Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Vina Arno is my pen name. I was born in Manila but I’m now an American citizen. I’ve worked as a journalist in the Philippines, Taiwan, and the United States. My short stories have been published in the Snake Nation Review, Copperfield Review, and SN Review. “In His Corner,” published by Lyrical Press/Kensington Publishing (April 2015), is my debut romance book. It’s also my first work published under my pen name. All of my other works were published under my real name, Cindy Fazzi.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“In His Corner” is about an Olympic gold-medalist boxer known as the Juggernaut who goes to the ER for stitches and gets knocked out at first sight by the beautiful doctor who treats him. The Juggernaut was inspired by Tom Hardy’s cage-fighter character in the movie “Warrior.” My romantic heroine is named Siena because I created her character while I was visiting the Italian city of the same name.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing unusual.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As far as romance books are concerned, I love the classics, especially Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” E.M. Forster’s “A Room with a View,” and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre.
What are you working on now?
I’m writing another contemporary romance.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
“In His Corner” is my first published book-length work of fiction, so I don’t have much experience promoting yet. I hope Awesomegang will work wonders for my book.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read and write a lot. Attend writing workshops and conferences to hone your skills and meet like-minded people.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You can’t fail if you don’t give up.
What are you reading now?
“Under the Wide and Starry Sky” by Nancy Horan.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m hoping my literary agent will sell my manuscript, a historical novel (not romance), soon.
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?
“A Room with a View” by E.M. Forster because it’s so delightful, anything by Virginia Woolf, and anything by Edith Wharton.
Author Websites and Profiles
Vina Arno Website
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