Author Wendy VanHatten

What is your name and where do you call home? Wendy VanHatten; Vacaville, CA

Do you have a pen name? no

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say? Champagne Lies; From dead bodies to stolen jewels…can it get any worse?

Is the above book part of a series? No

What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing? I started writing travel journals at a young age. That morphed into becoming an internationally published travel writer for magazines…then books. My dad always encouraged me to write.

How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)? This was a collaboration between my interior designer for the book and me; Ginger Marks did the cover

Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)? Not really

How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? Again, a collaboration between my editor, someone who reviewed my manuscript, Ginger, and me

Do you have a book trailer? If so where can we watch it? No but I do have a blog book tour. The link is http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2013/10/09/virtual-book-tour-pump-up-your-book-presents-champagne-lies-virtual-book-publicity-tour/

Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books? I still prefer paperbacks

Are you a self-published/Indie author? I have a few books including a series of children’s books that are self-published

If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route? I believe it was easier for the books I wanted to publish

Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it? I read many books more than once. Some are fiction and some are non-fiction.

What is your opinion of novellas? They definitely have their place and I encourage people to write them

Have you ever read a book just based on its cover? Yes

What is your favorite film based on a book? Gone With the Wind

What is your favorite book genre at the moment? Mystery

What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why? Mostly travel and cookbooks lately! Relish by Daphne Oz, The Chew cookbook, Speaking Italian

What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts in hardback (it was loaned to me!)

If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why? John Wayne…just because; Mario Batali…I love his cooking; Julia Childs…love everything about her; Brad Pitt…just because

What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? Keep writing and never give up on myself

Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing? Traveling, cooking, wine tasting and learning more about wines

Where can your readers follow you?

www.wendyvanhatten.com; www.travelsandescapes.blogspot.com; www.crazygirlscookies.com; www.forkscorksandbrews.com;

Blog: www.travelsandescapes.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wendyvanhatten

Goodreads author page: www.goodreads.com/wendyvanhatten

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendyVH

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/wendy-vanhatten/3/25b/297

Amazon: http://astore.amazon.com/wenvan-20

 

I would like to thank Wendy for giving us her time and for sharing her thoughts on being a writer and a reader.

If you enjoyed this interview, please check out Wendy’s links above.