Louise Hare
Author Interview - Louise Hare
Author of Miss Aldridge Regrets
In her US debut, Hare introduces readers to a delightfully flawed protagonist, Miss Lena Aldridge, a bold, brave, and clever multiracial jazz singer and actress who is never afraid to speak her mind or bend the rules, and who passes for white in a society that rarely celebrates Black women.
Author Interview - Louise Hare
Author I draw inspiration from: Sarah Waters. As a historical fiction author, I really learned a lot about how to bring an era to life through reading her novels. She does such a great job at uncovering lesbian and gay history and telling forgotten stories, and I want to show what life was like for people of colour throughout British history in a similar way.
Author Interview - Louise Hare | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book: I’m not a morning person but if I wake up when my alarm goes off, instead of hitting the snooze button, I can treat myself to half an hour reading in bed with a cup of coffee.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: Meddy Chan from Jesse Sutanto’s Dial A for Aunties. I’d hope her aunties would come up with some madcap scheme to rescue us.
Author Interview - Louise Hare | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: I took a writing course for fun about eight years ago. I had to pitch an idea for a novel to the group and I was terrified, but they all loved it. It gave me the confidence to start taking my writing seriously.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: I love a hardback and I’m a sucker for a special edition as well.
The last book I read: Slade House by David Mitchell. I loved The Bone Clocks and I was in the mood for a book with creepy vibes.
Author Interview - Louise Hare | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer: I have a notebook to jot down thoughts, planning and research but I write on my laptop.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: Kitty in Antonia Hodgson’s Thomas Hawkins series set in Georgian London. She’s a very shrewd businesswoman and she doesn’t suffer fools but she’d be great to go for a drink with.
Author Interview - Louise Hare | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: travel writer. I used to be a travel agent and I’d love to combine that with writing – the perfect job!
Favorite decade in fashion history: 1930s. I had to research the fashion of the era for this novel, and I love the glamour of pre-war fashions. There were so many wonderful female designers at the time as well: Schiaparelli, Chanel, Vionnet, etc. and it was so fun choosing Lena’s wardrobe.
Place I’d most like to travel: I’d love to travel to Uganda to see the mountain gorillas.
My signature drink: A Dark and Stormy – I love rum and I love ginger beer so it’s a perfect combination!
Favorite artist: Jean-Michel Basquiat
Number one on my bucket list: I have a real yearning to walk the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. I’m not religious but when life gets hectic, I like the idea of taking a month off from the world and finding some peace!
Anything else you'd like to add: I hope you all love Lena Aldridge as much as I do!
Find more from the author:
Facebook – Louise Hare Author
Instagram – lourhare
Twitter - @lourhare
Author website – louisehare.com
