This month I will be checking in with some very busy authors with books releasing this spring/summer to see how they are doing during this Covid-19 health crisis. Today the spotlight is on Fiona Davis.
Fiona Davis
Fiona began her career in New York City as an actress, where she worked on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in regional theater.
After getting a master’s degree at Columbia Journalism School, she fell in love with writing, leapfrogging from editor to freelance journalist before finally settling down as an author of historical fiction. Fiona’s books have been translated into more than a dozen languages.
She’s a graduate of the College of William & Mary and is based in New York City.
Fiona is the author of 5 wonderful novels, The Dollhouse (The Barbizon Hotel), The Address (The Dakota), The Chelsea Girls (The Chelsea Hotel), The Masterpiece (Grand Central Terminal) and her upcoming novel, The Lions of Fifth Avenue (New York Public Library). They all take place in New York City landmark locations and are historical fiction.
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Q & A with Fiona Davis
Q: Who are you quarantined with and how is it going?
A: I’m at my house just north of the city with my boyfriend, Greg Wands, who is also an author (he’s one-half of the thriller duo E.G. Scott). We’re both writing first drafts of our next books, and have set up shop at either end of the dining room table.
Q: Have you learned a new skill, accomplished something unexpected, tried a new recipe, cleaned your closets?
A: I’m clearing the vegetable garden and eager to get that planted, and also started composting kitchen scraps for the first time. I also baked banana bread for the first time. Yum.
Q: How has this social distancing impacted your world when it comes to book marketing, writing?
A: In terms of getting the word out about my books, everything is through Zoom now, and I have to say, it’s exceeded my expectations. Usually, I travel around the country and do book talks, which takes up a lot of time. These days, I’m able to have a wide geographic reach while working from home. This week, for example, I’ve done a three author talks and reached over 240 readers, spread out across the country. That kind of direct contact is a true gift.
Q: Do you think this odd time will show up in book settings moving forward?
A: I think it won’t show up in book settings for several years, because we’re just too close to it. And then someone will write a book about life during the pandemic that blows us all away. My bets are on Margaret Atwood or Colson Whitehead.
Q: What is the silver lining for all of us and specifically for authors when it comes to the covid-19 shut down?
A: For me, it’s the fact that I have no reason not to write – and trust me, I’ll find any excuse to avoid getting in the chair. Authors are so lucky in that many of us already work from home, so the transition from normal life to quarantine isn’t so daunting. For me, personally, I like the fact that my family now have a weekly conference call every Sunday to check in. We’re spread out across the country, so that extra layer of communication is wonderful.
Q: What do you have going on right now?
A: My next book, The Lions of Fifth Avenue, comes out August 4th, and is available for preorder here:
I’ll be listing upcoming events on my website, http://www.fionadavis.net/
I’ve always wanted to read her books and I finally got the ARC for her upcoming novel. I’m really looking forward to reading it.
They are all so great! Enjoy!
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