Author Interview with Ava Manello
So I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Ava Manello at the British Book Affair in London, so I just had to ask her if she'd interview for us at Dedicated! I absolutely love her Alice books, and Declan.. well... YUM! So I couldn't wait to ask her some questions, and get her thoughts on a few different things.
So, can you tell me a little about yourself and your background?
I'm almost 47, come from York in England and started working when I was twelve. For the last six years I've run my own business and for the last year have been a full time writer. I'm one of the lucky ones who gets to live their dreams.
What were you like at school?
I was the nerd! I loved English.
Were you good at English?
My English teacher once commented that I'd read the tomato sauce bottle if there was nothing else to read. I passionately loved reading, although I confess that grammar is not one of my skills.
I know you recently did the Book Event in York, how was that for you?
It was absolutely amazing. Some of my favourite authors in one room so I could fangirl like mad. It was crazy how much time went into planning it, but I had a fantastic support team and on the day an amazing team of volunteers. I had so much fun I wish we could do it all over again.
Did you enjoy organising it and will you do another?
Yes and no. I felt like there was a lot of pressure on after many readers were disappointed at another signing. I would do another, rumour has it I might be helping organise a signing in Niagra Falls in Spring 2017 and we had such a good time at York I agreed to do it again in May 2018.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
To be able to carry on writing full time, meeting readers across the world. I sometimes pinch myself, this can't be real when I read reviews and get great feedback.
So, what have you written?
I started writing 'How To' books several years ago under my real name Helen Stothard - things like how to set up a virtual assistant business, how to use twitter for business and even one book on a non runners journey to London Marathon. It's only in the last year I was brave enough to start writing fiction. In that time there are four books in the Severed MC series I co-write with KT Fisher, two books in the male stripper Naked Nights series and the first in the new Wounded Heroes series - Declan. I've also got a couple of short stories about the non adventures of Alice the erotic author.
Where can we buy or see them?
Signed paperbacks can be purchased via my website http://avamanello.co.uk/signed-books/ and the ebooks can be purchased via Amazon, iBooks, Google, Kobo and Nook etc
Give us an insight into your newest main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
Declan would tell you that he isn't special if you asked him. He's an ex soldier who saved the lives of his friends and can't stand to see injustice. In reality he feels like a failure.
What are you working on at the minute?
I'm between projects and trying to decide which character gets to tell their story next. It's probably going to be Alice the author this month as I really need to rest and slow down after the last month of book signings and then I think it might be Cam's story which will be the second book in the Wounded Heroes series.
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
I'd kind of like to see the guy who played Four in Divergent playing Declan, but I'm reluctant to choose actors or actresses, I think every reader has their own idea of what a character looks like.
(p.s we LOVE Theo over at Dedicated!)
How much research do you do?
A lot. I may do hours of research and only one or two lines of it end up in the book, but I like to know what I am talking about. I even took my motorbike test last year so I could have a better understanding of writing about bikes, instead of being a really hot scene it ended up being a comedy chapter in Carnal Persuasion as I fell off the moped during my test!
Why do you write?
Because I love it. I've always been a passionate reader and love the escape you get with reading. And because I now have fans who are chomping at the bit for the next book and won't let me quit ;-)
Where do the your ideas come from?
Anywhere and everywhere - I can be sitting on the bus, in the tattoo shop or just walking down the street. More often than not they come to me at 2am in the morning though!
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
I work on a chapter plan, it's only a sentence or two for each chapter as I often have the beginning of a plot and the end of a plot and want to work out how I get from one to the other. That said, I can be flexible as was seen with Severed Justice. That story ended up being massively different to the one we had originally planned.
Which writers inspire you?
Far too many to mention, although I grew up reading Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie, Colin Dexter, Stephen King, Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, even the classics like Dickens and Louisa M Alcott.
How do you think you've evolved creatively?
I've discovered a much darker side to myself. I'm very critical of my own work, but I try to write the books that I want to read. I like to write a book that you can read in one sitting, that has you experience a whole range of emotions from joy, sadness, fear and angst.
Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors.
Before I started writing I was reading around 400 books a year. Now with writing and signing that has dropped dramatically. I love discovering new Indie authors, I have around 1600 unread books on my Kindle still to read! I love Nina Levine, Jani Kay, Tina Gephart, Tess Oliver, Andie M Long, Tracie Podger, D H Sidebottom, Ker Dukey, Clare Power, K L Shandwick, Lili Saint Germain, Callie Hart, Freya Barker, Elle Raven, Angela Graham, Skye Turner, JM Witt, KT Fisher, Kirsty Moseley, Sarah Elizabeth, Missy Johnson, AD Justice, TK Leigh and so many many more I've forgotten, but my absolute favourite has to be Tiffany Reisz.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
To read it has to be an ebook. Paperbacks are to get signed and treasure in a bookcase.
