Posts in Series for AT IV
Welcome back as we continue with our American Title finalists interviews. Wow, has it already been a week? Don’t forget that first round voting ends on Sunday, October 28th, so if you haven’t voted yet, please take a moment after the interview to check out the rest of the American Title finalists and vote for your favorite finalist! Every vote counts and we, the finalists, appreciate the votes and support from you.
Also, don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a wonderful prize! Last week, three lucky commentators won prizes. This week, I’m picking two winners from each interview, so leave your comments and don’t forget to vote!
MAI: Today we have with us ANITRA LYNN MCLEOD. Anitra, can you tell us the title of your manuscript that finaled?
ANITRA: Thief
MAI: Interesting title. Makes me curious as to if it’s a thief of hearts or thief of something else. Please tell us what your book is about by giving a short blurb.
ANITRA: Buck Rogers meets the Wild Wild West!
MAI: Ooh, I like that! How long have you been writing?
ANITRA: 29 years
MAI: Tell us a little about how this book came about.
ANITRA: I love sci-fi and westerns so I merged them into a western flavored futuristic. I also love kick-ass heroines and those strong but silent alpha heroes.
MAI: What was your expectation when you first entered the contest?
ANITRA: Thought I had nothing to lose and I might get some feedback.
MAI: What was your reaction when you learned you were a finalist?
ANITRA: I thought someone was messing with me! I read the email four times, printed it out, read it about twenty times then finally believed it and wrote back to Leah. Then, I couldn’t decide who to call first! I ended up calling my dad first since my mom passed away three years ago.
MAI: What has been the most rewarding part of this experience so far?
ANITRA: Meeting the other contestants. I knew most of them from the contest circuit so it was fun to get to know them better. Also, in doing the PR work, a lot of folks in SLC were really excited and couldn’t wait to help me spread the word. For a big city, Salt Lake can be more like a small town in many ways.
MAI: What has been the worst part of this experience so far?
ANITRA: Nerves. I feel like a flasher wrenching open my trench coat, hoping that folks don’t point and laugh!
MAI: LOL. That’s one way of putting it! In one word, how would you describe this experience?
ANITRA: Exciting!
MAI: What kind of advice do you have for other American Title hopefuls and/or aspiring writers?
ANITRA: Something I took from previous AT finalists–have fun with it. Enjoy the ride. And for other aspiring writers–never give up. Take chances by entering contests, networking, getting involved. You really have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.
MAI: Wonderful advice. And last question. Any last words?
ANITRA: I just want to thank everyone for all the support. I find the writing community one of the most generous and fun of all the groups of people I know. Thanks for the interview, Mai!
MAI: You’re very welcome, Anitra. Thanks for allowing me to interview you, and good luck in the competition. 
Alright, now before you hurry off to vote for your favorite finalist, don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a cool prize! On behalf of all the American Title finalists, I thank each one of you for your support.
Good luck to all the finalists and I’ll see everyone back here on Thursday!
Mai Christy Thao
www.maichristythao.com
Aside from Sylvia:
You can visit Anitra at: www.anitramcleod.com
And GO VOTE! (direct link here: Vote on the Best First Line!)
Thank you!
Tags: american title, dorchester, paranormal, romantic times
(1,024 views)
Sounds like a good book. Best of luck with the contest.
by Stacy S October 23rd, 2007 at 4:02 amFun interview. I love hearing about everyone’s writing and what interests them. Good luck Anitra!
by Stacy ~ October 23rd, 2007 at 4:14 amAnitra, your story sounds fascinating! Good luck to you!
I hope everyone is voting! I voted….and it sure was tough. I just wish all of the finalists could win!
by Andrea October 23rd, 2007 at 5:35 amGood luck Anitra! The book sounds very interesting!
by brownone October 23rd, 2007 at 6:31 amGreat interview. Thief sounds great. I love western books.
by Crystal B. October 23rd, 2007 at 7:21 amGreat interview!
Best Wishes and Good Luck!
by Ameliagood luck
by kim h October 23rd, 2007 at 9:26 amAnitra, I loved your first line. It was one of the ones that really caught my eye (and my interest). Good luck to you!
by Laurie October 23rd, 2007 at 10:13 amAnother great interview! Best of luck in all that you do!!!
by Jennifer Y. October 23rd, 2007 at 10:24 amHi Anitra, since I have a great fondness for Buck Rogers and an unbridled hankerin’ for Wild Wild West, I can’t wait to see the rest of your contest entries, then read the book when it’s published.
by Savanna KougarGreat interview…I love your outlook, Anitra!! Good luck!!
by Melissa October 23rd, 2007 at 12:18 pmLOL on the trench coat comment.
I like your blurb for the story — succinct and great visual.
by Trish Milburn October 23rd, 2007 at 2:36 pmThank you for sharing your experiences with us! And the best of luck to you!
by Sue A. October 23rd, 2007 at 4:25 pmThanks for sharing with us.
by Angie-laI gotta say, I agree with you totally, I love those kick-ass heroines and the strong but silent alpha heroes as well!
Best of luck to you!
Angie
Thanks for the interview. I am always looking for new authors to read HAPPY HALLOWEEN
by JOYE October 23rd, 2007 at 5:33 pmI just wanted to say thanks to Mai for the interview, Sylvia for hosting, all the AT finalists who popped in, and all the readers who posted comments. Thanks everyone! I can’t wait to see what happens!
by Anitra Lynn McLeod October 23rd, 2007 at 7:08 pmYou’ve got my attention! I absolutely adored Buck Rogers before I was truly old enough to appreciate Gil Gerard and his spacesuit… When it came on in reruns after I was an adult, I loved the show even more!
