Taking up the Challenge to Write: Author Interview with Malissa Chapin

You've now published several books, but what inspired you to write that first one? 
I write Christian women's fiction as well as cozy mysteries. I always wanted to write stories and wrote many epic tales when I was young. Life happened and I never pursued writing until my mom passed away in 2020. She had always cheered me on when I wrote as a child and losing my cheerleader reminded me of the brevity of life.

I decided if I didn't get busy writing, I'd never write anything. My first novel, The Road Home, is a dual-timeline redemption story dedicated to my momma.

How do you go about plotting your murder? Do you pick the victim or the
murderer first? 
I have to know who did it and why before I start. I think I picked the victim and the perpetrator together.

What do you think makes for a perfect murder mystery?
A perfect cozy mystery is an entertaining story with puzzle pieces to figure out so I don't get bored before the ending.

What's the best encouragement you've had in your writing?

A friend told me she didn't want to read my book because she was
concerned she'd have to hurt my feelings. To her relief (and my joy) she
loved it.

I also love when readers say my books made them laugh or cry.

Marketing is the biggest key to getting sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produces more sales rather than just clicks?
Marketing is always a work in progress. I have a newsletter, a book lover group, an author page, and a website. I enjoy hearing from my readers and working to build relationships.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
After the first book, it's a lot of work! I said your first book is like your first baby. You have time to hope, dream, and plan. Everything is so special and you can't wait to hold that baby. But when you write more books, you have to juggle everything--write more, market, and get out the newsletter. No more time for naps on the couch in the afternoon while you dream about the future. 🥰

What is the best writing advice you've received or could give?
Be willing to take feedback and criticism without getting my feelings hurt. Listening to input only makes my writing better.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
Learning to write takes time and effort, but it's worth it. If God allows you to share stories, you need to do it but learn to do your very best.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
I made a promise to my newsletter subscribers that they hear my news first. I haven't released that information yet. So, check out my blog and newsletter for upcoming details. 

That's all for today's interview. To discover more about Malissa's writing, artwork, and more, check out the links below.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malissachapinwrites/

Books and more: https://shopmalissachapin.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Malissa-Chapin/author/B09L7RLYQJ

Book Club Resources: Check out her freebies

https://malissachapin.com/category/bookclubresourcesandfreebies/

Defining the Murder Mystery - Something Work Killing For: Author Interview with Kari Bovee

You’ve now published several murder mystery books, but what inspired you to write that first  one? What made you choose an historical time frame for your stories?
I first tried writing a novel back in college—I was an English major—but while the story idea intrigued me, the book didn’t quite hang together. Years later, after the birth of my first child, my husband and I decided I would stay home to focus on her. It was a tough decision, but absolutely the right one. Still, I craved some intellectual stimulation so I decided to try my hand at writing a mystery.

Not long after, I heard about a successful local author who hosted writers' workshops in her home, and I began attending. That first novel was inspired by an idea my father gave me. We always shared a love of history—and of our home state, New Mexico—so the mystery grew out of one of the region’s fascinating cultural practices.

When I finished that project, I was ready for something new—and again, my dad made a suggestion. He had just seen a PBS American Experience program on Annie Oakley and was impressed by her life and talent. He thought I should write a nonfiction biography, but that didn’t quite appeal to me. After watching it myself, I was taken with her, too, and thought: why couldn’t she be an amateur sleuth solving crimes in the Wild West Show? 

That spark became the Annie Oakley Mystery Series. I’ve now written three books and a prequel novella, all inspired by real events in her life, though embellished with fictional crimes and a slightly altered timeline. I’ve always been drawn to the late 1800s. It was a time of discovery and change, especially for women. Annie Oakley herself was a great example—strong, self-made, and an early advocate for women’s empowerment.

After those four books, I was ready for a change of scenery. My second series, The Grace Michelle Mysteries, is set in the 1920s and was inspired by Broadway and Hollywood show business. A friend of mine—actually my horse trainer at the time—told me her mother had once been a starlet in the Ziegfeld Follies. I was immediately intrigued, having loved those old musicals as a kid. As I researched, I stumbled on a scandalous story involving romance, betrayal, and a possible murder—and off I went! That series now includes three novels and a prequel novella as well.

Eventually, I felt the pull of the late 1800s again. The inspiration for my current series, The Pryce of Murder, began with the setting. I grew up in New Mexico, but we had a second home in Durango, Colorado for years, and I’ve always loved the town’s Victorian charm—especially The Strater Hotel, which is said to be haunted. Since my first two series had showbusiness themes, I thought: What if a famous actress had to give up her stage career to run a haunted hotel in a mining town, just to inherit her late husband’s fortune? 

That idea led to a new amateur sleuth and a new adventure. I even stayed at the hotel and did research at the local historical society. I didn’t see any ghosts—but the one I invented ended up being quite helpful to my protagonist, both in solving crimes and in unexpected ways.

