Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since the age of 4. I have drawers stuffed full of manuscripts, many of which will never see the light of day. I have published 3 novels so far – the Chronicles of Fane, The Last Gatekeeper and The Last Dreamseer; and Rising Tides, a post-apocalyptic romance.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Rising Tides. It was inspired – of all things – by an article about food found in Scott’s abandoned hut in the Arctic which was fit to eat nearly 100 years after it was taken there (it was tinned or dehydrated, but even so!). My imagination started a “what if” to create a scenario whereby this type of food would be all that was available to people – and the drowned world of Rising Tides took shape.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Does guzzling gallons of tea (in various stages of hot to stone cold) whilst writing count? I’m a British stereotype, I’m afraid, but I really couldn’t function without tea (green, please; quite weak; no milk or sugar because that would be an abomination).
What authors, or books have influenced you?
It’s hard to say. I read voraciously and I kind of hope no one actively influences me because I want to write my own books, not ape someone else’s stories or style, but I’m a big fan of Leigh Bardugo and Steven Gould – I’d love to write as well as they do: brilliantly imaginative worlds, and fabulous characters.
What are you working on now?
I’m in the middle of edits for the first in a new trilogy. I’m struggling with titles (I often do), so it has the working title Human Zoo Trilogy at present. It’s about a group of brain-damaged teens who are recovering in a school-style hospital unit … except there is something very sinister going on in the background!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love connecting with writers and readers on twitter (I’m @katyhaye) – that’s my favourite place to chat, otherwise I keep trying new places to let people know about my books – I think it’s important to be flexible and open to new ideas because the reading landscape is changing so quickly at present.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Always keep writing (and reading), but find out as much as you can about publishing and marketing before you publish your books.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up.
What are you reading now?
I’m about to re-read The Catcher in the Rye, which I’ll be reviewing on the paisleypiranha.wordpress.com review site. I loved it when I was a teenager – I hope I still do!
What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing. Ideas are crowding my head as they usually do. Once my Human Zoo books are done, I’ve got an idea for a steampunk trilogy set in an alternate-history Britain. I can’t wait to get started on those!
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?
Jumper, by Steven Gould; Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo; and the Lunar Chronicles by Melissa Meyer (or just Scarlet, if I’m only allowed one).
Author Websites and Profiles
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