Interview With Author Sharon Marchisello

Sharon Marchisello grew up in Tyler, Texas, and earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Houston in French and English. She earned a Master’s in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California and is an active member of Sisters in Crime. Retired from a 27-year career with Delta Air Lines, she now lives in Peachtree City, Georgia, and does volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society.

She is the author of two mysteries published by Sunbury Press. Going Home (2014) was inspired by her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease, while Secrets of the Galapagos (2019) deals with mayhem on a Galapagos cruise. Besides novels, Sharon has written short stories, travel articles, corporate training manuals, screenplays, and book reviews. Her blog, Countdown to Financial Fitness, and nonfiction book, Live Well, Grow Wealth, deal with personal finance.

Are you indie or traditionally published? What made you decide to take that route?

My two mysteries are traditionally published. I chose that route because I didn’t want to do all the non-writing work that goes with being self-published. Also, there’s still a bit of a stigma (although much less now) about self-published books not being as good as traditionally published.

My nonfiction book about personal finance, Live Well, Grow Wealth, was self-published. I chose that route because the information was time-sensitive, and also, I have no credentials in finance that would impress a publisher. My advice comes from personal experience and common sense, not from a career in finance.

Tell us a fun story about your publication journey!

Fun? More like tedious. Going Home, my “first novel,” was actually the fourth novel I completed. It went through seven drafts and countless rejections over a period of ten years before I finally got a publishing contract. One would think I’d be popping the champagne and shouting for joy, but I didn’t tell hardly anyone I had a publisher until the book came out. I should have been creating a website, building a social media platform, creating buzz, gathering advance reviews and blurbs, etc., but I was afraid I’d jinx it, so I did nothing. Thus, I had to play catch-up from launch date.

Wait—that didn’t sound like much fun. I guess the most fun was seeing my book in print and making my first sale to someone who wasn’t a friend or family member.

How about a horror story about your author life?

Fortunately, I haven’t experienced any real horror stories, especially compared to others who’ve had their editors or agents drop them, their publishing house go bankrupt, etc.

The worse thing that happened to me was when an independent bookseller took some of my books on consignment, then closed up shop without paying me or returning my books.

What do you think is the best thing about being an author?

I love writing and creating a world where I’m in control. But I guess the best thing about being a published author is when readers tell me how much they enjoyed my book.

Who do you think you inspire? If not, who and what do you want to inspire?

With my personal finance book, I strive to inspire young adults to develop a healthy respect for money, and to understand the basic principles of saving and investing.

What keeps you up at night?

Sometimes nothing. And sometimes everything: world events, plot issues, personal problems.

What else do you enjoy doing other than reading and writing?

Travel, although I haven’t done much since the pandemic started. Before 2020, I’d visited over 100 countries and taken 68 cruises. I also volunteer for an animal rescue group, fostering cats, trying to find grant money, and serving on the Board of Directors.

What do you consider as your weakness as a writer, and what have you done to overcome it?

I’m slow; I edit as I go along, and now that I work on a computer hooked up to the internet, I’m easily distracted. I envy people who can turn out a book or more a year.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

That changes constantly, as I discover more authors. I love to read.

Anything else you want to tell your fans, our readers, and the writing/reading/blogging community at large?

Thank you for the opportunity. I’d love it if your readers check out some of my books.

You can get in touch with Sharon on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.