Author Interview with STACY JUBA

Award-winning writer, Stacy Juba is the author of the mystery novel Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and is a past recipient of the William F. Deeck - Malice Domestic Grant for new mystery writers. She has written more than 2,000 articles and won over a dozen writing awards, including recognition from the New England Press Association, Parenting Publications of America, Suburban Newspapers of America and the Stuttering Foundation of America.

Your first book was published when you were 18 years old. Face-Off is out of print but you’re still receiving fan mail. Tell us about what prompted you to write the book.

When I was in high school, I loved watching ice hockey and loved to read, however, there were very few fiction novels written about the subject. I decided to write one purely for my own entertainment. It was a fun book to write, about twin teenage brothers who compete on the hockey rink for their father’s approval. I scribbled most of it in high school study halls and then typed it on my electric typewriter. On a whim, I submitted it to the Avon Flare Young Adult Novel Competition, which was aimed at teenage writers. To my delight, it won and was published under my maiden name, Stacy Drumtra, during my freshman year in college. The book has had a lot of longevity, and many teenage boys have written book reports on it and sent me letters. I recently discovered that the Hockey Hall of Fame has Face-Off on its recommended reading list for schools that visit the museum on field trips. My hope is to eventually reissue an updated edition for today’s young readers, as I think it would do quite well. The Internet was in its infancy when Face-Off was originally published, and it would be a huge advantage in promoting a new edition to schools, libraries, and hockey groups.


You worked as a reporter for many years and you now write fiction and freelance. What prompted the change?

I started working from home after I became a mom. I did a lot of magazine writing at first and won several awards, but I stopped doing that after awhile as it was draining my energy. I was always playing phone tag and spending hours on the computer researching articles, and I came to the realization that if I remained a reporter, I would never have the chance to be an author. There just aren’t enough hours in the day. Now, I write newsletter articles and press releases for a few regular clients that I feel very fortunate to work with, including the Melanoma Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives from melanoma (http://www.skincheck.org). There are significantly fewer phone calls for newsletters, so it fits better into my family’s schedule and it also leaves time for my fiction career.


The bio on your website says you love to read mystery novels. Who are your favorite mystery authors—and why?

I enjoy cozy mystery series with likable recurring characters, such as Donna Andrews’ Meg Langslow series, Cynthia Baxter’s Reigning Cats and Dogs series, Denise Swanson’s Scumble River Mysteries, and Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen novels. I’m always happy to find a new mystery series, as when I pick up the latest installments, it’s like visiting with an old friend. I also enjoy suspense novels, like those of Lisa Gardner and Mary Higgins Clark. I tend to read those books quickly as they’re so fast-paced, they’re hard to put down.


What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?

The biggest challenge was getting published. It took several years to find a publisher for my second book, Twenty-Five Years Ago Today. It was agented for three years, but it didn’t sell. The book publishing industry is competitive and it can be discouraging for new authors trying to find a home for their work. I thought about quitting a few times, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I’d had a lot of interest in my work from agents and editors, and I was also a recipient of the William F. Deeck Malice Domestic Grant, awarded annually at the Malice Domestic Convention in Arlington, VA. It’s hard to give up on your dream when you have hope. Deep down, I felt that if I could just get my mystery novels published, readers would like them, so I persevered even when it seemed bleak.


What is the title of your most recently published book? Briefly tell us what it’s about and let us know where we can buy it.

My debut mystery novel Twenty-Five Years Ago Today was released in October 2009 from Mainly Murder Press as a trade paperback. For twenty-five years, Diana Ferguson’s killer has gotten away with murder. When rookie obit writer and newsroom editorial assistant Kris Langley investigates the cold case of the artistic young cocktail waitress who was obsessed with Greek and Roman mythology, she must fight to stay off the obituary page herself. It is available for purchase at http://www.mainlymurderpress.com/, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com. It will also be carried in independent bookstores, and if your local bookstore doesn’t have it in stock, they should be able to order it by the ISBN: 978-0-615-29011-9. More information is available on my web site, http://www.stacyjuba.com/.


What are you working on now and when/where do you expect it to be available?

Mainly Murder Press will publish my second mystery novel, Sink or Swim, in Fall 2010. When reality TV turns to murder, it’s sink, swim, or die. Not only has Cassidy Novak walked the plank and lost a hit action-adventure reality show set aboard a Tall Ship, she has also attracted a stalker who is masterminding his own twisted game. As her former competitors get knocked off one by one, Cassidy refuses to play by his bizarre rules. Soon, Cassidy must walk the plank once again--this time for her life. I’m polishing up a paranormal young adult thriller Dark Before Dawn, and I’m also working on Sign of the Messenger, the first in a planned series about Deirdre Sheridan, a psychic healer and the co-owner of a quirky New Age shop.


Writers, especially new writers, are always looking for tips and helpful information. What is the single most important “tip” you can give to a new writer?

