Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
In 2004, I was living in Japan and obsessed with Sophie Kinsella’s books. I thought her quirky, funny style would fit perfectly with the amazing country I was experiencing, and so I wrote the first draft of an 80,000 word chick-lit story in three weeks as an experiment. This eventually became my first novel, Zen Queen. It took six years to finish it properly, but it did quite well on Amazon, landing over 20,000 downloads in the first couple of months. I didn’t have a lot of time to devote to writing for a while, thanks to my two little boys and a busy web and graphic design business, but I have since wound back the business in order to spend more time doing what I love. I wrote a 50,000 word YA novel for NaNoWriMo in 2014, and finally launched my third novel in May this year (which I started three years ago!).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Saved by the Celebutante. It was inspired by my fascination with a society obsessed with people like Kim Kardashian and Octomom. I also love road trips and festivals, so I wanted to write those elements into a book. But I think most of all, I wanted to write about women in their thirties who haven’t had children yet and who might want to – and the pressure they feel to get pregnant before it’s “too late”.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Ha! When I’m in first draft mode, I use an on-line egg-timer to force me to just write. I wouldn’t say my writing process is particularly unusual, but then I don’t really know what other people do! I do like to make up sample covers for my books early on so it feels like they’re real things. I also like to search IMDB and cast actors in the roles of my characters.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As mentioned above, I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with Sophie Kinsella’s work, although I haven’t actually read the Shopaholic series. I prefer stand-alone books, rather than a series. I am disappointed that romantic comedy isn’t mainstream at the moment, and that it’s difficult to find really good books in the genre. I do like more serious women’s fiction too though, and the occasional psychological thriller.
What are you working on now?
I always struggle to settle on a new project right after releasing something. It usually takes two or three months until I finally decide what I’m going to commit to. At the moment, I’m tossing up between a sequel to Saved by the Celebutante, a straight romance and a more serious women’s fiction story. (But there are two or three others I would like to work on too!)
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote my work through all the usual social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). I run a fairly successful Bachelor recap blog, so I try and indirectly promote my stuff there too. When I’m doing a give-away, I just contact all the reasonably priced websites I can find that offer to list your book for you.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find some other writers who you can share your work with. You need as much feedback as you can get your hands on. And don’t expect to make a ton of money on your debut novel. It might happen, but it’s unlikely. Being successful as an author requires the same, if not more, effort than most professions. You need to keep at it to get good. But it can also be very rewarding if you finally break through and are able to get paid to do something you love. The positive reviews are great too!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day if you can. And don’t worry about writing badly. It’s better to have a bad draft to work with than nothing at all.
What are you reading now?
At the moment, I am reading the Haruki Murakami book Kafka on the Shore. Japanese fiction is so different to what I’m used to, but I like that it evokes so many confused emotions. I love in Murakami’s work, the descriptions are deceptively simple and mundane, but then suddenly something really bizarre happens. It’s jarring, but it keeps you guessing right until the end. I’m not sure I really understand any of his books, but I still love them and keep coming back for more.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing! I have also just joined a beta reading team to assist other writers with their work. But I hope to at least finish my next book by the end of the year and speed up the length of time between new releases!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Sophie Kinsella’s Can You Keep a Secret?, Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now, Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 and Alexandra Potter’s Be Careful What You Wish For.
Author Websites and Profiles
Kirsty McManus Website
Kirsty McManus Amazon Profile
Kirsty McManus’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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