However, the topic of government secrets and questioning the existence of extraterrestrial life terrified me to the core. The struggle was in balancing fiction with my research that raised its own questions on what was the truth and what was fantasy.
Kristina Reienzi – 27 May 2019
The Back Flap
Danger lurks in the unknown…
Marci Simon lives a double life: conservative English professor by day, and controversial alien blogger by night. But when a classified document lands in her lap, her two worlds collide in an explosive revelation of shocking and deadly secrets.
Despite imminent danger at every twist, Marci embarks on an unstoppable quest to expose the terrifying truth. Only she never anticipated the entangled nebula of dark lies, nor the never-ending wormhole the government would spiral through to silence her forever.
Knowledge can kill.
And Marci knows too much. With global security at risk, no one can be trusted. To debunk the stratosphere of deceit, Marci races at the speed of light to escape the grips of the clandestine Extraterrestrial Security Agency (ESA) hunting her before she vanishes like all the others. But Marci is unique. Despite being the ESA’s prime target, she’s also the skeleton key to the deadliest truth in the history of the universe.
The nightmare is real, and it’s only just begun. Marci must take a nefarious leap of faith before her options, and her breaths, evaporate into a black hole for all eternity.
About the book
What is the book about?
Among Us is a New Adult Sci-Fi Thriller about a Jersey Shore blogger who is mixed up in a deadly government conspiracy far more dangerous than she ever imagined.
When did you start writing the book?
I first began working on Among Us in the summer of 2016, took a break, and got back into it in 2017.
How long did it take you to write it?
Among Us took about a year from the first draft to completion.
Where did you get the idea from?
The general idea is something that’s always been on my mind. Government secrets. The existence of aliens. Truth versus lies. Watching shows like Unsealed Alien Files and learning about the Freedom of Information Act piqued my interest to the level of writing this story.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
That’s a loaded question! I never struggled with my passion for the story or the momentum with which I wrote. However, the topic of government secrets and questioning the existence of extraterrestrial life terrified me to the core. The struggle was in balancing fiction with my research that raised its own questions on what was the truth and what was fantasy. Goosebump-worthy, for sure! Shining the first draft like a diamond, working on elevating my craft, and making it a story I’d be proud of, were my biggest challenges.
What came easily?
My excitement for the story and the characters fueled my desire to put my all into this story. The many fast-paced action scenes flew onto the page. They’re always the most fun for me to write. My heart races along with the characters, and hopefully the readers.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Totally fictitious. The only real-world person I’ve borrowed from is myself. I’m in every character, like all authors are, whether they do it intentionally (or dare to admit it) or not.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Great question! So many. Too many to name. I try to learn something from every author I read. Those who inspire me most, which is the kind of influence I tend toward, are two brilliant women who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, and loved both in person as much as I did on the page: Jodi Picoult and Lisa Scottolini.
Do you have a target reader?
All readers are welcome, as any author would say! My perfect reader is likely new adult/adult woman who enjoys fast-paced, twisty thrillers that challenge them to face their fears and embrace the unknown. They love the beach, wine, and dogs like I do, because there are many of those mentions in my books.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so, can you please describe it?
A convoluted one, yes! It’s sometimes structured and sometimes all over the place. When I’m working on the first draft of a story, and in the zone, I write in the early morning for about an hour daily as many days as I can until the story is complete. When editing, I do that mainly at night or on the weekends. I need my right brain (my inner editor is asleep) for the first draft, and my left brain (my inner editor is on a high) to revise. My philosophy is that the first draft is to get the story out—the rest of the drafts are to make it perfect.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I use the Save the Cat method of outlining and plotting. I do it loosely, with room for change, but make sure I hit the major story beats along the way. However, I usually know the ending and some major plot twist in the middle. How I get there is up to my inner muse.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I try not to edit as I go because it slows me down. With that being said, try is the operative word. It’s difficult not to fix your story along the way, go back and make changes when your ultimate goal is to push forward and finish to ‘The End,’ which is my process. However, I remind myself that I’m most successful when I get the story out and edit it after it’s done.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Always. They’re everything. I wouldn’t release any story without multiple levels of editing. Editors make me a better writer. I’m forever indebted to them.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Sometimes I’ll listen to classical music, especially when my dogs ‘go-to-work’ with me and nap in my office while I write. It calms them and stimulates my brain. Sometimes, I like to write with The Twilight Zone playing in the background; something about the brilliance of that old show inspires me. More times than not, though, I write in silence. It helps me concentrate on the story, and only the story, with zero distractions.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I have, yes, and I’ll continue to submit to agents and editors throughout my writing career. My publishing goal is having mix of methods from Indie to traditional, and I’m open to anything new and different in-between.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
My debut novel was with a small press publisher, and so I went down that road. I loved the idea of professionals helping me with my story; however, the lack of control was frustrating at times. I dabbled in the indie publishing world while with the small press publisher and loved the freedom and creative control over my book. Over time, I separated from the small press publisher because they were no longer in line with my goals. There’s no perfect path and every author is on their own journey. Indie publishing isn’t easy – it takes an entrepreneurial mind, and while I’m blessed to have one, I appreciated having a publisher behind my work. In the end, I think I’d like to publish all ways to get the best of each world.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Like editing, I don’t do what others can do better than me. I always use a professional cover artist, and that’s why my covers are so beautiful. I couldn’t do them justice and I wouldn’t even try.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book, or are you just winging it?
I think somewhere in the middle. I come up with a flexible plan based on the book’s launch date, and then wing it along the way. I’m always open to suggestions and I change things once I learn what works and what doesn’t. Times change so quickly in publishing that adaptability is critical.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Read a lot. Write a lot. Study the craft. Find your solid writer friend tribe. Smile. Be present. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Roll up your sleeves and do the work. Be patient. Dream big. Most importantly, never give up!
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up at the Jersey Shore (Monmouth County, NJ).
Where do you live now?
I moved a few towns south, but I still live at the Jersey Shore and I LOVE it!
What would you like readers to know about you?
I’m an introvert who presents like an extrovert, but I’m a solid Meyers-Briggs INFJ nonetheless. I love the beach, wine, and dogs fiercely. I’m also a grateful first-time-mommy-to-be who hopes to encourage and inspire others through each personal interaction, as well as through my writing.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently writing a New Adult Paranormal, Unleash the Wicked, which will be released in 2019. It follows a Manhattan socialite forced to move back to her poor, mysterious seaside hometown where she unknowingly unleashes a centuries-old curse intent on total destruction.
End of Interview:
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