Interview With Author Sabina Ostrowska
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started my writing career with humorous non-fiction, detailing the misadventures my husband and I faced when moving to rural Spain. This series, titled New Life in Andalusia, currently has three books. Each of them has been a bestseller in the humor and travel writing category. Last year, I began working on a cozy mystery series featuring Harry Sinclair, an intrepid travel blogger and foodie. I have written the first three books in this series, with the first book set to release on July 1, 2024. Book 2 will be available around Christmas 2024, and book 3 is planned for release before next summer.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Shadows of Serenity, is the first in the Harry Sinclair Cozy Travel Mystery series. It was inspired by my love of travel and crime stories. For me, the perfect place is sitting on the beach, gazing at the horizon, and savoring a good mystery with a glass of wine. I wanted to capture this feeling in my cozies.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love writing outdoors. Living in southern Spain, where it’s sunny most of the year, my favorite place to write is my patio, where I can enjoy the views of the olive groves. Writing outdoors allows me to take long walks with my dogs whenever I need to mull over a plot twist and figure out how to weave clues into the story.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
For my non-fiction books, David Sedaris has been a significant influence. I admire how he makes himself the butt of the joke and maintains a certain distance from himself, turning his life into a compelling story. For my cozy mysteries, Agatha Christie is my main inspiration. I love the sense of nostalgia in her detective stories and the fact that a careful reader can solve the crimes by following the clues. Additionally, I enjoy that many of her mysteries are set in exotic locations; my own cozy mysteries span places like Thailand, South Korea, Zanzibar, and Egypt.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently editing Book 2 of my Harry Sinclair Cozy Travel Mysteries, titled Moonlit Secrets. Some events in this book take place during a full moon party in Koh Phangan, Thailand. I’m also working on Book 4 of my Andalusian adventures, titled Under the Cherry Blossom. I usually write one book while editing another simultaneously.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since I started publishing, I’ve tried various methods to promote my books. Running Amazon ads has been the best way to reach a new audience. I also maintain a healthy presence on social media, particularly Instagram and Facebook, on my own pages and in reader groups. Over the years, I’ve developed relationships with influential book bloggers whose support has been crucial. However, the most important aspect is maintaining a good relationship with my audience, as word of mouth is the best marketing tool.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would encourage new authors to prepare a marketing plan and focus on promoting their writing to readers interested in their genre. I would also advise them not to focus on short-term achievements but rather set long-term goals. From my experience, writing and publishing another book has always been the biggest boost to my sales and readership.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I received when I started publishing was not to read reviews, especially on sites where the reviews are not by verified readers. I would pass this advice to any new writer. Good reviews only massage your ego but don’t improve your writing. Bad reviews can be driven by various motivations, some unrelated to writing. Personally, I don’t read reviews; they are for other readers, not writers.
What are you reading now?
I’ve just started reading Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series. As a writer, I always read successful books in my genre to learn from them.
What’s next for you as a writer?
At the moment, I’m working hard on my new Harry Sinclair Cozy Travel Mystery series, and I hope it will be a success in the coming years. I’m developing the plot for Book 4, Hanbok Murders, and considering a new arc for Books 4 to 6.
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?
If I had to take only 3-4 books to read and re-read many nights in a row, I would probably avoid murder mysteries, as their appeal diminishes once you solve the case. Instead, I would choose literary fiction because of its rich descriptions and re-readability. I would take with me:
The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Author Websites and Profiles
Sabina Ostrowska Amazon Profile
Sabina Ostrowska’s Social Media Links
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