Tuesday 12 September 2023

L. Diane Wolfe's The Werewolf blog tour

Today I'm honoured to welcome a fantastic author and publisher as part of the blog tour for her latest release, The Werewolf. Many of you will be familiar with Diane. As well as bringing many fantastic stories into the world through her imprint, Dancing Lemur Press, she's also the author of her own books, the latest being the In Darkness series with a fresh take on various creatures found in the horror and paranormal genres. 


How did you get started on your writing journey? What sparked your interest in writing?

I’ve always been an avid reader. I devoured books as a kid. One day I picked up a new release, Anne McCaffrey’s The White Dragon, and something clicked. I could picture my name on a book cover. That kicked off a writing frenzy.

 

Tell us a little about how Dancing Lemur Press came about. Did you have any publishing experience going into it?

 

I’d published a couple books, doing it all wrong. Then I really dove into research, reading everything I could get my hands on about publishing. When I felt I had a handle on it, I mapped out the steps, selected a name, and started putting everything in place. That was fifteen years ago!

 

Your In Darkness series looks like a lot of fun. How did the idea for writing the series come about and how did you first get interested in paranormal fiction?

 

I like romance and horror so the genre was a natural blend. I’d written and polished The Vampire and The Werewolf eight years ago. The Alien was written 30 years ago (and needed a rewrite) and I had an idea for The Shark. That’s when I realized they would make a good series, tied together by the theme of darkness.

 

Tell us a little about The Werewolf. There are a lot of werewolf stories out there. What makes this book stand out?

 

As more than one reviewer has pointed out, it’s the sweetest werewolf story you will ever read. Often werewolf stories are gory-scary or involve an alpha male. This is a story of acceptance with a lycan who is gentle and shy even when in wolf form. Readers who hesitate to read werewolf stories will enjoy its sweet innocence.

 

What’s it like juggling being an author and publisher? How do you divide your time between these two roles?

 

My balance is chaos! Usually, I’m the publisher. Dancing Lemur Press and our authors come first, so I don’t have a lot of time for writing my own books. This series came about only because there was a lull and I already had two of the stories finished. But other books are rolling through the process with mine right now, so it’s a juggle.

 

What advice would you give to someone who would like to get into publishing?

 

Research, research, research! Spend months learning the process. You compete with other traditional publishers by being professional and following standards. Don’t take shortcuts.

 

Can you share a favourite line from The Werewolf?

 

Just one is difficult! This one makes me chuckle as Nicholas is preparing dinner for Vicki at the family house:

 

“Son, might I suggest you relax? If you’re this tense for dinner, Vicki will be afraid to breathe.”

 

Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between?

 

I am a definite plotter. I like making outlines and character sheets. I really want to know where the story goes and where it ends before I begin writing.

 

You have a day free of all publishing tasks and responsibilities. What do you do with it?

 

I’m going somewhere! Day trip to see something fun, go out with friends, go to a concert. Just get out and live a bit away from my computer.

 

Thanks, Nick!

 

 

In Darkness: The Werewolf
By L. Diane Wolfe

Souls shrouded in darkness…

On her own in England, Vicki trains at a prestigious fencing school. Face marred by a birthmark, she’s suspicious of Nicholas’ attention. A dinner date reveals his genuine interest and they begin to connect. Nicholas is attractive and she wonders why he’s so shy and reclusive.

Then one evening she happens upon him changing into a lycan. Every werewolf legend is shattered by the gentle, fearful creature before her. Vickie accepts his secret, but Nicholas knows he’s an unpredictable beast. Can they trust love enough to overcome their physical challenges?


Release date – Sept. 5, 2023
Romance/Paranormal/Shifters (FIC027310), Romance/Paranormal (FIC027120), Fantasy/Paranormal (FIC009050)
eBook ISBN 9781939844927
$3.99 eBook available in all formats




A professional speaker and author, L. Diane Wolfe conducts seminars, offers book formatting, and author consultation. She’s the senior editor at Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. and contributes to the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
http://www.spunkonastick.net/ - Spunk On A Stick
http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com - Spunk On A Stick’s Tips
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/ - Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Links:
Amazon - 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRR4VLN7/
iTunes -
https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id6445310855
Barnes & Noble -
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940165994548
Kobo -
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844927
Scribed -
https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844927&language=0
Goodreads -
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75711711-in-darkness


Thanks to Diane for dropping by today! Have you read any of Diane's books? Planning on picking up The Werewolf?

9 comments:

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you for hosting me today, Nick.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats to Diane on her new book. It was interesting to learn what got her started writing. And I bet it's super hard to juggle her job as a publisher with being an author. I'm glad Diane finding time to write more.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I can't imagine juggling it all.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I honestly don't know how you do it all!

Sandra Cox said...

I'm amazed you found time to write your series.

Liz A. said...

I loved The White Dragon, too. I think Anne McCaffrey was a gateway drug for a lot of us.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Ha! Yeah, reading often leads to writing. And I LOVED Anne McCaffrey’s The White Dragon. I read her entire Pern series of books.

Congrats on your new release.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Natalie, it was a windfall of time I desperately needed to write again.

Liz and Lynda, The White Dragon was such a great story. I read all the Pern books when I was younger.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nick - a great interview with Diane ... we all admire how much help she gives us - yet here you mention her love of stories. By the sounds of it - this werewolf tale is bewitching and gentle ... good for her - and thanks for hosting Diane - cheers Hilary