Behind The Author – An Interview with Cassondra Murray

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Behind The Author – An Interview with Cassondra Murray

Behind the Authors

It has been awhile since we took a look at what goes on behind the scenes to help an author write, promote and publish their books.

Today we will learn how valuable an Assistant to an Author is, and what their job entails.

 

 

Cassondra B&WThe Reading Café would like to welcome Cassondra Murray, who is an assistant extraordinaire for a busy and successful author.   Cassondra, who is also a writer herself, is here to give us a look at what an assistant does behind the scenes in helping the author. 

I can personally vouch for Cassondra, as she is a fantastic person to work with.

Let’s meet Cassondra.

 
Interview-RED

TRC: Cassondra, we are happy to have you here today.

Cassondra: Hi Barb, it’s so nice of you to invite me.  I can’t think of anything more fun than hanging out in a café, talking about books and writing.

TRC:  Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Cassondra:  I’ve been writing one thing or another since I was eleven years old, and I started proofreading for a small newspaper at about that same age.  I love barns, cows and tractors–all things country.  I stare at the rows of corn across from my house, listen to the frogs on the pond at night, watch lightning bugs flicker in the field, and read books with happy endings because that’s what feeds my soul and makes me want to write. 

TRC:  Being a writer yourself, can you please tell us how you decided to become an assistant?

Cassondra:  I never set out to be one.    I  met Dianna Love in (I think) 2003 when she spoke to the Nashville chapter of Romance Writers of America.  We became fast friends and I started reading her manuscripts as a beta reader.

Flash forward to 2009. I was in a horrible job, but afraid to quit.  Pushed into a corner one evening, I finally turned in my notice.  The next morning I sent emails to my network of friends.  I typed, “I don’t know what I’m gonna do, but I’ve quit.  Here are my skills… and I’m looking.”

Two minutes later the phone rang.  Seriously..two minutes.  It was Dianna.  She said, “Be my assistant.”  I was overwhelmed, but at first I said no, because even though I needed a job, I was not willing to risk my friendship with her for anything.  She said, “We’re both strong women.  We can be honest with one another.  We’ll work it out.”

And so far, we have.  

TRC:  How would you describe your job as an assistant to an Author?

Cassondra:  It’s crazy, nutso, balls-to-the-wall project work (when she’s releasing a book)  with a little bit of routine busy work in between. The non-schedule and the crazy are actually the parts I thrive on.  But the truth is that Dianna Love is the most organized person I know.   She does fine without an assistant, and she watches my back as much as I watch hers to keep the train rolling down the tracks on schedule, so although I send her “don’t forget” reminders sometimes, I really don’t play the typical “assistant” role in that way.  Basically I do some reading/editing for her, and I try to take some of the busy work so she can have a little more time to write.  I figure my job is to care as much as she does about her career, her readers, and the quality of the books she releases.   Whatever that entails, if I can do it, I’m there.

TRC:  If you were to take us through the steps you do on a daily basis, what is a day in the life of Cassondra Murray like?

Cassondra:  Every day is different, which is good. I’d rather dig my eye out with a spoon than do the same thing every day. Dianna gets up at  4 in the morning — that’s about when I go to sleep because  I’m a vampire by nature.  So I get up mid-late morning, mainline coffee to wake up my brain, and check email.  I’ll have several from Dianna since she’s been up for hours already.  I start working through the emails, deal with whatever she needs from me first, then emails coming in from other people, and then move to spreadsheets or ads.  

BUT…If I’m working on a read or an edit for Dianna, I roll out of bed and go straight to the manuscript.  I’m a slow reader, so when I’m reading for her, anything that’s not bleeding to death gets put off ‘til later, and I read straight though, long hours (that’s totally my choice, btw. It’s just how I like to work—by staying completely immersed in the story without getting distracted). Dianna gives me plenty of time for the read, and never has gotten used to how I stay up all night reading.  It bothers her when I do it. Even after all this time, I think she still worries that I might be an alien.

TRC:  Are you a beta reader for your author?  If so, when you read the finished novel, do you make recommendations, help with editing or changes/suggestions?

Cassondra:  Once Dianna gets a draft of the story where she believes it’s close, she gives it to me and I read.  I make notes if I see parts of the story that I think she needs to look at again.  She takes those notes and uses those as she does her next revision, then it will go out to her fantastic team of beta readers.

Once she gets the story the way she wants it, I do a last read for continuity errors (think eye color, height of characters, age, name spelling etc).  Then she makes her final edits.

