Writers on Wednesday: Margaret R Blake
Welcome to another great Writers on Wednesday interview. This week I am chatting with Australian author Margaret Blake ...
Tell me a bit about yourself …
I was born in
the northern hemisphere, immigrating to Australia with my family when I was
almost ten years old. I’m a jack of all trades when it comes to my work-life,
trying my hand at car detailing, machining, commercial artist, fabric designer,
waitressing and have even been a farm hand. I’ve had a go at playing piano and
guitar, done some time on stage, was a co-founder of a Camp Quality group,
raising money for children living with cancer. I love reading and have written
book reviews for a local newsletter, as well as been a teacher’s aide with
kindergarten and grade one/two children. In between all that I was married for
a while and have two grown-up children. After spending thirty three years
living in Tasmania I now reside in Queensland. I’m retired and spend a lot of my time
writing.
Tell us about your most recently
published book?
I am in the
process of releasing a children’s ‘read alone or read to me’ book of short
stories entitled, RIVERBEND; A Collection
of Fairy Tales and Other Short Stories
- available now on Amazon (only in ebook at the moment). The writing of it
was inspired by a property that I bought together with my brother, Terence and
his new wife, Tonya. This book is to be followed very soon by the release of Sword of Stone, the second book in my Merlins’s School for Ordinary
Children series. The first book The Ring
of Curses is also available on Amazon in print and ebook format.
Riverbend is a real place, 12 kilometres
west of Tiaro in Queensland, Australia. It is 28 acres of beautiful bushland,
with a winding seasonal creek; an enchanted place where once a dragon came. He
lies there still, infusing the land with his magic. Because of this Riverbend
is now a locale where fairies dwell and leprechauns visit, where trolls take an
evening stroll and a witch once lived, casting spells and curses!
Tell us about the first time you were
published?
I was so excited
when I got my contract that I burst into tears then rang my best friend
Barbara. We opened a bottle of champagne and in amongst flat out chatter and
giggles we got tiddly. Then it was down to business. I’d often wondered why it
took so long to get a book to the market … well now I know … with editing and
proofing and working with your publishing the months fly by. I must admit I
love the process and I think it will be a long while before I give up writing.
As a writer, what has been your proudest
achievement so far?
Seeing my book
in print. While I have sold many books I think this part is a bonus as a new
author on the block. It was holding my book in my hand that has given me the
biggest buzz so far. Who knows … in time it may be something else.
What books or writing projects are you
currently working on, if anything?
I have three
books on the go at the moment. As I mentioned before I am writing a series. I
am currently working on book number three for this, The Grail and Back Again,
as well as a couple of books in slightly different genres; one for YA and
another for adults. The YA one is humour/horror the other is fantasy/fiction with
an historical background. As I am just into these I will keep my cards close to
my chest for the time being.
Which do you prefer? eBooks or Paper
Books? Why?
I prefer
paperbacks any day. I love the feel of a book in my hand, and I love the fact
that it is real. I do own a kindle but I find the battery usually goes flat
before I get around to reading anything on it.
Indie Publishing, or Traditional
Publishing?
Both! As long as
with Indie publishing the books are edited, formatted and proofed correctly. I
have found that so many writers let themselves down by publishing a book which
hasn’t had these things applied. If I come across a shoddily presented book I
will not read it and this can be a shame for the author as a lot of them have
great story ideas. Also … I know how much hard work goes into the creation of a
book.
Aside from your own books, of course,
what is one book that you feel everybody should read?
That’s a hard
one … I’ve read too many great books to be able to pin-point one.
Finally … is there anything you would
like to say to your readers in Adelaide, Australia?
Thank you for
your support for without it an author has no following. I hope also that you
enjoy my book/s. I would love to hear from you.
Links …
Ring of Curses :
Merlin's School for Ordinary Children Book One. by Margaret R. Blake. Category:
Fiction / Children's / Fantasy ISBN: 978-0-9925095-5-2
The Ring of
Curses: Merlin's School for Ordinary Children Book One. Blake, Margaret R. and
Ormsby, M. J.. Published by LIGHTNING SOURCE INC 01/10/2014 ...
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