Featured Author: Leti Del Mar

Leti Del Mar's fourth book, Secrets of the Unaltered, a young adult dystopian romance, has just been released, and she's here today to talk about the book, herself, and writing. This week, Leti is celebrating release week, and the book is available for $0.99.

About the book:

The fate of the entire Confederation rests on their shoulders.

Only they have what it takes to uncover the secrets that have imprisoned their land, but can they survive a truth more disturbing than they ever imagined?

Rose and Flynn have left the Land of the Unaltered on a mission to discover the truth behind who created the genetically engineered super army and stop it before the Rebellion is doomed. Time is ticking, but soon capital life begins to pull them in different directions. Flynn struggles to fit in with the self-indulgent and fashion obsessed populous while the expectations of Rose’s influential family tests their fragile and newly formed relationship. Will they let the capital pull them apart?

Everyone is counting on them, but in this time of discord, can they count on each other?

Secrets of the Unaltered is a Young Adult Dystopian Romance and is the second installment of The Confederation Chronicles.

Interview with Leti Del Mar

Leti, welcome back to A Blue Million Books. Your bio says you teach math and life science to teenagers. That's like a foreign language to me. Do you like the work?

I love it (most of the time), and I think it gives me an edge on the inner workings of the teenage mind. I also love to include a wee bit of science in all of my works.

Which character did you most enjoy writing?

I love Flynn.  He is so socially awkward, but smart and hardworking and unselfish. I just want to tell him to shut up and then give him a big hug.

That's probably a familiar sentiment with teenagers! Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.

I love when Flynn gets a makeover after getting to the capital. There is nothing like a Pretty Woman scene mixed in with a budding “Bromance” to put a smile on my face.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

Whenever my toddler is asleep and wherever she is not sleeping!

Where’s home for you?

Southern California. It is almost always sunny, close to everything I love; be it shopping, museums, or mountain trails and beaches. I love it here!

Let's pretend you’re leaving the country for a year. What’s the last meal (or food) you would want to have before leaving?

I’ve put some serious thought to this one and I’d have to say Baja Style Fish Tacos. They are beer battered, have lots of lime, are fried, and have this special Baja California sauce that is a mystery and a delight. I don’t think I can go too long without them.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?

“A life lived in fear is a life half lived.” Although it sounds better in Spanish.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I could see myself in the UK. I already watch way too much BBC America. I just need to figure out how to import Baja Sauce.

What are you working on now? 

I am working on three projects at once. I am outlining the sequel in my Romantic Suspense series called The Inexperianced Thief, and I’m outlining the final installment in the Confederation Chronicles, a YA Dystopian Romance called The Rise of the Unaltered.  Also, I am in the very beginnings of planning a YA Sci-Fi trilogy about a summer camp for kids with superpowers.

Wow. And you teach, and you have a toddler! Please come back and tell us more about these projects and how you do it all!

About the author:

Leti Del Mar lives in sunny Southern California with her husband, daughter and abnormally large cat. When she isn’t writing, reading or blogging, she is teaching Biology and Algebra to teenagers. Leti is also a classic film buff, passionate about Art History and loves to travel.

Connect with Leti:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |Mailing List

Buy the book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Featured Author: Leti Del Mar

I'm welcoming back to my blog Leti Del Mar, to tell us about her newest release, Land of the Unaltered, published by Rambaldi Press. Leti was here in December to talk about her novel, The Inadvertent Thief, and to contribute a guest post. I'm happy to have her back today.

About the book:

Rose comes from the capital of the Confederation of Cities where its citizens live in luxury and the greatest fashion statement of all is being Altered. People change everything about the way they look as often as they do their hairstyle but Rose is different. Her position of privilege has made her an outcast and led her to suspect that something sinister is happening to the citizens and flees the capital along with a past that imprisons her in search of a fresh start in the Land of the Unaltered.

