I hope everyone has been finding their new favorite book!

Friday, March 1, 2019

Interview with Rania Battany

Welcome to Jagged Edge Reviews! Thanks for joining us today. Now we thought we would start you off with some easier questions. 

Tell us a little about yourself:
I am an Australian contemporary romance author, living in Melbourne with my husband, three children, three chickens and dog. I have recently published my first book, ‘This is Kaylah’, and my second book, ‘Fleeting Moments’ will be released later this year.

When you walk into a book store, where is the first place you go?
I walk to general fiction and I scan the covers for romance! I am all about love and happily ever after!

What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading, ‘Where the Murray River Runs’, which is from Australian author Darry Fraser and is set in Bendigo in the late 1800’s. This is my first historical romance novel.

What is your favorite quote?
‘If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.’ – Roald Dahl

Who are your favorite authors?
Believe it or not, but my favorite authors are Roald Dahl and Dr Suess. I am always encouraging my kids to read their books. As for adult reading, I do love Marian Keyes, too.

When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
I have three young children aged 3, 5 and 7. I also have three chickens, a dog and a gigantic veggie garden. When I’m not writing, I am either chasing after my kids, playing with my dog and chickens or getting my hands dirty in the garden.

Tell us about your latest book.
I have recently released my first contemporary romance novel titled, ‘This is Kaylah’. This is a warm-hearted, easy read that explores honesty in love and the fragility of heartbreak. The story centers around 26-year-old Kaylah, who starts a new job in a marketing firm. For reasons she doesn’t understand, Kaylah becomes the target of bullying from Elisha, an attractive marketing consultant. This soon involves Jason, the emotionally guarded owner of the firm, and Kaylah ends up stuck between a secret Jason and Elisha share. ‘This is Kaylah’ is currently available on Kindle for only $0.99c!

Do you have another work in progress? Tell us about it.
I do! My second book, ‘Fleeting Moments’ is currently in the editing stage and will be released a little later this year. This story is about finding love, peace and happiness after loss. The story centers around Maya, who, at thirty years old, finds herself alone after her long-term boyfriend leaves her and her friends have deserted her. She has a strained relationship with her sister and mother, and she struggles to connect with others. She then meets Sam, someone who tries to see the positive no matter how negative the situation and Maya learns how to rebuild her life.

What advice do you have for other writers?
Read, read, and read some more. Write, write, and write some more. Never stop reading and never stop writing!
On a practical level, I would also suggest networking with other writers. Join a writing group and forums on platforms such as Facebook. 

Did you learn anything from writing your book that was unexpected?
Yes. I found that books often write themselves. Sometimes I feel like I am nothing more than a vessel for the story to bring itself out through.

What are your thoughts on self-publishing verses traditional publishing?
This was an area I researched in great detail when I first started writing. After extensive reading on the topic, I decided to self-publish from the get-go. My main reasons for this are: I wanted full creative control over editing and cover design etc, it can take years for my work to get accepted by a literary agent and even then it doesn’t guarantee that a traditional publisher will take on my work, and finally, in today’s world of Amazon and POD books, the level field for traditional and self-published authors have been levelled, as self-publishers have platforms to reach readers world-wide.

What do you like to snack on while you write?
It’s not a snack, but I never sit down to write without a cup of tea!

Where can people find out more about you and your writing? Best place to learn more about me is at my website: raniabattany.com. I am also on Facebook, just look for Rania Battany – Writer. And I am on Instagram, where I showcase my garden! You can follow me at @mythreesunflowers. 

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