Today I would like to thank the beautiful and talented Ashlee North for joining me and sharing some of her experiences as an author living on the sunny coast in Australia.

• What is your name and where do you call home?

My real name is Leeanne Asher-Northey and I live in Surfers Paradise on the Sunny Gold Coast, in Queensland, Australia

• Do you have a pen name?

Yes, I write under the name Ashlee North – see my books at http://ashleenorthauthor.com/

• 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?

My most recent book is called “Kiss Me, Love Me, Kill Me!” and it is just about to be released. It is a Roller Coaster Ride of Excitement; Intrigue, Murder, Suspense, Mystery and Romance; for all ages – teen to adult.

• 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 have always loved writing, reading and creating and public speaking. When I was a teenager I wanted to become a journalist. My writing has turned fiction, and I adore it. I think I’ve been an author forever.

• How did you come up with the cover of your current book and those of your previous books? Who designed the cover(s) of your book(s)?

My covers are from pictures in my head, which I then find from stock photos and Wendy at SBPRA does a beautiful job of my covers for me… We collaberate and make something wonderful every time.

 

 

• Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?

I love music. I write songs, I sing… I love it… but I can’t think of any particular ones that influenced my books, sorry.

• How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

My titles are reflections of the writing inside the books – something catchy helps – There’s ‘Circling Carousels’ which has good alliteration – “Wake me up so I can Dream” which is intriguing and makes you wonder – “Because of the Secret” which you just have to find out about, because it’s a secret – “The Storm that Brews Within” which sounds a bit creepy and it is. “The Chronicling of Ilithia” is supposed to sound old world and like a saga, because it’s a fantasy book full of action, intrigue and an evil king in a beautiful fairy kingdom. – “Kiss Me, Love Me, Kill Me!” is catchy and shows that there will be a lot of different emotions and something to get your teeth into – it has just about everything in it!

• Do you have a book trailer? If so where can we watch it?

I have a book trailer for five of my seven books: I’ll list some of them for you…

“Because of the Secret” on youtube – www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXu3cozPbCU

“Wake me up so I can Dream” on youtube – www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVCLlaaOxzA

“Circling Carousels” on youtube – www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwqeX6zurP4

“The Storm that Brews Within” on youtube – www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVgj_WgROs0
‎

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

I suppose I love e-books and paperbacks the best. E-books are so very popular now and paperbacks are really flexible –  easy to hold and read – and they can have such lovely covers.

• Are you a self-published/Indie author?

Yes, I use SBPRA – Strategic Books – for my self publishing – I suppose we sort of share the load.

• If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?

I would like both actually. I like the freedom of being an Indie Author, but I would still love to be Traditionally Published too! The journey of self-publishing has been wonderful! I’ve learned so much and marketing is awesome and a massive learning curve – Social Media is so huge and fantastic!

• Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

Yes, a few actually, but one comes to mind – The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans

• What is your opinion of novellas?

I think the idea of sitting and reading a shorter book, full of wonderful storyline, in a shorter time is great. Some of my earlier books were around 35,000 words, so they were shorter, and I applaud novellas, and longer books too.

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

Yes, in fact I think attractive covers draw people in tremendously. Often a beautiful cover will be the first reason and then the words on the back of the book second. Have a look at my latest. I love it…

•  What is your favorite film based on a book?

Good question. Sometimes films based on books have different endings and so they can be very different experiences. I liked “The Host” by Stephanie Myer. I think in the short amount of time they were given to portray a long and very detailed book, that they did a pretty good job… I still liked the book better though J

• What is your favorite book genre at the moment?

Fantasy

• What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?

“The Book Thief “by Markus Zusack and Janet Evanovich’s “Top Secret 21”.  “The Book Thief” I saw as a movie and I wondered at the detail that may be even more wonderful in the book and “Top Secret 21”, because I’ve been reading Janet Evanovich’s books for years and I just have to read each one.

• What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

I’m re-reading a book by Jo-Anne Vandermeulen called “Conquering all Obstacles” in e-book format.

• If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?

Jon Bon Jovi (because his music and personality are both so brilliant, caring and wonderful), Richard Gere (because I think he is the most handsome man alive – don’t tell my husband), Barry Gibb from The Bee Gees (because he’s the only Bee Gee left and it’s sad that his family are all gone, and because I appreciate the range of his voice) and Hugh Laurie who played Doctor Gregory House on House MD the television series. (because he’s an amazing character actor, an awesome musician, and he is and he is really talented. I would love to get inside his mind, especially as the character Greg House).

• What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

Be yourself. (this applies to the whole of life, of course) Absolutely, try different genres, but don’t try to write like someone else, or write a certain genre because it’s popular. Writing what you enjoy will always produce better results.

• Do you have any hobbies that are not related to reading & writing?

I love the beach. We are blessed to live on the ocean front with a gorgeous view, which I couldn’t live without. I also love watching movies and tv series, going for walks and romantic times with my husband.

• Where can your readers follow you?

The best place is my website http://ashleenorthauthor.com/

But they can also find me here:

• Google Play App – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andromo.dev21385.app289545
• On Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Ashlee.North.Author
• On Twitter – @AshleeNorth
• Pinterest – www.pinterest.com/AshleeNorth
• On LinkedIn – http://au.linkedin.com/pub/ashlee-north/7a/135/333/
• Google+ – https://www.google.com/+AshleeNorth
• Goodreads – www.goodreads.com/AuthorAshleeNorth
• Best Blog – http://ashleenorth.wordpress.com
• Blog – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7219829.Ashlee_North/blog?format=rss
• Amazon Author Page – www.amazon.com/author/ashleenorth
• Referral Key – http://referralkey.com/AshleeNorthAuthor
• SBPRA Author Website – http://ashleenorth.com