Spotlight Interview with author Lori A. Moore

Q1: Thanks for participating in our Authors.com Spotlight Interview series Lori! Please introduce yourself and your book to help our readers get to know you.

A:  Hi, my name is Lori A. Moore and I live with my husband and 3 cats in Louisville, KY.  In addition to now having published three books, I am an adjunct business professor and a public speaker.  My first two books are nonfiction Christian Living books and each won an award shortly after their releases.  "From Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years" won the 2009 Bronze Award and "Missing Andy" won the 2010 Gold Award from ReadersFavorite.com.

My most recent release is a children's book, "Grady the Gray Cat."

Q2: Please explain how you came to be a writer, what inspired you to write your book(s) and how long it took. 
A:  My former husband died in 2008 and a friend suggested that I start journaling as a way to deal with my grief.  That writing process turned into a book that I submitted to a publisher in January 2009 and it released in March 2010. 

Q3: What did you enjoy most about creating this book? 
A.  Having been an executive level manager for a couple of decades, writing has given me the opportunity to express my creative side, which I had forgotten that I had.

Q4: What facets of your life, both personal and professional, are  woven into your book, if any?  
A. Both of my Christian books are self-reflective and include stories of my personal testimony and how I came to Christ.

Q5. How did you get published?

A.  I found Tate Publishing through a Google search, submitted my manuscript to them and they accepted it right away.

Q6: Did you have any surprises or hiccups along the way during the  book writing and/or publishing process?
A.  No, everything flowed wonderfully and smoothly.  I had no specific expectations, having never been through the process before.  Tate Publishing was wonderful to work with.

Q7: What one thing did you wish you'd known before you started this project? 
A.  How much time and effort it takes to market books.

Q8: You're a fly on the wall when readers are discussing your book.   What would you hope to hear them say about it?
A.  I would hope that my Christian books would inspire those sitting on the fence that haven't yet made a commitment to Christ to make a decision.  I would like to hear them say, "Wow, if God would let somebody like Lori into His Kingdom, He must be willing to accept me too."

Q9: Tell us one thing about you that most people don't know or  would surprise them. 
A.  I've only been a Christian for 10 years.  In my 20's, I worked as a stripper.  There's a long distance between where I was and where I am now.

Q10: What single piece of advice would you give new authors?
A.  Write for your audience, not for yourself.  Write with your niche in mind.

Q11: Share a short summary of a typical day in your life with us please. 

 A.  I am a recovering workaholic.  After my former husband died in 2008, I changed my life dramatically and stopped working 80-90 hours per week in a corporate environment.  Now I work primarily from home, teaching online each semester and on campus a couple of times per year.  Each day I am able to get out and walk 3.5 miles and spend time with my retired husband.  I work much like a musician, getting "gigs" for booksignings or public speaking events.

Q12:  Describe where you do most of your writing. What would I see if I was sitting beside you?
A.  I write from my home office, which sits in the front part of our patio off of the living room.  Looking up over my computer monitor I am looking out now through a double window facing shrubs and flowers and listening to the birds singing.  To my right is another window with a bird feeder hanging in front of it for my cats to watch as they lay on a perch in front of the window.  In this room are two bookshelves crammed full of books and several office supply cabinets. 

Q13: What's your motto or favorite quote you like to live by?

A.  It's a quote from scripture, "With God, all things are possible."  (Matthew 19:26 NIV)

Q14: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us in closing such as your website, an imminent book launch or what you're working on presently? 
A.  Feel free to check out my website at http://www.loriamooreonline.com.  I am currently working on a book about prayer as well as a sequel to the Grady the Gray Cat series.

My Authors.com profile: http://www.authors.com/profile/LoriAMoore

Thanks for your time Lori! Please share this Authors.com Spotlight Interview with friends and fans by linking to it, Tweeting it, Digging it, sharing it on Facebook and generally shouting about it anywhere you can.

Fellow members, please support Lori by doing the same. Comments and Likes are also most welcome.