I will definitely be keeping an eye out for ‘Thief’!
by Jennifer A. Ray October 23rd, 2007 at 9:01 pmScifi and western reminds me of Firefly/Serenity.
Wonderful interview and the book sounds awesome.
by Cristina October 23rd, 2007 at 9:12 pmstrong females, is great, but i do like a man to be able to take care of me too
by tami October 24th, 2007 at 2:46 amCongratulations Anitra on becoming a finalist. Good luck to you, your book sounds intriguing.
by Maureen October 24th, 2007 at 3:12 amThat’s a very interesting blurb, Anitra! It’s a true gift to be able to get it down to one line like that, and with such descriptive results! Fantastic! Best of luck!
by Margay Roberge
Love the way you think, Anitra. Never give up and I hope that you will fulfill your dream of being published.
by Laura K October 24th, 2007 at 4:54 amGreat interview! It sounds great!
by Amy S. October 24th, 2007 at 5:14 amGreat interview. Your book sounds wonderful! What a great combination - Buck Rodgers meets the Wild, Wild West. I do love those alpha guys AND the Wild West (I write Historical Westerns).
I loved your advice to aspiring writers and the answer you gave to Mai’s Q - What was the worst part of this experience so far? A. Nerves. I can only imagine. Actually, I can’t. But I hope to one day.
Best of luck, Anitra!
by Carolsounds like a cool book I love scifi and westerns too. I will love to check this one out and rofl at the trench coat comment. Sort of like a deer in the headlights moment.
by Pamk October 24th, 2007 at 6:48 amGreat interview- Good Luck!
by Eva October 24th, 2007 at 8:21 amYour book sounds very interesting….I’ll be on the look out for it. Good Luck! And congratulations on being a finalist!
by Mary October 24th, 2007 at 11:46 amGreat interview. Another Serenity/Firefly fan here, so your book sounds like one I would enjoy reading.
by cathy M October 24th, 2007 at 12:48 pmCongrats and good luck, Anitra. Love your short blurb. That alone makes me want to read the book.
by Melissa K. October 24th, 2007 at 12:52 pmHI MAI!
Thief sounds like a good book to read.
Good luck.
by SheilaFSounds like a great book and I love the title! Good luck
by Michelle (MG) October 24th, 2007 at 3:19 pmCongratulations Anitra on becoming a finalist. I know how hard you have worked for this and am wishing you all the luck in the world.
by donna October 24th, 2007 at 6:58 pmI just wanted to pop in and say thanks again–I’m in tears at the moment from all the encouragement and support! Ya, I’m a softy! This contest has been nothing short of amazing. I’ve gotten so many kind and wonderful emails (and one rather odd marriage proposal–not from here, but from my web page) that I just feel my heart swelling. Sorta like the Grinch. Not that my heart was small before but now I feel so blessed my heart is three sizes too big for my chest!
by Anitra Lynn McLeod October 24th, 2007 at 9:18 pmOh I so like Westerns; best to you.
by RobynL October 24th, 2007 at 9:24 pmCongratulations Anitra!! Always have liked Buck Rodgers.
by Theresa N. October 25th, 2007 at 2:58 amCongrats on being a finalist. Great interview! I liked your blurb.
by Tammy G. October 25th, 2007 at 3:17 amIt must have been really thrilling to find out you’re a finalist Anitra! With so much writing experience, you really deserve this. Best of luck to you.
by RachaelfromNJ October 25th, 2007 at 9:36 amWow the story sounds really good. Keep my fingers crossed for you
by Danny October 25th, 2007 at 12:17 pmAnitra,
Sorry I missed this on Tuesday (which was the day I signed with my agent, so maybe I can be forgiven?). Mai’s right - your title is very provocative - I’m looking forward to reading it!
Best of luck!
-Judi Fennell
by Judi Fennell October 25th, 2007 at 12:25 pmhttp://www.JudiFennell.com
Beauty and The Best American Title III Finalist
In Over Her Head Gather.com First Chapters Romance Contest Top 5 Finalist
Sounds awesome! Good luck!!
by Ashley A October 25th, 2007 at 12:54 pmNo prob, Judi! You were doing what I HOPE to be doing soon! And congrats again!!!!
by Anitra Lynn McLeod October 27th, 2007 at 10:35 pmInteresting interview.
by Diane McConnell October 29th, 2007 at 8:05 amGood luck Anitra! Your story sounds like a lot of fun!
by Rhonda November 13th, 2007 at 6:48 pmGood luck Anitra!! I love Western Sci-fi. We need another good Captain Tightpants dangit!
by Patricia November 25th, 2007 at 8:12 pmLOL on the “Captain Tightpants” comment from Patricia–you ARE a Firefly fan! I adored that moment when Malcolm was in those very tight pants and dancing. Sigh. What woman wouldn’t?
Er, if you don’t know what we are discussing you need to rent/buy/steal the FIREFLY DVD’s and watch the “Shindig” episode. Check out the delectable Nathan Fillion in a pair of pants so tight he couldn’t sit or bend.
Er, you can also check out the wonderful Nathan Fillion in Desperate Housewives. He’s playing the OBGYN.
by Anitra Lynn McLeod November 30th, 2007 at 1:42 am