Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a multi-genre author writing children’s, YA and adult books with nine books published since 2011 and another six awaiting publication. I regularly blog twice a week, once for readers and once for writers. I am a writing community advocate and am prolific on social media. As the current Secretary of my local writers group, the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County, I host the monthly sharing meetings and create weekly writing prompts for their website. My stories can also be found in several anthologies, I collaborated to produce a memoir workbook and have written a hybrid fiction business book for a client. I also write for a monthly writer’s magazine, and regularly write for a local newsletter and newspaper.
Writing is my passion and my legacy.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last published novel was The Commodore’s Gift, which is a steampunk adventure with a strong, determined female protagonist. It began as a short story inspired by a writing retreat prompt. We were given random titles and mine was The Toymaker. I wrote about a toymaker imprisoned to make a ‘toy’ for the King. The protagonist was a man and the story was around eight thousand words. It was accepted for a steampunk anthology, but alas the project did not come to fruition, so I put the story on the back-burner. Go forward a year and I decided to expand the original story into a novel. However, another character, Owena, forced herself into the forefront and thus the novel you see today came into being.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if it is unusual per se, but I write as the story unfolds in my mind. It relays like a movie. I literally type as I think without editing and let the story flow in whatever direction it wants to. My characters are quick to steer me in interesting directions! So I’m as surprised with the finished product as my readers are when reading it as I write it. This is the fun of writing, the creation of a new imaginary world. It is limitless.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am in awe of Stephen King’s storytelling ability, his skill at capturing your attention and sympathetic response to his characters is incredible. Before I began writing, his books were always first on my reading pile. As I learnt the rules and various genres, I found other authors who have drawn me into their worlds, such as Kate Morton, Felix de Palma. M.J. Arlidge and James Long. I now read the genre I am writing not only for research but to understand the complexities of the genres.
What are you working on now?
My current project is a detective trilogy, set in three Albertan cities with female detectives in each city chasing an elusive murderer. Book one is in the revision stage, book 2 is being reviewed and edited and book 3 is planned for later this year. Once all three books are finalized, I will be launching them in sequence. Currently the timeline for the launches is unknown. As with most of my stories all the women within these narratives are strong, independent and forthright.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My promotions span many methods, because I write in multiple genres for all ages and readers. Due to this fact to enable me to capture my readership it cannot be on one social media platform. However, I do have a website where everything about my books, writing life, events, presentations, etc. is the main portal to me!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
There are as many ways to write as there are genres, so always be open to learn your craft, ask for advice and take courses, be part of your local and virtual writing community, find a writing group and above all write as much as you can. Your perspective, ideas and experience are unique use them in your craft.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read and draw on wide influences but don’t cram your work with others’ ideas.
What are you reading now?
The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell.
A fascinating glimpse into the lives and perceptions of four siblings, their parents and events that shape them. It is written well with hints at underlining emotional hurt, abandonment and tragedy.
What’s next for you as a writer?
In my writing schedule, I will finish my detective trilogy and get it published. Return to another series and write a prequel novella. Decide on which back-burner novel I will then tackle, there are three. This obviously may not go to plan, we all know that happens! A shiny new idea may strike and that will take precedence. Apart from that I have freelance projects, writing retreats and events to attend for the reminder of 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?
This is a difficult question as I have eclectic taste. I read books in the genre I am writing, but also a broad range of others for pleasure. One book I do know I would take is Ferney by James Long. It is a reincarnation based story I reread regularly. It is like returning to old friends and a subject I have been fascinated in for decades. (In fact I wrote my own reincarnation based novel, The Twesome Loop because of it). As a voracious Stephen King reader any of his books, would be a welcome companion, but probably The Mercedes trilogy (yes I know I’m cheating!). Then the classic The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield and as it is such fun and a place I would love to live too, The Bar Harbour Retirement Home for Famous Writers by Terri-Lynne DeFino.
Author Websites and Profiles
Mandy Eve-Barnett Website
Mandy Eve-Barnett Amazon Profile
Mandy Eve-Barnett Author Profile on Smashwords
Mandy Eve-Barnett’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
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