Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am from Italy, though I grew up between France and Switzerland. I graduated from law school, which has little to do with writing fantasy books. So far, I’ve completed Fatherland, and it’s the only book I was brave enough to publish. More are on the way.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Fatherland was inspired by a lot of things. I feel like I poured myself into that book — the things I like, those I hate, my own traumas and experiences, the plots I wished I had read in other books. That doesn’t mean the book has self-insert characters, although it seems to be a recurring theme nowadays. Parts of the setting and a few elements of conflict were inspired by video games; I take whatever comes my way and let it be reborn.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think it’s unusual for authors to write at night or smoke while staring at a blank page, so I guess the answer is no.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
This might sound odd but I don’t read much. George R. R. Martin might be the only author whose work I read in the past that isn’t dead. I like classics, French classics. Victor Hugo, Choderlos de Laclos, and other names hard to pronounce. A well-known book that inspired me often and that isn’t French is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
What are you working on now?
I am drafting the second book of my series. Rosencircle. It is directly linked to Fatherland but tells us more about the underground societies we’ve encountered so far and their goals.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find it hard to promote books, especially when you’re just starting out and don’t have an audience. Ultimately, before trying to reach out to people you don’t know, you might want to make sure those you know (friends, family, colleagues, etc.) engage with you.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Finish your book. The number of people who preoccupy themselves with promotion and networking before they even finish their book is sometimes disheartening. Sure, you want the odds to be in your favor for when your book is out but the writing should remain the primary focus.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To read my novel out loud. It’s something I initially did because I tend to skip lines otherwise but then I found several authors who suggested you do it also to spot problems with tenses and it did help me improve a bit.
What are you reading now?
Nothing at the moment, though a friend suggested I give The Last Kingdom a try. I might do so.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Who knows? I just want to finish my drafts. Short-term goals are the best goals.
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 would take mangas authored by Rumiko Takahashi.
Author Websites and Profiles
Ginevra Mancinelli Website
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