I am thrilled to announce that author Alison Stuart features next in the series.
As you may be aware I asked authors on my facebook page if they would like to appear in a series of *interviews*. I wanted to connect with other writers, find out what they write about, why they write, their thoughts about the writing process, their drives, and learn a little more about them.Please find the full interview below (also linked to my twitter, tumblr, facebook, Goodreads, and google + account).
Please do share with your circle of book friends and leave me a like/comment - thank you very much.
Tell us about your first novel? When did you start writing and why?
A skiing accident in 1992 resulted in a dislocated shoulder and a week snow bound in our ski lodge. I started writing the book that became BY THE SWORD which, despite some fabulous contest success was eventually published in 2007. It was revised, re-edited and re-released last year as the first in my Guardians of the Crown series.
Are you self-published or traditional?
I’m a hybrid… traditionally published through the digital imprint of Harlequin Australia and indie published.
As a self-published author, have you tried the traditional route?
Many rejections later! I kept being told that my books were too historical to be historical romance and too romantic to be historical. Thank heavens for epublishing! I found temporary (but not terribly happy homes with small press publishers) and I find it ironic that I was eventually picked up by Harlequin!
How do you deal with rejection?
I allow myself to sulk for 24 hours and then pick myself up and start again.
How many books have you written?
I have 6 full length historical novels. 1 novella and an anthology of short stories.
Most of my historicals are set in the English Civil War period but I do have a Great War story and a Regency Romance for variety.
What are you working on now?
Something different! A cosy mystery series set in Singapore in 1910.
Any future projects?
I think the Harriet Gordon mysteries will be my major project for a little while.
Who is your favourite character of your books and why?
I think the hero of THE KING’S MAN, Kit Lovell is probably my favourite. He is my ‘bad boy’ who has sold his honour and integrity. Although the motive may be pure, he is a lost soul.
Where can readers find your books?
My Escape Publishing books are digital only and available from all good eretailers.
My indies are available in print and digital from Amazon.
For full details visit my website - http://www.alisonstuart.com/books-and-stories.html
Which authors have enthralled you?
Authors who have pinned me to my chair? Daphne Du Maurier probably remains my ‘go back to author’.
What writer or book has had the biggest influence on your work?
Without a doubt…. The young adult historical novels of Rosemary Sutcliff. Through her I learned that blend of history with human experience.
What book are you currently reading?
I am on a Lindsey Davis bender at the moment. I love historical mysteries and Lindsey Davis’ Falco (and Albia) series are my listening pleasure on the long commute to and from work.
Where do you read mostly?
This might sound weird… in the car. I love audio books.
How many books do you read a month, would you say?
I am a terribly slow reader these days. Apart from my one audio book a month, I probably manage to physically read one book every couple of months!
Where do you do your writing?
I have a ‘Room of My Own’ (as recommended by Virginia Woolf). As soon as the first son left home I snaffled his bedroom and carved out my own space dominated by a large antique cedar desk that has journeyed with me since I was 16.
How many hours a day do you write?
Not nearly enough… Apart from the fact I still have a ‘day job’, I aim to write for 4-5 hours a day. More often than not I fall a long way short of that!
Do you agree with the statement: write about what you know?
Yes. I think if I tried to write outside what I know, my voice would lack veracity.
What challenges do you face when writing? Are you easily distracted?
Biggest distraction of all is social media and yes I am very easily distracted… ooh… a shiny thing…
As an author are you self-employed or do you have another job?
I work two days a week as the Company Secretary of a not for profit (I am a recovering lawyer by trade!).
What has surprised you most about writing?
How passionate I am about it! And also that total strangers (who aren’t my friends and relatives) seem to like my writing.
What are the best and worst things about being a writer?
Best: The creative process… the knowledge that what I am writing is my small legacy for posterity.
Worst: The length of time it takes me to write a book.
What is the most exciting experience you've had as a result of writing?
