Catching Up with Carole Mortimer

We are thrilled to be chatting with you, and we want to congratulate you on your upcoming 200^th book written for Harlequin Mills and Boon. We hear that’s a record! After crafting so many stories, how does it feel when you begin a new project?

First, thank you for the congratulations on the forthcoming 200^th book!

And I have an amazingly excited feeling of anticipation whenever I begin a new project. I’ve had that feeling from when I first started writing, and it has never gone away; I just love to write romance novels! I usually have the storylines for the next project running around in my head for days, sometimes weeks, while I’m working on the current duo, trilogy or quartet. I rarely write any of it down, though, as this keeps the thought process going until I’m ready to start writing my next mini-series for either Harlequin Presents of Harlequin Regency, and more recently, this has also included my own Indie series, ALPHA—contemporary romance with an added dash of suspense.

What are a few of the most notable changes you have noticed in the publishing industry during your 36 years in the business?

Obviously the biggest change has been the most recent one – the advent of Indie publishing in 2011. I’m sure that when Indie first exploded onto the publishing scene, most traditional publishers, and authors, believed it would be a bubble that just grew and grew until it burst. It did get bigger, yes, but it also got better, and it has gone from strength to strength in the last couple of years. I know that I’ve found some of my favorite authors through Indie publishing, and I have no doubts that I will continue to find more and more of them in the years to come.

Your first indie novella recently went up for pre-order on Amazon. What are some key differences you have noticed between traditional publishing and indie publishing so far?

My first Indie novella, CHRISTMAS ALPHA, the story that introduces the readers to my very own ALPHA series, is currently up for pre-order on Amazon and other ebook retailers, with a publishing date of November 8th. The second full-length novel in the ALPHA series, DARK ALPHA, is also up on pre-order, with a publishing date of January 18^th 2015.

What key differences have I noticed between Indie and traditional publishing? Well I get to be the publisher, for one, which means I can pick a date for a book to be published once I’ve written it – even before I’ve written it, if it’s on pre-order. Once my editor and format ladies have done their magical work, I can then upload it, and voila, it’s published. I’ve also had 100% input into the design of my book covers for the ALPHA series. Jo, who also designs my website for me, is an amazingly talented lady, and she has done a wonderful job of giving me exactly the covers I asked for.

I just love the immediacy of Indie publishing. For instance, I wrote CHRISTMAS ALPHA late September, and just five weeks later it will be available for everyone to download and read. Amazing!

What are some of the benefits you see for authors and readers in the time of indie publishing?

I think Indie publishing gives authors, and readers, the same opportunity – to write/read books that would perhaps not have fitted in with a traditional publisher’s list, but which readers so obviously want to read. Indie publishing definitely gives the author the chance to explore new genres, to write books they might possibly not have had the opportunity to write without the Indie freedom to do so. For example, I usually only write suspense and intrigue into my Regency books—I love a kidnapping and a good murder or two!—but with my ALPHA series I have added that ‘dash of suspense’ to contemporary romance too. And I’m having great fun doing it. I have seen many other traditionally published authors, perhaps known for a certain genre of writing, who have written Indie in a new genre, and very successfully. Indie publishing is exciting, and great fun, and the choice for readers is now as limitless as it is for authors.

Fresh Fiction readers want to know: When you aren’t busy writing, what do you like to read?

Everything. And I really do mean everything. I read all genres – oh, except horror. I’m afraid my imagination is far too over-active for me to be able to read books in that genre. But everything else. Romance – obviously. Romantic Suspense. Murder mysteries. Historicals. Fantasy. If a book is written well I’ll read it. I’m a bookaholic – which is why my husband will be forever grateful for the advent of the eReader. For one thing I’m no longer ‘cluttering up the house’ with piles of books, and for another he no longer has one arm longer than the other, because he’s very kindly carried my big bag of books all the way on holiday with us!

Contact me on: [email protected]

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Pre-order CHRISTMAS ALPHA today!