Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi- I’m a doctor and a writer. My first book Dating Daisy is all about internet dating in middle age. I am about to publish my second novel Daisys’ Love Secrets.
I have been a Sexual Health doctor for 30 years working in the NHS. Most of my work has been with women and I’m a menopause specialist. I couldn’t resist adding lots of stories from the clinic to my book Dating Daisy!
Without spoiling my book tooo much ! … I just got married (last week in fact!) ! We live near Winchester and have 6 grown up children between us! Life is busy and happy, and I write all day, most days, about something!!
I love hearing from readers, and other authors, and I answer sexual health/menopause queries so do get in touch via my website.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dating Daisy is my first novel, although I have a second one pending – Daisys’ Love Secrets.
I also write blogs – Dr Daisy on Menopause Matters https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/daisyblog.php
and Daisy Mae at The Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/daisy-mae/
plus medical web content for medical/pharmacy sites.
I write blog posts for my own website, and guest posts with other authors – please contact me if you would like to do that!
I also run a book club and write book reviews.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write anywhere, anytime, any place. I have a notebook in my bag, and sometimes stop the car if an idea takes me and write notes in a lay by.
Last year I had the idea to write about my imaginary date with Santa Jingles while walking round Asda! I though the idea was hilarious! https://www.datingdaisy.net/single-post/2017/12/09/Will-Santa-be-my-Perfect-Date-this-Christmas
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love a good story well told. There are just so many out there!!
My favourite author is Khaled Hosseini who has written The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns and, And the Mountains Echoed. He writes in beautiful prose and I am transported. I adore his writing.
I could write so much here. I recently really enjoyed Our Endless Numbered Days by Clare Fuller, and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, for example. I love writing that makes me laugh, and Eleanor Oliphant was very funny!
What are you working on now?
I am about to publish my second novel Daisys’ Love Secrets. This is a sequel to Dating Daisy. I was so amazed by the interest and the questions everyone asked me, I thought I would put it all in a second book! Yes – the book is very funny!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is difficult. I haven’t found a magic solution, however there are a few suggestions.
I have been running author guest posting on my website which has been very successful. I have met some super authors, read books I would otherwise not have written, and written some fun guest post for them, as well as publishing interesting work on my website.
I also answer medical queries, via my blog sites and this generates interest in my book.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
You need the whole package – social media, book reviews, guest posts, book promotion and yes some advertising. Its disheartening at times – but keep going. Try and be thick skinned and remain positive and optimistic about your own book. Contact other authors – we are all in the same boat and it helps to support each other.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Try, try and try again.
I like to think of selling my book as a kind of magnetic pastime. It’s fun to browse through book review sites, see what other authors are doing, decide what I’m going to do next. Promoting my book is very important to me, and I like to make is as fun as I can.
I feel sure inside myself that I have written a good book – unique, funny and interesting – so I am confident I just need to make people aware of it. Dating Daisy has been described as a cross between Bridget Jones’ Diary and Sex and the City, so that can’t be bad can it!!
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading a book for my book club called Artemis by Andy Weir. Its a totally different type of book for me to read – about life in space – but I admire the author’s imagination hugely.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will be publishing my new novel, Daisys’ Love Secrets, and continuing my blogging and medical writing. There is so much to write and so little time ….!
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 like books I haven’t read! So … on my list are –
Swimming Lessons by Clare Fuller
Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
They all love Jack, by Bruce Robinson
Author Websites and Profiles
Daisy Mae Website
Daisy Mae Amazon Profile
Daisy Mae’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account