Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Stephanie Jacob. I am Greek-Cypriot and I have written a young adult fantasy trilogy called Hemiphos. Part one, Hemiphos: Timber’s Castle is available in Greek and English. Part two, Hemiphos: The Other Side is available in Greek and part three, Hemiphos: Enchantress City is on its way to publication. I have always loved writing, ever since I was a child, and made my first attempt to write a novel at the age of eight. It was not –obviously- successful, but I kept trying, until I finally made it! Nearly fifteen years later I had the right idea at the right time, and the book I so longed to write was finally born.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Hemiphos: Timber’s Castle was inspired by a song called ‘It’s all coming back to me now’, a rock ballad by Meatload and Marion Raven. I have always loved both the song and its music video, ever since it came out in 2006, and always felt oddly mesmerised by it. Through the years though, I completely forgot about it. I only remembered it six years after its release, during a dull, stormy night, while living in Manchester, England. I listened to it, and all of a sudden, I felt like my mind was overflowing with images, sounds and feelings. Words started streaming out of my head, and I had the sudden urge to write a story about the song. The whole trilogy is the song, but instead of it being written in notes, it is written in words.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am not sure if this is unusual, but I do not write in a linear way, from beginning to the end, but write instead the segments of the book I am inspired to write. This means that I might start to write the first few pages of the book, then write the last chapter, then go back to the beginning, write a little more, and then write something that will eventually end up in the middle of the book. I go back and forth, not writing complete chapters but giving the book an odd shape that comes to life rather erratically. I understand that this process makes things very complicated and much slower that usual, but I cannot help it. I have to write whatever I am inspired to write at the time I am inspired to write it, or else it will go away!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read classic books a lot, and always reread the ones I loved the most. I think that Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera, as well as the Brontë sisters’ Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights have definitely influenced me majorly when writing Hemiphos, without me realising it at the time I was writing.
What are you working on now?
The third book of the trilogy is almost ready, so most of my time now is spent working on its final details.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I do not have a favourite. Word of mouth has worked quite well for me so far. At the same time, I am still experimenting with several things, mostly on social media, like Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would advise them to believe in themselves and their writing. It is not easy to write a book, and it is definitely not easy to get it published and promoted. Try not to get disappointed, as it is a road full of thorns, but wok hard from the beginning till the end. Somehow, it will all work out!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write what you want to write and not what others want to read. Be true to yourself, your ideas and your writing style.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading The idiot, by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The next immediate step is the publication of the last instalment of the trilogy. After that, I do hope to continue writing, as well as promoting my books.
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?
Hard to say, only three or four?! I guess I would take the three books I mentioned earlier: The phantom of the Opera, Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. (And probably shove at the last minute Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in my bag too!)
Author Websites and Profiles
Stefanie Jacob Amazon Profile
Stefanie Jacob’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile