Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing seriously for most of my life. I wrote my first novel, a paranormal romance, twenty two years ago but, before that, I’d experimented with short stories, poetry, and the start of too many novels to count! Since that first book, I’ve written comedy sketches for Smith and Jones, a film script which Working Title congratulated me on and a young adult romantic comedy series – only one of which I’ve yet published.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Bad Grace. It’s the third in the Filth Monger series, about a WAG, which is the British acronym for Wives And Girlfriends. It’s used in relation to the partners of Premiership, and the England, football teams. It started out as the idea for a short story, about a girl getting ready to go and meet a guy called the Filth Monger. I abandoned it after a couple of pages, but the story kept growing in my head. I suppose I was inspired by the private lives behind the public personas of footballers and their WAGs. When I started writing it, I discovered there was a lot more going on, including blackmail and murder!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write best in long bursts, and in relative silence (apart from the noise of my kids running amok around me). I excel at NaNoWriMo because I work best to a deadline. Otherwise, I can spend hours at a time surfing the intern…I mean, researching. When I’m writing, I’m extremely focused, almost to the exclusion of all else, and I sometimes find myself narrating my life as I go along. Clearly, I’ve spent too many years writing!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Diana Wynne Jones, to a huge degree. I have multiple copies of her first editions. I adored her and twenty five years ago I carried a huge carpet bag of her books up to the Charing Cross Road for a book signing. Her jaw dropped when she saw the amount I’d so thoughtfully brought along with me! She was a darling and, about a week before she died, I came home to find a parcel from the British Fantasy Society with a book inside, signed by her. It was completely unexpected and I felt almost as if it was a kind of goodbye.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on Book 4 of The Filth Monger. It’s going to be called A Measure of Grace, and will have more points of view than the first three. There’s a new story arc in the last two books – one which I’m sure readers will be thrilled with, because it deals with two of the other, very popular, characters. I’m also in the process of editing Book 3, which is due out on 26th October.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find Facebook ads very effective for promoting my books and also Facebook in general. It’s great to be able to connect with fans and answer their questions. I’ve built up my street team through Facebook and my newsletter, and am always keen to get new members!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. If your first book doesn’t sell, write another. The people that are successful in this new age of e-publishing are the ones who don’t give up. Never stop honing your craft and read, read, read. Nothing will improve your writing like reading.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe in yourself. It’s hard sometimes – we all have days where we feel our writing is awful – but if you don’t believe in yourself, you won’t be able to sell yourself, and your books, to others. Be professional because this is, after all, a business.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading the Save the Cat books by Blake Snyder. Like I said, never stop honing your craft! His sudden passing was a huge loss to the writing community.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Next up is the fifth and final book in the Filth Monger series. After that, who knows? I have so many ideas I’m looking forward to working on but, at the moment, I’m focusing on finishing this series.
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?
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. I couldn’t bear to be parted from it – plus it’s looooong – great value for a desert island!
The collected works of PG Wodehouse (I may have just invented this one, but don’t ask me to choose a single title…just don’t!).
The Spellcoats and Deep Secret, both by Diana Jones (or I just could just bring along the carpetbag full, if allowed!).
Author Websites and Profiles
Annabel Chant Website
Annabel Chant Amazon Profile
Annabel Chant’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account