Tell us some unknown facts about your hometown and early life.
I grew up in Perth, Western Australia – the most isolated capital city in the world. My parents immigrated from Malaysia and my first language was a Chinese dialect called Hokkien, but I have to admit I think almost exclusively in English these days.
Did you enjoy singing as a child?
I didn't perform as a child, but I did like singing around the house. I think I got too self-conscious when I was around 11 or so, and didn't pick it up again until I was an adult.
How many books did you read before writing your first published novel?
I used to spend entire weekends just reading books when I was growing up, so it would be a lot but I couldn't give you a number.
Where did your love for reading/writing/books come from?
My parents took me to the library every three weeks when I was a kid and I got to max out our family's library cards and devour books. I’ll always be grateful for that. I started writing from an early age too, partly because I was very shy and struggled to express myself verbally.
What was your first story about and do you plan on ever incorporating those early ideas into a published book in the future?
I remember writing a story about anthropomorphic mice that I thought was amazing at the time, but it probably wasn't. Maybe some version of it could see the light of day eventually. Maybe.
What inspired the plot of your debut novel, Black and Blue?
I approached the book as if it would be the last thing I ever wrote, so even though it’s a work of fiction, there is a lot of myself and my passions in it. Jade, the main character, struggles with her cultural identity and mental health, so I drew on some of my experiences for that. She also loves Bon Jovi and Star Trek, as do I – though she has conversations with Deanna Troi, which I’ve never done. But I did meet Marina Sirtis, who played Troi, at a convention several years before I wrote this book. She was delightful despite being nothing like her character.
What is your writing kryptonite? Inversely, what is something that never fails to inspire you?
I can be easily distracted and have a habit of procrastinating. Not to mention, there's so much Star Trek happening at the moment and I am here for it!
What do people believe about you that you feel isn't true?
That I’m calm, in control, and know what I’m doing.
What made you decide to become a library technician?
In all honesty, I faffed around a bit after graduating, before doing some self-reflection and deciding to go back to what always used to make me happy – the library.
Which is the best compliment or fan-mail you have received for your work?
That they couldn’t put down my book and it made them cry. Not that I want to make people cry, but I do want them to connect with my stories. People telling me they're looking forward to my next book is a lovely compliment too.
What were some misconceptions you had about the book and publishing industry before you became a published author?
I’m not sure I had too many misconceptions by the time I became a published author as I’d spent a long time weighing up traditional and independent publishing before making my decision with my eyes open. But I did dream of writing books when I was a kid and back then I was probably naive enough to think it would just happen and I'd live off book sales. So naive. Luckily I have a day job I love.
Which literary character of any book do you most relate to?
Charlie from The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
What would be your reaction if someone asks if there are any Lee-Ann Khoh books in the library?
That would be amazing. I’d freak out! But I’d hopefully hold it together long enough to introduce myself and answer the question.
Which is the next book you are working on? Give us an insight into it.
I'm a bit reluctant to say too much in case this ends up not being the next book... but I'm currently working on a novel that explores an incident at a school from multiple perspectives, which combine to piece together what happened.
How were you introduced to AllAuthor? Has this website met all your expectations?
I found it from a list of highly rated services on the Alliance of Independent Authors website. I'm pretty happy. The book mockups are great for social media posts and just make my life a lot easier.
