Q & A with D.G. Kaye

Q and A with D.G. Kaye – Featuring Author Stevie Turner – Promote Your Book

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Welcome to the second of my new interview series, this week featuring women’s fiction author Stevie Turner. Stevie has a vast selection of books to her credit, and I’m happy to share that I’ve read a few of them and look forward to reading many more awaiting me on my Kindle. So today we’re going to get to know a little more about Stevie and her writing.

 

Author Stevie Turner

 

About Stevie Turner:

Stevie Turner grew up in the East End of London and was fortunate enough to attend an excellent primary school which encouraged creative writing. After winning an inter-schools’ writing contest, Stevie began to keep a diary and often added little stories and poems to it as the years went by. However, she did not take up writing seriously until 2013. By this time her two sons had left home and she had more time to herself.

Stevie has now written 11 novels, 6 novellas, 1 memoir, and 18 short stories, winning a New Apple Book Award in 2014 and a Readers’ Favorite Gold Award in 2015 for her third novel ‘A House Without Windows’. You can find details of all her books on her website http://www.stevie-turner-author.co.uk

Stevie still lives in the same picturesque Suffolk village that she and husband Sam moved to in 1991 with their two boys. One of her short stories, ‘Lifting the Black Dog’, was published in ‘1000 Words or Less Flash Fiction Collection’ (2016). She has also written an article ‘Look on the Bright Side of Life’ which was included in the 2016 book ‘They Say I’m Doing Well’ which are articles about mental illness, proceeds of which go to the charity MIND.  Her screenplay ‘For the Sake of a Child’ won a silver award in the Spring 2017 Depth of Field International Film Festival, and her novel ‘A House Without Windows’ gained interest in 2017 from an independent film production company based in New York.

Let’s get down to some Q and A with Stevie:

 

Do you agree with the consensus that writers are loners?
Absolutely. I was definitely not born to be part of a team, lol! We write sitting on our
own, and that suits me just fine. My mother, who constantly needed people to talk
to, could never understand why I was such an unsociable child. She would talk to me
non-stop and I had to listen. She would also take me out shopping and I’d ask to be
allowed to wait outside so that the shop keepers couldn’t talk to me. Oh dear,
perhaps I’d be referred to a shrink these days…
As I grew, nothing changed. An only child, I’ve always had no problem with being
alone and have only ever cultivated a few friends throughout my lifetime. These
friends I still have, and we meet up from time to time. I don’t really enjoy being in a
noisy room with a lot of people. I’m quite happy being with my husband or sitting at
my computer tapping away. At work I sit on my own quite a lot of the time, and this
is through choice. I could sit with another woman if I wanted to, but she talks
constantly and it irritates me. Oh dear, perhaps I really do need to see a shrink…
DG – Lol Stevie, I don’t think that constitutes needing a shrink. Perhaps it’s just your independent nature, and being an only child. There are many writers who are content in their solitude. Me, I need total silence when I’m creating, but when I’m not, I adore the social interaction – which I’m sure you already knew, lol.
If you had the chance to re-do your childhood or teen years to enhance
your future in writing, what would you have done differently?
I had the urge to write in early childhood, and won an inter-schools’ writing
competition aged 11. I wrote a lot of poetry as a teenager, and always received top
marks in English for my essays. When I was 17 my mother told me that ‘people like
me’ do not go to University, and so I never went. If I could do it all over again, I’d go
to University and get an English degree and then try to gain employment as a
journalist to hone my creative writing skills. I would have therefore learned much
about writing when I finally started to create novels (it has taken me at least 6 years
to grasp the basics in my late fifties and early sixties), and hopefully I would have
made the kind of contacts necessary for advancement.
DG – Um, once again we are so eerily similar!
What’s your opinion on self-publishing?
When I first started writing novels in 2013 I was after the literary agent and the big
publishing deal, especially after a London agency kept me on tenterhooks for a
whole week whilst debating whether or not to represent me with ‘The Porn Detective’
(later re-written on said agent’s advice, and re-published as ‘Mind Games’). They
didn’t in the end, and so I sent it off to what seemed like every agent in the world.
Many said the same thing; re-write it. I re-wrote it and sent it off again to every agent
in the world, but hey…
After about 3 years of trying unsuccessfully to find an agent, it dawned on me that
self-publishing actually wasn’t too bad at all. I had control over the content and
covers of my books, and could market them how I wanted to. There were also no
deadlines to work to, as I hate working to deadlines.
Another 3 years went by and I learned that I should have bought my own ISBNs in
the first place so that I could publish a book on any site I wanted to and not just
Amazon. I now sell more books via Ingram Spark than I do on Amazon, and this is
good, because Ingram get the books into actual bookstores and libraries.
Okay, an agent can submit your book to all those wonderfully just-out-of-reach
genuine book competitions that aren’t just there to grab your money like the majority of Indie contests are. They can get your book printed with one of the big 5
publishers, but they cannot, I repeat cannot, guarantee that your book is going to sell
thousands or even hundreds of copies. Some Indie books sell more copies than
traditionally published ones. It’s all gravy baby, as my son would say. Until the big
deal comes my way, I’m happy to self-publish!
DG – As you already know, I’m totally on board with everything you just said! My gawd, even 2013 is the same year I published my own first book.

Would you like to share with us what upcoming projects and/or ideas for
books that you’re working on?

I worked for a year as an examinations administrator in a college that catered for 16
– 19 years olds back in 1999. I was glad of the experience, as I learned much from
the time spent there, and not all of it was good. When I wrote a letter of complaint to
my local newspaper about something I found out there, they would not print it. I did nothing else about what I found. I’m now working on ‘Examining Kitchen Cupboards’, a fictional suspense story where protagonist Jill Hayes works as an examinations administrator in a college for 16 – 19 years olds. When she writes a letter to her local newspaper (which they would not print) about something she hasfound out, things start to take a downward turn for her…

 

DG – Wow, now that sounds like it will be an intriguing read! And you get to say what they would not publish for you back then too!

 

If you could have any of your books made into a movie, which one would
you choose and why?

I was contacted last year by a lady from the development department of a New York
media production company regarding my novel ‘A House Without Windows’. She
had read the book and was eager to present it to the director for his opinion. After
some consideration the director told me the market wasn’t right for the kind of film
they would have to make, as the main female character would need to be portrayed
as a victim, and apparently that’s not PC anymore.
However I’m getting many positive remarks about my paranormal short story ‘Finding
David’. I’d love to see what a film producer would make of it, and how they would go
about doing the ghostly special effects. Here’s the latest review and the first few
paragraphs for you:

 

5 star review by ‘Tigerman55’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-David-Paranormal-Short-
Story-ebook/product-reviews/B07RLZF1JW
24 August 2019
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

I found this book so interesting I had a job to put it down until I reached the end of the story. It is a fact that clairvoyants have been known to assist the police in their inquiries. All in all a great read.

 

DG – You can read my review for Finding David HERE

 

 

SHORT EXCERPT FROM ‘FINDING DAVID’ BY STEVIE TURNER

She risked a sneaky peep around the curtain; every seat in Croydon’s grandly
named Athaneum was taken. Desperate for a miracle, rows of overweight middle
aged women waited impatiently. A cacophony of chatter filled the air. Women
laughed nervously or threw a few words to the odd unsmiling husband sitting in stolid
disbelief with arms crossed as if to ward off evil spirits.

The usual high-pitched buzz of anticipation echoed off the walls. Rae
Cordelle patted her black bobbed hair into place, stepped back into the wings, and
took a deep breath.

“There’s a good crowd tonight.”

Medicine Horse, six foot seven inches of calm serenity in loincloth and full
Apache feathered headdress, emitted a comforting presence as he stood in quiet
contemplation by her side.

“I am here to guide you, as always.”

Rae gave a nod of approval.

“Many thanks. May God be with us tonight.”

Peter Jones, Spiritualist Preacher, raised a water jug towards her in salutation
as he slipped through the curtain. All at once Rae heard silence from the discordant
hell of many raised voices.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a remarkable and gifted clairvoyant medium
here with us tonight. I want you to give a big hand to … Rae Cordelle!”
The stagehand pulled back the curtains. Rae, already desperate for the
soothing balm of water, walked towards the table to polite applause as the preacher
ceased his theatrical posturing and sat down beside her.

“Thank you Peter.” She filled a glass and took a refreshing sip. “It’s lovely to
be here.”

Arms folded and his features inscrutable, Medicine Horse stood sentinel at the
back of the hall. Rae felt the burning stares of at least two hundred pairs of eyes.
“Has anybody seen me work before?”

A couple of hands shot up while a gabble of deceased spirits jostled for first
position in a queue behind Medicine Horse.

“Well, for the others here that haven’t attended a demonstration of
clairvoyance before, don’t worry. If you see anything scary I’ll be the first one out of
the door, ahead of you all!”

Rae felt the tense atmosphere lighten a fraction, as a titter erupted amongst
the cauliflower heads and bald pates. She took another sip of water, and carried on.
“And if your relative was a miserable old bugger in this world, you can bet your
bottom dollar he’ll be just as miserable in the next!”

 

Thank you so much for visiting here today Stevie. It’s always a treat for me to learn more about my writing friends and acquaintances. I look forward to reading your newest book – Examining Kitchen Cupboards!

 

Stevie Turner Books

 

You can find Stevie and her books below with all her social links:

 

Amazon.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stevie-Turner/e/B00AV7YOTU/

Website: http://www.stevie-turner-author.co.uk

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Stevie-Turner/e/B00AV7YOTU/

Amazon Author Page (worldwide): http://bookShow.me/B00AV7YOTU

YouTube: https://goo.gl/E8OHai

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7172051.Stevie_Turner

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevieTurner6

Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/stevieturner988/

WordPress Blog: https://steviet3.wordpress.com/

Audible: http://goo.gl/sz1cXS

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/preview?vpa=pub&locale=en_US

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/105747643789021738179/posts/p/pub

BookSprout: https://booksproutapp.com/author/875/stevie-turner

 

Note: Please forgive the weird spacing and lack of white space between paragraphs on this post. As my blog was recently, finally, upgraded (meaning you readers shouldn’t have to wait so long to load my posts), I am facing new glitches. Thanks for putting up with. 🙂

 

Copyright
© D.G. Kaye and DGKayewriter.com, 2014 – 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to D.G. Kaye

 

 

 

 

43 thoughts on “Q and A with D.G. Kaye – Featuring Author Stevie Turner – Promote Your Book”

    1. Hi Jaye? Anita?, lol I’m never sure which of you lovelies I’m speaking with. Thanks for dropping by and I have no doubts you’ll thoroughly enjoy the book when you get there. ❤

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  6. Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – Friday September 27th 2019 -D.G. Kaye Interviews Stevie Turner – Carol Taylor #pies – Paddy Cummins #Guinness | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

  7. How lovely to get to know Stevie a little…I love my own company although I do love to socialise but on my own terms and time 🙂 x Have a lovely weekend ladies 🙂 x

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  8. Wonderful interview, Stevie, and so many parts that resonated with me (working alone in an office, avoiding talking to people), but one that really got my attention was the ISBNs. I’ve always bought my own, from Bowker, in blocks of 20 and then 100. So I didn’t realize until recently that you can’t take an Amazon ISBN with you when you go to another site. Very interesting.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed Jacqui. Yes, it’s puzzling that many authors weren’t aware of using Amazon ISBNs. Here in Canada, our ISBNs are free from our government who supports writers, so it was never an issue for me. 🙂

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  9. Lovely to see Stevie featured on your blog, Debby. She is a fabulous writer and I have read both For the sake of a child and A room without windows. I think the directors comments about women not being depicted as victims are ridiculous. Women are nearly always the victims of serial killers, murderers and other unbalanced people.

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  10. I thoroughly enjoyed this interview and getting to know Stevie better. I certainly know she’s good with social media, since we’re connected in FB and Twitter and Goodreads. How about Instagram next, Stevie? I didn’t know I’d enjoy that site so much, and I hardly ever promote my books on it, but it’s fun to meet people and see what photos they’re sharing, seeing a bit of their world.
    Anyway, I connect so much to Stevie’s views and world. My mom was also quite social and talkative when I was growing up, and I just wanted to curl on a couch and read. She had to drag me out to the stores, etc. In that way, I was quite a disappointment to her. (However, once I started writing and publishing, she became my biggest fan.) My first book was published in 2013 also, you two! But I’m nowhere as prolific as Stevie, who’s inspiring me to write more. Thanks Debby for a great venue here to get to know Stevie.

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    1. Thanks so much Pam. So glad to learn you enjoyed the interview. Yes, lol we are the triplets of 2013! Thanks for sharing a bit of your younger self here too ❤

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    2. Thanks Pam for your comments. My mum never stopped talking throughout her whole life (lol). It’s why I’m a good listener – I had no choice! She was a frustrated writer, so I’m pleased that in one way I take after her and have a few creative writing genes…

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  11. Lovely interview Deb. Nice to know more about Stevie, it saddened me that her mom didn’t encourage her to go to University. I have only read about such mothers, never seen them. She has earned a respectable place for herself though, with so many books to her credit.
    Thanks for sharing that excerpt from ‘Finding David,’ it sounds interesting. Wishing all the best to her for her future endeavors.

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    1. Thank you Balroop. I do believe it was still a different time back then when many parents thought it was more important for the sons to go to university more than the daughters. 🙂

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    2. Thanks Balroop. My mother was of the old school where only teachers, lawyers and doctors went to University. As I was going to be none of these, then as far as she was concerned it was time for me to leave school and go to work!

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  14. Stevie is such an accomplished writer and creative friend of yours, Debby. This was a great interview – especially the answer to her thoughts about self-publishing was useful to me. And the fact that you both have so many things in common is quite unique!

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    1. Thanks Liesbet, so true, it’s uncanny how much Stevie and I are similar in thought. I’m glad you’re finding nuggets about self publishing in these interviews. ❤

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