Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Kelly Stock, I’m British and knocking on the door of 40 (eek). I finished writing my first book, and Urban Fantasy novel, The Soul Guide late 2016. A few months later I pressed the publish button on Amazon and haven’t looked back since. I have just released a prequel novella (June 17) to The Soul Guide and I am furiously working on book two of the series, which all being well, I shall release in Autumn 2017.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Secrets and Souls, a novella based on two of the characters in The Soul Guide; Bertram and Mellissa. It is set forty years before The Soul Guide and reveals more about their relationship, the mystery surrounding Clayhill Manor and the Veil. It also fills in a little of the backstory of some other character in The Soul Guide. It also reveals some interesting information about a secret group of people called the Warriors of Light, who will be revealed more in book two of The Soul Guide series due out in Autumn 2017.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really unusual, as a lot of authors listen to music. But I wrote The Soul Guide to If you Wait by London Grammar. It basically played on a loop over and over. Now, I’m writing book two to their latest album Truth is a Beautiful Thing
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Gosh, there is so many. As a teenager I loved to read horror, so James Herbert and Stephen King were my go to. The Rats series is my all time favourite. There is a particular scene in Domain that will haunt me forever!! Now, as an adult and a mother my taste’s have changed some what. I love fantasy, mostly urban but some epic. I adore Sarah J Maas, Cassandra Clare and GRRM to name a few.
What are you working on now?
Book two of The Soul Guide series, currently loosely titled The Soul Farm, but this may later change. This book gets A LOT darker, and explores the hidden world of both the ‘light’ and the ‘dark’. I’m really enjoying writing this book, all those years of reading horror is seeping from my fingers and onto the page. I’m super excited about it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, I am so terrible at marketing and am still learning. After I pressed publish back in February 17, I naively thought that I wouldn’t have to do much more than sit back and watch my book fly into the stratosphere! Marketing my book has been the single hardest thing I’ve had to do. There are so many talented authors all vying for the same readers attention and being an unknown like I am makes it even tougher to get noticed. However, of late finding websites such as this, and doing newsletter swaps, facebook ‘hops’ and joining some facebook author groups has really helped.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t expect that once you press the publish button for magic to happen and for you to sell a gazillion books out of the starting blocks. It has happened for the few, but for the majority it takes a lot of effort, determination and grit to keep going. What ever you do be realistic and DO NOT compare yourself to other authors, as you will give up before you’ve barely begun. You will have you’re own individual journey, with its own up and downs. That will be your story.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing. Get as many books out as possible in as little time as possible. This doesn’t mean you should rush and miss out the correct stages of editing, proofing etc. But do try and get out more books, the more you have out there the better you will do.
I wish someone had said to me, before I pushed the publish button on my first book, to wait to release the books until I had written the whole series. Then release them with two months between to gather readers and excitement. I plan to do this with my next series.
What are you reading now?
I’ve entered an online competition called the Self Publishing Fantasy Blog Off (#SPFBO) hosted by insane hybrid, fantasy author Mark Lawrence. I am in Lynn’s Books blog selection (total of 30) and I am going through and reading the free excerpt from Amazon of each of their books and reviewing them. If you want to take a look visit here: https://kellystockauthor.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/spfbo-first-two-reviews-in-my-group/
What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep on writing. I am actually being made redundant from my day job. So, from September I can concentrate of writing full-time, at least for a little while anyway, before finding a new job. I intend on making the most of this time to get as much writing done as possible.
What is your favorite book of all time?
WAY TOO HARD TO CHOOSE! I have so many! The Rats has to be up there, given it’s the book that made me love to read.
Author Websites and Profiles
Kelly Stock Website
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