Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve always loved reading and writing, and from an early age I dreamed of becoming a writer one day. As I got older, exams, boys, art college and finally a career all got in the way, and I only started writing again when my ten year old daughter complained that she couldn’t find enough adventure stories to read. Then I remembered my ambition and decided it might be a good time to make it happen.
Over the next few years I wrote two children’s novels and a self-help book, as well as lots of articles about healthy eating and family history. I found a publisher for the self-help book, but it wasn’t until 2014 that I finally decided to self-publish the two novels. Eye Spy and Eye Spy II – Haunted are contemporary mystery stories for middle grade readers, set in a seaside town, about two teen sleuths and their detective service, Eye Spy Investigations. They were great fun to write, and Haunted was a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards in 2017.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Eye Spy series was partly inspired by the seaside town where I live, Southend-on-Sea, which is on the Thames estuary and very popular with holidaymakers. It has a pier, a funfair, a promenade, and an old Medieval priory, all of which appear in the books. I particularly wanted to write books that might encourage boys to read, so the stories are narrated by Alex, my boy protagonist. So far, they seem to appeal to both boys and girls.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m very lucky – I have my own study. I need absolute quiet and no disturbances to write, or I lose concentration and give up.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a great admirer of Jacqueline Wilson’s children’s books and also Sue Townsend’s Diary of Adrian Mole, which have both influenced my Eye Spy books. I also loved the Harry Potter books, which taught me that kids love a mystery story with scenes that take place at both home and school, nd which also feature pets.
What are you working on now?
I’m now working on the third Eye Spy book, which sees the twins searching for a missing pre-Raphaelite painting, and coming up against a ruthless property developer. I know all about ruthless property developers – I’ve had the misfortune to work for several in my time!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
With children’s books, the best way to reach your target audience is to get into schools, by offering to help with literacy programmes or offering creative writing sessions. I also do a lot of face to face promotion at book fairs. I am a member of a local writer’s network and we get together regularly to arrange literary events and promote each other’s books. Online, you can really only sell to the parents/grandparents rather than the children themselves
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Restraint! DON’T publish until you have worked out a marketing plan and started to implement it. You have to work out how to help people discover your book, and this takes time. Join ALLIA (Alliance of Independent Authors) to get advice from successful Indie authors. I wish someone had told me this before I published my first novel!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read as much as possible in the genre you write in. Work out how the best authors do it, and learn from them.
What are you reading now?
I’ve just spent eight months reading (or rereading) many classic children’s novels as part of a degree course, so now I’m relaxing by reading adult detective novels and thrillers such as The Dry by Jane Harper, and The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on an idea for a time-slip novel (MG or YA) set partly during the time of the English Civil war, which is a period of history which fascinates me. I am also continuing the research for a biography of my husband’s grandfather, a fascinating Welshman who seems to have been mysteriously linked to some of the most famous men of the early twentieth century.
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?
On a desert island escapism would be the order of the day, so maybe two novels by my favourite author, Georgette Heyer: Venetia and These Old Shades; plus one of the Outlander novels by Diana Gabaldon – I’ve reached number 5 now, The Fiery Cross.
Author Websites and Profiles
Tessa Buckley Website
Tessa Buckley’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile