Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in London and moved to Australia in my early twenties. It was only when I retired that I wrote her my first novel, Missing in Egypt, Book #1 the Anna Davies Mystery series. Missing at Sea is Book#2 in the series and Missing in London is Book #3.
All can be enjoyed as stand-alone books.
Winston – A Horse’s Tale was written for horse lovers from teenagers upwards. “It was the book I had to write.”
Dangerous Associations is a crime mystery.
When I’m not writing or reading, I enjoys playing tennis, swimming and taking walks along the local beaches, lakes and river.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Missing in London is my latest book. I love travelling and I enjoy writing about places I have visited. I combined this with horse racing (I love horses) and a missing author.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think every author writes differently, whether in silence, to music, in the morning, in the evening. I do my best writing when it’s raining as it doesn’t happen often where I live and I’m stuck indoors.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dick Francis of course, for his horse racing books. I am generally in awe of my favourite authors – how do they write so well?
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a book to be called The Ponciana Tree. It is not part of the Anna Davies Mystery series but it is a crime novel.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website is http://www.ritaleechapman.com and I interview a different author each week here. It helps me to connect with other authors and attracts new readers to my site.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Edit, edit, edit! It is so frustrating to find errors when you think you have eliminated all of them. If you are not sure about writing a book, just do it. With self-publishing there is no need for your manuscript to lay unread on your computer.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing!
What are you reading now?
Even the Dead Are Coming by Mike Robbins. It is part of my research for The Ponciana Tree and I am finding it incredibly helpful.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will be at the Cooroy Fusion Festival next month on the Sunshine Coast in Australia as part of the pop-up library and I am looking forward to finishing my latest 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?
Something by Kate Morton or Rebecca Bryn. I don’t often re-read a book.
Author Websites and Profiles
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