As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!
What is the first thing people should know about you? I love two things in life: kinky sex and books. That’s why I mixed both.
Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing. I think I’m most known for writing dark romance, especially for my bully trilogy.
What is one thing people don’t know about you? Not many people know I’m French!
Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why. Queen of Broken Hearts, my FF novella. Because not enough people read FF!
What is your favourite book (not your own), and why? One of my favourite books is Circe by Madeline Miller because I am a huge fan of Greek mythology and especially retold from a woman’s perspective.
Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again? It did not make me feel like I’d never write again but it was really hard to write King of My Heart and Ace of All Hearts (they were one book before I split them in two.) It was a constant fight of writing what I truly wanted to write and what most readers want to read. I opted for what I wanted to write so I hope people don’t hate me…
Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write? Yes! I don’t always write with music as I sometimes need to simply hear my thoughts, but I’m mostly inspired by music. Every single one of my chapters in every single one of my books has a song associated to it.
Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy? Messy. I’m a messy mess.
Who or what inspires you as a writer? What doesn’t inspire me would be quicker to answer! Practically everything inspires me. No one and nothing is safe…
Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…? I think I’m an introvert but I’m still trying to figure it out. I have bursts of social behaviours and then hide for months afterward.
What is your advice to authors just starting out? Just write it, babe. Everything else can come after.
If you could live inside any fictional world, where would that be? I’ve always lived in Stoneview in my head, I’m not moving anywhere else.
Your favourite place to read and/or write? Favourite place to read is by the fireplace. Favourite place to write is at my desk with no one else around.
When you’re as old as Gandalf the Grey, how many books do you think you might have written? I’m going to aim for two to three books a year and Gandalf is a few thousand years old so…you do the maths !
If writing is your full-time job, have you ever been told to get a “proper job”? No! I have two jobs, writing and acting, and both are super unstable, so people around me are used to it.
Who is your biggest cheerleader? My mum, of course.
BONUS QUESTION: Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet! I’m going to be one of those authors who kills a character you love. Sorry. I can’t say which book though.
Thank you so much for your time, Lola! To find out more about the author, click the icon!
As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!
What is the first thing people should know about you? My first series, Waiting for Summer, was written in secret and only when I’d finished it, did I tell my family and friends that I’d completed it.
Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing. Predominantly romance, with a healthy helping of sexy and plenty of family drama! I think it’s because I come from a big Cypriot family and so I can relate to multi-generational characters. I’m a hopeless romantic and always strive for happy-ever-after endings.
What is one thing people don’t know about you? I was the first person to bring male strippers to Cyprus in 1998, which caused quite a stir, I can tell you! Now there’s definitely a book in that story!
Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why. La Casa Series, I love all my books but this is a big family saga with many sub plots that have you invested in each character. It’s based around the leisure industry in my home town of Leeds and it highlights the beautiful surroundings of Yorkshire, which I always like to promote. Plus, Jerome Ferretti is a total sex-pot!
What is your favourite book (not your own), and why? So many to choose from but the most recent that I can think of are, The Kiss Thief by L. J. Shen, I admire her writing and the plot of enemies to lovers is done to perfection in this book. Mr Masters by T. L. Swan is just such a good read, with laugh out loud moments as well as tear jerking, I love all her books but this one has just something extra. Dirty Filthy Rich Men by Laurelin Paige, I marvel at how Laurelin can make you lust after a total asshole, but she totally nails it in this book, Donavan is just yum! The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, this book blew me away, so many layers, themes and takes on love and loyalty, I became immersed in the plot and its twists.
Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again? Not at all! But at the same time every time I finish a book I think…I’m never going to find the strength, inspiration or time to write like this again, yet somehow I do.
Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write? Nope, I love music and it features heavily throughout my books but when I write, I need total silence, so I can hear my characters’ voices. Music would be too distracting.
Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy? Desk? I wish! I write on my dining-room table, which needs to be tidy because it’s constantly on display but there’s usually a cat sprawled across the table and a bowl overflowing with keys, pens, papers and watches. I have an obligatory box of tissues, for when I get emotional, plus a bowl with either wrapped chocolates or sweets, for guests not for me. In the cool months I always have flowers on the table too, which just makes me feel good.
Who or what inspires you as a writer? Many things, from a song I hear to other authors I talk to or books they’ve written. A scenario I witness or I hear about that has me thinking of what led up to it or what transpired afterwards.
Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…? Definitely an introvert. I’m a watcher not a doer, always have been but as I’ve got older I’m a little more comfortable stepping out from the wings of the stage, though not up front. I would’ve loved to be an actor but I was far too shy and self-conscious to ‘get up there’. Writing means I can act behind the comfort of computer screen, sitting in my yoga pants with a cup of tea or glass of wine and be anyone and do anything, without actually physically doing it! Perfect for putting my imagination to good use.
The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes? A good book has to have good characters that you’re invested in. The characters can make a simple plot the most riveting book you’ve ever read. You don’t have to like them but you need to have a connection, that’s what makes you turn the page.
What is your advice to authors just starting out? There will be days that you think you’re rubbish, there will be days that you think you are wasting your time and no one will care or appreciate what you’ve written. You will read your work and feel so despondent but those days will be erased when you nail a scene, get positive feedback about your work, when you touch a paperback that has your name on the cover and your words running though the pages. It’s worth all the self-doubt and endless lonely hours, just sit down and write, you’ll thank yourself for being that persistent.
Where is your favourite place to go on holiday? I’m lucky to live in sunny Cyprus, so I kind of feel in holiday mood over the summer months. Not to rub it in too much but we can go to the beach eight months of the year. What I can say is that my favourite kind of holiday would be sightseeing. Ideally, I’d love to explore the whole of Italy. I want to experience new places and take in the culture, architecture and landscapes. Also eat my way through their culinary delights too!
Your favourite place to read and/or write? Reading on the beach is definitely my most favourite spot, simply because I don’t feel guilty. If I’m at home, I feel I should be doing other things.
When you’re as old as Gandalf the Grey, how many books do you think you might have written? I’d like to get into double figures and ideally twenty.
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met? I would say George Michael. I was lucky enough to meet him in May 1984 two weeks before he made it to number one with his WHAM! hit ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’. He came and sat next to me at an event I was at and we chatted about our Cypriot heritage. I told him I thought he was going to be a huge superstar and he genuinely looked unconvinced. I then told him I was so sure he would that I insisted he gave me his autograph, which he shyly and graciously did. It’s one of my most precious possessions.
What did you always want to be when you were growing up? An actor, then for a few months I remember toying with the idea of being a biochemist, but I realised you need to be super clever for that, so it really wasn’t an option! Later, I set my heart on being a restauranteur.
If writing is your full-time job, have you ever been told to get a “proper job”? Not in those exact words but when I told one of my closest friends that I had written my first book, she looked at me incredulously and scoffed, ‘What makes you think you can write a book?’ Needless to say, she isn’t my friend anymore and I’m writing my eighth book.
BONUS QUESTION: Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet! The last chapter of La Casa d’Italia – For Starters has an incident that happened to the female character, this actually happened to me when I was twenty-one.
Thank you so much for your time, Anna-Maria! To find out more, visit…
As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!
What is the first thing people should know about you? I don’t know that there’s anything you should know about me, however, I am incredibly funny and make myself laugh regularly. My wit is dry and sarcastic!
Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing. Steamy contemporary, with a little erotic romance thrown in, but I have no issue with it being called smut, dirty romance or anything else really.
What is one thing people don’t know about you? I am a mother to twins, although lots of people are probably aware of that. Oh, okay, I once attended a signing in Blackpool and thought the people in the neighbouring room were having very loud sex, very early in the morning . . . turns out it was the lions from the neighbouring zoo saying good morning!
Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why. Disaster-in-Waiting – the first book I published and the hero, Cy is my absolute perfect book boyfriend – I love him.
What is your favourite book (not your own), and why? There are lots of books I have read and enjoyed, been inspired by, Hero by Samantha Young, The Original Sinners by Tiffany Reisz, pretty much anything by TL Swan.
Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again? I don’t know that it broke me and made me feel like I would never write again, but I did think I had created as near to a perfect story as I ever could when I wrote Disaster-in-Waiting, but as each new book came along and found its audience, I realised that someone’s 5* is someone else’s 1*. Also, when I published Single Dad and it became my most popular book, that message was reaffirmed.
Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write? No, I have tried to be, but I struggle not to get distracted by music, so tend to write in silence.
Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy? I don’t have a desk or designated space, so usually it’s laptop on my lap, so pretty tidy.
Who or what inspires you as a writer? Lots of people in different ways, but author wise, TL Swan, Tiffany Reisz.
Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…? Depends who I’m with and where. People who know me laugh when I talk about being shy, but I still am at times and when I was younger was too but covered it well. So make of that what you will!
The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes? Readers demand for more – and that is a good thing. As a romance reader myself, I find that when I find an author I like, I really cannot get enough. And in romance the Happy Ever After never gets tired.
What is your advice to authors just starting out? If you really want to give it a go, write. Write what you want in the way you want, because as I previously said, someone’s 5* read is someone else’s 1*, and these 1* reviews mean you have arrived, lol
Where is your favourite place to go on holiday? I don’t have any one place. Places I have been with my kids hold a special place in my heart, but the world is such a big place, (I only really came to this conclusion recently) that it’s a shame not to see more of it – so, I have a few places on my bucket list: Paris (it’s been many, many years, since I went there), the lakes of Italy, Santorini, New York – too many to name probably.
If you could live inside any fictional world, where would that be? That changes from book to book, lol. When I write, I kind of do live inside that world, but when I read, unless there’s a group of girlfriends who just love and support their circle, I tend not to think about living there. If the sisterhood is there, then I want in. I have recently read the Dirty Texas series and I love that girl (and Derrick), plus the friendship group and would love to be one of the gang.
Your favourite place to read and/or write? I tend to read in bed or if I am travelling on a train, and whilst lying in the sun. Writing tends to be in my living room, or if I need a break from those four walls, a Costa or Starbucks.
When you’re as old as Gandalf the Grey, how many books do you think you might have written? It scares me to put a number on it as that’s like putting a ceiling on my achievements, so, I will keep writing so long as I enjoy it.
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met? I once met Simon Le Bon, very briefly and cried at him! He was the first man I loved so regardless his level of fame, that makes it pretty special.
What did you always want to be when you were growing up? It changed a couple of times but a children’s nurse or an actress were the two big ones – never became either.
If writing is your full-time job, have you ever been told to get a “proper job”? It’s not my full-time job, but that is the dream, and I think proper jobs might be overrated!
Who is your biggest cheerleader? My children and I have a couple of people I’m close to who are always supportive and encouraging.
BONUS QUESTION: Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet! I am currently writing a book with a Catfish theme!
Thank you so much for your time, Elle M Thomas! Here are all of her stalker links:
As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!
What is the first thing people should know about you? I’m obsessed with my dog, coffee and dancing.
Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing. Romance and especially friends to lovers. I love exploring that slow-burn chemistry between friends and how they push the boundaries a little more with every chapter. I’m also known for having dance/ballet themes in my book.
What is one thing people don’t know about you? English is not my native language. It does say in my bio and I never hide it, but most people are still caught by surprise by this fact.
Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why. Journey of a Butterfly. It was my debut and even though it’s a coming-of-age book with very little romance it was based on personal experience and it’s the book closest to my heart. I used that story to let out all the frustration stuck in me and as a way of dealing with common teenage issues such as frenemies and first loves. It’s not my best novel by far, but it’s the most personal one.
