Interview with Julie Elizabeth Powell

Julie Elizabeth Powell was one of the first authors I met when I joined Goodreads in 2008. I've also met her in person a few times. We've become great friends over the years. Julie is probably the most prolific writer I know. She publishes a few books and stories each year and now has a fantastic collection of books. I've enjoyed reading all of Julie's books. She writes in various genres, but mostly fantasy. Her imagination is amazing.




Julie has been a contributing writer in the BestsellerBound Anthologies and in the Mind's Eye series.

INTERVIEW WITH JULIE ELIZABETH POWELL



Hello, Julie! Great to have you as a guest here. Please introduce yourself.

Hello! My pen name is Julie Elizabeth Powell and I write in a variety of genres, styles and lengths for adults, YA, children and anyone in between or beyond. The variety is because I like to challenge my writing and I’d become bored if I were limited in any way.

I don’t follow rules, formulas or fashions. I am an independent author so I ‘do it all’ – writing, editing, proofreading, designing my own covers and publishing (and good at it, apart from when those gremlins trip me). And yes, that dreaded marketing and promoting (nope, not good at this).

Fantasy is my preferred genre, although I do love to write paranormal, science fiction and supernatural – anything ‘odd’. I have written murder mysteries, crime thrillers, psychological thrillers, humour and non-fiction.

The biggest story is an epic fantasy, a trilogy called, The Avalon Trilogy for a mixed aged range – 10 – 110! I do write short stories, too. These are ideas /dreams that pop into my head and must be written or I’m haunted until they are.

Most of my books are stand alone, except for the Trilogy and my Weird series, where Henry Ian Darling searches for, or is landed with, oddities to solve, all of which will lead to something… ah, not telling. It’s a supernatural /paranormal series that is touched by humour but has its eerie moments.

Henry came to me through a dream and demanded action.



Gone, will always be my most important book due to why it was written; sparked by what happened to my daughter, and I’m pleased with it. I also hope it will help others to cope with the loss of a child or any of those terrible things that can happen during our lifetime. It’s not a depressing read! It’s a fantasy and is filled with adventure, humour and hope.



Some of my books contain strong language, violence and scenes of a sexual nature. Stories such as 13 (horror), Lost Shadows (psychological thriller /fantasy) and Dirty Business (crime thriller) necessitated the inclusion, although not for ‘gratification’ but so to fit in with the story.

I think it’s important to write stories with meaning, and yes, I’m sure mine entertain, too. I am particularly interested in the mind and how and why it works, and how /why people choose to do the things they do.

Oh yes, I’m English and live in the south of England and I’m a grammar snob and despair at how the English language is massacred. If I had a choice, I’d live in Florida, although I’d still keep my snobbish thoughts of English intact.

I frequently wonder if I’m an alien because I’ve never fitted in.

Writing is a fabulous vehicle for all my weird thoughts.

I think reading is a vital for any author. I like all kinds of genres except erotica, most romances, ‘vampire’, books with bare-chested men – yukkety yuk! I prefer stories that make me think /wonder; doesn’t matter what genre. I review for others, too.

Favourite book: The Chrysalids by John Wyndham (though not easy to choose, so many I’ve loved)

Favourite song: Over The Rainbow sung by Eva Cassidy.

Favourite film: Legend (fantasy)

Hobbies: reading, designing, card making, scrapbooking, jewellery making, 3D art, encaustic art, gardening, cinema, listening to music – all kinds except heavy rock or rap.

Currently reading: Khirro's Journey: The Complete Trilogy by Bruce Blake – fabulous fantasy.

Just finished reading: Another great read from Amy Cross.

Nineteen of my books are also available as audiobooks through Audible. The Star Realm is currently being narrated.

AND, The Star Realm is now permafree through Amazon UK, USA.



Aren’t I interesting? Splutter!

Hahaha! Thanks, Julie!

Why should people buy your books?

I never write anything without meaning. I like people to think and wonder and stretch their imagination. For me, there is no limit to the imagination.

For example: Gone – a fantasy, written in answer to the question that haunted me between my daughter’s first and second deaths: Where had my daughter gone? Samantha was severely brain damaged at the age of two, her essence wiped clean, while her suffering twisted shell survived for a further seventeen years. Hence the question. So I created a world and went in search of her.

It’s story of loss, grief, anger and guilt, and yet it is filled with hope. It’s a great adventure, too. I consider it to be unique.

Lost Shadows explores the workings of the mind, particularly memory and what we are with or without it.

13 is a comment on today’s modern world.

A Murderer's Heart delves into why people kill.

