Author Bio:
Hilary Grossman dated a guy so commitment-phobic that she was able to write a book about their relationship. She is currently the CFO of a beverage alcohol importer and lives on Long Island.
What inspires you to write?
For as far back as I can remember I always wanted to write a book, probably because I was always a huge reader. Over the years, I would dabble in writing, but I never stuck to it. Then, about four years ago, I decided to start my blog, Feeling Beachie (http://www.feelingbeachie), as practice. I wanted to see if I had the wherewithal to write regularly as well as see if anyone would be interested in what I had to say. I loved every second of blogging, especially the friendships that I developed. Then, about two years ago, I attended a BlogHer conference about turning a blog into a book. The conference was amazing and it gave me the motivation I needed to transform my dream into a reality! I started writing Dangled Carat the very next day!
Tell us about your writing process.
I have a very high stress, long hour “day job” so I was only able to devote time to writing Dangled Carat on the weekends. But for the seven months or so that I worked on the first draft, writing Dangled Carat was all I did. I would sit myself down at my dining room table in front of my laptop and type from early in the morning until about 6 PM every Saturday and Sunday. I would only get up to refill my water bottle….
What advice would you give other writers?
Just write. Don’t worry about anything besides telling your story. The next steps – looking for an agent, publication, cover design, sales, etc – they will all work out… There are so many options available to authors now! Also, I would advise to develop a thick skin and don’t take rejection personally. If possible, gear yourself up for rejection, almost expect it. The vast majority of first time authors will not be able to secure an agent. Don’t let it discourage you…. Instead embrace the small victories along the way…..and enjoy the moments and remember, you are doing something that most people only dream of….
How did you decide how to publish your books?
There are a lot of reasons why I am glad that I self-published my book. I love that I had full control over it from content to cover. That said, I have to be honest… I would have loved to have been traditionally published. Doing everything your own is very difficult, especially trying to get your book “out there.” I explored traditional publishing. I was very encouraged because I had five agents request my manuscript. But in the end none of them accepted it. Part of me wanted to continue to query but truth be told, I ran out of patience. I just wanted to get Dangled Carat out there….and since there are now so many options available for self-published authors I took advantage of them.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think that book publishing will constantly change and evolve due to technology. It is a great and exciting time!
What do you use?
Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?
memoir, women’s fictions
What formats are your books in?
Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Hilary Grossman Home Page Link
Link To Hilary Grossman Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7266769.Hilary_Grossman
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hilary-Grossman-Author/490726971020296
https://twitter.com/feelingbeachie