What is your favourite book (not your own), and why? There are way too many to choose from. I don’t really have a favourite one – I have comfort books – the ones I like to re-read whenever I’m feeling down. These include Confess by Colleen Hoover and Stay with Me by Nicole Fiorina, the Dark Artifices by Cassandra Claire and the Lux and Origin series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. They all transport me out of my sad, miserable state and take me on an adventure or on an emotional rollercoaster which is what I need to forget reality.
Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again? High Roller, the first book in my new series Elites of Eastview High. That story stuck in me for such a long time, the characters of Essie and Axel danced in my head for years before I dared to write them. It’s darker than my usual books, it deals with some heavy topics and is a real emotional rollercoaster. I wrote the book in less than 2 months and felt empty after it. It took me months to be able to write again.
Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write? It depends on the book – for some books I re-listen to the same song over and over while writing a scene or chapter. When I was writing an emotional part of The Sky Between Us, I re-listened to the same song for at least thousand times until it made me cry. Needless to say, it was my most listened song when I received my Spotify Wrapped… funny enough I never listened to it after.
Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy? I don’t have a desk or a writing space. I write in coffee shops, on my bed, on the sofa, very rarely by a table. I like to be comfortable.
Who or what inspires you as a writer? It was my mother who encouraged me to ‘write it out of myself’ whenever I was dealing with something. And it became a habit to keep writing, coming up with new stories and characters – giving a part of me to them.
Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…? It depends on the people I am around. I’m introverted, but around the right people I can be the most annoying extrovert.
The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes? Hot guys on covers. Alternative covers are getting big, but hot, half-naked guys will always stay.
What is your advice to authors just starting out? Just be yourself and stay true to yourself. I heard from many people that they try to write what’s popular and what’s selling, but in my opinion, if you don’t write what you enjoy and you just do it to please everyone else you will always be unsatisfied. Write the book you would want to read and you will find your readers.
Where is your favourite place to go on holiday? Home to visit my dog and the beach. But I do like exploring new cities and having an active holiday full of sightseeing. But if I had to choose – I’d pick my dog. (For context: My dog lives with my parents as he was my graduation present. Unfortunately, a month after graduating I moved to London for a job and I’ve been living in London for almost five years.)
Your favourite place to read and/or write? In bed or on the sofa. I like to be comfortable and lay in weird positions since I’m a dancer.
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met? Cassandra Clare and Holly Black, I went to their book signing – and various famous ballet dancers that probably can only be considered famous for me.
What did you always want to be when you were growing up? First of all a princess, but then I settled for being a ballerina. I was always very girly and living in my own fairy-tale.
Who is your biggest cheerleader? My family. My dad even read all my books and trust me when you write smutty romances the last thing you want is your father reading it… but he even tries to give me suggestions and improvements for the next one. Regarding the plot and characters… not the smutty scenes. 😉
BONUS QUESTION: Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet! The daughter of the characters from The Sky Between Us will have her own story. She is the main character in Double or Nothing (Elites of Eastview High #3). Also, one of my characters was based on my dog. Both their name is Sky.
Thank you so much for your time, Mia! To find out more, scroll to the bottom!
As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!
Today M.F. Moody has answered my questions in video form! She pulls no punches, it is pure and honest and there is language! It is unedited and totally genuine for your viewing pleasure! Enjoy it in two sections:
As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!
What is the first thing people should know about you? I pretend to be an extrovert, but I’m a raging introvert.
Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing. Billionaire Romance, although I have jumped around sub-genres a lot. I like to keep it interesting, for me and the reader!
