M. A. Malcolm

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a native Jamaican who lives on the western side of the island. I’ve written two Christian novels – “His Last Hope” (2015) and its prequel, “His Last Resort” (2017), as well as a children’s book, “So very… Max!” (2016). I’m a former assistant college professor who works online as an administrative assistant. I also offer freelance copy editing and self-publishing consultancy services.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“His Last Resort” was published in March, 2017. It is a work of Christian fiction, and I came up with the content while reading the Bible one day. I came across a particular scripture (1 Peter 3) that spoke about the source of a woman’s “true” beauty, and I wondered how I would have responded to it if I worked in the beauty industry. The plot developed over time, with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write when I am inspired to do so. I can easily go months without writing a word, and then find myself writing pages upon pages in one sitting when the inspiration hits. I believe the Holy Spirit is my ghostwriter. I know this, because some of the things I write have no meaning, no message, no reach… but the presence of the Holy Spirit results in inspired writing that impacts readers in unexpected ways. I’m learning to wait on Him so that my writing can minister to others, in addition to entertaining them.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have spent years studying the writing of Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez. In fact, his fiction formed the basis of my master’s dissertation. I don’t think my writing is particularly influenced by his, but it assures me that even stories that are completely fictional have power and a wide reach.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on two more books in the “His Last Hope Series.” I’ve completed the first draft of one of them, but the book requires a complete rewrite, which will take some time. I’ve been working on the other for over two years, but have tossed out most of what I’ve written. My words need to be very specific in order to get my intended message across, and I’m afraid I’m just getting to that place now.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find that word-of-mouth is still the most effective promotion for my writing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. I read somewhere that “if you have something you need to write, someone out there needs to read it,” and that has pushed me to keep at it. Writing fiction still doesn’t come naturally or easily to me, but I am convinced that my words have a wider reach than I would if I didn’t publish.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As a Christian, my first instinct is to say, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

What are you reading now?
I just started “City Girl” by Lori Wick. I’m also reading Nigeria Lockley’s “Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion.”

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to publish two more books within the next year, with a fifth in the “His Last Hope Series” not too long after that.

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. That’s a hard one as I hardly ever re-read books unless I’m studying. I’m going to go with the Bible, which I am currently re-reading, as well as “Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. I’ve never read that particular Rivers novel, but recently learned that it’s the bestselling Christian Fiction book of all time. The books I’ve read of hers have been good, so I have no doubt this one would be no different. I would also take Priscilla Shirer’s “Fervent,” which I’ve heard is a life-changing book.

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