It is that special time again and we have a great artist to share with you today. June a.k.a. Ann T Bugg has brought the literary talent to entertain adults and future adults. From just a few moments conversing with her I noticed her kindness and desire to write; which she definitely has a talent for! This is a special treat as she is a veteran writer and I personally feel we could all learn a lot from her.
June is a prolific writer who has numerous publications under her name. She has a series in women’s fiction below. It is an interesting time travel trilogy
(Dustin Time) – I found #1 online on kindle free! (Click on the picture for the link – I got a copy.)
She has amazing reviews on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8698353-dustin-time?from_search=true check it out before you buy because people are saying great things about her book
I Got Your Back, Hailey – Romantic Suspense – She is currently finishing up #5 – the first one is free again through kindle here: https://www.amazon.com/I-Got-Your-Back-Hailey-ebook/dp/B00JH1P9A4/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1550551805&sr=1-3&keywords=june+kramin
Hunter’s Find where she brings the characters into her Hailey series – which can be found for under $1 here: https://www.amazon.com/Hunters-Find-June-Kramin-ebook/dp/B00U27UQR8/ref=sr_1_15?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1550551805&sr=1-15&keywords=june+kramin
Money Didn’t Buy Her Love – she has set as a MN based romance series https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CF4FRFC/ref=x_gr_w_glide?caller=Goodreads&callerLink=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17840474-money-didn-t-buy-her-love?from_search=true&tag=x_gr_w_glide-20
She has a list a mile long of books and checking out her Goodreads list (below) she has hundreds of reviews with not a single review under 4.5. It is amazing to the degree that I got my own copy of one of her books.
In addition to that, she has a middle grade fantasy series under the name Ann T. Bugg. It is called the ‘Before Happily Ever After’ series and it can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Through-Mirror-Before-Happily-After-ebook/dp/B00C2HOECO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550605352&sr=8-1&keywords=Ann+T+Bugg
I downloaded it as well.
If you are as impressed with her as I have been, you can find her and learn more about her here.
http://www.junekramin.com/ http://www.beforehappilyeverafter.com/ http://www.facebook.com/JuneKramin
twitter @ June Kramin
When we first made contact, I asked her to tell me a little bit about herself before answering the questions and she had an impressive response. She said:
“I write Women’s Fiction under my name, June Kramin, and I have a middle grade fantasy series under the pen name Ann T. Bugg. My nickname took the natural course to June-Bug when I was little. When my 1st friend had a baby, I became Auntie Bug. I thought a little twist on that was perfect for a pen name.”
I asked what her plans for future books she continued to impress me. Our hometown Minnesota author has no plans on even slowing down a little bit.
“Other than getting Hailey 5 out there, I have another series that has been on the back burner for far too long. I do plan to get those out there eventually. Maybe that should be this year’s goal!”
Luckily, she has been offering work for us to read, but even if she wasn’t she has a lot on her plate. Outside of being an author she has an engraving machine and takes care of fulfillment for her son’s whiskey stone company (SipDark).
She also adds: “Because I need to be moving 24/7, I took a retail position as well last summer. It has been great to be among humans again! I went kicking and screaming but have really enjoyed it – even over the crazy holidays. I get bored easy and have always hopped around for jobs. I’m a “Jill of all trades” and take it out in my novels with my characters. Write what you know, right? We owned a cyber café for a while, that inspired “Double Mocha, Heavy on Your Phone Number.” It’s currently free since almost anyone under 25 has no clue what the heck a cyber café even is! LOL”
I am genuinely impressed with her talent and grateful that she took time out of her day to talk with us. Thank you, June, I am lucky to have had the opportunity to interview you! You really are an inspiration.
And with that, I offer the wonderful interview she was so kind to give us:
What, in your opinion, are good elements of writing? Bad elements?
Unfortunately, I have become very picky over the years. I have had so many editors, each one with a different pet peeve. When I come across those things, it’s a turn off. “If I had to fix it, you should, too!” When I read glaring “non-edits” in a “Big 5” novel, it really upsets me. Too many “look” or “that” make me cringe. Head-hopping is also a major pet peeve of mine. I know some big authors who do it, but I have tossed many a book at chapter one because of it. Dialog tags make me crazy, too. So, not necessarily bad elements, just my peeves.
Do you know or have you seen any writing memes that entertain or enrage you?
Mostly entertain! Although everyone is guilty of typos (especially on their phones), I love a good your/you’re bashing. LOL Shoot me.
Have you come across any writing groups, communities, or advice that you would recommend everyone avoid?
Actually, no. I used to be very active at Absolute Write and I recommend them to everyone. They helped me weed out a lot of bad agents/publishers when I was first starting out. Any groups I’ve been in have been helpful. Some over eager noobs with their “buy my books!” posts, but nice people.
What would be the biggest change you would make to the writing/publishing industry if you had the power to change everything?
Egads. How much time do you have? 😉 I hated every aspect of trying to get published. One typo in your query? REJECTED. Addressed it “to whom it may concern” REJECTED. Wrong font or spacing? REJECTED.
I understand the need for asking for specifics, but few things in my life were as stressful as the days I spent querying (and I had a baby in a car in a snowstorm!)
I honestly don’t know what the fix could be. “You aren’t allowed to submit to anyone if you submit to us but allow us 6 months to reply to you. If not, assumed we’ve passed.” Um, great. So when I’m 116, I’ll have queried everyone with no replies. Thanks. :/ It’s no wonder so many have gone the self-pubbing route. It certainly doesn’t have the stigma it did when I started over 12 years ago.
