Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an outdoor leader turned leadership futurist, with a penchant and passion for writing. I have written four leadership books. The fourth one, People Stuff – Beyond Personality Problems, won multiple awards, including Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards.
I started my fiction career in 2022, and have published two sci-fi novels so far. My debut, The Olympus Project, won a GOLD MEDAL at the Readers’ Favorites Awards 2023.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Terra Blanca: Insurrection is the latest one out in the world. It’s the prequel to the main Gaia book series, of which my first novel, The Olympus Project, is the first full length novel.
I wanted to tell the story of how things can go terribly wrong. The seed of the story came from some research that turned out to be manipulated that showcased how people can become depraved abusers when they are given power in a prison. I wanted to explore how good intentions for a collective society – based on horizontal leadership/flat hierarchies – can go wrong if we’re not careful.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure what’s usual! I leverage technology: I often dictate chapters (so much faster than typing) and I use chat GPT to outline, brainstorm, and problem solve.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read so widely it’s hard to say. I love a good sentence and will wallow in the rhythms and beauty of a well-crafted paragraph. Ursula K. LeGuin has good sentences. Frank Herbert mesmerised me for the scope of his story and expanse of his world. Then there’s Kate Quinn and her eye for detail is incredible. Diamond Eye has my favourite first line of a book.
What are you working on now?
The sequel to the Olympus Project, Olympus Bound, is down to line edits now and will be out in early 2024. While that’s happening, I’ve started digging away at the third full length novel, with the working title, Olympus Rising. And the musings for a fifth non-fiction leadership book on power.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Method: street team and a legion of raging fans! I ask the various communities to which I belong (running, outdoors, writers, book facebook groups, past organisations) to spread the word.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Work with others! My books are so much better having worked with an editor. Also, marketing will be hard, but like anything, just keep learning. See authoring as a new career, that will take ten years to master. Less pressure to hit it out of the park on the first book that way!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read like a writer. Pay attention to where language transports and where it grinds to a halt, what you loved or hated about a story. I learned a lot about writing this way.
What are you reading now?
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Incredible.
Audiobook: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Also incredible. Both are HUGE.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish my Gaia series and play with new stories.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Childhood – King Arthur. That book sucked me in and I never wanted to leave that world.
Adult – Dune by Frank Herbert. As above. For months I added cinnamon and nutmeg to my tea hoping I’d be transformed like in Dune.
Author Websites and Profiles
Zoë Routh Website
Zoë Routh Amazon Profile
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