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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.

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Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:54

@AndARiverBeneathYourFeet

You have an awesome job.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Pretty much just writing. When I have a book out I have other things to do, promo, interviews, radio, TV, etc, sometimes writing short stories. But for at least 7 months of the year I am undisturbed and write 2000 words a day.
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Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:56

@NameChangeCity123

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 ❤️

You get paid in three instalments: upon signing a contract for two books (so you get one third of the entire amount), upon delivering a book (one sixth of the entire amount), and publication of that book (another sixth). And then delivery and publication of the second book make up the final two sixths.

I have never had writers' block but some books are definitely easier than others.

Some of my books are under option - who knows what'll happen.

And thank you. I'm v lucky.

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Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:56

@NdujaWannaDance

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?
No, it was a totally unrelated job.
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Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:57

@Marzipano

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?

I haven't actually, no.

I do think I'm improving but I think it's patchy too - not all ideas are created equally and sometimes you have a better one than others. But I'd say the trajectory is up.

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Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:57

@Viviennemary

Did you get many rejections when you first tried to get published?
Loads. Everyone does!
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Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 13:57

@Claudethecat

Have you ever written a book that didn't sell well?
No, I haven't actually
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Cheeseandlobster · 23/12/2021 13:59

I would love to do what you do. I actually started a psychological thriller last year but didn't have the time to work on it often enough.

However I am about to go part time at work so am hoping to work more reliably on it.

My questions are:

Do you set yourself targets. So for example a chapter a day or a certain amount of words?

I read prologues are a REALLY bad idea. My book has a relatively long prologue. What do you think about them?

How did you begin your writing career? Did you bite the bullet and leave your job or did you initially fit writing into your previous life?

Lastly which authors do you really rate and / or read yourself? I find there are some fabulous but really underrated authors out there. Camilla Wray for example. Her books are amazing but I never really see people talking about her books which is a huge shame.

Neolara · 23/12/2021 14:01

"You get paid in three instalments: upon signing a contract for two books (so you get one third of the entire amount), upon delivering a book (one sixth of the entire amount), and publication of that book (another sixth). And then delivery and publication of the second book make up the final two sixths."

Do you also get a percentage of the sales from the books? So if a book sells brilliantly you get more than if it doesn't sell so well.

HollowTalk · 23/12/2021 14:06

Oh I know you! SmileSmileSmile

ShirleyPhallus · 23/12/2021 14:09

Are you BA Paris?

Behind Closed Doors is truly one of the best books I’ve ever read.

Claudethecat · 23/12/2021 14:11

Have you ever written in any other genres?

HollowTalk · 23/12/2021 14:18

@ShirleyPhallus

Are you BA Paris?

Behind Closed Doors is truly one of the best books I’ve ever read.

She isn't B A Paris but that book was the worst book I've ever read!
Original poster
BestsellingAuthor101 · 23/12/2021 14:21

@HollowTalk

Oh I know you! SmileSmileSmile
Do we know each other? Sorry if I should know you!
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senorafridgidaire · 23/12/2021 14:23

Do you have an English Lang/Lit degree or similar? I have ideas for books but I always think I would struggle a bit with having a good enough grasp of grammar, sentence construction, plot mechanics etc.

CovidCorvid · 23/12/2021 14:24

Can you recommend me a good thriller to read! 😀

HollowTalk · 23/12/2021 14:27

@BestsellingAuthor101 So sorry, I have checked and I don't know you!

OhLookMoreShit · 23/12/2021 14:30

I would love to be a novelist. Do you think it's something you can learn or sharpen your craft on, or is either a talent or it's not. Any tips?

Justkeepon · 23/12/2021 14:31

Have you written any books that aren't thrillers? And if not...do you think you will?

Lavendersquare · 23/12/2021 14:31

You have mentioned your two book deal which sounds great, but I've always wondered if authors are like songwriters and get royalties (or similar) on top?

So if you write a blockbuster that sells millions of copies do you get extra £'s for each one sold over a certain number?

Anoisagusaris · 23/12/2021 14:31

Do you really believe that? There are a lots of books that have had commercial success but are at best mediocre. Financing of promotion, contacts in the media and other factors can lead to large volumes of sales but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the book is a brilliant piece of writing.

HollowTalk · 23/12/2021 14:33

@Lavendersquare

You have mentioned your two book deal which sounds great, but I've always wondered if authors are like songwriters and get royalties (or similar) on top?

So if you write a blockbuster that sells millions of copies do you get extra £'s for each one sold over a certain number?

Usually you get an advance. Then every time a book sells a percentage of the sale is paid into that account.

Obviously as you had an advance then you start off owing them money and then when the advances paid off you get paid that extra money. You never have to repay an advance even if no books sell.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 23/12/2021 14:34

Who’s your favourite writer?

Are there writers that have inspired you?

AdmiralCain · 23/12/2021 14:34

Do people ever ask you to read their amateur work and to critique it and see if they have potential?

rookiemere · 23/12/2021 14:35

How long did it take to write your first novel and is that the one that got published? How did you get an agent?

ShirleyPhallus · 23/12/2021 14:42

@HollowTalk I thought it was brilliant!

(The next one though was awful)

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