Happy Good Friday!
Today I'm delighted to bring you the next instalment in my series of interviews. So far, you have been treated to interviews with Christoph Fischer, Pamela Crane, John Dean, Claudia Moss, Gynger Fyer, Serena Akeroyd and Jennifer Sage. A range of authors covering different genres, with contrasting styles. All a delight to read, and a joy to interview.
Different authors have different aspirations. One author may write to make a small fortune. Another may strive to create a work of art. Every author who markets their work, however, has something in common. They want their work to be read and appreciated, whether it be by a mass market or by a few close family and friends. And so, naturally, readers are uniquely important to any writer.
And so it is with delight that I introduce today's interviewee. Drum roll, please. Nikki Tigner is a reader who devours books like hot dinners. No, I don't mean she eats books, but she does read an awful lot of them. And Nikki is the kind of reader that writers love to reach out to. Nikki interacts with writers, and even attends author events. Nikki gives us an insight into how she chooses what books to buy, what marketing gains her attention and the common mistakes authors make.The interview is not only enjoyable, but informative, too.
Thank you, Nikki. And readers and writers, enjoy....
Hi Nikki, Thank you very much for joining me.
Hey Chris! Thanks so much for asking me.
Could you tell our readers a little about yourself?
My name is Nikki Tigner and I live in Georgia, USA. I grew up in the South and I consider myself a Southern Bell with gumption. I work at a local Daycare and I love to twirl my kids around the room to make them laugh. I LOVE music of all kinds which focuses my mind and drives my mood. I usually have a running sound track in my head. I am addicted to reading, watching TV and movies. Every once in a while, I unplug which is when I read, fish, soak up Vitamin D and just get back to my natural roots.
I understand you read a whole lot! So what sort of things do you like to read?
I usually love to read anything I can get my hands on. From a news article to a novel, I love them all! My genre of choice are Interracial romances (IR) and erotic romance but If I read a blurb and I still want to know more about the characters the next day, I put it on my 'to buy' list....or I buy it! Lol! Amazon's '1-Click' button has gotten into trouble several times. So now I have a book budget! Who knew?!
Who are your favourite authors?
When I first started read IR, I fell in love with Dyanne Davis. She is awesome! I love too many authors to name them all but I will try. My favorite authors are J.J. Murray, Seressia Glass, Aliyah Burke, Yvette Hines, Stephanie Morris, Bridget Midway, Pepper Pace, Gynger Fyer, Billy London, Janet Eckford, Drea Riley, Dahlia Rose, Tressie Lockwood, Savannah J. Frierson, Shyla Colt, Nikki Winter, Nikki Prince, Roxy Wilson, Dee Dawning, Michelle Stimpson, and so many more! I know I am forgetting someone! I am a fan of your works too!
Where do you buy your books from?
Mostly Amazon but I also buy from All Romance Ebooks, Beautiful Trouble Publishing, Totally Bound, Smashwords, and Shara Azod Inc.
So you are flicking through all the available titles on Amazon. How do you usually decide what book to purchase?
I usually go to my favourite authors first and see what they have out. Then I search my favourite genres, and then there is that lllooonnnggg Wishlist I have on Amazon,the list written down in my notebook, or heard someone talk about. There is always a book to read to catch-up with the authors I am just discovering.
Are you ever tempted by free books?
All the time and there are some I do buy. Just because they are free or reduced doesn't mean they aren't a great read. For example, Leslie DuBois offers 15 chapters of her book "Ain't No Sunshine," and I was up into the wee hours reading those chapters and purchasing the rest of the book. It was a Fantastic read!
Authors are always trying to attract new readers and it is competitive out there! There are blogs and all sorts of social media avenues. In your opinion, what is the most effective way of gaining your interest?
In my opinion, there is no incorrect way to gain interest in your works. I have read blogs, interviews, seen youtube trailers, yahoo groups, Author's pages on Facebook, and events planned with the author or publisher. There is so many avenues to pursue and to partake in all of them! I like when I get to know the author personally, but I don't need to know everything. It is good just to know they are human and enjoy contacting with their readers one-on-one.
Do you think authors ever go over the top to gain your interest?
The authors I am friends with are not. I think it takes a lot to get your name out there for people to recognize your writing. Afterwards, fans are just waiting for you to come out with the next book.
How do you interact with authors?
I won't lie, at first I was star struck with the first author wrote me a message. I questioned if it was even her but it really was! I am in a couple of yahoo groups that I get to communicate with the authors and readers. Now that I am on Facebook, this is another way I get to communicate with my favourite authors. There are also events that the readers can go to and meet them, I try to be cool but it's like my idea of Hollywood.
Have you joined any book groups or been to book or author events?
Yes, I got a chance to go to my first book event two years ago called An evening with Yvette Hines. Then last year I went to the Beautiful Trouble Publishing Event in Atlanta. I got to meet many, many authors I admired. I am planning to go to both of these events this year as well.
You read a book you love and recommend it to others! What makes a book great?
First the blurb has to hook me and make me want to know more about the characters. I like to know about the characters backround. I like to have a image of the main characters Hero/heroine in my head. Books run like a movie in my head so any descriptive words help my imagination. Make the situations realistic. The grammar has to be put together correctly. I can understand a few out of place phrases or misspelled words; Nobody is perfect. Lastly, I know not all stories can be Happliy Ever Afters(HEAs)but I like those stories that do. At the very least, tie up the loose ends. That in my opinions makes a book great!
There are more new authors out there than ever. What common errors do you feel new authors make?
Some new authors try to be like other more established writers. I am a firm believer that every love story is different and deserves to be told. Every story I have read is unique and every love story is not the same. I know some new authors make the mistake of plagiarizing other authors. I even read about a new author stealing scenes from the book of a major author. Although the book was old, everyone who read them both saw the similarities. Do your own work and be original!
Do you prefer the convenience of an online book or the comfort of a hardback?
BOTH! I love the comfort of a book in your hand, the flipping of pages, and the smell...Uhhhh! All that is missing with with an ebook! BUT to be able to buy a book with one click is convenient and cool! You don't have to wait to read it when it comes by mail which could be three to five days or you get around to going to a book store that may or may not have it. I carry two books and my Kindle in my purse so I can not decide and lucky I don't have to.
I know that you like to write, too. What do you like to write and how is that going?
I do like to write! Lol! The only thing I have published is a poem I wrote a while ago. My books that I have written are romance stories. They all are different and all over the place but they all are apart of me in some way. I have a goal of completing a couple of my short stories and seeing if they are good enough to be published by June, so wish me luck!
So how can readers and writers keep in contact with you, Nikki?
Anyone can look me up on Facebook. I love making new friends! Thank you again so much for the opportunity to be interviewed
