Promotional Interview with Lisa Burke

Your Name:

Lisa Burke

1. Where you are from and where are you now?

Connecticut and Connecticut, respectively.

2. How did you get started writing?

I'm not quite sure how it happened really. My father is a writer, and my parents are both avid readers, so I think their influence preceeded any conscious decision I made to express myself via pen. I think when I was young, I put a few things on paper and thought it resonated more than a lot of other things I'd read and went on from there.

3. What do you do when you are not writing?

I'm mentally hyper and physically lazy. I enjoy hedonistic pleasures like sleeping, eating, internet and love, but when I am able to motivate myself I enjoy spending time with animals, jogging, yoga and exploring buddhism.

4. What would readers like to know about you?

I would like readers to know that my book may writing might be a little different than what they're going to get on the shelves of Borders. That, of course, can be a good or a bad thing, but I hear the theme in this country is "change", so I'm jumping on that bandwagon too.

5. What inspired your first book?

My divorce. Somehow I had to work out the trauma and the only control I had was through my characters.

6. How many books have you written?

Just one!

7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they?

The Invisible Visitor - General Fiction

8. How do you decide on that topic or genre? Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?

A good portion of my book is about a young woman's neurosis and guilt. I've lived it, so I'll let that be my qualification!

9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?

Although I am notorious for starting things and not finishing them, since my husband left me two years ago, this novel was my only purpose in life. If I abandoned it I would be abandoning myself. Now, writing is what gives me a good part of my identity. After being in an unfulfilling job for ten years, I welcome a purpose in life and would never betray it.

10. Do you write to make money, for the love of writing or both?

For the love of writing. What artist does it for the money? If they do, I imagine they made a poor vocational choice!

11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used? Which were the
most successful?

I have promotional postcards, a website and promotional bookmarks. As my novel is not in print at the moment, I will also venture to do some book signings, hopefully a blog tour, and maybe interviews with local papers. It's too soon to say which one will work best!

12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? Which were the most successful?

I've thought about donating copies of my book to prisons.

13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not?

I have a website, www.theinvisiblevisitor.com which contains a link to www.cacoethespublishing.net where my book can be purchased.

14. Where can people order your books?

www.cacoethespublishing.net and soon www.amazon.com

15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc?

There is an e-book and print option to purchase.

16. Will you write more books?

Yes, hopefully!

17. What do you have in the works now?

I have been bobbing a novel in my head for a while now about jealousy and how it destroys people, but I can't seem to work the characters out. I know that they are currently not likeable, and won't hold a reader's attention. I think this is because my own jealousy makes me into a wretched wench, and the object of my desires is mutated into a demon when he is translated into print. I also have a few articles in mind, one called "A Virgin in Pornography" which would journal my experiences into viewing pornography, which I find morally repugnant. Hopefully there would be a moral at the end. I'm a little afraid of that one though.

18. What does the future hold for you and your books?

Um, great things of course!

19. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books?

Tell my friends! I'm an extremely private person, so this was actually a big step for me.

20. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books?

So far, no one is reading my blog that I can see.

21. Tell us about your most recent book.

A lonely woman in her early thirties, Nora Maloney believes she is responsible for the mysterious teenaged death of her childhood love, Stuart. She can no longer handle the guilt and knows that the only way out is to overdose on pills.

Too bad things don’t work out as she planned. Instead of winding up dead, she wakes up to a crass but thoughtful, eccentric but witty guardian angel named Cassock, who tries various tough love tactics to open her eyes to the possibility of happiness that lay before her. This unlikely angel tests Nora’s character by frightening her with terrible visions and experiences, but in the good name of regeneration.

22. What makes this book special to you?

The Invisible Visitor is semi-autobiographical. It is a tale of hope and forgiveness. It got me through such a terrible time, and I am forever greatful to it. If I don't sell copy one, it has still made me rich with hope for the future.

23. What sort of comments have you gotten about the content of the book?

I have been told it is witty and the dialogue is compelling.

24. What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

Again, it's different. You'll cross metaphysical boundaries and swoon at the turn of a phrase.

25. What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

Much of modern fiction is not in tune for independent, artistic 20-35 year olds. I feel my work fills a niche, but very present, market.

26. What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own
creativity?

I like to read others' work, just a phrase or title, that sounds really brilliant, and then move forward with it as if it was my own. Complete the story, change the title to something original or scrap the phrase, and I'm all set. I also like random word generators. Also, red wine fueled most of The Invisible Visitor. I kept a goal of 1,500 words per day and almost always met it. However, everyone has their own ways that work for them.

27. What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

As I've alluded to before, I think a power complex makes people want to write fiction. That, or those who just feel out of control in their own lives, or are simply uber-creative. You can create new worlds with your own hands, nix boundaries and societal obligations and rules. What on Earth is better than that? Aside from being a parent or surgeon, this is as close to being God as you can get.

28. Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

Nothing unusual as of yet! I was thinking about taking out a local television ad, but I think I'm too shy.

29. If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)

This book will give you a new perspective on something. It may be a new look at guilt, a new look at the meaning of life, or new sympathy for very messed up people. Regardless of your outlook, this novel is guaranteed to change your thinking one way or the other.

30. Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

I am always interested in finding my purpose and working through current fears and make something constructive out of my life. This book shows how one woman could rise from the ashes of a childhood tragedy and regain her faith in humankind, and more importantly, herself.

This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh, author of the Book Promo 101 series and owner of Promo 101 Virtual Blog Tours. For more information, visit – www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm and www.virtualblogtour.blogspot.com