What's In It For Me

By Karen L. Syed

I can't remember a time when I didn't love books. I've been reading since I was about four years old. Obviously not well, back then, but I've always considered books to be among my dearest friends. I think I have always held a great fascination with words. I have a tendency to read everything, and I do mean everything. Eventually, I learned that words were more than scribbles on a page and that when used properly they offered the most wonderful stories.

As a reader I find myself craving adventure. It doesn't have to be bone chilling, though I will admit to being fascinated by serial killer novels. Nor do they have to be exotic; it could be as simple as a woman finding her own independence in the working world after becoming single again, for whatever reason. I've run the gamut of genres as a reader, but one thing is always the same. I want something different. I want stories that I've never heard before, with enthralling places, and even more enthralling characters.

This is what I had in mind when I really started getting serious about writing and publishing. When I write, I want to tell a story about people and what makes them laugh and cry. I want to feel what they feel and see what they see. This is very difficult for me as a writer. I'm actually a very dialogue driven writer and I find it agonizing to write description.

That being said, I think it is my strength in publishing. When I read the materials submitted to Echelon, I need the description to move me. I want to feel and see and smell and all the other wonderful things that confirm life for those characters. As a writer, it all plays out in the sound bytes, but as a reader, it's a wonderful visual journey inside my head.

Over the last decade, I've begun to notice a shift in the toe of books, in most genres. I don't think as many writers are taking the care to write anything original. My choices of books are getting slimmer because so many writers are trying to rely on what is "in." What is "in" isn't always what readers really want, but more what publishers want readers to have. As a publisher, I fight against this conformist attitude with every ounce of my being. As a writer, I use that knowledge as a tool to keep my stories fresh, and not recycle other people's ideas.

Am I alone? What do you want as a reader? What is most important to you when reading a book? I'd really like to know. <\p>
About the Author:

Karen L. Syed is one of those people who just can't decide what to be good at. She's done everything from teaching two-year-olds how to count, put their own shoes BACK on, and go pee pee in the potty to selling gold chain by the inch to truck detailing for Ford Motor Company to running her own publishing house. The latter is by far her favorite.

One of her greatest loves is writing. With too many stories to tell and not enough life expectancy to write them all, she finds pure joy in publishing the words of others. Working with authors to help them find their potential and place is just about the coolest thing.

Raised as a good little Methodist girl in Florida, she has moved around a bit, only to find herself back in Florida. She recently converted to Islam and is finding a lot more joy and peace in life. And it doesn't hurt that she gets to go to Walt Disney whenever she wants.

Moonlight For Maggie

Maggie Howell is as independent as they come. She can handle anything life throws her way, including gangsters. Without a man's help!

Paul Remington knows where a woman belongs. Not in the line of fire. He's determined to convince Maggie she needs his help, even if it kills him.

And it might!

But it's all in the name of love. Moonlight, mystery, and passion shoot sparks across the Louisiana sky!

https://www.createspace.com/3969256