Please Welcome Seleste DeLaney

1. Tell us your latest news.
My short story, "Of Course I Try", was just released by Decadent Publishing (www.decadentpublishing.com). I'm really excited by this venture since Decadent is a new publisher. From the sounds of things, the launch has gone swimmingly.

2. What initially inspired you to become an author?
There's the stand-by answer that I've wanted to be an author since I was little and don't remember what precisely inspired that, but the real push came later. After becoming a mom, I found myself lost after my son started becoming more self-sufficient. I'd always loved writing, but I'd never put myself out there. So, when my little boy would play or nap, I'd write. It gave me an outlet for my creative energies and a chance to escape to a world that didn't involve diapers and playdates LOL. (This is not to say that I don't love being a mom. It's the best job in the world, but I knew there were other things I was meant to do too.)

3. What is your favorite book? And Why?
My favorite book (which I need to read again) is Phantom by Susan Kay. It's this fabulous re-telling of Phantom of the Opera that examines the personal history of the Phantom. It is rich and textured and heart-breaking. I need to hunt around for a new copy because mine is falling apart I've read it so much.

4. Do you have a particular time of day to write? We love to hear about a writer’s process.
I will write any time, but I'm usually most productive late at night when the house is dark and everyone else is asleep. It makes for some late nights and really tired mornings, but the solitude makes it easier for me to picture the worlds and characters in my imagination. There isn't anyplace special I prefer to do my writing. Sometimes I'm on the couch, sometimes at my desk; I've even been known to take the laptop to bed with me.

5. What do you find to be the most difficult part of writing?
For me the hardest part has always been the questions. Does it suck? Is this part actually funny? Is the sex sexy enough? Is the manuscript any good??? Prior to someone offering a contract, the best a writer has to go on is the opinions of friends, family, and crit partners. It's hard to tell if those people are just being supportive or if your work is as good as they say. The worst part is even now with a couple of contracts in hand, I still have all those questions with everything I write.

6. Do you have a favorite author?
Kelley Armstrong, hands down. I gobble up her books like they're chocolate. Or ice cream. Or ice cream with chocolate. Anyway, I love her work. To make things even better, she's a fabulous person, always there for her fans. In fact, I'm a member of the online writing group on her website. The feedback and support I've received from my group members, and from Kelley herself, has been amazing.

7. Tell us about your first published work.
My very first published work was a poem called "I Remember" included in the Nothing But Red anthology (a venture to raise money for Equality Now and raise awareness of violence against women -- available at www.lulu.com).

"Of Course I Try" is my first paid publication. It started as a very short story (under 1500 words) written for a writing challenge. When I submitted it initially, I'd edited it and increased the word count to just over 2000 words. The website hadn't listed a minimum, but I got an email back from the editor saying they liked it but they wanted it longer. I spent the weekend adding to it and ended up with a piece I liked so much better than the original version. Decadent signed the new version right away, and here we are.

8. Do you have a favorite of your own works?
Wow, that's like asking if I have a favorite child LOL. I also write young adult urban fantasy that is as of yet unpublished, so I have a lot of stories that readers may never see. As for my romances, I love them all, but my first, Avalon's Return, holds a special place in my heart even though it wasn't as good as the stuff I'm writing now. I'm planning to pull it out this fall and re-write it to see if I can make it publishable.

9. Where can our readers find you on the web?
I love having visitors to my website and blog, so I hope some of them stop by and say hello. They can visit me at either www.SelestedeLaney.com or www.SelestedeLaney.com/wordpress

10. Where can they buy your books?
"Of Course I Try" is available at www.decadentpublishing.com

11. Anything you would like to add?
I feel a little like Charlie Bucket right now. I'm just happy to be here ;-) So thank you very much for having me. I hope to have a lot more stories available to readers soon, so I hope they'll keep an eye out!