C. D’Angelo returns to the Spotlight this week to chat about The Visitor

Author Name: C. D’Angelo

Book Title: The Visitor

Book Genre: Women’s Fiction

Release Date: 6-1-22

Publisher: Independent

Welcome back to the Author Spotlight! How would you describe The Visitor, your latest release?

Fiercely independent Mary, a New Age store owner in New Orleans, will lose her business and home to her high school ex-boyfriend and nemesis developer unless she forces herself to accept help from others and to learn trust—including an Italian mystical new customer and her fellow renters.

What inspired the idea for this book?

I was talking to my best friend on the phone one day about a store she wants to start, which is similar to the one I developed for The Visitor. A flood of ideas came to mind during the conversation, so much so that I wrote them down later that night. I immediately envisioned the floorplan and items for sale in the store in my book. Later, the storyline came to me. But the store was the core of my book and the starting point.

In what ways do you think you’ve evolved as an author since your book first came out [or over the course of your career so far]?

I know so much more than when I wrote The Difference. First, in the actual area of writing, it was a completely different experience for this second novel because I was serious about a timeline, only taking 3 months vs 8 years (yeah, seriously!). The way I wrote was also much improved from the start, which made editing easier. Now, I’m a perfectionist so editing still took me a long time, don’t get me wrong, but the principles I learned from the past editors helped me to have a great first draft. Second, I know the publishing process much more than last year. I switched from small press to self-publishing fast, so I learned a lot in a short period of time last year. This time, I have the knowledge from last time including the organizational tools I developed (a to-do list and such), websites to use, and how to manage social media/promotion even better. Life experience is the best teacher.

What about the writing/editing/publishing process has been the most surprising to you so far (or how has it changed for you over the course of your career)?

Touching people’s lives was a pleasant surprise. I knew people could relate to the story of Rachel in The Difference, but I didn’t connect that people would tell me personal stories of how it helped them to read about her journey. As a natural helper, I adore every second that I was informed about these incidences. I created a piece of art that speaks to others in such a unique way. That fact is one of my top points of pride in my life. I love that I’ve influenced other people in a positive way and helped them not to feel so alone in their struggles. Being an author is truly magical.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out (or those who are interested in an indie/hybrid path to publishing)?

The self-published path was one I ruled out because of not having the correct and current information. When I was faced with a decision of waiting years longer to publish my first book or to do it on my own, it didn’t take me long to know I had to take this route…and I don’t regret it at all. Self-publishing is not how it was in the past, where it meant the books were not of high quality or the person wasn’t serious about being an author. It also doesn’t mean that no agent or publisher wanted you. It just means this is the path you chose. It’s simple. Like any decision in life, you choose a road and walk on it, without it meaning you weren’t able to take another road. I’ve enjoyed the full control in the self-publishing path. All of this being said, I may try for an agent again with my third book. We’ll see. What I do know is that I learned not to restrict myself. Never close a door to possibility. The door you think is not for you may be the entry to your home, at least in the present.

Can you tell us about what you’re working on now?

I have my third book, tentatively named The Decision, plotted out and ready to write. I intended to write it much sooner than this year, but having a full time day job, marketing The Difference, and publishing The Visitor have taken more time than I thought. So, this book will be about a woman’s identity crisis. The world that exists in this next book includes Italy, Los Angles, music, and wine. Are you intrigued? I hope so!

Where can readers find you?

Find out all the details and connect with me on social media by visiting my website. www.CDAngeloAuthor.com. Read my Behind the Scenes blog, get assistance for pitching with Pitch Party Prosperity, and sign up for my monthly newsletter, where you’ll be first to know everything and receive freebies and more!

You can follow me on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c.dangelo.author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CDAngeloAuthor

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cdangeloauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C.DAngelo.Author/

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@cdangeloauthor

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-difference-by-c-d-angelo

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58490637-the-difference

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/C.DAngelo.Author

Thank you! The Visitor is available for pre-order.

The Visitor