 Welcome to Matter of Inquiry Mystery author Judy Penz Sheluk is with us today, but she won’t be featuring her mysteries (although we hope you’ll hunt them down and read them – try her website!). We’ll be taking a look at her non-fiction writing/publishing reference book and alerting you to a new one coming out late this year. I’m pleased to have you on the blog, Judy. Before we jump into the interview, please tell readers something about yourself.  About the Author: A former journalist and magazine editor, Judy Penz Sheluk is the bestselling author of Finding Your Path to Publication: A Step-by-Step Guide, as well as two mystery series: the Glass Dolphin Mysteries and Marketville Mysteries, both of which have been published in multiple languages. Her short crime fiction appears in several collections, including the Superior Shores Anthologies, which she also edited. Judy is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, the Short Mystery Fiction Society, and Crime Writers of Canada, where she served on the Board of Directors for five years, the final two as Chair. She lives in Northern Ontario. Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I’m an avid golfer and try to get out 3 times a week during our all-too-short season here in Northern Ontario. Despite my best efforts, I have yet to get a hole in one, but hope springs eternal!” Find her Website at www.judypenzsheluk.com. Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/JudyPenzSheluk/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/wwwjudypenzshelukcom Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudyPenzSheluk Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/judypenzsheluk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judypenzsheluk/ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/judy-penz-sheluk Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Judy-Penz-Sheluk/e/B00O74NX04 INTERVIEW: JLB: Do you write full-time, or do you have a “day” job? JPS: My day job from 2003 to 2018 was that of a freelance journalist and magazine editor, so I’ve been writing fulltime for several years. I’ve been writing novels (and more recently, reference books on publishing platforms) since 2018 on a fulltime basis. JLB: What inspired your featured book? JPS: My local library had invited me to talk to their NaNoWriMo group about succeeding or failing at NaNoWriMo in 2019. For those who don’t know, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month and it takes place every November. The idea is to write 55,000 (1,666 words/day). As it turned out, no one there really cared or succeeded or failed. All they wanted to know was “What’s next? How do I get published?” That led to a second workshop, which I called Finding Your Path to Publication. There was record attendance, and a couple of months later, the Independent Book Publishers Association was looking for new ideas. I mentioned the presentation and they commissioned an article (in May/June 2022 issue). I realized, then, there was a book that needed writing. So I wrote it. JLB: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision? JPS: I’ve been published by two small presses (one, a Mystery Writer of America approved publisher, now out of business, the other released all authors from their contracts due to health issues). I’m also published by WWL Mystery, a division of Harlequin, which is a division of HarperCollins – they acquired the North American mass market paperback rights to my Marketville and Glass Dolphin mystery series. I’ve also been traditionally published by Sharp Point Press for the Chinese language version of Skeletons in the Attic (book 1 Marketville). And I have a few short stories published in various journals and anthologies. I’m also the owner/publisher of Superior Shores Press, and now publish my novels (as well as three, soon to be four, multi-author anthologies) under that imprint, which I set up in 2018 after being “orphaned” by the small presses. I figured I could do as well or better on my own—I have a business background, I’d already developed a loyal following, and I’m a complete control freak (totally necessary if you want to self-publish). It’s worked out well for me and I’m fortunate to work with the same editor I had with one of the trad publishers, and I found a great graphic artist for my covers. JLB: Do you read reviews of your own books? Do you respond to them? Are you affected by them? JPS: Read them: Always. If someone has taken the time to read my book AND taken the time to write a review, however brief, I owe it to that individual to read what they had to say. Respond to them: Almost never, though I recall one reader’s review, it was ages ago on Goodreads, and she wrote something along the lines of “don’t worry if you thought there was incest, there’s no incest in this book.” And I thought, “WHAT? It’s a cozy mystery, why would anyone think it included incest?” So I posed the question, but never heard back. Do they affect me: I’m human. I love positive reviews and negative reviews always sting a little. But reading is subjective and I also understand that. For example, one day I received a glowing 5-star review (again, on Goodreads) and a 1-star review of the same book. The 1-star said something like “I thought a grade schooler had written this.” It made me laugh out loud. I’ll probably use that line in a novel someday. JLB: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date? JPS: My next book on self-publishing (titled Self-Publishing: The Ins & Outs of Going Indie) is tentatively scheduled for November 1. JLB: Which of the trivia questions did you pick to answer? JPS: See below.
JLB: It was a pleasure talking with you, Judy. Let’s finish with a look at your featured book and a sneak peek at the cover of your next release.  Finding Your Path to Publication: A Step-by-Step Guide Genre: Writing / Publishing Reference The road to publishing is paved with good intentions…and horror stories of authors who had to learn the hard way. For the emerging author, the publishing world can be overwhelming. You’ve written the book, and you’re ready to share it with the world, but don’t know where to start. Traditional, independent press, hybrid, self-publishing, and online social platforms—all are valid publishing paths. The question is, which one is right for you? Finding Your Path to Publication is an introduction to an industry that remains a mystery to those on the outside. Learn how each publishing option works, what to expect from the process start to finish, how to identify red flags, and avoid common pitfalls. With statistics, examples, and helpful resources compiled by an industry insider who’s been down a few of these paths, this is your roadmap to decide which path you’d like to explore, and where to begin your author journey. Purchase here: https://books2read.com/FindingYourPathtoPublication For details on the contents of Book One, check out the Book Spotlight on my Ally Shields blog at this link: |
AuthorJ L Buck writes in the mystery genre, currenty enthralled with Regency-era England. She is multi-published in paranormal 
Check out my profile on AllAuthor (including my Ally Shields fantasy books). Here you can read my books' sample chapters, get updates on my books and latest deals, ask me questions, discuss my books and much more. Follow me on AllAuthor.
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