We’re delighted to chat to Janice Horton, author of The Backpacking Housewife and Island In The Sun.
Thanks for popping by to visit us.
First of all, please tell us a bit about Island In The Sun?
Island in the Sun: Escape to a tropical paradise in this epic story of hidden pasts and family secrets
I’m delighted and excited to share with you my latest novel Island in the Sun. This book had been put on the backburner for a while I worked on The Backpacking Housewife (I’m currently writing the sequel to The Backpacking Housewife!) Island in the Sun is a sweepingly romantic and epic adventure novel set in the Caribbean. I have to say that I rather fell in love with all the characters in this book and I hope you will too!
And the inspiration behind it.
The inspiration behind this novel was being in the eastern part of the Caribbean for the summer on a very small island while I wrote the first draft. Pearl island in the story is fictional but draws similarities to the island where I spent many months in the tropical heat and humidity sipping rum cocktails!
You also might be interested to know that while I was doing online research for the hurricane scene in Island In The Sun, I actually did track a tropical storm that developed into a real hurricane. The worrying thing was that it was heading right for our island. I was accused by my husband of conjuring it up – but as a writer and for book research purposes – it was pretty amazing to take part in real hurricane preparations on the island. It was especially valuable to be able to talk to those who vividly remembered past hurricanes thundering through that part of the world. As it was, Hurricane Earl changed track and missed us only to slam into the mainland causing terrible loss and damage. We had a lucky escape.
Are you traditionally published, a hybrid, or an indie?
I’m a hybrid author. I started out being traditionally published with my first book before I heartily embracing the indie publishing scene right at the start of it back in 2010/11. I’m now enthusiastically in both camps – being indie and published by HarperImpulse – the romance imprint of HarperCollins in London. I have the best of both worlds and feel very fortunate indeed. My book The Backpacking Housewife is published by HarperImpulse. Island in the Sun is independently published by me!
What are your favourite aspects of being a hybrid author and what would you change about it?
Being a hybrid author means I don’t want or need to change anything about my writing career. I really enjoy being both an independent author while I’m also signed to a traditional publisher. As an indie, I can write to my own agenda and set my own publishing timetables. I’ve never actually called it ‘self-publishing’ as from day one I’ve always kept a professional team around me. I employ a wonderful editor, a cover designer, and the support of fabulous online groups and book bloggers for my tours. Being signed with HarperCollins is fabulous too. It’s so interesting to work with such a large respected worldwide publisher to see how things are done on a grand scale, although I realise, I’m very much a small fish in a big pond. I greatly admire and respect Editorial Director Charlotte Ledger. I feel very fortunate indeed to have Charlotte as my editor and my traditional publishing mentor as part of the HarperImpulse imprint. I love the HI list, the professionalism, the publishing team, all the authors (many are lovely friends from over many years) and I do appreciate the support of the wonderful HI family. Either way, trad or indie, I still do all my own PR and promotion. I have done for many years. I love social media so that helps. If you see my posts and my tweets please do share them as I’d so appreciate it!
Can you tell us a little about your route to publication?
Fifteen years ago, after my first book was published in 2004, I discovered the Romantic Novelist’s Association and became a member. I’m still a member to this day and I credit the RNA and their meetings and conferences for helping me to grow as a writer and to understand how the book publishing industry works and for introducing me to other writers. Right now, I’m working on book number 14, which will be the sequel to The Backpacking Housewife and scheduled for publication in summer 2019.
What would be your biggest tip for a new writer?
That writing is always more about the journey than the destination.
Author Bio –
Janice Horton, also affectionately known as the backpacking housewife, writes contemporary romantic fiction with a dash of humour and a sense of adventure. Once her three children had grown up, Janice and her backpacking husband sold their empty nest in Scotland UK along with almost everything they owned and set off to travel the world. Since then they have been traveling full-time and have so far explored over 50 countries, living out of an apartment, a hut, or wherever they happen to find themselves.
Janice works as a writer wherever she is in the world. Janice’s BIG NEWS is that she is now writing for HarperCollins Publishers UK. Charlotte Ledger, Editorial Director at HarperImpulse, bought World All Language rights in a three-book deal after approaching Janice about writing novels loosely based on her own travel experiences. The Backpacking Housewife was published in Summer 2018 as an ebook and as a paperback. Two further books for HarperImpulse are scheduled for publication in 2019.
In January 2019 Janice will release a romantic adventure novel that she has been working on for the past two years while also travelling. The novel is entitled Island In The Sun. It is available for pre-order and will be published on 4th January 2019.
Book Blurb
Kindle Ebook Published 4th January 2019
ISLAND IN THE SUN: When successful jewellery designer Isla Ashton unexpectedly inherits her eccentric Aunt Kate’s Caribbean island, she is obligated to return to the place she associates with heartache and regret. To where she grew up and fell in love with her childhood friend, Leo Fernandez. Fully intent on selling the island and finally putting the past behind her, Isla is soon compelled to put together the pieces of what really happened on a fateful night ten-years before. She begins to believe that in going to prison, Leo hadn’t only been shielding her from the same fate. She also starts to suspect that her late Aunt hadn’t been entirely honest in sending her away under the guise of recriminations. Who had they both been protecting and why?
Links
Short Amazon international Link: http://smarturl.it/IslandInTheSun
Long Amazon Links:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Sun-tropical-paradise-secrets-ebook/dp/B07K8NPQZ6/
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K8NPQZ6/
My Social Media Links –
Website: https://thebackpackinghousewife.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaniceHorton
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janicehortonwriter/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaniceHortonAuthor BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/janice-horton
