Q & A's With Mel Sherratt 24th and February 25th 2015

[David]

Do you have any sterling tips for new authors on the block, Mel?

[Christine]

Hi Mel, feel free to take rhe 5th amendment, but I was wondering what your family thinks of your grit-lit books!? (-:

[Mel]

David wrote: "Do you have any sterling tips for new authors on the block, Mel?"

Gosh, probably so many that you have already heard over and over, I bet! Write, write, write. Read, read, read in the genre you want to conquer. Edit until you are sick of the work. Hire an editor to work with you as well. Get the best cover you can if you're going to publish it yourself.

Stay positive on social media - it leads to so many opportunities and great friendships. I owe it all to Twitter, where I tweeted out posts from a book blog I used to run, made lots of contacts that way - that was my 'networking.' People say Twitter doesn't sell books - directly, it might not do if you're an author and are saying 'buy my book' all the time, but indirectly, if someone recommends a book on Twitter, that's when I'd be inclined to check it out. I know we don't have a lot of influence over that, but word of mouth is great online, so the better the book...

I tweet about other people's books I have read but only if I'm enjoying them. People often get back to me to say they have bought the book - I'm always pleased with that. It's how I know so many authors now - I love Twitter, it's my virtual office. So I guess, I do a lot of marketing, but indirect myself.

I'm always reading up on marketing too - although I'm not very good at it, technology scares me. That's why I'm more sociable and do the 80/20 rule. I'm more social to get the word out!

Above all, experiment and have fun. It's great to have the opportunities available today.

[Mel]

Christine wrote: "Hi Mel, feel free to take rhe 5th amendment, but I was wondering what your family thinks of your grit-lit books!? (-:"
Christine, my family and friends love most of my work. They really like the local references too, I expect. My mum often wants more violence in the books as she loves how I scare her! (She doesn't get it though.) My aunties who are in their sixties and seventies, who I thought wouldn't like Taunting the Dead, absolutely loved it.

I often cringe when people ask me what I write, though. Em, crime thrillers - some are a bit sexy though ;)

[Christine]

Mel wrote: "Christine wrote: "Hi Mel, feel free to take rhe 5th amendment, but I was wondering what your family thinks of your grit-lit books!? (-:"
Christine, my family and friends love most of my work. They..."

That's such a great answer, Mel! Your mum sounds super cool. You are really blessed to have such a supportive family.

[David]

Thanks for the answers already given. I've come to discover that marketing is harder than writing.

I'm a fantasy reader/writer who has recently discovered a liking for thrillers. Do you read other genres, Mel, and would you consider writing in another genre?

[Mel]

Christine wrote: "Mel wrote: "Christine wrote: "Hi Mel, feel free to take rhe 5th amendment, but I was wondering what your family thinks of your grit-lit books!? (-:"
Christine, my family and friends love most of m..."

Christine, thank you SO much for the review of Somewhere to Hide! I just love that you 'get' me and my work, it's such an honour!

[Christine]

Gosh, Mel, you are so fast! Thank you for the kind words. I do "get" you, and I thank you for writing your wonderful novels.

[Mel]

David wrote: "Thanks for the answers already given. I've come to discover that marketing is harder than writing.

I'm a fantasy reader/writer who has recently discovered a liking for thrillers. Do you read other..."

Yes, I love women's fiction, something completely different to what I write, and that I can escape into. I like anything psychological scary too, something to keep me on the edge of my seat. I used to read a lot of Stephen King and Dean Koontz when I was younger, but I haven't read any in a while, nor do I read horror. I really enjoy some of the young adult books out too. Young readers have a vast choice compared to readers in my younger generation.

How about you? Do you like anything else?

[Janet , Moderator]

I am totally thrilled that some of our American members get your work Mel, because they are very much British books in their vernacular. We've had some interesting conversations on Englishisms!!

I agree with the Twitter aspect too. If I never joined I would not be here now on GR. Cyber meeting, talking and learning about books has been insightful and enjoyable. And I would never have come across the books that I have if it wasn't for Twitter. I almost feel a part of the crime fiction community, getting to know what's good and what's not, different styles and just knowing that these people are 'real!' Sounds daft I know but sometimes it's easy to forget there's a person behind the words, though I would never think that someone writing dark material would be a dark person?!! I can separate the two!! :)

It's been great that a few have become Facebook friends too, social interaction, it's where it's at!!

[David]

I like pretty much any genre as long as I can connect with the characters and the writing style, Mel: Classics, general, thrillers, fantasy, even chick lit. I've not read any pure romance though (M&B type stuff), and not sure i will.

I'll certainly be reading some of your grit-lit, after reading recommendations in this group from readers whose opinions I've come to trust. I've a few on my TBR list.

[Christine]

OK, Mel, I was sure Janet would ask you this one,but she didn't. So I will. If you could have dinner with any 5 people who ever lived (no family allowed!), who would you invite and why?

[Mel]

Janet wrote: "I am totally thrilled that some of our American members get your work Mel, because they are very much British books in their vernacular. We've had some interesting conversations on Englishisms!!

I..."

Absolutely! I can't imagine how the book world would look without Twitter either. It's the best 'word of mouth' ever!

[Mel]

David wrote: "I like pretty much any genre as long as I can connect with the characters and the writing style, Mel: Classics, general, thrillers, fantasy, even chick lit. I've not read any pure romance though (M..."

I doubt I would read modern romance either. But I will try anything. I'll give anything 50 pages - that's my test. I have so many too read too!

