Between the Covers with:
Dimitri Eann

       Dimitri Fitchett/Dimitri Eann garnered several writing awards on the road to publication, making the tough journey sweeter. Her debut time-travel, ETCHED IN STONE(ImaJinn Books / June) recently rated top-three an RWA MBC competition for year-2000 books. Dimitri is a life-long Michigan resident married to a transplanted Virginian and is raising four hybrids...er, children. She believes her love of gardening helps.

  When did the writing bug infect you?

       Many years ago while I waited for my favorite author's newest and long-overdue release. I didn't write a word with publication in mind, though, until I'd gone to the library and checked out a couple of books dealing with the marketplace. I wanted to be certain that I had even a fighting chance of getting something I'd written published. Valuable contacts like RWA would be a long time in coming for me.

  How did you discover ImaJinn Books?

       While browsing the RWA^® chapter web sites, I came across some market news--a publisher of new-age romances, ImaJinn Books, had just opened its doors. That was exciting news for me since I had a time travel I didn't want to give up on. So I sent them a query and synopsis.

  Had you tried "traditional" publishers?

       Most definitely. I queried all the publishers when I began writing ETCHED IN STONE. I never got the opportunity to send it out. It was rejected upon query for its "too exotic/too unusual/not traditional enough" setting.

  How do you plan to promote your book?

       At this point, my promotion has included personal mailings, bookmarks, capitalizing on the Internet through reviews, links, etc.

  What do you feel is the most important element in a romance?

       Sympathetic characters. People you can care about. I've put down, unfinished, very few books, and only because I found I didn't care enough about the characters.

  Why are 'New Age' romances so popular with readers?

       A lot of us long-time readers love romance, but are ready to move to a new level, the new dimension offered in New Age romances. Our younger readers have been born into the computer world of amazing graphics, video games, movies. We have a whole new generation looking for the unusual and the imagination-challenging--with that wonderful staple: romance!

   Describe your 'average' writing day:

       Inconstant. There are days where I can write for eight hours straight, and days I can't find eight seconds.

  How much research do you do?

       I love researching. Since most of what I write is historical, I've done tons of research, at the library, and more recently, occasionally, online.

  What's next for Dimitri Eann?

       Well, I was having fun with a 1660's time travel that hasn't been able to get off the ground in New York. I have a historical with one last editor, and a mainstream knocking on a couple of doors.

  Do you use a critique partner/critique group?

       No, but if I could turn back the hands of time on anything related to my writing, that issue would be it. I would have benefitted tremendously from a critique partner or group in those early years when I had no contact with writers whatsoever.

   What's the most difficult thing about being a newly published author?

       It's wonderful. The dreaded year wait actually went fast and was filled with things I'd only heard about -revision letters, galleys, line edits and always wanted to experience. The single most difficult thing has been wondering will I ever get to do it again?