Jackie Lambert interview

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

A little introduction:

Hi, I’m Jacqueline (Jackie) Lambert, award-winning travel writer, adventure traveller, and dogmother, who loves history and curious facts.

B.C. (Before Canines) I hurtled, slid, submerged and threw myself off bits of every continent except Antarctica.

A.D. (After Dog), with husband Mark, I gave up work to become an Adventure Caravanner. My aim: To Boldly Go Where No Van Has Gone Before – and get in as much skiing, hiking, and windsurfing as possible.

In July 2021, we moved ‘house’, so I am currently at large in a self-converted 24.5-tonne ex-military truck called The Beast.

When did your love of books begin?

I have been a book lover ever since I was a child. I adored Enid Blyton’s fantastical stories such as The Magic Faraway Tree and Mr. Meddle. Even then, I enjoyed having lots of lovely books lined up on my shelves.

When did you start to have the wish to become an author?

I have always enjoyed writing, and have had a lifelong habit of finding an outlet, be it pen pals, postcards, newsletters, magazine articles, and, more recently, blogging.

It is every writer’s dream to become a published author. In the early noughties, I pitched a few literary agents. It was a great success, if you measure accomplishment by receiving enough rejection letters to wallpaper the house. At that point, I surrendered my ambitions to get into print.

I gave up work in 2016 to travel full time with my husband and four dogs. Many people asked me to set up a blog, so they could follow our travels AND find out how we retired early without a windfall or Lottery win. I set up WorldWideWalkies.com in 2017, which attracted followers from around the world.

Late in 2018, one of my blog followers, Nicola, commented,

“You should write a book. No-one writes like you. Even your blog about toilets was a joy to read.”

Obviously, I told her I had tried all that nonsense previously and got nowhere, but Nicola let me into a life-changing secret. She put me in touch with her friend, who had self-published her books. I had never heard of independent publishing or print on demand, but by December 2018, my first travel memoir, Fur Babies In France: From Wage Slaves To Living The Dream, was a Hot New Release on Amazon.

Nicola was delighted. She admitted the second reason she wanted me to publish a book was because it would sort out her Christmas presents for that year...  

How have you found the process for becoming an author?

It was a very steep learning curve. Like many small business owners, the principal focus (i.e. writing) comes naturally – it’s all the other stuff you need to do that is a headache.

In October 2018, I set myself a very demanding target of publishing my first book in time for Nicola’s Christmas shopping. I already had a first draft of the manuscript, since it was based on my blog, but I had to knit it into a story, find an editor, proofreader, formatter and cover designer. Then I had to work out how to buy and register ISBN numbers, upload the book on to KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), market it, and determine supplementary things like how to stay on the right side of the law by submitting copies to the British Library.  

Personally, I work best when I’m up against a deadline, so, although it was super stressful, I got it done.

What would you say to those wanting to become an author?

1.     Go For It: It’s easier now than it ever was to get published, but don’t underestimate how much work is involved. I do it as a hobby, but it with writing and marketing, it could easily be a full-time job.

2.     Be Realistic: Even for JK Rowling, writing a book was not a swift route to the shimmering summit of a heap of gold, upon which she could sit and count her royalties. For many, being an author is a labour of love – most don’t cover the cost of publishing their book. My aim was to break even, which meant I had an enjoyable hobby which funded itself. I consider myself a roaring success because, after publishing six books, I’ve made enough profit to dine out a couple of time. But don’t be discouraged. A dozen literary agents rejected JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter manuscript. One even told her not to give up the day job.

3.     Be Professional: Engage a professional cover designer and editor. Otherwise, you risk the twin trauma of scathing one-star reviews AND giving all self-published authors a bad name.

4.     There’s Nothing Like It: Seeing yourself in print and getting positive feedback from total strangers who enjoy your scribblings is the most rewarding thing in the world. I have also made lovely friends in the author and reader community.

Tell us about your book/books:

“If you are an animal lover, you will love her books. If you like to travel, you will love her books. If you like to read memoirs, you will love her books.” Dawne Archer, Author of Trekker Girl Morocco Bound.

I write comical travel memoirs, which follow my adventures since giving up work to tour Europe full-time in a caravan (RV trailer) with my husband and four dogs. They focus on our story, the challenges we face, plus curious facts about the places we visit. Although the series is chronological in time, each book is a stand-alone story.

My books slip in and out of the Amazon bestseller lists for their categories, and book 3, Dogs ‘n’ Dracula: A Road Trip Through Romania has won and been shortlisted for awards.

Adventure Caravanning with Dogs Series

It’s caravanning, but not as you know it...

Year 1 – Fur Babies in France – From Wage Slaves to Living the Dream: is the true story of a couple who accidentally bought their first caravan – then decided to give up work, rent out the house, and tour Europe full-time with their four dogs. This book follows their first year on wheels, which involved lots of breakages – and a near-death experience on Day 1.

“Full of fun. Told with excitement, vibrancy, and humour.” Julie Haigh, Goodreads Librarian and Top 1,000 Amazon reviewer.

“Well written, full of bounce and fun.” Valerie Poore, Marvellous Memoirs: Reviews and links

Dog on the Rhine – From Rat Race to Road Trip: Now, with a little caravanning experience under their belts, the crew gets a bit more adventurous and cross Germany, before going on a brief bark around Bohemia and the Balkans (the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Croatia). But lest they mislead you into thinking that Livin’ the Dream is all sunshine and rainbows, they return home to a huge Fidose of reality...

#1 Bestseller in German Travel and Rhine Travel

“An inspirational travelogue.” Windyoneuk on Amazon.co.uk

“Makes me want to take my dog, buy a caravan, and go traveling.” Chris on Goodreads

Dogs ‘n’ Dracula – A Road Trip Through Romania: Told they would be robbed, scammed, kidnapped by gypsies, eaten by bears, or attacked by wild dogs and wolves, if they managed to avoid the floods, riots – and vampires – the team Boldly Goes Where No Van Has Gone Before. Join them as they explore Europe’s largest wilderness, adopt a street dog, and tow a caravan across the Carpathian Mountains on one of the world’s most dangerous roads.

WINNNER: Chill With A Book PREMIER Readers’ Award, 2022

FINALIST: Romania Insider Awards for Best Promotion of Romania Abroad, 2019

“Armchair travel delight.” Frances Hampson on Amazon.com

“A delightful book about the nomad lifestyle.” Sharon Geitz, Gum Trees and Galaxies blog

It Never Rains but it Paws – A Road Trip Through Politics And A Pandemic: Five years after giving up work to travel full-time, Jackie and Mark race against time to leave the UK before Britain exits the EU. If Brexit happens, their four precious pups will lose their pet passports and will be unable to travel. But Brexit isn’t their only obstacle. How do they cope when, a few months into their trip, the pandemic leaves them trapped in the epicentre of Europe’s No.1 coronavirus hotspot?

“Her nimble writing rivals Bill Bryson and Paul Theroux.” Liisa W. on Amazon.com

“A very light-hearted and enjoyable read.” Alison Williams Author, Alison Williams Writing

To Hel in a Hound Cart – Journey To The Centre Of Europe: “Go to Hel!” The local wasn’t being rude. She was describing Poland’s best beach and windsurfing destination. Released from coronavirus lockdown in Italy, Jackie and Mark packed themselves and four dogs into their hound cart (RV), but cannot return home to the UK. Unsure where their wanderlust might take them, their adventures soon start stacking up. Dodging precipitous cliff-side roads, political unrest, and a global pandemic, will they make it to Hel in a Hound Cart, or is that what will happen to their plans?

#1 New Release in Adventure Travel, Travel With Pets, and Eastern Europe Travel on Amazon.com

“Exuberant, sparkling with wit, insights, and well-researched historical facts... it’s laugh-out-loud, poignant and superbly written.” Fi Kidd, Overland Adventurer

“Her irrepressible sense of irreverent humour and quest for knowledge once more shine through.” Sue Bavey, Author of Lucky Jack (1894-2000)

 

Adventure Travel with Dogs Series

[mybook.to/PupsonPiste]Pups on Piste – A Ski Season in Italy: Jackie, Mark, and their canine crew spend three months in Monte Rosa, a little-known ski resort tucked under the second highest peak in Western Europe. It also happens to be in the world’s Top 5 off-piste ski destinations. With parables from on piste and off, our snowmads get lost, stranded – and are told by an instructor, “Don’t miss the turn or you’ll go over a cliff.”

“Highly recommended for dog lovers, ski enthusiasts, and adventure travellers.” Louise Capper, Waggy Tales Book & Dog Blog.

“Excellent reference book! Jackie’s story telling and informative approach has not only relieved me of some of my anxieties (about a planned trip) but really inspired me! Most interesting is that it’s a thoroughly good read by a very eloquent writer.” Hannah James – Winterised.com Motorhome Skiing

My forthcoming books will chronicle my Brexit-busting plan to convert a 24.5-tonne ex-army truck called The Beast to drive to Mongolia.

 

I am proud to have been asked to contribute to several anthologies, along with other award-winning and bestselling authors. 

What do you love about the writing/reading community?

The community is overwhelmingly positive and supportive. I have found so many like-minded people through my journey into publishing, and have made some lifelong friends all over the world. I can’t wait to visit them all, although I’m not sure they’ll welcome me in The Beast...

If you could say anything to your readers what would it be?

A huge and heartfelt thank you.

And if I have inspired even one of you to live your dreams, my work is done!

Where can people connect with you?

·       Follow my blog: www.WorldWideWalkies.com

·       Follow me on Amazon: author.to/JLambert

·       Follow me on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/18672478.Jacqueline_Lambert

·       Follow me on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jacqueline-lambert

·       Like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JacquelineLambertAuthor

·       Find me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLambertAuthor

·       Find me on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/WorldWideWalkies/

·       Find me on About.me: https://about.me/jmlambertauthor