Q & A with author Christy Hayes

Thanks for being here today, Christy. Would you please share a short bio about yourself?
Thanks for having me! I live with my husband, two tweens, and two dogs in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. I’ve been writing for over ten years and have a journalism degree from the University of Georgia. I love college football, cable news, and exercise.

Do you consider yourself a shy and/or introverted person?

Yes!

In what ways has being shy or introverted hindered your writing career?

I wrote in secret for years, querying agents, editors, attending writing conferences. When I decided to indie publish, I had to let the cat out of the bag in a big way. The response has been wonderful, but it has been a challenge overcoming my knee-jerk reaction to hide what I spend all day doing.

In what ways has being shy or introverted helped your writing career?

I think being shy helps me to focus on the work. I’m not shouting from the rooftops about my accomplishments, but trying to put the next manuscript together and focus on the business end of things.

What’s the hardest part of this business for you?

Promotion, bar none! I’m not comfortable passing out business cards to everyone I meet, so I don’t do it. I prefer for someone to read my work and want to read more. Promotion is a necessary evil, but you just have to decide what you are comfortable doing and focus your efforts there.

Tell me about a time that you had to step outside your comfort zone either in your writing career or in your personal life?

When I was trying to get a traditional publishing deal, the biggest step outside my comfort zone was pitching to agents and editors. My nerves were out of control. Once, my friend and I were stranded at a small airport for many hours with an agent after a writer’s conference. After spending the afternoon getting to know the agent as a person, I felt more comfortable pitching to all agents and editors, but never TOTALLY comfortable.

What’s one tip you could share with shy and introverted people that’s helped you?

Sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone is the best thing you can do for yourself. I like to challenge myself—not get too lazy and do the same things over and over. I always look at stepping outside my comfort zone as a good lesson for my kids. If mommy can do this, certainly you can do that.

Would you please share a short blurb of your book and where my readers can buy it?

My latest release is The Sweetheart Hoax.

When urbane architect, Phil Williams, must bring a woman home to quell rumors he's gay, his only choice is the one woman least likely to impress: his dowdy receptionist. Margot Manning has been secretly in love with Phil for years. She's just quit her job and is ready to begin her life anew as a nurse. Phil's outrageous offer is one she can't refuse. As Margot readies to accompany Phil to his hometown, she steels herself for heartbreak. After Margot's makeover and a weekend spent attached at the hip, Phil admits he misjudged his former employee. He's ready to pursue her in earnest, if only her scandalous past didn't stand in their way.

The romantic comedy is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords, as well as iBooks, Diesel and Kobo.

Where can my readers find you on the web?

            Website: http://www.christyhayes.com

            Twitter: https://twitter.com/ - !/SeaHayes

            Blog: http://www.womenunplugged.wordpress.com


11 comments:

  1. Hey, I loved getting to know Christy, especially since I share writing posts in Women Unplugged with her and never knew any of this! I really enjoyed reading the blurb about your book, Christy, and it's the type of book I read, too! Yippee!
    Nice interview. I'm considering perhaps going to the RWA nationals but the thing that scares me is pitching to agents, etc. That's enough to make me NOT go.
    Patti

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    1. Thanks, Patti! You should go to Nationals and pitch to your heart's content. It's great to step outside and test yourself. You may be pleasantly surprised!

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  2. I totally get the getting out of your comfort zone thinking. Being shy and promoting yourself is really difficult.

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  3. Good for you, Christy! Great post and your new book sounds good. I was reading the blurb and thinking the dowdy receptionist get a makeover and then bam - you hit me with her scandalous past. Hmm. Now I'm intrigued!!

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    1. Thanks, Tamara! I hope you enjoy it--it sure was fun to write!

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  4. It is difficult, Clover, but also rewarding. Thanks for commenting!

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  5. Hey Christy, thanks again for coming on today. I'll say again how much I LOVE your cover. Just gorgeous.

    :)Becky

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    1. Thanks for having me, Rebecca! Steven Novak did my cover!

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  6. Christy, I just finished reading The Sweetheart Hoax last night and LOVED it! It was sweet and funny and hot, all rolled into one. Thank you for such a great read. :)

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  7. Thank you, Sheila, for such a wonderful compliment! I enjoyed writing the book and always hope to entertain readers.

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  8. Great post! Getting out there is hard for me too. But, it has to be done if we want to succeed. Thank you for sharing your story, Christy. And Tamara is right...I'm intrigued too. Can't wait to read your book!

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