Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have had a long career writing genre fiction (romance; westerns; inspirationals) using the pen name Anna Schmidt. I have also written several books on eldercare and worked with two doctors to produce Parkinson’s Disease for Dummies–all as Jo Horne. Recently I decided to pursue my passion for researching and writing more complex historical novels.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
MONICA’S WAR is the story of Monica Beresford Wichfeld–a woman, born in Great Britain who married a Danish aristocrat and led a fascinating life that covered two world wars plus the near loss of her husband’s 300-year-old estate in Denmark and her activities in the Resistance during WWII. I stumbled across Monica’s story by accident, but the more I researched her life, the more connected I felt to her–and the more I thought she deserved to be known.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not sure how unusual they are but I have zero discipline when it comes to maintaining a schedule, so I always work on deadline. When I wrote for traditional publishers that deadline was part of the contract. These days as a self-pubbed author, I have to set deadlines for myself. Another quirk is that I like activity going on around me when I write so I often work in coffeehouses or have music playing if alone.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Kate Quinn and Jodi Picoult both have an incredible gift for presenting research in a way that is organic to the story and does not feel like a lecture or seminar. I have always loved history, so am influenced by people and events from the past that seem to address some situation or circumstance we are facing today.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a memoir about my journey to and through widowhood. My husband died nine years ago, and in some ways we were blessed, because we had five months of knowing the end was coming–so time to talk and remember. I am also working on an underground railroad story set here in Wisconsin.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Really really bad at this piece of things so I try different tactics. (One would never guess I spent nearly two decades in marketing and communication in corporate America!) Impressed with the ease of AWESOME GANG program. Also had some success with Written Word Media.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Forget fame or quitting that day job or building your social media count.
The only reason to write is because you can’t NOT write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Ever? That covers a lot of territory, and since most anyone I meet or have contact with is free with offering advice, can’t really say.
What are you reading now?
At the moment:
just finished Kate Quinn’s THE ROSE CODE and THE GLASS HOTEL by Emily St. John Mandel; am now reading ON EARTH WE’RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS by Ocean Vuong.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Putting the memoir together is incredibly emotional so that’s going to take up a lot of my time. Fortunately I have a wonderful critique group (all talented writers in their own right) helping me work through it. Hoping it will be available Spring, 2022.
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?
A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by Amor Towles
SOPHIE’S CHOICE by William Styron
A DEATH IN THE FAMILY by James Agee
Author Websites and Profiles
Jo Horne Website
Jo Horne Amazon Profile
Jo Horne’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account
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