Author's Name: Victoria Howard
City/State/Country: Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK
Bio: I was born in Liverpool at a time when the Beatles were becoming famous. My family moved to the Wirral on the posh side of the river Mersey when I was eleven. I attended the local girls’ grammar school, going on to college where I graduated with a Medical Secretarial Diploma.
I worked as a medical secretary to an ophthalmic surgeon before going on to work as a legal secretary. In 1980 I moved to Scotland with my husband. I spent the next twenty years living in a croft on the outskirts of a village in the Highlands, and while there, managed a company involved in the offshore oil industry. I feel Scotland is my spiritual home, which probably the reason why I used it for the setting of my second novel.
In October 2000, I moved to South Yorkshire, and until recently, I worked for the National Health Service.
I have always enjoyed writing, mainly in the form of short stories and letters to friends. An avid reader, my hobbies also include travelling the world, designing knitwear, and gardening.
I started writing my first novel, Three Weeks Last Spring, in 2000, but didn’t complete it until 2004. It was published in 2005 and is due to be re-released by Vanilla Heart Publishing in June 2009.
My second novel, The House on the Shore, will be published in spring 2009. I am currently working on a third novel, Ring of Lies.
I am a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Romantic Novelists Association.
How many book/s have you written?: Two and I am currently working on a third.
Please share with us your book titles: The House on the Shore.
Three Weeks Last Spring.
What genre/s would you like to write in?: Romantic Suspense
Please share with us who or what encourages you to write and why?: I think the knowledge that I am creating something that people enjoy and get pleasure from encourages me to keep writing, especially when the ideas and words are slow to form.
How long did it take for you to write your book/s?: One year
How long did it take for you to publish your book/s?: Eighteen Months
Who did you publish with and why?: I'm published by a small independent press, Vanilla Heart Publishing, based in Everett, Washington. The small independent presses often have more freedom than the larger publishing houses who are often constrained by budget. They can take advantage of modern technology and publish a smaller run of copies than the large houses who must sell large numbers of books to earn back their advances. Small presses often respond quickly to submissions and will often accept unsolicited manuscripts.
Please share with us how you prefer to market your book/s?: I contact book stores, local media, both radio and newspapers, and libraries, to let them know the release date of my novel and provide them with a media pack containing details of where my book can be purchase and any reviews it has been garnered. I also take advantage of the many forums and blogs available on the internet.
Please share with us any event/s that you have planned in marketing your book/s: I have three book signings coming up here in the UK.
30th May 2009 Borders Books, Birstall, Leeds
6th June 2009 Borders Books, Leeds
13th June 2009 Borders Books, Cheshire Oaks.
I shall also be on Books with Heart on Blog Talk Radio on Thursday 4th June. Midday Pacific Time or 8pm here in the UK.
And I'm hoping to hold a number of book signing events in December when I shall be in Florida.
Do you wish to share any additional information with our readers?: Writing is a lonely occupation and a skill that takes time to develop. Always remember that rejection isn't personal, so never give up on your dream of becoming a writer.
Email to share: enquiries@victoriahoward.co.uk
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