G’day!
Only 4 more sleeps and Christmas is upon us. How exciting!
I adore Christmas and all that it brings. It is an occasion where you can spend quality time with your family and friends, you have the right to eat copious amounts of gloriously fattening foods and everyone’s spirits are on high. I hope you all have wonderful days planned with your loved ones. We will be enjoying a pig on the spit with our family and friends and I can’t wait!
Today we have the awesomely talented and super successful Anna Campbell with us. Anna writes dark, sexy Regency historical romance featuring dark, sexy Regency heroes and the women who captivate them. Her novels are available in North America, Turkey, Japan, Australia, Germany, France, Norway, Spain, Russia, Italy, Indonesia and Thailand! Phew…what an impressive list of countries!
Welcome, Anna, I am so thrilled to have you here today.
Where were you born, raised, schooled and what was the most mischievous thing you did when you were a child?
I was born in Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, and grew up at Redland Bay, a small farming district on the shores of Moreton Bay. My parents were avocado farmers. I went to boarding school in Ipswich outside Brisbane and went to uni at the University of Queensland where I did a degree in English lit and history. Kind of tailor-made for a historical romance writer, don’t you think? I wasn’t a terrifically mischievous kid, more dreamy and absent-minded. I could never put a book down until I finished it so I wrecked my eyes reading until late by the kitchen light shining up the hallway into my bedroom.
How long did it take you to get published and how did you feel when you were told you had a contract?
I finished my first full manuscript (a bodice-ripping medieval) after a number of false starts between leaving high school and starting uni. It was 27 years after that when I got my Avon contract. I think my main reaction was a feeling of disbelief. I’d really convinced myself I’d never be published so having a contract felt completely surreal.
What time of the day/night do you prefer to write and where do you like to write?
These days I’m lucky enough to have an office which I love to death. I write full time so I set a target for the day and keep going until I reach it. I used to be a morning writer but I think that’s changed over the years so my best time is mid to late afternoon now. I don’t write at night – definitely a lark rather than an owl.
Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming book? And what date it will be released?
I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you ;-) Well, it’s not quite that bad. I’ve just handed in my latest manuscript. No confirmed title yet. No confirmed release date although probably late next year. It’s a gothic Beauty and the Beast story set on the Devon coast and it’s the start of my very first series.
What I CAN tell you about is a wonderful 3-books-in-1 deal from HarperCollins in Australia and New Zealand (not available internationally sadly). Aussie and Kiwi readers can buy CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, TEMPT THE DEVIL and MY RECKLESS SURRENDER at a bargain price as an e-book bundle called THE COURTESAN COLLECTION, available from all good e-book retailers on 13 December. You can find information about the books on my website: http://annacampbell.info/books.html
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
I’m not weaselling out of this question when I say everywhere. There are so many story ideas out there!
What is your favourite meal?
Rack of lamb with roast potatoes and steamed asparagus. Yum!
Who is your favourite Australian?
Oh, what a great question. Aside from wonderful people I know and love personally, I’d have to say tennis champion Pat Rafter. I think he’s a shining example of sportsmanship and philanthropy and an all-round credit to his nation.
What is your favourite Aussie saying?
“No worries” would have to be right up there. Although I love some of the colourful sayings like “he disappeared faster than a rat up a drainpipe” or “he was as flash as a rat with a gold tooth” – hmm, I wonder why rats feature so strongly!
Where would be your ideal place to holiday?
In Australia, if I could go anywhere, I’d go back to the Margaret River in Western Australia. It’s a stunningly beautiful part of the world with wonderful vineyards and pristine beaches and amazing forests full of huge trees. Internationally I’m madly in love with Scotland. It’s so beautiful, especially when the sun shines, which it does occasionally! ;-)
Thank you, Anna, for giving us a sneak peak into your amazing world. It’s been a pleasure having you.
Visit Anna on her website. http://annacampbell.info/books.html
Thought for this week
“The most simple and natural things in life are normally the most profound.”
Next week our guest will be the wonderful Loretta Hill. Make sure you pop in to read about her debut novel, The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots, which will hit the selves on January 2nd.
Merry Christmas to you all! Thank you for supporting me throughout this year because without all of you, my writing career wouldn’t be possible. Big grateful hugs!
Until next week, keep smiling and dreaming
Ho Ho Ho!
Mandy :)
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