Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! I’m Elizabeth, currently an author and student simultaneously. When I’m not juggling homework and marketing, I’m practicing piano, viola, or staring at the ceiling thinking about ideas that may never go anywhere. I’ve written one book so far, but I’m sure that later down the road there will definitely be more.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Midnight Before Me – my pride and joy. I wrote it during a time in my life when I was confused about my future, and it achieves one of my biggest goals in art: to give a good story alongside a good message in one beautiful package. As I was writing it, I wanted to help myself deal with the emotions I was experiencing during that time, and now that I am publishing/have published it, I want to help others going through that as well.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I get stuck on a scene or a phrase or even a word, I spin in my roll-y chair at my desk for a couple of minutes until I think of something genius… or become too dizzy to stand. Surprisingly, staring at something or watching the walls whir by help me focus on just my thoughts instead of the world around me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hmm… I have a rather terrible memory regarding names of authors especially, but I think Osamu Dazai’s book, No Longer Human, helped me understand a lot of the emotions I was feeling. Other books that I consumed “in mass” made me feel inspired to write fantasy stories, similar to how looking at paintings can inspire an artist to draw. Oh! And The Cay by Theodore Taylor really pushed me to look at a book based on its characters instead of its plot–something I took to heart in my own novel.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on promoting my book, but I think over the summer, I’ll finally pen down an idea that’s been at the back of my mind for… about a year now.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think I’m still trying to discover that. Amazon Ads have proved very effective in getting my book in peoples’ faces, and I’m currently running a Goodreads giveaway for a month. Any tips on promotion is always welcome!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Plan in advance. Contact promoters before your book comes out. I got a bit caught up in the rush of the major release, that I neglected some online marketing. But, even so, don’t panic–don’t make decisions on a whim when things don’t go well… otherwise, you might end up just squandering money. (Unfortunately, I’m guilty of that…)
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Simplify, simplify, simplify.
What are you reading now?
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
What’s next for you as a writer?
Marketing, marketing, marketing… and then some more writing of an idea floating around my head… potentially about fairies.
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?
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai
The Midnight Before Me by me (duh)
A desert survival guide
Author Websites and Profiles
Elizabeth Lo Website
Elizabeth Lo Amazon Profile
Elizabeth Lo’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile