This month’s blogger is Katie from A Novel Idea. Hello Katie, welcome to the RNA blog. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m Katie, a twenty-two-year-old blogger from Manchester, England. I’ve worked in the book industry from being fifteen. It all started with a Christmas job as a bookseller…and I never left. I’ve been a bookseller for just under seven years now. I started blogging around the same time with the odd gap throughout the years. Currently, I’m in the midst of an English Literature and Creative writing degree (which I’m loving).

Can you tell us a bit about your blogging journey? 

I’ve been blogging for years but the platform I use has changed dramatically. The very first page I ever wrote under has since disappeared and I can’t even recall the name. But there was a very early incarnation of A Novel Idea on blogger.

Blogging started as a way to share my book recommendations more widely. That was my favourite part of my job at the time and I wanted to do more of it. Since then blogging has become a huge part of my life. I write about everything from books, to food to holidays and I love doing it.

What’s the best and worst thing about running a blog?

The best thing is definitely the community. I’ve made some amazing friends through blogging and I couldn’t imagine life without them now.

The worst thing? Feeling the pressure to constantly create. I treat my blog a little like a second job now which has worked wonders for productivity but leaves me feeling a little guilty if I’m not constantly working on creating new content. I find it hard to switch off.

Tell us a bit about your review policy? 

If a book or pitch piques my interest, I’ll give it a go. Even if it’s a genre I haven’t really tried before. My only stipulation is that I have to be able to give an honest review. I have a full review policy listed on my blog.

What has been your stand out read for 2019 so far?

Oooo. Choices choices. There’s been a fair few that I’ve loved recently but one that really surprised me was Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. As I mentioned I’m in the midst of a Literature Degree and this was one of my course books and I adored it. A few honourable mentions go to The Empress of all Seasons by Emiko Jean and a comic collection called Little Moments of Love.

How do you like to spend your time when not working or reading??

Such a thing exists? I kid. More than likely you’d find me curled up watching a new series or eating. I love food. I find baking such a stress relief (usually, I had an ill-fated macaroon incident once). More recently I’ve got back into scrapbooking. I’m incredibly sentimental and will get my camera out at every opportunity, much to the joy of the people in my life.  

Do you ever read just for fun or do you review every book you read?

I review everything I read but I find it fun to do so. I get to have a record of my reading experiences throughout the years.

If you were able to host a fantasy dinner party for your favourite authors (alive or dead), who would you choose as your guests and what would you prepare for them?

I’ll go with five authors, because if I’m honest I could go on and on. Mary Shelley, V.E Schwab, Pearce Brown, Angie Thomas and Khaled Hosseini.

Can I bake instead? Admittedly, I do very little cooking. I’m blessed with a boyfriend that loves too and is fantastic at it. But if I had too, I think I’d make Asian Salmon with broccoli and rice. The one meal I cooked and it went down rather well.  

We often ask our guests what they consider to be the next “big thing” – what do you hope to see more of in 2019?

More diversity. Representation within novels is so important. I found that books helped me feel ‘seen’ and understood. That can’t happen if you can’t see yourself within a book. Over the last two years there has been so much progress made with this.

Then as an aside I’ve always wanted to read a book with a friendship that transcends ages. That’s my little personal one.

What’s the best way for authors to get in touch with you?

I’m virtually attached to my phone so either by social media or email. I always try to respond as quickly as possible.

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You can find out more about Katie in these places:

A Novel Idea Blog

Twitter

Instagram

Or contact her on Email: katie-anovelidea@outlook.com

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Rhoda Baxter writes feel good stories about strong women and nice guy heroes. She especially likes it when they make her laugh. She also writes multi-cultural romances as Jeevani Charika. You can find out more about her award nominated books and mentoring services on www.rhodabaxter.com