Bestselling north-east crime writer Sheila Quigley very kindly took the time to answer some questions recently. Sheila burst onto the scene in 2004 with her debut novel Run For Home, introducing the colourful characters of the Seahills Estate, and she hasn't looked back since. One of the hardest working writers out there, when Sheila isn't crafting new tales, she's meeting fans and signing books. And we're talking to Sheila at a very exciting time - Nowhere Man, the second in her new and hugely popular series featuring DI Mike Yorke, is published tomorrow. Over to you, Sheila.
Tell me about your book.
The latest, Nowhere Man, out on November 17, is the second in the Mike Yorke series. A mix of crime, conspiracy and thriller, where ordinary guys and gals off the street are your heroes instead of someone with a penthouse and a big flash car.
What was your motivation for writing it?
After doing five in the Seahills series I needed a break and these characters were roving around in my head screaming to be on paper. The Mike Yorke books are a trilogy; after them I will be back to the Seahills.
How long did it take you to complete?
Roughly six months.
The latest, Nowhere Man, out on November 17, is the second in the Mike Yorke series. A mix of crime, conspiracy and thriller, where ordinary guys and gals off the street are your heroes instead of someone with a penthouse and a big flash car.
What was your motivation for writing it?
After doing five in the Seahills series I needed a break and these characters were roving around in my head screaming to be on paper. The Mike Yorke books are a trilogy; after them I will be back to the Seahills.
How long did it take you to complete?
Roughly six months.
What's your favourite part of the creative process?
The actual getting down to it, I don't know what’s going to happen until I finish the last page.
How much difference does an editor make?
A whole world of difference. A good editor will spot things that the writer missed, and always be there with advice if needed.
How important is a good title?
Very important. The title and the cover is the first thing your reader sees and must be good enough for them to want to pick the book up.
The actual getting down to it, I don't know what’s going to happen until I finish the last page.
How much difference does an editor make?
A whole world of difference. A good editor will spot things that the writer missed, and always be there with advice if needed.
How important is a good title?
Very important. The title and the cover is the first thing your reader sees and must be good enough for them to want to pick the book up.
What are your views on e-books?
Whatever, they are here to stay. To ignore them is foolish. I don't agree with 99p for a novel that someone has spent a year writing. I also don't think they should be anywhere near the price of a hardback or even a paperback. Somewhere around the £3.99 mark is good. Remember, there are still three or more people to be paid out of the price: the publisher, the seller, the agent, and last, the author.
What aspects of marketing your book do you enjoy?
Siting in the bookshops and meeting my fans.
How do you feel about interviews?
Anything that gets the word out is good.
How do you feel about reviews?
If you bask in the praise from the good reviews, you just better be prepared to cringe with the bad ones.
Whatever, they are here to stay. To ignore them is foolish. I don't agree with 99p for a novel that someone has spent a year writing. I also don't think they should be anywhere near the price of a hardback or even a paperback. Somewhere around the £3.99 mark is good. Remember, there are still three or more people to be paid out of the price: the publisher, the seller, the agent, and last, the author.
What aspects of marketing your book do you enjoy?
Siting in the bookshops and meeting my fans.
How do you feel about interviews?
Anything that gets the word out is good.
How do you feel about reviews?
If you bask in the praise from the good reviews, you just better be prepared to cringe with the bad ones.
What are you reading now?
Just finished the latest Matt Hilton, and starting one of James Rollins. If you haven't read him yet, you're in for a treat. Plus a lot of great shorts that are on the internet, Graham Smith, Darren Sant, Paul D Brazill, Col Bury, AJ Hayes, Charlie Wade, Luca Veste, Ian Ayris, Craig Douglas, yourself and a few others.
What makes you keep reading a book?
Action!
What are you currently working on?
Number three in the Mike Yorke series.
How can we keep up to date with your news?
I have a website. Also pretty active on Facebook.
Just finished the latest Matt Hilton, and starting one of James Rollins. If you haven't read him yet, you're in for a treat. Plus a lot of great shorts that are on the internet, Graham Smith, Darren Sant, Paul D Brazill, Col Bury, AJ Hayes, Charlie Wade, Luca Veste, Ian Ayris, Craig Douglas, yourself and a few others.
What makes you keep reading a book?
Action!
What are you currently working on?
Number three in the Mike Yorke series.
How can we keep up to date with your news?
I have a website. Also pretty active on Facebook.
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