Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a vagabond! Born in Africa I have the unusual claim that the country of my birth changed name. Now, how many people in the world can claim that? Anyway, it was Rhodesia and a civil war took place and it is now Zimbabwe. Despite the war, I had the most amazing childhood adventures which I spent in the Zambezi Valley. It is a remote untouched part of the world and quite beautiful. And it is for this reason that I am writing a romance trilogy called The Zambezi Series of which The Romantic Prophecy is Book 1 and will be on sale in Amazon as of June 19, 2019. To all those that purchase the novel, there is also a free short story.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest Novel is The Romantic Prophecy. Originally, it was called Vundu Lodge but it was felt that the latest title was more in keeping with what our readers would expect of the book. I think it is fairly unique, there really aren’t many romance novels out there like it. The way I describe it is, well, imagine Darcy from Pride & Prejudice stumbling onto the set of Out of Africa, and then you’ll get an idea.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
This may sound weird but I like to write in a room where my desk faces a wall and is fairly stark in its layout. If there are windows I get so easily distracted and will find myself staring at the rain, or fluffy clouds floating through the sky, or little birds tweeting in the hedge. If I were to be locked up in prison I’m certain that I would be a prolific author!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a sucker for just really well-written books and have a huge range of interest. I really am broad in my taste, just looking at my bookshelf now I have The Duncton Chronicles by William Horwood, George Macdonald Fraser’s Flashman series, books by Donna Tartt and Paula Coelho, and a number of Thomas Hardy’s novels. And I could go on and on … and on.
What are you working on now?
I have just finished a short story called The First Kiss which is a free gift to all those lovely readers that buy a copy of The Romantic Prophecy. Right now, I’m doing loads of promotional work for the launch of the book and then it’s back to Book 2 of The Zambezi Series of which I have written around 40,000 words.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I honestly think it’s a combination of a number of different platforms and mediums. All our readers are all very different and unique individuals and as such will have very different ways of sourcing their next new novel.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep on writing and then edit, edit, edit, edit and then re-edit, re-edit, re-edit and then stick a cold scented flannel on your face with a stiff gin at the end of the day. Wakeup and repeat the cycle. You have got to put in the work, even the greats had several passes so don’t expect golden prose from one sitting. It just doesn’t work like that.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Help yourself to help yourself. And be enthusiastic and embrace life, don’t let it slip by.
What are you reading now?
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy. Wow, can that girl write!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Little steps really. For me, it’s getting this next novel completed in a timely fashion and ensuring it is another cracking read. I want to keep my fans happy.
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?
That is quite impossible to decide so I will give you the first four books on the middle shelf of my book shelf: The Lord of the Rings, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, The Catcher in the Rye and Life after Lunch.
Author Websites and Profiles
Tessa Andrews Website
Tessa Andrews Amazon Profile
Tessa Andrews’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account