Author Interview & Giveaway: Stella Newman
1, Can you share with readers abit
about
about
~ yourself?
~ your writing
journey/history?
~ your
latest bookish news?
I’m now a full time writer but before that
I was a professional food taster – I was paid to eat spaghetti (best job
ever.)
I was a professional food taster – I was paid to eat spaghetti (best job
ever.)
Food and books have always been a big part
of my life:my grandma was a writer, my other grandma was a great cook, as is my
mum – and my dad basically reads a book every day, so I grew up reading and
eating (I’m not very sporty!)
of my life:my grandma was a writer, my other grandma was a great cook, as is my
mum – and my dad basically reads a book every day, so I grew up reading and
eating (I’m not very sporty!)
All my novels have a strong food theme –
the first, Pear Shaped, was about puddings, but also about women’s
relationships with their bodies and weight.
Leftovers, book two, was about pasta, but also about coming to terms
with life not turning out how you planned.
the first, Pear Shaped, was about puddings, but also about women’s
relationships with their bodies and weight.
Leftovers, book two, was about pasta, but also about coming to terms
with life not turning out how you planned.
And the new one, The Dish, is a romance,
featuring a magnificent custard doughnut and some rather fine pastries – and also
a rather dishy head chef. There are
characters that move between the books, but they are all novels designed to be
read independently. If you like food /
romance / laughter, hopefull yyou will enjoy them.
featuring a magnificent custard doughnut and some rather fine pastries – and also
a rather dishy head chef. There are
characters that move between the books, but they are all novels designed to be
read independently. If you like food /
romance / laughter, hopefull yyou will enjoy them.
2, Are you currently working on anything
at the minute?
at the minute?
I’m working on book five – which also has a lot of delicious
food and a few men in it too –It’s very much a work in progress at the moment,
but watch this space!
food and a few men in it too –It’s very much a work in progress at the moment,
but watch this space!
3, What new books are you looking forward
to reading this summer?
to reading this summer?
I’m keen to read
Disclaimer, by Renee Knight, and also finally get round to finishing Freedom by
Jonathan Franzen, before his new one comes out.
Disclaimer, by Renee Knight, and also finally get round to finishing Freedom by
Jonathan Franzen, before his new one comes out.
(Click the front covers for more information)
4, Do you have any advice for aspiring
authors?
authors?
Write, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. Don’t give up!
5, What’s your favourite food to snack on
whilst writing?
whilst writing?
Anything and everything
– today it was spicy popcorn and dark chocolate, not in the same mouthful.
– today it was spicy popcorn and dark chocolate, not in the same mouthful.
6, Tell us why we should read your books
in 140 characters or less!
in 140 characters or less!
Funny foody fiction. (I like concision.)
Christmassy:
1, What does Christmas mean to you?
Food, family and a lovely walk in the park to
try to justify the over-eating and over-drinking that I know will take place.
try to justify the over-eating and over-drinking that I know will take place.
2, Why did you decide write a Christmas
book?
book?
I worked in retail marketing for a
lot of my career. In retail, Christmas
starts in January – which is nowhere near as much fun as it sounds. So I wanted to do a Christmas story from the
point of view of someone for whom Christmas is their year-round job.
lot of my career. In retail, Christmas
starts in January – which is nowhere near as much fun as it sounds. So I wanted to do a Christmas story from the
point of view of someone for whom Christmas is their year-round job.
3, Is there a song that’s on your playlist
every year?
every year?
Fairytale of New York
4, Do you have a favourite Christmas
memory?
memory?
We once went to Las Vegas for
Christmas when I was a kid. I remember
the weirdness of wearing just a t-shirt and shorts on Christmas Day. Also the Las Vegans really go to town with
their Christmas decorations, so that was pretty spectacular.
Christmas when I was a kid. I remember
the weirdness of wearing just a t-shirt and shorts on Christmas Day. Also the Las Vegans really go to town with
their Christmas decorations, so that was pretty spectacular.
5, Fruit-cake or Christmas cookies?
6, Who would you like to bump into under
the mistletoe?
the mistletoe?
David Gandy will do fine.
Oh yeah.. *raises hands and feet* I agree!
A massive thanks to the author for taking the time out and answering some questions, especially for the A Bookish Christmas Feature, it is greatly appreciated!
Click the covers for more information:
Click the covers for more information:
I would love to win A Pear Shaped Christmas and The Dish. I find them interesting, I love the description on Amazon 🙂 Thank you for the giveaway!
All of the books look fabulous. I do love Christmas in July.