I'm a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling thriller author

[Bestseller101]

• ask me anything!

Are you being 100% honest with every answer you're giving?

Does it make a difference to you the author whether I buy kindle, paper back
Or hard back copy of your book?

What writers and genres do you read and have influenced you as a writer?

Have your works been translated to other languages?

What is your target readership?

Would you say you are getting better with time and experience? Would you write your first book(s) differently now?

Random series of questions, sorry!

Can I ask how much money you make, ballpark? I know a friend who got a two book deal with their debut novel and got £30k from a major publishing house. But then didn't publish anything for a few years - so not enough to live off.

Did you always sustain yourself just through your writing once you got your publishing deal? Or did you work up to it? Working with a full-time job too?

@MSTee sorry I missed that one! I'm going to pass it on so all my books have it

Do you base your most hateful characters (loosely) on family and friends?

@Bestseller101 this would be a fascinating AMA but unfortunately it is (ironically) unreadable.

Could you please quote the post you are responding to, rather than just tagging the poster?

A lot of these answers are very specific to one author (and I think I know who it is - and they've been suggested as a possibility already) but not typical of the publishing industry, speaking as someone who works in publishing. MOST authors are not paying off their mortgage, or even necessarily paying it... But if you are reading this feeling inspired to write a book, don't let me voice-of-reason you out of it.

What do you think about Mumsnet? I can imagine it sometimes provides useful insights/ideas/inspiration!

Bestseller101
Congratulations on it all!

Agree. The OP's experience really isn't typical.

Interesting question and I'm really not sure. Agents do represent estates of so I assume so? But no idea!

Thank you for doing this.

Did you ever take any creative writing classes?

How did you know what 'your' genre was?

I have 2 questions….

• do you ever worry that your ideas will dry up and you won’t be able to write anymore?
• why do writers tend to stick to one genre? Are you tempted to write in another genre at some point?

Oh the question about mumsnet is good. Do you get many ideas from here?

Please be Lisa Jewell!!

I'm loving this! I read so much, always got a kindle book, a paperback and an audiobook on the go!
Which British authors do you like to read? I love LJ, also Andrea Mara, Catherine Ryan Howard, and Gillian Macallister!!

I don’t understand this weird response.

Is it difficult to write an ending to a thriller so it doesn’t disappoint the reader. Do you know what the ending will be from the start?

Have you ever thought about doing a podcast to share your great wisdom of the industry?

No, but I'm on here without kids cos I love the stories and I do think there is something innate about reading here and a love of reading stories of real life that (most of the time) resolve!

How awesome that you can live of writing books!

Have you ever dealt with imposter syndrome while writing or after having published one of your books?

How do you prevent letting the traits of people you know seep in your characters?

I'm finishing up my first novel and sending it to agents is my next step. Do I need to print out copies or is it all done digitally these days?

I hope not, I don’t like her. One of her books has my accolade of the most hated book I’ve read.

Ruth Ware?
What are some books you recommend by other authors?

1. Yes!
2. Because you grow a readership in one genre, largely.

As it's an AMA would you ever consider coming to speak to the boys at my special school for children with trauma and mental health needs to help inspire them to read??

Thank you for doing this- I've loved reading it :)