Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I’m Sarah England and I live in the UK. Originally I trained as a nurse, before working in medical sales & marketing, specialising in psychiatry. Since then I’ve worked as a fiction writer for over 12 years, with hundreds of short stories and a few serials published, mostly in magazines.
I also have a couple of books with the small press (3am and Wide Awake, and Expected). I lurched between comedy and horror for a while, but now I’m firmly in my chosen genre – I just love occult horror! My supernatural horror novel, Father of Lies, is my first in this genre and it was launched just over a month ago.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Father of Lies.
I had a background in psychiatry and an unhealthy interest in the occult, before I met a lady with what used to be called Multiple Personality Disorder. Her story shocked me to the core and Father of Lies began to take shape. I then did a huge amount of research – books on demonology and exorcisms – so scary I had them burnt afterwards because I couldn’t keep them in the house!
In addition to this – Father of Lies is set in the bleak Derbyshire moors in the north of England, where I’m from – I even lived in a haunted mill with water rushing past…so a lot of ‘me’ is in this horror novel…perhaps I shouldn’t admit to that?
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in short sharp bursts – like, if I may say so, a demon! And then I mull it over and come back to correct things.
What I can’t do is plot.. it’s just a rough outline because often the characters develop and ideas pop up as I go along.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King.
Susan Hill.
James Herbert.
Ian Mckewan
H.P. Lovecraft
What are you working on now?
I have only just launched Father of Lies, and because I decided to go alone with this.. I’m still trying to bring it to the readers.
However, a sequel is cried out for… most people are saying this.. so the next one is just beginning to take shape.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still learning. I have a website and am on most social sites. Authors Den is one I am trying at the moment, and also I’m looking at sites like this to connect with readers. In addition to this, a group of 5 of us (in different genres) have just set up a kind of co operative with the plan of bringing our books directly to readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read a lot…. but read the best – from classics to bestsellers to award winners. Practice with short stories and articles and expect rejections by the score – that’s how we learn. It’s a very hard journey, and frankly there are easier ways to make a living – so it’s got to be a labour of love!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read!
What are you reading now?
Rise to Me – by Shani Struthers.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The sequel to Father of Lies.
Developing our new company – Authors Reach.
Promoting Father of Lies and connecting with the readers.
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?
Some books I could read over and over without getting bored – ie really, really good ones! I’d have to say…..
Atonement
The Woman in Black
Carrie
Lord of the Flies
Author Websites and Profiles
Sarah England Website
Sarah England Amazon Profile
Sarah England’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account