Hello Readers,
Today we have the Impressive, Super Creative and smart Amanda Struz, she does the covers at XoXo Publishing. She is also my amazing Editor, who has helped me create some of the wonderful pieces that you read today. So its now Amanda's turn to take a seat in the Hot Seat on our 5th day of our Wrestling Themed week. Here is............Amanda Struz!
1. As the cover artist did you find it hard to create book covers for the ground breaking Young Adult Wrestling series that really captured the Wrestling vibe?
A - No, I found it quite easy in fact, as you gave me some great input into the idea behind the cover design. I find that having input from the author helps me to create a design that is both appealing and stands out at the same time. This is not always the case, some times I do have a different feel for the cover, but it all works out in the end.
2. What was the hardest thing about creating the covers?
A - The hardest part I would have to say is finding people that accurately represent the characters in the books.
3. What did you enjoy the most about creating the covers? Amanda Struz is also the editor of the Wrestling Series that I'm currently working on, so I have some questions for her to do with editing the series that I thought you would enjoy.
A - The outcome was the part I enjoyed most. Though I enjoy the whole process; working with Digital Art started off as a past time, but the more I do it, the more I want to do it full time.
4. What did you think when you read 'A Different Life Series' first story 'A Different Life: A Christmas Tale of Two Hearts' (Avaible today at XoXoPublishing in the Sweet Christmas Anthology) for the first time and saw
the mix of Romance along with Wrestling?
A - I really love how the Wrestling was mixed with the romance aspect. It creates a scenario that is both heart-warming/wrenching and exciting at the same time. Its like mixing a Birthday celebration with Valentine's
Day. :-)
5. When you got stuck into the 2nd and 3rd 'A Different Life' books did you feel like the Wrestling and Romance was what made the books stand out?
A - I wouldn't say "stuck" but I feel that the combination of the two is what makes the whole series stand out. You can buy books that are strictly about Wrestling, or strictly about romance, but not many about the two
together.
6. As an Editor do you think that there might be more people out there, who will be bite with the Wrestling Romance bug?
A - I honestly feel there are more people out there who write these kinds of books, you just don't hear about them, or they are not published yet. I think there are people out there who would definitely be into these kinds
of books.
Now onto some fun questions that will be fun.
7. If you were to pick a character out of 'A Different Life' as your fave, who would it be?
A - I would say Edward is my favorite. Though he has goal and ambitions in mind, he has a good heart, he is a caring person deep down. A close second would be Layla herself, as I can also relate to her as well. The emotional ups and downs she goes through in her life is something that represents my
life.
8. Who in your opinion is the hottest Wrestler in the Industry right now?
A - I can honestly say that I do not watch Wrestling, though I had a roommate that did once, and back then, my favorite Wrestler in the WWF was/is "The Undertaker." The whole mystery behind him was what made me want to watch him in the ring. He is tall, and the long hair got me the moment I first seen him.
9. If there was three Wrestlers you could be locked in a room with and able to ask them anything, which room would you choose, Randy Orton,Triple H, Matt Hardy, Shane Helms or Brain Kendrick?
A - Though I am not personally aware of much of either of these Wrestlers, it would be a toss-up between Triple H and Shane Helms.
10. What do you do to relax after a long day?
A - To relax after a long day, anyone can find me playing games online (love my Frontierville on Facebook ..lol. but I also love to take photos of Horses, especially pictures of Standard-bred Horses.
11. What is your must see on TV right now?
A - My "must see" on TV right now is American Idol, but shows such as House, CSI, Criminal Minds and The First 48. I have a thing for investigative shows, can you tell?
12. What is your must attend event this year?
A - I am very much looking forward to the Small Press Book Fair this coming June at the University of Toronto. I look forward to promoting my company 9 Clouds Marketing there. I will be showcasing something new with my company there this year. My other passion is cooking, so I will be bringing samples for people to try out!
13. What is your must attend event for next year?
A - I haven't given much though to next year as I am concentrating more on this year first. Getting my new website up and running this coming week is my main focus. It is more professional, and will be hosting more
products/packages then my previous one!Anything I do however, can be found on my group on Facebook.
**Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have this great chat with you! It was a pleasure as always! :-)
It was a Huge honour to have you here Amanda and hope to have you back soon.
