Author Genre: Literature & Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers, Romance
Website: Christine Nolfi
Twitter: @christinenolfi
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Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Amazon Author Profile
Author Description:
Award-winning author Christine Nolfi provides readers with heartwarming and inspiring fiction. Her 2011 debut Treasure Me is a Next Generation Indie Awards finalist. The Midwest Book Review lists many of her novels as "highly recommended" and her books have enjoyed bestseller status. Look for her new series, Heavenscribe. Visit her at www.christinenolfi.com
"Please continue the mail, tweets and comments on FaceBook, Twitter, GoodReads and other sites. I cherish your support and love chatting with readers." --Christine
SPOTLIGHT Questions and Answers with the Author
Congratulations on your series Heavenscribe and The Lei Crime Series. What do you have on the drawing board next? Rumor has it that you have two more additions to Heavenscribe coming soon. Can you tell us the timeline for their release and give us a little tease?
Yes, I'll have more additions to the Heavenscribe saga in 2016. Writing a magical story with spiritual overtones has been a joy. I'm also planning more books in the Liberty Series. What's on the drawing board? Recently a traditional publisher asked for a proposal and sample chapters for a new series they'd like to consider publishing. I'm waiting for their decision with great anticipation.
You have a good following on twitter. How important have your social media relationships been? How did you build your following in your niche? Do you see a carry over to your writing success?
Social media is critically important for writers. In today's climate, readers have the expectation they can connect with writers. Whether you use Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest or another site, find the venue that's most comfortable for you.
Do you do any book signings, interviews, speaking and personal appearances? If so, when and where is the next place where your readers can see you? Where can they keep up with your personal contacts online?
I'd love for readers to sign up for my mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/AcuEH
They can also find me on Twitter at @christinenolfi (I always respond to readers) visit my Goodreads page at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4811669.Christine_Nolfi or my Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/christinenolfi
You have great covers. They carry a theme and your brand with them. How does your book cover creation process work? Do you hand over the basic theme or do you have more of a hands-on approach? Do you get your readers involved in its development?
I have a very hands-on approach to cover design, seeking out examples of great Women's Fiction covers for my designer to peruse before work begins. We discuss ideas for about one week before he begins each project. I haven't brought readers into the design process, at least not yet. Perhaps I should!
You have written several short story serials. Can you tell us if they had an impact on the sales of your novels? Are shorty’s one of your styles of writing or are they created to give readers a sample of your work? Do you feel short reads are a product of our email and smart phone age?
The Kindle Worlds novellas weren't part of a marketing strategy although they've certainly helped expand my reader base. Author Toby Neal was given a World by Amazon, and asked if I'd write one of the debut stories. I've known Toby for a long time, and was delighted by the offer. After the success of The Shell Keeper, creating a second novella expanding the story was a no brainer. I may write a 3rd installment in 2016 if time permits. On a related note, working with Amazon's editorial staff was a joy.
Between your book writing, blogging, marketing, family and all the other things that can get in your way, how do you manage your time? Do you have a set schedule or do you sort of play it by ear?
James, I wish I had better control of my working day! Many tasks are repeatedly pushed off to a future date, especially when I'm deep into the writing of a novel. The book-in-progress always comes first. After writing, the bulk of my time is spent connecting directly with readers in my private Facebook group set up for that purpose, in general Facebook chats, and on Twitter and Goodreads. If you're curious, I work about 70 hours each week with daily visits to the gym mixed in.
What has been your experience in giving your books away free? Have you been involved in any other type of giveaways and how did that work out? What was your main goal in doing this? Did you run into any obstacles?
I've had great success giving away free books. Presently none of my books are listed free--sales across my backlist are strong--but I'll undoubtedly use the strategy again for future series. For debut novelists with a series underway, setting book #1 free can spur sales of other books in the series.
Do you maintain a reader list? What are the methods you use to find your readers and create the list and the relationship? Do you use social media, forums, newsletters and/or support groups to build your list?
Primarily I expand my readership through sign-ups to my mailing list, on Facebook and through connections made on Goodreads. Luckily, readers of Women's Fiction are quick to send mail or comment on social media if they've enjoyed one of my books. Many of those women have become dear friends.
Early on you wrote a book entitled: Reviews Sell Books. (See below) Since the publishing industry has been changing rapidly, what is your method of getting reviews for your novels now? Do you seek professional reviews, use social media or do you rely on your reading audience to supply them? Are you going to write a sequel?
I still use the basic strategies outlined in Reviews Sell Books (and I should write an update). I didn't write the book for income--the book came about in response to the volume of direct mail received from writers asking, "How did you get so many positive reviews?" At this point in my career, I have access to hundreds of reviewers. Whenever I publish a new release, I contact at least fifty of those reviewers immediately; sometimes more if time allows.
