Here at Olympia we love hearing from our authors, getting an insight into their lives in writing and asking them what their advice would be to future authors. This week we had the pleasure of interviewing Susan Delaney about her book!
What’s has been your highlight of publishing so far?
My book being accepted by a publisher because being accepted is harder than writing a book. And receiving the first copies of my book in print. It is a fantastic feeling.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
It really depends on the book. One I have written, yet to be presented, I spent a long time studying old photos of Liverpool Street Station and reminding myself of life in the 70’s. Another is about the 1st World War. I intend to visit the museum as I need to read soldiers accounts of this. I imagine this will take weeks, possibly months.
How many hours a day do you write?
I would love to just write, from early morning to late at night. Other life commitments won’t allow this. So, to write I must be disciplined and start at 4 am, hoping I can make many hours into the day without having to stop.
What period of your life do you find you write about most often? (child, teenager, young adult.)
My books are so varied, but so far, I seem to swing towards child.
What did you edit out of this book?
I took our a few of the animal horror stories as I thought them to upsetting for readers.
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
Yes. There are a few secrets at the beginning of the story. There is also one towards the end of, ‘The Scratching Post’ that is for two people. But it is a secret.
What was your hardest part to write?
The beginning of a book. I always find this the trickiest and change it many times before I am happy.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
I can’t really, as I am at the beginning of my journey, so am still a novice at the publishing experience.
If you could review Olympia publishers in a few words, what would they be?
Fantastic for considering people’s work and giving them a chance. Most books are rejected before being read by other publishers.
