Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have three books published at the moment: The Tethering and The Siren’s Realm in The Tethering Series and a Christmas novella Nuttycracker Sweet. Book three in The Tethering Series, The Dragon Unbound, will be released later in 2016 as well as the first book in a new YA dystopian series Girl of Glass. I also have a whole bunch of other projects in various stages of editing, submitting, and publishing. Altogether, I am at ten written projects.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Girl of Glass is the latest project to come up for publishing. The name comes from a very obvious place in that the leading lady lives in a glass biodome, with a subtle undertone of her being a girl in a world on the brink of shattering.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I make my husband read aloud every book I write before I’ll even consider submitting it to anyone. We’re both professional actors, so it’s really not too bad a chore for him. At least I hope not.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Madeline L’Engle is the most influential author to me personally. I love the way she weaved her stories and the elements of science and mythology into her books.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m polishing the final book in The Tethering Series and writing book two in the Girl of Glass series, currently titled Boy of Blood.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s going to sound horrible, but I spend a lot of time poking around and seeing what opportunities are available to Indie Authors. Even if I don’t garner any sales from working with a particular site, it usually leads me to another interesting place or at the very least links me to fascinating authors I wouldn’t have otherwise met.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. I don’t care if it’s good, just write. Write a whole story. Then when you’re finished, pat yourself on the back for a job well done, and walk away for two weeks. If that’s as much as you needed to do, just tell the story, then great! Mission accomplished! If after the two weeks you’re dying to go back to the story and desperate to find a way for people to read it, then begin the editing process. I write because I love it. I edit because I have to.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Find something in writing that you love and hang onto it with everything you’ve got in you. And if the day comes when you hate writing, stop.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading the wonderful Under Rose Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More books! Between the two book releases later this year and the books I’m submitting, I’m up to my eyes in words. And I love it!
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?
I’m going to cheat and call the Chronicles of Narnia one book, the Harry Potter series one book, and the complete works of Williams Shakespeare one book. I’ll build a bookshelf out of bamboo.
Author Websites and Profiles
Megan O’Russell Website
Megan O’Russell Amazon Profile
Megan O’Russell’s Social Media Links
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