For my next author interview in the ongoing series, it’s my pleasure to introduce Zoe Walker. I met Zoe on Twitter recently through the magic of the #WritingCommunity. She is a writer of historical fiction with a fantasy twist and is currently seeking an agent for her first book, EVEN GODS ARE BLIND. You can find Zoe on Twitter and via her website, both detailed below.
Without further ado, over to Zoe!
Hello! So, first of all – tell me a little bit about yourself!
Hi, my name is Zoe Jane Walker, I’m Scottish and live between Edinburgh and Rome, Italy. I’m married to an Italian and we met in Saudi Arabia where I worked as a nurse for many years. I have a toddler who keeps me sufficiently distracted from writing most of the time. We have a Doberman and three cats. That’s the basics, right?
What’s the name of your book? Can you give a brief outline of the plot (spoiler-free, of course)?
I’m looking for representation for Even Gods Are Blind, a historical fantasy set in an alternate ancient Roman Empire. Kidnapped by gods and dropped into an ancient world, Claudia must stop the Emperor from destroying the last sanctuary that keep the gods alive and her only chance to return home. The Emperor, however, must eradicate the Olympians, for once he does, Pluto will return his dead wife back to life.
When is your book available? Where can we get our hands on it?
I would love to say you can find it in shops and online now, but I think it will be a while before you have the pleasure.
Why do you write in your chosen genre? What’s your favourite thing about it?
I am a huge history buff, especial the Roman Empire and the golden age of pirates. I really wish time travel was real but since it isn’t, I make do with writing about it instead. I also like to add elements of fantasy into my work because I am creating something new and want to add my own twist to familiar things.
What got you into writing? What do you enjoy most about it?
I am one of these annoying people who have been writing since they were a child. Although, there were many years where the stories stayed inside my head. I don’t know how many other people tell themselves a goodnight story before they fall asleep but it beats thinking about bills and all the other pressures of the day.
I enjoy the creation aspect, giving life to something that wasn’t there before even if the stories just stay on my hard disk. It is also nice to take that really annoying person in your life, turn them into a character (using a different name, of course) and then do terrible, terrible things to them …. I mean the fictional character, just so we are clear…
What do you do when you’re not writing? What are your favourite things to do?
When I’m not in front of my laptop, I’m in the kitchen baking or whipping up something Italian for dinner. I have a small child, who gets lots of mummy time, which sometimes means I am up until 3 am some nights, trying to catch up with my word count goals. I also like to drag my husband around the historical sites that I am so lucky to live close to and in the very near future, you can visit my website for posts about these places.
What is your favourite childhood book and has it had any influence on you as a writer?
Totally showing my age here, my favourite childhood book is still Enid Blyton and The Secret Island, I liked all the secret series but the first is my favourite. Those children were brave and resourceful. They grew food, built two homes, had chickens and even persuaded a cow to swim across a lake. It was a much simpler time where children could wander unsupervised and sail off to an island and live for weeks with not a care in the world.
As for influence, I’d say in some of my other stories, my characters have had to rely on themselves and friends and develop a resourcefulness not unlike Peggy and the rest.
Where can we learn more about you and your books?
I guess it would be my new website or follow me on twitter. Although nothing to report at the moment, I remain ever optimistic an agent will fall in love with my work any day now.
Thank you for your time Zoe!
And thank you!
Zoe also very kindly hosted an interview with me on her website, which can be found here.
Lucy A. McLaren 
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