I’d say hone your craft and learn how to edit your work. I’ve critiqued a lot of manuscripts and the most common mistakes I see are: 1) Too much back story, 2) Excess dialogue and description that don’t advance the story, 3) Point of view problems, and 4) Improper use of commas. I can recognize these flaws in other writers’ manuscripts because I’ve been guilty of them myself. Find critique partners to exchange manuscripts with, either on-line or through a writer’s group, whichever fits better into your lifestyle. You’ll gain fresh perspective into your own writing and you will become a better editor.


You are a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. How has membership in those organizations helped your writing career?

Twenty-Five Years Ago Today was published as a direct result of my membership in Sisters in Crime. I belong to an on-line subchapter called the Guppies, and someone was kind enough to forward the news that an exciting new independent publisher, Mainly Murder Press, was seeking submissions. I’ve found wonderful critique partners through the Guppies as well, and I’ve learned a great deal about book promotion through my published Sisters. I also belong to the Sisters in Crime New England Chapter, which has helped me to make regional contacts. This has led to guest blogging invitations, speaking engagements, invitations to write newsletter articles, and opportunities to take classes and workshops. In addition, both Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America publish informative newsletters which have been extremely helpful to me over the years.


Do you have any upcoming book signings or appearances? If so, give us all the details.

I’m doing a book signing and author talk November 21, 2009 at Kaleidoscope Books, Cards & Gifts in Upton, MA. During the weekend of November 15, 2009, I’ll appear on the “D is For Debut” Panel at the New England Crime Bake mystery and suspense writers conference. I’ll also be doing a book signing there and will meet with several authors for manuscript critiques. The event features Sue Grafton as the keynote speaker and should be a fun weekend. I’ll also be meeting with a couple of local book clubs in November and December.


Here’s your opportunity to tell us anything else you care to share.

I’m really excited about the opportunity to have Twenty-Five Years Ago Today in print, and it’s been an amazing feeling to share the book with readers. I always hoped this day would come, but I honestly didn’t know if it would. I’d like to tell new writers not to give up. You’ll never know where the road will lead unless you follow it. If writing makes you happy, you enjoy interacting with other authors and keeping up with the publishing industry, and you have inner drive and determination, then you’re on the right path. Keep at it and see where it takes you.


What are the addresses of your website(s) and blog(s):

My web site is http://www.stacyjuba.com/. I also have a Facebook page, which can be accessed at http://tinyurl.com/ylh2q4h. I’m also on GoodReads, http://tinyurl.com/yghnn44 , and weRead http://tinyurl.com/yg3stya .

Author Interview with MARY MONTAGUE SIKES

Mary Montague Sikes is a multi-talented woman: writer, artist, and photographer. She shares with us a variety of information about how she keeps her fingers in all the creative pies of her life.

Let’s talk about your book covers, specifically, the ones you created. How’d that happen?

My publisher and I were talking about cover possibilities for my first novel, Hearts Across Forever, and I realized I had a painting that was a perfect representation of the waterfall in my story. We sent a photograph of it to the cover artist, and she used it. My pastel of Rose Hall Great House—the setting for much of the story—is reproduced on the back cover. Back cover art has become especially important to me. For Eagle Rising, we have a photograph of me with a dramatic eagle sculpture my husband and I discovered on a return trip to Sedona, AZ right before the book was published. The cover art for Eagle Rising is an acrylic painting I did of one of the Sedona Red Rock formations. The cover for Secrets by the Sea is a photograph of a sea shore I took on one of our trips to a tropical island. The warm orange color falling over the seaside depicts the setting on the island of Antigua. It is the setting that beguiled the heroine’s grandfather and prevented him from returning to his home in Virginia.


How long have you been writing? As far as I can tell, you’ve published non-fiction, mystery, and romance. What do you like to write best—and why?

I’ve been writing forever. One of my first writing efforts was a poem about George Washington I wrote as a third-grader and recited during an assembly for my entire elementary school. I like writing in several genres for different reasons. I love to do non-fiction newspaper interviews. It’s interesting and fun to meet new people, plus I enjoy taking the photographs to go along with the articles. Mystery-writing is fulfilling because of all the twists and turns an author can add to the story. I enjoy putting the mystery in an exotic setting, like Trinidad, Antigua, Sedona, and Jamaica. My publisher has created the Passenger to Paradise series for my books, all of which have exotic settings. Writing romance is nice because the author and the reader can always expect a happy ending. And in today’s world, what can be nicer than a happy ending? My books combine mystery and romance.


I’ve visited the link on your website to your Art Gallery and am amazed at the variety of your artwork: Giclees, photography, paintings (oil, acrylic, pastels…). I’m sure the creative process for those works shares some similarities with writing—and presents you with many differences. Yes? No? Why?

Everything creative requires imagination. Whether you are writing a story or painting a work of art, you must first see in your mind those things you wish to create. That works for both art and writing. I love the quote from Albert Einstein, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” I have that quote posted in the art classroom where I teach more than 360 elementary school children each week. Imagination is everything to the creative person.


How do you manage your time? Do you have set days or times for writing versus painting or snapping photos? Do you need to make appointments with yourself in order to remember everything?

