Author Interview: AMY McCAW

I'm closing out the week with a super special interview today! This author's book comes out in April and it looks INCREDIBLE. I cannot wait to read it! 

Check it out! 

The Author...

Amy McCaw is a YA writer and blogger. She’s the author of Mina and the Undead, a YA murder mystery set in 1995 New Orleans
 
Her main interests are books, movies and the macabre, and her debut novel has elements of all of these. If Amy’s not at a book event or reading, she can usually be found scribbling away in her writing room, surrounded by movie memorabilia and an out-of-control signed books collection. Unsurprisingly, she’s a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan and has gone to conventions to meet James Marsters more times than she cares to admit.
 
Amy also loves travelling and has a particular affinity for America. She’s visited 29 states, 13 Man Vs Food restaurants and many bookish locations, including the cities where Twilight, Interview with a Vampire and Vampire Diaries were set.
 
If you want to talk with Amy about books or 90s movies, you can find her on Twitter.

Visit Amy's website!

The Book...
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​New Orleans Fang Fest, 1995. Mina's having a summer to die for.

17-year-old Mina arrives in New Orleans to visit her estranged sister, Libby. After growing up in the town that inspired Dracula, Mina loves nothing more than a creepy horror movie. She can't wait to explore the city's darkest secrets - vampire tours, seedy bars, spooky cemeteries, disturbing local myths...

And it gets even better when Mina lands a part-time job at a horror movie mansion and meets Jared, Libby's gorgeous housemate, co-worker and fellow horror enthusiast.

But the perfect summer bliss is broken when, while exploring the mansion, Mina stumbles upon the body of a girl with puncture marks on her neck, clutching a lock of hair that suspiciously resembles Libby's...

Someone is replicating New Orleans' most brutal supernatural killings. Mina must discover the truth and prove her sister's innocence before she becomes the victim of another myth.

​Preorder here!

Add to Goodreads here!
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The Interview...

​Did you always dream of being an author?

I did! I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember – there are photographs of me as a toddler with a book in my hand at any opportunity (even on the potty). An author called Jean Ure came into school and asked if anyone wanted to write books. My hand shot up!


When did you start pursuing publication of your work?

I’d sent queries to agents for a couple of previous manuscripts and had queried one seriously. A few agents asked to read the full manuscript. They seemed to agree that my writing was strong, but something wasn’t working. After putting a lot of work into my writing, I got on onto the Write Mentor summer mentoring scheme in 2018. My brilliant mentor, Marisa Noelle, helped me to get my manuscript into shape. I started querying that autumn and got an agent soon after.


How long did it take from that first inspiration to release day?

I visited New Orleans in summer 2012 and became absolutely fascinated about the city. It took me until about 2016 to figure out the story I wanted to tell beyond vague details. The book will be published in April 2021, so it’s almost 9 years in the making!


What’s been the hardest part of publishing a book so far?

Two things have been hard for me: the waiting and the lack of control. I’d heard that nothing in publishing moves quickly. I hadn’t realised how it would feel to know my book is out on submission or awaiting various other decisions, and not be able to do anything about it!


And the most enjoyable?

It’s been amazing to see early copies of my book out in the world, especially when I hear that people have enjoyed reading it! It’s also been lovely to see the time and effort people put into photographing the book and choosing props.


What’s next for you?

I’m working on a standalone that is also a YA murder mystery, and hoping that I’ll get to write the sequel to Mina and the Undead.


What’s one piece of advice you’d give to writers who have just started their pursuit of publication?

Find your people. My writing became so much better when I got involved with the online writing community and found trusted beta readers.


Last book you read? The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor

What are you reading now? A Crown of Talons by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr

Best book you’ve ever read? Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Best moments of your writing life? So far, getting an agent and a book deal

Name of your newest WIP? It doesn’t have one yet!
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If not an author, what would be your dream job? a freelance editor