Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written 34 books to date but must add that they are mainly short books and some are children’s books with illustrations. Some of my books were written by my sister who is too modest to publish under her own name, and some co-written with her. I have lived in France since 2004 and enjoy the life here, the climate, the people and the food and wine!
I love books (of course), music of all kinds, gardening and animals and am totally in love with cats. Maybe that’s why so many of my children’s books feature cats. I also write poetry (well, really just verses) when the mood strikes me, and sometimes find this easier than prose. To my astonishment I was lucky enough one year to win the Swift Society Prize for a satirical poem in the style of Jonathan Swift, and have put this on Amazon as a Kindle book, even though I don’t think many people buy poetry nowadays.
I love the English language and in mid-life obtained an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of London and the study was simply a work of love.
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What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled ‘Kindness Code’ and is a short book inspired by, I think, feelings of gratitude for the kindness shown to me by friends and strangers at a dark period in my life..
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am not at all organised – I write in a total clutter. Nothing is planned and I belong to the clan of ‘seat of the pants writers’. I write on scraps of paper which I lose and spend precious time hunting for them. I have plenty of notebooks but start at either end and the middle which is not helpful. I make many resolutions to get organised but you know what happens to resolutions.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t know if they have influenced me but I love Somerville & Ross, Jane Austen, Alan Coren, Dickens, Fielding, Dostoevsky, Zola, Robert Burns, E F Benson …the list is too long.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a children’s book which is inspired by a wonderful cat who lived with me a long time ago – an intrepid hunter.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am not very good at this – I put my books on Kindle’s free days and send to the usual places in the hope of downloads, publicise to Facebook Groups and the Author Marketing Club and I am trying to learn more about advertising on Facebook. I also put up video trailers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I don’t feel I am a good role model and doubt my advice would be helpful. However, I think that being organised would remove some of the many frustrations which currently affect me – so perhaps cultivating the right habits would be helpful. I would also say that for me I find it best to finish the whole work before starting any revisions.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This is real life – it is not a rehearsal.
What are you reading now?
The Master and Margarita
What’s next for you as a writer?
More children’s book, more series
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 Best of Alan Coren, Complete Works of Robert Burns, The Irish RM, All about Lucia – E F Benson
Author Websites and Profiles
Evangeline Auld Website
Evangeline Auld Amazon Profile