Sugar Free received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Robin D’Amato.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Sugar Free, published May 14, 2024.
What’s the book’s first line?
The faint glow of the nightlight barely illuminated her surroundings, but seven-year old Ginny Eastman wasn’t afraid of the dark these days.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Ginny Eastman discovered the game of basketball in 1965 at the young age of six and was instantly captivated. A year later, she was diagnosed with “juvenile” diabetes, which threatened her athletic dreams. This, and the lack of professional women’s teams at the time, forced her to forge her own path through the years to continue ruling the court.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I am a type 1 diabetic myself, and while I never wanted to write about it, I came up with the title Sugar Free and decided it was perfect for a novel. I chose to write fiction because there are far too many non-fiction books written on this subject, few to none from the point of view of an actual diabetic, and I wanted to get into the character’s head. I dabbled in basketball as a kid (and I follow the games. Go Huskies!). Since it can be challenging for a diabetic, I chose to write about that.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
The story is relatable for anyone who has had a dream to do something that had circumstances that made it difficult, maybe even impossible.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who — real or fictional — would you say the character reminds you of?
Ginny is headstrong but personable. She’s a lot like me, but has more hutzpah.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I always loved to write in school. So, in college, I tried my hand at a novel. I failed miserably, but I kept trying. It was when I first participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in 2008 that I completed my first draft of a usable novel.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
No. The first book I wrote was Don’t Poke the Bear, which was actually published second. My first published work was Somebody’s Watching You.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m a pre-press manager for a textbook publisher.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
During a writing project, I’ll write up to five hours a day and sometimes more on the weekends. I’m taking a break now before I start my next project.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie author?
The best part is seeing your book published. The worst part is the marketing, which I don’t happen to be good at.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Watch out for scammers. Be very careful if you choose an independent publisher; make sure they are legitimate.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Maybe. I like the creative freedom I have with my current publisher. A traditional publisher would have to give me “an offer I can’t refuse.”
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)?
I love writing. I love seeing the story unfold and then the book getting printed with a cover.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I would say it’s a tie between Kurt Vonnegut and Nick Hornby.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut.