Author Interview and giveaway: HP Mallory

 
I recently had the opportunity to read FIRE BURN and CAULDRON BUBBLE, a book that has been burning a trail through book blogs all over the world.  The author, HP Mallory, has graciously agreed to part-take in my “author interview spot” (thank you, HP!) and she will be giving one lucky winner the chance to win a copy of her book.
Please tell us a little about yourself, when you started writing and how you got to this point in your writing career.  What was some of the big milestones?
I have always wanted to be a writer, ever since I was little. I took a ton of creative writing classes through high school and university and was even an English major. I went the traditional route of the big New York agent and when that went nowhere, I decided to take my career into my own hands. I published just about 2 months ago on Amazon and I haven’t looked back since. The biggest milestone so far has been surpassing my own goals in terms of my book sales and boy, does it feel good!
What was your inspiration for Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble?  How did it all start?
Well, I’ve always loved the paranormal as a genre. As a kid, I read every ghost book I could get my hands on. Then about two years ago while I was living in Cambridge, England, I started reading the Sookie Stackhouse and Anita Blake series and I was hooked. I thought to myself that maybe I should dust off the old writing habit and give it a shot and that’s how I ended up where I am today.
Are your characters based on people you know?
No, never. Little things that happen around me might infiltrate my stories but they are pretty much right out of my head.
Are you working on a new book?  Can you give us a little taste of what's to come?
Yes, I’m working on the follow up book to Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, titled Toil and Trouble. It will basically pick up where Fire Burn left off, answering some questions but leaving others still up in the air and there will be a big surprise. But, that’s all I’m going to say. LOL
What is your favourite part about being a published author?
Well, I’m not traditionally published so I don’t know! LOL As far as being an indie author and holding my own out there next to the traditionally published authors, it feels great!
Is writing your full time career?  I always find it interesting how writers work writing time into their schedules - please share a typical workday with us.
No, it’s not unfortunately. I work in online marketing during the day and with my 16 month old son, I find time is scarce! To get my writing time in, I wake up every morning at 5 am and write for 1.5 hours, then I go to work until 5 and then start working on my books at 9 pm, after my son is asleep. Phew!
What advice can you give other aspiring authors out there?
Never give up. If your career isn’t going the way you want it to, don’t be afraid to forge your own path. Self publishing is tricky because you really have to know how to market yourself (helps that I’m in online marketing for my day job) and you really have to make sure your books are ready to be released—that means free of grammar issues, that the story is well thought out, etc.
Most of all, just never give up!!!
Thank you so much for letting us pick your brain a bit, HP.  We wish you even greater success in your writing career!
Get to know HP Mallory and her books at her websites:
www.hpmallory.com
www.urbanfantasyauthor.blogspot.com
Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble:
Goodreads Blurb:
 
A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead. A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover. A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches. The Underworld in a state of chaos. Let the games begin.
Life isn’t bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn’t have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.
Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she’s a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost’s demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!
Word of Jolie’s incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld’s most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.
GIVEAWAY:
One lucky winner will win a e-copy of FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE by HP Mallory.  This giveaway is open worldwide.  I want to make this as easy as possible.  So here are the rules:
You must be a follower of my blog.
Then just leave a comment for HP in the comments box together with your email address.  That’s it!
The winner will be drawn by random.org on 10 October 2010.   Good luck!

Edit:  This giveaway is now closed.