Author Interview: Dawn Ross, Science Fiction

Posted On May 22, 2024

Hi! I’m Dawn Ross. I write both sci-fi and fantasy, but my current project is a sci-fi series. My most recent publication was Orphaned Warrior: Book Five. I’m currently working on Fated Warriors: Book Six. There will be seven books in the series, plus a few novellas.

From Planning to Published

When did you start writing and why?

Author:      I began writing about twenty years ago when a story in my head got too big to hold! I worked as a 9-1-1 operator in Austin, Texas at the time. Since I worked the night shift, the hours after 2am were generally incredibly slow. So I used that as an opportunity to start writing stuff down. Next thing I knew, I had the makings of a novel.

How long did it take you to finish your first book?

Author:      My first book took a year. Back then, I was very much an amateur and thought my first try at writing was spectacular. I was wrong. (see the next question to get filled in on the rest of this story.)

If you’ve published, how long did your first book take?

Author:      My first books (I wrote three) were a fantasy series. Although I had initially self-published them, I realized they were amateurish and needed a lot more work. So I spent a few years refining my writing skills. By the end of that period, I had decided to start over and write a sci-fi series instead. The first book in my sci-fi series took four years because I wanted to make sure I did it right. I enlisted editors, alpha readers, and beta readers. And I did a lot of revising. The first book in that series was published in 2020.

(If applicable) Has your publishing timeframe improved at all since your first publication?

Author:      Yes. My first book took four years. My second book took two. (It was published in 2021, but I’d been working on it at the same time as book one.) Book three took a year. Books four and five took less than a year, so I also wrote a novella during both those years.

Are you indie, traditional, hybrid, or vanity, and why?

Author:      I chose to be an indie author. Years ago when I had written the fantasy novels, I had gone the traditional route of looking for a literary agent. I found one, but she scammed me—big time. Over $10,000 down the drain for novels that I now realize no self-respecting agent would’ve agreed to take on. That experience shied me away from traditional publishing. Plus, I also realized that although my sci-fi novels are good, they won’t fit in the mainstream. The traditional publishers pass up a lot of great novels because they are searching for that next big thing. I’m a niche writer and have no desire to write to the masses.

How did you determine your target audience?

Author:      By reading. I read a lot in my genre, then compared the type of story I was writing to theirs.

What is your publishing process?

Author:      I used a Smashwords instruction guide to format my first e-book and paperback in Word. Ever since then, I just copy and paste my new book into that original format. After that, I just upload those documents to Amazon. I do not have much of a publishing process after that.

What platforms do you use to publish your works?

Author:      I published only on Amazon for many years. Sadly, the pay I receive from Amazon when it’s on Kindle Unlimited was much less than if I sold an ebook outright. So I took theoff of KU and added my e-books to Kobo, B&N, iTunes, and others. I also have my e-books on Shopify for direct sales. And I sell my books at local comic-cons and book fairs.

How do you get critiques, betas, feedback, and edits?

Author:      I started out just using professional editors for developmental, content, and line editing. I joined a writing circle once for feedback and that bombed because people were more interested in getting feedback on their writing than they were on giving feedback. Then I got on social media and found other writers to help with beta reading. Those have been my best beta readers. I still use a line and copy editor.

Marketing

Do you have a platform? What does it consist of?

Author:      I have my own website—dawnrossauthor.com. I have a Twitter page and a Facebook page, but seldom use either. And I have a newsletter.

What is your launch plan for your works?

Author:      I honestly have not learned to do a proper launch. My current method is to post on Twitter and Facebook and send a newsletter to my subscribers.

How do you get reviews for your books?

Author:      I started out by exchanging reviews, but realized this wasn’t the best method for many reasons. I also submitted my book to a handful of blog book reviewers. But most of my reviews have come from selling books.

How do you promote your content?

Author:      Facebook ads have been my most successful method for getting my books out there to the general public. I also occasionally do in-person events such as comic-cons.

What do you think is the most critical marketing component or tactic for becoming successful?

Author:      Learn how to market! I know it’s daunting, but you won’t get seen unless you market yourself.

