K E Stokes

Author Bio: I am a true ‘Yorkshire lass’, as they say, born and bred in Sheffield where I have always lived. 

My love of reading was present from childhood and in particular, limericks. During my teenage years, my favourite authors as a teenager were Fay Weldon and Martin Amis.

In 2012, I wrote ‘An Ordinary Life’, a biographical story, written in the third person, using fictional characters. What began as a therapeutic exercise and with no expectation as to where it would lead, the title was finally published by Mirador Books in 2014. 

My literary journey continued with The Healing, inspired by my passion for the paranormal, written to stoke speculative curiosity and for readers who share a particular interest in the dark side. The title was subsequently published by Darkstroke in June 2020, but sadly, the publisher folded in September 2024.

I have now completed my third novel, Blacksheep, which details the life of a little girl who exists within a fractured and abusive childhood and who finally escapes her cruel existence. 

As an established author, I take great pleasure in the literary world where the stories just keep on flowing and I am now penning outlines for my third and fourth titles. 

Author Interview:

1.What inspires you most to write?

  I just love words, descriptives and creating scenes on paper, and while I am writing, I am in 'the scene', its a weird kind of control! 

2. What is your favorite genre?

 I would have said paranormal whilst writing my last book, The Healing, but I enjoy anything that isn't predictable and has a twist or two, so maybe 'mystery/suspense'.

3. Who is one author you admire if any and why?

  I love Fay Weldon because her writing is unusual and quirky, but recently discovered James Rice with a book titled 'Alice and the Fly', which got me hooked from the first page.

4. How do you overcome blank writing spells?

 I hate to give up when the words don't flow automatically and find it hard to just walk away. It is, however, best just to let it ride for a while and return to it, refreshed, rather than force the issue. I can only write when I feel good, otherwise the story doesn't get my full attention.

5. What legal publishing advice can you give?

 Write for yourself, primarily, to enjoy it for writing's sake. When ready to share your manuscript, be mindful of matching the genre of your book with the right publisher even it it makes the search harder.  

6. How many books have you written, are any a bestseller yet?

 I have written three books - the first under my own name and two under a pseudonym. No best seller as yet.

7. If you had the opportunity to rewrite one movie script which would it be, why?

 That's a difficult one. I think I could easily re-write 'The Keeping Hours', which I think is probably the closest in story familiarity to The Healing. I love the genre and the fact that its a ghost story, without the scare fest. 

8. What are some difficulties you've experienced in your writing career; how do you handle book critiques/criticism?

  I think promotion can be a grey area and you can spend lots of money and get nowhere or be scammed because authors want to sell books and the competition is massive. 

  Also, as with any vocation that relies on public recognition and sales to be successful, you have to be prepared for all kinds of feedback, good and bad, which will invariably          include criticism and I do struggle, even if I often learn from it. 

9. What are your best experiences in your writing career?

  To know that people are reading your stories, that your titles will be on bookshelves in shops. There is no greater feeling. 

10. Do you prefer to write in silence and or have some sort sound in the background?

  I need silence, especially when reaching the end of a story.  As I was completing The Healing, the ending was so intense and therefore, any sound detracted from the                    final moments. 

11. What are some encouraging words you'd give to another author/writer?

  To just keep on writing, and improving. The Healing's first publisher has since folded, and so based on experience and progress, I have re-edited some chapters to prepare the title for another publisher. There is always room for improvement and you never really stop learning.  

12. How did you decide the pricing of your material; how did you go about promotion/advertising and distribution of your work?

  Unless self-published, authors don't generally decide on the price of their books. I did a lot of networking on socials which is a very useful tool if used well, as is having and          maintaining a website. I shared and received some proven advertising strategies with other authors and joined many author groups on social media. Blogs are a good tool for promotion. I listed my book and author profile on websites such as Goodreads and Whizzbuzz Books, and never stopped searching the internet for similar places.

13. Why should anyone read your book?

  Because it is enlightening in the wake of a torrid backstory. It has a mystic element which has no place in reality, but then people love escapism and above all, a happy ending. 

14. Did you have a book coach?

      No.

15. What was your favorite subject in school?

      Art. 

16. Are you self-published or have an established publishing contract elsewhere?

      I now have a publishing contract for my third book, Black Sheep. 

For More: http://www.karenestokes.com

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