Sunday, April 3, 2016

Author Interview with Nicky Peacock

Today I'm happy to welcome author Nicky Peacock to my blog. Nicky is a fellow Evernight Teen author and I hope you'll enjoy getting to know her as much as I have.


Hi, Nicky! 
Tell us about the book(s) you're currently promoting. 
The Battle of the Undead series is a vampires VS zombies urban fantasy. Lots of action, lots of drama and a hint of lost love. It's a trilogy with two books available now: Bad Blood and Bad Timing and the third, Bad Karma due out soon. There's a free prequel read available called Traitors' Gate which can be found here: http://www.evernightteen.com/traitors-gate-by-nicky-peacock/ it can be read at any point in the series. 

What was your publishing journey like--how did you get to where you are now?
I did what most wannabe authors do...I managed to produce half written books and send 3 chapter synopsis packs to publishers and agents. I'd then get back bland rejections (if any thing) I kept trying and failing and trying again. It was quite depressing. But then I found the anthology market. Publishers looking for themed short stories are more open to new writers, and if you're giving them what they want they are more likely to accept your work. Before I knew it, I had over 30 short stories published. So when it came to sell my novellas, it was an easier pitch to the publisher, as I'd already been published, had experience working with editors and a fan base of readers who like my work. 

Who's your favorite character you've ever written and why?
This is a difficult question, it's like asking a mother to pick a favorite child. Hmmmm...I've spent the most recent amount of time with a character called Mouse. She's the heroine in my new book, Lost in Wonderland which kicks off a new series with Evernight Teen called The Twisted and the Brave. She shares a lot of qualities with me along with one of my worst fears, being lost.  

What's on your to-read shelf? 
So much it's starting to worry me. My book shelf is behind my bed and is laboring under with the mountain of books I want to read, so much so, if there's an earthquake in the UK I'll probably be crushed in my sleep by them! I think the authors I most want to read most right now are: Kresley Cole, Richard Laymon and also Kim Harrison. 

Did you learn anything fun or strange while writing or researching for your book?
LOL, I learnt both something fun and something strange about myself as a writer. The fun fact is that, although I do plot my books, I seem to be an almost unconscious plotter too. There were scenes that I had included in Bad Blood that seemed to fit perfectly with Traitor's Gate, even though I hadn't planned it that way. The strange thing was that I'm not happy just working on one manuscript at a time. Whilst finishing Bad Timing, I started writing Lost in Wonderland, and even though it should have been difficult to write two together, it actually made my process easier. If I was blocked on one I just switched to write the other. It really kept my writing momentum going.

What do you do when you're not writing?
I'm always writing! Like many authors I still have to work full time to pay the bills and between that, promoting my books and having a semi-normal social life, there's not much time left for anything else. I exercise as much as I can. I play badminton, do yoga and have a cross trainer at my house. I'm also a bit of a TV addict too. 

Any advice for aspiring authors?
Join a writers' group. Having like minded people around you is essential to keep you going through all the ups and downs of trying to get published. Also, spend time looking into the anthology market - it's a secret trap door to getting published :)

And, just for fun, when the zombies rise up, what is your plan of action?
Become one of them! LOL, just kidding. I'm not a prepper, but I actually do have a plan. There's a garden center near my house that has lots of plants, food and very high walls. All my family and friends know it and, if the worse happens, we all know to meet there. I think the key to survival in a zombie situation is food, shelter and people you can trust. 

Thanks you for having me your site, Teresa!
Nicky Peacock
 
 
The Battle of the Undead series...so far.