Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m from Adelaide, Australia, and only ‘escaped’ for three years to work as a magazine journalist and stylist in Sydney. Previously, I was a gossip columnist and fashion editor at Adelaide’s daily newspaper, The Advertiser. I’ve since freelanced for titles including Woman’s Day and Shop Til You Drop. These days, I play mum to twin boys Alessio and Sebastian with hubby James in between writing romantic comedy novels. I’ve written six books and two novellas! My site is www.carlacaruso.com.au 🙂
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Pretty Shore – it’s the second in my Astonvale rom-com mystery series surrounding neat-freak professional organiser Celeste Pretty and sexy builder Lenny Muscat. It’s set in the beach town of Robe, which I’ve dubbed “the Hamptons of South Australia”, inspired by my time in the area as a cadet reporter! It also follows the romantic pursuits of Celeste’s assistant, Flip Belmont, and an elusive polo player/model, Blaise Zenith, hanging about the town…
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, I do have to write whenever my 1yo twin boys are asleep, so it’s 2.5 hours during the day if I’m lucky, then after dinner until my eyes grow sleepy and I need some trash TV time…
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sophie Kinsella and Maggie Alderson are biggies. Love Liane Moriarty, too. Oh, and Melina Marchetta, Enid Blyton and anything Sweet Valley-esque as a youngster!
What are you working on now?
Just about to work on a short novella for an anthology award-winning writer Annie Seaton is putting together. So I’m in research mode! It will involve the Italian lake district, a possible jewel thief, a glittering jewellery expo, and a professional Instagrammer!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Lovely reviews from random strangers who’ve come across my books via Netgalley or elsewhere!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write your best book. And take a bit longer if you need to. Not too long, but no need to rush-rush ALL the time. I think it’s easy to get bamboozled by all the social media ‘noise’ around you and the amount of other books people are pumping out, but it really all does come back to the book and slowly building up your author ‘brand’. Quality over quantity. Some people’s books may do well in a short burst but it’s about longevity. And persistence!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This one from top historical author Anne Gracie who writes for the Romance Writers of Australia newsletter, which I edit. Hit the spot when I needed it! “Most bestsellers will tell you they got there after writing a stack of books, before they wrote the one that propelled them onto a bestseller list. And often they can’t tell you why that book and not any of the others they wrote hit ‘the spot’. A couple of friends of mine say they think their books just reached a ‘tipping point’—that they had steadily been producing good book after good book, and their numbers had been steadily growing, until wham! They put the next book out and it hit a bestseller list. So it’s a build, and often a slow one.”
What are you reading now?
Feeding Fussy Kids by Antonia Kidman and Julie Maree Wood. Did I mention I have 1yo twin boys??
What’s next for you as a writer?
Tackling a meatier, longer novel inspired by my marketing gardening heritage and Italian ancestry!
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 Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella, Mad About The Boy by Maggie Alderson, and Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty.
Author Websites and Profiles
Carla Caruso Website
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