Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born and raised in South Africa I decided I wanted to be a writer when I was seven years old, inspired by the fictional character Gabriel Knight, who was a writer come mystical detective.
In the many many years since then I have written and published three books. I’ve also since then lived in seven different countries and currently live in Germany.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My saltest book is called Mostly Human, it’s the story of a young boy Alex, and his family as they try to come to terms with Alex being bitten by a werewolf at age ten. The inspiration come from a day dream I had while waiting for my sister one day, and it blossomed from there into something I believed could be a book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sporadic. Although I am part of a writing group called Poetry Club, and write an original short story every week, when it comes to novel writing it is a bit more when I can find the time and the inspiration to use it.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jane Jensen who wrote Gabriel Knight, the books and the video game the book was based on.
Robert Rankin and the Armageddon trilogy, which inspired me to believe I could write what ever made sense to me, and not what made sense to others.
What are you working on now?
Mostly Human 2 and a short story anthology from my work done for Poetry Club.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve had great success with sitting in bars using a fake name telling people about the great book I’m reading by D.I. Jolly.
Otherwise common practice is to set up a website, give something like short stories or free chapters of your book away to collect e-mail addresses from people and when you bring out a new book e-mail all those people and tell them about it.
At the same time collect names of reviews and bloggers offering them advanced reading copies of your book. Try and build up a working relationship with them, if they like one of your books offer them others. Same with book tubers. Regardless of their size, any good review is something you can promote as well. Most people don’t know that a blog only gets 20 views a week, but will take their advice that a book is good over you saying “Please read my book”.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Practice, listen to constructive criticism and learn from it. And if anyone simply tells you that “your book sucks” ignore them, or ask them why, if they can’t come up with actual things to say about plot dialogue and character development then their opinion doesn’t matter and should be forgotten.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you’re not having fun then something is wrong and only you can fix it. Your life is up to you to live.
What are you reading now?
It by Stephen King
What’s next for you as a writer?
Probably releasing the short story anthology with the help of some friends, then continue working on Mostly Human 2.
Author Websites and Profiles
D.I. Jolly Amazon Profile
D.I. Jolly’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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