Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I’m a psych nurse in Canada, and on the side I do graphic design and I’ve always written stories. My first published book was released in April 2021, and it’s called Your Brain is an A**hole.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Your Brain is an A**hole was inspired by the pandemic and seeing patients we had never seen before. Folks are struggling, and our cases are more acute than ever. Many people need someone to say ‘you’re not alone in this,’ and our patients and staff are really getting through this pandemic together.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m always thinking about it. I have snippets of ideas in my phone, scraps of paper, notebooks, my iPad, heck I even jot stuff down on my hand, as a nurse does!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jenny Lawson comes to mind. She’s always been a champion for mental health awareness, and she has a weirdo sense of humour, like me!
What are you working on now?
A sci-fi horror novel called The Cloud.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new at this! Friends and family have been supportive and got the book really high on Amazon lists, but that only lasts a short time and I don’t want to be annoying on social media.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Your voice is important! Keep going and if your stomach is flip flopping when you release your work into the world, then you’re doing it right!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be gentle with yourself. (I say it all the time to patients)
What are you reading now?
A stack of about 10 different books!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing The Cloud, and I have some other books in the brainstorming stage. Maybe one for kids!
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?
Impossible question!
Author Websites and Profiles
Karen Bodkin Website
Karen Bodkin Amazon Profile
Karen Bodkin’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account