Meet Debut Author Joan Beth Erickson

The daughter of a military man, Joan Beth Erickson developed a keen interest in travel at an early age. Combining this love with a degree in journalism, she eventually became a travel writer and editor for Sunset Books, exploring such places as Australia, Hong Kong, Tonga, Japan and Hawaii. Now she enjoys weaving the exotic destinations she’s visited into novels packed with suspense and romance.

Joan Beth sold her debut novel to The Wild Rose Press. Rainbow’s End, set in the tropical splendor of Hawaii, hit the shelves in June, launching her new career as a fiction writer.

The Sierra Foothills of California are home to Joan Beth and the love of her life, whom she met during the first week of her freshman year of college. They share their mountain retreat with a talkative cockatiel named Paddy. Both Joan Beth and her husband enjoy traveling and have plans to take their motorhome on the road and explore the wonders of the United States.

Join me as we learn more about Joan Beth and her debut novel.

(Look at the bottom of the post for multiple drawing prizes offered.)

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Joan Beth’s Journey Begins

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Many writers harbor a dream of writing for years before they begin putting words on the page. You, however, knew from an early age you wanted to write and made a living doing just that, which I think is so cool.

•Please tell us about your days as an editor and writer for Sunset Books. What type of projects did you work on?

I actually began my Sunset career doing copyediting and production work. Then I became a travel book editor. My books included Islands of the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, The Orient, and Australia. As a book editor I wrote all the copy, worked with the graphic artist and the illustrator, and chose all the photographs. I was also responsible for keeping the travel information updated for each new edition of the book.

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•What was it like being on the other side of the editor’s desk? What did you learn that helped you as a novelist pursuing publication?

Since I wrote the copy for the travel books, I was never an acquiring editor. I was the person who got the completed books out the door. My job was to make everything as accurate as I could. That need for accuracy continues in my novel writing today.

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•Based on your experience as an editor, what tips would you offer others on how best to work with their editors?

Be cooperative and listen to what they have to say. Also, respect the deadlines.

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•When did you decide to make the leap from non-fiction to fiction?

I was involved in fiction writing even in college where I minored in Creative Writing. In my early non-fiction career, I was too busy to work on fiction much. However, after a trip to Australia I got an idea for a historical novel and started writing fiction again. This novel is in the “proverbial” drawer at the moment, but I hope to resurrect it one of these days.

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Joan Beth’s Inspiration

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•As a travel writer, you visited some amazing destinations. Are these exotic locales what lead to your story ideas, or do you come up with the characters and plot first?

Because I was a travel writer and am a very visual person, I think settings are very important in novels. They are like an additional character. They set the tone. In fact, when I talk about a book I’m working on I always indicate where the book takes place before I talk about the storyline or the characters.

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•When did the idea for Rainbow’s End grab you, and was it a given that this story would be set in Hawaii?

I went to an RWA convention in Hawaii a number of years ago and thought Hawaii would be a great setting for a novel, very romantic. I love the islands, the people, and the culture. Somehow from that a story developed.

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Joan Beth’s High Points

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•As an aspiring novelist you entered a different side of the publishing world. You no longer had assurance that your books would be printed. You had to submit like the rest of us, which you did. And then came The Call from The Wild Rose Press. When did you receive that life-changing message, and how did you react?

Ironically, when the request for contract came via e-mail, my Internet provider didn’t let the message come through. I didn’t know for two more weeks. The official request came on March 1, 2008. It was a great birthday present.

How did I react? I started jumping up and down until I realized I might hurt myself. Then I called everyone I could think of who’d been with me on the long road to publishing. When I woke up the next morning I was still smiling. I was finally going to be a published novelist. There is nothing more exhilarating.

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•On June 12th, Rainbow’s End made its debut. How did you celebrate that  milestone event?

I got author copies a few weeks before the official publication date. I opened the box, took a book out, and just stared at it. I was finally holding my “baby” in my hands. My husband looked at it next and said “it really is a book”. I guess neither one of us could believe that my dream had become a reality.

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•Rainbow’s End has garnered some great reviews, including 4.5 books from Long and Short Reviews. Which stand out, and why?

For me the Long and Short review was very special because it was the first review for my first novel and they loved it. For me, my reader reviews are very special. When they say they can’t put the book down or the characters are so real they expect to meet them on the street, I’m very happy. It means I’ve done my job. My goal is to lift my readers from the everyday world and carry them on a fictional journey. If I entertain them en route, I’ve done what I set out to do.

