Writing is a very lonely profession. Even if you are a husband or wife with four kids, two dogs, and a cat, you can feel the pangs of isolation as you wrestle with your craft.
You may find friends and family members don't have the tools necessary to help you create a professional manuscript or discuss where possible publishing avenues might be. It is rather rare to have a spouse, parent, or child who truly wants to share your every angst, every agonizing decision over which point of view you should use or how long your book should be.
Don't destroy friendships by prattling on about the craft of your work in progress. Talk to a professional who has been there and is still there. Having a mentor, someone who can show you the ropes, is often a productive experience on both sides. Understanding what is normal in the business, who might be best to approach about a project, how to write an outline, or even going over notes from an editorial service in more detail are all ideas that a phone conversation with a mentor can cover.
Why talk to Sèphera?
Sèphera Girón has been a full time working writer and editor for over twenty years. Her first love is writing horror fiction but over the years, has been published in a variety of genres under several pen names. She has developed a passion for editing other writers' work as well. She has worked with professional authors for traditional publishing houses to fledging authors who are self-publishing.
Sèphera's first horror novel,
Eternal Sunset, came out in 2000, followed quickly by horror novel,
House of Pain (Leisure, 2001) and non-fiction book,
House Magic: The Good Witch's Guide to Bringing Grace to Your Space by Ariana (Conari/ Red Wheel/Weiser, 2001) Over the years, she's had over twenty books with traditional publishers and over a dozen more with indie presses. In 2014, she will have two horror novellas,
Captured Souls and
Flesh Failure published by Samhain Publishing. She will also appear in several anthologies including
Axes of Evil.
Sèphera has edited over six hundred manuscripts in pretty much every genre. She has written articles, stories, blogs, magazines, poems, screenplays, video boxes, movie reviews, ad copy, theatre programs, dance programs, brochures, and more.
Sèphera has attended World Horror, HWA Bram Stoker Weekend, Necon, Ad Astra, Eeriecon, and others over the years. She would be happy to discuss con stories such as what to expect and some of her own experiences.
For nearly twenty years, Sèphera has been the Canadian/Ontario/Toronto Chapter Head of the Horror Writers Association. She holds monthly meetings, and helps to organize the events where HWA has a presence in Toronto such as Fan Expo/Festival of Fear, Word on the Street, World Fantasy, Ad Astra and others. She has received the Silver Hammer Award for her volunteer efforts. This year the HWA Toronto Chapter will be holding workshops and readings as well.
Talking about experiences or critiquing a manuscript over the phone can sometimes be a great enhancement to revisions and notes. When you book your editing package, you can add on a Skype call for a reduced rate. You don't need to reserve a Skype call when you book your package unless that's what you want. You are able to book a Skype call at the reduced rate anytime after your full payment for your editorial package up until thirty days after your final editorial revisions were returned.
Sèphera is friendly and talkative. Have your questions ready and learn some of the tips from the pros.
