Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write under a pseudonym, well at least I did for my latest book, mainly because it involves big companies and real people. I live in Australia in the Blue Mountains, a particularly rugged and beautiful place, but before that I have lived and worked in many different places and jobs. At present I work 500 kms north of Broome in far northern Western Australia, out in the ocean, far from home.
I have written and I.lustrated two children’s’ picture books, published by Fremantle Arts Centre Press, and now the latest book, a memoir of sorts.
My real name is Kim Grace, Amos O’Henry is a mish mash of my Grandfather’s name, a true and brave man.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Eat Beat Sleep Repeat: a FIFO Life
Inspired by the strange world of fly in fly out that I work in, and the people I work with. I call them my FIFO Family. We live, work, laugh and suffer together, it makes for the sort of friendships you usually only see and experience in the military or emergency services, both of which I have worked.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yep, I like trance music while writing in a quiet, sometimes freezing cold room by myself and a cuppa. I also hand write it all, not always in the order it ends up. The other thing I do is promise myself a reward at the end of a writing session e.g. a walk with the dogs, a session on the PS4 or a dirty great big chocolate bar.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Roald Dahl was a true eccentric and genius, Tolkien, and Herge the creator of TinTin. I also love Tim Winton and Bill Bryson. Whether they influence me is neither her nor there.
What are you working on now?
Hmm, struggling with a story based on events that happened when I was 16 and growing up in Tasmania. It was a very strange time. Not sure if I am writing a novel or a screenplay, maybe both.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
For this latest book I have used Facebook, word of mouth, and my FIFO brother/sisterhood network. Also LinkedIn has sold a few books and made a few enemies.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Finish what you start, and as someone else said on here, get it down first, then worry about refining it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always wear clean undies.
What are you reading now?
Researching UFOs, and a hilarious book about Australia called Girt
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a lot of ideas, most roughed out, but it is important to finish what you start, procrastination is born of playing around the edges, so I am committed to this next story which I feel is a good one.
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 Hobbit by Tolkien
A Short History of Almost Everything by Bill Bryson
The Ascent of Rum Doodle by W.E. Bowman
A book about getting off a desert island by anyone
Amos O’Henry’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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