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AMA
Original poster

I'm a Sunday Times bestselling thriller author

135 replies

BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:04

I saw the other thread by the author and found it interesting. Thought I'd throw my hat in the ring here.

I'm published by Penguin Random House. I've published between 6 and 10 Sunday Times bestsellers (vague due to outing - I can be much more candid on my answers if I am not outed). I'm a woman. They're psychological thrillers. I am a full-time writer. I quit a professional career when my books sold well, and I now live off the writing income. AMA.

OP posts:
EnrouteNOTonroute · 23/12/2021 13:05

Did you always want to be an author?

ButtonSister · 23/12/2021 13:05

Lisa Jewell?

TulipsGarden · 23/12/2021 13:06

How many more books are you contracted to write, and how do you feel about your editor?

Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:06

@EnrouteNOTonroute

Did you always want to be an author?
Always, yes, though I didn't know it was possible for somebody like me to do it.
OP posts:
Toolatebaby · 23/12/2021 13:07

Congratulations firstly, I'd be sooo proud of myself if you were me.
Where do you get your inspiration?

Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:07

@ButtonSister

Lisa Jewell?
Like I said, it's much easier if I remain anonymous. But Lisa Jewell has written 18 novels.
OP posts:
Haus1234 · 23/12/2021 13:07

Do you still enjoy writing, or does it feel like any other job now?

Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:08

@TulipsGarden

How many more books are you contracted to write, and how do you feel about your editor?
Most authors get a two-book deal at a time, I have that here in the UK and in the US. I'm writing the second book in that deal. I've had a fair few two-book deals. I love my editor: she's changed my life.
OP posts:
FiddlefigOnTheRoof · 23/12/2021 13:08

How much do you earn? Is it stressful?

Marzipano · 23/12/2021 13:08

Are there books you'd like to write, but don't because they wouldn't be commercially successful?

Livelifeinthebuslane · 23/12/2021 13:09

Which parts of the process do you find easy and hard?

CeeceeBloomingdale · 23/12/2021 13:10

If you saw someone on a train reading your book would you still get excited or does that wear off?

Do you know how a book will end when you begin it?

VorpalSword · 23/12/2021 13:11

Are buying multi pack books off amazon bad for the authors? How is it best to buy to support the author?

Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:11

@Toolatebaby

Congratulations firstly, I'd be sooo proud of myself if you were me. Where do you get your inspiration?
Anywhere and everywhere, the news, interesting stories, books, tv...
OP posts:
Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:12

@FiddlefigOnTheRoof

How much do you earn? Is it stressful?
Into six figures, though some of it from foreign territories, America, Germany, and film and TV options, and I do find having ideas stressful, being out for review, and the first few weeks of sales.
OP posts:
Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:13

@Marzipano

Are there books you'd like to write, but don't because they wouldn't be commercially successful?
I think so but to me commercial success does align with how good a book is: if it wouldn't be commercial viable, what you're really saying there is lots of people wouldn't want to read it, so it doesn't appeal. I want to write commercial viable books because I want the general public to go 'oh wow,' when they see the concept, and pick it up.
OP posts:
Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:14

@Livelifeinthebuslane

Which parts of the process do you find easy and hard?
I find writing a book quite easy, especially as it's all I do. I find varying sales stressful, odd messages from readers, and inane questions at parties, ha.
OP posts:
Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:14

@CeeceeBloomingdale

If you saw someone on a train reading your book would you still get excited or does that wear off?

Do you know how a book will end when you begin it?

I would, but I wouldn't say anything to them as it's fairly variable in how it turns out.

I know the ending 90% of the time...

OP posts:
Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:15

@VorpalSword

Are buying multi pack books off amazon bad for the authors? How is it best to buy to support the author?
Pretty much as they're usually second hand, but all readers are helpful, and all eyes on the page are good for authors. I'd say pre-ordering from Waterstones or an indie is the most helpful thing you can do.
OP posts:
AndARiverBeneathYourFeet · 23/12/2021 13:25

You have an awesome job.

What does a typical day look like for you?

NameChangeCity123 · 23/12/2021 13:34

Do you get paid in advance to write your books or do you get paid once they're finished?

Have you ever had writers block and if so how
Did you overcome it?

Any plans to make your books into tv or film adaptations?

Congrats on getting paid to do what you love ❤️

NdujaWannaDance · 23/12/2021 13:44

Does your previous profession help inform or shape the type of books you write? Have you put your personal experience and knowledge of that specific topic into the plots for your books, meaning they all follow a loosely similar theme?

Marzipano · 23/12/2021 13:46

This is great - thanks for answering!

Do you ever reread your books after they're published?

Do you think you're improving as a writer?

Viviennemary · 23/12/2021 13:48

Did you get many rejections when you first tried to get published?

Claudethecat · 23/12/2021 13:49

Have you ever written a book that didn't sell well?

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