About the Author:
I'm an English author based in the UK and have two YA book series out through the publishers, Evernight Teen. I started my writing career in the short story market and gained over 30 publishing credits before I sold my first novel. I write horrors, urban fantasy and paranormal romance, but do enjoy a good genre mash-up so tend to be open about what I write. As long as it has a sharp, dark edge to it, I'm a happy author!
Do you plan everything
or just let the story flow?
I'm a plotter; I have a
bit of an odd process; I tend to write the scenes I'm most passionate
about first and then go back over the plot to fill in the gaps. It's
a bit unconventional, but I find that once I've written all the
exciting scenes the story itself starts to evolve, and so the weaker
ones become more coherent to the overall story, and I'm more
committed to not wasting what I've already written and so I know I'll
finish the book.
Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
Sometimes. It’s an
odd thing, but sometimes characters take on a life of their own and
refuse to do what you want them too. In my Battle of the Undead
series, my vampire protagonist Britannia certainly is hard to order
about. She’s very strong-willed and, with everything I’ve put her
through, I think if she ever got hold of me I’d lose a few pints of
blood!
What is your favourite food?
What is your favourite food?
I do enjoy a bag of
peanut M&Ms when I'm writing. My favourite thing though is to go
out to write. I go to a local pub and spend a couple of hours writing
and have lunch there, I love a good meal out. I like coffee shops
too, but there are usually far too many good smelling cakes there!
And I give into temptation pretty easy. I’d like to say that I love
spinach and carrots, but unfortunately my sweet tooth usually
prevails.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I’m an odd hybrid of
both. I love getting up early and making the most of the day, but I
also tend to stay up pretty late too.
Where do you dream of travelling to and why?
Where do you dream of travelling to and why?
I'd do a three location
themed hop: New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Mexico for the Day of the
Dead and Venice for their carnival. Lots of tasty food, music,
dancing and cool costumes. I'd also like a stop at Loch Ness to do
some monster hunting.
Do distant places feature in your books?
Do distant places feature in your books?
Yes. I live in the UK,
but Lost in Wonderland is set in the USA, mainly Alaska. I’d love
to visit there one day; in my research it seemed so beautiful and
fresh. But, I don’t think I could afford it right now. Maybe in the
future when I’m a rich novelist!
Do you listen to music while writing?
Do you listen to music while writing?
I do. I find music is
great for inspiring emotion in writing, especially if it's something
that, as the author, you've not experienced it first-hand. I'm
currently listening to Imagine Dragons, Against the Current, Ruelle
and Plumb.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
The Twisted and the
Brave series are YA supernatural thrillers that have classic
children's literature twisted through them. The first book in this
series is out now, Lost in Wonderland was inspired by Alice in
Wonderland's 150th anniversary last year. I wanted to write a book
that honoured the themes without just transposing the whole story
into another genre - and Lost in Wonderland was born. I'm currently
working on new books in this series based on other classic children's
books.
What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?
That, just because you
are published, you will still get rejections. I’m hoping that
emotional gauntlet stops when you get a runaway hit on your hands,
but I’m not there yet, so I couldn’t say for sure.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Is there anything you would do differently?
I’d get submitting
sooner. There are so many writers out there not brave enough to
submit their work and for many years, I was one of them. It was only
6 years ago that I got the courage up to send a story for an
anthology call-out. Since then I’ve had over 30 stories published
and I have my two YA series with Evernight Teen. I have had
rejections along the way, but it’s worth it.
Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?
Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?
Anything and everything
has influenced me. I've never been short of inspiration, just time to
execute my dark thoughts. I have a brimming ideas folder on my
computer, which I keep adding to. Sometimes I'll just hear a snippet
of a conversation, my dark sticky mind then grabs onto it and rolls
it round and round till it becomes something terrifying - I then have
to exorcise it onto the page. I love reading New Scientist magazine;
it always seems to have something interesting in and the website
Listverse always has something interesting on!
Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
Start with the short
story market. A novel can take quite a chunk out of your spare time
and if it doesn’t work or sell in the end it can be heart-breaking.
A short story, takes less time and is quicker to submit. You can
then start to build up an author’s CV ready for when you do come to
sell the novel.
What are three words that describe you?
What are three words that describe you?
Funny, twisted and
organised.
What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?
What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?
I have so many
favourite authors! And they change depending on my mood. For horror,
I read Poppy Z Brite or Richard Laymon. For Paranormal Romance I read
Kresley Cole and Christine Feehan. For Urban Fantasy it's Keri Arthur
and Patricia Briggs. For YA it's Kiera Cass and Cassandra Clare. And
for when I'm feeling very brave, I read any paranormal non-fiction
book from the publishers, Llewellyn.
Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book
Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book
Lost in Wonderland –
The Twisted and the Brave #1
Monsters, serial
killers, and imaginary friends—being a Wonderlander can be
murder...
