Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in London and have been a writer for over ten years. As well as novels I write short stories for women’s magazines having had over fifty published. My first novel The Water Gypsy was inspired by reading about the history of the canals in Victorian England and the people who lived and work on them. The canals today are very different from Victorian times and are used mainly for pleasure. the boats are also very different. The Water Gypsy was chosen as a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Award 2014.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Watercress Girls and was inspired by the street sellers in Victorian times when watercress was an important part of the diet of the workers. Watercress it provided the vitamins essential for their well being in the nineteenth century. I also write about the mudlarks who scavenged in the Thames for bits of copper or brass, wood or coal to make a living. I hope I have shed some light on the hardships of their lives and given them a happy ending.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write by hand with a pen on paper. This would be classed as unusual these days.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love reading Anne Perry, Dilly Court or Lesley Pearce. I also love Dickens stories and his amazing characters. I love all the classics but I also read James Pattison and Ian Rankin.
What are you working on now?
Currently I’m busy promoting my books but also working on short stories for magazines.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My second novel is in Kindle Select and although my first novel and short story collection are also in Kobo, iTunes, Nook and Kobo I still think Amazon are the market leaders when it comes to selling e-books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be true to yourself and follow your passion. Write what you want to write and don’t be put off by negative reviews. You can’t please everybody. Above all I’d say never give up. Success may be just around the corner.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe in yourself, never give up and get a good editor.
What are you reading now?
Just gone back to reading Dickens. I might try Anthony Trollope next.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep on writing the short stories and think about a third Victorian novel.
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 Collected Works of Charles Dickens, War and Peace and The collected works of William Shakespeare.
Author Websites and Profiles
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