Author Yearbook

AY Talks Back

We were thrilled to have some time to chat with Candace Sams, who is involved in the 2012 Author Yearbook.

Author Yearbook: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

Candace Sams: I went to a bookstore one day and couldn’t find anything on the shelves that specifically interested me. Paranormal romance has always been my favorite, but there was a time some years ago when it dried up. I went home and started piddling around on my computer and came up with a story. On a whim, I entered that story in a contest, it won and I was offered a publishing contract. That was about 18 years ago; I’m now about to release my 50th title, and have a couple of works being vetted for movie options.

Author Yearbook: Out of all your books, which one is your favorite and why?

Candace Sams: That’s tough. The answer that pops to mind is that my favorite book is the book I’m currently working on. I have to throw myself into it with everything I’ve got or it won’t be worth reading. That being said I tend to eat, breathe and sleep the characters of my work in progress – during the months the book is being written. I plot in my head and as I sit at my computer the plot even takes over my imagination at that time.

Author Yearbook: Do you have any special things you do when writing? For example, some authors listen to a certain type of music, others drink a glass of wine (some too many glasses), and still others exercise to release that creative spirit. What do you do, if anything?

Candace Sams: I scan research material concerning my project’s subject matter even if I don’t intend to use all the facts I come across. What’s in that research helps develop a flavor for the entire plot; the characters, the time, place and even the clothing the characters will wear. For example: If I’m writing a paranormal story concerning Halloween, I surround myself with research about that season and develop the plot around that research. I might not put a jack-o-lantern in the story, but the spirit of that season will be evident due to the research books I’ve read on the subject.

Author Yearbook: What is your greatest challenge as a writer?

Candace Sams: Not giving up when e-books are pirated to the point that sales dramatically drop. It’s very difficult putting your butt in a chair for the better part of a year, writing a novel, only to find out – the same day it’s released – that book pirates (and sometimes unwitting readers) have stolen and/or loaned the book (illegally) and posted it all over the internet for free. Sales cannot withstand the number of copyright infringed books that were loaned to everyone who thought it was okay to post it on their website or upload it to a file share site. I think this practice is hitting all authors very VERY hard right now and is the biggest demotivation a lot of us (not just me) have ever faced. When one person loans their e-book to another, and so on and so forth, no one wants to buy the title. It’s very disheartening and authors cannot long afford this illegal practice.

Author Yearbook: What is your greatest reward as a writer?

Candace Sams: When someone emails and tells me they personally liked the book, that’s a real thrill. With dwindling sales across the board for all authors, this is sometimes the only thing keeping me in the business.

Author Yearbook: What do you do when you aren’t writing? Any hobbies or special interests?

Candace Sams: I work out very hard, jogging miles each week and lifting weights. This helps me deal with the ‘down side’ of the business (like the copyright infringement mentioned already). I love gardening and hope to be getting my master gardener’s certificates late this summer and early fall. Martial arts have always been a big part of my life and I practice certain aspects of it regularly.

Author Yearbook: In keeping with our theme for the 2012 Yearbook of “Then and Now”, what is your favorite childhood memory?

Candace Sams: I can remember playing all over my aunt and uncle’s farm in Texas. My brothers, cousins and I explored the barn, the corn fields and the fish pond in the meadow on the farthest part of the property. We played on the hills where the cattle grazed and never thought a thing about running across some wild animal (poisonous snakes). I recall playing with stuff my parents would have been horrified over had they known. But I learned to respect other creatures and my place within the world. A farm is a good place for a kid to grow up. I learned to garden and enjoy canning and eating what we grew. I learned a night by a campfire was far more entertaining than a computer or a movie.

Author Yearbook: What are you working on right now? What can we expect to see from you in the future?

Candace Sams: Right now I’m working on a story which will be a series developed with two other authors. I can’t say more about it right now, but will announce it soon. These stories will be paranormal romances, situated in the contemporary, Celtic part of the world; beneath a full moon.

Author Yearbook: Anything you’d like to add?

Candace Sams: Not to be a ‘nudge’ but please don’t share e-books with other folks; not without the authors’ permission. Sharing and loading onto illegal file share sites is killing authors’ sales. If you can’t afford a book, please contact your favorite author. I’d be willing to bet he/she would rather give one away, with the promise that it’s only for your use, than have the entire work posted  all over the internet, eating into sales and causing  that author countless hours every day trying to have those illegally shared copies removed from web sites. Please, do not copy any e-book for any reason… Please!!!! The one you buy is for your use. It’s not to share with anyone else. If you got it from a legitimate lender (like Amazon or the author), there are rules stipulated for the use of that copy. Please know those rules. Always ask the author (contact them their website) if you’re not sure.

If you wouldn’t run to the copier and copy off a paperback, then please don’t copy e-books which then get copied and copied and copied again. Authors can’t afford to keep writing when their work is stolen. At the front of each book is a copyright page. Again…please read what it says and don’t lend your books to others without the author’s permission. Even ‘free’ e-books have rules as to copying/sharing. Again, please read the copyright page at the front of the book you uploaded or ask the author about copying. Please support our privilege to write for you. Please don’t file share e-books.  If you have questions or comments, please contact me at www.candacesams.com.