Zadunajsky started out writing children’s books before she accomplished and published her first novel, Broken Promises, in June 2012. She then has written several more novels and her first novella, HELP ME! which is a subject about suicide and bullying.
Ride the Storm: Navigating Through Unstable Periods / Katerina Rudko (Belka G...
Interview with Donna Zadunajsky
1. What first inspired you to begin writing?
Well, I knew I always wanted to be a writer someday, but what inspired me was
reading Stephen King books in my teen years.
Did you ever write anything before the children's series that was published?
No
What was the main reason you then switched to the HELP series?
The HELP ME series didn’t come out until after I had written
several novels. How I came about the series was based on a
real life event that happened between my daughter and her
friend. She had told me that he was cutting himself and after we helped get him the
help that he needed I asked if I could write about what he was going through, then
TALK TO ME came mind. I wanted to write about the topic of rape that happens more
often than people and parents know about with their child or teen.
Where did you come up with the idea for the SECRETS series of novels?
The idea of the Secrets series came about when I wanted to
write a story about me and my two best friends. After 50,000
words, I knew I had to split them apart into their own book
because I wasn’t even close to being done writing the book so I came up with “Secrets
and Second Chances” and made each friend their own book based on questions that I
had asked them. Their story unfolded before my eyes.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a new standalone novel. Mystery/Contemporary
Any other genres you want to accomplish yet?
I write my own Quotes. I have a book that I write quotes in and also use them in my
own books. I don’t know if I will publish them into their own book.
What role has the awards & book fairs played in your marketing strategy?
The awards have sent more emails my way of people interested in my books and how I
came about writing them.
What types of books do you enjoy reading the most?
I love reading a good mystery/suspense novel, psychological
based novels, whether young adult or adult and contemporary novels.
Of the books you have written and published, which did you find the most
challenging?
The most challenging book that I wrote was BROKEN PROMISES because the story is
written about my life with an alcoholic. It was hard to write about and share my life
with others; 75% of the book is truth, I just threw in some murder to give it some
mystery/suspense. It was hard because I had to relive the events as I wrote them.
How did you overcome the obstacles of those challenges?
After writing the novel, I was able to start healing from the things that had happened
in my past. I could start to be who I was meant to be. The story also inspired me to
begin my writing career.
Do you have any events in the works for 2018?
As of right now, I have an event on February 3rd at Homer Library in Homer Glen,
Illinois.
Do you sell signed copies of the books and how does a reader obtain one?
Donna Zadunajsky
2. I do sell signed books. You can obtain one by either coming to one of my Author events
or by emailing me personally. The price is $9.99 for a paperback book, no hardcovers,
although those are available on Amazon.
Are you considering the idea of putting any of your books into audio format?
BROKEN PROMISES, NOT FORGOTTEN, FAMILY SECRETS, HIDDEN SECRETS,
HELP ME!, and TALK TO ME are already available in audiobook format on Audible.
What are your future goals in publishing?
I’m hoping one day I will find a Literary Agent, but for now I
will continue to write books until that day comes.
You studied Children's Literature & Freelancing. What were your goals in mind
for those?
I studied Children’s Literature to get a better understanding of writing for children.
Last year I had decided to take Freelancing to help further my education and to write
other writing related materials.
You can learn more about Donna and her books by visiting her website at:
https://donnamzadunajsky.net/
https://www.donnazadunajsky.com/