SPECIAL GUEST: Heide AW Kaminski, Co-Author of THE SEARCH FOR THE MILLION $$$ GHOST

I have a really special guest today! Heide AW Kaminski is one of the co-authors The Search for the Million $$$ Ghost (Mardi Gras 2006) that is due to be released in paperback at the end of February! It's kind of special to me, too, because I'm one of the co-authors! Heide, Pam Lawniczak and myself started writing this book a few years ago and never thought we'd see something that was written by three people who lived hundreds of miles apart from one another actually become a published novel. Simply amazing. Let Heide tell you more about how this came together...I give you...Heide AW Kaminski, one of the three co-authors of The Search for the Million $$$ Ghost...

Dorothy: Thank you, Heide, for giving us the privilege of an interview! Would you like to tell us more about yourself?

Heide: Happy to be here, Dorothy! To begin with, I'm a freelance writer and reporter in SE Michigan. I am published in 15+ anthologies and I have six years of newspaper clips as a freelance reporter/ photographer. My published books are ADHD and Me (in paperback), Get Smart Through Art (also in paperback), The Search for the Million $$$ Ghost (eBook about to go into print), Sun Serai (eBook), and Iddybitties and Giants (in German/English eBook). You can find out more about me at www.thewriterslife.net/Kaminski.html.

When did your passion for writing begin?

Honestly, I would have to say, when I was born. I began telling stories before I could write and as soon as I learned to manuver a crayon across paper, I began to write them down.I was the neighborhood entertainer from an early age on.

Can you tell us what your typical 'writing' day is like?

I have several projects I am working on and I have found it is best if I don't force myself. I write whenever and wherever the muse strikes me. That may be in the middle of the night or in the bathtub.I work fulltime outside the home and I also go to school, so my actual writing time is limited to late hours, but in between I write on napkins and scrap paper until I get to the computer.

Do you write full time?

No, I would love to though!Until my writing pays my bills, I will have to stick to part-time writing.

Can you tell us a little bit about your book?

My newest release is "The Search For The Million $$$ Ghost," which I co-wrote with my two friends Dorothy Thompson and Pam Lawniczak.The best way to find out about it is to go to the website, and don't forget to check out the clip on Youtube!

Who published your book and how has your experience with them been?

Datamaster Publishing published my first two books. I would highly recommend them, however, they closed their doors. My books with them were sold to CrystalPress. I have not worked with them long enough to say much about them."Sun Serai" was published by Larry McCrea and he is a great guy to work with. The German children's book was originally published in 1983 in Germany. Last year a relative in Germany who publishes books had me translate the stories and he created a bi-lingual online version.The Search for the Million $$$ Ghost has been published by Mardi Gras Publishing.

Can you tell us the inspiration behind your book, THE SEARCH FOR THE MILLION $$$ GHOST?

I was a member of an online spiritual group, mostly women, and we decided that with all of our experiences and a lot of us with writing passion, we should write a book together. It started out with six authors, but I do not recommend that to anyone. In the process we dwindled down to three authors and I think we did an awesome job! All three of us truly believe that the book would make a fantastic movie on the big screen.

Can you tell us ways you are promoting your book? Have they been successful?

We are just beginning as it is going into print sometime this month.We sent out flyers to big magazines, newspapers and Oprah, Montel and Sylvia Browne, but have not heard back.I have a book signing and a newspaper interview scheduled for after the print release. We have also send announcements to numerous writing groups and ebook promotion sites.

Do you have a mentor?

My mentor would be my best friend, Deane, who has been a reporter for 30 years. He edits EVERYTHING I write and he is not afraid to critisize when it's needed. He has taught me a lot and he keeps me writing even when I feel down about the writing business.

What future projects do you have in the works?

I am working on a novel about life in heaven. It is a romantic comedy about a guy who does not believe in life after death. When he dies, he finds out the truth. While he is waiting for the love of his life to arrive up there, he has a lot of fun with all sorts of people from the Bible as well as non-Christian history.

Can you give aspiring authors words of advice towards getting published?

Don't ever give up on yourself! You may feel like a slave to the profession, but if you love writing, NEVER give up. Laugh at rejection letters as JK Rowling is laughing at all those who rejected her!Keep submitting until you find someone who believes in you. Holding your first book in print in your hands is a breathtaking event!

What’s one thing about your life that you think is important, but nobody asks?

Cool question.I have been through a lot of abuse. I have finally recovered from the neediness and worthlessness abused people feel and I am darn proud of myself!

Dorothy: Thank you for visiting with us today, Heide...now let's make sure this book sells like hotcakes!

Heide: Thanks for having me, Dorothy! ;o)

If you would like to read the backstory of The Search for the Million $$$ Ghost, or to find out more about the authors, visit this link!

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Tags: Heide Kaminski, The Search for the Million $$$ Ghost, freelance writer, freelance reporter