Interview With Author Alice McVeigh
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I had my first writing “break” – and it was a biggie – in my 30s, when (feeling a little fed-up with playing cello in London orchestras) I sent off my first novel to several agents. To my amazement, an agent at Peter, Fraser and Dunlop accepted me, and two months later, I had a three-novel contract with Orion, a big-five publisher… Unfortunately, due to IVF fails, I dropped the ball on the third, and got dropped! This sent me back to my cello! – for a while, anyway. After my (IVF!) daughter went to Oxford, I got interested again, and published an action/adventure speculative novel under my middle names with Unbound. Discouraged by how few of my royalties got to me, I’m now about to publish the third of my prizewinning, self-published Jane Austenesque series.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest Austenesque novel (which won a publishers’ pick starred review on Publishers Weekly AND the Global Book Award for historical) was inspired by Austen’s EMMA. It occurred to me to wonder if it was possible for Emma’s dim-but-pretty little friend, Harriet, to have been only pretending to be stupid, in order to flatter her mentor. It’s called HARRIET: A JANE AUSTEN VARIATION, but it should have been called JANE AND HARRIET, really… Read it on Amazon to find out why!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When it’s working I write all night. However, I always write all morning. Afternoon… not so much.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Well, Jane Austen! But the novels I sold to Orion were contemporary fiction, and were inspired by real London orchestras I was playing cello with. (One of these is now back in print, and on my website.) My fav. writers besides Austen include Tolkien, J.G. Ballard, P.G. Wodehouse, Carol Shields and Hilary Mantel.
What are you working on now?
I’m finishing the third of my Austenesque series: DARCY, based of course on Pride and Prejudice.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website: http://www.alicemcveigh.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes – don’t be like me and switch genres!!!! (Though Hilary Mantel did…) It’s best to build a platform in one style and nail it. Also, having a pen name is a hassle, especially with newsletters and BookBub. I wish I’d written my action/adventure as A.S. McVeigh instead of my two middle names.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up.
What are you reading now?
For my book club, I’m re-reading Ballard’s Empire of the Sun. FANTASTIC writing!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing this book.
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?
The complete Jane Austen, the complete P.G. Wodehouse, complete Shakespeare.
Author Websites and Profiles
Alice McVeigh’s Social Media Links