How do you define success as an author?

Author:      Writing a book that people love.

About Your Work

What type of content do you write and why? Fiction Novels? Poems? Songs? Screenplays? Short Stories? Epic?

Author:      I write fantasy and science fiction. I love the flexibility and imagination that goes into creating these types of stories.

What genres and subgenres do you write in?

Author:      I’m currently writing a science fiction space opera adventure series.

What is your author brand (genre, mood, image, theme, message, etc)? How did you decide on it?

Author:      Like Star Trek but darker. My first sci-fi novel was inspired by the TNG episode S4 E4 and it shows to a degree. Jono became Jori. Commander Hapker is a little like Riker. Major Bracht is a little like Whorf. And Captain Arden is a little like Picard. But they are still distinctively their own characters. And the Star Trek feel fades as the story progresses. It fades even more as the series progresses, especially when the stories focus on Terkeshi, Jori’s brother.

How many works have you published?

Author:      I currently have seven published works. Five are novels. Two are novellas.

(If applicable) Can you tell us a bit about your most recent publication?

Author:      In Orphaned Warrior: Book Five, Jori has been separated from his family and from Commander Hapker. He’s barely gotten to know the advocate who’s been put in charge of him when they are kidnapped by MEGAs (aka mechanically enhanced, genetically altered persons).

The blurb:

When riots between augmented humans and the people who hate them break out on a space station, Jori sides with the wrong people and finds himself a prisoner of a ruthless cyber soldier bent on destroying humanity. Can he outsmart this enhanced being’s super-strength, endless cunning, and almost magical power of perception?

Name some common elements in your writing: villains, magic, red-herring twists, the unfortunate ensign, mysterious phenomena, asyndeton, sentence fragments etc.

Author:      The most common theme throughout my books is combatting prejudice. My youngest character, Jori, faces judgment nearly everywhere he goes. But he’s not the only one. In my newest novella titled Spier Wilderness, we see Commander Hapker as a youth confronting his father’s prejudice against spacefarers. And in the upcoming book 6, the prejudice against people who’ve been augmented is addressed.

What was your first goal when you started your journey to becoming an author? Has that changed?

Author:      My initial goal was to publish my book and hope people would read and enjoy it. Later, I realized that the only way for people to read my book was for me to market it. So now my goal is to both write and sell books.

Do you have other supporting services like a podcast, blog, webinars, courses, video channel?

Author:      I used to do a blog, but no more. People weren’t reading it, I wasn’t enjoying writing it, so it was a wasted effort.

What do you want your readers to get out of your works?

Author:      Mostly entertainment, but also to come away with the understanding that people come from all walks of life and no one group is all bad or all good. We all have our flaws, but we also all have our strengths.

What part of the author process are you working on or studying most now?

Author:      Marketing.

What has been your favorite part of the writing and querying or publishing process?

Author:      I absolutely love writing the first rough draft, which I do in November during NaNoWriMo. When I write the first draft, I don’t worry about it being perfect. I just let my creativity flow.

Do you recommend any programs, courses, or websites?

Author:      BookFunnel has been very helpful with allowing me to provide book snippets and sell books directly. I also enjoy David Gaughran’s website and books. He provides a lot of great marketing advice.

Which authors write similar books to yours? How did you find them?

Author:      My favorite sci-fi and fantasy author is Brandon Sanderson. His books have been the most influential when it comes to writing action and deep characters. Lately, I’ve also been inspired by James S.A. Corey.

Have you always read in the genre you wanted to write in? Do you think that’s made it easier or harder to create new stories?

Author:      Yes. Reading in my genre helps me understand what makes a good fantasy or sci-fi. I also read outside my genre for the same reason.

What is your writing process, from idea to polished work? Pantster? Plotter? How long does that typically take you?

Author:      I am a major plotter. I spend most of October plotting. Then I write the first draft in November. I spend the next several months after that writing the second draft. Another month or so is spent on the third draft. Then comes a month or so waiting for beta reader feedback. That’s followed by the fourth draft. Then I send my novel off to the editor. This process takes me about a year.

