#AuthorInterview Agay Llanera VINTAGE LOVE #filipiniana #chicklit #ebook #giveaway @agayskey

Lately, I've been enjoying stories about young women dealing with family, careers, and finding love, written in a light-hearted humorous manner. Vintage Love was one of the best. It was a fun and delightful story about Chrissy Lopez, whose life is in dire need of a makeover. Who would have known that inheriting a roomful of vintage clothes would change her life?

Naturally, after giving the book a 5-star review, I contacted the author to see if she had plans for more books. Agay Llanera was gracious enough to answer some of my questions. Read the interview and enter a giveaway for your own copy of Vintage Love [and $5 cash]. I guarantee you'll be entertained.

Tell us a bit about yourself. You are a writer and producer of children's TV programs?

Currently, I'm a freelance writer for TV, but I used to be a segment producer for children's programs. I've always loved watching children's shows even as an adult, so working for one (though it was a lot of work) felt like play. It's fun to work with kids and it's fun to get paid to think like one!  I also have three children's books out (Sol, The Gathering, and The Song of the Ifugao). I'd say writing for kids is my first love.

What made you decide to write about Chrissy? Is she a lot like you?

I wanted to write about a person who's too hung up about work to give love a second chance. And since I work in TV, I immediately put Crissy in that line of work just so I wouldn't need to do extra research.  I'm like her in the sense that I used to be so steeped in work that I'd forget about everything else (health, love, family.) Now that I have a family, I'm so much more relaxed about working. Crissy is a combination of my friends who work in the TV industry.

Tell us about the class you took with Mina Esguerra? Can you share some of the things she taught you?

I actually wrote Vintage Love before joining Mina Esguerra's class, but yes, she was instrumental in giving me that extra push to self-publish it.  I also revised the story based on her and my beta-reader's comments. Until now, she continues to be a driving force in marketing the book, along with the other books produced by my romance class-mates.  She basically spearheaded the chicklit self-publishing scene here in the country, and we're forever grateful for her support.

Are you working on something new? What has you excited for the upcoming year?

Yes, I'm working on something new, this time with a college senior heroine, but I also have ideas for (hopefully) my next children's book. Since I have an active toddler and I work from home, it's quite a challenge to carve out some free time and actually write. For now, I'd much rather take a nap. :-P

Anything else you'd like your readers to know?

I just want to encourage readers who want to be writers to go ahead and take that leap of faith. Write, revise, self-publish, and be read! It's a good feeling to create something that others can relate to.

Thanks so much for being on Rachelle's Window. I wish you lots of good fortune and look forward to your next story.

Thanks for the interview, Clare!  I have yet to read your books :-) Will do soon!  

Book Description:

26-year-old Crissy Lopez’s life is in dire need of a makeover. Her wardrobe revolves around ratty shirts and beat-up sneaks; her grueling schedule as a TV Executive leaves no room for a social life; and worst of all, she’s still hung up on the Evil Ex who left her five years ago.

When her fashionable grand-aunt passes away and leaves behind a roomful of vintage stuff, the Shy Stylista inside Crissy gradually resurfaces. Soon, she feels like she's making progress -- with a budding lovelife to boot! But the grim ghost of her past catches up with her, threatening to push her back into depression. To finally move on, Crissy learns that walking away is not enough. This time, she needs to take a leap of faith.

About the Author:
Agay Llanera is a freelance writer for television and video, and a published writer of children’s books. She is a member of KUTING, a private, non-stock, non-profit organization, which aims to be the Philippines’ foremost writers’ organization for children. Email her at agay.llanera@gmail.com and visit her blog at agayisagirl.blogspot.com.

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/336762
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Love-Agay-Llanera-ebook/dp/B00DWO33UA
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/vintage-love

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