I like to write about misfits, people living on the margin – quirky characters with interesting back stories.

Emily Gallo – 13 September 2021

The Back Flap

Kate and Lawrence drive through the desert on their way home from vacation and find a young girl sitting by the side of the road. Who is she? Where is she from, and where is she going? Why is she there? When and how did she get there? What can they do to help? The girl won’t speak, but that doesn’t deter them from embarking on a journey through central and southern California to find the answers.

About the book

When did you start writing the book?

December 2019

How long did it take you to write it?

About a year – then the editing process took a few extra months due to COVID and a 6-week trip I took.

Where did you get the idea from?

I taught school in a very diverse, low-income neighborhood of Sacramento – I had many students who were “illegals” from Mexico and Central America, as well as southeast Asia. I also had a friend who spent a few weeks teaching in a preschool in Tijuana for children trying to cross the border.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I started out writing that Marisol survived a plane crash in northern California rather than crossing the border in southern California. I have written six novels previous to DREAMer, all of them taking place in various parts of California. The book I wrote just before, The Last Resort was in northern California so I decided to change the locale. I also decided after I had started writing that I wanted to make it a sort of travel log of a part of California I hadn’t written about yet.

What came easily?

Character development is always the easy part for me – the plot is where I struggle more.

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

My characters are a combination of people I know and fictitious 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?

Frank McCour and, Carson McCullers. I like to write about misfits, people living on the margin – quirky characters with interesting back stories.

Do you have a target reader?

Not really – I’ve gotten good response from readers of all ages.

About Writing

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

I write mostly in Tin Roof, a café in my home town of Chico. I am not a solitary writer – I like to talk to people and get ideas.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I wouldn’t call it an outline – just notes, a chapter list and a character list.

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

Both but my heavy duty editing is always at the end.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I have three editors, none of them professional but two are writers and I pay one of them.

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

I listen to music all the time but not while I write.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No

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 have a friend who is a professional literary agent in New York and he advised me to self-publish and not try for an agent. He said I would end up having to do the marketing work anyway and have to pay them a fee.

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

I did it myself with the help of friends who are graphic artists and tech wizards.

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

I have a PR and marketing assistant I pay but no, I don’t have a formal plan.

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

Enjoy the writing and don’t expect to sell a ton of books!

About You

Where did you grow up?

New York City – Manhattan.

Where do you live now?

Chico, California and part time in Carpinteria California.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I would ask readers to go to my website www.emilygallo.com to find out more about me.

What are you working on now?

My newest book is about a man who spent twenty years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of DREAMer from Amazon US or Amazon UK.