What is one thing people don’t know about you? I’m a pretty open book. My husband could probably answer this better than me (but I’m not pulling on that thread LOL)
Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why. Winning Ace. This was my first ever book, and some people still say it’s my best. It’s very niche though (Tennis sports romance), and so I struggle to find an audience for it. You can’t see me, but I’m crying LOL
What is your favourite book (not your own), and why? Tough question. I wouldn’t say I had an overall favourite as there are so many books I love, but when I’m in a book funk, I always return to Lover Awakened by J R Ward. Zsadist is mine!
Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again? Yes. Draven. I hate him 😉
Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write? No. I need complete silence to write. Just ask my husband!
Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy? Both. It gets messy and then I have a tidy up, and then it gets messy again.
Who or what inspires you as a writer? Usually reading other books inspires me.
What is your advice to authors just starting out? Keep going, don’t give up, but recognize that this is a tough life and resilience is key. Also it might take a while to find your tribe, but once you find them, hold on tight. They are the ones who will pull you through the tough times (because there will be tough times).
Where is your favourite place to go on holiday? Florida
If you could live inside any fictional world, where would that be? Black Dagger Brotherhood
Your favourite place to read and/or write? My office
When you’re as old as Gandalf the Grey, how many books do you think you might have written? It’s not that far off! Over a hundred would be great.
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met? The Spice Girls
What did you always want to be when you were growing up? A vet – and then I discovered I am rubbish at science.
If writing is your full-time job, have you ever been told to get a “proper job”? Not that exactly, but I get “How’s the writing” all the time. Inside, I’m screaming “You mean work. How is work!” I don’t think those outside the industry understand how difficult and relentless this job is, and how writing is probably 20% of what we do.
Who is your biggest cheerleader? My husband.
Thank you so much for your time, Tracie!
To find out more about our event Authors at the Armouries click the graphic!
As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!
What is the first thing people should know about you? I’m short! Four foot eleven, purple 1920’s bob haircut, I’m round, and have 16 tattoos and I love 1920’s dress and so accordingly style myself on their clothing! I’m in a wheelchair and keep threatening to buy a Harley Trike which terrorises my kids lol.
Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing. MC. I’m the author of Rage MC and Hellfire MC. Although I’m building a world around Rage MC and have just finished the Washington’s series which is based on characters that were in the Rage books.
What is one thing people don’t know about you? I have severe agoraphobia, so going out is really difficult for me unless it’s a place I’m really familiar with. So signing up for the book signing is a massive step!
Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why. It’s more a series, the Love Beyond Death series is probably some of my best work and yet little known! It’s quite amusing because my MC readers who have read it were, “I didn’t think it would be great but it’s fantastic!” Those comments make me laugh because I honestly do feel it’s some of my strongest and funniest books.
Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write? No, but I love listening to music, especially Country, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts etc. But I also like classical and certain musicals like Phantom of the Opera.
Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy? Tidy, everything has its place!
Who or what inspires you as a writer? My imagination, I have so many ideas, I feel sometimes, I’ll run out of time before writing them all lol!
Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…? Both! Doesn’t that sound strange? I am really friendly online and able to talk to anyone. Again, if I’m in a gathering of strangers, I’m able to converse and be sociable. But I love being alone, love the idea of a cabin in the woods or a cottage on the cliffs. I like my own company as much as I like to chat. And I am really private. So I’m a real mixture!
What is your advice to authors just starting out? When I started, I hit lucky with a popular author stepping in and being my mentor, if not for her I’d have quit a long time ago. In paying this forward I created a page on my website dedicated to helping new authors and I also ran a Supporting Indie Author blog. I interviewed new authors, which I’ve had to stop for the moment, but hope to pick up again in January!
Where is your favourite place to go on holiday? Isle of Wight. For years Devon reigned supreme but now it’s the Isle of Wight, the kids and grandkids love it there!
Your favourite place to read and/or write? My middle son Jack just re-decorated my small study. I have Regency-style wallpaper, two walls full of books, a kidney-shaped, old-fashioned Regency desk. The room is beautiful and calming. It has an old-fashioned painting of a ship at sea, Regency lamps and accessories!
