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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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CRAIG WHITE Illustrator-Behind the Author

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Craig White Illustrator-Behind the Author-An Interview

 

Craig White-Illustrator

Have you ever wondered who designed and illustrated some of your favorite covers?

The Reading Cafe would like to present CRAIG WHITE, an illustrator and artist. You will be surprised at the number of covers that you will recognize.

CRAIG WHITE Illustrator-BEHIND THE AUTHOR

 

NOTE:  All cover photos and pictures posted throughout the interview were designed and/or illustrated by Craig. All pictures are copyrighted to Craig White. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

TRC: Hi Craig and welcome to The Reading Café. As part of our new series featuring the people “behind the authors”, we are talking to publicists, agents and illustrators, and we are pleased to talk with the illustrator of some of our favorite covers including Lothaire by Kresley Cole, Lover Avenged by JR Ward and Beast Behaving Badly by Shelly Laurenston.

TRC: WE would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Craig: I’ve been illustrating book covers since 1997 and been a freelance illustrator since 1993– wow, that’s a long time now that I think about it.

TRC: As a child, where you always interested in art and drawing?

Craig: Yes, I have a twin brother, Brian who is also an illustrator and we were both always interested in art– or at least as long as I can remember. We were always doing crafts of all kinds when we were young. Our dad made us this cool low craft table that had red sides and a glittery formica top… we would sit at that table for hours creating stuff.

TRC: Many children and young adults like to draw, but few show a real talent. Did your talent come naturally, or did you have to work to perfect your art?

Craig: I guess it came naturally, but certainly not easily. Brian always seemed to have an easier time with it– and I had to work at it more. I’m still working at it to this day. 😉

In the first grade I remember doodling in class while my teacher was lecturing. I was copying a cover of a joke book of all things, when my teacher, who was walking between the rows of desks, stopped beside my desk. I thought I was in big trouble, but she reached down, picked up the book and my drawing and showed it to the class and commented how closely I had copied the cover… I think that was life changing for me. It was that encouragement that made me realize it was ok to keep trying at it. Of course, I put my drawing away after the incident and payed attention to the teacher (finally). Now that I think about it, I guess that was my first “unpublished” book cover. Ha!

TRC: Did you parents support your interest in the art field?

Craig: Yes, but not at first as a career. Brian and I convinced my parents that “commercial art” was a legitimate profession and that we weren’t planning on being “starving artists”.

TRC: What type of education and training are involved in the field of illustration?


 

Craig: When I was in art school in the mid 1980’s, desktop computers where in their infancy. We did everything by hand. When the Macintosh’s became usable as a tool, it changed the commercial art community forever. There were some who resisted this computer age, but like most of my colleagues, I happily gave up my supplies for a keyboard and Wacom tablet.

I assume now, that computer courses are the majority of what is taught in art schools. Hopefully they still teach the basics with pencil and paper, but there are some amazing illustrators working today who never touch paper and just “draw” or “paint” right in the computer– and you’d never know otherwise. Truly amazing artists using 21st century tools.

TRC: Please describe what an illustrator does for the author/covers?

 

Craig: We draw or paint or photo-manipulate (or all of the above) the cover art for the book. Hopefully we help the author sell the book with our associated imagery. We don’t do the type for the covers. That is handled by the art director and / or designer.

TRC: As an illustrator becomes well known in the industry, do you have your choice of various covers or assignments, or are you contracted to specific authors etc?

Craig: I’m not sure…. I’m not that well known. I’m not really contracted to specific authors, but if I did a cover and it does well and the cover is well received, the publisher usually hires me to do the next in the series. I LOVE working on book covers, and I’m always interested in doing different styles– luckily, my clients usually like my work and give me more work in return. Also my agent is the best salesman in the world. 😉

TRC: Was there ever a cover that you disliked and refused to illustrate and why?

Craig: I’ve done covers that I wasn’t that thrilled with in the end. I’ve certainly had my share of failures, but I try and give 100% to each job I take. Sometimes the idea or concept provided is just not that great or weak. My least favorite covers are the ones where there is just too much information on the page. I try and limit the subject elements to no more than 3 (for example: Hero, sword, castle background), but sometimes the publisher thinks it’s necessary to add more and the imagery suffers (for example: Hero, heroine, antagonist, castle, animal in sky, etc.– yikes!). In my opinion, less is better when it comes to book covers.


TRC: Do you receive any information about the premise of the storylines, as motivation or direction for your illustrations for covers?

Craig: Yes. Sometimes I get an art sheet, which has a synopsis of the story, character descriptions and a scene the author likes. 99% of the time, the publisher supplies the concept they want me to illustrate. Sometimes I’ll receive a manuscript. If I do receive a manuscript the publisher usually wants me to pick a scene or come up with a cover concept, so I’ll read it and try and create a concept that is simple, and effective.