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Joan Beth’s Partners on the Journey

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•Who have been your biggest supporters in your quest to become a published novelist?

A loving aunt is the one who encouraged me to become a writer. My dear husband has stood by me every step of the way. When I lived in the Bay Area, I had a wonderful critique group. One of them, a published novelist, took the time to read my finished manuscript and offer suggestions. Where I live now, I’m lucky to have another published novelist as a neighbor. She, too, read my manuscript and helped me a lot. Having good critique partners is a definite blessing.

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•What’s it like to be part of The Wild Rose Press family?

Great! Everyone is so friendly, helpful, and supportive. As you just said, we are “family”.

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Joan Beth’s Debut Novel . . . and Beyond

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•Please tell us about Rainbow’s End.

Here’s the blurb for the book.

Diana Mason witnessed her biological mother’s brutal murder when she was five years old. Adopted soon after, she possesses no memory of the crime or her early childhood. Terrifying nightmares, triggered after finding a photo of her birth mother, lead Diana to Hawaii in search of a woman she doesn’t know is already dead. She soon becomes the target of the killer who wants to silence her before she remembers the night of the murder.

Jim Hastings, ex-cop turned private investigator, avoids birth parent search cases, but he can’t shy away from Diana Mason’s need for a bodyguard. Diana balks at Jim’s by-the-book approach to protecting her. However, they must work together to unlock her past while fending off the killer—and a growing attraction for each other. Their blossoming romance is nearly destroyed when the murderer’s identity is revealed.

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•What can your readers look forward to next?

I’m working on another romantic suspense novel. The working title is One Week to Live. It is set in Las Vegas and involves a child kidnapping, a psychic, a newspaper reporter, and some long-kept secrets.

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Five Fun Facts About Joan Beth, the Writer

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~ I like to write with background music, particularly movie themes.

~ I admit it. I over research, but I love learning new things.

~ Looking at my messy office, you’d wonder how I get anything done.

~ I probably rewrite too much, but it’s the internal editor in me.

~ At times I use a pencil to write. It helps me feel more connected to the words.

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Five Fun Facts About Joan Beth, the Person

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~ I love chocolate, particularly homemade chocolate chip cookies.

~ I love sunrises and sunsets when the sky is painted in gorgeous color.

~ Mention the word Hawaii, and I want to be on the next plane there.

~ I love when my husband brings me a bouquet of flowers for no reason.

~ I never travel light, I always over pack.

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Joan Beth’s Question for You

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•I’ve enjoyed having you as my guest, Joan Beth. Thanks for your great answers to my questions. Now it’s your turn to ask a question of your visitors, so ask away.

Since settings are important in my writing, what places in the world would you want to see as settings in a novel? Do you buy a book because of the setting?

To leave a comment, click on “Comments” below the date in the title at the top of the post.

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Learn More About Joan Beth

Visit her Web site: http://www.joanbetherickson.com

Friend her on MySpace:  http://www.myspace.com/joanbetherickson

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Leave a Comment for Three Chances to Win

To leave a comment, click on “Comments” below the date in the title at the top of the post.

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Joan Beth’s Drawing

Joan Beth has generously offered to give away a package of rainbow-themed goodies (including a spinner, beach ball and windsock) to one lucky visitor.

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To enter the drawing, leave a comment for Joan Beth by midnight Pacific Time on September 15th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On September 16th, I’ll post the winner’s name here.

Congratulations to Linda Henderson, winner of Joan Beth’s rainbow package.

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My Regular Drawing

My next drawing will take place September 20th. The winner will receive a copy of Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott.

To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on any blog post by September 20th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On September 21st, I’ll post the winner’s name in the Welcome post at the top of the blog.

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You could also win a First Sale Scrapbook

If you’d like to have a chance at winning a First Sale Scrapbook created by me, your blog hostess Keli Gwyn, leave a comment on any post between now and September 30th. Be sure to include your name and email address when prompted if you want to be entered in the drawing. (Your information will not be shared.) Click red link above to see samples of covers and pages.

On October 1st, I will choose one person who will have her/his choice of covers on an 8×8 inch, twenty-page scrapbook in which s/he can document that long-awaited first sale. The pages will cover various milestones including The Call, signing the contract, receiving the first advance payment and holding your debut novel in your hands.

(No scrapbooking skills required. You just add your photos and journaling.)