Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a former high school theatre teacher, turned YA author. My debut series The Romany Outcasts, is currently being published by HarperCollins/HarperVoyagerUK. The first book in the series (Grey) released in April and December of 2015. The second book (Shadow) is due out in June. I’m currently working on two other YA projects on the side. A little about myself: I adore science fiction and fantasy. I enjoy attending conventions and designing costumes. I am a theatre director and writer. I watch far too much British television, drink way too much coffee, and I am slightly obsessive over Doctor Who.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Grey is the title of my latest book, and it was inspired partly by my love of fantasy and fairy tales and partly by my students. I’ve always wanted to try my hand at a version of the Beauty and the Beast tale, and I adore stories with an underdog kind of hero. I began writing little bits and pieces of this story several years ago, and my high school students soon discovered what I was doing and became my biggest encouragers.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a bad habit of deleting anything I’m unhappy with while writing, and then I kick myself every time for not putting it in a folder somewhere. I also surround myself with lots of geeky things while writing. I don’t like writing in an empty, clean space. It makes me feel…well, empty!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
C.S. Lewis was the first fantasy author I ever read, and he introduced me into that world. I feel I’ve been influenced heavily by many of the great YA authors out there, including Cassandra Clare and Richelle Mead, but I think my biggest influences come from fantasy I read in high school: The Lord of the Rings, The Dragonlance Chronicles, The Shannara Series, etc.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently splitting my time between edits for the second book in the Romany Outcasts Series and a new YA science fiction story.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Being a debut author, I’m trying a bit of everything. Even though I’m traditionally published by HarperCollins, I receive almost no marketing or promotion for my books, so it largely falls on me to find avenues to get the word out about my books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My two biggest pieces of advice are:
1. Don’t give up.
2. Don’t be afraid to write crap.
It took me six years and literally hundreds of rejections by agents and publishers before my series found a home. Every day that I write, I feel like it’s the worst thing I’ve ever come up with. I’ve had to train myself not to be afraid of writing absolute junk. The more writing you do, the better you get.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write something every day.
What are you reading now?
I just finished a book by another one of HarperVoyager’s debut authors called Ignite the Shadows by Ingrid Seymour. It’s a YA sci-fi, and it was really good. I am also re-reading the Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks because of the new television series. I still have my copy from when I was 16 years old. It’s a bit worn, but it works!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Apart from trying to market and promote Grey and my series, I’m also scheduling some workshops in various high schools to help teach the writing craft to students. And I’m pushing through this new project of mine as well.
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?
I would definitely take the Bible, because I read it every day. I would take The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis because it was the first fantasy book I ever read. I would take The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. And probably City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare.
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