Interview With Author Sophie Toovey
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an English teacher and I come from Wales in the UK. It’s a beautiful place with mountains and valleys but also a lot of rain!
I’ve currently published two books: Bell Time and the sequel, Wedding Bell Time. It’s based around the relationship between two rival English teachers. The first book is a great enemies-to-lovers story and then the sequel unpacks what happens next.
I’ve got a few other projects in the pipeline, including a dystopian trilogy.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Wedding Bell Time was inspired by wanting to continue the love story of Jen and Michael. Too often, books finish with a couple getting together, but that’s only the beginning! I wanted to explore Michael’s family background in more detail, and so using dual POV seemed like a good way to do that. I really enjoyed writing it and exploring different comedy situations with these two opposite characters.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmm, not especially, but I do enjoy recording audio chapters because it really helps me to bring the characters to life.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jane Austen is the master, and Pride and Prejudice is my favourite book. I love easy-to-read romcoms, and I always like Beth O’Leary and Sophie Kinsella, but I’ve also really appreciated writers who are ‘closed door’ and do not depict graphic sexual scenes. I love Ashley Dill’s work, Drew Taylor’s, and Sara Blackard.
What are you working on now?
My dystopian trilogy! It was initially inspired by crossing Pride and Prejudice with The Hunger Games. It’s now developed to multiple POV for the third book, and I still don’t feel the story will be ‘finished’, so maybe it will turn into more than three books. I’m really enjoying writing it because it’s set in a cold climate where there’s very limited technology. So although it’s the future, it feels like the past. I think Regency romance fans will like it!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve absolutely loved getting on Instagram and joining the bookstagram community.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going even when it feels like you’re not getting anywhere. There are many ups and downs, but hearing someone has read your book and loved it is just amazing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be afraid to write something rubbish. Just write something rather than nothing.
What are you reading now?
‘Wolf Road’, a MG novel set in prehistoric times (absolutely beautiful landscape descriptions!).
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to look at modernising some other classic novels I love. I’ve got Wuthering Heights reinvented as a YA thriller so that’s something I’d like to develop. It’s part verse novel so that’s more challenging.
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?
The Bible. It’s actually 66 books but I read it every day and it’s the best book in the world.
Pride and Prejudice.
Wind in the Willows.
Little Women.
Anne of Green Gables.
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