Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
The Grand Odessa is my 13th novel, but it’s the first one that I’ve put out. That’s partially because I’m a perfectionist, but it also worked out nicely because I’m a massive Swiftie (if you know, you know).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Grand Odessa is named after a hotel that, in the novel, is at the center of an unsolved murder. I went through four or five names and Odessa ended up being the one that sounded right.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Any time I’m writing dialogue, I have to actually have the conversation out loud to make sure it sounds right. As a result, I also have voices for all the characters and seem a little psychotic if I write in public.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
TJ Klune’s Withered + Sere duology, Marissa Pessl’s Night Film, anything that Alexis Hall has ever written, the Throne of Glass series, Yesterday is History by Kosoko Jackson… honestly, there’s too many to name them all. 🙂
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m writing a doorstopper of a best friends to lovers regency novel.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m very new to all this, but so far my best method has been the old fashioned one: pitching to people in person. I mention the book to pretty much anybody who’ll listen (and more than a few people who don’t).
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Reach out to authors and find mentors in the space. It’s unlike any other career and a lot of the knowledge you need to succeed is not intuitive.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You can tell a lot about someone by how comfortable the chairs in their house are.
What are you reading now?
Weirdly, the Walter Isaacson biography of Steve Jobs.
What’s next for you as a writer?
This fall, I’m releasing The Brilliant Mister Khatri, a novel about two idiots who pretend to be the world’s most famous detective duo and have to solve a murder.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Night Film by Marissa Pessl
Author Websites and Profiles
Gabriel Lake Website
Gabriel Lake Amazon Profile
Gabriel Lake’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile