Author Bio:
Bernadette Walsh is the pen name of the award winning author of: Gold Coast Wives; The House on Prospect; and The Devlin Legacy, a paranormal romance series.
While I’ve hopped around genres, all of my books to date have a common theme: strong women handling what life throws at them the best way they can.
I have always been a bookworm and had always meant to write a novel “someday.” You know, when I won the lottery and could live in beach house and look out onto the water and feel inspired. Five years ago I decided to stop waiting for my winning lottery ticket and sat down and started writing. In between work and family obligations, I piled the words on top of each other until they formed sentences, paragraphs, chapters and eventually a book. The following books will soon be available electronically on most e-retailer sites from Kensington Publishing: Gold Coast Wives, and the four books of my paranormal series, The Devlin Legacy (comprised of Devil’s Mountain; Devil’s Shore; Devil’s Daughter; and The Devlin Witch). The House on Prospect, was published by Echelon Press in January, 2012, and is currently available on most e-retailer sites.
I also host a show on blogtalkradio, Nice Girls Reading Naughty Books, where I interview various members of the publishing industry. In 2013 I was named a “featured host” by blogtalkradio.
Further information about my books and radio show can be found at http://www.bernadettewalsh.com.
What inspires you to write?
Six years ago I turned 40. After I drowned my sorrows with champagne and chocolate, I made a list of all the things I wanted to do before I die. Morbid, I know, but number one on that list was write a novel. I said to myself, yeah, I’ve really got to do that, and continued to munch on the Cadbury’s chocolate that Dear Husband thoughtfully supplied.
Two years went by. I didn’t lose the day job, no mean feat given that the debacle that was 2008. I continued indulging my interest in (some may say obsession with) reality TV. Not a word was written.
Then on a Sunday afternoon while Dear Husband was taking a nap, I came up with a name: Kate Ryan. Before I knew it Kate had a husband, family, friends and one big problem — she and her husband had lost their high powered jobs and their savings. Her husband loses his mind and high tails it to Australia. Kate loses her mind and joins the cast of a local cable channel’s reality TV show.
I had a blast writing GOLD COAST WIVES! I wrote what I wanted how I wanted. Then reality sank in. I joined a local writing group, figured out that I made about 100 basic writing mistakes, rewrote it, rewrote it again, entered it into various RWA chapter contests, wrote it again and after two years submitted it to some publishers. In December 2010 I got the best Christmas present ever when Lyrical Press offered me a contract!
Tell us about your writing process.
I’m a combination of pantser and plotter.
What advice would you give other writers?
Keep at it. You will never have enough time in your life to write. Do it anyway. For years I wanted to write but told myself I didn’t have time with my busy career and family life. Guess what, I still don’t really have time to write, but I make the time. Even if I only have time to write a paragraph, well, it’s a paragraph more than I had the day before–and eventually all those stolen paragraphs written in the margins of your life will add up. If something is important to you, you have to make the time. I’m certainly glad I did, and my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner!
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I never contemplated self-publsihing because I wanted the benefit of using a publsisher for the editing, cover and general business side of publishing.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think there are so many options for writers today and I think anything that gets more books in the hands of readers is a good thing!
What genres do you write?
contemporary romances; paranormal romance; women’s fiction
What formats are your books in?
eBook
Website(s)
Bernadette Walsh Home Page Link
Your Social Media Links
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5321197.Bernadette_Walsh
http://www.facebook.com/bernadette.walsh.54
http://pinterest.com/bernadettewalsh/boards/
