Interview With Author Annette McLachlan

  

1. What inspired you to write this book?  I was flat on my back with sciatica.  I fund that holding my arms up to read a book became tiring so with pen and notebook at hand I let my imagination soar.  I am an avid reader particularly books set in the 1800s so that is where I started. 

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for? The ordeal of a young girl in 1800 who travels from England to Australia and New Zealand.  A Gypsy traveler on seeing her uncanny connection with animals, there is a whisper of a destiny which she is to fulfil.  Although primarily written for teens, adults are enjoying the story too. 

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?  A sense of adventure and wonder at Meg’s experiences, particularly her relationship with animals.  The background facts of New Zealand give an idea of conditions in the country in that time period. 

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?  As the story unfolded about Meg it was leading to her destiny.  I described in detail my vision of Meg, The art department of Austin Macauley Publishers produced an amazing cover. 

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!?  Have a good working knowledge of your and your computer’s capabilities.  Mine is somewhat limited. 

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?  I am not in a position to predict where the industry is heading.  In this electronic age the younger set are concentrating on their devices.  I think there is nothing more exciting than holding a book and turning the pages. 

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? I was in the legal world for many years.  I have good general knowledge which I put to good use when writing the story. 

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?  I wanted an absorbing and fast-paced story.  I have read a variety of books like Family Sagas, particularly ones set in the 1800s (a long list of authors here), adventure (Clive Cussler) and mystery (Val McDermid). 

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?  Introducing an attention-grabbing beginning to the story but keeping the action unfolding to draw the reader on.  (I am having a steep learning curve throughout the publication process.) 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?  It has an absorbing story, mystery, fast-paced action, and describes Meg’s adaption of her new life, and her growing confidence.  A definite must for horse lovers. 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.9 million pageviews. With 4,900+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and director of publicity positions at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.