Wicked Pleasure Scavenger Hunt: Q & A with Juanita Samborski

 

Hosted By:

 

Book & Trailer Showcase & Queentutt's World of Escapism

 

Sept 7th thru Oct 7th

 

I love scavenger hunts!! They are so much fun, and it's always exciting to discover and connect with new authors along the way. So, of course, I jumped at the chance to join Book & Trailer Showcase & Queentutt's World of Escapism, on what promises to be a thrilling hunt with many fabulous prizes up for grabs.

There is one rafflecopter which will be shared on each blog site and as you hop along, all you have to do it answer the question pertaining to the blog site that you are visiting :) Therefore, as you are visiting me right now, you will click on the option that says "Hunt - Author Roxanne Kade" and answer the question. Easy Peasy :)
 

My prize donation is an eCopy of my debut novel, Therian ( The Bloody Crescent #1)

 

Because I love scavenger hunts and blog hops so much, I have invited a very special guest to my blog for an interview. She is responsible for making all my dreams come true and I am so honored to have her here today.

 

Who am I talking about??

 

The amazing Juanita Samborski, publisher and founder of 48fourteen.
 

 

 

 

Hi, Juanita. It's so wonderful to have you with us today. Thank you for joining us.

1. Tell us a little more about yourself.

We are off to a nail-biting start. This, for starters, is my first official interview. This question is perhaps the most dreaded. Personally, you know who you are, what moves you, pulls you, brings you up or takes you down. But how do you summarize all of you in a few words? It's nearly impossible, but I'll do my best.

So who am I? A thinker, over-analytical, thrive on drama, passionate, a believer, a dreamer, a doer. I'm incapable of sitting down for a span of more than two hours without doing more than just watching a movie. There is so much to life, why do one thing at a time? Do two, even three, get stimulated.

2. Have you always had a passion for books?

Yes. Although I admit there was a period of time when I did not indulge as frequently as I do now. The advent of eBooks have allowed for the reading of novels on multiple devices, including cell phones. Now, I find myself living in two worlds simultaneously - reading while I wait on the check-out line in the grocery store, waiting for maintenance on my car to be completed, while a passenger on a long ride, and even while cooking as I wait for the rice to come to a boil… okay, perhaps I'm a bit obsessed.

3. Have you ever tried your hand at writing?

Yes. My writing has taken a back seat since I decided to take on the publishing world - it is only fair to the 48fourteen authors. It is in no way a regrettable decision. There is a safe-box in a corner of my closet stuffed with eight notebooks filled with the words of my story - words that have not yet made it into digital form. I find that I think better on paper, the words flow seamlessly from my mind and moves my mechanical pencil across the page. One day, when the enthusiasm strikes, I will sit down for several hours, maybe days or weeks, and type up my first novel.

4. What genre do you love to read? And who is your favorite author?

I go through phases. Prior to 48fourteen, I mostly enjoyed comedy and romance - including "chick-lit", paranormal romance and historical romance. Recently, thanks to the 48fourteen authors, I also enjoy thrillers, literary fiction, and science fiction.

Favorite authors: Philippa Gregory, author of historical fiction novels; Chelsea Handler, a comedian who authored several laugh-til-it-hurts novels; and Karen Moning, author of the Fever Series.

5. If you could be a character from any book, who would you be? Why?

I don't think I would want to be a character from any book. I read to escape to another world. If I were a character from any book, I would most likely want to escape from that characters world into another.

6. How did you get started in the publishing industry?

Sean Samborski began as an editor for small publishing companies. While editing, he was not particularly thrilled with the quality of books he was receiving to edit and decided he would launch a publishing company and print novels that rivaled the books in the market. After browsing through author websites, he came across a few chapters of a novel and said to me "you have to read this". In front of me was Notes on an Orange Burial. After the second or third page my vision became blurred as tears welled up in my eyes from laughing. The novel was daring, witty, unique, well-written, a literary work of art, and… hysterical. My response was "you have to publish this novel". From that point on, putting my education in English and Psychology to good use, I joined Elixirist as an editor. Because the cost of print is very high, the company had to be excruciatingly selective. Several rejections later, I thought "some of these novels deserve a chance", and 48fourteen was born… then I took over Elixirst.   

