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

Irish Independent Authors’ Collective – Ellie Rose McKee

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

I have been writing since primary school, am now almost thirty, and like to think I’ve come a long way in that time. Over the years I’ve had poems and short stories published in various places, from websites to e-zines, journals, and anthologies. I’ve joined the IIAC because I’m a self-published author of four main titles, which are primarily bind ups of the aforementioned poetry and short stories. Right now, I’m trying to get my novel traditionally published, but self-publishing is a big part of my writing journey. I’m happy to be part of the community.

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

There are a few answers I could give to this. As I’ve already said, it’s been a long time since I first put pen to paper but, to give you a better idea of things, it’s been over ten years since I started blogging and five years since I got [happily] lost in the world of fan fiction – a place where I have learned a lot by pumping out a lot of words. I think I attempted my first novel around 2009, but it was 2010 or thereabouts that I started taking writing “seriously” and 2012 that I self-published my first book. I decided to do it basically because I could. Self-publishing opened a door for me to share my work with the world, and I jumped at it! (Disclaimer: I don’t usually advocate jumping at doors or mixing metaphors.)

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

To some degree, yes. Part of the reason it was stigmatized in the first place is because it was the fresh new thing. A lot of people have a knee-jerk reaction to new things that come in and disrupt well-established ways of doing things. But it has been a little while, now, and it’s clear self-publishing isn’t going away again, so the knee-jerk reaction has somewhat worn off. As time goes on, more and more people are self-publishing. For some, that will legitimize it, but there are some people who will always look down their nose. You’re never going to please everyone. In the end, what’s important is what readers think of the books and I don’t think the stigma comes from them so much as other people in the literary community.

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

Walking the tightrope between promoting yourself/your books and spamming people. As an independent, you’ve got to do everything yourself and marketing doesn’t come naturally to most people.

What genres do you write?

My stories often fall into the contemporary young adult category but aren’t limited to that. What I like about the short form is that I can dabble, writing a one-off fantasy adventure one day and a fictionalized version of my mother’s childhood the next. My poetry is often very personal and, more than anything, my fiction is character driven. I go for the emotional stuff.

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

It’s so hard to pick, especially when you’re like me and have hundreds of stories flying about your head (and laptop) at any one time. At a push, I’d probably have to say my novel is my favourite piece of writing. I’m a terrible sap for falling in love with all of my characters!

What time of day do you prefer to write?

I’m an extreme night owl whose brain doesn’t function for the first three hours after my feet hit the floor. Between midnight and five A.M. is my sweet spot for creativity.

Do you have a special writing space?

Anywhere comfortable. I used to primarily write in bed and still occasionally do. These days, I have my own home office set up, but I like to be by my husband and fur-babies, so most of my work actually gets done in the living room, sitting in an armchair with a laptop on my knees.

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

For years I didn’t outline and for years I struggled to finish a novel. Now I’ve found a method of plotting that works for me and I’d never go back. It’s changed everything. I’m a true convert.

Who are your favourite Irish authors?

I’ve just finished reading ‘Her Name Was Rose’ by Claire Allan and, although it’s the only book I’ve read by her so far, I have no hesitation in listing as one of my favourite authors. (Seriously, it’s that good.) Alongside her, you have poets like Stephanie Conn and Jenny Methven. Women Aloud NI have opened my eyes to a wealth of local talent.

What was the inspiration behind your latest book, The Love Poems, and is there anything you would like readers to know?

The Love Poems isn’t just a poetry collection about romance, it’s about different kinds of love – not all of them good or healthy. Related topics like lust, friendship, and family are touched on. I didn’t really set out to write it, it just kind of came together organically. I wrote the poems I was inspired to, and it turned out that they ran on a theme. It made sense to put them together.

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

The Love poems isn’t part of a series but, aside from my novel that’s part one in a trilogy, what I’m working on is a set of two micropoetry collections that I plan to self-publish.

Where can readers find out more about you?

Pretty much everything you could ever want to know about me is on my website – ellierosemckee.com – and it has links to where to find me elsewhere online. If there’s something I haven’t already covered, you can tweet me @EllieRose101

 

 

Four Season Summer (Summer Love Book 1) by Ellie Rose McKee

Sometimes being young and in love isn’t the most carefree experience. Especially when life’s happening faster than you can cope with it.

Tom is a teenage guy with no hope for his future, a rap sheet for petty crime as long as his arm, and the brief but blissful prospect of spending his last summer before adulthood with his girlfriend, Brooke.
Brooke has just finished high school, and has the world at her feet, if only she could decide where she wants those feet to lead her.
Together they try to figure out what to do with their lives – as those lives fall down around them. What they don’t know is that just a few days can change everything…

Summer Love book 1 & 2 is now available on Amazon and be sure to check out Ellie’s Amazon author page for more information on her books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ellie-Rose-McKee/e/B0084P9WCA

Until next time,

Keep reading and writing,

Amanda