Alligator Preserves Episode 8: A Visit with Sherry Ficklin

Best-selling author Sherry Ficklin (second from right) attended my book launch party for Waterwight Flux! Other authors in attendance included (left to right) Lynn K Hall, Diane Smith, and Carol Bellhouse. That’s me on the right! Not in photo: Stephanie R. Sorensen. Photo credit: Marcia Martinek, Editor of the Leadville Herald Democrat newspaper

Sherry Ficklin, best-selling author of the Stolen Empire Series, visits with Laurel McHargue in this episode of Alligator Preserves! She explains how she has become “a toucher of things,” and shares amazing stories of her own life and how her experiences have influenced her writing.

Show Notes:

Sherry Ficklin tells a secret about a visit to the White House
Sherry is “a toucher of things”!
Earliest memories with books, telling stories, and winning her first monetary award
Her writing over ten years and feedback from Penguin Books
Writing challenges
Autobiographical elements of her work
“Vantablack” material (favorite color is black!)
Dark side characters, 1st person books, and choosing names
Contract negotiations with publishers
Research and Canary Club adventures
Marketing to YA and other audiences
Queen series books
Sherry’s “Dragon’s Eye” adventure, the fruit that “ruffied” her
Advice to new authors and what’s next for her
Her childrens’ response to her writing
Introduce next topic: Visit with Buddhist practice teacher Ken McLeod
CIPA EVVY Awards open for submissions @ cipabooks.com