What book are you reading at present?
Crazy Baby by AD Justice
Tell us about your covers and how they came about.
Aside from the first two Severed MC covers the others have all been done by Margreet Asselbergs of Rebel Edit and Design.
I'll be getting her to redo the first two soon. I talk to her about the plot for the book and more often than not she comes back with the cover ideas. She creates tattoo designs for us for the characters and incorporates those into the covers, as well as so many different elements that relate to the story.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Absolutely. I often think back to the old days when we'd go to the shop and rent a video, if we didn't know which movie we wanted we'd go to the shelf for the genre we fancied and then our decision started based on the cover, it was after that you read the blurb on the back and made a decision.
What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
Self publishing means I have total control of the content, for me that is a huge advantage. The disadvantage is the struggle to be seen amongst such a wealth of talent without the budgets and selling power of a publishing house.
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
A good review for me doesn't retell the story - it can be two words 'loved it.' A bad review is one that doesn't actually say what you thought. There are negative reviews and where I can I try and pull something constructive from them. Sometimes what that reader wanted would have substantially changed what I was wanting to achieve with the plot so it's a thanks for the feedback, but I'll stick with it. Sometimes though the reader makes a comment and you realise that they have a valid point and I'll try and remember it in the next book. You will always get the odd review from someone who has nothing constructive to say and I tend to try and ignore those, even if it does hurt. Any review is always welcomed by an author, it's often times the only way we know if you like our book or not so please do leave a review.
Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work?
No I didn't. I did a lot of teasers in the run up to my first book release and a release party and I think they worked.
What do you think of “trailers” for books?
Personally I love fan made trailers, I have them for all but my latest book. Sometimes it's great to see a visual representation of a book.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own books?
Strip Teaser Video link: http://youtu.be/9FmJ_Ct5tF4
Strip Back Fan Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCfalfpgsP8&feature=youtu.be
Severed Angel Video - http://youtu.be/umdJfMcT2Kc
Carnal Desire Video - http://youtu.be/RHnJfif5aZY
Severed Justice Video - http://youtu.be/t8yaA-kpvMw
Carnal Persuasion Video: http://youtu.be/EYfukuW8a2g
Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
I'm still undecided on this one. I think it works for some authors, but it's not something I want to do. I do give my short stories away for free as they're only around a ten/fifteen minute read and I don't think readers should have to pay 99p/99c for that but Amazon won't let me do them as permafree.
I think that a lot of time, effort and the authors soul goes into a book. Your social life is ignored, your time with your family is sacrificed and I always feel absolutely drained after a new release, they take that much out of me. I don't think I should have to give that away for free. I charge around the price of a cup of coffee for one of my books. To me that's much better value for money than going to the cinema, a cup of coffee or a bar of chocolate. People never complain about the price of those. I think it's a small price to pay to lose yourself in another world for several hours.
How do you relax?
What's relaxing? I meet up with friends, I watch movies or I read.
What is your favourite motivational phrase.
'Have the courage to pursue your dreams'
What is your favourite book and why?
Do I really only get to pick one? The Siren by Tiffany Resiz as it was the first book that introduced me to this wonderful author.
What is your favourite quote?
"I'm not fat, I'm just unfit."
What is your favourite film and why?
Run Fat Boy Run - because it shows the strength of the human spirit, is funny as hell, and was the reason I started running and eventually completed London Marathon.
Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?
I have no idea! My life has changed so much in the last year alone that I daren't predict what the future holds. I've moved house twice, released seven books, participated in three book signings, met a man who makes me incredibly happy, made some amazing friends and I've seen a childhood dream come true.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Stop putting things off and be brave. It's never as bad as you anticipated. Stop dreaming and start doing.
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Agatha Christie - that woman had a genius mind.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write the book that you want to read. Go with your gut instinct. Go for it.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Just my gratitude to everyone who has purchased and read my books, you've made a dream come true for this girl and I cannot thank you enough for that.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website: www.avamanello.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/avamanello
Twitter: www.twitter.com/avamanello
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ava-Manello/e/B00JB8MNYS/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Ava-Manello/e/B00JB8MNYS/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7873269.Ava_Manello
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bb4Q4n
Another MASSIVE thank you to Ava for her time! We'll see you soon. ~Dedicated
So, can you tell me a little about yourself and your background?
I'm almost 47, come from York in England and started working when I was twelve. For the last six years I've run my own business and for the last year have been a full time writer. I'm one of the lucky ones who gets to live their dreams.
What were you like at school?
I was the nerd! I loved English.
Were you good at English?
My English teacher once commented that I'd read the tomato sauce bottle if there was nothing else to read. I passionately loved reading, although I confess that grammar is not one of my skills.
I know you recently did the Book Event in York, how was that for you?
It was absolutely amazing. Some of my favourite authors in one room so I could fangirl like mad. It was crazy how much time went into planning it, but I had a fantastic support team and on the day an amazing team of volunteers. I had so much fun I wish we could do it all over again.
Did you enjoy organising it and will you do another?
Yes and no. I felt like there was a lot of pressure on after many readers were disappointed at another signing. I would do another, rumour has it I might be helping organise a signing in Niagra Falls in Spring 2017 and we had such a good time at York I agreed to do it again in May 2018.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
To be able to carry on writing full time, meeting readers across the world. I sometimes pinch myself, this can't be real when I read reviews and get great feedback.
So, what have you written?
I started writing 'How To' books several years ago under my real name Helen Stothard - things like how to set up a virtual assistant business, how to use twitter for business and even one book on a non runners journey to London Marathon. It's only in the last year I was brave enough to start writing fiction. In that time there are four books in the Severed MC series I co-write with KT Fisher, two books in the male stripper Naked Nights series and the first in the new Wounded Heroes series - Declan. I've also got a couple of short stories about the non adventures of Alice the erotic author.
Where can we buy or see them?
Signed paperbacks can be purchased via my website http://avamanello.co.uk/signed-books/ and the ebooks can be purchased via Amazon, iBooks, Google, Kobo and Nook etc
Give us an insight into your newest main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
Declan would tell you that he isn't special if you asked him. He's an ex soldier who saved the lives of his friends and can't stand to see injustice. In reality he feels like a failure.
What are you working on at the minute?
I'm between projects and trying to decide which character gets to tell their story next. It's probably going to be Alice the author this month as I really need to rest and slow down after the last month of book signings and then I think it might be Cam's story which will be the second book in the Wounded Heroes series.
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
I'd kind of like to see the guy who played Four in Divergent playing Declan, but I'm reluctant to choose actors or actresses, I think every reader has their own idea of what a character looks like.
(p.s we LOVE Theo over at Dedicated!)
How much research do you do?
A lot. I may do hours of research and only one or two lines of it end up in the book, but I like to know what I am talking about. I even took my motorbike test last year so I could have a better understanding of writing about bikes, instead of being a really hot scene it ended up being a comedy chapter in Carnal Persuasion as I fell off the moped during my test!
Why do you write?
Because I love it. I've always been a passionate reader and love the escape you get with reading. And because I now have fans who are chomping at the bit for the next book and won't let me quit ;-)
Where do the your ideas come from?
Anywhere and everywhere - I can be sitting on the bus, in the tattoo shop or just walking down the street. More often than not they come to me at 2am in the morning though!
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
I work on a chapter plan, it's only a sentence or two for each chapter as I often have the beginning of a plot and the end of a plot and want to work out how I get from one to the other. That said, I can be flexible as was seen with Severed Justice. That story ended up being massively different to the one we had originally planned.
Which writers inspire you?
Far too many to mention, although I grew up reading Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie, Colin Dexter, Stephen King, Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, even the classics like Dickens and Louisa M Alcott.
How do you think you've evolved creatively?
I've discovered a much darker side to myself. I'm very critical of my own work, but I try to write the books that I want to read. I like to write a book that you can read in one sitting, that has you experience a whole range of emotions from joy, sadness, fear and angst.
Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors.
Before I started writing I was reading around 400 books a year. Now with writing and signing that has dropped dramatically. I love discovering new Indie authors, I have around 1600 unread books on my Kindle still to read! I love Nina Levine, Jani Kay, Tina Gephart, Tess Oliver, Andie M Long, Tracie Podger, D H Sidebottom, Ker Dukey, Clare Power, K L Shandwick, Lili Saint Germain, Callie Hart, Freya Barker, Elle Raven, Angela Graham, Skye Turner, JM Witt, KT Fisher, Kirsty Moseley, Sarah Elizabeth, Missy Johnson, AD Justice, TK Leigh and so many many more I've forgotten, but my absolute favourite has to be Tiffany Reisz.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
To read it has to be an ebook. Paperbacks are to get signed and treasure in a bookcase.