What did you always want to be when you were growing up? A dancer but then I injured my knees and gave up. But I always wrote, I was about eleven when I got the bug and I’ve not stopped since.
If writing is your full-time job, have you ever been told to get a “proper job”? Oh yes, and I promptly explained all the processes I go through as a writer, editor, proof-reader, marketer, and self-promoter! Even though I do have my own editor, proof-readers and beta readers. I still follow the processes myself.
BONUS QUESTION: Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet! Phoenix was originally going to end up with Chance! Yup, it’s true, but then Drake popped his head up and the entire series went in a different direction!
Thank you so much for your time, Elizabeth! To find out more visit . . .
As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!
What is the first thing people should know about you? I can talk for hours about weird shit like whether aliens are living at the bottom of the sea, and you’d probably think I’m some sort of sex-obsessed serial killer from my internet search history (it’s all for book research, I swear!).
Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing. Reverse harem. My books are filled with hot guys, complex characters and gritty twists that’ll leave you wanting to throw your kindle.
What is one thing people don’t know about you? I used to dabble in illustration and made the covers to the Lapland Underground series myself. Designing and making pretty things is so much fun, and I’d love to do more of it if I get the time.
Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again? My current work in progress, Disharmony. It’s the first book in my upcoming ‘Ash and TheBasilisks’ series, and this baby just didn’t want to end! Whenever I thought I was getting close, the story kept going. Finishing the first draft made me want to hibernate for a month, but I’m excited to get stuck into edits now and finish it.
Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write? Music definitely helps to get my mojo back if I’m struggling to feel inspired. For every book I write, I have a ‘theme song’ to get me in the zone and I blast it out on repeat for hours. Lately, it’s mainly been heavy metal – my neighbours must hate me.
Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy? Tidy, always! I’m a minimalist and keeping the space clear helps me to focus.
Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…? I’m an introvert who loves people – weird, right? I’m content with being a hermit most of the time, but I really light up when having a good chat and meeting new people, which is why I’m so excited for the signing!
The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes? People love to read about love.
What is your advice to authors just starting out? Keep going. Practise makes perfect. First drafts are nearly (almost!) always trash. The second draft gets a bit better. The third… well, you’re probably gonna hate your book right now, but don’t stop! The whole process is helping you improve as a writer and revisions will take less time the more books you write, so try not to get disheartened.
Where is your favourite place to go on holiday? Nowhere specific – preferably somewhere away from busy cities with a lot of trees and pretty walks.
If you could live inside any fictional world, where would that be? The Harry Potter world post the Battle of Hogwarts. Nobody wants to deal with Voldie lurking around corners in Diagon Alley when you’re trying to chill out with a Butterbeer.
Your favourite place to read and/or write? To read? A cosy armchair piled with blankets and a sweet-smelling candle burning. To write? Alone, with music, in my make-shift office. I struggle to write anywhere else.
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met? I met Matthew Lewis in a pub in Leeds once – not too far from the Armouries!
Who is your biggest cheerleader? When I published my first book, I never dreamed more than a handful of people would read it. My amazing readers inspire me to keep writing and pick me up whenever imposter syndrome kicks in (which it often does). I’ll be forever grateful to them.
BONUS QUESTION: Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet! A couple of characters from my Lapland Underground series will be making a small guest appearance in ‘Disharmony’ as it’s set in the same universe.
Thank you so much for your time, Holly! To find out more, visit:
As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!
Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing. Spicy contemporary romance
Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why. Hearts of War. This book really was a labour of love, and even though I’m proud of every milestone and accomplishment to date, this book will forever hold a special place in my heart.
What is your favourite book (not your own), and why? There are so many, but the one most relevant to me being an author is The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher. This was the book I read in 2012 and it gave me the courage to finally take the leap to pursue my dream of writing.
Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy? Tidy for the most part.