Once upon a time, Kayla was lost. Then she found Wonderland, but not the one you know. Run by ex-government agents and funded by an eccentric Silicon Valley billionaire, this Wonderland is the name of a collective of highly trained vigilantes who hunt serial killers. Now Kayla, aka Mouse, works tirelessly alongside her fellow Wonderlanders, Rabbit and Cheshire, baiting dangerous murderers. But even her extensive training hasn’t prepared her for the return of her older brother…
Shilo has spent most of his life in an insane asylum, convinced his mother was abducted by a sinister Alaskan monster who lures the lost away to feast upon their flesh. And now he’s certain that his sister is in the same monster’s crosshairs. But if Shilo is going to save what’s left of his family, he’ll have to convince his sister that maybe, just maybe, we’re all a little mad.
Once upon a time, Kayla was lost. Then she found Wonderland, but not the one you know. Run by ex-government agents and funded by an eccentric Silicon Valley billionaire, this Wonderland is the name of a collective of highly trained vigilantes who hunt serial killers. Now Kayla, aka Mouse, works tirelessly alongside her fellow Wonderlanders, Rabbit and Cheshire, baiting dangerous murderers. But even her extensive training hasn’t prepared her for the return of her older brother…
Shilo has spent most of his life in an insane asylum, convinced his mother was abducted by a sinister Alaskan monster who lures the lost away to feast upon their flesh. And now he’s certain that his sister is in the same monster’s crosshairs. But if Shilo is going to save what’s left of his family, he’ll have to convince his sister that maybe, just maybe, we’re all a little mad.
List of
previous books if any
Bad Blood – Battle of
the Undead #1
“I am Britannia. I am
your protector. I will fend off the hungry hordes of undead hands
that reach toward you. I am your steadfast defender. I will stand
between you and the zombie masses as they try to taste your flesh. I
am strong, unyielding, and dedicated to your survival. All I ask from
you… is your blood.”
A 500 year bloody game of vengeance will need to be put on hold if vampires are to survive the zombie uprising. Bitter enemies, Britannia and Nicholas must work together to save un-infected humans, delivering them to a stronghold in Scotland.
Unable to drink the zombie blood, vampires need humans to stay alive. But will they tell the survivors who they are, and what they want from them? Will Britannia be able to hold back her vengeance? Is survivor Josh the reincarnation of Britannia’s murdered true love? And can she bring herself to deliver him to the safe hold?
Survival instincts run deep, but bad blood can run deeper.
A 500 year bloody game of vengeance will need to be put on hold if vampires are to survive the zombie uprising. Bitter enemies, Britannia and Nicholas must work together to save un-infected humans, delivering them to a stronghold in Scotland.
Unable to drink the zombie blood, vampires need humans to stay alive. But will they tell the survivors who they are, and what they want from them? Will Britannia be able to hold back her vengeance? Is survivor Josh the reincarnation of Britannia’s murdered true love? And can she bring herself to deliver him to the safe hold?
Survival instincts run deep, but bad blood can run deeper.
Amazon buy link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Blood-Battle-Undead-Book-ebook/dp/B00N3GYIWE/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1473606024&sr=1-4
Bad Timing – Battle
of the Undead #2
“You know now that
monsters are real. Whether they have recently risen to reach for your
flesh, or have chosen now to step from the shadows; you are
surrounded by them. You also know that I am one too, but I’m all
you’ve got and time is running out…”
There’s no rest
for the wicked, especially in a zombie apocalypse. Britannia has used
every vampire skill at her disposal to keep those she cares for safe,
but with old enemies and unseen adversaries moving against her, she
will have to push herself to both her physical and ethical limits to
survive. Britannia is changing, but will it be for the better?
Please note this is the second book in a series that should be read in order.
Traitors’ Gate –
Battle of the Undead #0.5 (currently FREE)
Only time will tell who
the traitors really are…
Sixteen-year-old Lucinda is getting the home-coming from hell. England is in the grip of the War of the Roses and her tyrant father has promised her hand to a vile man three times her age. In need of aid, she seeks sanctuary with an old childhood friend only to find him accused of treachery and harboring a supernatural secret. All too soon Lucinda is caught in a fight that’s not her own but, to be with the man she loves, she’ll gladly take up arms.
Sixteen-year-old Lucinda is getting the home-coming from hell. England is in the grip of the War of the Roses and her tyrant father has promised her hand to a vile man three times her age. In need of aid, she seeks sanctuary with an old childhood friend only to find him accused of treachery and harboring a supernatural secret. All too soon Lucinda is caught in a fight that’s not her own but, to be with the man she loves, she’ll gladly take up arms.
Amazon FREE buy link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Traitors-Battle-Undead-Nicky-Peacock-ebook/dp/B01KGBLIN0/
Any websites/places readers can find you on the web.
Thank you so much for having me here today :) Nicx
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