Interview: Ann Lee Miller

What have you had published?

Kicking Eternity launched in June, The Art of My Life in September, Avra’s God in December, and Tattered Innocence is slated for March 2013.

What genre(s) of book do you write?

I write romance/coming of age novels.

What inspired you to write your first book?

Living on a sailboat as a child. All my books (4) so far have some connection to sailing.

How long did it take you to write ‘Avra’s God?

A year.

What is the working title of your next book(s)?

Finding My Voice

When and why did you begin writing?

When I graduated from college with a degree in creative writing, I didn’t feel like I had enough life experience to write a novel. When I finally had a little peace and quiet with three kids in school and one at home, it was time.

Do you self publish your books or go through an agency?

After ten years of trying to break into traditional publishing, landing and losing a literary agent, I published with Flawed People Press.

What part of writing books do you find the hardest?

Plotting! I much prefer the editing process.

What do you do in your spare time?

I do Zumba, hike, walk, play Scrabble, hang out with my kids, read, and watch movies.

Who is your favourite author? 

Charles Martin and whoever I’m reading at the moment.

What’s your favourite genre to read?

Give me a good love story, and I read you forever.

Do you have any advice for other writers? 

Persevere, no matter what. There’s always room for improvement. We never “arrive” as writers. We need to keep learning.

Bio: Ann Lee Miller earned a BA in creative writing from Ashland (OH) University and writes full-time in Phoenix, but left her heart in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where she grew up. She loves speaking to young adults and guest lectures on writing at several Arizona colleges. When she isn’t writing or muddling through some crisis—real or imagined—you’ll find her hiking in the Superstition Mountains with her husband or meddling in her kids’ lives.

Website: AnnLeeMiller.com

Twitter: @AnnLeeMiller

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnnLeeMillerAuthor

Avra’s God:

          In the tradition of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, four friends navigate college and the drama churned up by their Florida beach band to cement friendship and more.                 
          Avra wants love, but drummer Cisco—self-medicating from his parents’ divorce with sex and intoxicants—is a poor choice. Cisco hungers for fresh-baked cookies and the scent of family he finds at Avra’s.
         Kallie shares her classically trained voice only with lead vocalist Jesse and fights to keep her heart safe. Jesse feeds on fame and hides more than insecurity beneath his guitar.
         The friends surf ego, betrayal, and ambition and head for wipeout.  But somehow, when they're not looking, Avra’s God changes them all.

Giveaway: Anyone who leaves a comment with your e-mail will receive a free e-copy of Kicking Eternity, also from the New Smyrna Beach series.