☰ CP Magazine:

In Conversation with GILL SHERRY

Journey from Debut to Sequel

We are delighted to be in conversation with Gill Sherry, a prolific writer whose second book, “A Serious Dilemma,” has recently hit the shelves, following the success of her debut novel, “Serious Foul Play,” in 2020. This sequel comes as a response to the curiosity of eager readers who yearned to continue the journey with the memorable characters from the first installment.

In this interview, Gill Sherry will take us on a journey through the world of “A Serious Dilemma,” delving into its intriguing plot and the inspiration behind it. We will also explore the challenges and triumphs Gill encountered in her writing journey, the evolution from the first book to the second, and her thoughts on potential future endeavors.

Congratulations on the release of your second book! Can you tell us a little about the book and what inspired you to write it?
“A Serious Dilemma” is the sequel to “Serious Foul Play”, which was published in 2020. It was never my intention to write a follow-up to my debut novel, but many of my readers were asking me what happened next. So I decided to continue the story. I’m so happy that I did – turns out there were revelations aplenty!
The story revolves around the same four main characters and promises more glamour and scandal. There’s also an unexpected job offer for the misogynistic Crawford Kelly, which may take a few people by surprise.

The title of your first book “Serious Foul Play” refers to a sending-off offence in football. Is that right?
The title deliberately has a double-meaning. Firstly, it hints at the connection to football (one of the main characters is a Premiership football manager). Secondly, it suggests that something sinister is in play, which is very much the case.

What is your second book about?
As a sequel, it continues to explore the relationships between the members of the Kelly family. But more importantly, it’s about the lengths that each of them go to, to keep their sordid secrets hidden.
It’s based in the French Riviera and also in Scotland and although it’s not what you would call a traditional crime novel, there is murder and blackmail at its core. There is also a big Kuwaiti influence in this book.

I believe you are busier now, so how long did it take to complete this book?
It actually took a lot less time to write the second book than it did the first. Mainly because the characters were already there so I didn’t need to spend so much time on character development. Also, I wrote the second book during the Covid pandemic when I had a little more time on my hands. In total, it took around six months from start to finish.

Who or what was your inspiration when writing?
It was always my ambition to write a book and have it published. However, I wasn’t motivated by financial reward. My parents were my inspiration. I just wanted to be able to hand them a copy of my book and say “I did it!”. I’m so proud I was able to do that – not once, but twice.
I’m also inspired by my surroundings. I’m lucky to live in a beautiful part of the world and have views of both coast and countryside from my office. It’s the ideal place to write.

The artwork on the cover of your second book is similar to your first book. Is this with intention?
Yes, absolutely. As the second book is a sequel, I wanted people to be able to see the connection straight away.

Was writing your second novel a different experience to writing your debut?
It was a little easier, I think. First of all, I had more time to dedicate to it. I was able to write the entire book from one place over a period of a few months. With my first novel, I began writing it in Kuwait and then finished it in Scotland, but I changed the characters and the storyline numerous times in between. “A Serious Dilemma” was a much more straight-forward process. I knew exactly who and what I was writing about.

Is there anything you learned from writing your first book that caused you to change your style and approach in writing the second?
Not really… although the chapters are deliberately a little shorter.

Where can readers buy “A Serious Dilemma”?
It can be purchased directly from the publisher (www.pegasuspublishers.com). They offer worldwide shipping. It is also available on Kindle from Amazon and from the UK’s main book shop, Waterstones.

Did you find it difficult securing a publishing contract for either of your books?
I think very few authors find this easy! Once I had written my first book and began sending it off to publishers and agents, it took almost twelve months to find a publisher. I received many rejections during that time. But I think if you believe in yourself and in your work, you should never give up. Obviously, it was easier with “A Serious Dilemma” because I used the same publisher.

Building an audience is essential for authors. How have you worked on connecting with your readers and building your author brand between your first and second book?
I found this very difficult and very frustrating in relation to “Serious Foul Play”. Because of the situation in the UK during the pandemic, I was unable to arrange the book signings and author talks that would normally take place to promote a newly published book. Of course, I did what I could on social media, and hopefully I can build more of a momentum with my new book.

Editing and revising are crucial stages in the writing process. How did you approach editing your second book, and did you find it easier or more challenging than the first?
With both books, I began by asking two people (my sister and my friend – both avid readers) to read through the manuscript. This helped to identify any errors that I hadn’t spotted myself. This could be anything from a spelling mistake to a factual error or an accidental oversight. Then, once it was submitted to the publisher, their editing team proof-read the document and advised of any recommended alterations. It’s quite a lengthy, time-consuming process but absolutely essential. I found it equally challenging with the first and second book.

What’s next? Will there be a third book in the series?
Never say never! I will wait and see what the reaction is from my readers. To me, it feels as though the story has come to a natural conclusion. But who knows?

What advice do you have for other budding writers?
Learn your craft. Find the time to write. It’s too easy to say that there isn’t enough time to write, but it’s just a case of finding that time. And never give up. If you truly believe in yourself and in your writing, then keep going. Only you can make things happen.


https://www.instagram.com/gillsherry_/