Julie Shackman is a renowned author known for her feel-good romance novels set in picturesque Scottish landscapes. With a background in journalism, she turned to fiction writing after a career change. Her books, published by HarperCollins’ imprint One More Chapter, have captivated readers with engaging characters and vivid settings. Julie lives near Glasgow, drawing inspiration from her surroundings and daily walks with her dog.
Q: You’re about to launch a new book, is that right?
A: Yes, that’s right. It’s going to be released on the 15th of August and is called “A Scottish Highland Hideaway.”
Q: Is this part of a series that you’ve been developing?
A: They are all standalone novels, but they come under the Scottish Escapes umbrella.
Q: Where do you find inspiration for your books?
A: It can be anything, really. Often, I come up with the setting first, and then the characters will come from that. It could be people I see or comments they make. I also get ideas when I take my dog for a walk or overhear someone say something interesting.
Q: Are you constantly writing notes down?
A: I’m always making notes, lots of notebooks, lots of pens. I even jot things down on my phone if I need to.
Q: I read somewhere that you love stationery and write in books before typing it up. Is that right?
A: Yes, that’s right. I tend to write about three chapters at a time by hand, and then I’ll type them up. It feels more organic to me.
Q: Do you find holding a pen and writing things down more effective than typing directly onto the computer?
A: Yes, it helps me organize my thoughts better. It’s like the art of letter writing; it feels more personal and deliberate.
Q: Do you have to incorporate non-fiction elements into your novels?
A: Yes, especially for accuracy. For instance, the book coming out in January is set on the Isle of Skye. I’ve never been there, so I did a lot of research, including watching YouTube videos of people walking around the island and reading about its landscape and myths.
Q: When did you start your writing journey?
A: I’ve always wanted to write feel-good romance. I trained as a journalist years ago, and after my post in the civil service was made redundant, I had more time to focus on writing. It was tough at first with many rejections, but my third book got picked up by a small independent publisher in London.
Q: What made your third book better than the first two?
A: I learned to read critically, understanding what works and what doesn’t in other books. I improved my descriptions and got into my characters’ heads more.
Q: How did you eventually find an agent and get traditionally published?
A: In 2017, I contacted Selwa Anthony, an Australian literary agent. She liked my manuscript and agreed to represent me. After some edits, my book was accepted by Allen and Unwin for publication.
Q: How did your deal with HarperCollins come about?
A: Just before Covid, I read about the HarperCollins imprint, One More Chapter, and my agent pitched my book to them. They accepted it and offered me a two-book deal, which later extended to a four-book deal.
Q: How many books have you published with them so far?
A: I’ve had six published with them, and my seventh is coming out in August.
Q: Do deadlines affect your writing style?
A: Yes, they do help. Working to deadlines as a journalist has trained me well. It helps me focus and get the first draft done within the given time frame.
Q: Do you plan your books in advance?
A: I’m more of a pantser than a plotter. I do bullet points for three or four chapters at a time, so I have a rough idea of where it’s going, but sometimes the characters take me in different directions.
Q: How can we get young people to read more and get off their gadgets?
A: I think it’s important to remember that no book is a bad book. If kids can find something they can relate to or that interests them, even if it’s comics, it can help. Starting with a comic allows them to talk about the pictures and the story. Even showing them a book with an interesting cover and discussing what it might be about can engage their imagination.
Q: How did you feel when you first saw your book on the shelf?
A: It was amazing, especially after so many rejections. Seeing my work on the shelf and getting feedback from readers was thrilling. One of the biggest moments was seeing my book “The Cottage in the Highlands” on the Sainsbury’s bookshelves. It was definitely a pinch-me moment.
Q: And what about turning your books into TV dramas?
A: That would be lovely. Let’s wait and see!
Q: What five things would you find yourself doing on a perfect day?
A: Maybe writing outside in the sun, taking my dog on a long walk, having a picnic by Loch Lomond, going to an open-air concert, and watching a rom-com.