 What type of research do you do to recreate this time frame? Have you had any “Aha” moments, surprises in that research? 
Doing the research is one of my favorite parts of the writing process—it’s like slipping back in time. I spend hours combing through old photographs of people and places, diving into the events that shaped the era, and even investigating real-life crimes, especially those that remain unsolved. I look into what foods and drinks were popular, and I often browse Pinterest to get a feel for the fashion and architecture of the time. If I’m including a real historical figure, I immerse myself in their life story. For instance, I have an entire shelf dedicated to books about Annie Oakley and the starlets of the Ziegfeld Follies.

When I was writing the Grace series, I did a deep dive into what it meant to be a fashion designer for stage and film in the 1920s. For the Pryce series, I visited Durango several times and, as I’ve mentioned before, stayed at the Strater Hotel. One delightful surprise came on one of those trips: when we checked in, the front desk informed us our reserved room was unavailable, so they upgraded us—to the Louis L’Amour room. As a Western author, L’Amour had written many of his novels there, and it was a real treat to be researching and writing in the very same space where he once worked.
 

How do you go about plotting your mystery? Do you pick the murderer first or victim? What do you think makes for a perfect murder mystery?
That’s a great question—and honestly, one I haven’t been asked before! While it might not be true for every book, I’d say that most of the time, I start with the victim. Once I know who they are and what kind of life they’ve led, I build out the suspects and explore their possible motivations for wanting that person gone.
For me, that’s where the real fun of writing (and reading) mysteries comes in—digging into the characters. I love uncovering their motivations, talents, flaws, and insecurities. I’ve always been fascinated by psychology and human behavior, so I enjoy figuring out what makes each character “tick,” and how that shapes the choices they make.

As for what makes a perfect murder mystery? I think it’s one where every character has something to hide, but only one has something worth killing for—and the reader is constantly second-guessing themselves until the very end.
 
What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Writing—and especially selling—books can be a brutal endeavor at times. There are moments when I find myself wondering, Should I even be doing this? But then something beautiful happens. I’ll get an email from a reader who says one of my books inspired them, intrigued them, helped them escape a hard moment, or simply made them feel good. Or I’ll bump into someone who’s just finished one of my stories and tells me they thought it was terrific. That kind of feedback is the greatest gift a writer can receive—knowing that something you toiled over truly connected with someone.

I’ve also been fortunate to have my books recognized with several awards. Knowing they were judged anonymously by peers makes it all the more meaningful. It’s a real confidence boost to know your work resonated with other writers and industry professionals.
 

Marketing is the biggest key to getting sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produces more sales rather than just clicks?
For me, the most effective marketing tool—by far—has been my newsletter. Over the past couple of years, I’ve intentionally focused on building my email list, and it’s become the most authentic and rewarding way to connect with readers. I like to step away from the whirlwind of opinions, outrage and noise on social media and speak directly to the people who care about my books.

I send out newsletters twice a week, and in those, I can be fully myself—more real, more vulnerable, more human. It’s not about pushing sales, it’s about creating connection. I want my readers to feel part of something, not like they’re just buying a product. And over time, that connection builds loyalty. They support my work, and I support their reading habit! It becomes a two-way relationship, and that’s the kind of marketing that truly lasts.
 
What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
I wish I’d known to trust my own process . When you’re new to novel writing, it’s easy to get swept up in all the advice out there about what you “should” do. One common suggestion is, “Don’t edit as you write—just get everything down, then fix it later.” But we’re all wired differently, and over time I’ve learned that my process is a little different—and that’s okay.

I’m a writer who needs to get a paragraph or scene as close to “right” as I can before moving on. If I know I’m going to have to go back and change it weeks or months later, it bothers me. Why not get it fixed now? That’s what works for me. It’s taken a while, but I’ve learned to honor that part of my creative rhythm.
Of course, we can—and should—learn from other writers. But the real growth comes when we understand how we work as individuals, and then decide if that advice works for us or not.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve heard—over and over—is that writing and publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. Very little in this industry happens overnight. Success comes from showing up consistently, continuing to grow, and playing the long game.

It’s also about enjoying the process. If we’re not finding some joy in what we’re doing, or if we’re being too hard on ourselves, that strain will show up in the work. Writing is a powerful form of self-expression—a chance to share the rich world of our imagination with others. It shouldn’t feel like a grind. When we give ourselves grace and stay focused on the long view, the journey becomes far more sustainable—and more fulfilling.
 
What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
I’m working on book #6 in the Pryce of Murder series. I’m still working through the story line and I don’t yet have a release date. However, book #5 in the series, The Pryce of Pride was just published in March.

Here is the blurb: Can pride mask a deadly secret?
1886, La Plata Springs, Colorado. As Arabella Pryce nears the end of her year managing the family’s historic hotel, she’s eager to reclaim her glamorous New York life. But when the town’s Cultural and Historic Festival arrives, it brings a host of unexpected visitors—and a storm of controversy.

A provocative historian ignites fierce debate over sacred Indigenous artifacts, while shifting alliances among festival organizers, local activists, and intriguing newcomers keep everyone guessing.
Caught between the lure of a sparkling future and the pull of her newfound community, Arabella finds herself drawn into a mystery that challenges everything she thought she knew. Adding to the intrigue is her relationship with Sheriff Clayton Marshall—a connection as rocky as it is compelling, complicating every step of the investigation. With the help of an unorthodox, ever-present ghostly architect and her steadfast confidante Cordelia, she must navigate a maze of ambition, cultural pride, and danger.

Sounds like an intriguing story. If you'd like to discover more about this novel and her others, here's how to do it...
Let's start with her F-R-E-E eBooks page and newsletter sign up: https://karibovee.com/free-books/
Amazon Links her series:
The Annie Oakley Mystery Series:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JCD5V4Z
The Grace Michelle Mysteries: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088TK3F49
The Pryce of Murder Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1TGJMXJ

Mysteries and Misdirection: Author Interview with Rosie Genova

You’ve now published several books, but what inspired you to write that first one? How long did it take you to write your first book that was published? How many rewrites did you do on it?

Though I’d already written three women’s fiction novels, my first published book was Murder and Marinara, the first of my cozy series, The Italian Kitchen Mysteries. My agent at the time suggested I write a mystery set in an Italian restaurant; my main character, Victoria Rienzi, is herself a mystery writer who ends up in the middle of some real-life murder investigations. Counting drafts, revisions (3), rewrites, copyediting, and proofreading, the process took about a year.

How do you go about plotting your mystery? Do you pick the victim or the murderer first? What do you think makes for a perfect murder mystery?

I always know who the victim is, but sometimes the murderer switches characters on me as I’m writing! Before I start writing, I create a quick five-act outline of how the murder will be carried out, along with any twists or red herrings I might have planned. For me, an effective murder mystery plays fair with the reader—if they went back and looked, they should be able to find every clue no matter how subtle. I think the best skill an author can bring to a mystery is misdirection; I liken it to holding up a shiny object that seems to be the solution—when the real one is hiding in plain sight.

Your newest cozy mystery is a time travel book. How did you go about doing research for the time era in that story? Was there anything that came up in your research that was a special "aha" moment for you?

I cannot count the rabbit holes I happily burrowed into as I researched Atlantic City in the 1950s. I read books and articles, online interviews, perused images of 1950s fashion, dug into The Press of Atlantic City newspaper archives, and picked the brains of a Facebook group who shared memories and valuable insights into vintage Atlantic City. I even submitted questions to a classic car enthusiast who described the engine and transmission of a 1947 Buick Roadmaster—the car that Tess drives when she’s back in time. There were several “aha” moments for me, one being how progressive Atlantic City was in the area of civil rights, at least for 1955, in which the book is set. Also, I’d long had the idea of a suspected Nazi hiding out in South Jersey before I learned there actually were Nazis in my home state in the years following WW2.

 What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

I once threw away a short story that my husband fished out of the trash and made me submit for publication right before the midnight deadline. He drove me to the mailbox so it would go out on time! It was not only published, but it took first prize in the anthology. Since then, I have believed every word he’s said about my work…

Marketing is the biggest key to getting sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?

 There is no secret sauce here, believe me. Discoverability is the single biggest issue for authors, particularly those who publish independently. I’ve had modest success with promo stacking, running low-priced or free specials in several reader newsletters on the same day. Recently, I was lucky enough to get a Featured Deal in BookBub’s daily newsletter, which brought promising results.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?

 How much of my own marketing and publicity I’d have to do. And how it cuts into my writing time.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

 This might sound weird, but the best advice I’ve gotten about writing is actually about … fishing.  In Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, the main character muses about whether he is unlucky, but ultimately decides he would rather be “exact” in his fishing skills, explaining, “Then when the luck comes, you are ready.” I spent years honing my craft, trying to be “exact” in my work and learning about every facet of publishing. Luck is fickle. It comes and goes. But your skill set is always with you—and best of all, you can add to it.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?

Learn everything you can. Write and revise and revise some more. Learn to take criticism. Grow a great big callous where your skin used to be. And be ready for the luck when it comes!

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?

This summer, I am planning to release a much darker, standalone suspense story, Seeing Things, in which a down-on-her-luck boardwalk psychic finds her childhood visions returning—and herself in the middle of a dangerous scheme—when she takes on a troubled and mysterious elderly client.

That's all for today's interview. I hope you will check out her links below to learn more details about her writing. I just finished reading her latest book, MURDER ON THE STEEL PIER and highly recommend it!

Website: www.rosiegenova.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RosieGenova 
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/rosie-genova 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6462450.Rosie_Genova 

And here's a bonus for my readers... Leave a comment on this post and we'll pick one reader who'll receive a copy of one of Rosie's eBooks. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner after Easter.

