A Conversation with Author June Moonbridge

Today in the Library we have June Moonbridge, who has dropped in to say hello and to share some insights into her life as an author.

You are very welcome, June, please introduce yourself:

 June Moonbridge is my pen name. I come from Slovenia, a little country in the middle of Europe. So I apologise for all the grammar mistakes I’ll definitely make, as English is my second language.

I’m a full time working mother with two children and a husband. My biggest wish is to have a black cat (yes, my daughter still thinks I’m a witch!) and an Irish wolfhound, but I choose not to until I will have enough time for both.

My writing started over two decades ago, when my teacher criticised everything I wrote. Being stubborn, I started to publish short and not so short stories in magazines just to get back honest reviews – and they were encouraging.

I have three books published in my language and one in English, my second novel in English is with my editor and I’m waiting in anticipation for her feed-back.

Did you read much as a child? Are you an avid reader now? Do you prefer books in your own genre or are you happy to explore others?

When it was time for me to learn how to read, I didn’t want to. But when I learned what books can give me, I was able to read 7 books in a week. As years passed so did the number of books.

I like to read different genres and I read almost everything. I usually read every book I take in my hands, but there is one little thing. If it isn’t interesting enough after 20 pages, or if the way the book is written is not something I like, I don’t read it. This doesn’t happen a lot.

Are you self-published or traditionally published?

I’m traditionally published with an independent fiction publisher – Safkhet Publishing.

Which genre do you write in and why?

My novel Racing Heart is listed under Romance > Mystery & Suspense > Suspense. Why? I love a good romance and I love a good Mystery & Suspense, so I combined them.

Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?

I think every single author I have read.

Has your country of origin/culture influenced your writing?

Probably. Living in a small country of a population of only 2m, the way I see the world is probably different.

What part of the writing process do you find most difficult? How do you overcome it?

To write the end. Last two/three scenes I find the most difficult to write. It’s probably because I don’t want my characters to let go. I overcome it when new characters start to be louder in my head than the old ones.

The next writing process is editing. I dread the day when I hear from my editor… I know I’m not perfect and I know she wants to get the best out of me… but working on the edits… (sigh)… but what must be done, must be done…

Do you have a favourite time of day to write?

I write when my family falls asleep. That means I write at night. But I always did, even before I had my family.

What is the best thing about being an author? And the flipside – what is the worst?

The best thing about being an author for me is – learning and meeting new friends.

The worst part – well, it looks like everybody thinks that they have the right to ask you how many books you have sold and how much have you earned. So annoying… my polite answer is: “When you show me your pay-check, I’ll show you mine.”

Is social media an essential chore or something you enjoy? Which forum do you prefer?

In this digital world social media is an essential chore. I do enjoy it but it’s time consuming. Being a full time working mother, I’m not as present as I wish to be, but I’m trying my best.

If you weren’t an author, what would you be up to?

Being an author is (for the time being) only part of what I do. As I said, I’m full time working mother and I work as a Senior Buyer for a steel slewing rings production company. It’s interesting work, but I’m more skilled when it comes to buying steel than a lipstick.

It’s the last day and the earth is facing oblivion – what book would you read?

Oh gosh… Hmmm… I don’t know… I have so many books and e-books, I would probably choose one from my TBR list… but which… I really haven’t got a clue.

Please tell us about your latest published work.

My debut novel Racing Heart was published in July 2015, by Safkhet Publishing.

Race your heart around the bend with Racing Heart!
At twenty-five, Desire Hart has experienced almost too much. Changing everything in her life – her identity, her hometown and her country of residence, Desire is determined that nothing will prevent her achieving from finding her missing son. Not even love.

One spring evening, she meets the golden boy of F1 racing, Lorcan Shore, and finds herself falling for him. Struggling to suppress her feelings, she realises he could help her get closer to the child she believes is her long lost son.

But nothing goes according to plan. Her identity is revealed by the press, Lorcan has a terrifying accident, and the trail to her son finishes in another dead end. So Desire does what she does best – she runs away.

Set against the glamorous backdrops of Monaco, Paris and Nice, Racing Heart mixes romance and mystery as Desire struggles to come to terms with her past. Will she learn to accept love into her life again?

 Amazon US    Amazon UK

 If you would like to know more about June, please click on the links below:

 Blog     Facebook     Twitter