Flynn lives in the Land of the Unaltered and hates the capitol and everything it stands for. So when a spoiled capital girl is assigned to work with him, he wants nothing to do with her and is prepared to make her life miserable. But Flynn was not prepared for someone like Rose. She doesn’t fit the mold he expected and finds himself strongly attracted to her. As she continues to surprise and outwit him, they begin to forge a bond that is tested when they discover a secret that could change everything they know about Land of the Unaltered.

Land of the Unaltered is a Dystopian Romance and is the first installment of the The Confederation Chronicles.




Interview with Leti Del Mar:

Leti, this is your second published novel. How long have you been writing, and how did you start?

I’ve always tinkered around with writing but it wasn’t until 2009 that I sat down and wrote my first novel, The Inadvertent Thief.  After a very long time of looking for an agent, sending away my manuscript, getting rejected, doing it all over again, followed by even more time waiting; I decided to self-publish in 2012. The last year has been an incredible journey from which I have learned so much. I now find myself much more business savvy and ready to promote my newest novel with a strategic marketing plan.

Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants, or let your characters tell you what to write?

I am an obsessive compulsive organizational freak when it comes to writing. I create character charts, plot charts and checklists before I start writing. When I finish my first draft, I go back to these charts and lists and see what needs to be improved upon. I’ve made all of my tools available on my website under the “Author Resources” tab. Feel free to check them out and use them.

I will. Thank you! Did you have any say in your cover art?

As an obsessive compulsive organizational freak, I have a lot of trouble handing over the reigns in any part of the creative process. My covers are all mine. For my recent book, I knew I wouldn’t be able to create the exact cover I had in mind so I got help from the very affordable Digital Donna.

Do you have a routine for writing?

I am a big believer in checklists and calendars. I like to give myself a deadline for when I want my completed product to be finished by. Then I break it down into all the steps I need to do to make this happen and assign them smaller deadlines. That way each week, and even each day, I know what I need to accomplish.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do when it happens?

Writer’s block and I are old friends. We go way back. My solution is to stop writing. Instead, I switch gears and do something else that is productive. Sometimes I focus on the business side of writing. The point is to switch gears until I feel the creative juices flowing again.

Leti's Guest Post:

As a self-published Indie Author, I’ve learned a thing or two about this business from other professional in the publishing industry, fellow authors and book bloggers. This know-how has really paid off. The publishing and promoting of my second novel has gone so much smoother and has seen greater results. Looking back, I think I can consolidate it into 5 tips that I wish I knew before self-publishing.

#1- Market your book before it is even published

If you wait until your book is published, then you have waited too long. By telling people, readers, bloggers about your book before it is even done, you start to build a platform for potential readers. I wish I had done this with my first novel. I published it and then wondered, “Now what?” The key is to have a solid marketing plan in place and begin working on it while you finish writing and publishing your book.

#2- Network

Gaining contacts is golden in this industry. Find and meet fellow authors. I have been amazed by the results. These friendly people have pointed me in the direction of resources that have helped me immensely. Search blogs and blog directories. When you find a blog that looks helpful and interesting, follow it and comment frequently. Read their books and build real connections with these people. I have also directly emailed other Indie Authors with brief questions and those emails have led to wonderful exchanges of tips and ideas. You will get back just as much as you give. I promise.

#3- Choose quality over quantity

It sounds easy to tweet and post daily about your book. But no one likes a commercial, much less a persistent one. If you have something worthwhile to say, then tweet it, post it, ect. For example, while visiting a Kindleboards forum, I posted a question about using KDP Select and had a great discussion there. It was meaningful and helpful to me and in the end, one of the guests told me she just purchased my book! Not all online discussions will lead to a purchase, but you will have a better chance of selling your work if stop trying to sell your work with every breath you take.

#4 Learn your craft

I’m not talking about the craft of writing (although the same advice goes for that), I’m talking about the craft of selling your books. Keep looking for great sites, sign up for informative newsletters, join communities, read books by those who have made this work. This is a business after all, and you should be invested in doing it to the best of your ability.

#5 Write more

You’re a writer, so write. It can be easy to get caught up in the business side of being a writer, but you need a quality product before you can sell it. I have learned two things about successful Indie Authors. They write series and they have a huge back list of titles. This didn’t happen overnight. So if you feel discouraged and think it is never going to happen, then write another book. Keep writing those books, preferably write them as part of a series. It may not happen this year, or next, but it will happen. Believe in it!

From the author:

I live in sunny Southern California with my husband, daughter and abnormally large cat. When I'm not writing, reading or blogging, I am teaching Biology and Algebra to teenagers. I'm also a classic film buff, passionate about Art History and love to travel.

Connect with Leti:
Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Linkedin | Mailing list | Goodreads


Buy the book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords |




Leti's tour schedule:

Busy Moms Book Reviews- July 1

A Book So Fathomless- July 2

Writing Belle- July 3

Punya's Reviews- July 4 

Jodie Pierce's Ink Slinger's Blog- July 5

MaMa's Book Corner- July 8

A Blue Million Books- July 9

Curse of the Bibliophile- July 10

Read Between the Lines- July 11

Nette's Bookshelf- July 12

Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews- July 13

Tangled Up in Books- July 15

Notebook Blogairy- July 16

Rosie Amber- July 17

Smart Girls Love Sci-Fi- July 18 

Dream Big...Read Often- July 19



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Cover Reveal: Land of the Unaltered

I'm happy to join Leti Del Mar in the cover reveal of her new dystopian romance novel, Land of the Unaltered, the first installment of the Unaltered trilogy, on sale June 18. Ta da....

About the book:

Rose comes from the capital of the Confederation of Cities where its citizens live in luxury and the greatest fashion statement of all is being Altered. People change everything about the way they look as often as they do their hairstyle, but Rose is different. Her position of privilege has made her an outcast and led her to suspect that something sinister is happening to the citizens and flees the capital along with a past that imprisons her in search of a fresh start in the Land of the Unaltered.

Flynn lives in the Land of the Unaltered and hates the capitol and everything it stands for. So when a spoiled capital girl is assigned to work with him, he wants nothing to do with her and is prepared to make her life miserable. But Flynn was not prepared for someone like Rose. She doesn’t fit the mold he expected and finds himself strongly attracted to her. As she continues to surprise and outwit him, they begin to forge a bond that is tested when they discover a secret that could change everything they know about Land of the Unaltered. 


Click on the Goodreads link to add Land of the Unaltered to your "To Read" list.

Find our more about Leti Del Mar on her website.
Also by Leti: The Inadvertent Thief


Find Leti on:
Facebook | Twitter

Leti Del Mar Guest Post

Leti Del Mar is the Indie author of the romantic suspense novel, The Inadvertent Thief. She is a biology and algebra teacher who loves to travel with her husband and daughter. Her love of museums is the basis for her debut novel. In The Inadvertent Thief, Vivien Flowers specializes in protecting fine art and her highly structured world comes to a halt when two very special paintings are stolen.  In her fierce determination to get them back, Vivien learns how to become a thief.  This romantic suspense follows Vivien’s journey from Los Angeles to Paris as she learns about trust, love and the brilliance she is capable of.

For an interview with Leti, click here.

An Indie Author Is Like A Fiddler On The Roof

As I am attempting to market and promote my current novel (The Inadvertent Thief), write its sequel, start a Sci-Fi Young Adult novel, blog, and remind my husband and daughter that I am still alive and kicking, I realize that I am preforming a very precarious balancing act much like a fiddler on a roof.  So I am taking a moment to reflect on this much loved musical in search of answers.


1.    Lehyam! To Life! This is a journey and a long one at that.  Celebrate the milestones whatever they are.  Just finish a first draft?  Go out to dinner! Found someone to help you edit?  Take them out to dinner! Score your first blog follower? Splurge on the venti size of your favorite coffee.  Receive a 5 star review? Hello happy hour! So when things are looking up, take a moment to say, “Lehyam!”

2.    Do You Love Me?  If your family and friends have to ask, you’re doing something wrong. Make sure they know they are the priority and they will continue to support you on your journey. Your book/blog/project will come and go but your family and friends are going to stick around a whole lot longer if you are nice to them now.  

