Meet Anne Marie Stoddard

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Marie Stoddard.

Anne Marie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When asked in kindergarten what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer was always “an author”. I actually used to write short stories and poetry throughout elementary school and was published for the first time in fifth grade (in that year’s edition of the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans). My love of music eventually replaced my passion for writing when I joined the band in middle school. I played saxophone all the way through my college years at UGA, where I majored in Music Therapy and also received a certificate in Music Business. I was really into the music scene in Athens and went on to intern at both the Georgia Theatre and the 40 Watt, volunteered at AthFest, and even ran in-studio errands for the B-52’s when they recorded a new album in 2006.

From there, I went on to work backstage for several years at Lollapalooza in Chicago and worked in promotions for Clear Channel Radio (now iHeart Radio) in Atlanta for several years.

Though I was no longer writing, I still had a passion for reading in my leisure time, especially any mystery or thriller that I could get my hands on. In 2011, I started feeling the call to put the pen to paper again. At the time, I’d never read any mysteries set in the music industry, so I got the idea to combine my loves of music and writing and use my experience working with events and concert venues to craft a music-themed murder mystery. I created a fictional venue inspired by the old Masquerade on North Ave. (with a little bit of the Tabernacle mixed in for good measure). I like to think it was fate that I finished the first draft the same weekend that a local publishing services company was co-sponsoring their inaugural writing contest with the AJC at the Decatur Book Festival–and that the deadline for submission also happened to be my birthday. I submitted my manuscript on a whim and went on to win the contest. The prize was the publication of my debut novel, “Murder at Castle Rock” the first book in my Amelia Grace Rock n’ Roll Mystery series.

I immediately started on my next book, and when I received the rights to “Murder at Castle Rock” back a year after its first publication date, I signed a deal to continue the series and release several more through a small publishing company run by New York Times Bestselling Author, Gemma Halliday. Between 2013 and the present, I’ve released five novels and three short stories, and I have two more books scheduled for release this year. I’ve been fortunate to hit the USA TODAY Bestseller list twice in anthologies from Gemma Halliday Publishing, which has introduced my books to thousands of new readers across the country. Back in 2013, I also had several musical artist interviews, concert reviews, and photos featured in a local music blog called Hiplanta.

In addition to writing, I have a passion for literary marketing and social media consulting. I’ve previously worked with literary agents such as Paige Wheeler of Creative Media Agency, Inc. and Lucinda Blumenfeld of Lucinda Literary, LLC., assisting with both the editorial and query processes as well as consulting on and implementing digital marketing plans for authors such as Nancy J. Parra, Ginny Gilder, Nina Darnton, Richard Cohen, & Douglas Kennedy. I love every minute of what I do, and it’s so rewarding to connect with new readers and connect other authors with their own audience.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Is anything worth doing ever easy? From the writers’ block to time management and overcommitments, there have been countless obstacles. In fact, at one point in 2015, I was packing up to move into a new apartment with my then fiancé, planning our wedding, working a full-time desk job, interning for two literary agents, and writing a novel all at once! But, like I said, I love what I do, so I found a way to make it work. I don’t always hit my target deadlines for my novels, but with careful outlining and open communication with my publisher, I just keep plugging away until I’ve created a story that I can be proud of.

Anne Marie Stoddard (USA TODAY Bestselling Author) – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As a huge Stephen King fan, I’ve previously dabbled in the horror genre with a free short story titled “The Brook” (available on Amazon), but my bread and butter for the past 6 years has been cozy mysteries. To date, I’ve published works in two series that are set at home in Atlanta, one featuring a concert booking agent-turned amateur sleuth (“Murder at Castle Rock”, “Deception at Castle Rock”) and another about an art student with a dark psychic ability (“Death Perception”). I’ve also released one book about a Hollywood tabloid photographer, which I co-penned with NYT Bestselling author Gemma Halliday (“Hollywood Homicide”).

I have another mystery currently available in a multi-author series that’s set in Hawaii, featuring a divorcee who manages a dress shop on a posh island resort (“Bikinis & Bloodshed”). I have two more works from that series scheduled for release on July 31st (“Handbags & Homicide”) and October 9th (“Tiaras & Terror”). I’m especially proud of the last one–a Halloween-themed novel that I managed to crank out earlier this summer in just over three weeks, all while I was five months pregnant with my first child (due in August!). I give the baby and my 2nd-trimester-second wind most of the credit for the sudden boosts in creativity and productivity.

In addition to my writing, I’m always happy to offer my services to other authors in need of creative marketing plans for their latest project, social media assistance, and other book promotion services. I’ve been fortunate enough to give presentations on literary marketing strategy at several events, including a meeting of the Sisters in Crime Atlanta chapter and the Killer Nashville conference in Tennessee. I’ve also been featured at several signings and on panels at the Decatur Book Festival, and last year, I was a guest author on a panel about Charlaine Harris’ Midnight, Texas series at Dragon Con.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Most authors gauge success on the number of books they’ve sold, their rankings on bestseller lists, and making enough in royalties to quit their day jobs and write full-time.

While all of those things are ultimately the dream, I’ve personally defined my own success as a writer as being consistently able to produce and publish new works year after year. It’s easy to get discouraged in today’s literary climate, due to the subjectivity of what agents and critics consider worthy of publication, along with readers’ reluctance to take a chance on a new or unknown author for anything over 99 cents per e-book.

Still, with determination, a creative marketing plan (with lots of trial and error), and the willingness to put yourself out there and network with potential readers and other authors, it’s entirely possible to get your work in front of your target audience–as long as you don’t give up.

Pricing:

• My next release, Handbags & Homicide, will be out on July 31st and is available for pre-order right now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble.com, iBooks, and more for only $2.99!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.amstoddardbooks.com

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.