I first met Sophy Layzell on Facebook when she took an interest in my books. Since then we have read each other’s books and become friends on other social media platforms, although we are yet to meet in person. Maybe when the lockdown is over and things return to normal, we will achieve that at some point.
When I decided to read Sophy’s book, “Measure of Days”, I was not sure if it would be my cup of tea as it is not the genre of book I would normally choose. However, I was soon hooked and read it in no time.
“Deter Edison is an ordinary girl, or so she thought…
After a brutal kidnapping, Deter finds herself propelled into a world that she knows nothing about. Her scientist captors want something that only she has – an incredibly rare gene – and they’ll stop at nothing until they get it.
Feeling betrayed by her guardian, Amery, Deter’s world turns upside down when she’s plummeted into a war with the government and her captors. She must flee to London to seek protection there, but she doesn’t know who she can trust. And even if she does make it to safety, how can she remain hidden from the Establishment?”
My Questions to Sophy
What is your favourite childhood book?
Oh that’s a good question! It depends at what age. Early on I loved the Adventures of Frog and Toad and anything with animals, Fuzzy Peg and Little Grey Rabbit, Brambly Hedge, Peter Rabbit, and Wind in the Willows. Then as I got older of course my tastes changed. One book I first read as a teenager, I have re-read many times over the years and that is Katherine by Anya Seaton. So began my love of historical romance, which is probably still my favourite genre today. I really enjoyed your two books and am looking forward to the next one!
If you could tell your younger writing-self anything what would it be?
Pay attention to grammar because you’ll forget it all! I’ve found punctuation for speech especially hard to remember and if I’d only hammered it home years ago it would be better ingrained.
What is your writing process like?
I’m usually quite focussed and productive and getting better at expressing myself as time goes on. I often get blocks over really small things. Sometimes one sentence can take ages to work through as I struggle to find a specific word that I’m looking for! Overall, I find the more I write the easier it becomes. If I go through a difficult period I have a break and write for my blog or work on illustrations for a bit.
Where do you get your ideas?
Sometimes they just arrive. Bits often come from dreams. A section from Measure of Days was from a dream. Other times I have to consciously think. I am at the beginning of two new novels at the moment one YA fantasy and one women’s fiction and both need some perspective to help push them on. They are both at approximately 30,000 words and temporarily at a stand still!
What do you find is the best way to market your books?
I literally have no idea. I don’t have access to sales figures so can’t see effort translate to sales. At the moment all I can do is keep pushing forward in ways that I find manageable. So regular updates on social media, book blogs, and exchanges like this help reach a new audience.
Is your book, Measure of Days, a stand alone book, or will there be a sequel? If so, when can we expect the next book from you?
Measure of Days is the first in a trilogy and I’m hoping to publish the next one soon. Both the next two books are written and just need a publishing date. I can’t wait for them to be out in the world and to hear what people think of them!
To keep up with Sophy please follow her on social media
Facebook: @sophylayzellauthor
Twitter: @Maddsophy
Instagram: sophylayzell
Website: www.sophylayzell.com
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