TRC:  Are you involved in the promotion aspect of the author’s book?  We know you work with sites like ours, but do you work with the publishing house in helping with the promotions?

Cassondra: Dianna coordinates everything with her publisher and all promotions that happen through them.  I try to take as much as possible of the “outside” promotions—once again with the goal of giving her time to write.   

TRC:  Do you have to travel a lot, or can you do most of your job virtually or on the telephone? 

Cassondra:  I’m in Kentucky and she’s in the Atlanta area, so a lot of my work is via email, but we talk on the phone a lot.  Once or twice a year I travel to her and we spend a few days just planning the upcoming months of writing schedule, travel, and promotions.  But Dianna takes me with her on a lot of trips, and we use that time for face-to-face work too.

TRC:  What do you feel are the challenges in assisting the author in preparing & finalizing their book?

Cassondra:  For me, there are two main challenges. 

The first is reading and editing for her without touching what writers call her “author voice.”  Real people don’t speak or think in perfect English, so her characters won’t either. The rules of grammar have to be fudged, and every now and then just tossed out the window.  When to do that–and when not–is a strange mix of editing science and writing art, sort of.  All authors get so immersed in the story that they sometimes can’t tell if a point is confusing.  If that happens, I have to suggest edits that make sure the meaning is clear and understandable for the reader, hopefully without affecting Dianna’s “style” of telling a story. That style—that “voice” is what makes a Dianna Love book unique.  My aim is to allow her to use my notes and suggestions as she polishes to make the story better, because that’s always her ultimate goal.  Make the story the best it can be.

Second challenge?  I  get really bad “story brain”.  When I work on my stories, I get buried in my characters and their world, and I live there. I turn into Zombie Assistant. I lose track of time. I forget things.  This is when Dianna watches my back too, so hopefully everything gets done.

TRC:  What is the best part of being an assistant to an author?

Cassondra:  I get to work with one of my closest friends, doing something I truly enjoy, and I actually feel like my work has  a positive impact on the final result—more great books for readers. 

I have to earn a paycheck so I can pay bills, but if I didn’t, I would still work with Dianna for free if she’d let me.

TRC:  On a personal note, as the writer Cassondra, are you working on anything you would like to tell us about?

Cassondra:  I am! I’ll be releasing my debut romantic suspense late this year, and I’m very excited about that.   It’s the first in a series about undercover operatives and the love that can bring an abandoned, tortured heart back to life.

TRC:  Do you feel working as an assistant to an author helps you with ideas for your own writing?

Cassondra: Not ideas per se, because I have more ideas than I could write in three lifetimes.  But the opportunity to work with a writer at NYT Bestseller level, to learn her philosophy of storytelling and her approach to her readers, to have her feedback on my stories and on how to work at the business of publishing–Oh… and to call her for help when I’m stuck—there is no dollar amount a writer could place on that.    The most valuable part of it is her constant encouragement.

TRC:  How do you feel the rise of e-books will effect the author in publishing their books. Is this something you feel will enhance your author’s ability to sell more books? 

Cassondra:  It’s an exciting, scary time in publishing, that’s for certain.  In spite of the challenges, I think it’s a fantastic thing for authors, and for readers.  And the bottom line is yes, with the advent of eBooks, Dianna is able to publish more books faster on her own than the publisher can manage.  That means more Dianna Love stories for the readers.

TRC:  Besides the author you work for, who are your favorite authors or series?

Cassondra:  My best friends are all writers.  I’m not scared of much, but no way am I brave enough to answer that question. *grin*

TRC:  Is there anything else you would like to add and share with us? 

Cassondra:  Y’all can usually find me hanging out in the lair at Romance Bandits, and I blog there at least once a month about lightning bugs, fence rows, truck nuts, or whatever else strikes me as interesting. It’s a fun, easygoing place where we all love happy endings.  Come on over and ‘set a spell’.  Links to my old blogs are in my Bandit Writing Cave.   You can also find me on facebook as Author Cassondra Murray.

TRC:  Thank you, Cassondra, for taking the time to talk to us.  This was fun, as it gives everyone a chance to see what is behind the author and meet them personally.

Cassondra:  I had a great time!  Thanks again for the invitation!   I’ll hang out to answer questions if anybody wants to chat.  You can ask me pretty much anything.

 

Giveaway-redandblack_zps8ff4dc4b

Cassondra is graciously offering one lucky member of The Reading Cafe a giveaway. “I’ve got a big box of books here.  Leave a comment to be entered. I’ll mail a surprise grab bag to one of you.  Two books (both romance),  I’ll grab at random out of my box of new, unread conference giveaway books, and I’ll mail them to you if you live in the Continental US.”

