Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey, I’m twenty something years old and live in the outback in Australia. I used to live in New Zealand, but there weren’t enough kangaroos for my tastes. I work as a singing and piano teacher most afternoons and as a writer most mornings and evenings. I currently have five books published and am featured in two anthologies.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Consort to the Shadows is my latest, and it was inspired by numerous things, including my fascinations with weird diseases, my obsession with the idea of flying, and my love of all things dragonish and violent.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to do much of my writing in the splits. This was excellent for my back but terrible for my wrists. After developing carpal tunnel, I adopted the more normal habit of sitting at the table. My dog is three kilos, so she fits nicely on my lap while I type.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the Psalms in the Bible and have always adored the life story of King David. In many ways, I modeled my main character a little after him. I’ve also greatly enjoyed fantasy fiction by Mark Lawrence, Stephen Lawhead, and J K Rowling, and I admire the style of Katherine Mansfield, Thomas Hardy, and John Galsworthy.
What are you working on now?
I’ve literally just finished a book set in outback Australia, dealing with the ramifications of bereavement caused by suicide from the perspective of a child. I’m going to give it space now, because it’s such a big topic. I’ll probably resume editing my middle grade urban fantasy fiction series, so that that can hit the shelves one day.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
You know, I’m going to be honest here. Nobody really knows what works, and it’s a fair measure of luck and who you know. For the rest of us, we just potter around, keep writing, and do some promotional work on the sides. My favourite is getting my books into local libraries, but I’ve got to be honest, that doesn’t earn me heaps.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
What you say matters. So stick at it, because someday, someone is going to hear you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This question doesn’t seem limited to writing, so I’m just going to say one that someone very wise once told me. When you’re in an argument, let the relationship win. It’s better than falling out over a little nothing, if you get what I mean.
What are you reading now?
Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and her daughter Samantha. Never thought I would enjoy a teenage romance, but I have to admit it’s very cleverly put together.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The rest of my fantasy fiction series The Fledgling Account is due for publication. So far, I’ve had Rafen, The Sianian Wolf, Servant of the King, The Fourth Runi, and Consort to the Shadows (Part One) published. Next, Part Two of Consort will be released, and after that the final two books in the series.
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?
The Bible would be my first pick, being Christian. May as well prepare for heaven if you don’t survive. A Severe Mercy was also fantastic, so I would have to go with that. And then I would probably have a couple of more practical volumes, about how to process coconuts into a thousand different foods and how to get off a desert island so that you can find a decent library.
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