Interview with Author Anne Attias
Born in Manchester, England, Author Anne Attias has lived in Italy, Greece and Israel before returning to Manchester to raise her two sons. She began her career as a reporter for local press and worked in marketing, media, housing and local government before retiring to write her first book, The Paradise Scheme. Anne wrote the novel to see if there was a better way forward for the human race.
A strong believer in making the most of our lives, Anne leads a busy life including art classes, keep fit, swimming, reading, volunteering as well as enjoying family time with her four grandchildren. She believes everybody has a talent and that it is never too late to start something new. Instead of filling our lives with work, obligations and pressure, we should find time to do something we enjoy.
Tell me more about your latest book
In movies and fairy tales boy meets girl, they fall in love, get married, raise a family and live happily ever after. Suppose they don’t, can they mix and match? My new book Family Allsorts relates to a family who need to be sorted. Follow the trail to a Greek island where the taverna forms a focal part. Escape from the English winter, doom and gloom in the news, to an adventure in the sun. Due to be released shortly.
What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book?
Although I have been to Greece, I have not visited the islands mentioned in the book so I had to familiarise myself with the landmarks, festivals and other details to be found there. I also had to check everything when it was finished.
What is your normal procedure to get your books published?
Initially my publisher, i2i Publishing produced two of my books. I later began to publish on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle. I write the manuscripts, spell/grammar check it, pass it to an editor, amend it. It then goes to a talented cover design who puts it onto Amazon professionally for me. I start the process off on Amazon, but am not adept at the technical issues that fix it all together.
Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
I see myself as a conduit to the ideas that flow through me. Segments enter my mind often before I sleep. Next day I write them up then wait to discover what happens next. As writing comes naturally, it is a gift I would like to share with more readers.
How many books have you written so far?
ADVENTURE
The Paradise Scheme – 3 people try to escape the rat race. If everything was perfect would they be satisfied?
FAMILY SAGA
Allbrite – Follow three generations of the O’Brien family growing up in Montana.
Consequences –sequel to Allbrite. A small act causes ripple effects for generations to come. Can be read independently.
MYSTERY THRILLER
Double Mystery – What happens when somebody steals your identity and resorts to cyber crime?
SCI FI
Prototype – Virtual reality unlimited, genetic engineering, cloning, artificial versus authentic. What is true these days and what is fake?
ADVENTURE LINKED TO THE PAST
Starting Afresh – A female with a foreign accent awakens in an English hospital with memory loss. How did she get there? Who is she? Where did she come from?
GHOST STORY
Timespan – a quirky tale about two women from different generations after they died.
SHORT STORY
Lifetimes – records a vanished era through the eyes of an emancipated woman growing up in the 1950s/60s. The story reflects the big events shaping our modern British history.
Currently being edited
Unprecedented Times – covering the traumatic events of 2020 through the lives of a group of people struggling to cope with it all.
What’s the best way to market your books?
I wish I knew the answer. Without fame, fortune or important connections, it is an uphill struggle to be noticed amongst the multitude of authors publishing daily. Using social media platforms is useful to make new contacts, networking is good, plus the hard part is to keep trying to spread the word. Prior to the virus I was booked to do a few talks. Take information with on your journeys to hand out when possible. Join a few specialist groups to promote your interests with likeminded people.
How hard or easy is it to establish and maintain a career in writing?
These days people have more opportunities to get known using blogs, podcasts, Youtube, media platforms etc. To get paid for your writing you need to offer a service or unique selling product. I began my career as a trainee reporter on my local newspaper. It was learning on the job. These days I think I would need a degree in journalism and good connections. If you want to write you should go for it, get it checked then look for opportunities to show it.
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
You are never too old to start. I only became an author after I retired.
When you are young you are still learning and growing, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you face rejection.
First write it then sort it out, check punctuation and spelling in particular. Get somebody else to edit it because you will read what you want to.
Let yourself get carried away by the flow, keep at it even if you don’t feel like.
You are in charge of your work. Don’t expect to please everybody, we all have our own tastes.
Good luck with all your endeavours.
Visit Author Anne Attias book links:-
https://www.facebook.com/anne.attias.33
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Anne-Attias/
https://www.amazon.com/Starting-Afresh-Anne-Attias/
The Paradise Scheme and Allbrite can be found at Waterstones book store UK by order only.
Eight of the books can be found in the library at Victoria Avenue East, Higher Blackley, Manchester, UK
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