E.V. Bancroft’s website struck me before I even read what she had to say in this interview. According to that, she is the servant to a neurotic cat. Cats are the way to my heart – shh, don’t tell anyone – whether they’re neurotic or not. Sadly, I couldn’t find any pictures of Jerry the cat, but I did find lots of information about the wonderful E.V. Bancroft! And you can read it all too, in the latest interview of Sapphic Fiction February!
So, E.V. - tell us a little about yourself! Who are you and what do you do?
I always wanted to write, but spent a career's worth of numbers. I'm now doing what I've always wanted and am writing. I never get that dreaded Sunday evening blues anymore, and I love it!
How did you become an author?
The day after I took early retirement I booked myself on a Global Wordsmiths writing course, and I've never looked back.
Who’s your favourite character that you’ve ever written?
Are we allowed to fall in love with one of our characters? Odette from Virgin Flight is sexy and sassy and a brilliant pilot and I definitely have a soft spot for her; but my favourite is probably Bea, from Warm Pearls and Paper Cranes, as she is so friendly and stoic and bright and has to endure so much to be together with the woman she loves. It's not surprising she had a tiny cameo in Virgin Flight and will pop up again in my next book about Bletchley Park.
Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it?
Not really, because I plot everything meticulously beforehand ( yes, I'm one of those kind of writers). Sometimes I will write out of sequence because I'm not "feeling" a particular scene. Usually a sex scene. What does that say about me?
What do you consider to be the hardest part of writing?
The marketing. the only way I can do it is to frame it that I'm talking to my friends about a project I'm passionate about.
And how about the most rewarding?
When someone says how much they loved my book.
What is one piece of advice you wish you had listened to, either in life or with regards to being an author?
Don't wait, just start, even if you can only write for about an hour a week, it's all practice.
You’re putting together a party. Which characters from the Sapphic Fiction genre would you invite?
I'd love to invite Andira Tal and Salomen Opah from Fletcher Delancey's Alsea chronicles as they could tell if anyone was faking it. Drs Rebecca Keane and Sabine Fleischer from Ask Tell and maybe someone like Poppy Jenkins, because she is so upbeat all the time!
Is there anyone you’d like to highlight, while you’re here?
I'd like to give a shout out to my editors, Robyn Nyx and Brey Willows who have taught me so much ( and put up with my quirks and foibles), to my writing buddies, particularly Valden Bush, who joins me on zoom most afternoons and holds me to account. they all write fantastic sapphic fiction too, which really helps!
How can people connect with you?
website: evbancroft.com, I'm on BlueSky, Twitter (X) and Threads as @evbancroft
Finally a light-hearted one. What ice cream flavours and toppings would you put together in your ultimate sundae?
Oh yum. Vanilla, pistachio and salted caramel with fruit on top (raspberries)!
If you enjoyed this interview, then make sure you’re following my social media accounts (@kblakemanwriter on Twitter and @katherineblakemanwriter on Instagram) to get all the latest updates! And if you want to support my own Sapphic Fiction journey while you’re here, The Summer We’ve Had is available now, and Love You However is coming on March 22nd!
