Karen, you started writing as a way to escape the noise of a big family. Can you tell us more about how writing became your form of escape in those early days?
I enjoyed going into my own fantasy world. This meant I could be anyone or go anywhere I liked. It was fun. I enjoyed those years when there was no pressure to do more than that.
Your first book was published in 2014, after years of writing stories for your own entertainment. What was the turning point that made you decide to take that step and publish your work?
I always wanted to be a published author, and it was only when I heard that Amazon opened their platform to allow me to do that.
You’ve mentioned that after joining a publishing company in 2018, you realized there was much more to publishing a book than just writing it. What are some of the challenges you encountered in the publishing world that you weren’t prepared for?
After all the work of getting a book to publication, I found promoting my book a challenge. The market is flooded with books and how to get mine noticed was and still is difficult.
Over the years, your stories have evolved with encouragement from mentors. Can you share an example of how one of your stories changed or grew during this process?
I wrote a short story called Distant Time for an anthology. With the help of my editor and mentor, she suggested the story could be expanded as readers would be interested to go more in-depth. Something I wasn’t sure I could do but did. Time Lines was eventually born and I’m proud that this is now so much better with it’s captivating storyline.
After the publishing company closed in early 2025, you became an independent author again. How did this shift impact your writing process and outlook on your career?
Because of what I had learnt whilst with the publishing company, I felt confident in what I could do. By that I mean, writing prose that will produce emotion from the reader. Also, I now saw how readers want to be part of how the protagonist feels, as if they were going through the experience. I also learnt the basics of editing, and this improved the way I wrote making the story clearer so readers could understand what was happening. 6. You’ve chosen to re-edit and re-release your earlier works rather than completely rewrite them. What made you decide to keep these stories as a part of your literary history?If I rewrote them completely, I would never move forward and write new things. I also look at it as the childhood of
my career. From those earlier works, I’ve grown, and I’d like readers to see that too.
As a multi-genre author, how do you decide which genre or story idea to pursue next? Do you have a particular genre that resonates most with you?
Most of my stories contain romance as the underlying theme. I then choose what genre to use as the mood takes me. You’ve embraced an affordable pricing model for your eBooks, charging only £1/$1/€1. Why did you decide to keep your prices so low, and how do you feel this has impacted your readership? There is so much competition out there and I wanted to experiment, but it didn’t increase sales. I also realised there was no movability if I wanted to have a sale. So, I’ve gone back to normal pricing.
Writing across multiple genres must bring different challenges. Which genre do you find most difficult to write, and why?
Probably horror. I’m not a fan of that; I wrote a little horror into The Ghost on the Stairs. It’s not been out long enough for me to have had any feedback as yet. But as it’s not my favourite subject, I’m unlikely to write much of it.
Your journey has been a blend of successes and setbacks. What would you say is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned throughout your writing and publishing career?
To always make sure my story is the best it can be. Not to rush to get it published.
You made a major life change by moving from the bustling city of Manchester to the peaceful island of Anglesey. How has this change in environment influenced your writing or creative process?
A huge amount. Just being retired and not going out to work means that I have more time to think about what I’m working on, and to write as I wish.
You’ve gone from being a published author with a traditional publisher to being an indie author. How have your experiences with both paths shaped the way you approach your writing career?
When I first started as an independent author back in 2013, I had no clue what I was doing. It was like feeling my way around in the dark. After being with my last publisher, I gained a lot of insight into the industry, and this means I have a much better knowledge which will help me along the way.
As an author who has rebuilt her brand, what advice would you give to other writers who are looking to reinvent their own literary careers?
Know who you are as a writer and what you want to achieve. Then go all there with confidence and enjoy the ride.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for the future of your writing career? Are there any upcoming projects or new genres you're excited to explore?
I want to finish my older books, get them back online and will eventually be excited to begin fresh new stories as the ideas come to me.
What has your AllAuthor experience been like so far? What are some highlights?
I’ve enjoyed being part of the All Author family. I was particularly thrilled when I first saw my picture alongside other authors on the first page. Another thing I really like is that readers pop in and ask me a question about either a book or writing in general. That’s really cool, and it brings readers to my website. I’ve seen many coming to check out what I do. That’s of great value to me,
