Book Blurb
Murders that look like accidents. An accident that looks like murder.
A couple and their young son burn to death in a house fire.
A girl dies from a nut allergy.
A woman falls under a train during the rush hour.
An accountant falls down the steps to his basement.
Their deaths appear to be accidents but Gloria knows they were murdered because she murdered them. And every time Gloria kills she buys a doll.
But how many dolls will she need to keep her satisfied?
When Gloria takes a room as a lodger her behaviour starts to spin out of control. Gloria wants love and happiness and friendship and she will do anything she can to get what she wants...
Publishing Journey – In 1994 I was headhunted by a literary agent. I had seen their entry in the Writer’s Handbook, but because their criteria was so strict I didn’t approach them. So I was astonished when they contacted me. They had read the manuscript of my first novel Vissi d’arte and were impressed. I sent it to be appraised, and the critic knew one of the associates. Unfortunately they were unable to find a publisher for it, because of the unusual subject. I posted it on Authonomy a site for writers run by Harper Collins and it had excellent reviews. I self-published it on Kindle, where it had more good reviews, but few sales.
Eumeralla my second novel also had excellent reviews on Kindle.
I posted The Doll Collector on Authonomy, where it was frequently described as creepy, terrifying, tense and realistic. I was pleased that some readers felt sorry Gloria, because I had wanted to portray her as a victim as well as a serial killer. That many understood and sympathised with her journey to becoming murder made me feel I had succeeded in making her a real character.
Before moving to Cornwall I was a member of an excellent writer’s group. They were encouraging as well as fierce critics, which is what a writer needs. It’s vital to know what is wrong as well as what it right. While reading out two pages every weeks I was able to improve my work. Sometimes I was so excited by their observations I was too excited to sleep. While walking to work the following morning ideas would race around in my brain.
The Doll Collector will be my first novel to be traditionally published. To say I am ecstatic would be an understatement. From the moment of acceptance by Bloodhound Books the process has been professional, quick and welcoming. It will be published in November 2018. My publishing journey has taken twenty-four years. Disappointment and frustration have been replaced by joy.
Eumeralla my second novel also had excellent reviews on Kindle.
I posted The Doll Collector on Authonomy, where it was frequently described as creepy, terrifying, tense and realistic. I was pleased that some readers felt sorry Gloria, because I had wanted to portray her as a victim as well as a serial killer. That many understood and sympathised with her journey to becoming murder made me feel I had succeeded in making her a real character.
Before moving to Cornwall I was a member of an excellent writer’s group. They were encouraging as well as fierce critics, which is what a writer needs. It’s vital to know what is wrong as well as what it right. While reading out two pages every weeks I was able to improve my work. Sometimes I was so excited by their observations I was too excited to sleep. While walking to work the following morning ideas would race around in my brain.
The Doll Collector will be my first novel to be traditionally published. To say I am ecstatic would be an understatement. From the moment of acceptance by Bloodhound Books the process has been professional, quick and welcoming. It will be published in November 2018. My publishing journey has taken twenty-four years. Disappointment and frustration have been replaced by joy.
About Joanna Stephen-Ward
Joanna Stephen-Ward was born in the Australian outback, and grew up in Melbourne. Her school days were spent dreaming about being an opera singer or a writer. To the exasperation of her parents and teachers she spent her final year sitting at the back of the classroom writing a novel set in WW2.
When she left school she went to an opera school where she was taught drama, movement and language pronunciation and had small roles in the workshop productions. She was not good enough to become a professional opera singer, but the seeds of her novel Vissi d'arte were sown.
She left Australia and spent a year travelling around Europe and the UK. While working in outpatients for the NHS she met Peter and they married in 1985. They lived in Richmond Surrey and she worked at The National Archives, an enthralling place for anyone interested in history or crime.
Having been brought up as a lonely only child, she was astonished to discover in 2010 that she was one of eight children. She and her sister had last been together on a verandah in the outback when they were babies. They had a joyous reunion in Cornwall in 2012.
Joanna has written seven novels and is working on her eighth.
Joanna’s Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joanna.stephenward
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OperaLover12 @OperaLover12
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3020049.Joanna_Stephen_Ward
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joanna.stephenward
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OperaLover12 @OperaLover12
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3020049.Joanna_Stephen_Ward
Blog: https://outbackwriter.blogspot.com
PUBLICATION DATE : 28th November 2018
PUBLISHER : BloodHound Books
GENRE : Psychological Thriller
PURCHASE LINK....
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doll-Collector-chilling-serial-thriller-ebook/dp/B07KGDQT84/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1542841226&sr=1-1&keywords=the+doll+collector
Don't forget to check out the posts of the other bloggers who are also taking part in the Blog Blitz
PUBLICATION DATE : 28th November 2018
PUBLISHER : BloodHound Books
GENRE : Psychological Thriller
PURCHASE LINK....
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doll-Collector-chilling-serial-thriller-ebook/dp/B07KGDQT84/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1542841226&sr=1-1&keywords=the+doll+collector
Don't forget to check out the posts of the other bloggers who are also taking part in the Blog Blitz
No comments:
Post a Comment