How do you approach cover design?
I work closely with my designer Samantha to find an image that suits the story then leave it to her to find fonts and colors that suit. We may start on the cover before the book is complete. It's important and deserves as much time as it needs to get it right. We believe that people do judge a book by its cover, much as I, as writer, might wish it were otherwise.
What do you read for pleasure?
Since I became a full time novelist I find I don't read anything like as much as I once did. Research for the next novel tends to dominate my reading. I do go back to John Steinbeck, my great hero for inspiration often. I've just finished re-reading The Pastures of Heaven and The Long Valley. I'm working on short form novellas and these two are supreme examples of short form literature at its best.
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