Authorpalooza Day Guest Author: Leigh Ellwood

Welcome to my lil peace of heaven, the daring and bestselling author Leigh Ellwood!!!

 Thank you soo much for joining in my celebration!!!

**Hugs**

Leigh with Phaze Authors Bridget Midway, Alessia Brio, and Eliza Gayle

Leigh Ellwood is an award-winning author of erotica and erotic romance fiction. Her first novel Truth or Dare was published by Phaze in 2004, and has since been made available in paperback at Borders bookstores around the US.

How long have you been writing?

Really, since college. I was 19 when I sold my first story, to a small magazine in Colorado. I was paid $150 for it - from the reaction I had after reading the acceptance, you'd have thought I won the lotto. That's make it about 20 years total - a variety of stories, poetry, and articles.

How thrilled where you when you heard your first book was going to be released?

I was stunned. My first acceptance was actually my second book written - an inspirational suspense with a limited market. I thought the project was dead when I struck out with just about every inspy publisher on the market (one, however, wanted the book but had no money). The publisher I did find, I submitted on a lark and was happy to receive the acceptance. However, the publisher didn't fare well (bad management) and folded just two years after my book came out.

What's one day in the life of Leigh Ellwood like?

It is more exhausting than the day before it, and less so than the coming day. :) I still have to work a day job, but as I write for that it's not too bad. I'll write non-fiction during the day - articles and blogs for other businesses. When I come home I take care of the little one, make dinner, get settled. If I have time to write for myself I'll do that until one AM. Otherwise, I'll have editing projects that need my attention first.

I have two projects open. Boone is an historical fantasy novel I started years ago, before many of my other erotic romances, and I have reopened the work to finish. I'm also diving back into my mystery roots with a novel called Dead Barchetta, which is currently half finished.

In your opinion, what is the most difficult part of being a published author?

For me, it's finding time to promote, and battling for face time with those who have the means to promote well. Also, as I write primarily for eBooks, it's a challenge to be taken seriously even in the genres I write. I just whittle away a bit every day, and work on building a readership.

What’s the most rewarding?

Even if I get one letter from a reader a month who likes my work, it makes everything worth while. If you like a book, write the author. It does a world of good!

If you could co-author a book with any of your fellow authors or anyone from anywhere, who would you choose and why?

I've had the pleasure of co-authoring anthologies with many wonderful authors - Bridget Midway, Alessia Brio, Sammie Jo Moresca, Victoria Blisse - and would do it again. My dream writing partner, however, would have to be Carl Hiaasen. I'd love to tap into that wicked sense of humor.

Describe your writing process.

I don't really have a set one - I'm sort of a guerilla writer. I keep a notebook and I have my iTouch. Every spare minute I get, I jot away at one of them. On writings nights, I pull on the Snuggie (hey, it's warm) and hit the laptop.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever visited?

That would be a tie between a tour of the USS Eisenhower and the ruins of Mesa Verde.

What can we expect to see from you in the near future?

Hopefully lots of work readers will enjoy! I have a few short stories coming out from a series I write, called Dareville. I write a variety of erotic genres, so there's a good mix. Here are links to my sites with more information.

Thanks Leigh! You can find out more about Leigh at:

www.LeighEllwood.com

www.leighwantsfood.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/LeighEllwood

Bonus!!

Everyone is eligible to enter including those living outside the U.S. :D

To enter to win a download of Leigh's books from her backlist check here,

tweet about this giveaway with #Authorpalooza2010 including link of this post.

Follow Leigh and say hi on twitter @LeighEllwood

Don't forget to mention V sent ya! ;-)

If you don't have a twitter, facebook, myspace or blog, you can simply add yourself to become one of my blog minions.

And answer me this..

Books.. what do you look for when buying a new book? What peaks your interest?

Do you have a current project you’re working on or something you plan to begin soon?