Sarah Beth James

I am heavily dyslexic and couldn’t read at all until I was nine. When my Nan got me into reading with Sherlock Holmes short stories. In my teens I read Neil Gaimon’s book Neverwhere when sick with the flu, the dark scenes in it made me want to be a writer as well. Everyone made fun of me that dyslexic writers were not possible. Even my parents. Deep down I still feel very insecure about writing from that event. My readers and fans reviewing my books always give me a real boost to keep on going. I have one friend (Teresa) who will never let me give up. Always cheers me no matter what and reads everything I write, as well as asks for more. Dropping me little writing prompts, which I always refuse to write as I have too many projects and still end up doing them! Lol

The first one that sunk in was (as above) Sherlock Holmes short stories. I used to love the Disney movie: Basil the Great Mouse Detective and my Nan told me that Basil taught Sherlock Holmes how to be a detective for the cases bigger than mice.

I think writing fanfiction and publishing it online for years when I didn’t have the confidence to write my own original books. The instant feedback taught me a lot about reader likes and dislikes. As well as about the craft of writing itself. Even now, I read my book reviews and try to decide if any negative comments are for the sake of being toxic or if the commenter has a point I can use to grow the book series.

As I said to question one, my family have never been supportive of my craft other than my nan. Who sadly passed away in 2000. My family and I have not spoken for many years and are unlikely to ever again. I talk about them in my books. I used the experiences I endured to help others, but I rarely think of them anymore. They made their choices as did I. I do have small circle of close friends who cheerlead me and we always have a laugh in my author group. I prize that far more than any blood family.

At the time of writing it I worked in the gig industry scene and also had an on and off relationship with the lead singer of a small band. Who constantly cheated on me with the same person, lying about it. I wrote the book as a way of processing the dying relationship, showing myself how toxic it was. Although I haven’t yet found my ‘Adrian’, I do hope to some day. I think its important for those who have been through toxic relationships to read about characters like themselves and know they can and will heal from that.

I would love to say yes, but my life is far too chaotic for that. Long hours on crew transport to work, travelling all over the country. Late nights. I literally have to grab five minutes when I can and where I can. I don’t write in order. I tend to write the scenes I see in my head and then piece it together later on. From a series of handwritten pages/notes, voice clips and notepad on my phone. Others often say they have no idea how I keep track of it all. Sometimes I am not sure how I do either.

Can I say it depends on the people? Lol. I work in a very customer interactive job which can be quite draining. I am an empath, so I do pick up on the negative emotions of others and have to drop into nature to detox from it. Whitby is one of my favourite places to do this. I also love the history of York.

If it is my readers, I love chatting and interacting with them online. Or face to face. I have my first book signing coming up. Newcastle, Enticed by Romance April 27th 2024. I honestly can’t wait to see everyone there!

I didn’t find that book all that challenging. I was just having fun with it and with my writing. Trying to get back into the habit after a long break. I just messed around with characters and funny settings. Making Hades seem a bit more human. Which must have worked as it is my second highest selling book. I have been asked to write more books in the series. I do hope so, I just haven’t had time yet.

I have none what so ever. My titles are the bane of my existence as are character names. Ever since I read in my childhood that names have power. It has been a constant block in my head thinking what power is this name giving. I have gone through song lyrics for titles. Random words and I still to this day struggle. So if other authors are too, I feel for you!

The one I see most commonly used and utterly hate. Is the spam dm to a stranger on social media. You friend them and seconds later, ping, this is my book/service/skill. Buy me!!!!!! Love me!!! Yeah, no. I hate it. It is the author version of cold calling. Whatever marketing expert that is teaching it, needs firing. Organic growth and interactions are always far better then cold calling. Cold calling is an instant turn off for many readers and authors. Get a bad name and you can get blacklisted. Don’t do it.

Trailers I am experimenting on with very limited success as I don’t yet have much skill. They can work if you have the patience. I find using the trends/effects on tiktok works well for me. As well as follow trains on twitter. Hive social is new and upcoming, I think (in time) it could be quite useful.

Giveaways I stopped doing as people follow to enter then instantly unfollow if they do not. I had one reader demand to know why her free paperback was not with her a day after she won. When she was in another country and I told her I would post it friday and could take two weeks to arrive. Needless to say I removed her and gave the book to another person. I do put my ebooks on free vend every so often. Which can be very useful at connecting with new authors. Otherwise, no, I rarely do giveaways now.

As I said before, I focus on second chance love stories in various romantic and fantasy settings. Characters who went through abuse, SA, R word, addiction, unalive attempts and are now through that or getting help to get through it. Now finding happiness. I can’t think of a more important message to get out in the world. I truly hope to find my HEA one day soon.

For me, I think it is writing something the author likes and enjoys. The books I wrote for fun not knowing if I wanted to publish them sell far better than the ones I wrote to trends or requests from others. I like there to be enemies to lovers. A morally grey character that is oh so cute with the person they fell for and would do anything for them. A lot of angst, but eventually it has to be an HEA. Even if it takes five books to get there.

My biggest challenge is my own fear. My own inner child that was bullied so much for being dyslexic, stupid and talentless. Being told that I would never be anything worthwhile. Over and over again by my own parents. Every day I pick up a pen and write is a day I beat that voice in my head. Not every day do I win. But every day I still try to.

So many! Every standalone book I write seems to spawn several other books in the series. My featured book, Jotunheims Queen, got so popular on tiktok it will spawn four more books and several standalone spin offs from other characters. I’m currently working on the side story Jotunheims Princess, I hope will be out in June. That fills in the time jump of Holly being 16/18 and again from then until Loki notices her again on Midgard. As well as the two years that Loki himself looses. Fills in more of the backstory of why Odin is so against Holly and Loki’s relationship. Introducing a number of new characters to the series. At the same time I am working on Jotunheims King, which will continue on with the cliff hanger ending Jotunheims Queen gave us. I hope to have that out around Halloween. I am also working on a comic con romance between an actor and a fan which will be in a charity collection supporting unalive awareness this summer. Busy times!

I love all the access to free banners, teasers. I also love how I can set all my tweets to post themselves and only have to renew the tweets every so often. Makes my life a lot easier. I do wish there was a share to facebook and to the new hive social as well. Looking forward to featuring my next book release this summer.