Annette Austin

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Annette Austin and I have been writing for many years. It’s hard to describe myself. I guess I would say I am a shy, pleasant, sometimes complicated individual who devoured books as a child, which, in turn, helped fuel my passion for writing. Initially, I wrote short stories before moving onto writing novels. Although I always wanted to publish a novel, I never really believed that I could. When I finally achieved it in 2018, I was overjoyed. So far, I have written and published two novels, The Fall of the House of James and Always A Slave. I am currently writing the third novel in the James Saga, A Slave’s Vow. Hopefully, I will write several more books in this series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is Always A Slave, which is the second book in a series called The James Saga. The book is inspired by the first novel in the series, The Fall of the House of James. It follows the same trajectory of the first book in that it deals with the difficulties of an interracial romance in the Deep South in the 19th century, the barbaric nature of slavery, the turmoil of one of the characters, Lawrence James, who doesn’t want to be a slave owner and another character, Donald Archer, who doesn’t want to be a slave. There are a number of different storylines in the novel, but I’ll spoil it if I reveal too much.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
That’s a tricky question. I guess the only one I can think of is that while I am writing a novel, I will speak in the character’s voice while I’m reading passages of the novel. I find that what one character would say, another would not. I also find it a good way to find out whether the chapter has a good flow to it or not.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
This question is so hard as I have read so many books. As a child, I would read many books by Roald Dahl, as I loved the humour and warmth in them. As a teenager, I would say Paula Danziger and Rosa Guy were quite influential. Now, as an adult, I would say that the books of Graham Masterton and James Patterson are great as I always write more after reading their books.

What are you working on now?
At the moment, I am in the process of writing the next novel in the James Saga, A Slave’s Vow. I am hoping to publish it by the summertime.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is the first time I have used a website to promote my novels. I’m hoping to join a few more websites in the near future, but I’m enjoying the Awesome Gang experience so far.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The best advice I can give to a new author is not to give up. It took five years before I published my first novel, but I wouldn’t swap that feeling of my book finally being published for anything. New authors also need to manage their expectations. Success doesn’t come instantly. It took a long time before J.K.Rowling and George A.A. Martin’S books were successful, so new writers should be inspired by this.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever heard was from one of my heroes, Muhammad Ali who is quoted as saying, ‘Don’t count the days -make the days count.’

What are you reading now?
I’ve just finished reading, ‘The President Is Missing’ by Bill Clinton and James Patterson. It’s a hugely entertaining and fascinating political thriller.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After I have finished and hopefully published my third novel, I hope to write the next novel in the James Saga, Between Love and War. I hope to start writing this before the end of the year.

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?
This is so hard to narrow it down as I have read so many great books over the years. I always like books which resonate with the reader long after they’ve finished reading the book. For that reason I pick –

The Friends by Rosa Guy
Daughter by Asha Bandele
We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

Author Websites and Profiles
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