Interview With Author Alice McVeigh
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve had two contemporary novels published by “big-five” Orion Publishing, one thriller published by Unbound Publishing and two Jane Austenesque novels published by Warleigh Hall Press (so far).
I’m a Londoner, by way of Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore and McLean, Virginia, and married with one daughter. Before my daughter was born I toured the world as a professional cellist with lots of London orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic. My only degree is is cello performance.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Harriet: A Jane Austen Variation is my very personal “take” on Austen’s EMMA. Basically, I imagined that Harriet Smith, rather than being Emma’s pawn, was instead using Emma, in order to advance her own career in local society. She only pretended to be dim in order to flatter Emma’s sense of superiority, in my version.
As for what inspired it… I was inspired by thinking how few chances there were for women in the Regency period. They basically needed to marry ‘high’. They couldn’t just decide to move, as a rule – and their career choices were either manual (seamstress etc.) or becoming a governess. Not an easy life!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jane Austen (of course) in historical fiction.
In speculative thrillers and contemporary fiction… hard to say.
Writers I love: Hilary Mantel, Philip Roth, John le Carre, P.G. Wodehouse, Alice Walker, Dorothy Sayers, Graham Greene, Tolkien, Tolstoy…
I know it’s a strange list! I grew up in Asia when there was TV but not much TV in English. This is prob. why.
What are you working on now?
The third in my prizewinning Austenesque series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
For reviews: Goodreads giveaways.
For promotions… no single site in particular. Depends on genre.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Maybe. I think it was a mistake to use a pen name for my speculative thriller. It’s so annoying dealing with different websites etc. Which leads into my second piece of advice: pick a genre and stick to it!!! People are impressed if you can write lots of different kinds of fiction but… the author “brand” matters. It’s easier to maintain a single author brand.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t think that one book is enough. One book that works is a good beginning; however, in order to be successful you need a minimum of three. And most of my most successful friends have more than fifteen. The authors who make the most – if money is your thing – are all in romance. I can’t write it (I won’t even READ it!) but – my hat is off – they often publish nine books a year!
What are you reading now?
I have two book clubs. One is reading Salt Lick, longlisted for the Women’s Prize for fiction, by Lulu Allison, Very gifted writer!! The other is reading Madame Bovary, which I don’t need to read, because I love it so much.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Still working on my third Austenesque book. BUT also editing my professor husband’s book (Concert life in London 1900-1914). That’s the priority, just now, because his publisher’s deadline looms… 🙁
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 Jane Austen.
Complete P.G. Wodehouse.
Completely Chekhov.
I could cope, with those…
Author Websites and Profiles
Alice McVeigh’s Social Media Links