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Q1.  Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

I’m from a small town in the Southern United States. I hold dual degrees in business and psychology and read or write about almost anything. I began writing when I was four, before I knew how to write words- Like Hey, somebody, write this down! I’m married to my high school sweetheart and we are parents to two wonderful grown children. Together, we own a large, nationa-award-winning family farm. I enjoy yoga, world travel, and outdoors in my spare time.

Q2.  Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Lainey Cash’?

“Lainey Cash“ was the first novel for which I sought publishing out of twelve novels I completed in a twenty-year period. For the cover, I wanted to stay with the story’s prevailing themes of grief, greed, rivalry, and romance. I also wanted a photographic cover because we are a picture-posting society! The title was a cinch: This is the story of Lainey Cash, a female farmer, which is still quite revolutionary, and her evolution into adulthood- her education, career, and love life. Lainey Cash could be any woman.
*Interesting side note: My sister is an artist, and we have since collaborated. Her illustrations will be featured on future books I publish. It’s hands down the coolest part of my author journey. See her amazing work on the cover of “Sunshine and Lev” and “RETURN”.

Q3. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

My husband and I are adventurous travel buddies. Everywhere I go, big or small, busy or rural, I view life and my surroundings and other people as a possible story or character. Planting those seeds in my mind (and heart) delivers cool twists and vivid plots regularly. I also majored in psychology, so I’m not shy about delving into human emotion. That makes the possibilities endless.

Q4. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

I wrote before I could read and finished most of my early novels before I drew a connection to other authors. Whenever I would try to read growing up, I would resort to writing. You can’t do both at the same time! As an adult, I try not to read books and think about how or what I would write. Therefore, if and when I read, it can be a lovely escape out of my life, even my author life. With that perspective, I am glad to say that as far as exemplary writing, I will forever be captivated by The Great Gatsby, Gone with the Wind, and The Scarlet Letter. Such passion and clear visuals! My genre is romance-suspense. Nora Roberts and Sandra Brown are queens.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?

Oh no, not for me! I’m a pantser, as in- I fly by the seat of my pants and garner passion and energy from that frenzied, instinctual writing process. With “Lainey Cash”, I woke up early one morning in 2000, and wrote about twenty hours a day for eight days to finish. I completed the trilogy in less than three months. With “RETURN”, my latest dive into the time travel/magic genre, my husband suggested I write about Halloween on Halloween night 2019 because it’s my favorite holiday. By November 30, the book RETURN was written.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Sunshine and Lev’ book?

“Sunshine and Lev” was the next novel that I started AND finished writing (an accomplishment for an author, right?) after I finished the Lainey Cash trilogy in 2000. I woke up during the night in January 2001 and began writing “Sunshine and Lev” the story of an artist and an architect on the South Carolina coast. It was finished in mid-March 2001 writing 5-10 hours per day.

Q7. What do you think your readers take away from your books?

I am unattached to a specific outcome. Let it be what you want it to be when you read my books. Maybe someone reminds you of your father, your grandmother, your last boyfriend. Maybe you’ve been to Mexico and that chapter in “Sunshine and Lev” takes you back to your trip there or maybe you want to go one day OR think you’ll never go, so you go with me on the page. …I’ve heard from a lot of readers- that they laugh, cry, yell, cuss, dream, love, travel, smile, and live vicariously through my stories. Perfect!

Q8. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Lainey and Jed’ book?

“Lainey and Jed” is Book 2 of the Lainey Cash trilogy. I knew in my heart of hearts that “Lainey Cash” Book 1 would be the first book I published out of all the books I’d written. To follow up with something as jaw-dropping, heart-wrenching, and adventure-filled, to keep up the drama, suspense, and pace while keeping their love alive and hot (wink) was my aim. That’s not easy. It took longer to write Book 2 because I meant it would be a worthy second book in the trilogy, not just the middle filler to get from the beginning, “Lainey Cash” to The End, “Delaina” Book 3.

