Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My most recent genre has been romantic suspense with THE REMAINS IN THE POND released in November 2017 (two girls meet at the old pond, only one returns). It follows my romantic suspense trilogy (some say thriller bordering on horror) STUTTER CREEK (an accidental meeting with a serial killer); LILAC LANE (a second go-round with a madman bent on revenge); and COPPER LAKE (the killer cartographer who loves to revisit his “girls”).
I’ve also written one stand-alone women’s novel, ALL FOR LOVE, (the man of her dreams may be the worst thing that ever happened to her) which requires the reader to indulge in vodka and multiple boxes of tissue while they read. In addition, I wrote a true horror novel in the apocalyptic genre, TAKERS: APOCALYPSE IN EDEN, which is my Muse speaking as a teenaged boy named Jack who shares the spotlight with a deaf pit bull named Snake.
My other series was written with my middle schoolers in mind (yes, I taught reading to 5th/6th graders for a number of years) because they always returned from the library on Friday with spooky books and twisty tales. Thus, STEVIE-GIRL AND THE PHANTOM PILOT was born. It was quickly followed by STEVIE-GIRL AND THE PHANTOM STUDENT (my all time fave!), and STEVIE-GIRL AND THE PHANTOM OF CRYBABY BRIDGE. Book Four will be out this year and I am hard at work on the second book in the APOCALYPSE IN EDEN SERIES. This one is called SEEKERS.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
THE REMAINS IN THE POND was released in November 2017. It was inspired by a photo of a white skull barely visible in a weedy pond. I think Viola Estrella did a wonderful job capturing that on the cover of the book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I must have Diet Vanilla Coke to drink and my Bucky the Beaver pillow on which to rest my laptop. I usually have some form of music going, although once the Muse pops in, all background noise retreats.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I cut my teeth on Alfred Hitchcock books as a kid (13 Tales They Wouldn’t Let Me Do on TV), and I also loved stories of peril involving dogs such as SILVER CHIEF, DOG OF THE NORTH. I later moved on to Edgar Allan Poe, followed by Stephen King, Mary Stewart (Merlin Series), and Ray Bradbury.
What are you working on now?
I am working on SEEKERS, the second book in my APOCALYPSE IN EDEN series. This genre is labeled as horror (what happens when two worlds collide), but all my favorite genres are woven into the narrative. We have a teenaged boy who meets a wonderful girl, a deaf pit-bull protagonist named Snake, and a maybe magical alien-type named Turq. What more does one speculative fiction book need? Oh, and Book Four in the Phantoms series is done and awaiting editing.
Of course I also have another romantic suspense in the works. It’s just sort of hanging out down there in the tool bar.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m terrible at promoting! I think my FB author page (and my personal page) get noticed when I have giveaways. My blog was doing well, but I’ve experienced difficulties with my email list so that one is needing some work…
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t try to do it all at once. Focus on the first draft and forget about the rest!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write.
What are you reading now?
Barrie Hill Reunion by Lisette Brodey.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman
and I’m rereading THE REMAINS IN THE POND because I know I saw a typo and I am determined to find that sucker!
What’s next for you as a writer?
More of the same! I am working on SEEKERS, the second book in my APOCALYPSE IN EDEN series. This genre is labeled as horror (what happens when two worlds collide), but all my favorite genres are woven into the narrative. We have a teenaged boy who meets a wonderful girl, a deaf pit-bull protagonist named Snake, and a maybe magical alien-type named Turq. What more does one speculative fiction book need? Oh, and Book Four in the Phantoms series is done and awaiting editing.
Of course I also have another romantic suspense in the works. It’s just sort of hanging out down there in the tool bar.
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 Bible (because I’ve never read the entire thing)
The Complete Works of Stephen King (if such a thing existed)
The Complete Works of Ray Bradbury
The Complete Works of Ann Swann (because I have so many short stories I’ve forgotten most of them!)
Author Websites and Profiles
Ann Swann Website
Ann Swann Amazon Profile
Ann Swann Author Profile on Smashwords
Ann Swann’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account