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2. You must leave a comment.

3.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

4.  Giveaway open to US Only

5.  Contests runs from July 8 to July 11, 2013

 

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75 thoughts on “Behind The Author – An Interview with Cassondra Murray”

  1. Wonderful interview, Cassondra and Barb. It’s always great to see what happens behind the scenes to help authors with their books. A pleasure to meet you Cassondra.

  3. I love this feature and learning about what happens in helping the author write and promote their books. So nice to meet you Cassondra. I also loved to read how Dianna Love called you back in 2 min. Wonderful. Let us know about your book.

    • Hi Mercy,
      From talking with other people who do what I do, I gather that every author has different needs from an assistant. Some assistants work for several authors and just do things like email and such. Because I work only for Dianna, my role is a little different. And yes, I felt like it was sort of the universe’s way of saying, “this is the direction for you.” I will definitely let you all know when the book is ready. Thanks for stopping by!

  4. Welcome Cassondra! I loved the interview. I think that it would be wonderful read and edit others’ books. If I write, I would have to throw grammar to the wind! I will check out your blog, I love the name!!

    • Hi Jules, It is a lot of fun to get to read the books in all their incarnations. You’ll be welcome on the blog. I have to say, though, that I like this “reply” format here at The Reading Cafe even better than ours. So clear and easy to see who’s responding to what. Thanks for the comment!

  5. Hey Cassondra, thanks for visiting. I do have a question. Do you have a title yet or projected release date for your book? When you are ready, count us in. 🙂

    • Barb I do have a title, but I don’t want to reveal until the cover is done. *grin* We’re working on the cover now. Right now I’m planning mid-fall, before the holidays. Fingers and toes crossed!

  6. Hello all, and Hi Barb! *waves* I think I’ve responded to everyone so far. It’s great to be here, and I love this easy comment form. This is a fantastic setup!

    • Hi Rachel,

      It’s great to be here! I admit that it’s a little weird, ME being on stage instead of Dianna. I’ve gotten used to it the other way around. Ha!

  8. What a wonderful idea learning what’s behind the author. So nice to meet you, Cassondra. I am a fan of Dianna Love and Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Belador series. I became a fan after reading one of the reviews here. Your upcoming book sounds great.

    • Hi GAB,
      I’m really excited about getting to release my first book. I’ve had this idea for a long time, and it’s cool getting to see it come together.
      As to the Beladors…I love Evalle and that whole series too. I know y’all haven’t seen RISE OF THE GRYPHON yet, but it’ll be out at the end of the month, and you won’t BELIEVE what happens! You’re all going to love it.

  10. Another wonderful interview ladies. Nice to meet you Cassondra. As an assistant you obviously have a bit of some insight into the publishing business and what the publishers and readers are looking for.

    • Hi Alicia,
      I’ve learned a BUNCH working with Dianna. Even though I was pursuing writing and publishing before I met Dianna, working with her has definitely given me a new look at all of it. In particular because Dianna is not only a good writer, but is a good businesswoman, I have found my own perspective on the “business” of publishing shifting significantly. I’ve gotten smarter about thinking about my own career and the business end of writing.

  11. Hi Barb and Cassondra –
    (just got to a computer!!) Great interview, Barb, and Cassondra is far more than she says here. She is my go-to person any day/every day. We try to do most of our work during the week, but thankfully she is good with the flow of busy/not-busy cycle of my work that sometimes mean off during the week if needed and working on a weekend if needed. Not everyone can do that, but she and I are very much alike in that regard. I’m SO excited for her to release her first novel later this year. You’ll find out just how talented a writer she is – that I’ve always known. She’s also a Golden Heart finalist, which is the top level of unpublished in romance for those who don’t know. 🙂

    I would be lost without her – especially as my early/final reader – and consider our traveling together a bonus because of face time together. Cassondra will be joining me in Savannah, GA this August for the Authors After Dark event and in Plano, Texas this November for the Readers & ‘Ritas event. Be sure to come up and introduce yourself if you’re at either one.

    I love this blog, Barb!! You do a super job.

    • Hi Dianna! *waves madly*

      You are probably the only daywalker in the world who would put up with my vampire ways!

      As to the rest…*scuffs toe in dirt, looks embarrassed*…thanks for the strokes to the ego, but I think you exaggerate my role. ;0)

      You all should know that Dianna is the one who pushed me to enter the Golden Heart, and when I finaled in that it gave me a lot more confidence in my storytelling. I kind of felt like I was “invited to the party” at that point, but I wouldn’t have entered that competition if Dianna hadn’t said, ” You never stop putting your work in front of them. Never.”

  12. Cassandra,
    It was interesting seeing what an assistant does. I don’t feel I can afford one now. I depend on my critique groups to do that for me, though I always do the final proof-read. Congratulations on having your first book published. Like you, I am awaiting release of my first book, Romancing the Gold, from Noble Romance, a story of digging for gold, smuggling, and a trek through the jungle of Peru.
    Carolyn Rae Author – facebook

    • Hi Carolyn,

      Congratulations on your upcoming release! I think that’s the key–you have to get to the point where the time it takes to do the busy work is keeping you from putting out more books–and then you have to hang on for a while longer until the writing career generates enough income–and has enough momentum–to be able to pay for the help. Many assistants work for more than one author for just this reason. They have plans that allow the author to use them for only an hour or two a week if that’s what the author needs–and I think that’s the way to go until the publishing ball really gets rolling. Like in any business, hiring help is a major step.

  13. Awesome interview ladies!! I find the entire process interesting!! Cassondra, you sound like you almost have a dream job!! Well done!!!

    • Hi Vickie, and thanks for stopping by!

      It is a dream job. *grin* There are times when it’s hairy of course–any work is like that–but that’s just the nature of project-oriented work– and although she and I both pull our hair out at times, if I need off to visit family or take care of something, Dianna always finds a way to say “yes.” And that is worth everything–especially when combined with her determination to see me publish my own books.

      I’ve had some really cool jobs and some rotten jobs in the past. Sometimes now I just sit back and go, “Wow. How did I end up in this good place?

  14. What a really cool interview! Readers don’t usually get to see what goes on behind the scenes, so it was great to catch a glimpse of it!

    I can’t wait to check out your new series Cassandra! How exciting!

    You and Dianna make a great team since you are both super awesome!

  15. I thoroughly enjoyed this interview. I love reading about what happens to get a book out successfully. So nice to meet you Cassondra

  16. Hi Cassondra,
    *waving madly* So nice to see you outside the lair. I’m so happy we’ll get to read your debut release soon. I can’t wait.

    • Hi Janiec! *waves madly back* It feels weird to BE outside the lair. But it’s nice. I’m really enjoying it.
      Thanks so much for the words about the release. I’m getting really excited about it. So nice of you to stop by to say hello. Doesn’t Barb have a wonderful site here?

      • Cassondra, as much as I loved working with you, I can’t take credit alone for TRC. Sandy and I are thrilled to have the best contributors, who all play a wonderful part in making this site the best it can be. So they are all part of it, as well as all the members who help support us.

        • Oh, that’s cool. You have a great team going! I think that’s the key to a good site. Maintaining an active site would be WAY more than a full-time job for one person. Especially a site as big and busy as this one. I suspected you had some partners in crime, but as far as I can remember, I’ve always just corresponded with you. *grin* It’s nice to get to know some of the other folks involved, and to meet your awesome readers.

    • Hi Fran, and you’re welcome. I had a great time answering the questions, and was afraid I went on too long about some of it. I’m glad you stopped by!

  18. I’m a reader, not a writer, but I do find it fascinating to read about what goes into writing, publishing & marketing books these days. With the advent of the Internet, e-publishing & Social Media things have changed a lot in recent years – no wonder authors need assistants! I often wonder how they can have time to write with so many other things to do. It must be like a masters class to be an authors assistant when you are working to be a writer too.

    sallans d at yahoo dot com

    • Diane, that’s a great description of it. Working with a writer at Dianna’s level is one of the best educations a newer writer could get.

      And you are dead-on correct about the digital age and social media. Right now the learning curve is steep, and it stays steep, because things change so quickly. By the time we learn to take advantage of one technology, the world is headed on toward the next one–so it take a lot of time to stay on top of even a little of it. I, for one, have had to embrace technology and just jump in–it’s the only way. The days of writers just sitting home and writing are past. Keeping up can be intimidating!

  19. Great interview Barb and Cassandra… a lot of people don’t have a clue what goes on behind the scenes that create the books… it is not all glamor and a simple matter of putting words on a piece of paper. Writing and finding the time to have a personal life can be a challenge. I think more and more people are becoming aware of that with interviews like this one. 🙂

    • Hi Mary Ann!

