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

[Bestseller101]

• ask me anything!

@willWillSmithsmith which book did you hate?? I'm intrigued now! It's a really personal thing, we have a book swap at work and some of the books the others rave about I can take or leave but others really grab me, I guess it's the same for us all

Catherine Ryan Howard isn’t British. The reason I know this is that I could see her house from mine growing up.

Do you read your own audiobooks, does the same person read them or do various people read different books?

Yep and even if she isn’t she might be a friend /writer connection of the OP’s.

What a twatty response.

Are you Joy Ellis? If so I love your books.

Oooo who are you? Dying to know now!

I'd love to know more about getting published while still holding down an everyday job. How long did it take to write your first novel? When did you find the time? Did you always have faith that writing would be something you were good at or did you waver along the way?

Either way, congratulations!

I did waver, and it did take years, but I had an easy job which helped

Whereabouts in the Uk do you live (roughly!)

Also...when you say you paid your mortgage off, do you live in a swanky pad or a modest house?

Congrats on your success btw!

I really hope you're Helen phifer love her books

Am currently reading Gillian’s latest book and loved the last one … please be her !

What was it like going from a 'normal job' to someone who is well known, eg attending book signing and festivals with fans?

How do you find reading reviews?

Would love to know how many agent rejections you got before getting your offer (and if any manuscripts were scrapped in the process).

Querying is the most soul crushing process.

Every author I know has this response: hundreds

Ah that is reassuring to hear - thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

I’m getting close to 30, and despite lots being really kind positive rejections, I’m starting to give up hope.

I shall keep slogging on :)

I think it's JKR!!

What is the worst book you've read recently (if you have time to read)? No need to answer if it would be career damaging to say! I hate reading a terribly written book as I have so little spare time in the first place but it does make me wonder how hard must it be if some awful drivel gets published!

What is the actual process of getting a book published? Do you write it then send it to publishers in the hope they will like it? I'm interested in writing fiction for a fairly niche religious audience.

Ohhhh congrats.

Name a few of your favourite books please? Books that you would reccomend to people, give as gifts...

Convinced it's KM although she's Australian too.

Are you Mo Hayder? Her books are fantastic 😍

What did you do before you started writing full time?
How did you transition? Did you keep a job whilst writing part time?

Sadly Mo passed away a few years ago.

Yes keep going…Have you had any requests for a full manuscript yet?