Hi, there!

Today's post is special: I'm interviewing fellow fantasy and science fiction author Louise McLaughlin! She has such a unique perspective on publishing and some very cool themes relevant to international affairs in her work. I hope you enjoy her insights as much as I did!

Regards,

Nicole

Q: Hi Louise, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview! I know everyone's writing journey is different, so what made you interested in being a fantasy and science fiction author?

A: I have always loved writing stories. When at school, I was obsessed with screenplays, and even, almost, nearly got one on the stage, but production value was going to be too high for our local theatre, who knew a comedy of the Russian Revolution would be so expensive. And then life happened, and instead of writing, I read. I was one of those people who took a week off work to read the new Harry Potter, and I devoured anything Tom Holt, Grant Naylor and Douglas Adams wrote. So many years later, I was looking for something to read, and nothing quite hit the mark. I wanted an escape from reality, but I wanted something that resonated with reality. I couldn't find any books like that, then I remembered the joy I felt writing all those years ago, and here we are. I wrote the book I wanted to read, and then I never stopped writing.

Q: It sounds like your newest book, Disclosure, combines very timely real-world themes with global stakes and plenty of magic. How do you balance the speculative and realistic elements in your writing?

A: I write themes that I find interesting, and those are very much current affairs and the shenanigans behind the shop window. That's why my series is called D-Notice, the UK Government procedure for censoring the media. Having been a civil servant, I have had a slight peek behind the curtain, which helps inform the procedural elements in my books. The world in my books is based on the premise that magic could be just an advanced understanding of physics and technology. By grounding the magic in possible science, the world opens itself up to contemporary issues. From there, I can exaggerate both the magic and the real, make it more fantastical, and still make it feel oddly possible. So every secret organisation pulling strings, every magical spell resonates.

Q: You've gone the indie publishing route but have also been in the querying trenches for traditional publishing. Could you explain the difference between trad and indie publishing?

A: Traditional publishing is when a company buys your writing and, in the deal, provides money upfront and a % of royalties. Indie Publishing is where you keep all of your rights to your writing, and you keep all of the royalties. For example, if Amazon pays 35% royalties through a traditional publisher, the writer may only see 10%, and the publisher keeps 25%; but if the writer self-publishes, the writer keeps 35%.But the caveat is that the indie publisher has to do everything: writing the book is just the start; we need to pay cover designers, editors, proofreaders, marketing, etc. So I would appreciate a traditional publisher's assistance in that they have great teams and can assist in getting my books in front of larger audiences, but I love the indie route as it gives me full control. And to be honest, I love learning the publishing world, the marketing, etc., and I'm always learning, so if anyone has any tips, I'm all ears.

Q: Why does indie sometimes mean self-publishing and sometimes mean small presses (i.e., not one of the Big 5 publishers: Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, or Simon & Schuster)? It's so confusing!

A: It can also mean private investors. I suppose Indie simply means independent from the corporate bigwigs.

Q: You've published several books already - where would you recommend readers who are new to your work start?

A: Shameless plug inbound. I have a free short story which is the prequel to the D-Notice series. It's an alternative-history fantasy, following the gods in my series as they wreak havoc in UK History; Guy Fawkes and Jack the Ripper cross paths. In it, as history tends to repeat itself, I try to parallel some current affairs with history, so that when King Richard the Third declares his nephews illegitimate, I do it in the style of a Truth Social post. So if anyone wants to try out my writing for free, please feel free to click the link to get your copy https://dl.bookfunnel.com/47mq311pxa​

Disclaimer: The views expressed in my newsletter or on my website are my own and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of State or the United States.