Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always been a writer and have made my living as a journalist. About ten years ago I started writing fiction. I started in the genre of Women’s Fiction and published one novel. At the suggestion of a friend I tried writing Fantasy. Her advice “It’s fantasy so you can just make it up. You can write anything!’ She was right. I love the freedom of the genre. You can explore the themes that are important to you but within a magical realm. It’s getting so that I have a hard time reading things that are not in the genre. I will be turning the pages waiting for some action to happen. I’ll think, this story is interesting but it could really use a sea monster about now. I have written four books.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Underworld Rising, Part 2 of the Lost Gods Series. It’s the continuation of Zoe’s story. I was inspired by climate change. Zoe is coming to terms with the danger the world is in and her role in preventing disaster. Zoe’s story shows that one person can make a difference. I also wanted to write a story about love because love is what it’s going to take to fix everything. Love for our earth, love for humanity, but also romantic love. Romantic love is magical so it makes sense to explore it in a magical universe.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sometimes can’t sleep and wake up at 3am. I should try to get back to sleep but if I get up I can write like crazy. I will write until 10am and then stop and do life things like eat and work. Then I will return to the writing later in the day. It’s not the healthiest habit but I do tend to produce a lot when I do this.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was just saying to my daughter how fiction can have a great impact on human behaviour. We were talking about Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl and her writing about “the cool girl”. She called out a trope that was destructive to women. My daughter’s friends will recite the cool girl monologue to remind themselves not to be that way. My generation was socialized to be the cool girl. It did not work out well. Here is this fiction writer putting it into a story and the light bulb goes on for all of us.
What are you working on now?
I am writing Edge of Elysium, Part 3 in the Lost Gods series. I am idly considering whether or not to write a part 4 because the story has become so big now.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I try everything and see what sticks. My Amazon ads are gaining traction and that took trial and error. I find book promotion sites are good for giving my sales a boost. I have recently tried TikTok and have found some success there. I was loathe to be on camera but I have discovered the joy of filters. I don’t look that good but it is a relief not to have to worry about it or even put on makeup. They do it for you. I can do a video then go back to sitting under my duvet with my computer on my lap.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
In the words of Michael Scott from “The Office”, don’t give up, don’t ever give up, don’t ever give up. This is what you want to do. Keep doing it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Years ago I suddenly found myself in a leadership position that I was not prepared for and had not aspired to achieve. I was responsible for the jobs and careers of many people. There were pressures and the wolf was always at the door. I had a mentor who checked in on me regularly. He told me a story about the president of France that I don’t remember but the gist of it was keep your sights on where you are going and forget about the rest. If people are trying to take you down, don’t even think about it. I trusted this man and he was very successful. I put my doubts aside and kept my focus on where I was going. I never thought about failure again. I succeeded. It took a lot of work but it did eventually work out. The other advice I had was from my uncle when I was having imposter syndrome. I had a daunting task ahead of me and I felt unqualified. My uncle broke down what I had already done and assigned values to it. He showed me that what I was being asked to do going forward was only a smaller percentage of what I had already done. I think of this with novel writing. I have already written a novel. The marketing is a percentage more. But look what I have already done, I can do more.
What are you reading now?
Spare by Prince Harry.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to finish my series and then write other novels in the same universe. I have other genres I would like to try too. I wish I had Hermione Granger’s time turner so I could do it all.
What is your favorite book of all time?
I think we are going through an explosion of creativity because with self-publishing, we are hearing from authors who would never have gotten the chance to publish before. Everyday I am reading amazing fiction. I cannot chose, I love them all.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jane Frkovich Website
Jane Frkovich Amazon Profile
Jane Frkovich’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.