 am

Thank you for the wonderful review. I'm ready for the interview.

Mark

5/20/2019 11:20:35 am

You are welcome, I really enjoyed your book, actually I have enjoyed all of your books, so far.
Please tell me a little bit about yourself, outside of what your Amazon biography says.

5/20/2019 11:48:55 am

I was born in a small town named Biggar. My father was a railroad engineer/farmer and I spent some of my formative years living in town and some out on the farm. Though neither of my parents participated in any sports, athletics was my main focus. Plus, I had a love of reading. If I wasn't doing chores, I was doing some sport or reading. I'm still the same way, however, writing has replaced the chores.
I married my high school sweetheart. Dating Marlene was without a doubt the smartest thing I did in school.
I have a wonderful daughter. Jackie is the reason I began writing. When she was young she preferred me to make up bedtime stories rather than read, that way I could incorporate her and her friends into them. Much later, when she was in her early twenties, I put onto paper one of her favorites as a Christmas gift. I enjoyed the experience. It gave me the courage to tackle writing a real book.

5/20/2019 01:12:34 pm

Our stories have some similarities, My dad was in the transportation industry also, a commercial and military airplane pilot. We lived on a 35-acre, hobby farm also. I loved to read, but I was terrible at sports. I went out for sports several times and was remarkably unremarkable in performance.
I love that story about your daughter. So cute! Did you ever publish that Christmas gift story?
New questions.
Are you a full-time or part-time writer?
Why did you choose this genre, or do you feel the genre chose you?

5/20/2019 01:39:57 pm

I did eventually publish the Christmas gift story. It became 'Dwelf - Guardian of the Realm', my fourth book.
I'm not certain about my status as a full-time writer. I write everyday, but only for roughly four hours. Often on top of that I do some form of promotion and/or other book related task. However, I had the luxury of a very early retirement and actually consider myself retired.
My first three books were paranormal adventures for middle grade readers, then the middle-earth style fantasy for young adults, followed by a military style action adventure for grownups. I love murder mysteries so I challenged myself to tackle that genre. The Black Swann Investigations series was born as a result. I have enjoyed writing each style of book and may try taking on another genre in the future.

5/20/2019 02:09:01 pm

That is nice, different genres, you are a talented writer. You sound like a full-time writer to me. If you want to publish books there are so many different hats to wear, unless you hand some of those hats off to a publisher. But then you lose control and your profits are less.
Marketing is one of those things that never ends for an author, especially an indie author. There are so many different ways to promote a book.
I have only read your murder mysteries and para-military stories, and I really enjoyed them. My reviews are linked above.
New questions.
Who designed the cover of your book?
Was it hard to come up with the title? What was the process?
Your first book in this series was originally published with a different cover and title. Why did you make those changes?

5/20/2019 07:50:41 pm

My sister, Tanya James, designed this and all my other covers. She's a graphic designer. I supply a few ideas and she always comes up with something even better.
It can be difficult to come up with a title. Often as I'm writing the manuscript I have 10-20 title ideas. I run them by my beta readers, get feedback and then make the ultimate decision. In this case the title was the initial idea for the book.
'Dead Ringers' was initially published by Imajin Books as 'Framed'. The publisher wanted a single word title. We agreed upon 'Framed'. The cover was also designed by their people. You give up a lot of control when you are traditionally published. I already had a team of my own put together from previous books, so when the opportunity came up to take back my book, I jumped at it. The people at Imajin are great, but I prefer to have more input in the process.

5/20/2019 08:15:27 pm

I agree, your sister is talented. Is she on Twitter? I would love to add her to my list of people who make book covers.
I wasn't that jazzed about the cover of Framed. It was so dark, it was hard to get a clear message.
New questions.
Were the character names difficult to develop? How did you choose them?
Have you entered any writing contests?
Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

5/20/2019 10:31:25 pm

My sister keeps quite busy with her career. She does covers for my brother and I, as a favor to us. We feel quite fortunate.
Developing character names can be interesting and fun. Sometimes they just come to you and sometimes they can be a struggle. In my first book, one of my beta readers suggested different names for the main protagonists. He was so right. The new names suited the characters better and this ended up inspiring the series title.
In the distant past I had entered a few writing contests and won some short story awards. One winner was published in an anthology of horror stories. More recently, some interest in turning the Black Swann Investigations books into a television series, prompted me to write a pilot script. I entered it into the Canadian International Film Festival and it was a semi-finalist. That was exciting, as is the prospect of a television series. I'll keep you posted.

5/20/2019 11:07:04 pm

Good for your sister, your brother too. An entire family of creative and talented people.
Black Swann Investigations as a TV series is pretty exciting for you, no doubt. Was it hard to translate your book into a pilot script?
New questions.
You published with a small publisher at one point. How did you select that publisher or did they select you through a query letter?
How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?
There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

5/21/2019 12:29:16 am

It wasn't difficult for me to rewrite the book in script form for a couple of reasons. I worked briefly in the film industry, so I had some experience with scripts and their formatting. Also, when I write a scene, I envision it in my mind like movie scene.
I targeted the publisher that I worked with. I'd read several books by their authors and felt my novels would fit nicely with their catalogue. It is very important to write an eye-catching query letter and to carefully follow the submission rules. They liked my sample chapters and we had planned to do three books together.
I think my books stand up well to the products coming out of the major publishing companies. I do my best with the resources I have to produce a great product. Of course, they publish the work of some extremely talented writers that I am striving to reach the level of. At this time, I love to have a large role in each and every part of the publishing process. This summer, I am adding yet another piece to the process by producing audiobooks.
There are still many unethical publishers who prey upon first time authors. The idea of self-publishing can be daunting and they take advantage of this. Many of these 'vanity' type publishers charge many thousands of dollars for work that could be done for much less. As you know, every book needs editing. A good editor is paramount. Many of these companies don't make this a priority. Unfortunately, they often upsell expensive packages that virtually promise best-seller status regardless of the quality of the writing.

5/21/2019 11:20:00 am

Maybe your experience in the movie industry explains why your scenes play so well in my mind. It's easy to visualize what you have written.
Your process with that publisher is different from what I have heard from most authors. It's good to hear that other methods work besides a shotgun approach. You still did your homework and wrote a winning query letter, both are essential elements to getting published.
I am glad to hear you are tackling audio books. I think there is a huge market worldwide for audio books. Are you subbing the audio production out or tackling it yourself? I have a list of people who make audio books on my Twitter home page.
Editing is such an important step in publishing, no question about that.
The old saying is still true and always will be, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
New questions.
Did you have a favorite book as a child?
Do you have a favorite book by another author or authors?
Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

5/21/2019 03:29:33 pm

'My Friend Flicka' by Mary O'Hara was my favorite as a child. I read it several times and then saved up my allowance to purchase the other books in the series.
As a teen, my favorite was 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card
It is more difficult to nail down a favorite as an adult. I like so many authors including: James Patterson, James Rollins, Clive Cussler, Vince Flynn, Sue Grafton and others. A contender for favorite was 'The Bourne Identity' by Robert Ludlum. However, if I had to pick an all-time favorite it would be 'Vanishing Act' by Thomas Perry. Jane Whitefield, the protagonist in this series, is very strong and smart. The story lines are interesting and unique as Jane helps people in need disappear.
Of my books, I do have a favorite. The first one, Monsters and Miracles, is precious to me. Receiving and holding the first copy was a top ten event in my life.
Recently, narrating the audiobook version has allowed me to relive the experience.

5/21/2019 04:33:27 pm

I bet holding that first copy in your hands was an amazing moment. I can see how that could be in the top ten most amazing moments of your life.
Jane Whitfield sounds like an interesting character, dancing around the edge of what is legal. Action stories are a lot of fun, when they are written well.
New questions.
Did you consider using a professional voice talent? Why or why not? I have listened to a couple of books and found them quite enjoyable. They had music between scenes, some used more than one voice talent, one had sounds effects also. Will you announce chapters? There are so many ways to produce an audio book. I am quite excited for you.

Wayne kerr link

5/21/2019 04:39:37 pm

I definitely considered using a professional. I have a lot of respect for narrators and voice-over talent. I've always been a DIY person, so I decided to try my hand at it. I felt the worst that could happen is my attempt is not very good and I could hire the projects out. I've set up a recording studio in the basement. After learning how to use the software and playing with it for about a month I began. I've recorded my first book, Monsters and Miracles, and am just cleaning up some of the dialogue before I submit it. It was a hoot creating character voices for a kid's book. Although, I redid one chapter seven times before I found an important character's voice I was happy with. It has been a real learning experience. Watch out Reggie Swann, your books are next.
I did announce each chapter, but 'Monsters and Miracles' does not have any music or sound effects. However, there is a friendly family of Sasquatch that I had to come up with voices for. That was fun.
I should explain that Xander and Yzzie are seventh graders who investigate the paranormal. They are the Mulder and Scully of middle school and also the X and Y of the series name: 'The X + Y Files'.

5/21/2019 05:00:15 pm

Are you exclusive with Amazon or are you published with Amazon and beyond? Is the audio book going to be available on Audible? Or are you going to go beyond Audible?
In case you haven't found this information, here is the most recent post about audio books from Joanna Penn. She is one of my favorite bloggers and she has had several posts about audio book production and publishing in the last year: Exclusivity vs Publishing Wide For Ebooks, Print, And Audio w/ @thecreativepenn #selfpublishing https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2019/05/06/exclusivity-vs-publishing-wide/ via @thecreativepenn You will have to copy and paste, we can't do hotlinks in the comments.
We sill get back to regular questions soon.

5/21/2019 05:20:30 pm

'Monsters and Miracles' is exclusive with Amazon and I'll use Audible for this Audiobook.
The 'Black Swann Investigations' series was published through Draft2Digital which gives the books a wider audience. They have an audiobook partner - Faraway Voices - which also offers wider distribution. I plan to use them for this series.
I am also a fan of Joanna Penn.

5/21/2019 07:19:11 pm

Excellent. Joanna has such useful information in her podcast and transcript. I read the transcript because the podcast is so slow.
I am excited for you about the wide distribution of your books and audio books of this series. I hope you have great sales. When you have a sample of the audiobook I will add it to my book review page if you would like.
New questions.
Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?
Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?

5/21/2019 08:00:34 pm

Literally, I started writing while I was recovering from an operation. Storytelling does have a healing effect on me. It energizes me. I do all my writing very early in the morning. I get up between 4 and 5 am and write for about four hours. Then I'm ready to start the day. Writing is like a cup of coffee for me.
Characters become almost real while you are writing. They each have their own personalities. I am constantly wondering what makes them tick and how would they react to a situation that might be different than the way I would react. In my mind, each character has a detailed back story. I don't always share all of this because I believe it is also important to allow the reader to use their imagination to fill some of this in. I also leave much of the characters physical appearance for the reader, unless it is important to plot development.

5/21/2019 08:47:16 pm

You are an early bird! I get up about 6 or so. No more alarm clock for me. That has to be nice writing time, if you have the house to yourself.
I believe the characters become real for you, they are real for me as a reader.
New questions.
Have you ever used yourself or other acquaintances as a character for a starting point in a story?
Would they recognize you or themselves in the story?

5/21/2019 10:31:33 pm

'Dwelf - Guardian of the Realm' has characters that are based loosely on my immediate family since it began as a bedtime story. My wife, who is smart, efficient and on the shorter side became a mountain dwarf, I have a more happy-go-lucky attitude and have occasionally been accused of not growing up so I became a forest elf, while our daughter has some of both of our qualities and was the title character. Other characters, some based on her friends were changed for the book.
None of the characters in my other books were based on any one person, though bits and pieces of family, friends and acquaintances have leaked in occasionally.

5/22/2019 11:10:23 am

That is really cute. I read a long time ago that The Hobbit was written as a bedtime story for his kids. It got a little out of hand, as a professor of Languages he created a little backstory.
New questions.
Which is more fun to write, the protagonist or the antagonist?
What is one thing you hate about your protagonist and one thing you love about the antagonist?

5/22/2019 02:55:44 pm

Interesting questions.
Antagonists are more fun for me. For one thing without a good antagonist there isn't much of a story. I'd gone with an evil protagonist in 'Dead Ringers' and a much more sympathetic one in 'A Pinot Noir to Die For'.
I love Reggie and she has had a tough ten years, so finding something I don't like about her is tough. If I had to choose something, I'd say she needs to loosen up and enjoy life more.
I don't want to give anything away for those who haven't read the book yet, but one of my favorite things about the killer was his/her appearance.

5/22/2019 03:35:25 pm

A lot of authors say the antagonist is more fun to write. I have heard actors make a similar statement, the bad person is more fun, a juicier role to play.
I have to agree, Reggie is wound pretty tight. At the same time, 10 years of watching your back all the time is hard to shake off. I like that she maintains her physical fitness routine. I believe in the power of habits.
New questions.
What is your writing routine when you sit down to write?
Do you write in a straight line or do you write what ever the muse provides for you at a given moment?

5/22/2019 06:57:06 pm

My routine is pretty simple. I'm fortunate, in that I never stare a blank screen or sheet of paper. I sit down and immediately start typing. I write for three or four hours, and when I stop I don't know what I'll write the next day. I try not to think about it until the next morning. I let the characters tell the story and sometimes they surprise me.
I write in a straight line. During the editing process I often move things around, entire chapters can get shuffled. When I'm writing I don't use outlines. There are plotters and pantsers. I'm a pantser. I read somewhere that Steven King is also a pantser. However, most authors are plotters. James Patterson outlines his books then outlines each chapter before he starts writing. It is hard to argue with his success.

5/22/2019 07:10:06 pm

Plotter, pantser, or hybrid. I say do what works for you. I know of at least one author that pants her way through a lot of her books. But when she started a fantasy series she found the need for outline, character sheets and a map.
I have heard that Patterson has co-writers, maybe that is why he outlines so meticulously. He supervises his co-writers and they turn out the book the way he wants it. It is hard to argue with success.
New questions.
Did your writing process change much from your early books to your current book or did it stay the same?
Now that your book is published, is there anything about it you would like to change?

5/22/2019 07:36:24 pm

My writing method hasn't changed much from when I started. However, I pay more attention to story arcs and pacing. A result of working with some great editors.
Like almost all writers, I could rewrite lines or paragraphs forever. Once published, I try to live with the result that the editor(s) and I have agreed upon.
The only thing I would and will change at this point are the spelling mistakes that the 'Hyper-Speller' found.

5/22/2019 08:04:54 pm

You are so right. Polishing and more polishing means the book never gets published. There is a definite point of diminishing returns, relating to how much the book is actually improved. It doesn't matter in the long run if it isn't published.
Thank you for the tip of the hat. I am good at finding the invisible spelling errors missed by everybody else, including computers, they are the worst spellers of all.
New questions.
How do you think your book relates to the world we live in today?
What is the one thing you hope readers will remember from your book?
What else are you writing these days?

5/22/2019 10:22:20 pm

I hope my book feels like it is relatable to today. I tried to look at the world as if I'd been locked away for ten years like Reggie. Things like electronics and social media were the two things I felt had changed the most and effected many of us. The changes have had both positive and negative effects on us all.
What I hope readers will take from this book and series is that no matter how bleak things may look, they can and will get better. Never give up.
I am not writing anything this summer. I've written almost daily for the past eight years and felt like a change. Instead, I'm focusing on creating audio versions of the two series I've written.

5/23/2019 11:37:54 am

Reggie's frustrations with her smart phone were done quite well. I could empathize, I remember making my own transition about 10 years ago. I was the last member of our family to get a smartphone.
I think you are making a smart move to audio books.
New questions.
What have you done to create a recording space? What equipment and software are you using?

5/23/2019 12:33:42 pm

My office is tucked away in the basement with no windows, so it began as a very quiet space. I've added some noise cancelling foam to the immediate recording space, as well. A walk-in closet would work well.
I purchased a decent microphone ($150). There are many to choose from. Mine is a Blue Yeti USB. The software I'm using is Audacity, which can be downloaded for free. I'm very happy with it. There are a lot of online instruction videos available. I also read a few books on the subject of audiobook recording. My favorite was 'The Stressed Out Writer's Guide to: Recording Your Own Audiobook' by Kirk Hanley. Then I spent quite a bit of time practicing the narration and using the software. A quiet space, plus getting comfortable with the equipment, editing and narrating is all that is needed.

5/23/2019 01:05:59 pm

You make that sound pretty easy. I am thinking it would be a fairly easy transition to doing podcasts for your website. Have you thought about that?
More questions.
What software do you use to write and publish your books, and why do you use those?
Action, dialogue, or narration; which is easiest to write, which is hardest?

5/23/2019 01:43:21 pm

I use Microsoft Word. I used it while I was working and I'm comfortable with it. Once you have self-published more than once the publishing requirements for paper books are pretty easy. I definitely struggled with headers, footers and margins the first go around. As a pantser style writer using Scrivener or other writing specific software held very little advantage for me.
Dialogue has always come easy for me so I find it the easiest to do. Action, for me, is the trickiest. Short actions are not so bad, but prolonged action like a fight scene, for example, takes practice and extra editing to make it feel authentic. I love to do these scenes, but they can take several tries to get them right.

5/23/2019 04:06:51 pm

MS Word has been around for a very long time. Versatile and powerful. One of the things I like about it is when I get a manuscript from someone who writes in other than American English, I can adjust for whatever English they are using. That helps me to keep it in the author's voice. Many African countries have English as the official language, but differences creep in over the years.
New questions.
You mentioned earlier that you were familiar with screenwriting. Has that experience helped you in writing your books?
What kind of marketing has worked the best and the least for you?
Speaking of marketing, why did you pick me to help promote your previous book, “Ric A Dam Doo”?

5/23/2019 08:45:18 pm

I think having some screenwriting experience has shaped my style of writing. A rookie screenwriting mistake is to provide too much detail and information. The director, cinematographer and sometimes the actors have their own ideas on how the scenes should look and sound. As I mentioned before, I like to let the reader fill in many of the details. This may come from my screenwriting experiences.
Book marketing can be hit and miss. My best results have come from Goodreads and Amazon advertising and promotions, also from people like yourself with a strong online presence. When a potential customer can read a review or interview and then click directly to the book sales page makes it very convenient. Being found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple and others is key for lesser known authors. On the other hand, while in person signings and readings are enjoyable, they can be expensive to organize and have proved to be of limited value. I still do the occasional on site event anyway.
I picked you to help market 'Ric-A-Dam-Doo' after spotting your promotion for another author's book review using the mighty 'Grizz' to drum up interest. I thought it was cute and ingenious. I wanted to be a part of the fun. Two books later, I'm still impressed and enjoying the help from you and Grizz.

5/23/2019 09:09:42 pm

That is interesting. That rookie mistake is eaasy to make in writing also. You nailed it, let the reader fill in the blanks and they will. Give them just enough and they will want more.
Writing starts out as such a solitary experience, a good writer will gather a team around them for a variety of needs such as beta reading, editing and cover making. At some point the book is done and pushed out of the nest.
Marketing, on the other hand, is a never ending adventure, there are so many ways to market locally, around the world and online. I think most authors find the marketing the hardest part of the writing business.
I like your answer to my question why you picked me to promote that first book so much, I am going to put it on my page of Acclaim From Authors. Thank you.
New questions.
Have you ever thought of adding music to your books, like what the characters listen to or they went to a concert as a plot point?
How do you know when a book you are writing is finished?

5/23/2019 10:32:53 pm

I enjoyed creating a makeup Rockstar, music albums and songs for this book. I myself love to sing along with the radio. In 'Murder on the Okanagan Express' Reggie does sing to herself while out on a run. That is a great idea Mark. Watch for more music in the future.
A book isn't always finished after the big finale or reveal. There may be other story lines and arcs that need to be addressed. A book is finished when all the arcs have been completed, with the possible exception of those that are meant to continue into the next installment.

5/24/2019 12:08:47 pm

That is a good one on me! I didn't know the musician and the music was made up. It all seemed reasonable and realistic to me.
Almost every story leaves an opportunity for a sequel, it seems to me. I do enjoy reading a multi-volume series.
New questions.
Did anything in this book come as a surprise while you were writing?
How long does the research process take before you start to write a book or do you do the research as you write the book?

5/24/2019 01:12:21 pm

I think the biggest surprise for me was reintroducing Laynie Garcia. Her back story came to me just before I wrote the confrontation scene. In 'Dead Ringers' I hadn't put much thought into her life prior to prison, only that she was there and obviously hated Reggie. I was as surprised as I hope the readers were to see her return in book 2.
Research is different for each novel. 'Ric-A-Dam-Doo' required a lot of research, both before and during the write. I have a lot of respect for those who serve in the military, so I wanted those aspects of the book to feel authentic. Plus, there were a lot of exotic locales that I hadn't actually been to that required studying.
Most often, I research as I go along. I love the research aspect of writing. It is an enjoyable way to get to know things I normally wouldn't have a reason to learn about.

5/24/2019 01:29:20 pm

The reveal of Laynie was very surprising to me. I was expecting the stalker to be the murderer and the tension was growing as I waited for the hammer to fall. At the end of the book, I could see Laynie being a permanent part of Reggie's life, if not her business. I loved how Laynie was mimicking Reggie even in her clothing choices.
I love research, searching something or some detail all the way down the rabbit hole. I suspect you are an information junkie like me. Growing up on a small, non-working farm in a very small town, my entertainment choices were very limited. I loved to read and very widely. I was going to the dictionary frequently. Our dictionary was almost six inches thick. I could easily spend an hour in that tome.
New questions.
How many drafts did you go through to have a ready-to-publish manuscript?
Going back in time, did you do any kind of creative writing, even back in grade school?

5/24/2019 02:51:45 pm

Despite growing up in different countries, our histories sound quite similar. Though, ours was a working farm and there were lots of chores to do. We still had lots of time for reading, especially during the winter months. In Saskatchewan, spring, summer and fall were one half of the year with winter taking the other half.
I write until the first draft of the manuscript is complete before I go back and do any rewrites. Sometimes, I've made notes but most often I remember the changes I need to make. After the second draft is done, my wife and brother go through it. They both find an embarrassing number of grammatical errors and also make some recommendations. After the third draft, it goes the editor who might suggest small to sweeping changes. After a final version is agreed upon it goes to my beta readers and back to my wife who is nearly as good at spell-checking as you. The answer is usually 5-6 drafts.
I didn't do much creative writing in school. Certainly, no more than I had to. Sports, sports, and more sports was my focus back then. However, I did like to regale my younger brothers and sisters with tale tales while we were growing up.

5/24/2019 03:28:15 pm

The miserably cold and wet winters felt tlike they lasted for six months, but in truth it was only a few months.
What did you raise on the farm? How big was the farm?
Five to six drafts sound like a good number. You have a good group of people suporting your writing and helping you polish it. A team is what it really takes.
New questions.
How did you find your beta-readers?
What kind of questions do you ask them to get the feedback you want?

5/24/2019 05:32:16 pm

We were mixed farmers, mostly grain (wheat and canola), but some cattle and pigs, as well. We had two and a half sections of land.
My beta readers are mostly retired teachers. I worked for a school district for a few years and know many teachers.
The great thing about teachers as beta readers is that they are good at looking for issues and mistakes. I always encourage critique. I assure them that my feelings won't be hurt if they find an issue or make a suggestion, just the opposite is true. It isn't always easy to find good beta readers. Readers that simply praise your work to spare feelings are of no use to an author.

5/24/2019 05:47:42 pm

What an amazing bunch of beta readers you have! Retired teachers. You can't get a lot better than that.
I had to look up a section of land in Canada. If Google is to be trusted, the farm was about 400 acres of land. That is a healthy chunk.
New questions.
Do you reward the beta readers in any way particular?
Do you have other writers you connect with, as in a critique group or support group?

5/24/2019 10:31:45 pm

If my memory serves me correctly, a section of land is 640 acres or the equivalent of one square mile. Now many of the farms, in the area I grew up in, are ten times that size.
The beta readers and other contributors have been very generous with their time and support. A book and a bottle of wine are my usual method of thanks.
I'm part of a couple writing groups. However, my brother and wife are my best help and support. Brian and I critique each other's work. I have learned a lot from him.

5/25/2019 11:42:30 am

I think you are right, Google was supplying the info for a quarter section.
You are treating your betas well. No wonder they are so loyal.
You have built a great support system, starting right at home. I think there are many writers that will be envious.
New questions.
What is the most important thing you learned from publishing your latest book?
What are three things, that you wish you knew before you wrote your first book?

5/26/2019 03:43:32 am

Sorry, I didn't get back to you sooner. Today was my birthday and I got ambushed (in a good way) and was out with family and friends from 9 am to 11:55 pm.
Every book has been a learning experience. With 'A Pinot Noir to Die For' I learned how much I like being involved with every aspect of producing a book. The first book in the series was traditionally published originally and while I love and respect that publisher, I prefer a more hands on experience. I was very happy to republish it and to choose the editor, cover, title, interior design, size, pricing, etc.
Before writing my first book I wish I knew:
1. That I was capable of completing a project of that size. I would have started writing much sooner.
2. How important an editor is. After I had cleaned up most of the grammatical errors I queried twenty agents. After many thank you, but no thanks responses one agent contacted me and loved the concept of the book but told me it required editing. The agent even suggested a few editors. I hired one of them and it was a great experience. I learned so much and my book was vastly improved.
3. What a thrill I would get when I read a good review or hear from a reader how much they enjoyed one of my books. Becoming an author has been more satisfying than I could have imagined.

5/26/2019 11:08:58 am

Happy birthday! What a wonderful kidnapping.
So many authors want to be published traditionally, many of them change their minds and walk the path that you did. Some on the other hand independently publish several books, achieve a modicum of success and then seek an agent or traditional publication.
New questions.
Why did you seek a traditional publisher for the first book?
Do you write notes by hand or on the computer?

5/26/2019 01:44:49 pm

I sought a traditional publisher for my first book because I wasn't aware of self-publishing at the time. During the period while I was working with my first editor, I attended a workshop at a writer's conference on self-publishing. I got quite enthused about the idea and rather than send my edited work back to the agent I'd been talking to, I opted to self-publish.
I sought out a traditional publisher for my sixth book, book 1 in the Black Swann Investigation series, because I thought it might be easier than self-publishing, for the different experience of it and also (if I'm being honest) for the prestige of being traditionally published.
With regards to writing, I write very few notes. When I do need to make notes, it is done on the computer.

5/26/2019 05:07:29 pm

Indie publishing is still the ugly step-child of traditional publishing, it seems.
You have already talked about traditionally publishing BSI book 1. You didn't like the loss of creative control. Your very first book was published traditionally also.
New questions.
Did you go through the query process for that first book? How long did that take?
Once you had a contract, how much time passed before the book was published?

5/26/2019 11:04:07 pm

I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't clear about my very first novel, 'Monsters and Miracles'. I had an opportunity to have it traditionally published but chose to self-publish. The first book in the Black Swann Investigations series, 'Dead Ringers' was traditionally published as 'Framed'.
I sent out twenty queries to agents. Over a three month period I heard back from all of them, with only one showing some interest. That agent told me they could sell my book if I worked with a good editor. Believe me, it badly needed editing. As I've said before I learned so much from working with an editor and still do every time since then. Plus, a properly edited book is much more satisfying to read.
It took an extra six months for 'Framed' to be published traditionally, that it would have if I'd done it myself. That is not bad. It can be much longer for a large or busy publisher.

5/27/2019 10:23:52 am

I got it half right, thanks. I wanted to get more detail abbout the process of publishing traditionally.
I have heard that tradditional publishing can result in a long lead time. I doubt if most publishers hand out advances anymore, also. That route simply delays the reciept of any profits also.
New questions.
Did you get an advance for "Framed"?
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received from another writer?
What has been the biggest surprise in your writing journey?

5/27/2019 01:08:08 pm

Yes, I've heard from other authors. In some cases, they have written two more books by the time a publisher gets their first book onto the shelves. This can make it rather difficult to make a living from writing.
I did get an advance for 'Framed'. It was symbolic. The advance was $100. Still, I very much appreciated the gesture.
The most valuable advice I got from another writer was to finish a manuscript completely before going back to edit it. I have spoken to many writers who struggle to complete their first book, often working on it for years. I get immense satisfaction every time I complete a first draft, even though I know there is even more work in front of me to complete the project.
The biggest surprise has been the high level of support from the people around me. Writing the first draft is solitary work, but once that is done it becomes a team effort. I love that about the process of making a book.

5/27/2019 01:30:51 pm

I have heard from more than one author that very same experience. It takes many publishers a long time to publish a book. Some authors write those other books and self-publish while waiting for the publisher. That is one way to generate some income.
Great advice! I have given the same advice to many writers. The first draft exists to be a POS. Then the fun begins with the editing and rewriting process, bringing the team onboard, to turn it into a jewel.
New questions.
You have published a number of books. You are writing more. Are you writing anything strictly for your own pleasure, not necessarily planning to publish it?
What are common traps for beginning writers?

5/27/2019 06:31:07 pm

I do write the occasional thing not for publishing. For example, my nephews (twins) loved the X + Y Files series, so for their birthday a few years ago I wrote a novella just for them.
A common trap for beginning writers is rushing to get their creation out in the world, long before it is ready. Amazon is littered with books that aren't ready. Many are very short. I clicked on one that was only 13 pages long. Even more aren't edited, some don't even appear to have been proofread.
On the opposite end of the scale, the desire to be published pushes some to pay large sums of money to vanity publishers to make their dream come true. Many of these companies, though not all, skimp on quality such as editing and over-charge, often forcing the writer to purchase hundreds of their own books.

5/27/2019 09:16:35 pm

I bet your nephews love that! A custom story, just for them. Myabe there is an income opportunity there, custom stories.
We have all seen some of those stories. Some should haave never left the filing cabinet.
I like to finish a story when I start it. I usually do, in fact; except one time a couple of years ago I couldn't. There were 10 to 20 errors on every page. I contacted the author and never heard from them again.
The vanity publishers are a sore spot for a lot of writers. They take a newbie for every cent they can.
Last questions. I have a new promotion to prepare for that starts tomorrow.
Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?
What is the biggest obstacle you face in writing?
Can you tell us a little bit about your future writing plans?

5/27/2019 11:39:03 pm

A large ego or not, an author must put it away and welcome critique if they want to put out a quality product. I've known writers that get angry when an editor suggests changes to their work. Editing your own work does not work. Good reviews are fun and great for the ego, but a bad review should be a learning experience.
For me the biggest obstacle is marketing my books. I'd rather spend the time I allot to author-time actually writing.
I have ideas for two books floating around in my subconscious. I am going to spend the rest of the year turning my novels into audiobooks and expect to begin the next novel in the new year.

5/28/2019 12:02:18 am

I have run across a couple of writers like that also. I don't think they will achieve their goals with an attitue like that.
So many authors dread the marketing aspect of the business. I understand why, creating the book in the first place is a very solitary experience. The process to bring it to market requires a group of people. The marketing is a daily thing, it has to be done for the book to reach people and have an impact. Marketing requires an author to put themself and their book out there in front of people every day. It is not easy.
I am excited about your audio book project. I think it has great promise to contribute to your income stream over a period of time. The worldwide market is growing tremendously.
Our time has come to an end, I have a new promotion that starts tomorrow. I have enjoyed our conversation so much. Thank you for sharing about your writing and publishing journey. I wish you much success!

5/28/2019 12:37:47 am

Mark, it was an honor and a very pleasurable experience. I am sorry to see our conversation come to an end.
Thank you for your kind review.
I urge all the writers reading this to send your manuscript to Mark before you publish. No one is better than he at catching the mistakes other editors might miss!

A Pinot Noir to Die For (A Black Swann Investigation Book 2) By Wayne Kerr

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