Q9. Are there any secrets from the books (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Secrets, hmm. Sure! I wrote “Lainey Cash” in 2000. I sought publishing in 2019. When I revisited the manuscript, there were no smartphones back then. Haha! I edited the trilogy to include modern technology but kept the original. Maybe there’ll be a “Lainey Cash” trilogy prequel, the way things really were when I wrote it. In “Sunshine and Lev,” you’ll find out that main love interest Lev is cousins with Lainey Cash’s main love interest, Jed! Both books are part of my Fifteen Thousand Times for Fifty Years series. Bombshell: All the main love interest men are cousins; therefore, you will see some of your favorite couples from previous books make cameo appearances in future books in the series.
“RETURN” is my latest release with a delve into time travel. In that book, Halloween night is required to time travel. It’s going to be part of a six-book series. This is the first time I’ve admitted that each new book in the series is related to a specific holiday in order for characters to time hop.

Q10. On what all platforms your books are available to buy?

My books are always available at Amazon and Barnes&Noble in print and eBook. I was invited to London and New York to promote the Lainey Cash trilogy, but Covid stopped that from happening, as well as a nice run of book signings on hold. As soon as it’s possible, my husband and I will take this book career on the road! Can’t wait to meet you!

Author’s Profile

Books are Available On Amazon

Book: Classroom Confidential: How I Survived 33 Years in a Public School Classroom…and You Can Too!

Q1.  Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

My name is Victoria Lucido, but I go by Vickie.  I grew up on the Monterey Peninsula, was a student of Monterey Peninsula Unified School District from K-12, and ended up teaching in my home district for 33 years.  When I decided to retire, I wanted to share what I learned with other teachers so they wouldn’t have to struggle to figure things out the way I did when I first started teaching.

Q2.  What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Classroom Confidential: How I Survived 33 Years in a Public School Classroom…and You Can Too!’ book?

Writing the book was actually the easy part.  It truly just flowed out of me once I started writing it.  I had so many things I wanted to say and share, and it was very cathartic getting to write them all down.  The hard part came when it was time to pitch it to publishers hoping someone would pick it up.  The next hard part has been marketing a book on teaching during a pandemic when schools are closed down.  I never saw that coming in a million years!  It’s been a challenge not being able to have a launch party or do book signings during COVID.  Fortunately, the message in my book is timeless, so I will hit the ground running as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Being from the Monterey Peninsula, I have always been a fan of John Steinbeck.  Being a former social studies teacher, I love reading historical fiction.  I don’t particularly have an author who influenced my writing because I wanted my book to be uniquely me and my voice.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

I love to travel and visit all sorts of different places.  I just got back from visiting Bass Lake, California, which is very special because I grew up there camping and water skiing with my family.  But I would have to say my favorite spot in my country is my hometown and my favorite place to visit is wherever I can spend time with my family.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?

I don’t think so.  I think you need to just do it.  Since I got my book published, many people have said to me, “I have an idea for writing a book” or “I’m thinking about writing a book,” and I always tell them, “Just start writing!”  The main thing, for me, about writing a book is be sure you have something to say.  I definitely felt I had something to say when I wrote my book.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Classroom Confidential: How I Survived 33 Years in a Public School Classroom…and You Can Too!’ book?

On one hand, I suppose you could say it took me a lifetime to write my book because I couldn’t have written it without living through all of the experiences I shared.  But if the question is how long did it take to do the actual writing, I would say 6 months for the rough draft and another six months with all of the edits.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your book ‘Classroom Confidential: How I Survived 33 Years in a Public School Classroom…and You Can Too!’  to buy?

I am selling my book on my website: victorialucidobooks.com and it is also available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other book stores.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Classroom Confidential: How I Survived 33 Years in a Public School Classroom…and You Can Too!’?

My brother actually came up with the idea of Classroom Confidential as a homage to Anthony Bourdain with his book Kitchen Confidential.  My editor and I came up with the tag line: How I Survived 33 Years in a Public School Classroom… and You Can Too! We wanted to make sure people knew I would be sharing my secrets to help others. Being a classroom teacher all of those years, I envisioned a chalk board on the cover of the book because while a lot of my advice is “old school” the lessons will never go out of style since people are people and that doesn’t change.  Morgan James Publishing took the cover idea in my head and made it a reality.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I believe the best way to keep things fresh is to be authentic and write from your heart and not your ego.  Don’t ever try to manipulate the audience into feeling a certain way.  When you tell your truth with honesty,  it has a universality to it and others can relate.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Those of you who choose to read my book will see that it is like having a safe conversation with an experienced teacher.  While my book is set in the classroom, it’s really a no-nonsense book about life and best practices for managing and working with others.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Classroom Confidential: How I Survived 33 Years in a Public School Classroom…and You Can Too!