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AMA
Original poster

I'm a traditionally published author of commercial fiction - AMA

157 replies

charduck · 15/11/2021 19:45

I was reading this thread with interest:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/what_were_reading/4342858-AIBU-to-have-had-a-gut-full-of-psychological-thrillers

And I noticed a few requests for an author to do an AMA!

So here I am! Smile

I write psych suspense, have had three novels published, with my fourth out in a few weeks. My last book was a bestseller both here and in the US.

Happy to answer anything I'm allowed to!

OP posts:
Curioushorse · 15/11/2021 19:53

What percentage does your agent take? And how pleased are you with them? Do you pitch books to them first, or your publisher?

Original poster
charduck · 15/11/2021 19:58

@Curioushorse

What percentage does your agent take? And how pleased are you with them? Do you pitch books to them first, or your publisher?
My agent takes 15% of my UK contracts, 20% of overseas. Yes, I'm lucky - she's great and she's stuck with me over a long time (my first two novels didn't sell). I always run my book ideas by her first.
OP posts:
AlbertBridge · 15/11/2021 20:00

Are you Paula Hawkins?

Claudethecat · 15/11/2021 20:01

Do you think the genre is going to die anytime soon? Will you keep writing this genre while there is a market for it, or would you like to try something else?

Original poster
charduck · 15/11/2021 20:01

@AlbertBridge

Are you Paula Hawkins?
I wish! Sadly not Grin
OP posts:
CatonMat · 15/11/2021 20:03

Do your book sales afford you a comfortable salary?

ShinyHappyPoster · 15/11/2021 20:03

I know quite a few authors who have moved from trad publishing to self-publishing because the margins are much better. Are you ever tempted to go that route?

ShadowKitty · 15/11/2021 20:03

How do you develop original ideas for plots? Every time I have an idea I just think 'ah it's been done before'... Or I overcomplicate it!

Original poster
charduck · 15/11/2021 20:04

@Claudethecat

Do you think the genre is going to die anytime soon? Will you keep writing this genre while there is a market for it, or would you like to try something else?
I don't think it will die. I think it's been around for a very long time, albeit packaged slightly differently in the past.

I find it's my natural genre to write in, and my favourite to read, but I would like to write more bookclub/slightly more literary stuff too one day. The issue really is time!

OP posts:
IncompleteSenten · 15/11/2021 20:04

Do you view self published authors as not 'real' authors?

ApolloandDaphne · 15/11/2021 20:05

Who is your publisher?

Claudethecat · 15/11/2021 20:05

I was going to ask if you are Ruth Ware. But she has written more than 4 I think...

Original poster
charduck · 15/11/2021 20:05

@CatonMat

Do your book sales afford you a comfortable salary?
No, because I have expensive tastes! Grin It is very hard to make a good long-term living as an author.
OP posts:
doadeer · 15/11/2021 20:06

Do authors make a lot less money with people buying kindle?

How do book sales actually work?

Do you think any of your books could be turned into movies /TV?

Claudethecat · 15/11/2021 20:06

@ApolloandDaphne

Who is your publisher?
That might be a bit outing for the OP!
Original poster
charduck · 15/11/2021 20:07

@IncompleteSenten

Do you view self published authors as not 'real' authors?
Absolutely not!! It's something I might consider doing one day, but there's a lot of other stuff you have to do when you're self-pubbed, alongside the writing that puts me off.
OP posts:
Original poster
charduck · 15/11/2021 20:07

@Claudethecat

I was going to ask if you are Ruth Ware. But she has written more than 4 I think...
Not me but she is a GREAT writer.
OP posts:
Original poster
charduck · 15/11/2021 20:08

@ApolloandDaphne

Who is your publisher?
Hachette - I guess I shouldn't say which imprint. Although I'm not particularly worried about staying anonymous, unless it's against the rules?
OP posts:
BoneWithTheWind · 15/11/2021 20:09

Has your financial situation improved dramatically since your last novel became a bestseller?

Have you always wanted to be/ been an author or was it a career change for you..?

Thanks in advance xx

Original poster
charduck · 15/11/2021 20:10

@doadeer

Do authors make a lot less money with people buying kindle?

How do book sales actually work?

Do you think any of your books could be turned into movies /TV?

No not always, because with Kindle it's about volume. You can sell an awful lot of books so even if they're only 99p, it adds up. The royalty split is better on ebooks too.

I wish I could answer how book sales work but it's a bloody mystery to me too sadly. LOL.

Yes, and I hope they will do one day! Had some near misses...

OP posts:
Original poster
charduck · 15/11/2021 20:12

@BoneWithTheWind

Has your financial situation improved dramatically since your last novel became a bestseller?

Have you always wanted to be/ been an author or was it a career change for you..?

Thanks in advance xx

It hasn't improved dramatically but it has improved yes. I earnt out my advance on that book so I'm now getting royalty payments for it, which is lovely.

Absolutely always wanted to be an author, but I trained as a journalist and worked in magazines for years first. I always wrote novels on the side though.

OP posts:
MintyCedric · 15/11/2021 20:13

How long did it take you to find an agent and did you have a complete manuscript first?

Original poster
charduck · 15/11/2021 20:14

@ShadowKitty

How do you develop original ideas for plots? Every time I have an idea I just think 'ah it's been done before'... Or I overcomplicate it!
It's really hard. I would say everything probably has been done before, but it's all about your personal take on it, and your unique writing style. Don't be put off, you'll find that every writer brings something fresh to an idea.
OP posts:
Original poster
charduck · 15/11/2021 20:14

@ShinyHappyPoster

I know quite a few authors who have moved from trad publishing to self-publishing because the margins are much better. Are you ever tempted to go that route?
I'm tempted but I think I would find it really hard. I really admire authors who can do it. I'd definitely never say never...
OP posts:
CatonMat · 15/11/2021 20:15

Do you follow a tried and tested pattern in your books?
Do you set out to include particular formulae, or do they meander along the own paths?

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