Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Canadian author originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where I taught anthropology and archaeology at the University of Saskatchewan. In 2006 my husband and I moved to Cairo, Egypt where we taught at Cairo American College. We have also lived in Mexico and Beirut, Lebanon before settling in Penang, Malaysia. For the past twenty years I have been writing academic books for college anthropology, culture studies, and global studies courses. I’ve now decided to focus on genre fiction. I’ve written several series that I am now publishing, beginning with the post-apocalyptic/indigenous dystopian series, Rainbow Warriors.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Rainbow Warriors, book 1. “What if” scenarios have always fascinated me and as a reader I loved to read about how people would survive and reestablish society after civilization collapsed. With this series, I wanted to focus on First Peoples around the world. The irony in me wanted to see them survive and flourish.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write on the corner of my sofa while watching television, especially at night. I also love to write in cafes and restaurants but that’s been curtailed since covid.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Arthur C. Clarke’s science fiction books were the first that I ever read and I fell in love with the genre. I’ve read so many books over the years that it’s hard to pick any one author or book out that did more than others.
What are you working on now?
I am writing the fifth book in the Rainbow Warriors series, and doing the final edits on the third book. The second book, The Golden Mast, is all ready to be published but I want to spread launches two months apart.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think Bookfunnel helped me a lot. My mailing list has increased tenfold. For that to work thought, I had to have a reader magnet giveaway. So I scrambled to write a novella that is a prequel to the Rainbow Warriors series. It’s called The Caretaker’s Quest and features Matwau Meewatin, who is in books 1-4 and book 7 of the series. I love Matwau. He’s sardonic, caustic, troubled, and tries to hide a heart of gold.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn your craft. Too many books are being published on Amazon that are amateurish to say the least. Practice, read books on writing, read, read, and read some more. If the writer is serious about becoming a legitimate author, then they have to consider their writing and books a professional business. That means spending some money to get established. Professionally designed book covers, formatting, and editing are vital to a successful career, despite what some might say.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not so much advice, but encouragement. My husband took on the tech side of publishing. He considers my writing to be like his golf–something we spend money on because it’s our passion. If I sell books and make money, that’s great. He knows he’ll never make any money playing golf.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading a plethora of giveaways from bookfunnel. I feel strongly that if I’m signed up for promos, then I owe it to the authors to read their books. As a professional editor, though, I’m cringing a bit.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to have the seven books in the Rainbow Warriors series published by next February. I have a steamy historical romance waiting on deck. It was almost picked up by a traditional publisher but they want a bit more romance. I’ll see what I can do and resubmit. There are two more books in that series half written. I have a paranormal thriller/romance series that is written but needs editing, and a series of time travel anthropological adventures that need tweaking. I think that’s about two years of work. Then I’m returning to my grandmothers fictionalized biography and some middle-grade books that need a final edit.
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?
Is there a book on how to survive on a desert island? I’d bring Rainbow Warriors, book. I honestly can’t say what else I would take with me. Nothing I’ve already read. I have a stack of books on my nightstand. I suppose I’d pick a few of those, although I do love some of the old classics, like Journey to the Center of the Earth. I might take that one, which is another childhood favorite.
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