Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, I am a New Zealand-based novelist, local newspaper reporter, blogger and avid Facebook user. I am based in the pretty little town of Oxford, in New Zealand’s South Island. Writing is something I have always used as a way of expressing myself. My first foray into the romantic and humorous world of my style of women’s fiction is recorded in my thirteen-year-old self’s compulsory school journal. In it, much to the delight of my English teacher, I described in minutiae the heartbreak of being dumped after my first school disco. I have moved on since then and am now married with two boys.
After my first son was born, I attended a creative writing course at Canterbury University, and the first piece I ever penned was published by a New Zealand parenting magazine. I went on to write humorous; opinion styled pieces of my take on parenting but when the necessity for being politically correct got too much, I set myself the challenge of writing a novel. My first two books, The Brazilian Job and Second Hand Jane could be given the label of chick lit. They were followed by the slightly more contemporary, Being Shirley. The Traveller’s Daughter is my fourth novel and has a historical twist; all my books are written with warmth and humour.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Traveller’s Daughter is my latest novel, it was inspired by a photograph I bought from a second hand shot called, Lover’s At Avignon
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to blurt it out then edit, this is a process I repeat throughout the entire writing of a book.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Definitely the Irish ladies, Marian Keyes, Cathy Kelly, Maeve Binchy etc
What are you working on now?
I am working on a book called The Matchmaker. It is the first novel I have set in New Zealand since The Brazilian Job, my first novel.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Bookbub is definitely the most successful promotion I have ever run. I enjoy the interaction on Facebook too.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Believe in yourself, listen to advice and criticism but don’t take it personally.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Ten years to overnight success! A NZ playwright, Roger Hall said that about his own so called overnight success and it resonated.
What are you reading now?
The Woman Who Stole My Life, Marian Keyes – loving it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The Traveller’s Daughter is with my agent and I would love a traditional publishing deal. If that doesn’t happen I shall continue to write and publish to Amazon.
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?
Shantaram, Anything by Douglas Kennedy, Whatever Marian Keye’s latest book is and I let you go by Clare Francis
Author Websites and Profiles
Michelle Vernal Website
Michelle Vernal Amazon Profile
Michelle Vernal’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile