I’m happy to welcome Nicola May to Nesie’s Place today! Nicola writes ‘chicklit with a kick’ and her ninth novel, The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay just released earlier this week!
Welcome, Nicola! Give my blog visitors the scoop! Are you self-published or traditional?
I am now self -published again after previously signing a 7-book deal with a publisher. It’s hard work but the sense of satisfaction of doing it myself is great.
How long have you been a published writer?
I have been writing for 22 years.
Wow! How long did it take you to write your first book?
Around one year.
Okay, now I don’t feel so bad! LOL! Did you publish it?
Yes, I self-published Working it Out successfully, was delighted that Waterstones stocked it. I won two awards whilst I was self-published for The School Gates and Christmas Yves (now called Christmas Spirit).
What’s your favorite genre to write?
Romantic Comedy, of course! The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay is my ninth one.
Where do you get the most writing done?
I write in bed. I love the peace and comfort of it, plus it keeps me focused to not jump up and start doing chores. I won’t include a photo as I’m still in my pyjamas!
LOL! Okay, I’ll give you a pass today. What is the strangest thing you’ve ever been asked as a writer?
Nothing strange per se but if I was given a pound for everyone who said, ‘you should write a book about my life,’ then I’d be very rich!
What’s your favorite genre to read?
I do love to read RomCom. In fact, Water Melon by Marian Keyes gave me the initial inspiration to start writing the genre. I also used to devour books by Carole Matthews and now adore Milly Johnson, not just as a person but her books are pretty darn good too!
I love a good RomCom and will have to look those authors up. Do you venture into other genres other than your preferred?
Patrick Gale is an amazing writer. His characters are always so beautifully constructed. Very deep and quite often flawed. His Notes from an Exhibition gets a mention in my first novel, Working it Out. I met him down in Cornwall once and I was a little star struck!
What are you reading now?
I’m not reading at the moment as The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay is out and I’m working hard on marketing it and getting it onto the bookshop shelves. Next up will be Milly’s new one; The Perfectly Imperfect Woman though.
Favorite beverage to read with?
I’m a complete tea fiend! So has to be a cuppa. Strong builders with a drop of milk.
I should have known that. Haven’t met a Brit author yet who prefers coffee. Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, that writing is a craft and you will get better as you go along.
A good, honest editor is key
Always put a manuscript in a drawer and go back to it
Don’t edit as you go along
Good marketing is essential if you want your book to sell
Think carefully before choosing your agent or publisher
Great advice, Nicola! I know from experience it’s difficult to find your center when first starting out writing and publishing.
Many thanks to Nicola May for stopping by today, and we wish her much success with The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay! It’s already on my Kindle-scroll down and get your copy today! Don’t forget to enter Nicola’s international giveaway… three lucky winners will each receive a print copy of The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay!
~~~~~
Rosa Larkin is down on her luck in London, so when she inherits a near-derelict corner shop in a quaint Devon village, her first thought is to sell it for cash and sort out her life. But nothing is straightforward about this legacy. While the identity of her benefactor remains a mystery, he – or she – has left one important legal proviso: that the shop cannot be sold, only passed on to somebody who really deserves it.
Rosa makes up her mind to give it a go: to put everything she has into getting the shop up and running again in the small seaside community of Cockleberry Bay. But can she do it all on her own? And if not, who will help her succeed – and who among the following will work secretly to see her fail?
There is a handsome rugby player, a sexy plumber, a charlatan reporter and a selection of meddling locals. Add in a hit and run incident and the disappearance of a valuable engraved necklace – and what you get is a journey of self-discovery and unpredictable events.
With surprising and heartfelt results, Rosa, accompanied at all times by her little sausage dog, Hot, will slowly unravel the shadowy secrets of the inheritance, and also bring her own, long-hidden heritage into the light.
Kindle Unlimited
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
~~~~~
Praise for Nicola May’s books
“This book will twang your funny bone & your heartstrings” Milly Johnson
“A fun and flighty read” the Sun
“A funny and fast-paced romp – thoroughly enjoyable!” WOMAN Magazine
*
~~~~~
~ About Nicola May ~
Award winning author Nicola May lives in Ascot in Berkshire with her rescue cat Stanley. Her hobbies include watching films that involve a lot of swooning, crabbing in South Devon, eating flapjacks and enjoying a flutter on the horses. Inspired by her favourite authors Milly Johnson and Carole Matthews, Nicola writes what she describes as chicklit with a kick.
~ Follow Nicola May ~
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
~ G I V E A W A Y ~
Win x 3 Paperback copies of The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay (Open Internationally)
E N T E R
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
Nesie's Place 