What book are you reading at present?
Crazy Baby by AD Justice
Tell us about your covers and how they came about.
Aside from the first two Severed MC covers the others have all been done by Margreet Asselbergs of Rebel Edit and Design.
I'll be getting her to redo the first two soon. I talk to her about the plot for the book and more often than not she comes back with the cover ideas. She creates tattoo designs for us for the characters and incorporates those into the covers, as well as so many different elements that relate to the story.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Absolutely. I often think back to the old days when we'd go to the shop and rent a video, if we didn't know which movie we wanted we'd go to the shelf for the genre we fancied and then our decision started based on the cover, it was after that you read the blurb on the back and made a decision.
What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
Self publishing means I have total control of the content, for me that is a huge advantage. The disadvantage is the struggle to be seen amongst such a wealth of talent without the budgets and selling power of a publishing house.
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
A good review for me doesn't retell the story - it can be two words 'loved it.' A bad review is one that doesn't actually say what you thought. There are negative reviews and where I can I try and pull something constructive from them. Sometimes what that reader wanted would have substantially changed what I was wanting to achieve with the plot so it's a thanks for the feedback, but I'll stick with it. Sometimes though the reader makes a comment and you realise that they have a valid point and I'll try and remember it in the next book. You will always get the odd review from someone who has nothing constructive to say and I tend to try and ignore those, even if it does hurt. Any review is always welcomed by an author, it's often times the only way we know if you like our book or not so please do leave a review.
Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work?
No I didn't. I did a lot of teasers in the run up to my first book release and a release party and I think they worked.
What do you think of “trailers” for books?
Personally I love fan made trailers, I have them for all but my latest book. Sometimes it's great to see a visual representation of a book.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own books?
Strip Teaser Video link: http://youtu.be/9FmJ_Ct5tF4
Strip Back Fan Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCfalfpgsP8&feature=youtu.be
Severed Angel Video - http://youtu.be/umdJfMcT2Kc
Carnal Desire Video - http://youtu.be/RHnJfif5aZY
Severed Justice Video - http://youtu.be/t8yaA-kpvMw
Carnal Persuasion Video: http://youtu.be/EYfukuW8a2g
Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
I'm still undecided on this one. I think it works for some authors, but it's not something I want to do. I do give my short stories away for free as they're only around a ten/fifteen minute read and I don't think readers should have to pay 99p/99c for that but Amazon won't let me do them as permafree.
I think that a lot of time, effort and the authors soul goes into a book. Your social life is ignored, your time with your family is sacrificed and I always feel absolutely drained after a new release, they take that much out of me. I don't think I should have to give that away for free. I charge around the price of a cup of coffee for one of my books. To me that's much better value for money than going to the cinema, a cup of coffee or a bar of chocolate. People never complain about the price of those. I think it's a small price to pay to lose yourself in another world for several hours.
How do you relax?
What's relaxing? I meet up with friends, I watch movies or I read.
What is your favourite motivational phrase.
'Have the courage to pursue your dreams'
What is your favourite book and why?
Do I really only get to pick one? The Siren by Tiffany Resiz as it was the first book that introduced me to this wonderful author.
What is your favourite quote?
"I'm not fat, I'm just unfit."
What is your favourite film and why?
Run Fat Boy Run - because it shows the strength of the human spirit, is funny as hell, and was the reason I started running and eventually completed London Marathon.
Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?
I have no idea! My life has changed so much in the last year alone that I daren't predict what the future holds. I've moved house twice, released seven books, participated in three book signings, met a man who makes me incredibly happy, made some amazing friends and I've seen a childhood dream come true.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Stop putting things off and be brave. It's never as bad as you anticipated. Stop dreaming and start doing.
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Agatha Christie - that woman had a genius mind.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write the book that you want to read. Go with your gut instinct. Go for it.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Just my gratitude to everyone who has purchased and read my books, you've made a dream come true for this girl and I cannot thank you enough for that.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website: www.avamanello.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/avamanello
Twitter: www.twitter.com/avamanello
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ava-Manello/e/B00JB8MNYS/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Ava-Manello/e/B00JB8MNYS/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7873269.Ava_Manello
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bb4Q4n
Another MASSIVE thank you to Ava for her time! We'll see you soon. ~Dedicated