Kirsten McKenzie fought international crime for fourteen years as a Customs Officer in both England and New Zealand, before leaving to work in the family antique store. Now a full-time author, she lives in New Zealand with her family and alternates between writing time travel trilogies and polishing her next thriller. Her spare time is spent organising author events and appearing on literary panels at various festivals around the world.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I was inspired to start writing after reading Deborah Harkness’s book A Discovery of Witches. Her book was the inspiration behind my first time-travel trilogy.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I started out as a Customs Officer, and worked in both London and New Zealand, before leaving to work in my family antiques store. Being an author is my third profession. I’m in the very fortunate position of being able to say that I have genuinely loved all three of my jobs!
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The title, Painted, started out as ‘The Nightwatch,’ and I genuinely can’t recall why I changed it, but at some point between looking for a cover desiger and getting the cover designed, the title changed!
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
Oh, I am in love with the cover, and I always have been. It’s so striking. Don’t tell my other books, but Painted is still my favourite.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
“Lost Girls” by Lindsey Stirling—in fact, almost all the arrangements by Lindsey Sterling! Added to the music by Cam Ballantyne, who just did the soundtrack for the movie We Were Dangerous.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book?
I hope that they need to leave the lights on to sleep…
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
Knowing that somewhere, out in the wild, it’s sitting on a shelf. You just never know who might pick it up next.
What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?
I’m currently working on the third book in my second time-travel trilogy, and a paranormal thriller set in an apartment building in New York.
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