Pump Up Your Book Chats with ‘Champagne Lies’ Wendy VanHatten

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Wendy VanHatten is a published author, Editor of Prime Time Living Magazine, professional editor for authors, and contributing writer in additional magazines. Her children’s books, the Max and Myron series, teach children to read as they learn how to become good citizens with positive character traits. She has taught writing at the college level and travel writing for continuing education workshops.

Currently, she documents travel advice and photos in her blog, www.travelsandescapes.blogspot.com. More information about Wendy and her books may be found at www.wendyvanhatten.com. Her books are available on Amazon or from her website.

Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

I have always wanted to write a mystery or a novel with intrigue and twists.

Q: Which part of the book was the hardest to write?

The outline.

Q: Does your book have an underlying message that readers should know about?

Not really.

Q: Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

The writing bug started when I was eight years old…on family trips.

Q: Besides books, what else do you write? Do you write for publications?

I write several things: My Max and Myron series is a children’s series of books. This is about a boy who comes home from school each day to tell his cat, Myron, all about it. The purpose is to teach kids to read, teach them to think, and teach them how to have good character traits.

I have a short novel about my dad and WWII. This work of fiction is based on facts. It is about me discovering what Dad went through during WWII and what I didn’t know as a child.

I have a short novel about enjoying life from my cat’s perspective. This is a fun read that anyone can relate to…regardless if you love cats.

I started writing travel articles and have been featured in hundreds of magazines. I still write regularly for some magazines.

I am the editor for Prime Time Living Magazine, where I do the normal edit functions as well as write a travel article.

Q: Do you have a writing tip you’d like to share?

If writing is your passion…write.

Q: Would you like to tell us about your home life? Where you live? Family? Pets?

I live in northern California with my husband, having moved here from Iowa just over five years ago. We have two sons and their families. We love to visit them and to travel throughout California and Europe.

I grew up traveling and taking notes in my journal. My dad wanted my brother and me to see all the states and their capitals by the time we graduated from high school.

I had a successful health care administration career before I turned to writing full time.

My office supervisor is my trusted kitten…Shadow.

Q: Can you tell us a little about your childhood?

I grew up in Iowa and traveled the entire US.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

In my office.

Q: What do you do to get away from it all?

The back patio and pool at home…or San Francisco.

Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promoting your book?

Contacted you.

Q: Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

Yes to both.

Q: How do you think book promotion has changed over the years?

I believe it’s more difficult.

Q: What is the most frustrating part of being an author?

Marketing

Q: What is the most rewarding?

Reading comments from readers.

Q: How do you think book publishing has changed over the years?

With self publishing, just about anyone can publish a book. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. Yet, it does make it easier and more cost effective for those who have a good manuscript to get it into print.

Q: If you had one wish, what would that be?

To take cooking classes and Italian lessons in Italy.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world other than where you are right now, where would that place be?

Paris

Q: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer. Who would you thank?

My dad, my husband for starters

Q: Thank you so much for this interview, Wendy VanHatten. Do you have any final words?

Thank you for this opportunity.

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

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