B12: The day I interviewed Australian Author and Editor, AK Leigh

        "Are you brave enough to fall in love? "-- AK LEIGH 

Source: Book Hub

The day I interviewed Australian Author and Editor, AK Leigh

About our virtual guest,

A.K. Leigh is an international-selling romance author, writing coach, and naturally conceived identical triplet. Her non-fiction book, The Dreaming Writer, detailing various dreaming techniques that benefit the writing process, is a #1 Amazon bestseller. After sipping copious amounts of hot chocolate or taking an inspirational walk in nature, she can be found in her writing nook creating worlds of love, suspense, and the paranormal. She also has a passion for helping other writers, which she achieves through workshops, speaking engagements, and her coaching business.

In Picture: AK Leigh 

"My multi-genre fiction transports the reader into a world of cozy mysteries, suspense, crime, fantasy, the supernatural, and time travel – all entwined with a heart-pumping, sweet romance. 

My non-fiction titles help readers to improve their writing, heighten creativity, increase imagination, and strengthen self-love. 

I write under the names A.K. Leigh, Leigh Hatchmann, and Alicia Leigh.”- A.K. Leigh on her website 'Fall in Love …… With Leigh'.

Before asking any questions, I would like to thank you, AK Leigh ma’am for agreeing to do this questionnaire interview with Read It Out Loud!

Ans: My pleasure! 😊

Q1) When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? And how did you go about it?

Ans: I have had a notepad and pen in my hand for as far back as I can remember. Even so, it didn’t “click” that I might be a writer until 2011 when a series of dreams led me to complete my first full-length novel.

Hence, one must keep dreaming!

 

Q2) When was your first book published? And what were the difficulties you had to face?

Ans: My first book, SEE HER RUN, which is the book I dreamed about, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2015.

The difficulties I had to face were the same as any writer, i.e. sending off submissions, receiving rejections, and sending out more submissions. It took well over 14 rejections (I stopped counting at that number because it was de-motivating me to keep track) and around 2 years for me to find a publisher for that book. I signed the contract in 2014.

Never lose hope, keep striving!

See Her Run by AK Leigh

Q3) What was your family’s reaction when you informed them about becoming a writer or publishing your own book?

Ans: Varied. Some were supportive and not surprised. Others . . . not so much.

That’s how families respond, don’t they? But still, follow your dreams.

 

Q4) As a female author, how does it feel to be an author who has published more than 10 books? What challenges did you have to come across? And what advice you would like to give to upcoming female writers?

Ans: Ooh, great question! I love that I have 21 books published and, therefore, can act as inspiration and motivation for other women.

The biggest challenge is being seen as a “serious” writer (whatever that means). This seems to be even more the case because I also happen to write romance, which is not seen as a difficult genre to write (spoiler: it is one of the most difficult to write!).

My advice to other female writers: you can do it, keep going, and follow other writers on social media who have achieved what you want to achieve so they can keep you motivated when you need it.

Challenges are part and parcel on the road to success, embrace their presence and keep fighting!

 

Q5) What is your interesting writing quirk? Have you ever dealt with writer’s block and how do you overcome it? What do you think makes a good story?

Ans: My interesting writing quirk is that I tend to listen to music while I write. Either that or I pop on a movie in the background (one I’ve watched a thousand times). This creates a kind of “white noise” experience that I find soothing. It helps me get into, and stay in, “the flow”.

Writing is the only way to prevent being blocked. Write however you can, whenever you can, even if it is a shopping list (try to be creative about the way you write the list and see what happens!).

A good story is one that engages the reader either emotionally or intellectually (or both). I also prefer stories that have some type of message, but I don’t think the lack of one automatically makes a book a “bad story”.

You need a story and a spirit of writing it down!

Beautiful by AK Leigh

Q6) What are your steps for publishing a book from coming up with a story to marketing it? (From what inspires you to write to the final step of selling your book)

Ans: Oh, wow. That’s a loooong process and it changes from book to book!

To summarise and give you a general overview of my writing process:

*I come up with the idea

*I write an outline (to see if I have something worth pursuing or not. This stops a lot of time-wasting.)

*I write the first draft as fast as I can.

*I rewrite until I cannot anymore.

*I send queries to my publishers to see if they are interested in the concept.

*It is sent off to my editors and/or beta readers.

*I rewrite according to their suggestions.

*It is published. :-D

 

For the marketing:

*I talk about the writing process on my social media and keep my readers and fans informed of where/what I’m up to.

*Release date, cover reveal, and pre-orders are announced.

*Teasers start around a month before release.

For us, it’s just a book that we complete reading in a few days but for a writer, it is “a loooong process”.

 

Q7) Do you communicate with your fans or readers? And how do you deal with criticism?

Ans: I do! I enjoy interacting with my readers and fans on social media. I also encourage them to email/DM/PM me with their questions. In my newsletter, I include interactive elements to encourage my readers and fans to connect with me as well.

When it comes to criticism, you have to accept that you will always receive three types no matter who you are: positive, negative, and neutral. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and you cannot do anything about that, so take on board what is said ONLY if it really is relevant and can help you improve.

Never run away from criticism! Take it sportingly.

Vengeance of the Witch by AK Leigh 

Q8) What do you think a writer learns while writing a book and a reader learns while reading a book?

Ans: Another great question. It’s individual for each writer. For me, every book I write teaches me something about my process, about where I can improve, and about life. For readers, again, it’s an individual experience. Readers can learn about themselves, the world, their likes, and dislikes, develop a love of words, and so many other things. Also, there is a definite symbiotic relationship between the author and the reader. We learn from each other.

A very underrated relationship; A writer and a reader!

 

Q9) What and who is AK. Leigh, when she is not writing?

Ans: Ha ha. That is a loaded question! Technically, A.K. Leigh is a writing pseudonym, so she is nothing (and everything, if you want to get ultra-philosophical about it) when she is not writing. :-D

On a less literal level, I am a combination of many things, just like everyone else: mother, sister, friend, dreamer, triplet, nature lover, pet lover, editor, writing coach/tutor, and reader. 😊

In short, a multitasking woman.

 

Q10) If you were to give 5 tips to any aspiring writer/author what would it be?

Ans:

1. Be persistent. If you want to be a writer, write.

2. Don’t take rejection personally. It happens to all of us.

3. Learn all you can about writing. Read books on the subject, go to workshops, follow your favourite authors on social media, attend writing conventions, etc.

4. Learn how other authors achieved their goals and adapt their experience to your situation.

5. Write, write, and write some more.

Something I should really do!

 

AK Leigh with her newly published book "Beautiful"  

Interviewer- Humaira Kazi

Guest Interviewee- AK Leigh (Author-Editor)

The process of interview was done through e-mail. I had mailed AK Leigh ma'am 10 questions in a Ms. Word document to which she replied. I have been in contact with her for a very long time now and hence I came up with the idea of interviewing her. AK Leigh ma'am has been wonderful when it comes to coordinating, even though I am just a small blog writer from India, she was very sweet and humble when I approached her on her  Instagram Handle. Thank you so much for your time and answers AK. Leigh ma'am. 

Find her books at: www.amazon.com/author/akleigh.
Join her exclusive LOVELEIGHS CLUB at: www.fallinlovewithleigh.com/loveleigh
Learn more about her writing coaching at: www.aklauthorservices.com
Get in touch with her works and the lady herself at: http://www.fallinlovewithleigh.com/
Check out her Vlogs: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCskieRmAicWgBXo7CgU5McA