Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Penny Oates and I am 65 years old. Encouraged by my mother, I started writing in my teens and had a lot of short stories and half a dozen romantic novels published. Then life got in the way and I was going out to work during the day but kept doing quite a bit of proofreading and editing for others in my spare time, as well as ghostwriting four financial self-help books.
It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2020 that I really started writing again as I lost 5 stone in weight and reversed my diabetes back down to normal sugar levels. This was a great achievement for me so I was inspired to write a book about it.
That out of my system, I had the writing bug again and because dogs are a big part of my life, I wrote Lifestyle Training For Dogs.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Lifestyle Training For Dogs was inspired by the increasing number of posts on Facebook from new dog owners struggling with what should be relatively simple training issues.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t really have any habits as such though I do a lot of my writing by recording audio whilst out walking my dogs. When I get back from the walk I let the play so the laptop transcribes it to text.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My mother has had the most influence as we would often discuss writing late into the night. I think the Harry Potter series had a big influence on me as well because I had never considered writing children’s books before but was in awe of the way she managed to link all the characters together throughout the series of books.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a 5 book series aimed at slightly older children. They will all be dog-related adventure stories with a touch of fantasy. I get so involved with the stories I think I am a teenager again, which is great!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have so far relied on followers of Signatures Shows I broadcast twice a week on Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, just keep going. Remember you are not an author until you sell books so set aside a percentage of your time for marketing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Successful people spent their time doing what unsuccessful people are not prepared to do.
What are you reading now?
Bills mainly. Though I have recently read Total Recall by Pippa Mattinson.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I think the series I have recently started will take care of this year, after that I may do a series of funny stories, sort of James Herriot style but from a trainers viewpoint as opposed to a vet’s, with horse and dog owners
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?
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller, A Dog’s Purpose by W.Bruce Cameron, Mount by Jilly Cooper (because I never got round to reading it).
Author Websites and Profiles
Penny Oates Website
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