Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi everyone,
My name is EJ Valson and I am an Indie Author from the Pacific Northwest. I wrote and self-published my first novel, The Nostalgia Effect last year and I am currently working on my next book, which is vastly different from my first book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Nostalgia Effect is my debut novel. It was honestly inspired by two things — the love I have more my life with my husband, and a bad dream. Oddly enough, once I wrote the book, the bad dream stopped. This book is ultimately a lesson on being grateful for what you have, as it could disappear at any moment and without warning. There are a lot of “what if” scenario’s in this story, giving it a fun science-fiction twist, that is subtle, yet intriguing.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I would think, but I MUST write to music and with headphones on as it helps me stay in my “zone”.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
One of my favorite books, which spawned my love of post-apocalyptic fiction is The Host. Then after that I started reading The Divergent series, and others alike. But one of the first books I ever fell in love with, was when I was a teenager and the book was called Detour for Emmy by Marilyn Reynolds. After I finished it, I wrote her a fan letter and told her about my aspiration to write a book. She wrote back and encouraged me to keep to that dream and recommended a book to read, which coincidentally, I ended up having to read for a class ten years later. After I finished the Nostalgia Effect, I sent her an email thanking her for writing that letter to me when I was a teenager and I shared the news that I finished my book. When she responded, I was once again left speechless by her kind words and gracious nature. It was an amazing day.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a book that hopefully encourages people to travel to Sweden, as I consider myself Swedish by marriage. Even though it is not the largest setting for the book, it does play an important role. The premise is about a young twenty something who jet sets off to Europe to meet up with her boyfriend. When plans and relationships change, she finds that she has to adapt as well.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still trying to determine that since I have only been published a few months. Twitter is great, but I am not certain it has done my book as much justice as word of mouth and other sites like Goodreads, and Facebook which allows me to connect with a larger base of readers directly.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
You will hear this time and again. DON’T GIVE UP. If you are writing a book to get over night recognition, it most likely will not happen. Books take time to read, therefore books take time to get recognition and acknowledgement. Be patient, hone your craft and continue doing what you love while marketing your work in parallel. But ultimately, focused on what you love doing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do what you love and the rest will follow.
What are you reading now?
Allegiant by Veronica Roth, though I just finished reading another fun book called The Mothers by Michelle Read. She and I did a book review exchange and I am so glad I did. It was a really fun and easy read, and I wanted to support another indie-author.
What’s next for you as a writer?
A best-seller? HAHAH, I don’t know. I want to finish this book and move on to something else more dark/exciting. I have ideas, but they aren’t solid yet. That is the fun of being a writer though, you just start writing and let the story unfold itself before you.
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 Nostalgia Effect, for the sheer fact that it would remind me of my life before I was stranded. A Chelsea Handler book to keep me laughing, and a blank journal so I could keep writing.
Author Websites and Profiles
EJ Valson Website
EJ Valson Amazon Profile
EJ Valson Author Profile on Smashwords
EJ Valson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account