Follow Fest Interview and Sharing

When I first became a blogger it was difficult to know if I had readers and visitors coming to my blog. I’d post and be met by the sounds of crickets. Then, I branched out into the world of the blogosphere, a world I didn't know really existed. From my ventures, I met a lot of interesting bloggers. I've started following and commenting on numerous blogs, for you see, prior to my outings, I too was out among the crickets. Lurking about but seldom saying anything.

A fellow blogger I've met through my journeys around the blogosphere is Melissa Maygrove. She had the brilliant idea to have a Follow Fest, where we share about who we are, what we do and most importantly, how you can connect with us further.

It is my intention through joining Follow Fest, that I’ll connect with many more readers and people interested enough in what I do to want to learn more by following. So, here goes my entry for the fest.

Name: 
Stephanie Rose Bird

Fiction or nonfiction? 
I wrote both; nonfiction for about 15 years and fiction for just a couple.

What genres do you write?

Fiction: Literary Young Adult (YA) Fantasy/Paranormal.

Nonfiction: Alternative Spirituality, Magick/Paganism, Healing and Mind Body Spirit.

Are you published?

Yes. I've had five nonfiction books published. I have a new one under contract, which is a novel.

Do you do anything in addition to writing?

Lots! I paint and do mixed media art. Am a mother and wife and chief garden tender, sometime cook and chauffeur. I do freelance writing published in magazines and online in the genres indicated above. My work has been published in anthologies and encyclopedias. I've done content editing for many years. I mentor and coach writers and give critiques as a Publishing Consultant. You can learn more about the services I offer on Elance. I also teach fine art and offer retreat experiences, as well as healing workshops.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m currently on a journey of transformation. I've been losing weight since January. In the process finding out new things about lots of areas of my life. I practice magick; not just write about it. I’m an herbalist, dedicated to the magickal aspects of healing plants. I have not as of yet discounted the possibility that faeries or dragons exist.


What are you reading right now?

Tao te Ching by Lao Tzu, and "A New Earth: Awakening to your Life's Purpose, Eckhart Tolle," nonfiction. 

"Guilty Pleasures" by Laurell K. Hamilton, "The Wolves of Midwinter" by Anne Rice and "The Book of Life" by Deborah Harkness, fiction.

Which authors influenced you the most?

Stephen King, hands down. I am also very fond of Edgar Allan Poe and William Shakespeare, Carlos Castaneda, Anne Rice, Deborah Harkness, Alice Walker, and a vast array of American poets.

Where can people connect with you?

My blog: Stephanie's Studio

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephanieRoseBi

Facebook Like Page

Google+

LinkedIn

Pinterest

Author pages:

Good Reads Author

Amazon

Author Website



Do you have a Newsletter?

I come out with a product newsletter for my Almost Edible Natural Products a few times a year. Contact me through my author website and I’ll add you to the mailing list.

Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

I've had so much back and forth, on again off, with my newest work of nonfiction, “Mama Earth’s Spiritual Guide to Weigh Loss.” 2 book deals that fell through for various reasons blogged about here. Tons of rejection from literary agents. I could go on. Stay tuned to see how this develops. It all seems to be taking a turn for the better. I’ll post here soon, with some good news!

In terms of my novels, I've been through the ringer with the one that is to be published next year. I get very hot on it and then cold. It’s a YA Literary Fantasy novel that began as a memoir. The memoir aspect has been virtually buried but every now and then it pops up its head and I shelve the book for a few more months or years, until I can make it go away.

For fans of Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones, it looks like the publication of a new type of Hoodoo book is in the works...stay tuned!

A special thanks to Melissa, host of Follow Fest, all my readers, visitors, newly joining members and long time supporters.