Tell us about your novel, She Has Your Eyes.
She Has Your Eyes is the continuation of the novels Faking It and Ordinary World. (SPOILER ALERT if you’ve not read the previous two!) Andi and David are finally together and very happy. And then a teenage girl shows up at their door with some startling news.
It’s got some humor, but it’s also rather emotional. Andi’s mother plays a large, powerful role in this book. You’ll also see some other familiar names/faces from the previous two books.
What was your inspiration for writing this novel?
Readers loved the first two books so much, and many asked if I’d write another. I’d had no plans to do so, but as I was finishing up my fourth novel, Adulation, a teenage girl named Wylie entered the backyard of my mind, and the rest is history.
Describe your novel’s heroine, Andi.
Andi Vanzant (a native Long Islander, now in her mid-forties) is intelligent, witty, and an excellent teacher. She’s attractive, but never saw herself as such, and yo-yoed with her weight for most of her life. She also grew up with some mixed messages from her parents about love and sex, and thus became rather insecure. A lot of readers find her self-absorbed (and she is to a degree), but I think it really comes from her attempt at self-preservation. She’s had to learn how to love the people closest to her, especially herself (and accept their love in return), and thus has made mistakes in terms of how to do so.
Will there be any more books in this series?
I know my readers want more (and I’m touched and grateful that they love these characters so much!), but I can’t answer definitively right now.
Tell us about your experience working with Amazon Publishing.
My experience with Amazon Publishing (I’m officially with their imprint Lake Union now) has been fantastic. They value and encourage my input on editing, cover design, and marketing. I feel like one of the team as opposed to a commodity. Plus, I’m honored to be affiliated with their other top-notch authors.
As the author of Kindle bestsellers, do you have any marketing advice for authors?
You’ll sell more books by not selling them. Use social media to connect with readers and fellow authors, and those groups that share similar interests as yours. The only time I get promotion-heavy is during a launch. As people get to know you, they’ll want to get to know your books.
Also, the number-one method of selling books is word-of-mouth. Remember the old shampoo commercial? “You tell two friends. And they’ll tell two friends. And so on, and so on, and so on…” How to get people talking? For starters, write a good story, and write it well.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
It’s not that I always wanted to be a writer; I always was a writer. It’s been the one constant in my life from the moment I learned how to put letters and words together (that, and being a twin). I didn’t believe I could have a lucrative career as a writer, however, and for a long time I didn’t believe I was good at writing fiction. I’m glad I was wrong both times. Faking It changed my perspective on both.
Who are your favorite authors?
Many of my fellow A-Pub authors are my faves (Craig Lancaster, Rob Kroese, and Karen McQuestion, to name a few), plus my Why I Love Singlehood co-author, Sarah Girrell. Screenwriter(s) Aaron Sorkin and the late Nora Ephron have also been incredibly influential.
What was the last book you read that you loved?
I loved Craig Lancaster’s novels 600 Hours of Edward and Edward Adrift.
What are you working on now?
I never discuss my works in progress! All I’ll say is that I’ve just finished the first round of revision and am passing the manuscript on to beta readers next week. So far I’m pleased with how it’s coming along.
Thank you, Elisa!
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