Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I hail from the small Indian Ocean island of Mauritius and came to the UK at age 20 to study medicine. I am a practicing part-time Pediatrician, currently specializing in Neonatology. In my other career, I write kick-ass action thrillers with a supernatural twist. I have published three books in the series Seventeen, with another three planned.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book I published this summer was Greene’s Calling (Seventeen Book #3). It can be read as a stand-alone novel but forms part of the overarching plot of the entire series. Each protagonist in Seventeen has special attributes that stem from their history. The character in Greene’s Calling, Conrad Greene, is the healer of the group. The inspiration for the series comes from a mix of history, mythology, philosophy, and religion.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write on a treadmill desk! You can find pics on the blog section of my website. Just type “treadmill desk” in the search box. I also compile a music playlist for every book that I write and post one song every week with a You Tube video on my blog. The playlists are also available to listen to via the Bonus section of the website.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Gosh, so many to mention here. From my childhood, Enid Blyton. From my teens, YA writers like Christopher Pike, and adult horror/fantasy writers like Stephen King, Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, and Neil Gaiman. Other inspirational writers include the inimitable Sir Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, and Tom Holt.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a few projects. The biggest one is Ashstorm (Seventeen Book #4), which should be ready for publication early next year. The next project is a humorous fantasy series that’s quite close to my heart. They were the first books I wrote from 2006-2008 and I would like to start publishing them in the years ahead. I also have a series of shorts set in the Seventeen world that I am planning to write in the next six months.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have found free and 99c promos to work best. I have tried a variety of websites when I have run my promos and all of them have been very good.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
This business has a sharp learning curve. It is constantly evolving, so make sure you keep up with changes by visiting reputable blogs which address the business of writing and publishing. There are things you’ll do that will work and things that won’t. Don’t lament the failures. Learn from them and carry on.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing. It’s very tempting for a newly published writer with one book under their belt to spend more time marketing and promoting that one book than writing the next one. You will need to learn how to market and promote but try and be efficient with the time you spend on this. The best thing you can do for your career is to continue to produce more content.
What are you reading now?
I am currently rereading Interesting Times by Terry Pratchett. I am saving up my new books for my holiday in October!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to continue to produce great content, grow my readership, and start to earn more with my writing. I would love to be able to write full-time in the future.
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?
A book on survival in the outdoors.
Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
Dark Rivers of the Heart by Dean Koontz
Temeraire by Naomi Novik
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