Meet Fran Thomas, a self-published author who currently has four books out. She is offering a copy of Making Time With The Maestro to one lucky reader. (Raffflecopter at the end of this the post.)
Fran, please tell us a little about yourself.
I have been happily married for more than 25 years. We moved to Florida from Pennsylvania in 1997. I began to write fiction many years ago but until 2016 had never finished anything. My first book was The Lady Is a Mayor, the first of my Calusa Town Tales series.
Did you hire an editor?
No, my undergrad degree is in English and for a time I did editing for Astraea Press, now Clean Reads. I felt pretty confident. Besides, I was publishing on a shoestring budget.
How did you choose the cover?
So far, I have done my own covers using Canva. I do my best to get the right “look” while keeping them as simple as possible.
What advice do you have for other authors who are considering self-publishing?
Read everything you can about plotting. I find this the most difficult part of writing. Networking either in person or online with other authors in your genre is also tremendously important. Other authors are truly generous about answering questions.
What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?
It was a thrill the first time I signed a book for a reader.
Tell us about Making Time With The Maestro
My latest work is a stand-alone novella about the backstage world of opera. It includes a fake engagement, a trope many readers seem fond of. The PR Director agrees to the pretend relationship so the Maestro can concentrate on making beautiful music without the distraction of women falling all over him.
Here is the buy link https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MGKJVGS?pf_rd_p=c2945051-950f-485c-b4df-15aac5223b10&pf_rd_r=3ANMK6E3KQCJKR6HRMJW
Excerpt:
The following afternoon, Alice was about to head for the auditorium to sit in on another round of auditions when the reporter from CelebNews poked his head into the office. It hardly seemed possible, but he looked even more disheveled today. Now what?
“What can I do for you, Mr….”
“Reynolds,” the man supplied. “I just came from interviewing Miranda DeLuca.”
Oh, dear. Her again? Alice pasted on a fake smile. “I’m afraid Maestro Moretti is unavailable right now.”
“That’s O.K. It’s you I came to see.”
Her day was going downhill rapidly. “Me? Why? What did Ms. De Luca say?”
“She told me all about her romance with Moretti and how she came here thinking they were still an item. Then she told me how he’d dumped her for you. She implied you only got your job here because you’re involved with him. Care to comment?”
“Oh, I’ll comment all right. I was hired for this job by the chair of the board, Mrs. Cross. I never met the maestro until I walked in here my first day on the job. You can verify that with her.”
“If that’s the case, Moretti moved pretty fast to pop the question, didn’t he?”
Lorenzo materialized in the doorway. His jaw clenched. “Open your eyes, man. Ms. Wright is beautiful, classy, and smart. Have you never heard of love at first sight? I moved fast so I did not risk losing her.”
Alice sank down into her chair. Lorenzo was so convincing even she believed he was in love, and she knew better.
Lorenzo circled behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. “Now you have your comment, so please leave us. You are upsetting my fiancée.”
Reynolds backed away. “Wouldn’t want to do that.” He pulled out his phone. “Before I go, can I just get a picture of you two kissing to run with the story?”
Alice shook her head, but Lorenzo took both her hands in his and brought her to her feet. Before she could protest, he leaned in for a prolonged kiss. As her posture relaxed, his grip on her hands loosened. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer. His lips moved gently over hers.
The flash of the camera brought Alice back to reality. She pulled away from Lorenzo. She expected to see a smirk on his face, but he looked almost as dazed as she felt.
“Thanks, lovebirds,” Reynolds called over his shoulder.
And finally, where can we find you?
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My web site is www.RusticatingintheTropics.com. I have a Facebook page under that name and tweet as @RusticTropics. Anyone who signs up for my newsletter will receive a free short story based on my experiences with a senior dance team.
Thank you for being here, Fran. Happy week and happy reading to all. Don't forgrt the TRR Romance Party.
It ends March 31.
https://www.theromancereviews.com/event.php
See you in April.
It ends March 31.
https://www.theromancereviews.com/event.php
See you in April.
