Author Interview
Before we get to the interview, can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
I am a native of Tuscaloosa Alabama and love that I can “be” there when I write. All of my stories are set there and in my mind I can create my characters based on people I grew up with, especially my crazy family—the strong sassy southern belles who raised me. I spent my early adult life in broadcasting where I hosted my own show both on TV and radio for about 15 years. I then went on to Los Angeles and became a contract principle player on the NBC soap opera Days Of Our Lives. I have always been a driven ambitious person but a major shift occurred when my son was born 23 years ago this week. All of that drive and ambition became focused on being the best mother I could be, so I chose to give up the careers goals and stay home with him. I wanted to be with him as much as I could. I had a small stroke during delivery and knew he would be my only one. He is the love of my life! As he developed and became a competitive pairs ice skater, I began writing while sitting in a frozen ice rink. I was so homesick for the Deep South, I knew I had found a way to be there—in my writing. But I have been writing as long as I can remember, writing poetry as a child and eventually entering writing competitions throughout high school and college. I am also a Voice-Over Artist, doing many national commercials, a national speaker,( a major love of mine!) a screen writer and mommy not only to my fabulous son, but also to my dog and two kitties. I have been married almost 31 years to my college sweetheart, Ted, and am a graduate of my beloved University of Alabama where I majored in journalism.
How long have you been a writer?
I have been writing and telling stories for as long as I can remember. As a child I wrote poetry, and wrote and read essays to my elementary school classes. I began Sassy Belles during a particularly hard time when I closed my acting school for children in Sugar Land Texas. I was so homesick for my mother and all my sassy sisters. I needed them all to hold me up through that difficult time so I created The Sassy Belles, my first novel. I finished my novel in 2012, got an agent rather quickly at the San Francisco Writers Conference, and she sold my book soon after that. My Sassy Belles trilogy came out in 2013 and was re-released in mass market size in 2014. My current series, In Dixie, is a spin-off of that series. . “In the south, we are good at stories. We hold them close like fine diamonds, polish them up like precious silver, and we hand them down like a priceless heirloom to our young with the hope that they will tell our stories for us when we are buried beneath the red clay of home.” Except from Southern Exposure, Tales From My Front Porch. (Beth’s Memoirist book of essays.) It’s just what we do down south, pass on our stories.
Do you have a day job, or is being an author your career?
Right now, being an author is my career but I am missing people. I love talking to people and the world of broadcasting tugs at me every single day. I am working on a podcast now for next year where I can interview authors and talk to people like I did when I was in talk radio.
Please give a brief description/storyline about Stardust In Dixie.
Stardust In Dixie is the 4th book in my In Dixie series. This is Abigail’s story. She has reached a frustrating period of her life and needs to break away, but is in so deep at her job she doesn’t even know what she needs—she just knows she needs a huge change. Enter the two men she once loved in college.
Here is the short blurb:
Abigail Harper Cartwright was coming undone. As the promotions director for a Tuscaloosa radio station, a huge upcoming Mother’s Day live event could make or break her career. But at the same time, two former lovers have stumbled back into the picture turning her life upside down. One old boyfriend – who works for a competing radio station, seems to be out to sabotage everything she does, while another may just be her knight in shining armor. But after being dumped during a very public marriage proposal, he may not be able to give Abby a second chance. To make matters worse, a nosey neighbor has started an epic turf war and azalea bushes, a stolen mailbox and some front porch graffiti are the result.
As event day draws near, the dirty tricks at work get more intense and Abby has to call on her sassy sisters to help get to the bottom of it.
And Abby’s new/old love has another love of his own – a three year old thoroughbred horse whose name holds the secret to some long harbored feelings.
It all culminates in some Derby Day and Mother’s Day fireworks that will get your heart pounding and tears flowing.
What was the inspiration for this story?
For this particular story, as part of a series I just knew this character so well. But her development actually happened as I wrote. I was surprised at how sarcastic and funny she was, self deprecating yet charming. I saw so much of myself in her! But usually, ideas are lurking everywhere! I get about 5 or 6 ideas a day! I had two just before bed last night and they kept me up for hours! Every person I see, every gate I pass, every old house— stories, stories everywhere! I also draw on my real-life, especially my past growing up down south in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It was my original inspiration to write—homesickness, perpetual homesickness! The women represent the women who raised me after my dad died suddenly in a car crash when I was only four years old. They were and always are my inspiration. They are hilarious and strong and oh, so sassy! The titles are always wandering around in my head, many times before stories pop up so I have a list of them I keep in case I need them.
How did it feel to have your first book published?
Oh my gosh I will never ever forget it! I was driving and my agent called as I sat at a red-light. She said, “Are you driving?” and I answered, yes. She said “Well, you’re gonna need to pull over!” I began screaming and crying and it was just crazy!! Harlequin/MIRA had offered a three-book deal! I was crazy for about a week later. I am certain I smiled even in my sleep!
Do you write books for a specific genre?
Yes, I write women’s fiction with a splash of romance and a sprinkle of mystery. And all of my books have a lot of laugh out loud moments. I love a review I got once where someone said, “Don’t read anything by Beth Albright with anything in your mouth—spit-takes be warned!” That made my day! All of my books are heavily laden with women supporting women—very much an ensemble of women’s friendships/ sisterhood.
Do you have a special spot/area where you like to do your writing?
I have a chair in my bedroom that is so deep and I love to write on my laptop sitting there. My cat wraps herself around my head on the cushion and rubs her head against mine. If she licks me, especially on the cheek while I’m writing, I know that book will make a best-seller list. I know, I am crazy, but I do have superstitions! Sometimes I have to rub my cheek with catnip to get her to give me the lick of success—haha!
When you write, do you adhere to a strict work schedule, or do you work whenever the inspiration strikes?
Both but when I am actually in the process—I do have a schedule I try to stick with. I write with a word count goal for the day—usually 3-4 thousand if I can. Toward the end that number increases naturally because I know exactly what I want to say. It takes me about 2-3 months and when I am done, I have a margarita! (and a bubble bath—usually at the same time!) I take a few days off then begin editing—which for me means decorating and smoothing, adding in things and descriptions I want to make sure I include. After my smoothing and decorating are done, usually 7 LONG days, I hand it over to my proofers and then edit from their notes one more time. I do one last read of the entire manuscript and smooth it out some more then turn it in to my formatter. And have another margarita, of course!
What is the most gratifying thing you feel or get as a writer?
Nothing pleases me more than hearing from my readers! And the best thing is to get to meet them in person! I get to give you a big hug and thank you in person for buying my books, and laughing, and letting me know you’re laughing. Hearing from readers who are suffering whether it be from illness or sadness and learning that my books have brightened their day, made them smile or laugh and I know I have a purpose in my work. I donated a set of books to the local hospital in my home town, specifically to the cancer wing so people could laugh while receiving treatment. I think out of everything, that is by far the most gratifying part of being a writer.
How do you usually communicate with your readers/fans?
Facebook for sure!! I have three pages, One is The Sassy Belles, then my main page, is Author Beth Albright. I get lots of comments and love to chit chat!
Is there anything in your book based on real life experiences or are they purely all from your imagination?
SOOOO many real life experiences! Some are from my imagination but I definitely use my real life, especially the most hilarious circumstances, and eject them into my story-lines. Sometimes my real life can become the inspiration for the whole book. But yes, you could piece together much of my own life in between the lines of my novels.
Are you currently writing a new book? If yes, would you care to share a bit of it with us?
Having just released my new book, STARDUST IN DIXIE, book 4 in my IN DIXIE series, I am working on my preparations to attend the fabulous Barbara Vey Readers Appreciation Weekend in Milwaukee at the end of the month. Then I will be heading to my beloved Alabama for a huge book release party and Kentucky Derby Hat competition! That book party will be a doozy, complete with mint juleps! After that, I will be working on a fabulous cookbook, Southern Comforts, A Southern Girl’s Guide To Cooking & All Things Southern. That comes out this fall. After that, my Christmas novella will be out at Thanksgiving to end this current series, A Christmas Wedding In Dixie.
About The Author
Though Beth has had a remarkable career, literally from New York City to Hollywood, she has never forgotten where she came from, and what she loves: The Deep South!
Beth is also a screenwriter, a voice-over talent for commercials, and a nationally known speaker and emcee. Beth lives with her TV producer husband, award winning promotions and branding executive, Ted Ishler. Her son, graduating with Distinction from Berkeley in the top 10%, is on his way to graduate school in the fall.
Author Website
Goodreads
About The Book
Stardust in Dixie by Beth Albright
Book 4: In Dixie Series
Publisher: Magnolia Press
Publication Date: March 24, 2016
Format: Paperback - 224 pages
Kindle - 1673 KB
Nook - 963 KB
ISBN: 978-0991369850
ASIN: B01DFJW1P4BNID: 2940158030994
Genre: Women's Fiction
Buy The Book:
Buy The Series: In Dixie Series
Book 1: Magic in Dixie
Book 2: Christmas in Dixie
Book 3: Daydreams in Dixie
Book 4: Stardust in Dixie
Book Description:
Abigail Harper Cartwright was coming undone. As the promotions director for a Tuscaloosa radio station, a huge upcoming Mother’s Day live event could make or break her career. But at the same time, two former lovers have stumbled back into the picture turning her life upside down.
One old boyfriend – who works for a competing radio station, seems to be out to sabotage everything she does, while another may just be her knight in shining armor. But after being dumped during a very public marriage proposal, he may not be able to give Abby a second chance.
To make matters worse, a nosey neighbor has started an epic turf war and azalea bushes, a stolen mailbox and some front porch graffiti are the result.
As event day draws near, the dirty tricks at work get more intense and Abby has to call on her sassy sisters to help get to the bottom of it.
And Abby’s new/old love has another love of his own – a three year old thoroughbred horse whose name holds the secret to some long harbored feelings.
It all culminates in some Derby Day and Mother’s Day fireworks that will get your heart pounding and tears flowing.
National best-selling author Beth Albright does it again with this new Southern page-turner filled with romantic comedy, emotion, passion and laugh-out-loud humor. Grab your best girlfriends and hang on tight for this hilarious, exciting, sassy, southern tale.
Virtual Author Interview Tour
Tour Schedule:
Heather McCoubrey – April 4th
Chick Lit Goddess – April 8th
Jersey Girl Book Reviews – April 13th
Josie Ann – April 15th
Bethany Clark – TBD
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteHi Isabella! Thank you for the opportunity to host the tour event. :)
DeleteI love learning all the tidbits about Beth on this tour!
ReplyDeletedenise
Hi Denise! Thank you for stopping by my blog, I appreciate it. It's always fun to learn new tibits about authors and their books. :)
DeleteGreat interview
ReplyDeleteHi Janine! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comment, I appreciate it. :)
DeleteLove this! I just started the In Dixie series and I am loving it so far!
ReplyDeleteI have the Dixie series on my TBR list, can't wait to read them. :)
Delete