Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am getting my fourth book ready for a June release. My first two books are children’s books, which I enjoyed writing, but I am grateful that I took the plunge into historical fiction with ‘Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen.’
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen’ was chosen as the title for my novel about Elizabeth of York so that even those who did not recognize her name would understand her importance. She was the daughter of Edward IV of England but wound up married to Henry Tudor, a man she had no reason to think would take the place expected to be filled by her brother on England’s throne. Her story is amazing.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Besides a timeline of historical facts, I do not outline. I don’t offer this as advice, but my stories seem to have come together without them.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sharon Kay Penman has been a huge influence in my writing career. Not only did her books help create my obsession with the Plantagenet dynasty, but I have never read better historical fiction.
What are you working on now?
‘Faithful Traitor’ features Margaret Pole, the cousin of Elizabeth of York, and it carries on with the lives of the Plantagenet remnant during the Tudor reign. After this book is released, I look forward to shifting to an earlier part of the Plantagenet dynasty.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The independent writing community is amazing. So many other authors have helped with beta reading, reviewing, and promoting my books. I also enjoy having them as guests on my blog and spreading the word about their new releases. This network of authors has been the most helpful tool in promoting my books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write about topics that you have a passion for. We write our best when we are writing about something we love. In my case, I also had a network of contacts already in place for the release of my first historical fiction novel because that is what I read, review, and discuss with book groups online. Following my passion made every step of the process much easier.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t write something because you think it is what people want to buy.
What are you reading now?
I am always reading historical fiction and nonfiction, including the work of other independent authors.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Preparing for a summer book release and author events is keeping me busy right now, but I hope to start researching a new topic soon.
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?
Only three or four books?! I would have to have Sharon Kay Penman’s ‘Sunne in Splendor’, CJ Sansom’s Shardlake series (sorry, I just cannot pick one), Charlotte Bronte’s ‘Villette’, and Henry Vyner-Brooks’ ‘The Heretic’.
Author Websites and Profiles
Samantha Wilcoxson Website
Samantha Wilcoxson Amazon Profile
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