Interview With Author AXY Grace
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello readers 👋
My first YA novella series “Adventures of the Restless Youth” (3 books) were inspired by my work with teenagers, from some with special needs to others who had commited minor offences or under child protection.
Many troubled youths are often misguided, and I hope that no matter what situation they find themselves to be in, they will have the discernment to make the correct decision.
Even if it wasn’t right, they would eventually make the most out of dire circumstances.
One day, we may see the world be more appreciative of neurodivergents and less discrimination.
Recently, I decided to pen down a travel experience that was an attempt to heal from grief, to encourage anyone who needs it.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is about “The Mostly Untold Solo Latin American Adventures of Axy Grace”.
After chancing upon “Fearless” by Catrina Davies at the public library, I realized that many others experiencing grief use travel to heal.
The people she encountered along the way touched and inspired her to go on with her life, and find beauty in the ordinary.
Likewise, I embarked on a solo trip one year before the COVID pandemic across the globe as I witnessed loved ones falling very sick all of a sudden and succumbing to their illnesses. Prior to that, I always had my head buried in work, neglected time with family and friends, lacked energy to pursue hobbies, scrimped and saved for rainy days etc.
A few people questioned if it was wise to quit a stable job I enjoyed for such a frivolous pursuit. I’m actually glad I did it, because the whole world stood almost still the following few years.
Hope this book will motivate readers to cherish what’s truly important to them in the midst of fighting for a living.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I go with the flow.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When young, I often receive books by Enid Blyton as gifts; such as The Naughtiest Girl and Famous Five. Roald Dahl books are very enjoyable as well.
A close friend was an avid collector of Goosebumps and Fear Street series although I’m not big of a horror genre fan, but hey, I’d read those books free for loan.
In high school, I got really into Usbourne Puzzle Adventures and Terrance Dicks’ The Unexplained Series. Then, John Grisham books started my serious reading phase.
Books by Tracy Chevalier, Veronica Henry and Paulo Coelho are now my reading staples.
As I grew older, I started to be interested in reading more memoirs than fiction. Memoirs can be of famous celebrities, or just common folks like myself.
There’s always something we can learn from others’ experiences and advice.
What are you working on now?
My full time day job 😆
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, many promotions that do well require payment, which I didn’t.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t take negative reviews too personally; the critic who left a harsh review on my Amazon page was an author too. Leaves one to wonder what the intent of that review was.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Choose something that makes your heart feel at peace with.”
What are you reading now?
Over the years, I found that the universe will always make a book at the public library available when it’s the right time for me to read it, even the most popular ones.
Hence I don’t reserve books and won’t try too hard to find one that I really wanted to read at a particular point in time.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Putting in more effort into book promotions.
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?
Lord of the Rings. Imagine all the headspace sufficient to peer over every character in the trilogy!
Author Websites and Profiles
AXY Grace’s Social Media Links
Author Interview Series
To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!
If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.
If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.