Every time I release a book… but looking back it was probably discovering that my very first book (now BY THE SWORD) had been shortlisted for the now defunct Catherine Cookson Fiction Prize (it didn’t win, but in its day that was a massive contest for published and unpublished authors and I was a very raw unpublished author).
How do you market your books?
Who was it who said 50% of my marketing works but I don’t know which 50%? I try to present myself as professionally as I can through my website, blog, social media interactions. Occasional book promotions and contests.
Most importantly, I have an email newsletter which is gaining a little traction – after all those are the readers you want – the ones who are genuinely interested in you. In fact I am running a contest at the moment… if you sign up to my newsletter before March 15 I have a swag of goodies on offer… http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0d923dde8/?
Best promotion? Your next book…
What do you like doing when you aren't writing?
Needlework.
Have you attended any writing courses?
Best thing I did was to join Romance Writers of Australia. I would not miss their annual conference for the world.
I have done various courses both in person and online. Some are better than others but I don’t think you should ever be arrogant enough to think as a writer you know it all. You should always be honing your craft.
Do you own an e-reader?
I am a Kindle convert. Not only do I have a Kindle, I also use the Kindle app on both my phone and iPad. I love ebooks and the fact I can pick up any device and it will sync to where I left off.
What's your favourite season and why?
Downunder we are just going into autumn. It is a season of stillness, soft light and dying heat.
Lastly, what advice can you give to other writers?
Write your next book. Take the time you need to make it the very best you can. Don’t rush to get it out because it will show!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice.
Thank you for your time, Alison, it was an absolute pleasure to speak to you.
Alison Stuart’s latest book EXILE’S RETURN is out now.
The breath-taking conclusion to Alison Stuart’s English Civil War trilogy introduces a heroine with nothing left to lose and a hero with everything to gain…
England, 1659: Following the death of Cromwell, a new king is poised to ascend the throne of England. One by one, those once loyal to the crown begin to return ...
Imprisoned, exiled and tortured, fugitive Daniel Lovell returns to England, determined to kill the man who murdered his father. But his plans for revenge must wait, as the King has one last mission for him.
Agnes Fletcher's lover is dead, and when his two orphaned children are torn from her care by their scheming guardian, she finds herself alone and devastated by the loss. Unwilling to give up, Agnes desperately seeks anyone willing to accompany her on a perilous journey to save the children and return them to her care. She didn't plan on meeting the infamous Daniel Lovell. She didn't plan on falling in love.
Thrown together with separate quests – and competing obligations – Daniel and Agnes make their way from London to the English countryside, danger at every turn. When they are finally given the opportunity to seize everything they ever hoped for, will they find the peace they crave, or will their fledgling love be a final casualty of war?
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Exiles-Return-Guardians-Crown-Book-ebook/dp/B01AL792A0
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Exiles-Return-Guardians-Crown-Book-ebook/dp/B01AL792A0
http://www.amazon.com.au/Exiles-Return-Guardians-Crown-Book-ebook/dp/B01AL792A0/
iBooks:
https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/exiles-return/id1068055035?mt=11
Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Alison_Stuart_Exile_s_Return?id=E6xxCwAAQBAJ
Kobo:
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/exile-s-return-9
Nook:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/exiles-return-alison-stuart/1123346987
ABOUT ALISON
Award winning Australian author, Alison Stuart learned her passion from history from her father. She has been writing stories since her teenage years but it was not until 2007 that her first full length novel was published. A past president of the Romance Writers of Australia, Alison has now published seven full length historical romances and a collection of her short stories. Many of her stories have been shortlisted for international awards and BY THE SWORD won the 2008 EPIC Award for Best Historical Romance.
Her inclination for writing about soldier heroes may come from her varied career as a lawyer in the military and fire services. These days when she is not writing she is travelling and routinely drags her long suffering husband around battlefields and castles.
Readers can connect with Alison at her website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.
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