Author Q&A With Marlene Wagman-Geller 

Marlene Wagman-Geller received her Bachelor of Arts from York University and her teaching credentials from the University of Toronto and San Diego State University. After a career teaching high school English and history in National City, California, she currently works as a full-time writer. Marlene takes breaks to volunteer at a cat shelter; the urge to adopt cats is as compelling as the addiction to buy books! Reviews from her fourteen books have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Huffington Post, and other publications. Meet Marlene:

Are you a full-time author? I began my writing journey in 2008 while I was a full-time high school English/history teacher. I am now retired, and writing fills my days; it puts the Technicolor in the black-and-white of daily life. (I am so grateful).

Did you always want to be an author? I was never troubled by the question, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” From an early age, my Man of La Mancha aspiration was to see my name on the spine of a book. The journey was arduous, but dreams do not just have to be for sleeping. 

How do you hope this book uplifts others? Still I Rise: The Persistence of Phenomenal Women (2017) is my most inspirational book. I showcased twenty-five famous women who had experienced a tsunami of trouble. However, they not only survived; they prevailed. 

How did writing a book help your career take off? The book that will always have a special place in my heart is Once Again to Zelda: The Stories Behind Literature’s Most Intriguing Dedications (2008). After publishing the first, I am beyond grateful that thirteen more titles have followed. 

What advice would you give to someone wanting to succeed in publishing? The quest to obtain a traditional publisher is not for the faint-hearted. However, through the power of persistence, the goal can materialize. The first step is to write your book, and then acquire a reputable literary agent.

How do you handle setbacks and criticism? Writers must develop thick skins as reviews can be cruel. How I handle negative reviews is realizing that not everyone likes me as a person, and not everyone will like me as a writer. I focus on the positive feedback.

How do you manage your publicity and social media, and how do you maintain engagement with readers? When I published my first book, I believed that after submitting it to my publisher, my work was done. What I did not realize was that another road lay ahead. Although publishers promote books, it is still the writer’s journey to market them to readers.  There are paid promoters who will handle social media, but they are extremely expensive. What I do is attend book club meetings (virtual or in person), book signings, and go on radio, podcast, and magazine interviews. I also post blogs daily on Facebook and Instagram. 

How do you hold yourself accountable and achieve your goals? I operate on the principle that a goal-driven life is the best course. As far as possible, I write and promote each day. While writing is the fun part, if no one reads my books, my career will be over. 

How do you structure your day and make time for writing? When I taught full-time, it was a challenge to find enough hours in the day, but as publishing was important to me, I still managed to do so. Currently, my morning routine is social media: I post my blog, then write as much as possible.  

What do you find most fulfilling in your career? While writing comes with challenges, the rewards make the effort well worth the struggle. One of the greatest rewards is to cross paths with wonderful people whom I would otherwise never have met. For those thinking of embarking on the writing road, take that first step and never look back. 

You can connect with Marlene and learn about all her books via her website.