TRC: What is the most difficult aspect of being an illustrator?

Craig: Hmmmm. I guess the business part of the business is a drag– being self-employed is a blessing and a curse– but more of the former which is good! I love EVERYTHING else about my job.

TRC: Are you involved in the video promotion and illustration for the commercial release of the book?

Craig: I made some video promos for some of the covers I illustrated as an experiment to see if I wanted to get into that as well. I think they were pretty successful, but we didn’t get a big response and it kind of fizzled. Some of the video promos I’ve seen are really amazing… like a movie promo. How they can make them without having a “Hollywood” budget is beyond me.

However my agent and I are still working on an economical method of creating video promotion. Hopefully soon we’ll be presenting it to the publishers.

 

 

 

 

NOTE:  If you would like to watch Craig create this fantastic cover click HERE.  Watch the amazing video as Craig illustrates this cover.

 

 

 

TRC: Would you please tell us about some of your other work as an illustrator ie magazine, video, commercial ads?

Craig: When I first started out freelancing I did trading card art for Fleer and Marvel. Sports cards and comic book cards. Then I met my agent and did a series of “Give Yourself Goosebumps” by R.L. Stein. Over the years I’ve done lots of magazine work in a more traditional style– not photo manipulation that I do now.

NOTE: These R.L.Stein covers are only a few that Craig has illustrated.

 

TRC: What would you say or recommend to the young adults, hoping to enter into the field of illustration?

Craig: Learn to draw well. Learn to draw everything. Perspective, composition, and form are things I use everyday– and I learned all of that in the beginning by drawing.

And… it’s so amazingly easy to do… all you need is a pencil, paper and determination. You can draw almost anywhere at anytime–and it will only make you a better artist. How great is that?

I always recommend one book to anyone wanting to learn to draw– it’s “Drawing the Head and Figure” by Jack Hamm. Originally published in 1963! To me it is one of the best figure drawing books available. I think I have two copies. And it’s only like $8 I think. Cheaper than two non-fat latte’s at Starbucks!

TRC: *thinks to self*..I need a Starbucks run!!

TRC: Do you or have you ever mentored a new illustrator in the business?

Craig: Unfortunately no. Maybe someday.

TRC: Have you ever had an art showing?

Craig: Not yet. 😉

TRC: How old where you when you sold your first artwork?

Craig: Wow, probably in high school.

TRC: In which medium do you prefer to work and why?

Craig: I prefer to use my Mac for work… because it’s what I’m best at and what I can sell commercially. Last year I started painting with alkyds (oils)… which I loved. Nothing quite compares to putting brush to canvas– seeing form materialize before your eyes with just a brush stroke is amazing… also quite frustrating at times… but I love it all the same.

TRC: What are you working on today?

Craig: Today I’m woking on a highlander type romance cover… it’s not going well. 😉 But also a great sci-fi cover that is coming out great! Space suit, big weapon, futuristic city and space background… really cool.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Craig: One more thing to add to aspiring artists– don’t ever give up on your abilities. Even pros who have be doing this for years have trouble realizing their vision every day. I can’t think of a single illustration I did that didn’t frustrate me at some point. So just keep at it and realize it’s not easy for anyone.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Tex-mex! (I’m originally from Houston)

Favorite Dessert
Boston Cream Pie

Favorite Movie
That’s a tough one… Star Wars

Favorite TV Show
Right now it’s The Walking Dead (gross! I know, but I can’t stop watching it)

Last Movie you saw
The Artist

Last Book that you read
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (great!)

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Dark

TRC: Thank you Craig for taking the time to answer some of our questions about the life of an illustrator. Please keep us informed to any new cover illustrations you are working on….maybe we can get an early scoop 😉

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DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR CRAIG?  Post a comment and ask Craig about his amazing covers.

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BIO

Link: Craig White Illustrations

Since 1993 Craig White Illustrations has been providing illustration services for the media industry. Craig’s work has appeared on the covers of best selling authors such as: Carrie Vaughan, Ellen Byerrum, Marjorie Liu, Glynnis Campbell,Robert Ludlum, Vince Flynn, Clive and Dirk Cussler, Laurell K Hamilton, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Shelly Laurenston, Shannon K Butcher, Jacquelyn Frank, Kresley Cole, Thea Harrison, Christina Douglas and Erica Hayes. Craig’s work has also appeared on national magazine advertisements, packaging, outdoor and online media.

An avid snowboarder, surfer and musician, Craig lives in Southern California with his wife, daughter and faithful pug.

 SHANNON K BUTCHER-covers

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