Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
“Sarah Stuart is an award-winning author whose books are based on her show business experience, her concern for animals, the challenges of her Christian faith, and her passions for history and travel.” That’s the official version, but why not? It’s the succinct truth. To date, I’ve published seven books and had stories published in four anthologies. I am a Christian, which makes Richard and Maria easy to write about; they belong to the Church of England. Margaret Tudor was a Catholic, so most of the characters in the Royal Command Family Saga are too. Fortunately, a rector friend of mine knows a priest – you’ll see how important that is when you get to “advice for new authors”!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Royal Command Family Saga: Plus Sizzling Sunset. I was working on two short stories for a horror anthology, Depths of Darkness, when I started to see more and more Boxed Sets being published. I approached my cover designer, and she used the cover of book one, Dangerous Liaisons, on the front, and the backs, with the four titles to the left. There was nothing wrong with it, but I wanted “different”. The result, after a lot of input from my Facebook Royal Command Family Saga group, was so different I changed the inside. There is only one copyright page, and I cut all the dedications. All the TOC (table of contents) contains are five titles. The four multi-award-winning novels and an exclusive new novella, Sizzling Sunset.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I thought of Winston Churchill standing at his desk, remembered I have a damaged knee, and opted for the great man’s other idea – working in bed. Not, I hasten to add, nonstop. I think best walking beside the river, and I have a Weimaraner happy to come with me and not interrupt by asking questions.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Mary Stewart (This Rough Magic, Nine Coaches Waiting) who actually read my first novel and told me what was wrong with it – lots, and it was never published, but her tips were invaluable.
Dick Francis (Driving Force, For Kicks)
They couldn’t be more different – the queen of romantic suspense and a winner of the Golden Dagger, but both wrote fast-paced, character-driven, novels, and that’s something I’ve developed, and it works for me.
What are you working on now?
The third book in my Christian Richard and Maria trilogy, One Alone in the World. I wrote Three Against the World at the request of my niece – “Mom won’t let me read your books, so could you write one that’s okay?” It begged for a sequel, Two Face the World, and they’re on Amazon… and Crystal’s Kindle.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Websites that send out newsletters are marvellous, and I suspect this one will turn out to be the most AWESOME of them all. I do DIY promotion, but it takes up valuable writing time. Once I open Facebook or Twitter I tend to start chatting, though friends across the world are marvellous. I had a NYT author “edit” an American character in Sizzling Sunset.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Only write if you can’t bear not to. I’m a reviewer for Readers’ Favorite, and I’ve found some great books. I’ve discovered more where I had to think of a kind, polite, way of telling the author not to give up the day job.
The most important thing, once you’re committed, is research. It’s obvious for non-fiction and historical novels, but it’s no use having somebody travel from A to B by train unless there’s a station at either end and you’ve discovered how long the journey actually takes – leaves or snow on the line excepted, unless you want a delay.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Encourage beta readers to be honest.
What are you reading now?
Listening to actually, so the laundry etc gets done. Rebecca Bryn’s Touching the Wire. I can tell you it’s marvellous, gut-churning, and heart-breaking, because this is my second “listen”.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Two short stories on the theme of Time for an anthology. Possibly a horror anthology of my own – I got hooked.
A romance about different people that will doubtless turn into either romantic suspense or a romantic thriller; I do happy endings, but I love plenty of angst along the way.
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?
I can’t bring my Kindle with hundreds? No, the battery would run down. Spectral State by Senan Gil Senan, Exits and Entrances by Lesley Hayes, and two books of poetry: Military Matters by Tom Benson, and Boston Dialect by Paul Tait.
Author Websites and Profiles
Sarah Stuart Website
Sarah Stuart Amazon Profile
Sarah Stuart’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account