Sophie Schiller, author of Spy Island

Spy Island by Sophie Schiller is available for the Kindle app from Amazon:
US: Spy Island by Sophie Schiller
UK: Spy Island by Sophie Schiller

Spy Island by Sophie Schiller

Spy Island by Sophie Schiller

Abby Maduro is an adventurous island girl who saves the life of a mysterious stranger who has washed ashore on her Caribbean island. Despite the danger, Abby shelters Erich Seibold, a handsome sailor with a mysterious past, in the basement of her house. Soon, friendship and love blossom between the unlikely pair, even after Abby learns that Erich is a deserter from a German U-boat. Their cozy situation turns deadly when the island's German Consul, Lothar Langsdorff, discovers Erich's true identity and blackmails him into committing sabotage and murder. Erich is arrested and thrown into prison, forcing Abigail to risk everything to save his life, but with Langsdorff and his spy ring still on the loose, Abigail relies on her wits, bravery and a little island magic to save her tranquil island from a dangerous German spy. Spy Island is a historical spy thriller for the adventure-lover in you. Prepare to be carried away to an exotic tropical island with its potent mixture of action, suspense, romance, and delightful island characters who will cast their spell over you.

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Author Quiz interviews Sophie Schiller...

What's the best and worst thing about being an author?
The best thing is having the freedom to stretch your imagination, to do things that have never been done before. The worst thing is the lack of collaboration. By its very nature, writing is done by an individual in solitude. Oftentimes, we yearn for the synergy that accompanies working in teams.

What came first, the idea for your first book or the decision to write a book?
The decision to write "Spy Island" came first. It took me years to develop the plot and characters, and to mold it all into a thrilling, suspenseful story.

If "Spy Island" was made into a movie who would you want to play the main character and why?
There is an amazing new child actress, Odeya Rush, who has the right look and is the right age to play Abigail, the main character. The handsome German actor, Daniel Bruhl, would be perfect in the role of the German deserter, Erich. Of course I would love Viola Davis to play Nana Jane.

If you could invite one character from your novel to a dinner party who would it be and why?
I would invite Judge Neergaard, the lonely Danish judge. I am sure he would capture my imagination with fascinating tales about life in an exotic Danish sugar colony.

What do you think stimulates sales the most; positive reviews or advertising?
Neither. I think that having an Amazon freebie stimulates the most sales at the end of the freebie.

How do you see the publishing industry changing over the next few years?
I see large publishing houses struggling to contain costs while still producing superb work. At the same time, self-published authors shoulder all the costs of book production, which must find a new equilibrium. You'll have a few self-published authors making a living from their writing with the rest struggling. Overall, there will be a downward trend in book pricing, which translates to lower margins for both publishing houses and self-publishers. Overall, the publishing industry will become MUCH MORE market driven, with writers specializing their books and tailoring them for certain audiences.

What are some of your favourite quotes from reviews that you've received?
"This book is full of intrigue and suspense. For anyone who loves history, trust me this is the book for you. It is a definite page turner." Jennation Book Reviews

"Really liked this one. The characters were so interesting, there was plenty of mystery, and it was definitely a page turner." Melissa at Beneath the Moon and Stars Book Reviews

Would you rather have great reviews but average sales or great sales but average reviews?
Naturally all authors want great reviews, but if that translates into average sales, something is not working. In the industry, that's not considered a successful book launch. Something would need to be adjusted to improve sales!

What advice would you give to a new author who has just finished writing their first novel and is unsure as to what steps to take next?
Study your market and genre very carefully and construct the book cover accordingly. The cover represents the overall image and is a most important tool for attracting new readers.

Is there a TV series or movie which you think would appeal to a similar audience as your book, "Spy Island"?
If you enjoy movies like "Titanic" or TV series like "Downton Abbey", you would love "Spy Island" because it takes place during the same Edwardian/WWI era, with scenes in a tropical Danish colony, on board a steamer, on a German U-boat somewhere out in the Atlantic. Spy Island has an international flair, with an international cast of characters, and memorable scenes in Panama, the Azores, and in the West Indies. A story that will uplift you and delight you!

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Thanks for your comments, Sophie, and good luck with your writing.

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You can find a sample of Spy Island at Sophie Schiller's blog:
Introducing: Spy Island
Sophie Schiller's blog

A further excerpt can be found at the following link:
Spy Island by Sophie Schiller: Excerpt

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Follow Sophie Schiller on facebook and twitter:
Facebook: Sophie Schiller
Twitter: @SophieSchiller

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Spy Island by Sophie Schiller is available for the Kindle app from Amazon:
US: Spy Island by Sophie Schiller
UK: Spy Island by Sophie Schiller


Spy Island is also available from Barnes & Noble:
Barnes & Noble