Author Interview:  Nancy O'Hare

How would you describe the type of books/genre you write?

The simple answer is nonfiction travel, but with a twist. I explore unique destinations away from the crowds and then capture the most memorable aspects in my writing. My book(s) convey the essence of each place through a narrative story and on-the-ground advice to help interested readers go themselves.

Readers are transported to destinations most travellers never see. As described by Angie Lovell of Readers Favorite in her review on Amazon, “O’Hare has chosen locations that are not particularly “touristy” so the flavor of the culture and surroundings is all the more authentic for not having been adjusted to suit the traveler”.

Stories are structured by interest rather than by region. This allows readers to focus on the experience before deciding where to visit. Margaret Halliday explained this best on her website review, “The sections are arranged in bite-sized parts which start with a synopsis, most useful item to pack and useful links. One minute you are in Antarctica, the next Australia and then Chile, Oman, Africa, Tibet and much more”. 

What motivated you to start writing?

I figured I was well along my life’s journey. It was the nineth day straight and, once again, I had woken up thinking about a specific phrase to adjust in an article I was drafting for LinkedIn. The topic was pulled from learnings I had gained after working around the world, living across five continents and drawing on a nearly twenty-year career in finance. Writing had become rather addictive of late. I had recently left my job in Nigeria and returned to Canada to consider what and where next. The thought of returning to an office job was uninspiring. Instead, an unexpected turn at a family reunion led me to flick through Ernie Zelinski’s book, How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free. Following his advice, I drafted a long list of things I wanted to accomplish, and none of them related to financial reports or raising corporate capital. If one thing energized me, it was travel. I loved the memories from travelling to over sixty countries, of stepping across remote lands or glimpsing lives so different from my own.

News media revealed a world of division and animosity. Whereas my travels had led me to people who helped enrich my experiences and highlighted the benefits of tapping into diverse perspectives. How could I bridge cultures and make an impact? I wanted flexibility over my time, control over what I created and, of course, to continue travelling. My first challenge was to prove that a once-accountant could write—and write something people actually wanted to read. And so, my journey began.

Tell us the journey you went on to get your books published (e.g. direct on your website, self-published, assisted-publishing, traditional publisher)

I self-published and primarily sell my book through online bookstores. This route offered control over the end product and fit with my determination to prove a former finance professional could also be a successful travel writer. My transition took research, planning and many hours of dedication. The self-publishing industry changes quickly. Over the past twelve months, since I published my first book, options for print-on-demand and ebook aggregators have evolved. New players have arisen and existing providers have improved their game. Articles detailing author experiences are plentiful. Still, I found it useful to verify practices relevant to my particular situation directly with the companies themselves. For example, Createspace only pays Canadian authors by cheque, but will waive the $8 fee normally attributed to cheque payments because it is these authors’ only option.

What publishing elements do you most enjoy and most like to avoid, and why? (e.g. design, marketing, formatting etc.)

My best moment is when I receive my manuscript back from my editor. This marks the culmination of hours spent drafting, gathering feedback and recomposing my message into the most compelling and honest piece that I could create into a book that is even better than I had envisioned. My editor elevates my work so I feel confident and excited to share my stories.

Although I gravitate towards little-known destinations, I want to avoid being a little-known author.

With the hindsight of being a published author, anything you would have done differently?

I recently asked my cover designer to brighten my cover image. I loved the design on a full screen, but did not appreciate until later how dark it appeared online as a thumbnail image.

What tips or advice would you give an aspiring indie author who is looking to self-publish?

Think holistically. Writing a book takes much more than purely writing a book. Consider quality. You will likely need to tap into the multiple talents of editors, proofreaders and designers. Consider tax and business elements, such as reporting, record keeping, sales tax requirements and regional differences. Consider marketing reach. You can build a website, start a blog, submit articles to local newspapers or relevant websites as guest bloggers. Consider support and skillset. Local writer groups, writing retreats, competitions and author groups on social media are helpful resources. If you want to write, write wholeheartedly.

What marketing or promotional tools or techniques do you use to reach your readers?

I aim to create value for readers. My primary mode of communication is via my website and social media. On a secondary front, local newspapers, library and bookstores help to build awareness in my region. Travel bloggers, book reviewers and alumni publications help to widen my footprint internationally. Those seeking deeper insight can then find it in my book(s).

What impact do you want your books to have on your readers?

Global anomosity and political division is deepening. My writing aims to reveal unexpected sides to different cultures and stir curiousity. I hope to replace the fear of difference with a respect for uniqueness.

What’s next on your writing journey?

My husband and I plan to trek across Nepal and raise awareness for the crisis in Yemen. We are still working out details and I expect our experiences will lead to a third book.

About the Author

Nancy O’Hare is the author of Dust in My Pack. She has travelled to over seventy countries and lived across five continents. O’Hare coupled a near twenty-year career in finance with her passion for diverse cultures, which propelled her to seek out unique experiences. O’Hare’s husband shares her passion to visit distant lands and captures remote scenes in his photography. Together, they have transitioned from a corporate career to pursue their creative pursuits and explore our planet, one country at a time.

O’Hare captures moments from multi-month journeys to off-the-beaten path locations in her writing. Her love for nature and intriguing cultures is revealed in stories across all seven continents. Inspire your inner traveller with her refreshing perspective on little-known destinations.

O’Hare’s travel writing structures stories into themes, such as trekking and ancient sites.

Dust in My Pack is available as an ebook and paperback at most online bookstores. A second book – Searching for Unique – was published in 2018.