Finding Your Writing Groove: Author Interview with Linda Rawlins

You’ve now published 10 books, but what inspired you to write that first one? How long did it take you to write your first book that was published? How many rewrites did you do on it?
I think I’ve always wanted to write. When I was in fifth grade, my teacher had displayed a book that he wrote which was a simple story with stick figures. But that simple book inspired me to begin writing my own book in fifth grade. (I know I completed three chapters of a Nancy Drew type mystery and wish I had saved that work!!)I had already read all of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy Mysteries and was working through my grandmother’s library of authors such as Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart. 

I then went on to win a poetry contest in High School. In college I studied Literature but then went on to medical school. I was not able to return to reading fiction and then writing until MANY YEARS later. (about 25 years). My father had just died but my parents had encouraged me to write and read again. It took about two years to write The Bench. I would write and rewrite excessively until I was encouraged to just simply write the story and edit thereafter.
 
You are a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime critique groups. For those who aren’t active with a writer’s group, what would you tell them about joining one?
There are many writer’s groups and they all offer something different, in different ways. Find one that you like. You can be involved to the point of critiquing each other’s work or simply listen to arranged speakers teaching you how to hone your craft. Some groups are in person and some are on line. 

Experiment with all that are offered and find what works best for you. Some have fees and some don’t. However, keep in mind that none of these groups will publish your book. Some of the groups may hold conferences that have agents and editors as guests. That may offer easier access to submission but you still have to do your own work with writing and editing to your best possible result before you send your work out.
 
How do you go about plotting your mystery? Do you pick the victim or the murderer first? What do you think makes for a perfect murder mystery?
I start with the victim and then choose the killer and the motive. I write mystery, similar to Murder She Wrote where we don’t find out who the killer is until the end of the book.
I have never written a thriller, where the killer is revealed in the beginning, and the chase is on as I don’t want to be in the killer’s mind.
 
What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
That would be to keep writing and learning the craft. The old example works here – A brain surgeon is not ready at the end of medical school but only after the first 100 surgeries. Same with writing. Each book should be better and better. I’ve also been told to read a lot of books in the same genre for tips and it does help. I’ve had to get used to writing the story and going back to edit afterward. Once I finish a book, I go back to the beginning and start over. At that point, once I know how the story turns out, I can go back and strengthen the rest of the book.
 

Marketing is the biggest key to getting sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produces more sales rather than just clicks?
I think marketing is a combination of things. I do well with Facebook activity but it truly is a culmination of having a presence in the community, at book clubs, on line as well as conferences. It helps to advertise but can get expensive depending on who in incurring the cost.
 
What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
I wish I had learned sooner to relax, find my groove and simply write. I was so anxious to get things as “right as possible” and try to follow everything I had been told that I had to do, that I didn’t take enough time, earlier on, to simply enjoy my craft and write. Editing will always take place once the story is written.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Write what you want to read and don’t worry about what will be “hot” or trendy.  Just sit and write daily to hone your craft. Spending too much time in meetings, on line, or in a writing community can take a lot of time away from your main purpose which is to write.
 
Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
It is a marathon, like any other talent. You will learn and continue to develop over years of writing. Learn from others but keep true to yourself.
 

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
I have two books scheduled to publish this year. The first is about an author who moves to England to do research for a publisher while writing her own mystery novel. She plans to work with the lead DCI to help with authenticity but doesn’t plan on having sparks fly.

And I plan to release the seventh in the Misty Point Mystery Series. Megan Stanford and her friends become involved with an abandoned amusement park on the Jersey Shore. The goals of their search did not include finding a dead body.

Lastly, what links would you like to be added at the end?
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Misty-Manor-Point-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B01HLIJJLO/
Website: http://lindarawlins.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindarawlinsauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lindarawlins/
 
And here's a bonus for my readers... Linda has offered to give away one of her eBooks from the Misty Point Mystery series to 3 readers. Just leave a comment on this post saying which eBook you'd like to win. Then next Friday, we'll pick 3 winners. Make sure you name is in the comment so we can contact you.

Cooking up a Mystery: Author Interview with Katherine Brown

What drew you to writing cozy mysteries? 
My dream to write began as a kid. I literally wrote newsletters about my "life" and sold them to my parents for fifty cents. I had no idea of genre when I set my heart on that career but as I grew as a reader, I simply gobbled up mysteries. Nancy Drew, Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, Hardy Boys - all of them. 

So, when I finally came back around to wanting to write (after years of burnout in an office job "adulting") I felt like mysteries would be a good start. Cozy mysteries specifically because while I read and eclectic amount of things, I wanted to write clean books that my family, parents, children, could all read and enjoy without worrying about inappropriate content.

Did you read a book that made you think, I could do that?
As far as thinking I could...well, I didn't know if I COULD write a whole book but I knew I had always been complimented on my writing skills and storytelling ability so I jumped on board a NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) one November and challenged myself to knock out 50,000 words and prove I could do it. Thus, Rest, Relax, Run for Your Life came about.

Several of your mysteries are based around food and baking are you an avid cook or just like to write about baking?
I thoroughly enjoy baking and rarely follow the recipe directions all the way LOL. I enjoy cooking meals as well but cookies, brownies, etc, those are my comfort foods. Mixing, stirring, "tasting" the batter...they all relax me and when the baking is complete: voila, a snack for writing!

Are you active in any critique groups? If so, how has that helped you with your writing?
I have had one to two critique partners but found that our schedules didn't jive well. However, my sister (brilliant plus an equally avid reader) is a wonderful sounding board for ideas and first drafts. My teenage daughter has also been reading my work since she was eleven or twelve and sharing thoughts and favorite characters  with me. So, I would say my family has helped me to believe in myself and also strengthened my writing at times.

How do you write your books? Do you start with the killer or the victim? 
I start with a main character and the things I love about them. Then I decide on a crime or victim. I rarely know the killer or culprit. Sometimes, I think I know almost at the end only to find out I'm wrong.

In case that didn't sum it up, I am not a strict plotter. I brainstorm. I jot. I outline possibilities. I WANT to plot to make my writing faster - but my best ideas never seem to come that way. So, I begin with creating a few characters and setting that I love, add in humor, throw in the murder or kidnapping etc, amp up the confusion, and then see what happens. Usually with brownies and plot-related stress somewhere in the middle.

What is the hardest part of writing for you? 
Raising the stakes, I think might be the most difficult. I get too into where I'm taking the character and while I may create tension, I have to remind myself to make it harder or riskier for them.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Readers who gush about characters or praise the storytelling and how they were drawn into the writing - even if they have a few critiques - encourages me that I am good at this writing thing. It encourages me even when I feel like a complete fraud, or when it isn't paying the bills and makes me feel like I'm not pulling my weight financially in our family. That help me to push on and remember what I, and other authors, create when we write a book isn't a one-time thing. I'm creating the possibility of jumping into this story for anyone for all of the foreseeable future. And really - how incredible is that?

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing? 
I've been most surprised, and so happily, that other authors LOVE to support other authors. Seriously. In my life, I've never met a stronger community of individuals who could see themselves as competitors but don't.

What frustrated you the most?
As far as frustrations, one of the things I find most frustrating is how difficult it is to reach readers as a self-published author without having a large advertising budget. It is wonderful to swap and share and promote with other authors, truly, but I have found it difficult to reach and grow a large following of readers. However, I'm still in the first few years of this fun business so with time, hopefully I will learn and grow and can change that.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Keep writing - save money - hire an editor who loves your genre.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
See again the keep writing part. Honestly, I wish all of those years I worked at a "regular" job that I hadn't put aside my writing. I wish I had written so many of these stories and saved them up so that when I took the jump of faith into publishing, I had work ready to go and wasn't rushing myself to write the next book before readers grew tired of waiting for it.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
A short Christmas novella that was previously in an anthology will be coming out in February on its own, followed soon after by the sequel. Here are their details:

Murder Takes the Train - The quaint, mountain town of Riverbend Junction has only one train in and one train out for transportation. The town hasn't been home for Zadie Belle and Darla Belle, two of the three Belle sisters, since they moved away several years ago, but when they return this year for Christmas a theft and a murder derails the train and all of their plans for getting back to their regular lives. Especially when Darla Belle disappears and is accused of the crimes. Stuck in the small town in more ways than one, the sisters must put their heads together to figure out the murderer or else find themselves railroaded into a murder charge themselves.

Murder Takes a Swim - no full blurb yet but I can tell you that the sisters are still stuck in Riverbend Junction and are at the center of another murder scene, this time a body is discovered in the icy mountain river.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about this author's books, here are some links to get you started.

https://www.instagram.com/katherinebrownkatie/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18681694.Katherine_Brown
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katherine-h-brown
https://www.facebook.com/katherinebrownkatieauthor/
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Katherine-Brown/author/B078J72H8M
Newsletter subscribe: https://www.subscribepage.com/t5x8y2
And here's a special bonus for my readers. Here's a chance for 3 readers to get a copy of her steampunk prequel novella. It's part of her steampunk mystery series with serious Mary Poppins vibe titled,  Let's Go Fly a Kite  Currently this book is not available for sale. Here's the link to enter the giveaway: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/795063774

It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas: Featuring a Christmas Mystery with J.K. Litton

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

I came up with the idea for Naughty or Dead when my husband and I were getting ready to sell our house in Connecticut. While packing up Christmas decorations, and feeling nostalgic about the New England Christmases that I was about to say goodbye to, the opening scene for the book popped into my head. I’d already decided that I wanted to write a cozy romantic mystery series and I’d come up with the setting—the fictitious town of Mulberry Falls—so I had a fairly good idea of what would happen next.

