Discover the riveting journey of Jill Marsh, a prolific indie author weaving tales of crime, thrills, and historical mysteries. From her beginnings in London to the charming landscapes of Switzerland, Jill shares her creative evolution. As the mastermind behind Triskele Books and her own small press, she delves into challenges, triumphs, and her unique narrative blend. Join us for an exclusive peek into the mind behind the captivating European crime series and the daring leap into historical fiction.
What inspired you to become a fiction author?
I’ve always wanted to tell stories. Whether as an actor, director, teacher or author, exciting other people’s imaginations is something I love. After leaving London for Switzerland, I missed my writers’ group so joined an online writers’ forum. Those people taught me so much about the craft and encouraged me to take the step to publication.
Four other writers and I set up Triskele Books, an author collective which operated like a small press. In six years, we published over 25 high-quality novels. Now my husband and I have our own small press through which I publish my work. I love being in creative control.
What has been your biggest challenge as a self-published author and how did you overcome it?
Reaching readers is a challenge for every indie author. Coming up with ideas, plotting, staying motivated, getting the words down, editing and taking criticism? Not a problem. But marketing is hard. We use a combination of ads, social media, events, a regular newsletter to my email list and interviews like this one to toot the horn.
My major advantage is the fact I usually write in a series. When a reader discovers my work and likes it, they often go on to read the next book and the book after that. I have 15 European crime books, featuring Beatrice Stubbs, and I’m currently completing Book 5 of the Run and Hide international thrillers. That brings another set of challenges in terms of remembering who did what and when. I had to make a spreadsheet to keep track.
What themes or topics are you drawn to in your writing and why?
Morality seems to be the through line, which is odd because I don’t think of myself as a particularly moral person. But I am fascinated about how people make decisions, create their own set of standards and react when between a rock and a hard place. I don’t pelt my characters with impossible predicaments, but I do want them to grow and adapt through the choices they make.
How do you infuse your own life experiences into your narratives?
That very much depends on the book. Each of my crime novels takes place in a different European location. I began by using places I knew well, such as Zürich, London, the Basque Country of Spain or northern Portugal. In order to create a sense of place, I weave my experience of the landscapes, food, drink, cultural activities and local customs into the fabric of the story. As I grew more confident, I set plots in places I needed to research (Top Tip – a great excuse for a holiday).
As for the craft itself, I love language and adore stories. Years working in theatre taught me the importance of the three-act structure, what good dialogue sounds like, ways to build a character and how to make audience/reader expectations work for the narrative.
When you’re a writer, nothing is wasted. That quirky little street name you spotted while waiting in a traffic jam, a snippet of conversation overheard in the Post Office, your cousin’s obsession with his Ford Focus, it will all come in handy one day.
What has been the most memorable feedback from a reader and how did it impact you?
The number of people who wrote or messaged to say my books had got them through lockdown was truly humbling. I sit here in front of my computer, making stuff up and gazing out the window at the cemetery, simply hoping to entertain my reader. To hear my writing got them through a tough time made me genuinely emotional because heaven knows books have done the same for me.
What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your writing and how did it pay off?
Changing genres. Last year, I stumbled across a true story I just had to tell. Historical fiction was uncharted territory for me and because many characters were real people, the pressure to get my facts right felt huge. Not only that, but the events in question took place over 100 years ago in Switzerland, my adopted country. The fear of failure was overwhelming. Plus my first time I’ve writing a romance, so I took a massive risk with SALT of the EARTH.
For centuries, people living in the Alps suffered from hypothyroidism – resulting in goitres, mental deficiencies, brain fog and stunted growth. Tourists used to come not only to gaze upon the mountains but to stare at the villagers. In the early 20th century, three doctors changed everything through the addition of iodine to salt. A tiny intervention, but one that transformed millions of lives. The book tells the story of how these three men battled prejudice and resistance to convince the populace, and the politicians, to change their lives for the better.
I’m happy to say the risk paid off. It’s had a great reception, brought me a whole new readership and has already been translated into German. The research led me to another remarkable tale which I am working on now.
What of your book(s) are you the most proudest of, and why?
SALT of the EARTH, because it was so challenging that I almost abandoned the project, but the obligation to tell an almost forgotten true story kept me going.
What are you working on currently?
Two things at once. I’m halfway through BLOOD and SAND, no. 5 in the Run and Hide series. I’m also up to my oxters in research for THE FIRST LADY of the ALPS.
Is there a book project you have in mind that you plan to write one day? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it?
That would be the title above. It’s yet to take shape but it involves mountains, fierce rivalry, silent passions and best of all, a dog.
You can find Jill Marsh on her website, on Instagram, on Facebook, or on Twitter
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