Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m a new author that has just recently published independently my debut, in December 2020.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Ingenious and the Colour of Life is YA soft sci-fi about a group of teenagers that have been engineered with a genius gene. Apart from heightened intelligence, they discover other disturbing abilities, and the book tells the story of the discovery, how it affects them, and an event that necessitates them grouping together to unleash those abilities. We all love super-hero movies, where characters have supernatural strength – but I wanted to explore a group of vulnerable, fragile teenagers with different kinds of powers of the mind, rather than physical.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. Like most writers, I need complete silence, no disturbance, and plenty of snacks and drinks!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Almost everything I read becomes ‘fodder’ for my creative imagination, so there’s not really just one book in particular. I love reading a wide variety of different styles of writing, genres, subjects, cultures, etc. And that’s reflected in my book – it itself is a blend of genres that I come together in what I hope is a harmonious whole!
What are you working on now?
Book 2 of the Ingenious Trilogy. In book 1 I had to be very meticulous taking my time building the characters, their surroundings, and the settings. But in Book 2 I’m having a bit more fun discovering the characters’ history, as well as using their abilities in different ways.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m a newbie at all of this, but so far I’ve found book promotion websites best to get actual sales. I’ve dabbled with Amazon ads, Instagram ads, and Bookbub ads, and have some success on getting readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Hone your craft and your manuscript as sharply and as tightly as possible – you need to tell a story that engages your readers so that (hopefully!) they won’t be able to stop reading right to the end. In order to crystallise your voice, you need feedback from others, so don’t be afraid to ask people for their opinions.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Engage with your reader.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Anthony Doerr’s ‘All the Light We Cannot See’
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing, keep improving, keep getting sales!
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 bible (it has some of the most beautiful and wise texts I’ve ever read) – and would it be cheating to take a Kindle with a whole library of books (solar-powered of course!)
Author Websites and Profiles
J.Y. Sam Website
J.Y. Sam Amazon Profile
J.Y. Sam’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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