Interview with Author Mandy Baggot

I'm thrilled today to introduce you to romance author, Mandy Baggot, or as I like to call her, Lady B.  Mandy has two titles published with the same publisher as me, but the real reasons I wanted to invite her to my blog today are that she's pretty accomplished in her genre and also, she's super supportive of other writers, even those outside of her genre like myself.

So here is the interview and stay tuned for news of Mandy's exciting upcoming release with Harper Impulse!

1.      How long have you been writing and what drew you to it?

I’ve been writing since I was a child and as soon as I hit my early teens there was always a romantic element to it! But I never saw it as something to make a career out of. I was too sensible back then and I think the careers advisor would have laughed hard if I’d suggested being a romantic novelist!

I really got the writing bug back after I had my first daughter. It was escapism from those nappy/diaper changes!

2.  Why do you write in the romance genre?

For me there’s nothing better than writing that magic chemistry when two people connect on every level. The spark of attraction, the physical need and the emotional pull *sigh*. I can’t imagine writing anything without the romantic element in it!

3.  Who are your favorite authors?

I get asked this question a lot! I read so widely now it’s really difficult to pick favourites. Harper Impulse (my new publisher) has asked me to pick ten favourites in a Q&A I did and it was so hard! I just love stories, romantic stories mainly, but I do love a good thriller too!

4.  What do you think is the most difficult aspect about the publishing industry for authors?

Getting noticed...by anyone! There are so many writers out there! How do you even begin to get your manuscript looked at? I love e-publishing because now it’s easier than ever to get your work out into the marketplace. There are now so many more options open to writers and choice is always a brilliant thing. I’ve self-published five novels and I’m about to have my third traditionally published novel released so I’ve done both. I’d say it’s all about finding the right path, the one that suits you best.

5.  What has been your best author moment?

Without a doubt it has to be winning the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the 2012 Festival of Romance. I felt that award was confirmation and a big pat on the back for all my hard work over the last couple of years.

6.  Do you have a favorite out of all your books?  Why?

Don’t make me pick from my babies!! It’s difficult because they’re all so different. I have a real soft spot for Strings Attached and the gorgeous, hot, rock star, Quinn Blake. The storyline is controversial, it got slated by an editor, but I stuck to my guns and the readers are still loving it almost two years on!

My next release, Do You Remember? is probably the most grown-up book I’ve written. I had to pinch myself a couple of times to make sure I’d really written it!

7.  What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Keep writing and enjoy it! Don’t ever lose the love for storytelling even if obstacles are put in your way! Those barriers are there for a reason...they’re meant to be jumped!

First Love. First Loss. Last chance?

2005 was the most traumatic year of Emma Barron’s life. It was the year her mother died and the year she met Guy Duval. Eight years on, she’s an English teacher with a doting boyfriend and a young son. Life’s been hard but now it’s comfortable. She’s settled and content…so why would she risk it all for another chance with the man that broke her heart?

Guy’s an international renowned footballer newly signed to a top UK team. But behind the confident facade is a man determined to drown the horrors from his childhood with fame, success and money.

Unable to confide in her best friend, Ally, Emma tries to hold her life together as her heart is pulled apart. Did she turn her back on love too soon?

ABOUT MANDY

Mandy Baggot is a romantic fiction author. In 2012 she won the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance. Her self-published title, Strings Attached was also short-listed for the Best Author Published Read award.

Also in 2012 she signed with American publishing house, Sapphire Star Publishing, who produced her novels, Taking Charge and romantic suspense, Security.

In June 2013 she signed a two book deal with Harper Collins' digital first romance imprint, Harper Impulse.

She is a regular contributor to writing blogs and on-line magazine, Loveahappyending Lifestyle http://www.loveahappyending.com/.

Mandy loves mashed potato, white wine, country music, World’s Strongest Man, travel and handbags. She has appeared on ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and auditioned for The X-Factor.

Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband, two daughters and cats, Kravitz and Springsteen.

Here are the places you can find her:

Website: www.mandybaggot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mandybaggot

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandy.baggot

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2968625.Mandy_Baggot

Loveahappyending Bookshelf: http://loveahappyending.org/mandy-baggot/

Sapphire Star Publishing: http://www.sapphirestarpublishing.com/mandybaggot

Harper Impulse: http://ow.ly/mAQBP

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P.S. Claire Fletcher still needs your votes in the Best Novel and Best Heroine categories of the eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards.  To find out how to vote, go here.  Thank you!