Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and brought up in Liverpool, England, and moved to Bristol in 1990 after I graduated as a librarian at Liverpool Polytechnic. I met my husband Keith there and we married in 1993. We still live in Bristol, but Liverpool will always be home.
I have been writing since I was a teenager and since 2007 I’ve self-published five books for children and young adults:
Goalden Girl (2007) is inspired by my love of the Beautiful Game. (I’m an avid Liverpool supporter). It tells the story of Gemma Sutherland and the challenges she faces when she tries to persuade her new school to allow girls to play football. ‘Goalden’ is a play on words to reflect the football theme.
Abbie’s Rival (2008) is about Abbie Palmer and her French pen-pal Collette who steals away the love of her life, student teacher Richard.
Both Goalden Girl and Abbie’s Rival are both for readers aged 9-12.
Epiworld (2010) is a science fiction time travel novel for readers aged 12+ and is inspired by my personal experience with epilepsy. Travis is from the future and his seizures are powerful enough to transport him through time.
Big Brother (2012) is also for readers aged 12+ and is science fiction with a hint of a ghost story spliced with a bit of horror. When Ash is being bullied the mysterious Big Brother comes to his rescue, but it seems he has an agenda of his own.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Goalden Sky (published in 2014) is the sequel to Goalden Girl. Although there’s a seven year gap between the two books, I wanted to continue Gemma’s story. She is faced with another challenge when her step-sister Portia has a potentially life-changing accident that could end her own career as a budding footballer. The title is inspired by the lyrics in the footballing anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’: ‘at the end of the storm is a golden sky.’ Portia is going through a storm and no one knows if a golden sky is waiting for her at the other end.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write best when there’s music in the background. I love listening to Jean Michel Jarre because his music is mainly instrumental and there are no lyrics to distract me. Sometimes I read aloud to my cat Treacle, even though I know she’s not interested.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first book I ever read from cover-to-cover was First Term at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton. I was ten-years-old and believed I could write something just as good or better. That was the book that made me want to be an author. I didn’t realise back then just how much hard work I was letting myself in for!
What are you working on now?
My current project is called Episode and I hope to release it in 2017. It’s taken a while to write because in 2015 I lost my mother and my husband had a major health scare, so I’ve had other things on my mind. It’s a loose sequel to Epiworld, this time focusing on Alice’s seizures as she finds herself in Ancient Greece. Travis, from Epiworld, joins her in her adventures.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use my own website and blog, I have a Facebook author page and I use Twitter a great deal. I’m always on the lookout for free promotional sites like Awesomegang and Readers Gazette and I’m also a member of the Independent Author Network, Independent Author Index, Goodreads and iAuthor.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Try to write something every day, even if it’s only a few words, and make sure you have a big internet presence. Don’t worry if someone doesn’t like your book, someone else is sure to love it. You can’t please everyone!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up.
What are you reading now?
Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell. I enjoy the classics and I also like reading sequels to classics where someone in the present day has continued with the story.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To finish Episode, have it edited and get it published
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?
I’d take anything written by one of the Liverpool writers like Lyn Andrews, Maureen Lee, Anne Baker, Katie Flynn or June Francis.
Author Websites and Profiles
Tracey Morait Website
Tracey Morait Amazon Profile
Tracey Morait’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account