Here are the details... When Santa turns up dead in his sled during the holiday pageant in the charming Westchester County village of Mulberry Falls, former paralegal Verity Valence reluctantly becomes involved. Newly returned to her hometown after the law firm where she worked blew up in a scandal, Verity has her hands full dealing with her wily Aunt Temperance, her former high school boyfriend, now Detective Ethan Lowell and her own cloudy future. Can she discover who’s trying to take the ho-ho-ho out of the holidays before she finds herself up to her candy cane earrings in not-so-merry mayhem? 

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is getting together with my daughter, grand-daughter and friends to bake holiday cookies, including those my mother taught me to make.  Besides all the delicious smells and tempting treats, I love sharing this time with wonderful, strong women and passing along the traditions that helped make us that way.

What’s next for you in writing?

Naughty or Dead is the first book in my new cozy romantic series set in the fictitious town of Mulberry Falls. This is a big departure for me after so many years of writing straight-up romance. I’m enjoying every moment of it.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

Do a first draft of each scene or chapter with your inner critic turned off.  Just let the inspiration flow. Don’t try to analyze, second guess or improve anything. You can do all that later. It took me awhile to learn how to do this and I can still only manage it in bursts of about fifteen minutes or so. But it’s probably the single best writing technique I’ve come across.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

Writing and publishing are birds of very different feathers. Whether you’re published through a publishing house or independently, writers today essentially have to wear two hats—the creative and the business. Learning how to switch between them can be challenging but it’s well worth the effort.

Any last words or tips?

Don’t give up. A desire to write and some degree of talent gets you to the starting line. What happens after that is a matter of hard work, discipline and persistence.

That's all for today's interview. Here's a link to her newsletter to keep you updated on her books. Subscribe to J.K. Litton's Newsletter. You’ll ONLY get updates when she's promoting such as a new book, sneak peeks, freebies or a sale from the  Mulberry Falls Cozy Romantic Mysteries. And here's your chance to get a FREE eBook. But you need to act now - only available for FREE till 12/16. Here's the link

 

You Never Know Where Your Writing Will Take You: An Interview with Ellen Byron

You are a multi-faceted author. You’ve written plays, TV scripts, and mystery novels. How did make the leap from graduating Tulane to writing for TV shows in L.A?

My career has been a series of transitions. I got a degree in theatre at Tulane and pursued an acting career. During my downtime – and there was a lot of it! – I began writing plays and segued into a career as a playwright, supplementing my income by working as a freelance journalist. 

I began to itch to advance as a writer, so I took a deep breath and moved to Los Angeles to see if I could break into television. I met another aspiring TV writer and we decided to work as a team. It took a couple of years, but we landed our first job in 1992 on a show called Flying Blind. 

How are shows put together? Are they written as a bundle?

No, not at any shows I ever worked on. You managed to get a few scripts ready to go during pre-production. Then once production started, you had to manage the balancing act of breaking stories, sending writers off to write scripts, rewriting scripts about to go in production, managing the show in production, and doing post-prod on shows in the can. 

These days, streaming services may pick up a creator-driven show where the creator has written scripts ahead of time, but that’s still not the norm.

Most plays and TV shows are dialog driven with short bits about the scenes, but books are driven by both. What made you decide to switch to writing mystery novels?

Around 2010, we – my TV partner and I – hit a bit of a TV drought. I was actually ready for a break and a new challenge. A friend started a small writers’ group with only four of us. I loved reading mysteries and decided to try writing one.

The first book I wrote won a William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grant for Unpublished Writers. It didn’t end up selling, but I found an agent. While he had it out on submission, I kept writing. The second book, PLANTATION SHUDDERS, became the first book in my Cajun Country Mystery series.

Since you’ve also lived on both coasts and New Orleans, what made you decide to base your novels on the New Orleans location?

I fell in love with New Orleans and Cajun Country when I was a student at Tulane. I set plays in the region and created characters inspired by the Cajun. 

My second series, The Catering Hall Mysteries (which I write under the pen name Maria DiRico), is set in my original home turf of Queens. My protagonist literally lives in my Italian grandmother’s old house in Astoria.

Why the change in names? 

I had an idea for a second series based on elements of my own life. My cousins ran two catering halls in Queens, and I thought, wouldn’t a party palace like the ones they had be a great place to set a mystery series? 

I put together a proposal that Kensington bought. They asked me to take a pen name for their own reasons and I chose one appropriate to the series – Maria DiRico is my late nonna’s maiden name.

How do you go about plotting your mystery? Do you pick the victim or the murderer first?

I start by thinking of what a great impetus for murder might be. I.e., in LONG ISLAND ICED TINA, my new Catering Hall Mystery, I thought, what happens if a painting stolen twenty years ago suddenly reappears, but in a bizarre place – among the gifts at a baby shower? Then I decide who the victim is and why, which helps me come up with a list of suspects, which leads to plot

 What do you think makes for a perfect murder mystery?

