Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m Dion! A 21 year-old literature major and self-published author from Istanbul. I like reading, writing, cats, walking in nature and learning a lot. I have been writing since I was really tiny and I have finished a novel before when I was a teen, but it makes me cringe so hard now, so it is now covered in dust. I’m currently writing short stories but I just found the courage to publish something, so I have just one book out in the webiverse.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut and latest book is called “My Dawn Is Only Five Hours Away”. I started working on it when the first lockdown happened. I was feeling really lonely and words and feelings started to swell inside me. So, I poured my mind, soul, and heart into this collection. I tried to capture the turbulence of this pandemic with poems about love, death, anger, anxiety, and hope but as a literature major I had to include narrative poems as well! You can see poems about fairies and talking cats.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sometimes get up at a very weird time to write down a line that reveals itself to me. Other than that, I pace the room really fast to try different combination of words.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My narrative poems were inspired by movies like “The Corpse Bride” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” as I loved their songs’ lyrics! Other than that, I am deeply moved by the romanticism and Gothic literature, and I think this is evident in my words too.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a series, actually! I planned a novella and a novel to tell a Gothic story. I am developing and trying different concepts so far, but I hope to get into the writing soon.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads and Twitter helped me a lot! But most of my supporters came from my Tumblr account, they helped me discover my strength a lot!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you want to publish that work, do not hesitate. Do it! It is truly an amazing feeling to be able to be open about yourself and your words. But if you need time, it is okay too. You are the center.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“It is always darkest before the dawn.” This phrase motivates me a lot.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Percy Shelley’s Selected Poems!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope more bold decisions and more self-confidence! I would love to be heard by many people, and make my writing as accessible as possible, so I’m working on that too.
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?
It is such a tough question when I have read so many amazing books! Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”, Dante’s “Inferno”, and Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” are definitely on the list.
Author Websites and Profiles
Dion Anja Website
Dion Anja Amazon Profile
Dion Anja’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account