Let’s welcome my lovely friend, Andrene Low. We had many a laugh over the years because if you don’t laugh you’ll cry. The publishing industry is not for the faint hearted and our corner is definitely more fun because of Andrene!

WHO AM I?
I’m Andrene Low, a multi-genre author who finds joy in crafting stories that bring smiles and even snort-laughing. My humour often leans toward the dark side, reflecting my time as a stand-up comic. I also enjoy a good bit of snark.
I live in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand with Mia, a tabby a little too keen on the local bird life. You’d think my feeding her the good cat biscuits would dissuade her, but no. 

FAVOURITE GENRE/S TO READ OR WRITE? 
Thrillers / Romantic Suspense / Humourous fiction

A little bit about my LATEST WORK: 
I’m currently working on Stake and Fries, a vampire romantic mystery. It’s one I’ve been struggling to finish for whatever reason it is that has my brain deciding not to play ball. You’d think my brain would understand by now how bloody minded I can be about finishing projects I’ve started.

DO YOU LIKE CHOCOLATE FISH? 
Yes. There’s even one I can buy that’s gluten-free and still delicious. This isn’t always the case with gluten-free products.

WHAT’S YOUR MAIN CHARACTER LIKE? 
Eva de Silva is a vampire-born who doesn’t suffer fools gladly. She also doesn’t step back from danger, especially in pursuing true love for her clients at the Blood Bond Agency.

WOULD YOU GO TO THE PUB WITH THEM? 
I’d definitely go to the pub with Eva de Silva, although I doubt that she’d drink with me. Unless the pub had blood on tap. (Just quietly, I’d go to the pub with Eva too.)

WOULD YOU HAVE THEM OVER FOR DINNER? 
That again could be tricky. However, because Eva is 300 years old, the conversation would never be dull.

WHAT MUSIC DO THEY LISTEN TO? 
Eva doesn’t. I suspect this is down to her vampiric hearing being too sensitive. Also, Eva’s mind is very active, with it rarely shutting up, meaning she doesn’t need the distraction of music.

WHAT TYPE OF CAR DO THEY DRIVE? 
Gertie, a 1960s VW van that she’s had from new. Dominik, her blood bond, doesn’t have a high opinion of it, preferring his high-end European cars.

ARE THEY A SERIES CHARACTER? 
Yes, they’re the lead character in my Blood Bond Agency series—a marriage agency for the undead. As their motto goes: 

“Are you tired of searching for love all night, only to be left drained? Here at the BBA, we take the pursuit of marriage seriously, because in the world of vampires, ’till death do us part’ takes on a whole new meaning. But fear not. We believe true love is more than eternal, it’s immortal. Embrace the night.”
Eva de Silva – Matchmaker

WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEW WRITER? 
Don’t edit as you go, edit when you’ve finished your first draft. If you edit as you go, you’ll struggle to finish your first draft, if ever. It doesn’t matter how rough it is, just finish that first draft.

WHAT PART OF WRITING DO YOU FIND THE HARDEST? 
The marketing and admin side of the business as this is never ending, even if it is a necessary evil.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD LOLLY CAKE? 
Yes, and I wasn’t a fan. Too sweet for me, with my preference being for something that involves dark chocolate. The darker, the better.

PANTSER OR OUTLINER? AND WHY? 
I used to be a pantser, but now I’ll write to a loose outline that still allows the characters to take over where they see fit.

DO YOU WRITE IN SILENCE? 
Yes, I write in silence, but this is only so I can hear the voices in my head.

DO YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO AUDIO BOOKS? 
No, but I enjoy listening to podcasts when I’m busy with manual tasks.

HAVE YOU EVER VISITED NEW ZEALAND? 
Surprisingly, yes, I have. I’ve also travelled all over the world including three years living in London and another year in Australia. 

DOGS, CATS, GUINEA PIGS, OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF PET? 
While I love all animals, I’ve got a soft spot for cats. Here’s Mia, the latest in a long line of editorial assistants.

WHERE DO YOU WRITE? 
I’ve got a study, but I’m currently set up in my sunporch with a view of the Jacaranda tree that dominates my front yard. I’ll often have tuis (a native of New Zealand) sitting out there with Mia on the windowsill chattering at them.

Some places you can find Andrene:
Amazon
Website