Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m 34, a writer from London, UK. I have spent the last two years writing for online film review sites. Starting with Watch This Space, moving to the cinemarks where I worked up to being co editor and now I run my own entertainment site. Thepulseentertainment.co.uk. I have always written stories since I was a teenager, however this year is the first time I published one of my works.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Save Me is my debut book, its an LGBT love story showing the darker side of love. Its not all happy endings, its about pain, loss, dealing with these raw emotions and looking for love in all the wrong places. Before you can finally heal, to enjoy the kind of love you deserve. It is inspired by my own past of abusive relationships, and my struggle to come out opennly as a bisexual to my family. It is also inspired by a group of gay/straight and bi friends of mine and their own personal experiences in love. We wanted our stories to be told so the next generation of LGBT and straight young adults know that these darker sides of love are wrong. So no one else has to suffer the horrors we experienced growing up. It is part of what is going to be a series of books exploring all aspects of love, including all the darker nasty parts people love to ignore.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am very picky to my surroundings when I write. I have to have the right tracklist, the right pens, right notebooks (yes I write everything by hand before I type to a computer to edit). Even down to the right snacks. If I can’t find the right brand I won’t write that day.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Darren Shan is a big influence, I love his vampire series. I met him at a book signing a few years ago before I became and writer and he was really supportive.
Neil Gaiman was the first author who made me what to be a writer as a child when I read his dark twisted fiction, Neverwhere.
Edgar Allen Poe and Conan Doyle were also firm favourites of mine growing up. I like the darker side of things. The inner workings of man and mind. That things don’t always have a happy ending, or if they do it takes time and effort.
What are you working on now?
Currently working on Can’t Let You Go, which is a story of a man who discovers he has cancer and only six months to live. Trying to confront his bisexuality he has been avoiding all of his life to win the girl he has always loved before the end. Which should be published either Winter 2016 or Spring 2017.
Also working on the sequel to Save Me, called Too Many Tears. Which without giving away spoilers, will continue Nic and Jack’s stories as they both continue to try and deal with not only their pasts, but also the events of the first book. To see if they can ever be a couple or not. This should publish winter 2017.
There are plans in the workings for at least a further two books in this series coming in 2018/2019.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I tend to work through word of mouth a lot, it gives a lot of hype when you get involved with the people reading and reviewing your work.
Twitter is a very useful tool as well, I have connected to a lot of good authors there who are always willing to help out with advise.
I have experiemented with some paid for promotion, however I am not that impressed with it. I haven’t had a single sale connected to that medium for all the hundreds of thousand followers they tweet to about my work every day.
Also given the subject matter of the book, I promote a lot through LGBT friendly sites. Who are always very open and friendly.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be true to yourself. Everyone will give you a million pieces of advise to follow, and they all seem to controdict the other. At the end of the day, listen, take it in, and do what the hell you want anyway. ITS YOUR BOOK! Not theirs.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Think what you want to promote yourself as. Decide what your brand is and stick to it. Don’t sell out on your values for anything. Since publishing Save Me, I have had three different offers for paid work. All three of them very good pay, one of them crazily good pay! One was ghost writing, which after a lot of thought I decided against because I could never say hey this is MY book, or have it carry my name. Two others were writing articles on subjects I didn’t find appealing, and one site who offered me a job was on a very strict subject matter which went against my own belief system. You have to decide whether you are in it for the passion or for the money. Some people will write for anything, just to get a pay check. Others of us will write for passion and although we would love to make a living at it, the message we want to transmit will come first. I was told its the choice every young artist must make whatever their field is. So guys and gals, make the right choice for you.
What are you reading now?
Currently several books by talented new writers to review for The Pulse Entertainment. Including a sci fi thriller from Paul Chaplin.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Carrying on working with The Pulse Entertainment, building great connections with amazing talent. Honing my writing skills, so I can give the best in my upcoming books. Hopefully working towards a suitable paid writing position in the next year or so. That would be amazing.
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?
1. Neverwhere: Neil Gaiman. The book that started me on this epic path is still a constant by my bed every single night.
2. The beekeepers Apprentice: Laurie King. One of the best later Sherlock Holmes books I have ever read.
3. The Princess Bride. Amazing storyline, film I grew up with.
4. Wicked. A book I constantly reread now.
Author Websites and Profiles
Sarah Beth James Website
Sarah Beth James Amazon Profile
Sarah Beth James’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account