I think different people would give you different answers to this question. For me, it’s a combination of a book I can’t put down – I have to read the next chapter and find out what happens next – and a solution I never saw coming. I don’t want to guess the murderer. I want to be surprised.

What is the hardest part of writing for you? 

Diving in every day when I’m writing a draft. I’m a plotter and work off an outline, so I’m never going in totally cold. But it’s still terrifying on a daily basis!

What does your editor remind you to do most often?

They don’t remind me to do any one thing, but what they should remind me to proofread ten times! I’m mortified by the things I miss.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

Being nominated for multiple Agatha and Lefty awards. At first, I didn’t know how to handle it. I felt like the guys in Wayne’s World – not worthy! But since I know it will eventually end, I’ve come to cherish and relish each opportunity.

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing?

How incredibly kind and supportive the mystery community is. It’s so different from Hollywood, which is super competitive and can be cutthroat.

What frustrates you the most?

That humorous mysteries and the entire cozy genre don’t get the credit they deserve. I’m frustrated by the organizations and conventions that only give awards to serious genres.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

If you get stuck or have a case of writers’ block, write fifteen minutes a day. Anyone can do that. Once you accomplish this, you’ll find yourself getting back on track.

What is the next book coming out?

LONG ISLAND ICED TINA, my second Catering Hall Mystery just launched in February 

Can you give a short synopsis for my readers?  

In the second Catering Hall Mystery, Mia's newly pregnant friend Nicole plans to hold a shower at Belle View--but Nicole also has to attend one that her competitive (and mysteriously rich) stepmother, Tina, is throwing at the fanciest place in Queens. It's a good chance for Mia to snoop on a competitor, especially since doing a search for "how to run a catering hall" can get you only so far.

Mia tags along at the lavish party, but the ambience suffers at Nicole's Belle View shower when a fight breaks out--and then, oddly, a long-missing and valuable stolen painting is unwrapped by the mom-to-be. Tina is clearly shocked to see it. But not as shocked as Mia is when, soon afterward, she spots the lifeless body of a party guest floating in the marina . . .

And that gets you started for wondering "who done it?" If you'd like to learn more about Ellen's writing, here are some links to get you started

Newsletter: https://www.ellenbyron.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenbyronauthor/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-byron
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23234.Ellen_Byron
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Ellen-Byron/e/B00J7NW9IM/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1 

Author Voice vs Critique Group: Author Interview with Connie Berry

What made you decide to write your first novel?
I've always read and loved great mysteries. And I've always loved writing, so the decision to write a mystery of my own came much earlier than the day I actually sat down at my computer and typed Chapter One.

The story had been brooding in my head for years. No one book or author prompted me to write, but the great mystery writers of the Golden Age drew me into a life-long love affair with British mysteries and wonderful writers like Agatha Christie, G. K. Chesterton, P. D. James, Dorothy Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh.

How long did it take you to write your first book? How many rewrites did you do on it?
My first book took ten years to complete! I'd be embarrassed to admit that, except that many writers will tell you the same thing. That first book involves so much more than writing. The learning curve is long and steep. Numbering my rewrites is impossible because over that ten-year period I was constantly revising, polishing, cutting, adding, rethinking. My Outtakes Files is way longer than the finished manuscript.

Who helped you with the editing?
Along the way, I worked with two independent editors and learned something from each one.

Who encouraged you along the way?
My encouragement came from the mystery-writing community (SinC, Guppies, MWA) and especially from my wonderful critique partners. We met at Seascapes Writers' Workshop years ago and have been critiquing each other's' manuscripts ever since. Three of us are now published, with a fourth very close behind.

How did you go about finding an agent/publisher?
My journey to publication is different than most because, knowing my manuscript wasn't ready for prime time, I didn't risk sending it out there into the cold, cruel world. When I retired three years ago, I decided to make the massive changes I knew were needed. I finished that final revision in January of 2018.

In February I attended Sleuthfest in Florida and took advantage of the opportunity to have an agent or editor read the first chapter of my work. Luckily, I was assigned to Faith Black Ross of Crooked Lane Books. She loved my work and offered me a two-book contract. Yay! With contract in hand, I contacted Paula Munier of Talcott Notch Literary, and she took me on as a client.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Writing from scratch. Staring at a blank page. Wondering where and how to begin. To counteract this, I always begin a writing session by revising the previous scene. That gets me into the grove, and I can push ahead. Having material to revise—no matter how appalling—is what I love to do!

What does your editor remind you to do most often?
The most common remark she makes is, "Are you sure you've got the timing right?" Usually, I don't. Because I'm thinking of the big picture, keeping track of those details is something I have to go back and fix every time.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
The best encouragement was meeting my editor for the first time at Sleuthfest and hearing her say, "I love your writing! I love your story!"