7. Tell us a bit more about 48fourteen.

Our novels, each and every one, are carefully selected and given personal attention. From the moment a manuscript is accepted, the author and I work together with editors and cover designers. Our covers feature original work and are unlike any other; manuscripts undergo several rounds of meticulous editing. We are committed to offering our readers the highest quality writing and an unforgettable reading experience.

In addition, 48fourteen is a social community for readers and authors. Our website allows for authors to interact with their readers, answer questions, and blog about their writing experience, their current ventures, and even post excerpts of their novel(s).

8. What most excites you about being a publisher?

The authors. The stories. Having the opportunity to breathe life into an incredible novel, and be a part of the creative process, through the editing and cover design, is the driving force behind 48fourteen. When an author tells me they are doing a "happy dance" because someone finally gave them the attention they deserve, well, that puts a smile on my face and is most rewarding for me, personally. It keeps me and 48fourteen going.

9. What do you look for in a manuscript?

A sleepless night. There is no formula to my selection process. There is a general outline of what I will accept, but the ultimate decision rests on whether or not I feel passionate about a novel. If I devour a manuscript in a few hours, or if I find myself so immersed within the words that putting my eReader down, for even a second, becomes a feat, and after the last words are read I find myself wondering what the characters will do next, then the moment I complete the novel, I jump up, open my computer, and e-mail an acceptance letter to the author. Some novels may be good but I am looking for novels that will hold my attention throughout and will not allow me to become distracted with other things. The choice is a personal decision and is intended to give our readers the same experience. The 48fourteen collection is pretty eclectic but all of the novels have forced me to stay awake until the wee hours of the morning.

10. If you weren't a publisher, what would you be?

A lawyer. As I mentioned before, I thrive on drama. Reading offers you the opportunity to experience various emotions within a span of mere hours. Emotions, whether good or bad, makes your heart pump faster, fills your veins with adrenaline. I suspect being a family law attorney  would give me the same experience. Instead of reading about human experiences, I would hear about them first-hand, and have the opportunity to engage and offer legal assistance.

11. Is there any exciting news you'd like to share with us?   

Yes! We are releasing three much anticipated novels - Dead Heart, Chemical Attraction, and Born in Flames. Notes on an Orange Burial will be released in eBook format. And Rose's Will by Denise DeSio and The Debutante Detective by Lisa McDivitt will soon be available in print. We will continue to hold contests and giveaways for our readers and we will be returning to submissions to find new additions to 48fourteen! For more information, visit www.48fourteen. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/48fourteen and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/48fourteen.

 

Thank you to the fabulous and talented Roxanne Kade, author of Therian: The Bloody Crescent Book I for giving me this opportunity. Therian was one of the first novels I read on an author site that I had to have. It captured my attention, and pulled me into Amberlyn Darksky's world and through her emotional journey as she finds herself, learns the truth, and comes to understand her gift.
 

Juanita has been fantastic throughout my entire publishing journey. She puts her heart and soul into every book 48fourteen releases into the world, and I will be forever grateful for her guidance, support and for truly believing in me.

Thank you, Juanita! 

If you'd like to know more about 48fourteen check out their website, follow them on Twitter and like their Facebook page.

 

 

 

So are you ready to hunt??? Well then, let me give you a little something that will help you with the question for my blog, which is...


Who created 48fourteen?

 

HINT: She is my special guest today.
 

 

 Just enter the answer in the rafflecopter below, and hop along to the next blog on the linky list :)

(The great thing about Rafflecopter is that it remembers you once you sign in, so you won't have to do it at every stop!!)

Have fun, and make sure to visit every blog!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway