Welcome to the weekly Irish Independent Authors Collective (IIAC) author interviews. Today on my blog, I’m delighted to introduce you all to Byddi Lee. I hope you all enjoy learning more about Byddi and be sure to check out her books.

Irish Independent Authors’ Collective – Byddi Lee

Tell me a little bit about yourself and why you decided to join the Irish Independent Authors’ Collective?

I’m from Armagh but spent 8 years living in California. During that time I wrote my first book and decided to self-publish it. I then spent a year in Paris and finally moved back to Armagh last October. I’m writing full time now, and will most likely self-publish again so was delighted when the Irish Independent Authors’ Collective started. It’s wonderful to be a part of a strong and supportive community like this.

How long have you been writing and why did you decide on self-publishing?

I’ve been writing for 10 years and then I decided to self-publish because I was too impatient to wait for that ‘lucky break.’ I liked the idea of being in control of the timeline and had heard that traditional publishing didn’t guarantee and huge marketing budget unless you already had a big name. As a debut author, I had little to lose by taking the plunge.

Do you think the stigma surround self-publishing is lessening?

I self-published in 2014 and already the stigma had begun to lessen, in my opinion. Readers are beginning to realise that there are gems in the self-publishing realm too and that those stories that don’t ‘fit’ into a genre are interesting because they lack the same formulaic qualities that many genre writers feel they must conform to in order to qualify for their genre. There is still a long way to go but I believe that readers are beginning to see that quality writing exists in self-published work.

What do you feel the hardest part of self-publishing is?

Other than overcoming the stigma, and that horrible imposter syndrome that I felt when I first put my book out into the wide world, I think the hardest thing is self-published authors are not given an equal stage in the world of book promotion. It is nearly impossible to get a review in mainstream national newspapers. Bookshops don’t like to sell books printed using Createspace, a subsidiary of Amazon, yet will still sell book published traditionally and sold on Amazon and Kindle (usually for higher prices than independent authors can command) which I feel demonstrates double standards.

What genres do you write?

I write general fiction, science fiction and have started writing historical fiction. Actually, I write stories and I don’t care where those stories germinate and grow, so long as I can tell them.

What is your favourite story or character that you have written?

I love my work in progress. It’s working title is Rejuvenation and is set in the near future where the ultra-elderly begin to grow younger. As their skin and muscle tone improves, their behaviour degenerates giving lots of fun writing. My favourite character is the protagonist’s sister Joy. I just love her – she’s clever, sassy and a complete drama queen.

What time of day do you prefer to write?

I write the best first thing in the morning. That said, sometimes I find it hard to switch off my brain and find myself lying awake at 3 am composing prose and plots storylines. In that case, the best thing for me to do is get up and write – empty my brain so I can get to sleep.

Do you have a special writing space?

I’ve moved three times in the last two years so I’m pretty used to writing where I find myself but I prefer to sit by a window as I write. I like to look out on the world.

Do you outline your books ahead of time or just go for it?

A bit of both but I usually begin with a rough outline and if the writing takes me somewhere interesting I go with it.

Who are your favourite Irish authors?

I love Emma Donoghue, Kelly Creighton, Ethel Rohan, Jo Zebedee, Roddy Doyle, Colin Bateman, Frank O Connor … Okay, I should stop now…

Your latest book March to November is general fiction, what was the inspiration behind it and is there anything you would like readers to know?

The inspiration behind March to November sprang from a combination of personal experiences and those of people close to me. I also wanted to write a book set in Belfast that was not about the Troubles but which showed that life in Belfast was as ordinary and as extraordinary as life is anywhere else. I hope however that theme of the necessity for forgiveness in order to move on resonates with readers in Belfast and everywhere else on the planet too.

Is your latest book part of a series and if so how many books are planned for the series?

No, but I had so many people asking me for a sequel that I wrote a short story follow up call Then Came Christmas which I posted on my website for free downloads – it does contain spoilers for the book, so it is best read after the book.

Where can readers find out more about you?

I have an author website – www.byddilee.com

March to November By Byddi Lee

Five people. Eight months. Lives end. Lives begin.

March to November navigates the entangled points of view of Tracey Duggan and her circle of friends and foes in modern-day Belfast, Ireland as they struggle with bereavement, broken marriages, broken dreams and broken minds.

All Tracey wants is a normal life. All she has, however, is violence and betrayal from those closest to her.

Can Tracey escape the pattern of destructive relationships that plague her? Will her new boyfriend Tommy decide to be right or be happy? Will her sister-in-law Molly find the strength to deal with her new situation? Will her brother, Dermot let go of his past and man up to his mistakes? Can Dermot’s lover, Sheila really have it all?

Belfast is not the city of bombs and bullets of their childhood, but it’s still full of trouble for these five as they alternately walk, run and stumble along the road toward a shocking finale. 

March to November is available now in eBook and paperback from Amazon.

Until next time,

Keep reading and writing,

Amanda