L. Diane Wolfe, Author, Publisher
Women and Adversity: L. Diane Wolfe
Author, Publisher
“How to Publish Your Book Now” and “How to Promote Your Book Now” were presentations L. Diane Wolfe gave at the September 2019 Hampton Roads Writers Conference. Both were based on her book How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now! She explained the differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing, and encouraged listeners not only to consider self-publishing but to establish a publishing company of their own. She further provided a plan to accomplish that feat. The tips motivated listeners to at least think of following her lead. Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. is the publishing company Wolfe founded in 2008.
She is the author of the Circle of Friends series which follows young adults from high school through college and into their careers. With the moniker “Spunk on a Stick,” Wolfe inspires others to achieve.
During our conversation, Wolfe agreed to participate in my blog and to answer questions I had for her.
JAM: What was the biggest obstacle you faced when you wrote Circle of Friends, Book I, Lori?
LDW: Just learning the ropes and good writing were the biggest challenges. That book was my first, and it’s been through three different editors and several other edits since its first release [2009].
JAM: Were the obstacles different in the succeeding four books in the series?
LDW: Each book came with challenges in terms of the characters. They each had their own personality and baggage. The fifth one, Heather, was the biggest challenge – her character is a pain in the butt!
JAM: What obstacles did you face when you founded Dancing Lemur Press?
LDW: I did a ton of research before I started the process. There are a lot of details to take care of – registering the name and company, getting the domain and website, buying the formatting program and learning it, registering with Bowker and buying ISBNs and bar codes, sales tax license, etc.
JAM: What obstacles do you face now as a writer?
LDW: Time to write! I am so busy with DLP and my authors, I rarely have time to write anymore.
JAM: What obstacles do you face as a speaker?
LDW: Speaking is one thing I’m very comfortable doing, and I know my topics well. I’d love to do more gigs, but researching, contacting and doing them takes time away from DLP.
JAM: How did you get known as “Spunk on a Stick”?
LDW: My husband came up with that name! My nickname was already “Spunky.” My husband said “Chicken is good, but chicken on a stick is better. So, spunk is good, but Spunk on a Stick is even better.” I’ve been using if for almost 15 years now.
JAM: What does the L. stand for in your name?
LDW: My first name – difficult to pronounce, even more so to spell, so I ditched it 40 years ago.
JAM: Anything else you would like to add?
LDW: Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. has over 50 titles now with 12 in audio book. We’re always looking for new submissions.
JAM: What does the L. stand for in your name?
LDW: My first name – difficult to pronounce, even more so to spell, so I ditched it 40 years ago.
JAM: Anything else you would like to add?
LDW: Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. has over 50 titles now with 12 in audio book. We’re always looking for new submissions.
Information
www.dancinglemurpressllc.com
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
March 12 – Guest blog by Lynn Andrews, Rebecca Hodge, Novelist