We have all experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past it?
Three years earlier at Sleuthfest, I had another critique session with Neil Nyren, the former Editor-in-Chief at G. P. Putman's Sons. I sat down, hoping for encouragement. Instead, he looked at me with something like pity and said, "Well. This needs some work, doesn't it?" He told me the truth. I was in a bad mood for the rest of the conference—ask my roommate.

But when my head cleared and my heart healed, his comment led me to an important decision: I was going to find out what I needed to do to get published, no matter how long it took or how hard I had to work. That was the turning point. And I'm glad I didn't know then how much learning was needed.

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing?
I am most surprised by all the time I must spend on publicity. What I want to be doing is writing the third book!

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
I wish I had paid more attention to story structure. Patience was never my strong suit. I just wanted to write. But the truth is I wasted a lot of time because I didn't stop and learn the basics of fiction writing.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
The best advice I've received is "Hang in there—don't quit!"

The best advice I could give is "Take time to learn your craft. Take classes, attend conferences, read widely, listen to successful authors and learn!"

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
A caution! Definitely learn from other writers but don't try to imitate them. Every writer must develop his or her own voice. This takes times. Critique groups can be wonderful, but you can't write a book by committee.

What is the next book coming out?
A Legacy of Murder, second in the Kate Hamilton Mystery Series, will be out on October 9, 2019.

Can you give me a short synopsis?

What could be lovelier than Christmas in England? American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton arrives in the Suffolk village of Long Barston, dreaming of log fires, steaming wassail, and Tom Mallory, the detective inspector she met during a recent murder investigation in Scotland.

Kate also looks forward to spending time with her daughter, Christine, an intern at Finchley Hall, famous for the unearthing in 1818 of a treasure trove known as The Finchley Hoard. But when the body of another intern is found on the estate, romance must take a back seat.

Long Barston is on Tom Mallory’s patch, and the clues to the killer’s identity point backward more than four hundred years to a blood-red ruby ring and a legacy of murder.

Sounds intriguing! If you’d like to buy her first book now and learn about upcoming writing, here are some links to get you started.

Website: www.connieberry.com
Facebook: Connie Berry, Author
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2Vibzr6
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IUHnLY
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2WUJeFn
Crookedlanebooks.com

Dissecting Mysteries: Author Interview with Deidre Verne

What drew you to the idea of writing your first mystery/suspense novel? Was there a specific book or author that made you think – I could write like that? 
My favorite author is Nelson DeMille. I love his dialogue and the intricacy of his plots.

How long did it take for you to write the first book?
It took me 9 months to write Drawing Conclusions and about the same amount of time to write Drawing Blood. 

Was it harder or easier to write your second book?
The second book came much easier because I had already established the characters. When you use the same characters is feels like friends getting back together - except someone gets murdered!

What makes for a good mystery? 
I like mysteries that have more than one story line (a subplot) as it gives the story an additional dimension. It helps build the characters and prevents the story from having a linear conclusions. It's hard to do but this was my goal in the second book in the series.

What type of research do you do for your books? Tell me about the process.
Since my main character is a "freegan," I had to do lots of research which was fun. I read green magazines, watched videos of people Dumpster diving and kept up on green trends. Periodically, I go back into the manuscript and add some green flavor - maybe a tip I read about that the main character can execute.

Your chapter of Sisters in Crime did a short story anthology that you were featured in. How did that come about? 
Sisters in Crime is a great organization. My local chapter runs short story contests which is how the first anthology came about. Many wonderful authors were selected based on blind readings. I was thrilled to be included. 

How do each of the writers share in the promotion of the book?
As far as promotion, it's hard. We all use Facebook and as a group we've done the Brooklyn Book Fair together.

Did you go through the normal process of pitching your book to agents and traditional publishers? 
Yes I went through the normal agent/publisher process. I sent out many, many queries and ultimately found Victoria Skurnick at Levine Greenberg. Victoria then made contact with Midnight Ink Publishing.

How do you write? 
It's a bit of an on-going process. I spend a lot of time in my head simply thinking about t he characters and their potential actions as a function of the personalities I give them. I don't write an outline. In fact, I find it slows me down. I like to write and see where it goes. I'll throw in a bunch of red herrings and then I'll take out the ones that don't work at the end.

What has worked best for you in generating sales?

I wish I could tell what type of promotion works. I've attended conferences, networked with local bookstore and librarians, participated in blog tours and I've even done a short commercial on Youtube. It's a very competitive industry.

What do you know now about writing/publishing now that you wished you had known sooner?I was very shy about promoting my first book. A series depends on the success of the first book and I think I should have been more vocal early on. 

What is the best advice you've been given about writing or that you've learned that you would like to pass along?
The best advice I can give is that you must take criticism and you must be willing to write a book that will sell even if that means making changes.

What other works do you have in the process?
I'm currently working on a thriller that takes place in The Bronx.

That's it for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Deirdre's books, here's the Amazon link to them... http://amzn.to/1TvRguS