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

Irish Independent Authors Collective – Pamela Harju

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

My name is Pamela Harju, and I’m the author of two self-published novels, The Truth about Tomorrow and Yours Remotely. As independent authors, we need all the help and support we can get, so it’s important to have an allied front.

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

All my life. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making up stories, even before I learned how to read and write. I was originally going to look for an agent and try to get The Truth about Tomorrow published the traditional way, but then I stumbled across the self-publishing community, and the freedom the self-publishing option offered really appealed to me. I can’t imagine any other way of doing it now.

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

I only started self-publishing just over a year ago, so I haven’t seen a significant change in that time. I certainly still feel that the stigma is there.

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

Marketing and being noticed. There is so much competition that it’s hard to stand out unless you’re really clever and have unique marketing ideas or have a huge budget. I’m afraid I haven’t got either!

What genres do you write?

I write in various genres, which I realise can be a bit of a stumbling block when trying to find readers. I have written women’s fiction, romance, fantasy, light horror, new adult and mystery/suspense.

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

Of the stories that I have published so far, my favourite has to be Gary in Yours Remotely. He’s a complex character, much more so than people realise at first. I’m also very fond of my romantic hero in my current project; he’s not an archetypal romantic hero at all.

What time of day do you prefer to write?

Whenever I have time! Mostly it’s Saturdays and during tea breaks from work on the days I work from home.

Do you have a special writing space?

I mostly write at the kitchen table, but I’ve learned to write on to the go too when I’m travelling on my own.

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

Only in my head. I know writers who swear by outlines and cards and all that, but it gives me writer’s block instead of preventing it. I have a plan, but it stays in my head until I’m ready to write it. It also means that nobody can steal my ideas – hah!

Who are your favorite Irish authors?

Denyse Devlin or Denyse Woods is an author whose work I have hugely enjoyed in the past. I must admit that I haven’t read her last few books though. I used to know all the latest releases when I worked in a bookshop, but I can’t keep up with them now – there are too many good books!

Your latest book Yours Remotely is women’s fiction, what was the inspiration behind it and is there anything you would like readers to know?

The inspiration behind it is my long-standing love of rock music. The idea itself came to me when I stumbled upon the name Rockall when I worked in a call centre. I thought it was such an exceptionally cool surname, and I went, “Imagine being a rock star and having a name like that.” So I did. Gary was born. I know people snigger at his name, but I couldn’t change it because he wouldn’t exist without it.

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

I wish it was, but my brain doesn’t seem to work like that. One of these days, maybe…

Where can readers find out more about you?

On my website at www.pamelaharju.com. I’m also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pamelaharju and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pamelaharju.

Yours Remotely by Pamela Harju

Everyone loves a rock star – but can a rock star love you back?

Lea Woods wants a relationship. Gary Rock All, singer and guitarist in The Remotes, wants his band to take over the world. An undeniable attraction throws them into an all-consuming, if ultimately thwarted fling. As Gary struggles to cope with the fame success brings him, Lea sees him slipping away from her. He lives for his music – is there any room for her in his life?

YOURS REMOTELY is a gritty love story gone wrong for fans of damaged characters, dirty rock ‘n’ roll and sexy anti-romance.

Yours Remotely is available in ebook and paperback from Amazon and all other retail outlets.

I hope you enjoyed reading all about Pamela and be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss next weeks Irish Independent Authors Collective interview. You can also follow the hashtags #IIAC #IrishIndieAuthors and #IrishIndependentAuthorsCollective on Twitter.

Until next time,

Keep reading and writing,

Amanda