I love Aussie YA. I love reading books from authors that live in the same country as me, that know things that people out of Australia might be so confused about. I love how sometimes they can incorporate this into their book and it is fabulous.  

So I decided to created a feature where I interview Australian Young Adult authors about their craft, journey and some interesting facts. I thought it was a fun way of everyone around the world to get to know these authors and maybe make them want to pick up their books. And that is what I am aiming to do, spread the word about #LoveOZYA and get everyone reading it. 

You can check out my previous interviews with authors like Jay Kristoff, Gabrielle Tozer, Sarah Ayoub last weeks guest Paula Weston and more through Angel Reads. 

This week on my #LoveOzYA feature I interview Jessica Shirvington, author of;  The Violet Eden Chapters (2010, Hachette), Between the Lives (2013 Harper Collins) and the Disruption Duo (2014, Harper Collins). 

Hi Jessica, and welcome to Angel Reads. First can you introduce yourself to everyone? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi Angel, thanks so much for inviting me to give this interview. My name is Jess and I live in Sydney with my husband, Matt and out two girls, Sienna and Winter. I write (mostly) young adult fiction. My first book, Embrace, came out in October 2010 and since then I have released eight novels (Embrace, Entice, Emblaze, Endless & Empower, Between the Lives, and Disruption & Corruption) and one picture book (Just the Way You Are).

What has your writing journey been like? Where did you start? Why?

My writing journey has been hectic! I never envisaged myself as an author or writer of any kind. I always thought I would have a corporate career but that all changed when we were living in London and I had my first daughter. Having kids changed everything and we decided to move back to Sydney, where our second daughter was born. It was only then that I was reading in all of my downtime.

It was the first time since I had finished school that I’d had any downtime! I hit a small run of books that I was struggling to connect with. It’s strange and I don’t know why exactly, but one morning, instead of opening a new book, I opened my laptop and I wrote two names – Violet and Lincoln. Those names became the two lead characters in a five book series. A year after I started writing my first story, Embrace was on the shelves. Sometimes life gives you a nudge in the right direction and sometimes it catapults you onto a new path – for me it was definitely the latter.

What was the process of getting your first book published?

My first book was all about confidence. I knew I had written something that worked. The story was solid and I loved the characters but I had never done this before and there was a very solid chance I was kidding myself. So, the process really began with accepting criticism. I asked my husband, my family and friends to read the manuscript – God love em! Looking back at that initial draft, they were all very kind. But they did give gentle feedback, and it did help. I rewrote my first manuscript about eight times before I even considered what I would do next. After that, I researched the agent I thought would be the best fit for me and I made contact. I was lucky enough to receive an opportunity to send my first three chapters. I sent them off, never expecting to hear from her again.

About a week later, I received a note in the mail telling me she was going away on holiday and not to expect her to read my chapters until her return. I’ll never forget because it was my birthday and my husband took me up the road for a birthday breakfast and then took the kids and sent me off to do a spot of shopping. Anyway, my phone rang and it was this agent. She told me she had had a few free minutes so had read my chapters. She liked them and told me to have the entire manuscript with her by 9 am the next morning and she would take it with her on holiday. Two weeks later I had an agent. Three weeks after that I had my first three book deal. It was an absolute whirlwind. One of the most exciting times in my life!

Was it different when getting your proceeding books published?

Yes! It’s a different kind of confidence needed when writing your second, third and subsequent books. It is also different when writing books within one series and then starting a new one. The self-doubt never ends, because let’s face it – we’re basically relying on our ability to come up with really weird unique ideas and then make them connect in a believable sense with readers whilst keeping said readers thoroughly entertained! Self-doubt is a guarantee!

In some ways, the process is easier because you know all of the rules and the steps of publishing. But at the same time, it’s important to me to approach each story in a completely new way. I don’t want to write the same stories over and over, so I’m always challenging myself to come up with something that is out of my comfort zone and that always brings a new set of hurdles.

What was the difference between getting your books published here in Australia and internationally?

The process is different in every country. Obviously if I’m being published in a non-English speaking country, they don’t ask me for much help! More often than not, the book is translated in-house and I only see the cover art when the book is available for sale, or on a blog like yours!

In the US it is a more involved process. They like to put the manuscript through their own edit and design new covers, and they usually embark on a marketing campaign that requires a fair bit of input. It’s great! I love all parts of the publishing process and I find it fascinating how different countries have different expectations and approach their readers in unique ways. I’m constantly learning to both be thoughtful, active and understanding – it takes a combination!

You are an OZYA author, what are some of your favourite Aussie YA books?

Anything and everything by Melina Marchetta, Kirsty Eagar and Justine Larbalestier, to name a few. We have an incredible pool of talented Aussie authors putting out a great range of OZYA.

I adore Jessica Shirvington’s books – she writes so well and is able to capture me from the first page. You can find Jessica on twitter at @JessShirvington, her website and don’t forget to add her books to your goodreads.

Disruption by Jessica Shirvington

Pages: 400
Publish date: April 1st 2014
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
ISBN: 0732296285
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – Dymocks