Interview With Author Neela Arnaud
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an Expressive Arts Therapist and Facilitator (EAFT), artist, and poet and am originally from Provence, France. Until the pandemic, I led international workshops for Adult Survivors of Toxic Families and Narcissistic Abuse. In 2021, I released my first book in my ‘Adult Survivors of Toxic Families’ series, ‘Waking Up to Toxic People’. ‘Protecting Yourself From Toxic People’ and ‘Releasing Toxic People’ were released in 2022, along with a bundled 3-in-1 series compilation (box set). My autobiographical book of poems, ‘How To Leave’, will be released in July, 2022. In my free time I tend to many goats and chickens on my small farm in Maine and enjoy painting and spending time with my husband and our many animals.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Dealing With Toxic People’ (a 3-in-1 series compilation). I was inspired to share my knowledge of how to cope with the toxic behaviors of others, as well as how to end toxic relationships (including with toxic family members) and recover from the damaging after-effects.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do most all of my writing on the weekends as I see clients during the week. I might write for the entire weekend, doing little else, as I get so caught up in the material due to the passion I have for helping people recover from toxic relationships and the harm caused by abusive people, including family members.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Alice Miller, ‘Drama of the Gifted Child’. Books on Family Systems.
What are you working on now?
My autobiographical book of poetry, ‘How To Leave’, which describes my journey of recovering from Toxic Family Abuse and Narcissistic Abuse.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon ads and regular promotions through reputable online book promoters.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It doesn’t matter how many books have been written on a given subject. Your experiences and your creative vision are unique, and the world needs to hear from you!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As an author: Write about what you know and have a passion for.
What are you reading now?
A book on Mast Cell Activation Disorder (MCAD) which I discovered recently I have.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Beginning a new series or adding to my ‘Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members’ series.
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?
The collected works of Shakespeare. The collected works of Dostoyevski. Some juicy Gothic-period fiction books. The collected works of Rumi and Hafiz, as well as the Tao Te Ching.
Author Websites and Profiles
Neela Arnaud’s Social Media Links