Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in London and I am a composer, songwriter and keyboardist, as well as an author of books for kids. I trained at the Trinity College of Music in London, and after moving to L.A. I worked as a session Singer with such artists as John Lennon, Cher, Diana Ross, The Jackson Five, Leonard Cohen, George Harrison, Adam Ant and Thomas Dolby. It was a great ride. I wrote 2 top-ten singles for my own band on Jupiter Records and I was asked to join Mike Oldfield of Tubular Bells fame as a keyboard player for a European tour. While on the road, 2 of my songs won 1st and 2nd place in a BBC Radio Song Contest. I have written three full length musicals which are in various stages, and three children’s books, with two more in the works.
I now live in Florida with my family and have started an independent publishing company with my daughter.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Muffy and the Dog Catcher, it’s a cute book for children about a family of dogs told from their view point. It was inspired by my own dogs…
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, copious amounts of tea drinking because I am British. That and listening to instrumental music usually Jazz, it helps me to think.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love to read (Of course…. LOL) so it would be hard to mention specific favorites…. But if I had to whittle it down…. I grew up with Jane Eyre, The Crystal Cave, Wuthering Heights and Jean Plaidy. Now I like Grisham, Clancy, and Robert Ludlum
What are you working on now?
The second book in the Muffy series called Muffy’s Vacation to Florida (three guesses what inspired the book)…
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still learning as I go but I would have to say… Awesome Gang of course as well as following the advice of Kindlepreneur on how to get good reviews for your books…. My daughter is keeping on the straight and narrow when it comes to promoting and marketing, she’s a whiz and kind of my inspiration for starting to write children’s books. She’s twenty-two now but I home-schooled her for ten years when I was writing for Theater in California.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I wouldn’t presume, everyone has their own creative process, just be true to yours.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I gotta go with hire a professional formatter and proof-reader. You are too close to your own work and you need the distance, it really helped me a lot…. Unless you mean life advice, in which case I am going to go with the Monty Python song “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life”
What are you reading now?
Just finished an excellent Grisham.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on a play which needs to be finished, and I have two more outlines for Muffy books. My sci-fi book for YA readers (or potentially MG) is finished now and just needs formatting it’s called the Dreamstealers.
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 am thinking a book of jokes because it would be really depressing to be stranded, also a survival guide might be a good idea, and after that War and Peace would be a good idea to wile away the idle nights, or maybe a Clancy would do the trick.
Author Websites and Profiles
Devra Robitaille Website
Devra Robitaille Amazon Profile