Exclusive interview: Jasinda Wilder on her 1st traditional pub deal

USA TODAY and New York Times bestselling author Jasinda Wilder joins HEA today to talk about the deal she has signed with Berkley Books, her first with a traditional publisher. Jasinda, a trailblazer in the self-publishing industry, says she has found the right opportunity with Berkley for a story that's been percolating for some time. The new contemporary romance trilogy, called Madame X, "is a dark, sexy and atmospheric modern-day fairy tale about a mysterious woman drawn to two very different men," according to Berkley's press release about the deal. (You can read the entire press release at Vilma's Book Blog.)

Madame X, the first book in the series, will come out Nov. 3, followed by the next two books in 2016.

INTERVIEW WITH JASINDA

Jasinda, you've been a strong advocate, and example, for self-published authors for nearly three years. What made this particular opportunity exciting enough to seize?

Jasinda: Make no mistake, I am still a strong advocate for — and hope to continue to be a strong example of — self-publishing. But I was never AGAINST traditional publishing. This was kind of a perfect storm for me, though. It feels like the right time for me, in terms of my career momentum and in terms of what I see in the market, both traditional and indie. It's also a matter of the right editor, too. Cindy Hwang was always the perfect editor for this project. She's done some amazing work, and I'm excited for the opportunity to partner with her and Berkley.

Since you have been a vocal defender of self-publishing, do you anticipate any negative feedback on the announcement? Have your thoughts changed at all on the ongoing discussion related to traditionally vs. self-published books?

Jasinda: I will always be a vocal defender of self-publishing. It has changed my life, and it has also revolutionized the publishing industry, revolutionized the world for writers, and for readers. That has not changed and it will not. But I have never been anti-traditional publishing. I think there was a lot that needed change, and the indie revolution has sparked those changes, has become a catalyst for change within the industry. For the better, I should add.

OK, off the soapbox and back to the question. Will there be negative feedback? Maybe? There will be those that will call me a sell-out. I anticipate that. But again, being pro-indie does not make me anti-trad. I have always been talking with publishers and looking for an opportunity to partner if and when I had the right project, team and contract.

For the last part, short answer … no. My thoughts regarding trad vs. indie have not changed. I have always said to do what makes the most sense for you. If that's indie, yay, go for it. But be smart, do your research on the industry and the market and best practices. If that's trad, same applies. I think at this point Jack and I know enough about both the indie side and the trad side to be able to make an intelligent, informed, rational decision, and we believe we've done so in inking this deal with Berkley.

Your readers have been clamoring to see your books lined up at their favorite store, ready to be picked up, devoured and even shared with friends. Have you thought about what that will be like for you?

Jasinda: Right now, I'm trying to focus on writing the most amazing book I possibly can. If you think about that kind of stuff too much, it can cloud your thinking and honestly create a little panic. It will be crazy, I'm sure, and I'll probably be overwhelmed and I might cry. My readers are everything to me, so I really hope they embrace this project, and I hope to get out and see them on the road with this release. It is so rewarding for me to see them, hug them and sign their books. Nothing in the world is better than that.

You're well known for being able to write stories successfully across multiple genres. Can you tell us just a little bit more about the Madame X trilogy? What should readers expect?

Jasinda: Expect the unexpected. I mean, duh! That's sort of the basic mantra for reading a Wilder novel, I hope. But with this series, it really applies. It will still fit within the sphere of style I've come to be known for but … more so. It's high concept, which means I'm playing around with some classic tropes, cherry-picking elements from the oldest schools — Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, the basic love triangle — and pulling them apart, turning them upside down and inside out, and weaving it all together. Familiar, yet totally new. And the whole will be liberally spiced with angst and steam. That's the plan, anyway.

What are you hoping this deal will achieve?

Jasinda: I'm hoping to reach new readers. There are still a LOT of people who only read in print, and I'm hoping to find some of them. I'm hoping to expand the circle of people who enjoy my books. Most of all I hope to make my readers happy. That is always my No. 1 goal.

Will you continue self-publishing? What else is coming in the next year? I know that your release calendar is always packed!

Jasinda: YES! In negotiating this deal — big shout-out to my agent, Kristin Nelson, for being the tenacious bulldog she is! — we refused to relent when it came to my publishing schedule. You can expect Big Love Abroad really soon, like within April. Omega is coming, too, to complete the Alpha trilogy. And there's a spinoff of that series I'm contemplating, but I'm going to withhold details on that as it's still very much in the idea phase. I've got some really amazing stuff in the works for a spinoff of the recently completed Falling series. I would really, really love to tell Brayden's story, and maybe the rest of that band, so that's in the works, too. Everything else is too nebulous at this point to really say much about, but short answer? Yes, I have so many ideas in various stages of completion that I could write 24/7 for a calendar year and still wouldn't get it all done.

Expect a busy, eventful, fun year of Wilder books!

Visit Vilma's Book Blog to be among the first to pre-order Madame X, the first book in this new series.

About Jasinda Wilder

Jasinda Wilder is a Michigan native with a penchant for titillating tales about sexy men and strong women. Her bestselling titles include Alpha, Stripped, Wounded and the No. 1 Amazon and international bestseller Falling Into You. You can find her on her farm in Northern Michigan with her husband, author Jack Wilder, her five children and menagerie of animals. Visit her online at www.jasindawilder.com.

Vilma Gonzalez is a blogger, reader, marketer, wife and mom. She has an insatiable appetite for happily ever afters and a deep love of the written word. You can find more about her and read full book reviews at Vilma's Book Blog.