Check Amanda Struz out on the following links.
http://www.9cloudsebookmarketingandpromotions.com
http://coverdesigneramandastruz.blogspot.com/
Hello Readers,
A) Well its certainly something I would never given due consideration had it not been until recently but if there is a market for it and it brings book readers into a realm of entertainment that they wouldnt have considered before then im all for it. i mean wrestling should be doing whatever it can to make its fanbase larger and if this is a portal to implement that then id say nothing ventured nothing gained. I think ardent wrestling fans maybe be hard pushed to make the cross over into romance but I think its possible for book readers to make the crossover into wrestling if its done correctly.
A) Not particulary. I dont think it sits with the character that I portray as the gimmick is a grade A nasty bastard but bottom line is its a character nothing more nothing less. If there was something that didnt sit well with me id say so but everyone in wrestling is expendable so therefore u have to be adaptable to any given situation that is placed before you really.Wrestling is a physical soap opera and can be much more entertaining if done correctly. problem is how often does that happen. its like catching lightning in a bottle sometimes
Q3.) Do you think a Wrestling Romance Writer is a benefit to a Wrestling Promoter?
A) Stone Cold Steve Austin without a shadow of a doubt. Im one of his biggest fans, especially for the 96/97 era when he was the true anti hero type character. Id be lying if i said he was not an influence on the way I work because you can see bit of it when I do work. Not that id ever compare myself to him however as I aint nor ever will be in the same league but I do think its important to take bits then add your own swing on things. Theres only one Steve Austin but theres only one Ruffneck too. I dont want to be Stone Cold I want to be what best suits me. For example Im not the best wrestler in the world. I cant do crazy stuff from the top rope like an El Ligero or have the technical prowess of a Lionheart of a Doug Williams but what I do well is bring a sense of believability to the ring. When I go through the curtain and to the ring I make sure that the fans know im going to fuck someone up and they can sense that. So whe I get in the ring fans actually think fuck me hes gonna do these lads in lol. 
Wrestling is about sticking to your strengths and diminishing your weaknesses. If you just go out there and go through the motions the fans can tell. you give them something a little different at the right place on the card and you can turn heads and give the fans something a bit fresh that will give them a more varied expereience. Austin did that perfectly and I hope when people watch me and Keith Myatt working as The MOB they see that too.
A) I'd have loved to have worked alongside The Road Warriors. Those guys personified what I mentioned in the last question in the sense that they were the baddest guys in town and when they got in the ring with you then you were inn for the fight of your life and as I mentioned before the fans realised that. Again they were not the best wrestlers in the world but by god did they bring that air of believability about them and a presence that was un surpassed. Id have given anything just to have been around Animal, Hawk and Ellering just to learn from them. They were just raw unbridled powerhouses who brought a fight to the ring everytime you saw them. and with their facepaint and shoulder pads they were just something different. So glad they got inducted into the HOF this year and cemented their legacy as the greatest tag team of all time.
A) spend time with my son Jake and my wife Caroline.. Nothing can beat that . as im getting older and more banged up that after wrestling I need them to look after me. I tend to have so much pent up andrenaline that after a match imbeat for the next 48 hours and im no use to anyone haha.
A) If you aint seen Paul Rodgers in concert this year then you have to go. the man has the greatest voice in rock/blues ever. As for wrestling well if you never been to a show before then do some research and check one out. Id reccomend IPW, PBW, 1PW, FWA, CSF, GPW NBW Southside. All good promotions that will entertain you and have fun at
Q) What do you think the impact would be if Romance and Wrestling teamed up?
Q) What book has caught your attention most recently?
A) My Comeback match in Dallas in November
Hello Readers,
Q4) What do you think of what you have had a chance to read in 'A Different Life'?
A) I've already met my childhood idol in Bret Hart. So I'm set, anyone else is just icing on top of the cake!
Q14) What is your favourite match in the 'A Different Life' so far?
I want to introduce you to Sonny Black, he is the high flyer defying the odds with not just his Wrestling style, but with what he wants to achieve. This young Wrestler is determined to reach the top and become the best of the best at what he does. So without much more beating around the bush, here is Sonny Black!
