Kerri Nelson has always been passionate about reading books but when she wrote her first poem in the second grade, she discovered her love of writing. At the age of sixteen, she became a columnist for her local newspaper as the high school correspondent for the weekly “Panther Tales” column. She won the Outstanding Young Journalist of the Year Award for her efforts.
After an education and career in the legal field, Kerri began to pen romantic suspense novels with a legal or law enforcement theme. She is a true southern belle and comes complete with her dashing southern gentleman husband and three adorable children. When she’s not reading or writing, you’ll find her baking homemade goodies for her family, feeding her addiction to blogging online or designing custom made book video advertisements (novel trailers).
Kerri is an active member of Romance Writers of America as well as numerous Chapters including Hearts Through History Romance Writers, Futuristic Fantasy & Paranormal, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.
Kerri is a multi-published author of romance in every genre from romantic suspense and paranormal to young adult and inspirational novels. In 2009, Kerri wrote and sold twelve books to multiple publishers using her Book Factory method. Her next paranormal romantic suspense Courting Demons will be released from Dorchester Publishing in 2011.
Kerri’s present book is Cross Check My Heart.
Read more about Kerri’s books at her website: www.kerrinelson.com
Come out and chat with Kerri at her blog: www.kerribookwriter.blogspot.com
Want to promote your work? Play, learn and compete with other authors in the biz? Visit Kerri’s industry blog here: www.thebookboost.blogspot.com
For the latest news and updates from Kerri, follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/kerribookwriter
Thank you for this interview, Kerri. Can we start out by having you tell us briefly what your new book is about?
Cross Check My Heart is a hockey themed romantic suspense that is all about secrets and what to what lengths you will go to keep them. It features romance and adventure starring sexy, veteran hockey player Danny Cipriani and wounded Jana Dean who is trying to escape her past…literally.
More and more authors are realizing the potential for sales that derives from virtual book tours. Can you tell us your personal reasons why you chose a virtual book tour to help get the word out about your new book?
I think that it is a wonderful opportunity to meet more readers than you could ever possibly meet in person. For instance, I can sit in my own living room (dressed in my comfy pajamas) and chat with readers all over the world. Hopefully, my sales will increase because of the worldwide (access at your leisure) book tour. It is a phenomenal idea.
Is this the first time you have heard of them?
No. I know that there are several promotions companies that do them but I have an author friend who raved about Pump Up Your Book tours. Also, I’m a tour host for many Pump Up authors at my industry blog The Book Boost (www.thebookboost.blogspot.com). Basically, I’ve come full circle with a tour of my own!
What do you hope to achieve through promoting your book through a virtual book tour?
Well, besides the obvious (increased book sales), I just hope to gain new readership and some new followers who might check out my other titles as well. Perhaps a hockey romance is not what interests you…don’t be disappointed…I write in multiple other genres as well. From the paranormal in South Carolina, to timeless romance in ancient Scotland, to a mob adventure in New Jersey…I’ve got something for every reader!
Do you promote online through other means? Website? Blog?
Absolutely. I promote everywhere I can whenever I see an opportunity present itself. I have my own website (www.kerrinelson.com ) which hosts my books and both of my businesses (a promotions design company & a writer tutoring program). I have a personal author blog (www.kerribookwriter.blogspot.com) that features my own writer and real life adventures. Then, of course, my industry blog that I mentioned above.
Who maintains your website?
I maintain all my websites and blogs personally. I enjoy being able to go in and make a quick change or add an update whenever the mood strikes me. I’d like to spend much more time on my website. I just need to find the time.
What are your experiences with offline booksignings? Do you have much luck selling your book through that method?
I’ve not really had an experience with this but I’m planning to do my first big one this coming holiday season. Keep your fingers crossed for me. If nothing else, I know I’ll enjoy chatting about my books with potential readers who stop by.
Here’s a fun question. If money was no object, how would you promote your book?
I’d do a television commercial. That would be excellent!
Thank you for this interview, Kerri. Do you have any final words?
Then, when you make your first sale, you can do a book tour like this one!
I’d just like to encourage new authors to keep your dream of publication alive. It can be a harsh business out there. Don’t let rejections discourage you. Don’t let a bad critique or contest score rock your world. Just keep working your craft, write what you love, and don’t forget to submit…submit…submit. No one will come knocking on your door asking for your book. You have to be responsible for getting it out there.
You can visit Kerri’s official tour page by clicking here!
Let's Talk Virtual Book Tours 
Great interview!! A commerical would be a great idea. I wish things were not so expensive so we could do things like that for ourselves!!