I’m a down to earth person and don’t take myself too seriously. I’m the type of person that loves to laugh and love to make people laugh because laughter truly is the best medicine. I think that is why I have a lot of humor in my book. I didn’t want the tone to be serious. I wanted to give my readers an authentic view of myself and sense of humor.
Eliza Wilde – 1 November 2019
The Back Flap
Shock Value is the brutally honest story of one webcam model’s sexual encounters with her online clients. In a world of sexual deviants, “Angelina” entices various men to her chat room to fulfull their sesxual fantasies that some would consider taboo. This book of short stories encompasses the provocative world of web camming, fetishes, kinks, role plays and sexual desires. Her web cam sessions are often raunchy, hilarious and downright bizaaire. Enthralling and surprisingly comical, Angelina leads you down numerous paths of some of the most outlandish, offbeat and peculiar sexual fantasies one can encounter.
About the book
What is the book about?
It is a memoir of short stories based on some of my most bizairre, offbeat and hilarious webcamming sessions with my clients. I discuss strange fetishes, kinks and roleplays .
When did you start writing the book?
October 2018.
How long did it take you to write it?
About 7-8 months
Where did you get the idea from?
A friend of mine kept encouraging me to write about the subject. I would often share some of my camming stories with her, and she couldn’t believe some of the things I would tell her. She said because it isn’t a common subject, and far from mainstream, that that could be its selling point.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Some of the roleplays I was hesitant to put in the book, due to the graphic nature. I solicited advice from some of my friends and sent them the chapters I was hesitant on. They gave me good advice as to how to write it in a way where people could understand, and not get offended and realize it is just a roleplay that the client requested. Because the book is called Shock Value, I wanted to keep that factor in the book, but present those chapters in a way that wasn’t too much for the reader to handle.
What came easily?
Choosing what scenarios went into my book. I had a lot to choose from.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
All characters are real.
Do you have a target reader?
People who are open-minded sexually.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I would just type whatever was in my head at the time like a brain dump.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
No outline. I literally just started typing.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I would edit after each chapter.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
No. Music would distract me.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, because I didn’t think anyone would be interested in hearing my story due to the nature of it.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
Because of the nature of the book, I felt self-publishing would be the way to go. That way, I have full creative control over my project. I hired my editor and book designer from Reedsy. The Reedsy website really helped me throughout this process. I was able to personally select my editor and book designer which was great because I formed great relationships with them! I feel that the indie world is so much more supportive too!
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Professional.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I am totally winging it!
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Spend the money investing in a good editor and book designer. A lot of indie authors don’t have the money, but the great thing about Reedsy, is when you hire someone from Reedsy, they allow you to make payments to the freelancer. You can also adjust your payments as well, so it makes it less stressful having to come up with all the money upfront. People in the book industry can spot a hack job book cover.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Connecticut.
Where do you live now?
Arizona.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I’m a down to earth person and don’t take myself too seriously. I’m the type of person that loves to laugh and love to make people laugh because laughter truly is the best medicine. I think that is why I have a lot of humor in my book. I didn’t want the tone to be serious. I wanted to give my readers an authentic view of myself and sense of humor.
End of Interview:
For more from Eliza visit her website or follow her on Instagram.
Get your copy of Shock Value from Amazon US or Amazon UK.