Promo Monday: Interview with Jessica Bell, author of STRING BRIDGE

Everyone, please welcome Jessica Bell, author of String Bridge.

Jessica, how long did it take you from idea to publishing String Bridge?

Almost five years! I was a novice. It needed seven revisions to get it into the state it is now.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

A bit of both. Depends on my mood. I still like to feel surprised as I write, rather than knowing exactly what is going to happen all the time.

What’s your next book about?

Bitter Like Orange Peel is about a twenty-five year old Australian archaeology undergraduate named Kit, who doesn’t like to get her hands dirty. She feels misplaced and comes to the conclusion that meeting her father, Roger, will make some sense of her life, despite him being worth the rotting orange rind in her backyard. Well, at least that’s what she’s been conditioned to think of him by the three women in her life: Ailish, her mother—an English literature professor who communicates in quotes and clichés, and who still hasn’t learnt how to express emotion on her face; Ivy, her half-sister—a depressed professional archaeologist, with a slight case of nymphomania, who fled to America after a divorce to become a waitress; and Eleanor, Ivy’s mother—a pediatric surgeon who embellishes her feelings with medical jargon, and who named her daughter after intravenous. Against all three women’s wishes, Kit decides to find Roger, but in doing so, discovers that he is not the only rotten fruit.

I love the name Bitter Like Orange Peel and description of that novel. I always find it interesting to learn what other authors are reading. If you could recommend a book—not your own—what book would that be?

Too many to list! But if I had to only recommend one, it would be Housekeeping, by Marilynne Robinson. It’s the only book I’ve ever read multiple times. And each time I still get something new out of it.

I haven't heard of that book. Thanks for recommending it. I wish you and String Bridge much success.

To Purchase String Bridge:

eBook

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319369262&sr=1-1

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319370801&sr=8-1

Paperback:

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/String-Bridge-Jessica-Bell/dp/0984631747/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320174363&sr=1-8

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/String-Bridge-Jessica-Bell/dp/0984631747/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/string-bridge-jessica-bell/1030101696

Jessica is so multitalented that she has a soundtrack for String Bridge called Melody Hill: On the Other Side. You can purchase this Soundtrack at these places:

iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=465313522

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Melody-Hill-Other-Side/dp/B005P7ARNS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317118328&sr=8-1

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melody-Hill-Other-Side/dp/B005P7G02A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317118484&sr=8-1

Jessica Bell is a literary women's fiction author, poet and singer/songwriter who grew up in Melbourne, Australia, to two gothic rock musicians who had successful independent careers during the '80s and early '90s.

She spent much of her childhood travelling to and from Australia to Europe, experiencing two entirely different worlds, yet feeling equally at home in both environments. She currently lives in Athens, Greece and works as a freelance writer/editor for English Language Teaching publishers worldwide, such as HarperCollins, Pearson Education and Macmillan Education.

In addition to String Bridge, Jessica has published a book of poetry called Twisted Velvet Chains. A full list of poems and short stories published in various anthologies and literary magazines can be found under Published Works & Awards, on her website.

From September 2012 Jessica will be hosting the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca, home of Odysseus. 

  

Find Jessica Bell at these places:

String Bridge Website: http://www.stringbridge.com/ Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11502954-string-bridgeString Bridge Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv-hRMA0kqQ
String Bridge Merchandise: http://www.cafepress.com/janicephelps/8155170
website: http://www.jessicacbell.com/
blog: http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MsBessieBell
retreat & workshop site: http://hwrw.blogspot.com/