3.    If I Were a Rich Man: I had that dream of being discovered by a publisher and poof! I’m a New York Times bestselling author.  When I saw that there was no mass herd of publishers at my door begging to share my work with the world, I decided to self-publish and have never once regretted it. It is hard work but entirely worth the effort.

4.    Tradition!  As Tvye discovered, some traditions are meant to be broken.  In the end, you have to make your own way. Maybe there is a traditional way to go about writing and marketing your work while having a real life. Maybe. I plan on finding out what works for me and not being afraid to change my mind.

Connect with Leti:

Blog
Facebook page
Twitter



The Inadvertent Thief is available for FREE download now at:
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And soon at:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon

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Talking With Leti Del Mar

Leti Del Mar is the author of The Inadvertent Thief, released in June of this year.

About the book:

In The Inadvertent Thief, Vivien Flowers specializes in protecting fine art and her highly structured world comes to a halt when two very special paintings are stolen. In her fierce determination to get them back, Vivien learns how to become a thief. This romantic suspense follows Vivien’s journey from Los Angeles to Paris as she learns about trust, love, and the brilliance she is capable of.

Welcome, Leti! You published your debut novel in June. Do you have another job outside of writing?

I have been a biology and algebra teacher for 8 years which is very strange since my first loves in life were literature and art history. I actually started out wanting to be a curator in a museum, and even though I now spend most of my days talking about numbers and science, I escape to a museum whenever I can. I think my profession has helped me as a writer since I take a very logical and pragmatic approach to all of my work.

Do you outline or write by the seat of your pants?

I outline and outline some more and then transfer my outline to a flow chart and then finish off with a three-page-long checklist. I use all of this preparation so that I when I do sit down and write, I know exactly what I am going to say. As a mother of a toddler, every second I can sit down and write is priceless, and I can’t afford to waste it.

How did you create the plot for this book?

After spending lots of time in museums, I became very curious about their security. I started wondering what it would take to steal a painting, a big one. Then I started to wonder what would cause a logical person like me to be in a position where I needed to steal a painting. Before long, I had a plot in my head and three chapters written. Then I went outline crazy and was on my way. 

Are any of your characters inspired by real people? Who? 

Yes! The most of my supporting characters are inspired by people I know. My heroine’s ex-boyfriend is a near replica of my ex-boyfriend, and I’m sorry to say I didn’t even change his name. Oops!

Are you like any of your characters? How so?
I have some strong similarities with my heroine, Vivien. We are both very driven and have a strong science background. We both love art but understand that we are no good at creating it, and we are both terrible liars. But she is much tougher than I am and has a way cooler background.

What song would you pick to go with your book?

There are two that fit perfectly with the theme of my book. Unintended by Muse and Arms by Christina Peri.

What are your favorite books or favorite authors?

a) as a child: Growing up as the youngest child with siblings a decade older than me, I was always playing catch up and refused to read children’s books. I read biographies and attempted to read the classics.
b) as a teenager: I had a classics only policy and preferred Jane Austen and Edith Wharton c) as an adult: I’ve discovered children’s lit like J.K. Rowling and YA. I like Suzanne Collins. I read for fun and pleasure and to try to catch up on all those years I was pretending to be a grown up.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

I am reading Garment of Shadows by Laurie R. King on the Kindle my husband bought me last year. Now that I’ve gone digital, I’m not sure I’m ever going back.

How do you handle criticism of your work?

I take all criticism as an opportunity to improve. I am in fact begging for criticism. So if you’re reading this, I would welcome a review on my novel.

What’s one of your favorite quotes? 

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.


About the author:

When I'm not writing, I teach Biology and Algebra to teenagers. When I'm not teaching, I'm pursuing my love of Art History, buried deep inside of a museum or I'm traveling with my husband and daughter. The Inadvertent Thief is my first novel, and I am hard at work on my second.



Connect with Leti:
Blog
Facebook page
Twitter
Smashwords
Barnes & Noble
Amazon


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