Amazon Author Interview with Suzanne Stewart

Author of

Rowan The Dreamcoat Weaver

 

Congratulations on the publication of your book, Suzanne!

How does it feel to see your book on the Amazon bookstore?

Very pleased and excited. I am especially pleased with the cover, which was designed by a granddaughter and a niece, although of course I hope we all enjoy what is inside too! 

 

 

 

 

Can you tell us about your book and why you decided to write it?

It is the second book in a trilogy, an adventure set in the Bronze Age which involves romance, humour, feuds, magic and music. Book One took place in Britain, Book Two in what is now Israel, and Book Three will be set mostly in Ancient Egypt. 

 

 

 

 

Have you always been a writer/wanted to become an author?

I have always been a storyteller. When I was young, I used to tell stories to school friends and even – a bit of role reversal – to my grandmother. As an adult, I co-wrote plays and songs for local festivals in addition to my work as a teacher and a careers adviser. I also wrote articles for national magazines under my married name of Sue Weekes, mainly to do with cats, family or writing, plus poems for local magazines e.g. church ones and writing group anthologies.

I first started writing a full-length novel on retiring from other jobs. It was Young Adult in format, although it has been enjoyed by a real age range, so even then it wasn’t too long!

 

 

 

 

What made you take that leap and publish your book?

I wrote the first novel during Covid lockdown times, and I was desperate to get it out to other people as quickly as possible to feel I had achieved something positive and concrete from this time. Self-publishing seemed to be the best way to go about it.

 

 

 

 

Do you have any more books in the pipeline?

Yes, the third book in the Rowan trilogy for a start, which I’ve already begun. I’ve also got a part-written 18th-century novella in the pipeline, plus a bunch of contemporary characters who’ve appeared in plays and short stories whom I could write full-on novels about.

This may sound a bit eclectic, however music is a common thread – most of my family do something with it, professionally or as a hobby.

 

 

 

What advice would you offer other aspiring authors who are thinking of self-publishing? 

I acquired three Beta readers, of different ages and backgrounds, who read my books chapter by chapter. I found this a very good way to tell how the books were working.

 

 

Thanks so much, Suzanne.

And congratulations again on your fantastic book. 

 

Follow Suzanne on Facebook