Rie Sheridan Rose multitasks. A lot. Her short stories appear in numerous anthologies, including Nightmare Stalkers and Dream Walkers Vols. 1 and 2, and Killing It Softly Vols. 1 and 2. She has authored twelve novels, six poetry chapbooks, and lyrics for dozens of songs. These were mostly written in conjunction with Marc Gunn, and can be found on “Don’t Go Drinking with Hobbits” and “Pirates vs. Dragons” for the most part–with a few scattered exceptions.
Her favorite work to date is The Conn-Mann Chronicles Steampunk series with five books released so far: The Marvelous Mechanical Man, The Nearly Notorious Nun, The Incredibly Irritating Irishman, The Fiercely Formidable Fugitive, and The Elderly Earl’s Estate.
Rie lives in Texas with her wonderful husband and several spoiled cat-children.
WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:
Website: https://riewriter.com/ and https://theconnmannchronicles.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RieSheridanRose
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConnMannChronicles/
Interview:
Would you call yourself a born writer?
I don’t know if I would characterize it quite that way…but I do know that as soon as I could formulate an answer to the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” the answer always included “And a writer.”
What was your inspiration for The Marvelous Mechanical Man?
There were several things that went into it. First, it was November, and I needed a National Novel Writing Month project. My writing partner suggested I try Steampunk as it was a genre I liked, but hadn’t really written in. It sounded like fun. The Steampunk I had read was mostly dark, except for Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate books, so I decided to follow her lead and be less gritty. I, being a masochist, also decided to experiment with First Person PoV, because I had never tried to do a long form in that style. That turned out to be a brilliant decision, because Josephine Mann was born, and she had a great deal to say.
How long did it take you to complete the novel?
The first draft took thirty days—being a NaNoWriMo project—but polishing and edits probably took at least another six months. All said and done, this was probably nine months from start to first publication, and then a touch-up before its re-release.
Are you disciplined? Describe a typical writing day.
God no. The only time I am even half-way disciplined is November, and that doesn’t always work out to words hitting page. In my defense, I edit for two small presses as well as my own writing, and I am chief cook and bottle-washer…but that is really no excuse. Many authors can juggle better than I can. I am literally floored by the productivity of some of my peers, but I am more of a “when the mood strikes me” sort of writer. I really need to try the scheduled route.
A typical writing day is to sit at the keyboard and stare at the page until I work up the courage to put a word down. Often I will read over the end of the day before to remember where I was going, and then I will write until I am called to do something else or get bored.
That’s a terrible answer, but it’s probably why I am not publishing more…
What did you find most challenging about writing this book?
As I say, there were several challenges about this book. First was capturing New York in 1874. I wanted it to be as true to period as possible while still exploring the tropes of Steampunk. I do a lot of research, even though there is a lot of the fantastic involved—like Phaeton, the Marvelous Mechanical Man, himself. There is no scientific reason for why he works…he just does.
Writing a young woman who grew up in the sheltered confines of a convent and yet has been fending for herself for a few years was also a challenge. Keeping Jo believable was important, but she does tend to get kidnapped a lot…
What do you love most about being an author?
Two things—creating my own worlds, and meeting people to share them with. I love going to conventions and introducing people to my characters and places. I also love challenging myself to try new genres and methods. So far, only mystery eludes me, but I am hoping the next book changes that.
Did you go with a traditional publisher, small press, or did you self publish? What was the process like and are you happy with your decision?
All of my work has been with small presses or self-published. Sometimes I wish I had pushed for the top, but I am generally happy with where I am.
Specifically with The Marvelous Mechanical Man (and the rest of The Conn-Mann Chronicles) the first editions of the first two books were released by a small press, but I realized that I could dedicate more time and energy to promotion and other aspects than my publisher could. She had a hundred or so authors to promote, and I had just me. So, I got the rights back on those first two books, and I have been self-publishing the series ever since. I have been very pleased with the results. Sure, I would love to have more sales—who wouldn’t? But I have the freedom to try crazy things like the three teas I have had developed for my characters, or the toy kittens that sell like hot-cakes at conventions. Jo and I are plugging away on Book Six, and her friend Winifred has her own story releasing soon.
Title: THE MARVELOUS MECHANICAL MAN
Author: Rie Sheridan Rose
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 270
Genre: Steampunk Adventure Romance
BOOK BLURB:
The Marvelous Mechanical Man is the first book in a Steampunk series featuring the adventures of Josephine Mann, an independent woman in need of a way to pay her rent. She meets Professor Alistair Conn, in need of a lab assistant, and a partnership is created that proves exciting adventure for both of them.
Alistair’s prize invention is an automaton standing nine feet tall. There’s a bit of a problem though…he can’t quite figure out how to make it move. Jo just might be of help there. Then again, they might not get a chance to find out, as the marvelous mechanical man goes missing.
Jo and Alistair find themselves in the middle of a whirlwind of kidnapping, catnapping, and cross-country chases that involve airships, trains, and a prototype steam car. With a little help from their friends, Herbert Lattimer and Winifred Bond, plots are foiled, inventions are perfected, and a good time is had by all.
[…] blog tour stop is an interview at The Dark Phantom. They asked some great questions, so you might learn a bit more about my writing process…or […]
Thank you for the opportunity!