Your website has a section called: Help for Writers. I enjoyed the article on Kindle Worlds. You do a great job keeping readers informed, marketing your books and providing useful information to other writers. What is your primary goal? And where in the world do you find the time to create great novels, take care of the social media and maintain your site?
Good question! If the deal with the traditional publisher comes through, I'll find a full-time assistant. I could certainly use the help. As for my primary goal? To continue increasing my reader base, of course!
Author's Book List
Heavenscribe: Part Three
- Heavenscribe Series Book 3Zobie Marsh hides the fearsome talent of prophecy. Young, poor and grieving the loss of her beloved Black Gram, she leaves home suddenly to avoid the advances of her mother’s latest boyfriend. Her decision to travel to South Carolina sets in motion Heavenscribe, a spiritual transformation devised by angels to aid a dying world.
Bel Petersen seems to have it all: ample means, a loving marriage and a rewarding family life. But she’s suffered through a year of unexpected deaths, and near-constant nightmares that portend the downfall of civilization. Now she’s visiting Health Presbyterian daily as Milly battles a relentless bone cancer sure to end their decades-long friendship in a matter of weeks.
One evening as Bel unlocks her car in the hospital’s parking lot, four ambulances stream toward the Emergency entrance. There’s been a horrific traffic accident. She’s shocked to discover one of the victims didn’t make it into an ambulance—and he’s bleeding out in a high school student’s car. Bel sends the student running to the hospital for help, and tends to the grievously injured man.
His dying words will lead her to Zobie, and reveal the spiritual awakening they must undertake together. If they fail, The Dimming will consume every human soul on the planet.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Heavenscribe: Part Two
- Heavenscribe Series Book 2Messengers from heaven with startling revelations. The beginning of an unlikely friendship, and a quest Zobie Marsh must undertake with Bel Petersen’s help. A rose arbor that becomes a portal capable of unhooking time. In Heavenscribe, Part Two, Zobie and Bel begin unraveling the secrets of Primaries with the help of two angels, and the magical properties of the six braided ribbons tied to Zobie’s wrist.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Heavenscribe: Part One
- Heavenscribe Series Book 1Zobie Marsh hides the fearsome talent of prophecy. Young, poor and grieving the loss of her beloved Black Gram, she leaves home suddenly to avoid the advances of her mother’s latest boyfriend. Her decision to travel to South Carolina sets in motion Heavenscribe, a spiritual transformation devised by angels to aid a dying world.
Bel Petersen seems to have it all: ample means, a loving marriage and a rewarding family life. But she’s suffered through a year of unexpected deaths, and near-constant nightmares that portend the downfall of civilization. Now she’s visiting Health Presbyterian daily as Milly battles a relentless bone cancer sure to end their decades-long friendship in a matter of weeks.
One evening as Bel unlocks her car in the hospital’s parking lot, four ambulances stream toward the Emergency entrance. There’s been a horrific traffic accident. She’s shocked to discover one of the victims didn’t make it into an ambulance—and he’s bleeding out in the passenger seat of a high school student’s car. Bel sends the student running to the hospital for help, and tends to the grievously injured man.
His dying words will lead her to Zobie, and reveal the spiritual awakening they must undertake together. If they fail, The Dimming will consume every human soul on the planet.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
The Shell Seeker
- The Lei Crime Series: Kindle Worlds NovellaIn South Carolina, there’s more than magic in the air. Now policewoman Lei Texeira must solve the case of the Pirate Necklace.
The famed emeralds, spirited in the 1700s from the pirate Blackbeard’s ship, have been snatched once again. This time, the bling was taken from Marie-Therese Belvedere, a woman whose cruelty is only topped by her arrogance.
Lei doesn’t care for the icy socialite, but she feels an instant connection with the woman’s stepdaughter. An unlucky star has followed Sydney Belvedere her entire life. If the necklace isn’t found, she’ll lose a treasure more dear than the finest gem.
Only the magic of Lei’s intuition stands between Sydney and unspeakable loss.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
The Shell Keeper
- The Lei Crime Series: Kindle Worlds NovellaIn South Carolina, magic is as plentiful as sweet tea.
Thanks to her aunt’s unwanted generosity, policewoman Lei Texeira has embarked on a vacation—of the supernatural sort. She’s staying on the beach in a frothy mansion that resembles a baker’s confection. Pixie, a Southern belle with enough bling to open a shop on Rodeo Drive, manages the place.
When Pixie reveals a local woman reputed to have psychic powers wants to meet Lei, the invitation is anything but welcome.
What Lei discovers about the sorcery of belief, and the love promised to her future will begin to heal wounds she’s carried for far too long.
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Amazon
The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge
- Liberty Series Book 5A savage rape on hallowed ground. Secrets buried for decades by the town’s most influential family.
Now Rennie Perini will learn the Great Oak’s secrets as construction begins at the Fagan mansion. She can’t afford to turn down a job that promises to stir up the long-buried guilt—and the passion—she shares with powerful Troy Fagan.
