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In this episode I speak to Marie-Louise Jensen who writes books for children and young adults. Marie-Louise’s books include Between Two Seas and The Lady In The Tower, both of which are published by the Oxford University Press and were shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize. Marie-Louise has also written for Fiction Express, which publishes books in an interactive, serialised format, and her latest book is a YA title, Sixth Formers: Year 12.
STOP PRESS: Finding Hope (Fiction Express) has just been shortlisted for the Portsmouth Book Award 2017!
For more on Marie-Louise and her books head to her website, Twitter, or Amazon Author Page.
In the introduction, I give a writing update and hint at some exciting publishing news!
I’ve been busy with a few different projects, including getting my novella, The Garden of Magic, made into an audio book. If you are interested in receiving a free review copy (as well as giveaways and exclusive content) do consider signing up for the mailing list for my fiction.
I also reveal the title of the forthcoming ‘worried writer’ book. It is… Drum roll…
Stop Worrying; Start Writing: How To Overcome Fear, Self-Doubt and Procrastination
I hope you like it! I will have a publication date set very soon, but it will be sometime next month (April 2017).
Also, I recommend a couple of other writing/publishing podcasts:
The Self Publishing Formula (with Mark Dawson and James Blatch)
And I answer a writing craft question and mention my own mentoring service. More details here.
If you have a writing (or publishing) question that you’d like me to tackle in a future episode, please get in touch via email or Twitter.
I’ll answer it on the show and credit you (unless, of course, you ask to remain anonymous).
Please spread the word and, if you can spare the time, leave a rating for the show on iTunes. I truly appreciate your support.
In the interview:
Marie Louise explains her writing process:
‘I do tend to do my research first… I read and read and read and get myself steeped in that era.’
‘I never start a book until I can see the first scene in my head.’
Marie-Louise describes how she uses an A4 ring-binder for both collating her research notes and planning her book.
Her journey to publication and how her Masters at Bath Spa University led to signing with her agent:
‘It was kind of a dream walk-in to the world.’
School visits:
‘I think meeting kids and interacting with them is incredibly useful for the author and it’s just fun.’
Marie-Louise reveals the challenges of fitting writing into a family life:
‘A lot of my writing was done in the car while they [the children] were in gym or drama or whatever… I would write whenever I had time.’
‘I can write pretty much any time I’ve got the time.’
And the difficulties of self-promotion/marketing:
‘I’m absolutely rubbish… I can’t sell anything, let alone myself.’