Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
You remember reading under the blankets with a torch when you were supposed to be asleep? I started that with comic strips and picture books, hungry for stories and images that I could fold into my imagination and fly with, when I finally turned off the flashlight.
And now, after years of non-fiction writing, and for periods even reading a book a day, I have my first novel published as an ebook and a paperback on Amazon. Today is my first big promotion and I feel like I’m sitting at the grownups’ table. I’ve set out on the journey of a lifetime and I’m overwhelmed by how many wonderful people want to share it with me.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth was inspired by the components described to me by my mentor and then research into a genre I’d only just heard of: a witch, a comical familiar, a contact in the police service, and then quintessentially English things like a village, a haunted Tudor mansion, a pub, a tea shop.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Probably writing in the middle of the night! The books write themselves, the characters wake up and take on a life of their own. Especially around 4 o’ clock in the morning.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tolkein, CS Lewis, Terry Pratchett, John Wyndham and Isaac Asimov for world building; Agatha Christie for who-dunnit puzzles; Georgette Heyer for language and humour; Dick Francis and Alistair Maclean for adventure.
What are you working on now?
The sequel to Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My first promotion was with about 30 different sites and today is my first Freebooksy. I use a variety of social networking sites. So far the jury is out. When I’ve had more experience, I’ll be able to give a more definite answer.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do it for the joy. At first reviews, and other kinds of feedback, are more important than sales. Use every available resourse you can afford: K-ylitcs to help you choose the best Amazon categories, KDP Rocket to help you with keywords for AMS advertising, the free promotion sites and Facebook groups where you can get advice from other authors.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Wait for the wave. (Don’t force the writing.)
What are you reading now?
The Author’s Guide to Working with Book Bloggers by Barb Drozdowich
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing Book 2 in the Amanda Cadabra Cozy Mystery Series and perfecting the audiobook for Book 1.
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 Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkein, The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis, 1066 and All That by WC Sellar and RJ Yeatman, and The Definitive and Surefire Guide to Surviving and Getting Off a Desert Island Within a Week (hopefully someone would have written that.)
Author Websites and Profiles
Holly Bell Website
Holly Bell Amazon Profile
Holly Bell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account