[Christine]

Mel, if you like historical fiction, you have to read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I went out of my box to sign up for the Giveaway and actually won it. I absolutely loved this book, my first historical fiction read. I still think about it 2 months later.

[Mel]

Christine wrote: "OK, Mel, I was sure Janet would ask you this one,but she didn't. So I will. If you could have dinner with any 5 people who ever lived (no family allowed!), who would you invite and why?"

For pure entertainment value - and off the top of my head? 5 people who ever lived? Elvis Presley would be one. Enid Blyton would be another. Heath Ledger, Agatha Christie and Paul Walker (Fast and Furious actor) Bit of a mix there :)

[Janet , Moderator]

I quite like chick lit, Jenny Colgan, Lisa Jewell but full on romance - urgh!!

Mel! Because you're a writer now do you approach books differently now when reading? Like when a director directs a movie for the first time, does the viewing experience change?

[Christine]

Mel wrote: "Christine wrote: "OK, Mel, I was sure Janet would ask you this one,but she didn't. So I will. If you could have dinner with any 5 people who ever lived (no family allowed!), who would you invite ..."

Sympathies, Mel, these folks are all dead!

[Mel]

Christine wrote: "Mel wrote: "Christine wrote: "OK, Mel, I was sure Janet would ask you this one,but she didn't. So I will. If you could have dinner with any 5 people who ever lived (no family allowed!), who would..."

You said 5 who had lived? Ha ha - well, in that case I'm going to have a think on that and get back to you later. I have met nearly every author that I'd like to meet - I can't think of anyone who I haven't met yet at one festival or another. Hmm...

[Mel]

Christine wrote: "Mel, if you like historical fiction, you have to read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I went out of my box to sign up for the Giveaway and actually won it. I absolutely loved this book, my fir..."

Christine, historical fiction is one genre I cannot connect with. I've tried several times but I'm a stuck in the present gal. It's the same with films or TV. I do occasionally read one but I honestly can't recall the last time. Great sign of a good book that you are still thinking of it that long after, though.

[Mel]

Janet wrote: "I quite like chick lit, Jenny Colgan, Lisa Jewell but full on romance - urgh!!

Mel! Because you're a writer now do you approach books differently now when reading? Like when a director directs..."

I love Lisa Jewell, and Adele Parks too. I love getting lost in their books.

I try not to approach books that I read any differently. Sometimes I can't help but compare. But equally if the book is good, I won't notice. I do try and guess where the clues are, but I bet most people do that.

I do get writer's envy when I read a fantastic twist and think 'Oh, I wish I had thought of that...' I've read two like that recently. Dying for Christmas, Tammy Cohen and I let You Go by Clare Mackintosh, both British authors.

[Janet , Moderator]

I Let You Go was an astonishing read. Loved it. Haven't read Tammy's yet.

[Christine]

Mel wrote: "Christine wrote: "Mel, if you like historical fiction, you have to read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I went out of my box to sign up for the Giveaway and actually won it. I absolutely loved..."

I get that, Mel. But if you ever change your mind, go with The Nightingale.

[Christine]

Mel wrote: "Christine wrote: "Mel wrote: "Christine wrote: "OK, Mel, I was sure Janet would ask you this one,but she didn't. So I will. If you could have dinner with any 5 people who ever lived (no family al..."

Oh, 5 people who EVER lived, Mel, so dead people count. I was sympathizing because your dream dinner will never happen, lol.

[Mel]

Christine wrote: "Mel wrote: "Christine wrote: "Mel wrote: "Christine wrote: "OK, Mel, I was sure Janet would ask you this one,but she didn't. So I will. If you could have dinner with any 5 people who ever lived (..."

Ah, well, I have since been thinking and here are my five live dinner dates

Peter Kay (British comedian)
Beyonce
Michael Buble
Robert de Nero
Tom Cruise

Still quite a mixture ;)

[Christine]

Wow, I'll say! This question never fails to deliver terrific answers. Thanks for putting in the thinking time on that one.

Don' t know Adele Parks, Mel. She has written LOTS. Can you recommend one or two of your faves that I could check out?

Saw Silent Scream on your blog. I had that one on preorder and it just arrived in the US within the last few days. Doing a beta read now, then will give Scream a go. Downloaded Angela's other 2 books at the same time. They look very different from Scream, yet very intriguing. Last question--have you read either of them? I am impressed by authors who can successfully write very different types of novels. (-:

[Mel]

Christine wrote: "Wow, I'll say! This question never fails to deliver terrific answers. Thanks for putting in the thinking time on that one.

Don' t know Adele Parks, Mel. She has written LOTS. Can you recommend..."

I haven't read it, Christine, but I reckon Spare Brides might be up your street. I also enjoyed Whatever it Takes.

Yes, I endorsed Silent Scream so was given a pre copy to read. I really enjoyed it - especially too as I know her publisher, editor and publicist so it's great to see them all have success, as well as Angie who strived for years, like myself to get a book out there. I do like sharing other people's successes. I haven't read any of her others though - always a time issue for me.

[Janet , Moderator]

Silent Scream is a great read. It kept me up most of the night.

[Christine]

Many thanks, Mel, for coming to our group and spending the time to give such thoughtful answers to our many questions. So very appreciated! XOXO.

[Sean, Moderator]

Thanks Mel

Great and interesting answers.

[Mel]

My pleasure - thanks so much for having me. I really enjoyed it.

[David]

An enjoyable Q&A, Mel. Thank you.

[H.N.]

Great Q&A!