Interview With Author Molly Garcia
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi there!
I've worked in social care since 1991, mostly in mental health and rough sleeper/complex needs services. I moved to the Canary Islands in 2020 and now remote work as a freelance consultant. I live with my partner of over 30 years and we have two grown-up children. I've self published 3 books but also have a number of short stories available across various online publishing sites.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent self published book is called "Becoming Bill"
Bill was a character from my first two books however it can also be read as a standalone story. The Novella charts Bill's pathway into homelessness and rough sleeping and how he starts to re-build his life. I've used my experiences working with rough sleepers to create this fictional character so the book is factual as well as entertaining.
I'm also hoping to publish my novel of short horror stories this year and have potentially been offered a publishing contract. "The Watchers" is a collection of dark, cautionary tales of comeuppance.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I'm not sure how unusual it is but I do annoy my other half at times. When I get an idea in my head I can't shake it until I've got it written down. This all sounds very normal but can involve suddenly getting up in the early hours of the morning and spending a couple of hours typing away! I use a laptop so I also tend to take my writing outside on the terrace, I find being outdoors can help me focus.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My number one author of all time is Stephen King. He's a master of writing and someone I know that I would never hold a candle to.
Ian Rankin, Jonathan Kellerman and his equally talented wife Faye, Mary Higgins Clarke, James Patterson, the list is probably endless! I read a lot and own over 300 books (and that's since I was tasked with downsizing from over 500)
What are you working on now?
I have more than one WIP at the moment. I get an idea and it runs away from me and demands to be written. There's one based on a lady who can communicate with spirits and ends up in the middle of a murder case helping the police find the murderer. There's also another called "The Love of His Life" which is told from the perspective of two parties. Phil meets Maggie at a speed dating night, he immediately feels she's his soul mate however Maggie doesn't quite see it that way! When Maggie's best friend is murdered everyone suspects Phil, but is everything quite as it seemed?
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter has been a great place to promote my books, there are also some brilliant blog sites and networks that will help. The most supportive place I've come across though is IAN (Independent Author's Network). They are truly fantastic
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be careful. There are a lot of sharks out there, circling and waiting and looking to profit from your desire to get published and be successful. They'll offer you the world (for a cost) and then it'll come to nothing or won't work the way you wanted. It sometimes feels as though everyone has their hand out!
Write because you love doing it. Publish because you want to see your work on sale but be realistic, without someone big behind you doing some marketing it's nigh on impossible to achieve the reach you need to get your book out to as many readers as you'd need to give up the day job.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stephen King's "About Writing" is full of all the best advice you will ever need. He's a genius but he's also got a way with words that will resonate with you as an aspiring author.
What are you reading now?
Jefferey Deaver – (Lincoln Rhyme) Although I've read it before it's a brilliant book and I'm enjoying it as much I did the first time!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a potential offer from a publisher for my horror short stories, I have some more research to do before I agree anything but I would like to put the book out there. I may self publish it again or wait to see if there are better offers made. I'd like to continue with the horror theme and have several more short stories that could be put together for a second book.
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?
Sleepers
Nightmares and Dreamscapes
Nightshift
Alex Delaware book (any) by Jonathan Kellerman
Four books would only last a couple of weeks tops so I hope I'm not stranded too long or that I can still access my Kindle library!
Author Websites and Profiles
Molly Garcia Author Profile on Smashwords
Molly Garcia’s Social Media Links
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