Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Tonia Lalousi and I am a writer from Greece. I was studying biology when I realized my love for the art of writing. This is the way I express myself and it helps me to understand my inner world. In 2017, I started writing romantic stories and I published a romantic book. My gradual transition from the sphere of romantic reading to the mysteries and adventures of crime fiction led me to write a crime book series, starring the criminologist Peter Deligiannis, who is a much-loved book hero in Greek readers. My books are published in Greek and now the last one, entitled ‘’The Last Symphony’’ was translated in English and got published on Amazon.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my last book is ‘’The Last Symphony’’. The value of perfection, as a reference point for the conquest of the top and the social recognition, was the first idea which inspired me to write this book. The story deals with people who react to glory with different ways.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I am writing a dialogue, I close my eyes and I imagine my heroes talking in front of me. I hear them, I see them, and they guide me to the next step according to their wills and desires.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Agatha Christie is my writing idol. Each of her stories is an enigma that leads the reader to the solution through a masterful plot. Every word counts. In addition, I adore the protagonist of most of her books, Hercules Poirot, for his intelligence and detailed way of dealing with every crime.
What are you working on now?
I have been writing the third book of the crime series for a few months now, which is influenced by Agatha Christie and concerns the murder of a manager of a shipping company. I do not want to say more because it is still too early to betray the plot.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I prefer to run promotions on Amazon and on Instagram.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
In my opinion, the most important thing, is to have constant contact with writing, so that the writer does not leave the realm of imagination. There are always times when we may not have inspiration, but it does not mean we cannot continue practicing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A publisher had given me a very helpful advice on the book editing process. He told me that as soon as we finish the first draft it is good to leave it aside and take time until we move on to the second. So we take the “distance” we need and then we face our book from a more objective and prominent ‘’point of view’’.
What are you reading now?
When Nietzsche Wept, by Irvin Yalom.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I always want to set more and higher goals. First I want to finish writing the third book and then, if there is an agreement with my first publisher in Greece, I would like to proceed with the translation of the first book of the series, entitled “The Fall”.
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?
Of course I would bring my books to be able to make all the corrections I didn’t do before they were published!
Author Websites and Profiles
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