Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the girl in the jitterbug dress, writing vintage romantic short stories and novels with a cocktail in one hand and a pen in the other.
I’ve taught swing dancing with my hubby for fifteen years and am an avid collector of vintage patterns, vintage clothing and antiques.
I’ve published, contributed to and been Editor-in-chief for two indie magazines – “From the Ashes” (Arts & Literature in the Greater Phoenix area 1990-1994) and “Swivel: Vintage Living” (swing dancing and vintage lifestyle culture 1994-2000).
I’ve also been a poet (two-time, National Poetry Slam city finalist, Scottsdale Center for the Arts Poetry Art Walk Featured Poet, New Times Feature Poet, Visual Voices Featured Writer) and short story writer (two-time finalist for Scare the Dickens Out of Us contest). And finally blogger and novelist. I began blogging her dance adventures years ago on Myspace, but started my first novel when my husband shipped out for Iraq and I was fairly poor (no cable TV) and alone with our two small children with no extended family around.
I’ve written four three novels and one compilation, Ghostoria: Vintage Romantic Tales of Fright, available on kindle and in paperback. I’m about to launch the first in the Jitterbug Dress series, The Girl in the Jitterbug Dress, and doing final edits on The Girl in the Jitterbug Dress Hops the Atlantic. My paranormal time-travel murder mystery romance, The Flapper Affair is currently going through her steadfast writer’s critique group.
I now lives in a 1908 fixer-upper in Lockhart, Texas, that is not only the BBQ capital of Texas, but has one of the oldest continually working libraries in the state and its supposed to be haunted!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My current paperback and kindle is Ghostoria: Vintage Romantic Tales of Fright and was inspired by a ghost story contest. When I moved to the little Texas town, I saw an ad for the Scare the Dickens out of Us contest. I entered the first year and didn’t make finals, entered, the second year and made finals, and the third year I was short-listed in the top ten!
From there, I kept writing ghost stories inspired by all the cool old building and weird stories in my new town.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in the carpool lane at school, soccer games, and while chaperoning choir competitions.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Neil Gaiman, Ray Bradbury, Jane Austen, Tracy Chevalier, Margaret Atwood, Annie Proulx
What are you working on now?
I’m anxiously awaiting the cover art for The Girl in the Jitterbug Dress, but actively editing and works-hopping The Flapper Affair.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My own website is pretty active with all my freebies, games, blogs, and short stories, but I find a lot of interest on pinterest of all places. I chalk it up to my inspirations
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be a praise junkie. Believe in yourself. Edit, edit, edit, and edit some more. Have a growth mentality. Get yourself in a GOOD critique group and listen with an open heart and head.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read your genre. And just because I’m not making a living as a writer don’t be afraid to say you’re a writer. If you’ve written a novel, you’re a writer. Say it with me, I AM A WRITER!
What are you reading now?
The Alienist by Caleb Carr. Its the historical fiction selection for the book club I started 4 years ago. And in between I read Fragile Things (short stories and oddities) by Neil Gaiman. And, I try to read whatever my kids are reading for school. Just finished, The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel with my son.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m hoping to do NaNoWriMo this fall, I’ve done it twice and “won” both times. I also just submitted Ghostoria to Audible and am anxious to see how that pans out.
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?
Complete works of William Shakespeare, Complete works of Sir Author Conan Doyle and the Old Testament.
Author Websites and Profiles
Tam Francis Website
Tam Francis Amazon Profile
Tam Francis’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account