Where do you network most with other writers, authors, and creative types? LinkedIn? Wattpad? Twitter? Facebook? Somewhere else?

Author:      Twitter has been my favorite way to connect with other writers.

Do you sprint-write like a starving cheetah, or are you a totally chill turtle writer? Somewhere in between?

Author:      I sprint like a starved cheetah during the first draft and chill like a turtle for my second draft.

Struggles

What has been the hardest thing to overcome on your journey to authorship?

Author:      Imposter syndrome. After getting a lot of honest reviews from honest readers, I don’t suffer from this as much anymore.

How has the writing and querying or publishing process affected you emotionally? Do you have any tips for budding writers?

Author:      Watch out for agents and publishers claiming to want to represent you. There are a million scammers out there!!

Another tip, hire an editor, especially for your first book. Start with a developmental editor and work you way to a copy editor. It will cost quite a bit but it will pay off in the long run. And if you can’t afford those types of editors, get feedback from a lot of readers and writers who are not friends and family. Be open to feedback. Believe me, I know how it can feel when someone points out things they didn’t like and places where your story can be improved. Don’t take it personally. Feedback helps you grow as a writer. And it’s better to get feedback before you expose your work to discerning readers.

Do you have any tips or recommendations for those who want to go the final step and become authors?

Author:      Learn your writing craft. Then learn to market.

If you could do it all over again, what would you change?

Author:      I’d start learning to market right away.

Are you a driven & self-advocating author, a gun-shy promoter, or a total marketing procrastinator?

Author:      I used to be a gun-shy promotor but now I’m driven. I don’t overdo it, such as by sending out unsolicited DMs or by posting mostly ads. But I don’t mind telling people about my work.

How do you keep yourself motivated?

Author:      I push myself to write nearly every single day. I read nearly every day.

How do you combat writer’s block?

Author:      To combat writer’s block, I utilize a freeform writing method that I like to call brainstorm writing. It’s where I write whatever comes to my head with no concern for editing and no thought about whether it will work for my story. Generally, this method wakes up the creative side of my brain.

What literary/writer-based term did you not know when you started that has become important and relevant to you?

Author:      Show don’t tell.

How did your family and friends react to your writing? Was it what you expected from them?

Author:      My stepmother read my first sci-fi book all in one day. It really surprised me because she’s not a sci-fi enthusiast. But she loved the characters, and she was amazed at how vivid my story was.

What assumptions about writers and authors do you think are myths?

Author:      That authors make a lot of money.

Fun Stuff

What do you listen to while you write?

Author:      Mostly instrumental music. My playlist consists of instrumental music from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, Avengers, Transformers, Star Trek, Star Wars, Labyrinth, Superman, Pirates of the Caribbean, and a variety of video game soundtracks.

Is there a fun word or group of terms you like to put into your writing?

Author:      No

Where do you write your stories? A tiny office? A loft? The kitchen table? In the bushes while you secretly people-watch like a total creeper? Or a warm café with mocha in hand and feet up on an ottoman?

Author:      I write at my desk in the dining room. I like this spot because it’s also the place where my dog’s bed is. It also keeps me engaged with my family. Sometimes that aspect of it can be distracting but not often. Sometimes I like to write at a café. This is especially true when I need writing motivation. Something about being in a public place where people can see if I’m not doing anything motivates me to get some writing done.

What book are you reading at the moment?

Author:      I’m currently reading a sci-fi western called Bargain at Bravebank by J.R. Frontera. It’s pretty good, though it doesn’t have a whole lot of sci-fi elements yet.

What is your favorite literary trope?

Author:      I’m not sure. It’s not something I think about.

How do you try to “break the mold” and be unique?

Author:      I try to create unique characters.

What have you learned about yourself from the writing and/or authorship process?

Author:      I’ve learned that I’m very good at organizing. Not just organizing a story, but organizing the writing process, keeping track of details, and with making a to-do list that keeps me on track to reach my writing and marketing goals.

What is your favorite writing snack and drink?

Author:      Coffee

Do you have a writing companion?

Author:      My dog, Pierson. His bed is close to my desk.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Author:      Show don’t tell.