Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Jane Harvey is a pen name, and this is my debut novel. However, my birth name is Dreena Collins, and I have published four short story collections as Dreena (plus omnibus editions). I was born and raised on the island of Jersey, in the British Channel Isles, which is a tiny but beautiful plus with dozens of varied beaches and a pleasant climate. I stayed in Jersey until I left to go to Wales for University and for a while after that, but I came back to Jersey after I retrained as a secondary school teacher.
I live with my partner and teenage son. My husband and I married in 2021 after ten years together. We also have a white Lhasa Apso who is quite a character!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novel is a short, contemporary fiction novel called the Landlord of Hummingbird House. It’s about April, whose latest relationship has failed, meaning she is forced to rent a flat and start again, aged 32. She feels ashamed and a little lost.
There are a number of diverse and quirky tenants in the building who have become friends and are very loyal to one another, and form a community of sorts. April makes many assumptions about them, that are slowly unravelled, as a mystery comes to light and then is solved.
This novel grew out of a short story I wrote about two people who lived close by but kept missing each other – but it evolved significantly from there. I wanted to write something accessible and ‘feel good’ but also realistic and relatable, so while there are a number of familiar themes in the book that you might see in many chick lit or commercial novels, a lot of stereotypes are also undermined.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t really have any habits per se. In fact, that could be what is unusual about me! I don’t have a set routine and I am constantly thinking of story or marketing ideas, so any chance I get, I am writing or promoting or networking. Sometimes that even means writing stories on my mobile phone..
What authors, or books have influenced you?
This book is influenced by Graeme Simsion (the Rosie Project books) and Gail Honeyman (Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine) in that I wanted to write an accessible book with relatable characters with their own challenges and uniqueness. I also wanted to write something a little comparable with Marian Keyes, who I love, as I wanted a strong female character and easy – but good-quality – read.
What are you working on now?
The Landlord of Hummingbird House isn’t launched until 31stg August so I am still in the midst of pre-order push and final stages of prepping and marketing. The most fiction writing I have done in the last few weeks has been to write a very short story – and I felt better for it!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think authors need to go to where the readers are – which means we can’t expect anyone to be lining up to read our books simply because we have put it out on amazon. Reader sites – such as this one – are an important tool to link readers and writers together. I also spend a lot of time promoting and interacting on social media.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do it now. Don’t wait. There will never be a perfect time.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness,” or as Caitlin Moran puts it: “If you have been complaining about something for three minutes, two minutes ago you should have done something about it.”
What are you reading now?
I have just finished Sandi Toksvig’s wonderful, thought-provoking memoir.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I wrote another novel last year – which is a mystery told from the point of view of a middle-aged woman – and I need to go back to it, re-read, edit etc., and see if I can find it a home. I hope so.
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?
Wow! Tough question.
Pride and Prejudice
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Handmaid’s Tale
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Author Websites and Profiles
Jane Harvey Website
Jane Harvey Amazon Profile
Jane Harvey’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
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