She’s already juggling the most important job of her career with her new responsibilities as a foster mother for young Walt and Emma Korchek. And there’s a hard, older man on the construction crew with eyes void of emotion—cold and killing. The secrets of his brutal past will pose a grave threat to the children in her care. Will she find the courage to face him?
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Four Wishes
- Liberty Series Book 4Meade Williams has a successful company, an ailing father and a secret desire to find love at last. A new man in town intrigues her—but she isn’t prepared for the surprising events that will change both their lives.
Meade isn’t the only woman in town confronting hard choices. Dr. Mary Chance isn’t sure the time is right to expand her family. Birdie Kaminsky hopes the preparations for her upcoming wedding will bring her closer to her powerful sister. And young Glade Wilson must confront the daunting truth that she’ll become a mother before finishing high school.
Welcome back to Liberty, Ohio where the heartwarming stories of love, friendship and family life unfold in unexpected ways.
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Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
The Impossible Wish
- Liberty Series Book 3Notorious swindler Wish Kaminsky puts her daughter’s romance at risk in this hilarious and heartwarming installment of the award-winning series.
Wish is about to arrive in Liberty, and that means trouble. Liberty is the town that open-heartedly welcomed her daughter. Recently engaged, Birdie has turned her life around—and Wish is the last person she wants to see.
The books of The Liberty Series work as stand-alone novels you may enjoy in any order. Look for the other books in the series: Treasure Me, Second Chance Grill, Four Wishes and The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Treasure Me
- Liberty Series Book 2Petty thief Birdie Kaminsky has arrived in Liberty, Ohio to steal a treasure hidden since the Civil War. She’s in possession of a charming clue passed down in her family for generations: Liberty safeguards the cherished heart.
The beautiful thief wants to go straight. She secretly admires the clue’s author, freedwoman Justice Postell, who rose above the horrors of slavery to build a new life in Ohio. According to family lore, Justice left South Carolina at the dawn of the Civil War. Heavy with child, she carried untold riches on her journey north. As Birdie searches for the treasure, she begins to believe a questionable part of the story: a tale of love between Justice and Lucas Postell, the French plantation owner who was Birdie’s ancestor.
If the stories are true, Justice bore a child with Lucas. Some of those black relatives might still live in town. Birdie can’t help but wonder if she’s found one—Liberty’s feisty matriarch, Theodora Hendricks, who packs a pistol and heartwarming stories about Justice. Birdie doesn’t know that an investigative reporter who has arrived in town will trip her up—as will her conscience when she begins to wonder if it’s possible to start a new life with stolen riches. Yet with each new clue she unearths, Birdie begins to discover a family history more precious than gems, a tradition of love richer than she could imagine.
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Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Second Chance Grill
- Liberty Series Book 1Dr. Mary Chance needs a sabbatical from medicine to grieve the loss of her closest friend. But when she inherits a struggling restaurant in Liberty, Ohio she isn’t prepared for Blossom Perini. Mary can’t resist falling for the amusing preteen—or the girl’s father. The bond they forge will transform all their lives and set in motion an outpouring of love that spreads across America.
The books of The Liberty Series work as stand-alone novels you may enjoy in any order. Look for the other books in the series: Treasure Me, The Impossible Wish and Four Wishes.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Reviews Sell Books
Looking to spark sales of your book? Reviews Sell Books will show you simple, step-by-step ways to find reviewers in a variety of places to get the reviews your book deserves. This short manual is filled with helpful links and samples of successful query letters you can use as idea starters to grab the attention of potential reviewers.
You’ll discover:
• How to find reviewers, sometimes in the most unlikely places
• The importance of a compelling query to capture interest
• How to find reviewers on Facebook, Goodreads and other platforms
• How to find reviewers where you live (offline)
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
The Dream You Make
Each day Annie McDaniel’s dream of a brighter future slips further away.
After her nephew’s world is destroyed in a burst of gunfire, Annie receives temporary custody of five-year-old Dillon. Now the greenhouse she managed with her late father isn’t bringing in enough money. If she doesn’t get her financial house in order, a judge will allow a couple in Baltimore to adopt Dillon—and remove him from her life forever.
Desperate, she takes on a second job at Rowe Marketing. The instant attraction she shares with Michael Rowe is a circumstance Annie can’t risk. But should she walk away from a love sure to last a lifetime?
Fresh, heartwarming and inspiring, The Dream You Make reveals that hope always carries the promise of new beginnings.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO
iTunes
Author Recommended by: HBSystems Publications
Publisher of ebooks, writing industry blogger and the sponsor of the following blogs:
HBS Author's Spotlight
eBook Author’s Corner
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Check out the index of other Spotlight authors. Spotlight Index.
Many thanks for today's feature, James!
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