Julia Boggio
Julia Boggio is a an author and multi-award-winning ex-photographer, who became an original YouTube star when her first dance sparked a worldwide trend in choreographed first dances. She’s appeared on Richard & Judy; Sky, ITV and BBC news — and The Oprah Winfrey Show where she famously danced with Patrick Swayze. Julia is also the host of the popular book podcast, Two Lit Chicks, now in its fifth season. Guests have included Sarah Ferguson, Bonnie Garmus, Damian Barr, Kit de Waal, and Joanne Harris, among others.
Julia can be found at:
Website: juliaboggio.com
Instagram: @juliaboggio
Podcast: Two Lit Chicks Book Podcast
Twitter: @juliaboggio
Tell me what inspired you to write your book?
I’ve always wanted to write. After uni, I was an ad copywriter for a decade before moving into professional photography. I ran my business for 15 years, photographing everyone from the Queen to Queen the band. But I was ready for a change and wanted to explore my love of writing again. I decided to use my experience as a photographer by writing books about photographers, which I think gives them a ring of authenticity.
What came first the character or the world?
Actually, the title! I was having coffee with another photographer friend when I said I wanted to start writing romances about photographers. She said, ‘Oh, you want to be the Jilly Cooper of photography!’ That’s when the title SHOOTERS popped into my head–a riff on RIDERS. The plot and characters followed shortly after.
Shooters
How hard was it to get your first book published?
I got my agent relatively quickly (within a month of querying). She sent it out to all the publishing houses and they came back to say that they loved the book, but either 1) they already had a wedding-themed book on their list or–this one is my favourite– 2) they were looking for younger romcom writers with a better chance of going viral on TikTok. I was 48 at the time. I decided to self-publish because…well, what else could I do? I didn’t want to waste more time chasing trad pub. Self-publishing has turned out to be a great decision. I’ve found that people don’t care how a book was published; they care that it’s a good book.
How long did it take to write?
First book – 3 years. Second book – 1 year. Third book – in process, but about 4 months!
Do you have a writing playlist? If so do you want to share it?
I make a different playlist for each book and find one song that gets me into the characters’ heads. For example, for Chasing the Light, it was Just Give Me A Reason by Pink.
How many publishers turned you down?
11
What kind of reactions have you had to your book?
I’ve had amazing reactions to both books, which are both rated above 4 on Goodreads. People seem to enjoy that I am writing intelligent romance, where it’s not the same old formula trotted out. As I mentioned before, they like learning about the world of professional wedding photography and find that, because of my background, there is an authentic ring to it. Finally, quite a few reviewers have said that Stella, the FMC in my first book SHOOTERS, feels so real that she’s like a fully fledged person. As a writer, that’s music to my ears!
What’s the favourite reaction you’ve had to your book?
On Goodreads, a reader said of CHASING THE LIGHT: “This is definitely my favourite book of 2023 if not all of the 2020’s.” Don’t think I can get much better than that!
What can you tell us about your next book?
CAMERA SHY is a novella, an offshoot from the Photographers Trilogy. It follows the story of Jess, a character in CHASING THE LIGHT, as she heads to Paris to mend her broken heart. There, she meets ex-war photographer turned aerial photographer, Gabriel Severin. This book explores the question: how do you know when it is a rebound relationship or the real deal?
Do you take notice of online reviews?
Who doesn’t?! We all say we don’t read them, but of course we do. I use them as a learning experience, to see what I’m doing right and what I could improve. Reviews are so important and I’m so grateful for everyone who takes the time to leave one.
Would you ever consider writing outside your current genre?
Yes, definitely. I’ll write whichever story my brain wants me to write. I have some women’s fiction ideas and I’m still waiting for a big fantasy idea to pop into my head.
Which genres do you read yourself?
I’ve always read widely, but my main genres are romance and fantasy. Thanks to my popular book podcast, TWO LIT CHICKS, I’ve been reading other genres like spy thrillers and psychological thrillers, which I’ve enjoyed. I believe that writers need to be readers first.
Chasing the Light
What will always distract you?
Anything and everything, thanks to my ADHD brain. For example, I’m supposed to be working on CAMERA SHY right now, but then I got a code for BlueSky, went on there, found you, read your thread, clicked your link about author interviews and, well, here I am.
How much (if any) say do you have in your book covers?
All the say! I work on them with a wonderful illustrator named Bailey. She lives in Paris and I found her online after a frankly horrible experience with my first book cover designer (I’ve done a TikTok on this if anyone wants to dig for it). It’s so important to invest in getting a great cover design as it’s the first buying hurdle–if they like the cover, they’ll read the blurb.
Were you a big reader as a child?
Yes! I’ve always read books (to the detriment of my social life, my father would say!). One of my first loves was a comic series called ElfQuest. An epic story, great characters including strong females, and witty writing.
What were your favourite childhood books?
Eloise was one of my first loves. It’s about a quirky girl who grows up in the Plaza hotel with her assortment of pets and her English nanny (don’t ask me what her mother did for a living). Eloise was cheeky and the bane of all the staff at the hotel. My favourite part of the book was a pull out map of the elevator system.
What is your current or latest read?
I’m currently reading Beth O’Leary’s book, The Wake Up Call, because she is my next guest on the podcast. Enjoying it so far! Lots of quirky characters and a swoony Brazilian male lead.
Any books that you’re looking forward to in the next 12 months?
I’m looking forward to the next Heartstopper book because that series has given me a way of connecting and talking to my pre-teen daughter.
and finally, what inspired you to write the genre you do?
I’ve always loved romance. Books are the ultimate escapism and a happy-ever-after is the perfect antidote to this difficult world we live in. The fact that romance is so often put down blows my mind, especially as it’s one of the most popular genres. Usually, the people putting it down have never actually read one. There’s a lot to be learned from reading romance authors: how to build chemistry, how to set up a premise on the first page, and how to write emotional arcs. And they are just bloody good fun.
