Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written three novels and one short story compilation along with loads of blogs and tons of poetry. I’ve written my entire life, but taken lots of breaks in-between. I started my first novel when my kids were little and my husband was overseas for Iraqi Freedom.
My husband and I have taught swing dancing for 15 years and I’m an avid collector of vintage stuff, sewing, barware, and random antiques.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Ghostoria: Vintage Romantic Tales of Fright is the one currently on Amazon and was inspired by a ghost story contest. When my hubby got out of the Navy, we moved to a small town in Texas and I saw an ad for a ghost story contest. I entered. Nothing. I entered the next year and made the finals. I entered the next year and was short-listed in the top ten. I went on to write nine more stories for the collection.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write EVERYWHERE. I cannot wait for the perfect moment. I write at soccer games, in the carpool lane, chaperoning choir competitions.
I scribble little notes when I’m out to remind me late to explore an idea or a character description.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, Shakespeare, Ray Bradbury, Jane Austen, Tracy Chevalier
What are you working on now?
The Girl in the Jitterbug Dress series. It’s the parallel story of two young women struggling with self-doubt, loss, and redemption, united across generations by a 1940’s swing dress.The first two are done and I’m waiting for cover art. There will be a third, but I haven’t worked out one of the characters plot.
I’m also work-shopping The Flapper Affair: A paranormal time-travel murder mystery romance with a big dash of the 1920s.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My personal website. FB and Linkedin groups, and believe it or not pinterest. I use pinterest for inspiration for character costumes, sets, old photos, and those people that like those photos come visit my site!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
READ your genre. Don’t be afraid to say I’M A WRITER! If you write you’re a writer. Hire professional cover artists. Look, I make minimum wage and I did it, you can do it, too. SAVE for it!
AND read craft books. One of my fave is Self-editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t write in a vacuum. Surround yourself with other positive writers and artistic people.
What are you reading now?
Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman, and the Alienist by Caleb Carr (for my book club), and I just finished reading The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel with my son.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m trying to figure out the audio book thing and all this crazy marketing. It’s fun, but take so much time away from the writing.
What is your favorite book of all time?
That’s so hard to choose. I try to think what book I’ve read THE MOST. I guess it would have to be Pride and Prejudice, but I’ve also read Neil Gaiman’s Graveyard Book 3 times, plus the Harry Potter series 5 times. Tough call.
Author Websites and Profiles
Tam Francis Website
Tam Francis Amazon Profile
Tam Francis’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account