Who would win in a fight: Unicorn or Pegasus?
Pegasus, duh. The unicorn has that face-knife and all but is just too pure and sweet. Pegasus was built for battle by Zeus with wings. Always gotta vote for the dude with wings.
What is your favorite marketing technique? How do you get your book in front of people? Or, what have you done in the past to really get people to notice your writing talents?
Signings have always been my favorite outlet. I will take a Ladies’ Night Out or book fair over any facebook or blog event. People love being one on one with writers, and I love answering questions. They either walk away with the “I’m sorry I asked” face or a handful of books. LOL
A Book Bub ad brought in the most sales at one time for me, but with the least amount of response. I sold over 1,400 copies of my time travel trilogy, but not 1 review or e-mail came from it. I think putting a face to the writer helps.
I have the 1st book in my time travel and suspense series free so people can get a taste for them. Although some blogs say “free is out – don’t do it – people don’t put a value to your work,” I’m finding it has helped bring attention to my novels. There’s a steady trickle for my other novels as well as those in the series, even when I’ve slacked on advertising.
Do you have any writing blogs you recommend? Any websites that have helped you through writing, publication or even just motivation to write?
One editor I always recommend is Erica at Ink Deep Editing. I always catch up on her tips and share them. One post in particular was spot on to something I was working through at the time. You can never stop learning!
I also created a “Tips” page on my website and try to add to it often. I’ve had so many new authors looking for help, I thought this was easier than writing it all each time. http://www.junekramin.com/tips Some may be “Thanks, Captain Obvious,” but hopefully something is helpful and new. J
What advice would you give yourself 5 years ago? 10 years ago?
To be more patient for sure. I jumped the gun with a boutique publisher and really wish I’d waited. I took the 1st offer I had, later I had an agent interested and it was too late. I always wonder where I’d be if I’d had PATIENCE!
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I guess when I got that e-mail, accepting my manuscript is when it finally hit home. I used to spend my days writing. That particular book was my 5th novel, but until someone wanted it, I didn’t think of myself as a writer, just someone who wrote and was a tad bit of a loon.
What takes away the most time from your writing? What keeps you from writing the most?
Just life. I’ll plan a day of writing and get called into work. Or I’ll be on a roll and the next day is a drive to see the grandkids. I won’t give that up for any character screaming at me! I’m just lucky my characters are patient and wait for me to get back to them.
When you explain being a writer to people, what is the most common question people ask you?
“Where do you get your ideas?” Is the biggest one. Inspiration is everywhere, shouting, you just have to be ready to let the words fly and not question it. Things from everyday life go into every story. I’ve had the oddest beginnings to stories from a random “what if” at a stop sign, and an entire series because I wanted to write a book with a particular name. One book had everything happening around me in it, from a friend fostering a dog to my sauce burning over on the stove. Things just fit sometimes. Fact is stranger than fiction. No truer words were ever spoken.
If your book was getting put into audio and you had the funds to have anyone – living or dead – narrate the book; who would you choose?
It would really depend on the book. There’s one song by Fray – when I heard it, I froze. “Oh my God! That’s Jordan’s voice!” It’s just funny how it happens. The ones I mentioned that I have been waiting to release were written 12 years ago. I had picked Paul Walker as my Quentin. I was devastated when he died, and he would never get to “play the part.” (Yes, we can dream of movies being made from our books!) I haven’t played the “what stars are your dream team” since.
Is there any person, place or thing that helps inspire you to write when you need inspiration?
My characters are all the inspiration I need. They are always just the right amount of bossy to keep me in line or give me a shove. When I think a scene is going to go a certain way, they are right there to tell me “Oh, no it isn’t. We’re doing it this way!” I let them run with the show – they seem to know best. Inspiration isn’t a problem. I’ve had other writers get upset when I say I’ve never had writer’s block. I think it’s because of how I write. I never outline or plot – it’s called “pantsing.” I think the block comes when you try to get from A-Z & can’t make it happen. I never have such expectations and that has to help. That being said, I’d LOVE a proper writer “she shed!”
In your writing career, what has been the greatest victory and your greatest thrill?
My greatest thrill is always e-mails from fans. That’s who these books are for. If I’m connecting with someone and they want more, my job here is done. Of course it’s amazing to see your books at the #1 position, too, but that’s so short lived. Someone’s “free” promo will knock you off that horse pretty fast these days. A great personal victory was taking a picture of my books in a Barnes and Noble after a signing. That had always been a goal for me. They were placed next to a favorite thriller author. Swoon!
What is something you want your readers to know about you?
No pun intended, but I’m an open book. Friends who have read my books always think the female lead is me. I guess they all are. Just the right amount of sass and playfulness (and potty mouth – my bad.) If you saw my bedroom, you’d think it belonged to an 8-year old girl. I love toys. I also get picked on for my princess bedsheet and overnight bag. Growing up is optional! There is no rhyme or reason to all that is ME. I’m torn between quotes from an old favorite Sarah Jessica Parker movie “The ultimate secret of life, if the sure knowledge of death. For without it man would not strive to leave his mark upon the earth.” And a coaster that reads “I will outdrink all you bitches!” As is says on my website, “There is a fine line between genius and crazy… I like to use that line as a jump rope!”
This has been really fun! Thanks again for having me!
<3 Bug
Wife, Mother, Writer, Lunatic. Not necessarily in that order.
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