Dirty Business will keep you guessing until the end.

Of Sound Mind questions sanity/insanity.

Misadventures Of Fatwoman examines what it feels like to be fat – with humour – but I think many would relate to Andi’s situation.

Slings & Arrows is a non-fictional account of what happened to my daughter and why Gone was written.

I love writing for children (although I think adults would enjoy them, too). The Star Realm, Invasion, Secrets Of The Ice (The Avalon Trilogy) was triggered by the world I’d created in Gone – I couldn’t let it go to waste, so an epic fantasy adventure grew so big that I had to divide the story into three.



Knowing Jack is a mystery adventure which takes place in the Lake District around Christmas time. The inspiration for this came from my son’s amazing intuition. Both stories were fun to write, and yes, have varying levels of meaning.

My shorts: The Puzzling Brain Of Martha Tidberry, There Was An Old Woman, The Box That Jane Built (four horror shorts), Heaven: A Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy, The Fairy In The Tale, Christmas Past, Three Into One, Figments(collection) and Expressions (collection) have all come through dreams and are a mixture of fantasy, science fiction, horror, paranormal, post-apocalyptic and modern contemporary.

I’ve also written many short stories for collections with other authors. The Mind’s Eye series that include mine are: Triptychs, Tales From The Cacao Tree, and soon to be another. The BestsellerBound Anthology Vol3 also has one of mine. Paper Gold Publishing has several of my novels included in their boxsets: Legends (Gone, Of Sound Mind), Legacy (Fantasy Box Set Vol. 2): 10 Complete Novels & Novellas from your Favorite Fantasy Authors (The Star Realm #1 Avalon Trilogy, Invasion #2 Avalon Trilogy, Secrets Of The Ice #3 Avalon Trilogy), The Edge Of Madness (13, Dirty Business, Lost Shadows) and Affairs of the Heart(Misadventures Of Fatwoman).

There will soon be more.

I think people should buy my books because they’re great! Each story will grab you and you won’t want to put it down. And minds will be flung open with all manner of thoughts will pouring in.

Is that enough?

Ha, ha! Well, I'd definitely recommend all of your books. Have enjoyed them all.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Inspiration is everywhere, in everything. I never stop thinking – much to the horror of my mind and sleep wishes. When I do sleep, I constantly dream, many of which turn into stories. They are vivid and demand to be written. Sometimes it’s a feeling, sometimes a character or title. Or even just a name or world.

Do you have a day job or write full time?

I am a full time carer for my husband. I write when I can, although life is demanding and I’m forever busy. My last job was teaching but I had to stop for many reasons.

Now each day is filled to the brim – how did I find time to go out to work?

What 3 pieces of advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Write what you want. Ignore naysayers. Don’t follow others.

I like those.

Do you have any promotion tips? Any websites that you can recommend?

Ha, ha – if anyone has a good answer for this, please tell me. Hmm, well, I think the only way for me is to engage with others. I don’t sell many books, but actively promoting bores others and puts them off buying anyway.

I don’t know the answer to successful selling.

Tell us about your latest book.

I am currently trying to write a novel called, Maisie, which is another fantasy with a twist and includes something I’ve never done before – not telling. Life though is rather complicated and drags me away. I’m about halfway through. I love it when I am in the zone, however, and wish life would ease up and allow me to write more.

What are some of the pros/cons of being an indie author?

Pros – control. Cons – no money for anything, especially the hype machine. You have to do everything yourself (or you could hire out (design, for example) if you can afford it). I like to do everything except proofreading where I’m constantly chasing gremlins.

I bet you’re looking for gremlins now – how many typos have I made? Sigh.

I haven't found any! :) But I know what you mean!

Thanks for being a great guest, Julie. I hope this interview helps more people discover your wonderful writing!


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Book links:

AMAZON UK - http://goo.gl/YUQu68
AMAZON USA - http://goo.gl/pFsY1e
Amazon USA page - http://goo.gl/cT0DCK
Amazon UK page - http://goo.gl/XK8TOj

Audiobooks

UK - http://goo.gl/Un3ExL
USA - http://goo.gl/zUFdWK

Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/julizpow


Author links:

Website: http://julizpow.wix.com/julieelizabet...
Facebook page 1: https://www.facebook.com/julieelizabe...
Facebook page 2: https://www.facebook.com/GoneByJulieE...
Goodreads: https://goo.gl/DcTSOO
Twitter: https://twitter.com/starjewelz
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+JulieElizabe...
LinkedIn: https://goo.gl/ZXbsGv
Blogspot: http://julieelizabethpowell.blogspot....