      What’s a personal life? ;0)
      Just kidding. I do have one, though I’m having to cut way back on it to work on my own books. And from what I’ve seen, that’s true even for writers who write full time, if they want to keep up nowadays. I don’t know any writer who doesn’t wish he/she could write faster.

    • Hi Nancy! Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Everyone, I plot books with Nancy, and we trade ideas back and forth. She’s also a fellow Romance Bandit.

      Nancy just released Guardian, the second full-length novel in her new Light Mage Protectors series. It’s a really awesome paranormal/fantasy world combined with great romance. If you like that kind of fiction, you should check her out.

  22. Woohoo! Cassondra is in the house!

    Great interview – and I’m really, really excited to hear you say you’re planning to release your debut this year! Fantastic news.

    I love your insight into books. I can see why Dianna snapped up your services when she could. Together, you two make a dynamo.

    • Hi Donna!
      Aw, thanks for the good words. Yes, I had hoped for late summer, but I’m not moving as fast as I’d planned. Life just gets in the way sometimes.

      I dunno about insight, but I just know what I love as a reader, and when something stops me–from a lifetime of reading I try to remember what made me love characters or hate them, and what makes me breathe that deep, happy sigh at the end that says, “this book is perfect.” Like you, I’ve studied story for years, but putting it on paper and having it work–that sometimes defies best laid plans, yaknow?

      Everyone, Donna is another one of the Bandits. She writes wonderful historicals. Gosh, a bunch of writer buddies have shown up. I’m getting the warm fuzzies for certain.

  23. Hi Barb! Hi Cassondra! Great interview. Cassondra, that was absolutely fascinating. I knew you and Dianna worked well together but the details were really interesting. Thanks for sharing today. One thing that made me laugh was that between the two of you, you basically have 24/7 covered. The lark and the vamp and no hour left unturned! That’s so great. I’m also mega excited that you’re releasing your first book this year. I’ve been dying to read your fiction – I love the blogs you do at the Romance Bandits. You have this really unique voice that touches people’s hearts. Do you remember doing a blog about a brave rooster? I remember crying over that. A blog with the power to bring tears to the eyes? Now that’s writing!

    • Hi Anna!

      Yeah I guess you’re right. We have the 24-hour day pretty much covered. It’s funny when we travel together. She rolls over in her hotel bed and is gone. Poof. I read for another hour or two before I fall asleep. Then the first thing I hear as I wake in the morning is “clickety clickety clickety clickety click.” She’s up–been up for a couple of hours usually– sitting in bed working on her laptop, and she has a pile of pillows stacked up so the glow from the computer won’t wake me up.

      I roll over and the first words I hear are, “You want coffee?” She knows the answer will be yes, but it’s about as formal as our morning greeting gets.

      Thanks for coming by to comment.

  24. Cassondra! WOOT!! And Hi Barb! *waves madly* Dianna is one of the smartest people I know, and obviously she recognized your mad skills and snapped you up to help her. Grins. Then again, I absolutely adore Dianna’s books too, so thank you BOTH for your efforts.

    Can’t wait for YOUR release too, Cassondra. Looking waaaaaay forward to that. Great interview and fabulous info!

    • Thanks Jeanne! I’m getting kind of nervous. Now that I’ve said it out loud, right here in front of God and everybody, I have to meet that deadline. *bites nails*

  25. That was super insightful and fun, Cassondra!!! You are living my dream job and it sounds absolutely fabulous (though not without its stress). Congratulations on doing your job marvelously and recognized!

    Consider me lined up to read your debut novel!!! “Vampire by night”…you had me there! 😉

    • Hi Carmen,

      It is a fun job to do because it is always changing. And it’s true about the vampire thing. Left alone, my body clock will reset itself to the point I’m staying up all night. I get tired and ready for bed about 3-4 in the morning. Dianna is about done at 9 pm. I CAN get up and function okay early in the mornings. I’ve done that more than once in my life at my jobs, but I hate that alarm clock. I mean I just HATE that alarm clock when it’s an everyday thing. I do hope you like the series debut. I’ll do a cover reveal as soon as it’s finished!

  26. Great to meet and read about you Cassondra! I think it’s awesome that when you quit your other job, you were able to find something that you love to do. What a thrill to get to read books AND get paid for it! Can’t wait to read your book when it’s released. HEY BARB, I VOLUNTEER TO READ AND REVIEW CASSONDRA’S BOOK! Me, me, pick me!!!!
    So Cassondra…..when you need an assistant, I will quit my dead end, sucking the life outta me job, and email you. (hint, hint, subtle hint) I love to read. I can assist too.
    All kidding aside, I really enjoyed reading about what you do. Good luck with your career as an assistant and an author!

