On Fiction Writing Interview | Blind Luck

http://onfictionwriting.com/interview/Scott-Carter/21/

Scott Carter

Published: February 04, 2012

Accomplishment: Novelist, Screenwriter

Scott Carter is a Toronto born author and screenwriter. He obtained a B.A. with a specialist in English and a B.Ed. from the University of Toronto, and has worked on many literacy committees as well as the Toronto School Board?s Learning through the Arts program. His first novel, Blind Luck, was published by Napoleon and Company in 2010. Scott?s screenplays include a short film that debuted at the Exploding Cinema Film Festival in Los Angeles and The Unspoken Promise, which was written for Bravo! Television and played at the Reel World Film Festival. He has worked on numerous other films with various companies, including his own Sad But True Entertainment, founded in 2007.

He?s a busy guy with experience and knowledge in many areas of writing and publishing, but Scott never fails to make time to help and promote other writers. We were thrilled that he agreed to pause and answer a few of our questions.

How long did it take from submission to publication of your novel, Blind Luck?

Ten months. That may sound long, but when you consider working with your editor, pre-marketing, time for the sales reps to visit stores and the launch, it went by pretty fast. It?s not uncommon for authors to wait six months just for a publisher to make a decision whether or not to publisher their books, so it?s important to understand that it?s a slow roast.

Did you expect more or less from your publisher in terms of editing, marketing or support?

The editing process was a treat. My editor, Allister Thompson, is excellent. It was one of the most enjoyable creative experiences I?ve had. In terms of marketing, I didn?t expect anything. I know from writing screenplays that marketing money is scarce in Canada, so I?m proud of the fact that we were able to have a tour of Eastern Canada and receive so many invites from Chapters and libraries across the country.

What kind of promotion has the publisher done for your book and what have you had to do on your own?

Napoleon was great. They sent out review copies, which resulted in exposure in Quill and Quire and many other helpful reviews and they set up promotional events. But it is essential in the entertainment industry to be part of the promotion of your product or you are going to have a pretty low ceiling in terms of exposure. My agent, Matthew Stone, has a marketing background and is a promotional machine. He organized a splashy launch at the Turf Lounge on Bay Street, which proved a great kick off for the book and he arranged for most of the aspects of the tour, which definitely enhanced the book?s success. He also set up a number of magazine articles and other promotional items that wouldn?t have happened without him, so having passionate, innovative people both supporting your product and making it a priority is key.

Do you plan to write in more than one genre? Why or why not?

Whether it?s scripts, short fiction or a novel, I write whatever idea I become excited by. I don?t worry about genre ? although the people on the business end of my writing certainly do. I?m open to any genre that serves a story I?m obsessed with.

What do you see happening in the publishing industry in the next five years?

I think it?ll evolve, but the change won?t be as drastic as some people assume. Going on tour showed me that there are no shortage of people who love books, and while technology will continue to contribute to a change in how stories are delivered, I believe there will always be people who want to hold a book while they read.

Can you give us one word that sums up what writing means to you?

Enlightenment.

Scott Carter is a novelist and screenwriter from Toronto. His latest screenplay will be part of the ensemble, Live Work shooting in the spring of 2012. His first book, Blind Luck, was well-received, and his second novel, Barrett Fuller?s Secret will be published by Dundurn Press this year.

Source: http://www.blindluck.ca/2012/03/on-fiction-writing-interview/

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