Amy’s Website: http://www.amyclipston.com. Amy’s Blog: amyclipston.blogspot.com/. I hope you’ll visit Amy’s websites and look for her book in stores in May 2009.

The Standard 10

Joan: How many years from first manuscript to first sale?

Amy: I signed with my agent in 2005. I wrote several sweet romances that came close to selling. However, this book I sold on proposal in a matter of a couple of months.

Joan: What has been your best experience as a published author?

Amy: The best part has been making friends with the awesome people in the Zondervan family and also meeting so many wonderful writers. I cherish the friendships this book has brought me.

Joan: What has been your worst experience as a published author?

Amy: Worst part? Honestly, I haven’t had any bad experiences yet. However, I dread bad reviews.

Joan: What has surprised you most as a professional writer?

Amy: What has really surprised me is how supportive family members, friends, and acquaintances are of my first book. Many of my friends and family members have pre-ordered it and also encouraged their friends to order it. Acquaintances have asked for copies of my cover and have told their friends and family members to buy it. It’s inspiring to know people want to read my books and want me to be a success. I’m blessed to have such a supportive community around me, rooting for me.

Joan: If you could write any story, without regard to it selling or any of those other business issues, what would you write?

Amy: My husband is facing a second kidney transplant after the kidney he received from his brother in 2004 failed. I’m first in line for donor testing. I hope and pray I can tell our story someday in an effort to inspire other organ recipients and also encourage folks to donate blood and organs. I believe there is a reason why we are going through this ordeal for a second time, and I hope our story can make a difference in the lives of others.

Joan: What do you love about your career?

Amy: Everything! I love my editors and the rest of the team at Zondervan. I love having the privilege to tell my stories and share my faith.

Joan: What do you hate about your career?

Amy: Absolutely nothing. I’m blessed to be a part of the Zondervan family, and I’m blessed to have the new friends I’ve encountered through my journey to publication.

Joan: If you got a big 6-figure advance for a book, what’s the first thing you’d buy for yourself?

Amy: I would pay off some bills and put money in my sons’ college funds. And, if there’s money left, I’d take my family to Disney World!

Joan: What is the best advice you can give beginning writers?

Amy: It may sound cliché, but never give up. The publishing industry moves slowly, and you must be patient. Every rejection letter will hurt you but also make you a stronger writer. When you receive a rejection, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and learn from it. Read between the lines to see what the editor liked about your story and your voice. Continue to write, edit, and polish your books. You’ll make it if you believe in yourself and your book.

Joan: What would you like readers to know?

Amy: I’m so thankful that my readers have chosen to read my stories. I’m honored to be an author of choice for them, and I promise to write the best books of my heart that I can for them.

Thanks, Amy, for visiting my website. I wish you the best of luck with your writing and many sales for your upcoming book.

(This interview was originally published on The Pleasure of Reading on The Website of Joan Reeves, March 2009. Each month Joan interviews an author or other person of interest to the writing and entertainment industries.)

Written Wisdom

Quotations about, what else, but Mothers. Look for quotations from Sharon Doubiago, Nancy Friday, Lillian Hellman, Sarah Orne Jewett, Audre Lorde, Alice Walker, and Renita Weems,

The Pleasure Of Reading

An interview with Michael Haskins, author of Chasin’ The Wind, a Mad Mick Murphy Mystery.

The Joy of Writing

Look for another article in the “Your Internet Presence” series: Website Or Blog.

Wordplay, the Official Website Newsletter

Details about the update plus an entertainment piece: From Wordsworth To Nickelback. Subscribe to Wordplay, and it will arrive in your Inbox the first day of every month.

Resources Of The Archives

An article usually appears on its originating page for two months. After that it’s moved to The Archives. On May 1, these were archived: Interview With Annette Blair, Interview With Amy Clipston, Why Book Publishing Changes, Your Internet Presence: Websites, and Know Your Contracts.

Work In Progress

Opus 5 of 12 for 2009: Are You On Track.

Previously Published

An article to help you market your reverted or retained rights in case you don’t have an agent to do this for you: How To Find Markets For Reprint Sales.

By the way, if any of you out there have websites or blogs and would like to exchange links, just let me know. Send me an email at joan at joanreeves dot com with REAL LIVE PERSON – LINK EXCHANGE in the subject box.

Takeaway Truth

Every month you’ll find entertaining and education articles on the art, craft, and business of writing on my website.

This month we celebrate LOVE. Yes, love in capital letters, the bravest emotion of all.

The Pleasure of Reading

An Interview with best-selling author Annette Blair. You’ll love what she has to say about her books and her writing life.

The Joy of Writing

I gave a lot of thought into this month’s feature article: Why Book Publishing Changes.

Wordplay

My website subscription newsletter has The History of Love and Romance. In the entertainment section, you’ll find one of those web floaters that will make you laugh. That will put you in a good mood for Valentine’s.

The Archives

An article usually appears on its originating page for two months. After that it’s moved to The Archives. All the 2006 articles have been removed entirely, as I warned.

Work In Progress

An Unscientific Way to Make a Decision is Opus 2 of 12 for 2009, a decision-making process for the indecisive.

Previously Published

The entire series on how to use your retained and reverted rights has been moved to The Archives. The cover for Say Yes, my most recent large print edition, is shown. The book is an example of my following my own advice on marketing rights.

Written Wisdom

February’s theme is Love. Look for quotations from Ninon De Lenclos, Marlene Dietrich, Nikki Giovanni, Lorraine Hansberry, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Mother Teresa, and Anzia Yezierska, .

(By the way, if any of you out there have websites or blogs and would like to exchange links, just let me know. Send me an email at joan @ joanreeves.com with REAL LIVE PERSON – LINK EXCHANGE in the subject box.)

Takeaway Truth

Every month you’ll find entertaining and education articles on the art, craft, and business of writing on my website.