Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Change Manager by day working my magic to get project delivered and internal processes changed – and an author by night. I have published book 1 on Amazon and am now half way through book 2 – in the YA Fantasy / Suspense / Thriller genre. I also have some non-fiction works on the go as well as 10,000 words of a book in a completely new series.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Unwrapped – A Fated Realms Novel. I was wanting to hint at the idea of pandora’s box being opened and the twists of fate unwrapping an unexpected gift had on Ellie-Grace the main character and others that she is close to. I also liked the idea of using the three fates to symbolise the fact that things don’t always go to our plan – sometime with better results, sometimes worse.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write at any time of day – but generally I am much better writing late into the night. It’s as if that helps switch off my internal critic and my writing becomes freer. Sometimes, I will also write first thing in the morning as my dreams may tell me what to write next or at least lend me some of their creativity.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
CS Lewis – Chronicles of Narnia, J K Rowling – Harry Potter, Sophie McKenzie – Medusa Plot & Girl Missing, Anthony Horowitz – Alex Ryder, Garth Nix – Old Kingdom Series, Veronica Roth – Divergent, Suzanne Collins – The Hunger Games. I read hundreds of children and young adult fantasy each year – they all influence me.
What are you working on now?
I left Book 1 in the series on a bit of a cliffhanger – so rapidly working on Book 2 so that fans know what happens next. Problem is it is at least so we all know what happens at the end of Book 2 – at least a signpost or unfinished thread to continue in Book 3. I’m finding Book 2 much quicker and easier to write now I have developed my main characters and done initial world-building. Now I get to add further layers which all work to make it more real in my mind and hopefully that of the author.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still learning how best to market my books. I’m hoping you Awesome Gang members can help me. I have a Facebook and Instagram account and you can find me @MJSherlockAuthor.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make sure you proofread well and get someone else to help. You are probably going to need a developmental editor or at least a well informed critic to help you fill plot holes. You also need to pay a line editor at some point. While ideally everything would be perfect before you launch – that’s never going to happen – so just have the guts and launch anyway. Don’t over worry about your cover – not because it doesn’t matter – but because as you learn more you will probably want to change it anyway.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Joining the Alliance of Independent Authors and particularly their Facebook page has given me access to a lot of advice. Also check out The Creative Penn on YouTube – and pick up J F Penn’s free publishing blueprint.
What are you reading now?
I’ve just finished reading book 2 in the Scourwind Legacy by Evan Currie. I was gutted to get to the end and realise he hasn’t published book 3. I will check out his other works.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to experiment with different genres. The Fated Realm series – is a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, thriller and suspense with a dash of romance – I think my next series may be more traditionally magical. I wrote Unwrapped mainly in the first person but my next series is likely to be written in third person as I find it much easier.
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?
A How to Survival Guide, the Bible and Lirael.
Author Websites and Profiles
Michelle (M J) Sherlock Amazon Profile
Michelle (M J) Sherlock’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile