​Shay Casper’s debut novel, The Witch, is filled with excitement and magic. Geared to both young adults and adults, The Witch will keep you interested in what happens to the characters. Today, our special guest, Shay Casper, shares some insight on how her novel came to be.

​How did you get your story off into print?
 
I got “The Witch” into print by sending it off to several publishers, my publisher (Atmosphere Press) being one of those. Atmosphere Press contacted me, telling me they liked my story and would be willing to work with me.
I wasn’t sure my story would be accepted by any of the publishers I sent it to. Being brave enough to hit “send” on the email was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.
 
Tell us a bit about your writing process?
 
My writing process starts with an idea. I turn that idea into a rough outline of several big events that I think should happen. Then, I go through the character creation of the main characters, making sure that each of the characters fits the plot and timeline I’ve chosen. Then, I begin writing the story, filling in the gaps in my outline with anything that my characters decide they must do to enhance the plot. After the entirety of my book is finished, I go through extensive grammar checks.

Follow Shay and support her by making a review or purchase.
​
 Shay Casper Facebook
 
The Witch Shay Casper | Atmosphere Press
 
The Witch Amazon.com

Hello, everybody!

Recently, a good friend of mine (who happens to be a writer) interviewed me for his podcast on the Martin Lastrapes Show.
We talk about the writing process, Wing Clipped, and more!
Don't miss out. Listen here.

That's not all =) My poetry was published on Words & Whispers. Read here.

​I always thought that after you finished writing a novel, your work was concluded. Instead, it was time to celebrate and start submitting to different publications, agents, editors, and publishers. It’s a good thing I started reading about the profession and realized it took more than just getting words on a page to flow.
Writing is a lot of work: you have to edit, revise, rewrite, cut, paste, get feedback, read it backwards, read it aloud, etc., etc., etc.
But one thing I found unfair in the writing biz was how… with all the mix of self-publishing and traditional publishing, the writer was left to deal with promotion on their own.
First of all, does that make sense? Writing is a lonely occupation (sitting around a computer all day constitutes being alone). One could be on their "island" for more than eight years and then be told to go public (or have started on the road to it). Shouldn’t there be more help with promotion? After all, writers want to write. No wonder a lot of writers end up selling e-books and promoting them on their website and other social media instead of attending public venues.
Of course, it should not deter you from completing a novel. There are things we do to get ahead and be noticed. So, cheers for arriving at the promotion stage. There’s only one way to go now. If only I could get off my island, I would join you!