    • Now now Tricia, I will read and review Cassondra book. But you can get the book and read and maybe just maybe ill let you do a dual review with me. 🙂
      But I get first peek at Cassondra’s book. ummm I think Cassondra will have to come back when she releases her book. lol This post has gone off the wall. 🙂

      • LOL Barb, I would love to come back any time. You have such a wonderful place here!

        I will sign off for a while to go and write my blog for the Bandits tomorrow, but I”ll check back in the next couple of days for any new comments.

        Thank you so much for having me–I can’t wait for Dianna’s interview in a couple of days!

    • Hey Tricia!

      I’m stubborn and will stick with something even though it kills me–life had to just about hit me in the head with a two-by-four to get me to quit, and it’s almost like I had to quit first–I had to take that leap–for the good thing to appear. But I had to be ready. The timing had to be right, yaknow? I was at the point that I said, “shoot. I’ll go sign up and temp for a while.” No money was worth getting an ulcer and my hair falling out from the stress.

      I believe when the time is right for you, you will know it and you’ll leap and that net will appear. I’ve come to believe that’s how it works, but for me it was really hard to have faith in it.

      I’m glad you enjoyed the interview, and I really hope you enjoy the book when it comes out!

  28. Hugs to Cassondra and a HUGE WHOO HOO on your upcoming release! So happy for you girl! 🙂

    And it was nice reading how you started working for Dianna. I’m so glad that Dianna instinctively knew the two of you would be a good fit and that you had the guts to take the leap and are probably even closer friends than ever–even with Dianna’s early bird catches the worm tendancies and your ‘I’m allergic to daylight’ ones lol! (p.s. I’m part vampire myself 😉 )

    I miss you both and can’t wait to see you all in Texas in November! You both ROCK!

    • Woohooo Jacs is here!

      I’m thrilled you’ll be at the November event! Everyone, Jacs is talking about the Readers & Ritas event that will happen in Dallas/Ft Worth area this coming November. Just google Readers & Ritas 2013 if you want to know more. It’s a great time.

      Jacs, we are closer than ever. I don’t think there’s any way to NOT be. Working closely with someone generally will either make you love each other or hate each other, which is why I was so worried about damaging the friendship. But we just sit and talk about anything that comes up that isn’t working, and we find a way around it.

      I give credit to Dianna for that. She has that rare ability to know herself and lay her cards on the table and trust me to do the same. And she meets me more than half way most of the time.

  29. Great review Ladies. Hi Cassondra it was great to hear what went on with the reads before we get them. I’m sure you must just Love your job , Reading so rocks. Congrats on your up and coming read.

    Oh bummer I can’t get into your great giveaway , Yes me is Canadian :0

    • Hi Lori, yes I do love what I do, and reading DOES rock!

      I’m sorry you can’t get in on this giveaway. Check back in the fall if Barb is gracious enough to review my book. If I come back to visit I’ll be sure to do a giveaway that will include international readers.

      Thanks so much for the comment.

  30. Hey, Cassondra, great to see you here. Wonderful interview. I can hear your voice coming through even with those short answers and I can’t wait to read the book you have coming out. So exciting to hear that because I love your blog posts so much. I’m hanging out to read your fiction.

    Thanks for the insight into all that you do for Dianna. I think having a beta reader you can trust is so important. Dianna is lucky to have you to do that along with everything else you do.

    • Hi Christina!

      Thanks so much for stopping to comment. I think I’m the lucky one in my work, but as a writer I know it’s critical to have readers who will tell you if something isn’t working or what’s working great.

      Everyone, Christina is yet another Bandit, and she just released one of her awesome historicals, London’s Last True Scoundrel. Just the cover makes it seriously irresistible.

  31. WOW! This was a really exciting interview! So much to read to get to the bottom of this! Cassondra, thanks for stopping to chat and let us all know what it’s like working for a famous author! I have a wonderful friend who writes also, she’s e-published and I love listening to her write her stories. I’m also a vampire at heart…I could stay up most of the night and sleep all day if only my family would let me! I also love the people here at TRC, they’re a fun and great bunch to talk with! Please stop by and chat again!

    • Hi Georgie,

      I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of being with a more fun, welcoming crowd than the ones here at TRC! I’m going to have to come and hang out more often. Of course, that means my To-Be-Read pile may actually topple over, as it’s high enough already and I can’t resist a wonderful read.
      Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. I’ve had a wonderful time!

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