In Conversation With Nicole Pierman

(This interview was originally posted on September 3, 2021)

Before I post this week’s book promos, here is a short conversation with an author/poet who* I met through BookFunnel.

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with author and baker extraordinaire Nicole Pierman. Thanks for stopping by.

Thank you so much for having me, Leon! Especially after that Bookfunnel promo disaster. I’m still not sure what happened, but I felt horrible when my name disappeared from your promo list. But I guess it’s a good thing in an odd sort of way because now we’re talking!

[faces the audience]

I see there are some puzzled looks out there. I am running a BookFunnel promo called New Poets but as Nicole said, her book mysteriously disappeared. So this is the next best thing.

I read that you are a coffee aficionado. I hope that my French press coffee will be satisfactory. Do you have a favorite bean/roast?

I think your French press coffee is more than satisfactory! I like dark roast coffee, but I stopped making my own coffee because I simply don’t have time since the beginning of 2020 (I wonder what happened in 2020). But my French press is somewhere in my kitchen, patiently waiting for me to bring it out and into the light.

I think you should. So, you have a couple of books out there—do you have a personal favorite?

Yes, I have three poetry books out and my fourth and final poetry book will be released on September 21st, 2021. I can’t honestly choose a favorite because they’re all personal to me (as all poems are if you’re spilling your guts out). Though, the poetry book that is deeply personal is my fourth poetry book, Teal Nostalgia. So, if you’re looking for poetry that’s extremely personal and often disturbing, I’d suggest that one.

But honestly, I wanted to release my poetry before my novels because I want to learn about Amazon ads, online marketing, and setting up promotions. Poetry is extremely niche, so my rationale was, if I can sell my poetry books, I can sell novels. So far, I’m doing fairly well!

That’s good to hear. Even as a niche market, there is still a lot of competition. Your book, Paradise Found, reads like a mental inventory of thoughts that you need to get out before they consume you. Does that capture the intent?

That’s a great way of putting it! I was struggling with a lot of personal issues when I was in college and was then introduced to one-line/brevity poetry randomly online, so I thought I’d give it a go because I needed an outlet. Hundreds of poems and six years later, Paradise Found was finally published.

What makes you want to write?

A burning sensation in the back of my head telling me I have to write, edit, and read constantly.

I’m self-published as well. Do you have any advice for indie authors?

I highly suggest following David Gaughran for any self-published writer, whether you write nonfiction or fiction. He’s helped me immensely with his free marketing course on his website. I wouldn’t be where I am today without David and his course.

That’s good to know. I’ve heard of him, so I’ll definitely check him out. Is there a book that you have read more than once?

Other than children’s books I read as a child, no. There’s too many books to read and so little time to read them that I’ll read a book once and then move on.

You mention music on your website, so why don’t you share some of your favs?

I enjoy any type of music that involves actual music and little to no autotune. My favorite music genres are Metal, Rock, Celtic, Country, and all the subgenres of Alternative. Well, minus anything regarding Goth and Emo. I passed that music phase in my life after 10th grade.

That’s a diverse selection. Care to list a band for each? I’m alway on the lookout for something new.

I love Flogging Molly, Nick 13, Tiger Army, Mike Ness, Social Distortion, Slipknot, Stone Sour, ACDC, The Rumjacks, Big bad Voodoo Daddy, Misfits, Dead Kennedys, Queen, Stevie Nicks, Old Crow Medicine Show, Midland, and Seamus Kennedy.

And those bands are just the start! I love music and could go on, but we’d be here for days.

A good mix! Is there a song or genre you are embarrassed to like?

I don’t believe in song or genre embarrassment, honestly. Life is too short to not enjoy something you love because other people are (possibly) judging you.

That’s very true! Let’s talk about baking. What is your signature dish…no, that doesn’t sound right…signature loaf? Whatever, you know what I mean…

I definitely know what you mean! I try to stay away from eating a lot of bread because of all the carbs. I enjoy baking brownies and cupcakes of all kinds. I’m open to all baked goodies!

Mmmm…brownies.

Here comes a series of quick-draw questions. Ready?

Yes, I’m ready!

Drive, bike, or walk?
I’m terrified of driving, though I need to get my license, so I’ll have to say walk for now. But once I get over my fear of driving, that’d be my preferred method.
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
I prefer dinner, sometimes lunch. I’m almost always too full from dinner the previous day to eat breakfast. But I must add that breakfast foods are delicious.
I concur! Can you open your eyes underwater?
Yes, I can! I haven’t done it in a while, so it’ll probably burn.
What number am I thinking of?
Number 3 because that’s my favorite number and yours too (from now on).
You’ll have to break the news to number 8…Rain or shine?
I prefer the lovely sunshine over rain.
Cat nap or full-on snooze?
I can’t take naps, so I prefer a full-on snooze.

^{*It’s whom, right? Because the author is an indirect object of the verb “met”, and I am the one doing the meeting, correct? Let me know. Please.}

More Interviews: Leon Stevens Interviews Himself and Others

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/