Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Donna tends to write about nature, passion, simplicity and wellbeing – essentially her code for living a good life. She also likes to ‘paddle her own canoe,’ and has a tendency to spontaneously recreate her life, just as she did in 2013 when she followed her new boyfriend, and his sprint canoe, to French Guiana. As it happened, the boyfriend and the French Amazon fit like a glove and embracing both turned out to be one of the best decisions in her life.
I left a career behind as a horticultural journalist to have now written 5 books and 1 other under my pen name.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Moving to the magnificent and mysterious, confusing and chaotic French Guiana inspired both Wild Roots – Coming Alive in the French Amazon, and French Guiana – the Bizarre and the Beautiful.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write from a hammock, and read from a sea kayak
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard, H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald, Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey. However, it was Australian naturalist David Fleay’s daughter Rosemary Fleay-Thomson who first introduced me to the art of nature writing.
What are you working on now?
Several projects always on the go and I just see what evolves. All nature inspired and hoping to deliver a message that we need to reconnect with nature, but never losing the wonder and awe that is nature.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The books have only very recently been released and I am relying on networking, and that the books are authentic and hopefully entertaining. Therefore, word of mouth.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start networking early. Reach out to people in your genre, they are very helpful.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Either way you are going down, so go like you mean it.”
What are you reading now?
Right now a book of self-publishing, but I make time to look through Make a Date with Nature, by Paula Peeters.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Branching out into reviewing nature books and inspiring others to write nature essays.
What is your favorite book of all time?
That’s a tough one. I am going to go with Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, Living With Animals by David Fleay, or the diary of Anne Frank.
Author Websites and Profiles
Donna Mulvenna Website
Donna Mulvenna’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Pinterest Account