The Book Bit: Special Edition

Hey guys! I know I usually lump all of my book reviews into one monthly post, but today I'm bringing you something extra special. I've been asked to participate in a blog tour by a fantastic indie author, Hannah Lynn, on the promotion of her newest book! How amazing is that! So, I'll give you a brief overview and my opinion, as usual, and then there's an extra interview at the end. She's also doing a special on her book. For the length of the blog tour, her book is only 99 cents! Guys, take advantage of this deal. You will love this book.

"The Afterlife of Walter Augustus"- Hannah Lynn

Even though I've been asked to review this, please don't think that I would automatically give it my seal of approval and flying colors. I take reviews seriously, and I would never recommend a book I didn't like. With that out of the way, this book is something amazing. Truly awesome.

Walter just wants what everyone in the interim wants, to move to the other side. He's been stuck in the in-between for centuries, caught between the land of the living and the afterlife. The world's most massive waiting room and Walter is eager to move on. Finally.

Letty and her husband live a modest life. They don't overspend or take lavish vacations, and try as hard as possible to avoid Letty's sister's 'business investments.' But some time ago, Letty put away a small amount of money. And over time it quickly grew out of control. Caught between telling her husband that she's been hiding money and making another cake to ease the mental distress, Letty stumbles across a fascinating little book of poetry.

Little does she know how much trouble opening one little book could do.

Read as Letty and Walter's worlds collide in an amazing story of the afterlife, love, loss, and forgiveness. There is something in this book for everyone. If you've lost someone, and who hasn't, you won't be able to resist thinking of them. Silently hoping they're getting a tug from you in the interim.

This is probably the best book I've read this year. I'm not kidding, and I'm not getting paid, and I'm not doing the author any special favors by writing a good review. Snag this book right away. You'll love it.


Q&A with the Author, Hannah Lynn

Why do you write?

I am one of those people — like most of us I feel — that require a creative outlet. Writing lets me stop and take stock of the world around me.


What do you enjoy most about writing?

Creating characters and places that become real to me. At the end of writing a book, I feel like I have gained genuine friends. (Or enemies)


What the most frustrating thing about writing?

Trying to find the time. I still have a full-time job along with a family and two highly demanding cats. Usually, that means getting up at 5:30 to make sure I get an hour of writing in before breakfast, but quite often that gets interrupted by an energetic toddler.


What can you tell us about the stories you write?

I think that at first, if you take a quick look at themes of my books, they all seem very different; Amendments a dystopian speculative fiction novel about two sisters, The Afterlife of Water Augustus is a contemporary fiction story of a man trapped between worlds; and Peas, Carrots and an Aston Martin, the book I am currently working on is about a man who is unwittingly forced to tend an allotment. However, they all run parallel through the same theme; people overcoming adversities. They are the stories I like to tell. The setting and world may change, but all my novels are character driven.


Do you base your characters on people from your life?

That would be more than my life’s worth! I think there are elements of everyone I’ve met in my stories, but as soon as I start developing a character, they become very much their own person.


What are challenges of Self-publishing?

Publicity, cost and time. If you want to get a good editor, good cover designer and good publicity — as any self-published author should — you have to pay for it or put in excessive hours to do the jobs yourself. I don’t think there is any way around it. And finding the perfect people to work on your book with you can be a tricky case of trial and error.


What do you feel are advantages of Self-published?

The opportunity to get your work out there, get feedback and write the stories you so desperately want to. After Walter Augustus, I will be releasing another contemporary fiction, Peas, Carrots and an Aston Martin, but my following novel, Beyond the Belt, is a much, much darker speculative fiction piece. Being self-published I feel like I have more freedom to switch between the genres this way.


Do you want a traditional publishing deal?

Yes, of course!


What has been a writing high for you?

Last year I had a meeting with one of the publishing directors at one of the big publishing houses. That was incredible, but so was seeing my first blog review and recording my first podcast.


What do you hope to achieve from your novels?

I hope that people will read them and enjoy them. I’m sure most writers dream of topping the bestsellers’ list — and of course, that would be amazing! — But that’s not why I write. I write because I have an endless stream of stories in my head that want to get out!

Hannah Lynn, Author of The Afterlife of Walter Augustus available on Amazon from 12^th July 2018.

Find her on Twitter @HMLynnauthor and Facebook @HannahLynnAuthor