Q: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

A: As a kid, I made up my own Janice Mann mysteries, inspired by Nancy Drew of course. But my mother always told us stories as kids, for me while getting my hair washed in the sink — which I really didn’t like much. Her Little Reddy Airplane stories got me through the beauty shop moments of my early childhood, and spawned the writer and the traveler in me. Reddy Airplane flew to far away places, taking his family with him on adventures all around the world. I think now that my mother wanted to go to all these places, but as a stay-at-home mom in suburbia in the fifties, stories were the best she could do.

Q: How and when did you this dream a reality?

A: Well, the answer to this really depends on which genre you mean. I wrote my first mystery-thriller novel, Sacred Night, in the mid-Nineties and published it upon forming Nightingale Press in 2003. Sidetracks followed in 2004. In 2006 I re-wrote and re-illustrated and then published Arthur, the Christmas Elf, a story I had first written in 1980 for my then four year old daughter. She’s 31 now. Time flies! I am just putting the finishing touches on Calling All Authors—How to Publish with Your Eyes Wide Open, to be released in August 2007. The advance reading copy did very well at BookExpo 2007 in New York City, and it has gotten great reviews and endorsements from authors and experts in the publishing industry alike.

Q: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far in your writing career?

A: Write, write, write. Never, ever quit. The hardest thing for authors is to keep promoting their books over time. Also, keep re-inventing yourself as an author. Keep writing, no matter what genre or purpose you choose for your book. The power of practice is extremely important, and knowing how to keep your passion alive as your books evolve is essential to avoiding burn-out as a writer. Write blogs. Write articles. Write more books. Never stop working on your craft.

Q: What are you working on right now?

A: I mentioned Calling All Authors.  In support of this book I am writing articles and blogs, expanding into those areas to spread the word about this book, meant to bust the myths and misconceptions so many first-time and even seasoned authors have about publishing. I have also joined the National Speakers Association (Wisconsin) to bring the message of Calling All Authors to writers conferences and writers groups with a full presentation and workshop that is meant to inform and provide practical experience preparing for the work authors must do before, during and after they write their books. Also, at Nightingale Press we are adding a new publishing service: Soup-to-Nuts Publishing for Busy Business Professionals to provide the essential components — manuscript evaluation, editing, layout and design, cover design, book production and availability — under one service so business professionals who need books to help promote their businesses can get all the advice, help and work done in one place, work and worry free!  And, we’re inaugurating a book trailer service YOURBOOKTUBE.com coming this fall. Never a dull moment around here! And, of course, my radio show, Calling All Authors has developed a tremendous following on Global Talk Radio. I do hope to find time to write the next novel which has been pestering me for a couple of years now.

Q: Name some authors or books that have influenced your writing life in a positive way.

A: There are so many, where do I begin? I’d have to include Antoine de St. Exupery, the French Existentialists — Sartre and Camus in particular. Also, mainstream mystery novelists like Elizabeth George, PD James, Agatha Christy, and Nelson de Mille.

Q: What have you recently read or what are you reading right now that you would consider an outstanding work?

A: Oh my, what a hard question to answer. I read every night once I crawl under the covers. A couple of months ago I read 1776 by David McCullough. I had been meaning to read it for years, and finally did. I have started Le Rouge et Le Noir by Stendahl, because I never read it for my senior French Lit class back in 1969 — yet another book I have been meaning to read for way too long! The most recent book I completed was Ricochet by P. M. Terrell who I will be interviewing on my radio show on August 7th. And now, I am reading Wearing the Spider by Susan Schaab. These two books are very good examples of talented authors more people should know about.

Q: What excites or ignites your soul?

A: Life. Every day is a gift, and I wish I had really known that 30 years ago. Today, I live each day as if it is the last one. There is a vibrancy that comes into every aspect of living when you take that perspective. It makes us kinder, stronger, more willing to say what we really mean, freer to be whom we have become and are always becoming.

Born, raised and a resident in Illinois for most of her life, Valerie Connelly now lives with her husband, Michael, in Wisconsin north of Milwaukee. She divides her time between publishing, writing, speaking, painting landscapes, and traveling to visit her grown children. Ms. Connelly’s years as an advertising copywriter, graphic designer and print shop owner served her well as she founded Nightingale Press in July of 2003. By January of 2007 Nightingale Press has published more than 40 authors, with 57 books among them, and more coming through the process into print every month. Nightingale Press has evolved into Nightingale Media LLC offering its authors a first class website, bookstore, marketing opportunities and more. Visit Valerie at www.valerieconnelly.com and www.nightengalepress.com.

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