Hey everyone! Today I’m hosting an interview with author Hillary E. Peak, the author of literary novel Wings of Hope. Hillary is going on tour with Wings of Hope! You can find the full tour schedule here.
Author Interview
1) When did you decide you wanted to become a writer?
I had this really crazy two day job where my office was covered in crumbs and had giant body parts all over it. I wrote the story down because it was so funny. I enjoyed doing it so much that I decided I wanted to be a writer.
2) What was the title of the first manuscript you ever finished, and what was it about?
That story morphed into my first novel, Cappuccino is the Answer for Job Dissatisfaction, which was a chick lit story about searching for the perfect job.
3) How do you find time for writing in your daily life?
I try to find one hour a day to write—whether it is lunch time or first thing in the morning or when I’ve finished my work for the day. I don’t write late at night because I find it isn’t very good stuff by then.
4) What author inspired you the most?
I have season tickets to the Pen/Faulkner reading series. I have been inspired by so many authors, it is impossible to decide who was the most. I loved hearing Max Brooks describe overcoming his dyslexia to write World War Z. I laughed when I saw Elizabeth Gilbert tell about her travels in Eat, Pray, Love. I cried when Emma Donoghue told about the inspiration for Room
5) Where do you write? Do you have a separate office to write in, or do you work in the kitchen/living room/various places all throughout the house?
I write wherever I am when I have the time to write.
6) Why did you choose this particular genre, literary fiction?
Honestly, it just worked best for this story. I’ve done chick lit and now I’m working on a thriller.
7) What is your favorite book?
I LOVE books. I don’t have a real favorite, although the Harry Potter series are the only books I’ve read more than once.
8) Do you use any special software to help with writing, like Scrivener, or editing software?
Nope, but I should!
9) How long did it take you to write this book?
About four months, but then the rewrite process begins, which can take me a lot longer.
10) Can you tell us a little about your book?
This is the story of a father who is dying and asks his grown daughter to come be with him until the end. It is the stories he shares with her, and the things she learns about herself along the way.
11) Why did you choose to go the self-publishing route?
I just wanted to get my story out there and see what happened to it.
12) Would you choose to self-publish again, if you could do it all over again?
Probably not because I’d like the support of a publisher.
13) What steps have you taken to market your book and gain an audience?
I do goodreads ads, facebook ads, a facebook page, book tours and reading at libraries.
14) What did you enjoy the most about the entire process: from writing the book from scratch to editing, getting it out there, and promoting it?
I really love putting the story on paper. I’d love to have someone else edit. Promoting is REALLY hard work!
15) Are you currently working on something? If so, can you tell us a little about it?
My new thriller, Justice Scorned, is a story about a black world project and the revenge of a woman.
Book Cover and Synopsis
Title: Wings of Hope
Author: Hillary Peak
Genre: Literary Fiction
The letter said he was dying, that’s all Jules Weinstein knows when she leaves her life in San Francisco and moves to New York City to be with her father. She goes for the remarkable opportunity to really know her father. She never dreamed he had liberated a concentration camp, dealt cards to Bugsy Siegel or saved the life of a Black Panther. Wings of Hope is a road trip through the memories of a man making peace with his life. Little does she know that by getting to know her father, she will find herself. While her father struggles with whether his life was meaningful, Jules discovers that her father’s last gift to her is the ability to reach for her dreams. Her journey teacher her that “the goodbye” is sometimes the most heartbreakingly beautiful part of life.
Author Bio
Hillary Peak is a recovering idealist. She became a lawyer to change the world and is still somewhat shocked that didn’t occur. Now, her goal is to retire from practicing law and write novels that people love. She is currently a practicing attorney in the District of Columbia. She lives with her family in Alexandria, VA.
Thanks so much for having me today! Hillary