I recently got in touch with Naomi Aoki. She is the author of The Yakuza and the English Teacher series, which consists of three books. She is self-published so I asked her a little bit about that as well as her writing methods.
From her Amazon author bio:
“She would love to runaway to Japan or China and live there for a few years… but she can’t. Instead she goes there in her books, hoping to drag the reader into a world they’ve never been to before.
Historical. Contemporary. Time offers no constraint to the stories she writes, happily dabbling in both so long as there is a happy ending.”
You can get in touch with Naomi on social media:
Naomi Aoki Website | Twitter |Facebook
Eliza: Thanks so much for joining me on my blog, Naomi! You have three books released now and the third was the conclusion, right?
Naomi: Yes, Dangerous Life is the third book in the series and the conclusion of Jamie and Gou’s story. I do have a fourth book – a spin off – involving Gou’s nephew and Jamie’s best friend.
Eliza: Did you feel a lot of pressure writing and releasing the final book in the series?
Naomi: Only from myself to get it done, and maybe from the characters who wanted to have their story told.
Eliza: What time period does this series take place in? Did you have to do a lot of research about Japan during that time for the books?
Naomi: Contemporary Japan. I read books on the Yakuza; used Google Maps an awful lot to make sure I got directions etc right. But I’ve also visited Kyoto where this was predominantly set, as well as Nara and Tokyo, drawing on my own experiences there to write Jamie’s reactions to each place.
Eliza: Jamie and Gou have a lot of difficult hurdles they have to get through to be together. What was your inspiration for their romance?
Naomi: I had been reading a book on the Yakuza for another story and It mentioned that they owned Language Schools, and I was like ‘I wonder what would happen if….’ And went from there.
Eliza: When I’m writing a series, I know that I struggle to plot out too many books in advance. Do you have the whole series plotted thoroughly or do you just go off the cuff?
Naomi: I am pantser. I might have a rough idea of where the characters might end up but that’s it. Initially I had thought it might only be one book, but the characters had a lot they wanted to share with me – and I realised quickly that one book wouldn’t tie up the external conflict nicely – so I kept writing.
Eliza: It can be difficult to feel like your book is “ready” when you don’t have an agent or a company behind you to tell you when. How did you decide when it was time to publish?
Naomi: I ended up self-publishing – a steep learning curve – because at the time I couldn’t see where or with whom my books fitted. For starters they were set outside of the traditional spheres of America or Britain nor did they have any American characters, which at the bottom end of the world we are often told that books without at least an American character won’t sell… maybe that’s true, maybe not. Also, I wanted to prove to myself I could do it.
Eliza: What reaction gif would you choose for the ending of the 3rd book?
Naomi: 
Eliza: Is this series self published? Do you have any tips for writers who are considering self publishing?
Naomi: If you’re on a small budget -or no budget- because not everyone can afford to spend money on every aspect of the process, then be prepared to learn new skills. If you can’t afford to buy covers, then look around at different programmes and teach yourself how to do it.
Eliza: My last question for you, is what is next for Naomi Aoki? Do you have any future series you are working on?
Naomi: Currently I’m working on the spin-off book and have submitted an historical novel set in China to a publisher. And because I like to have many things on the go, trying to decide whether to start another Historical or a contemporary Rom-suspense.
Eliza: Thanks again for answering my questions!
Dangerous Lessons by Naomi Aoki
Available now on Amazon for $2.99
“The Yakuza and the English Teacher Series: Book 1
Falling in love had never been the plan when Jamie headed to Japan to teach English, but when a powerful businessmen takes an interest in him, how can he say no.
Except, Gou is no ordinary businessmen.
When the truth comes out, does Jamie run or does he stay?
And will he have a choice?”
0 Comments