I want to influence young generations to love reading and to provide stories for all ages of life to enjoy. So, my target audience is everyone who is looking to be entertained.

Sai Marie Johnson – 30 November 2018

The Back Flap

Caecelia of House Servili was born and bred to be a powerful woman with an education and the life of splendor as a senator’s daughter, but when a foreign enemy sieges their estate, killing her family and abducting her, her entire world changes.

Now the captive of a strong and dominant king from the enemy kingdom, she learns truths about her past that will challenge everything she imagined for her future. In the process, will she learn to love the man she was destined to spend her life with?

About the book

What is the book about?

A young woman on a fictional planet who is captured by an enemy invader learns her life as she knows it is one huge and epic lie and her actual people are the ones who have stolen her from the place she was raised.

When did you start writing the book?

I began writing the draft of this story in Spring 2008.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took me about four years because I started it and then closeted it promptly.

Where did you get the idea from?

It just sprung into my head. I got the image of a woman trying to fight off an abductor, dressed in strange Roman-like garb and went with it.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I had some trouble making sure all the names and places lined up at first but once I got into the story it was easy to keep it going.

What came easily?

The tension between Xenocrates and Caecelia’s relationship.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

My characters are entirely fictitious in this particular story but in some of my stories the characters are based off people I know or experiences I have had with other people.

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?

Anne Rice and Stephen King inspired me abundantly. I began reading their stories long before I was old enough to and it was because of Anne and Stephen that I decided to take the dive into becoming a published writer.

Do you have a target reader?

I want to say yes but I truly am a multi-genre author who is looking to reach all readers. I want to influence young generations to love reading and to provide stories for all ages of life to enjoy. So, my target audience is everyone who is looking to be entertained.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Not really, I just delve into what I am doing. I do like to have music go and a free space without distractions though.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I do both. I revise as I write and then do three other edit run-throughs before I submit to my editor.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Yes, I do listen to music while I write. Typically, I create a soundtrack to write to picking music that I feel relates to the story itself. So, it really changes depending on what I am writing at the time.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I have and sometimes I still do.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I initially went Indie because I wanted to see my work published and didn’t want to deal with rejections from traditional publishers. It was a gradual process but once I got ready to do it I dived right in and had my first book out within two weeks.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

For this particular book, Embracing His Empire, it was professionally created. I have created some of my own book covers, however, and will likely be continuing to do so in the future.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have a marketing plan for this book. So far it has worked pretty well.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

First, finish your book. It takes having a written manuscript to go anywhere else. If you haven’t finished the book, focus on that, and then work up from there.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Oregon and lived there until I was 11 years of age. Then I moved to the South, Tennessee specifically. I did not like moving to the South and upon growing up made a plan to move back to my home state as soon as possible.

Where do you live now?

Eugene, Oregon, Duck Central, Track Town U.S.A.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I love interacting with my readers and have a reader group I would love to invite them to join. I’m always looking to find ways to engage and converse with the people who read my stories and hope to keep making them smile in every way possible. Readers are welcome to join me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/saimariejohnson

Or Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/LadySai

Or by navigating to my official site at http://www.saimariejohnson.wordpress.com

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Embracing His Empire from Amazon US or Amazon UK.