Interview with Gillian Godden
Author of DIRTY DEALINGS
Gillian Godden Author of Gangland Books."I have always loved reading. On my weekly visit to my local library, where they hold a book club they were advertising a competition to write your own story. Any story, using any genre. The prize would be a weekend trip on the P&O ferry to Amsterdam or fifty pounds. I wrote Francesca. Sitting with my friend Toni one night and drinking a cheap bottle of Lambrini wine I had my name for my character: Tony Lambrianu. I submitted my story to the competition- and did not win. However, a couple of my friends at the NHS, and my neighbours had read it and encouraged me to carry on and see were it led. I got involved with a vanity publisher and was taken for a ride! They hadn't edited it properly and my name was barely seen. To rectify it was going to cost me money I didn't have so I published bits of the book in book groups on social media and was amazed by the response. I'd thought the manuscript was going to sit on my computer forever and no one would read it, but the majority of people responded well and so I self-published.
"Readers were interested in my main character: Tony, the glamorous gangland boss. Some fell in love with him. But they wanted to know his background and how he had become the man he was. I had originally written another story Antonius, which was never going to see daylight. I split it in half as it was a long story and they became Francesca and Dangerous Games: the prequel depicting Tony's childhood up to when Tony meets Francesca one steamy night at a Christmas party, which became Nasty Business.
"I work as a doctors receptionist at the local health centre, close to where I live. I've experienced a lot of support in the writing community and have seen my titles flourish under the microscope that is Amazon. The only part of writing I find difficult is the promotion. Bloggers help authors to market, advertise, and publicise our wares, but I'd far rather be writing them.
"I live in Yorkshire with my dog Susie. Walking her around the park after ten-hour shifts clears my head and allows me to plot ideas. The best murderous plans come to me this way. My son, Robert, lives in London. I'd love to move back there someday.why not follow my websitehttps://www.facebook.com/francescaseries/
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How would you describe DIRTY DEALINGS to a new reader?
- Dirty Dealings is the fourth and last in the Lambrianu series. winding up all those loose ends. continuing the family saga that everyone has become familiar with.
What was the inspiration behind DIRTY DEALINGS ?
- All three other books in the series
Which authors do you admire? How have they influenced your writing style?
- Martina cole
Can you tell us a little about the locations in your book?
- London/Italy
What advice would you give to aspiring authors? How would you advise a new author about traditional publishing versus self publishing?
- take your time and get a good editor
What's your writing process?
- longhand. always pen and notepad
Which character in has had the greatest impact on readers?
- Everyone love Tony and francesca but they have come to love and look forward to julie gold and her crazy ways.
If DIRTY DEALING were to be adapted for TV or film, who would you see in the lead role? Who did you have in your mind’s eye when you wrote him/her?
- Chris hemsworth/ Tom hardy. Zoe Lucker as julie gold. maybe Keira knightley as Francesca
How have readers responded to DIRTY DEALINGS?
- excellent reviews. only came out christmas 2019 and already over 70 5 star reviews.
Wow what a book this is about Tony,Jake,Ralph and their family's from the first book to this one i have loved reading about them all but i have to say this has to be the best one yet.Although i would rather not have cried so much(lol)this one is very emotional and the time has come for the next generation to run things and for Tony to spend more time with Francesca who he loves to his very soul.I won't say anymore as this would spoil the book for others.BRILLIANT FANTASTIC 5*
The Lambrianu’s are back for this the 4th and final instalment about their lives
I think I said last time it was great to be back with them and this continues with this book, there is a real sense of ‘knowing’ these characters after 4 books and have been on their life journey with them, the good, the bad AND the ugly!
This book takes the family through some real strife and situations and as always Tony, Jake and Ralph are there to sort it out ( or make it worse ) and now with growing families to also help out and carry on what their dad’s started
As always the author writes well, warmly and with passion and I am sure she will miss the family as much as we the readers will
The book is full of shocks and surprises and its very much NOT a quiet ending to the series, literally the opposite
I have loved this series, am glad invested time in the Lambrianu family and look forward to seeing what the author will write next!
A great start to 2020’s reading
Where next? What are you working on now?
- GOLD
