Interview with Tamara Murray

Published 2014-04-18.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
My husband and I (and our dog) are currently traveling Latin America trying to reimagine our life and work. Work in Latin America is very entrepreneurial, and what better way to get started than to self-publish?
What's the story behind your latest book?
During our travels, I found myself asking: what do I have to contribute to this world? Supervisory skills were the first thing that came to mind. I chose it as my topic because I genuinely believe three things: 1) Being a manager is hard, and most people become managers not realizing how different it is from their previous role. 2) No matter what your job is, one of the biggest things that impacts whether you enjoy it is whether you have an awesome or awful manager. 3) My mentors taught me some pretty remarkable things, and it would be a crime not to share that with others.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
My own personal network has been invaluable. It makes sense though: don't you trust recommendations that come directly from friends, family, or colleagues?
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I write because I want to help other people, so there is nothing better than getting a note from someone saying, "Hey, I totally used that tip from your book and it worked!" So. Awesome.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
My husband and I are traveling full time, so we prefer small devices! I read books on my iPhone -- it's perfect for reading on-the-go wherever we are.
Describe your desk
I'm a laptop-on-the-kitchen-table kind of gal.
Who are your favorite authors?
Ironically, I'm not a big nonfiction reader; I don't have the attention span for anything more than an article. (That's why I kept Awesome Supervisory Skills short and sweet!) I'm a big fan of young adult and paranormal romance, so I follow Richelle Mead, Cassandra Clare, Charlaine Harris and others.
How do you approach cover design?
I ask myself, what do I want the reader to feel when they see this? That informs my color and image choices. There are some great infographics that explain what different colors connote. As for images, I wanted someone who my target reader could identify with -- and who had the right emotional expression.
When did you first start writing?
I come from a marketing/communications background, so I've ghostwritten for countless people since my first job out of college. It's fun to get to put my name on something for a change!
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Coffee and sunshine.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, although I don't think it influenced my writing as much as my overall outlook on life. San Franciscans are laid back, care about social justice, and love good food.
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Books by This Author

Super Manager : Sept Leçons pour Managers Débutants
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 8,840. Language: French. Published: December 1, 2015 . Categories: Nonfiction » Career Guides » Business Management, Nonfiction » Business & Economics » Management
Devenez tout de suite un meilleur manager ! Qui a le temps de lire 350 pages de théorie ? Pour le prix d'un café, apprenez comment devenir un super manager ! Ce que les lecteurs en disent : « Des exemples simples à adopter pour résoudre les problématiques les plus courantes pour les managers débutants ».
Awesome Supervisory Skills: Seven Lessons for Young, First-Time Managers
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 8,080. Language: American English. Published: April 18, 2014 . Categories: Nonfiction » Career Guides » Business Management, Nonfiction » Business & Economics » Management
Be a better manager NOW. Who has time for 350 pages of (boring) theory? Learn to be awesome for the price of a coffee and the time it takes to drink it. In this upbeat, concise, and practical guide, you'll gain supervisory skills that wow in any workplace. "Simple, straightforward pointers on how to deal with many challenges that I have already encountered as a newbie manager." - Reader review