Who or what inspires you as a writer? Authors who inspire me, Tarryn Fisher, Colleen Hoover, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman to name but a few. And my surroundings, walking the dog, taking a shower, washing up. Passing a stranger in the street, inspiration really can be found everywhere.
Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…? I’m mostly an introvert but in the right company an extrovert.
The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes? Editing!
What is your advice to authors just starting out? It’s a marathon not a sprint, remember you are running your own race and you are your only competition.
What did you always want to be when you were growing up? A writer.
Who is your biggest cheerleader? My mum.
Thank you so much for your time, L.S. Pullen! To find out more visit:
As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!
What is the first thing people should know about you? I love chatting to readers. Writing is such a solitary pursuit that it’s wonderful to know people are actually out there, reading the very thing you spent so many hours of your life angsting over.
Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing. I’m well-known for steam! I write in multiple genres and tropes, but you won’t find many Lucy Felthouse books out there that don’t have steam of some form.
Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why. The Persecution of the Wolves. It’s set in my home county of Derbyshire, in a village called Eyam, a beautiful place which is perhaps best known for the way they cut themselves off from the outside world when they had an outbreak of plague in order to stop it spreading. My book is linked in with this story, as my main characters are werewolves who lived through that outbreak of the Black Death. I had so much fun writing this story—I visited Eyam (not my first time, or my last, but it was a brilliant excuse to go again) and went into the museum, the hall, and even down into some caves (with a local caving expert, with safety equipment, I should add!) in order to research my story. I wish more people had read it because the original subject matter is fascinating and my book is a different way of learning about it.
What is your favourite book (not your own), and why? Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks—funnily enough, this links with the previous question, since this book is also set in the village of Eyam and sparked my own fascination. It’s a beautiful story.
Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy? Somewhere in between. It depends how far I am through various projects. If I’m writing, then other things can get ignored, which means piles of paper and notes to myself build up, as do notes on the book I’m working on. The further along in the book, the more the chaos tends to grow. Finally, once it’s finished, I work through and start gradually tidying my desk until it’s returned to some semblance of normality. I’d never want an entirely tidy desk as that would mean I had no work to do! As a self-employed person, that’s a catastrophe!
Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…? Somewhere in between, I think. Probably whatever the situation calls for. As a self-employed person who works from home, I’m completely comfortable in my own company, and like most people, I have times where I just want to be by myself and left alone. But put me in a scenario where there are lots of people around and I’m happy to chat and socialise.
The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes? The readers. They’re awesome. Their enthusiasm for books is what keeps me going!
What is your advice to authors just starting out? Read lots in your chosen genre, learn to edit yourself, and don’t give up.
Where is your favourite place to go on holiday? I don’t have a favourite place. I have a few destinations that hold a special place in my heart, but for the most part I love going to new places, exploring new cities, countries, cultures.
If you could live inside any fictional world, where would that be? Wonderland. It’s completely insane and I love it.
Your favourite place to read and/or write? Read—in bed. Write—I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite place, but it’s the only place I tend to get anything done, and that’s in my home office. I envy writers who write on planes, trains, in cafes, etc. If there’s any noise or distraction I struggle immensely to get words down on the page.
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met? It’s a toss up between the late Anne Rice and Lee Child.
What did you always want to be when you were growing up? I genuinely used to want to be a writer when I was little. I would frequently proclaim I was going to be an author and scribble madly into notebooks (and much later on, onto my first computer). Sadly, I don’t have any of those scribblings any more, but I’m sure they’d be incredibly amusing! Probably not bestseller status, though.
BONUS QUESTION: Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet! The next one doesn’t have a title yet, nor is there anything but random notes down on the page, but it is bubbling away in the back of my head and has a rough plot, a location, a curvy heroine (why, oh why, aren’t there more genuinely curvy cover models?! I have a hell of a time finding images!) and several sexy men. Yum.
Thank you so much for your time, Lucy! Quite agree there should be more curvy cover models. Stalk the author . . .
Authors at the Armouries 