Amanda Prowse is one of the most prolific writers of contemporary fiction in the UK. She is an International Bestselling author whose novels, short stories, and recent non-fiction, autobiographical books, have been published worldwide in dozens of languages. Amanda's best-selling books have sold millions of copies worldwide.
Prowse did not immediately become a professional writer. Before she married, Amanda was a single mum working three jobs — in a call center, at a recruitment firm, and as a cleaner. Even after the success of the first books, she was a management consultant until she was 40.
In 2007 when she was 32 she was diagnosed with cancer. That was the turning point in her life. She always loved writing and wanted to make it her career. Her husband, Simeon, completely supported this decision.
Her first book, ‘Poppy Day’, was published in 2012. It was rejected by every agent. “The common response was that no one wants to read about Afghanistan or war. It’s not women’s fiction”, says Amanda. So she self-published her book and soon it became a much-loved bestseller. The Royal British Legion was the first who agreed to publish it if the profits went to the association's fund. In 2016 today it sold over a quarter of a million copies.
Now her books are sold in 22 countries, she writes four bestsellers a year and makes an annual salary of £1 million. Most of Amanda's books are written as groups of stories or collections but not as a series.
Her chart-topping No.1 titles are ‘What Have I Done?’, ‘Perfect Daughter’, ‘My Husband’s Wife’, 'The Girl in the Corner', and 'The Things I Know’. The novel ‘A Mother’s Story’ won the coveted Sainsbury’s eBook of the Year Award. ‘The Food of Love’ went straight to No.1 in Literary Fiction when it was launched and she has been described by the Daily Mail as ‘The Queen of Family Drama’ for her ability to make the reader feel as if they were actually in the story.
“I write contemporary fiction and my books fall into two categories, firstly, 'gut punchers' like 'What Have I Done?', 'A Mother's Story' and 'The Food of Love,' which are slightly tougher, grittier reads, often based around an issue where an 'ordinary' woman finds herself in an extraordinary situation, as we follow her journey. The other type of books are 'marshmallows' which are slightly softer, easier reads or holiday books, like 'Christmas for One' or 'A Little Love'”, describes the author her writing.
Amanda Prowse also is a popular TV and radio personality. She is a regular panelist on the Channel 5 show ‘The Wright Stuff’ and numerous daytime ITV programmes. She makes countless guest appearances on BBC and independent Radio stations.
Photo credit: www.amandaprowse.com