My time is centered around the two full days each week that I teach art in the local elementary school. I play tennis two days a week and take step aerobics classes three days. My creative times are fitted into the schedule of these sports activities. I believe that good health is the most important thing in life. If you don’t have good health, you will not have the energy to be creative. I’m not as organized as I’d like to be, but I do usually manage to work everything in. For example, this week I’m going to an opening reception at the art gallery that represents my work. The gallery owner wants his artists to be there to mingle with clients. I’m also doing a demonstration at this same gallery the next day and am displaying my art in a local artist event during the same time. When I have something special like these events, I need to ration my time more closely. I also find I sometimes need to work on into the night to keep up with deadlines when I have them.


What is the title of your most recently published book? Briefly tell us what it’s about and let us know where we can buy it.

Secrets by the Sea began with my ponderings: What if a man deserted his family for the attraction of the island of Antigua? What if his granddaughter had a secret correspondence with him through the years? What if he were searching for a rare gold coin? What if he were murdered and his granddaughter went to the island to find out who did it? Secrets by the Sea is the book that grew from my imagination as my husband wandered along the beaches at English Harbor and visited the Museum of History in the little town of St. John. It features mystery, romance, and even a ghost. You can buy Secrets by the Sea from Amazon.com or order directly from me at monti7olen@verizon.net for an autographed copy that I would love to personalize. All three of my books are also available as Kindle books.


What are you working on now and when/where do you expect it to be available?

I’m working on completing my mystery/suspense novel, Night Watch, which is due out December 1st. Set in Trinidad, this book includes some of the adventures (embellished) we had on that island a few years ago. The book also features a little paranormal which I always like to include as well as a romance.


Writers, especially new writers, are always looking for tips and helpful information. What is the single most important “tip” you can give to a new writer?

Never give up. Keep on writing. The more you write, the more you will improve. Keep good notes of interesting things you do and people you encounter. They may become part of your next novel.


Do you have any upcoming book signings or appearances? If so, give us all the details.

I had a book signing and an exhibition of art work from my coffee table book, Hotels to Remember, at the Griffin in Fredericksburg during the month of October. People in the Petersburg, VA area can visit Petersburg Regional Art Center, Friday, November 13th, 6 to 9 p.m. where I will be in my studio/gallery with my art and some of my books. My art is on display at Prince George Gallery in Williamsburg, VA.


Here’s your opportunity to tell us anything else you care to share.

The support of my husband makes all my creative endeavors possible. He serves as my business manager, chauffeur, and much more in transporting art and setting up signings and other events. We both love to travel to new and exotic settings for art now, photography, and future book settings. He arranges those trips.


What are the addresses of your website(s) and blog(s):
http://www.marymontaguesikes.com/
http://otpblog.blogspot.com/
http://marymontaguesikes.blogspot.com/


Thanks, Linda, for having me as a guest on Author Exchange Blog.

Author Interview with NATASHA BAUMAN

Natasha Bauman is a third generation Californian. She was once a ballet dancer, which led her to acting, which led to screenwriting. When her children were still little, she returned to school to take literature classes for fun. She loved school, and stayed on to earn a BA, an MA, and an MFA in English and Creative Writing. She began writing novels when she was an undergraduate at UCLA, and finished The Disorder of Longing during her MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She currently teaches college writing and literature courses in Southern California and writes in the middle of the night and while driving.

Who is the one person who most encouraged or influenced you to be a writer—and why?

I think I have to say that my love of books was the driving force behind my becoming a writer. I read so many fantastic books, and I wanted to join in the conversation by writing my own books, telling my own stories. Books were a lifeline for me throughout my formative years. They were always an escape for me--from the drudgery of school and the mundane realities of life. I actually wrote in spite of the fact that there was no one in my life who really encouraged me to write. I think I may have written as a form of defiance, too. You know, “You don't think I can write? I'll prove you wrong!”


How long have you been writing? In what genres do you write?

I've been writing since I was in elementary school. I started out writing short stories, but I learned I don't really have a knack for brevity. So now, I write novels--historical fiction, noir detective fiction, fabulism, and literary fiction.


Who is your favorite author and why do you like his/her work?

My list of favorite authors is long, and it's varied. I love everything from literary fiction to detective novels. But, I think if I had to choose just one author to take with me to that deserted island, I would go with James Joyce. I love that his work covers such a broad swath of literary territory. His writing changed drastically from Dubliners to Finnegan’s Wake. It's fascinating to explore his work. It takes you on quite a literary journey. I read Ulysses three times.


What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?

As a college English instructor, my biggest challenge is balancing my time. It's quite difficult shifting from grading hundreds of essays to writing fiction. My brain gets a wee bit fried! I try to claim a bit of time every day, and insist that it be my time to write. I have to argue with myself a lot in order to make sure I allow myself the time. My kids are older now, but when they were little, I used to write in the middle of the night. I also find it is important for me to get away from my house to write. There are too many responsibilities here, and I will tend to them if I am home. So, I often write in cafes or parks, or anyplace that will take me away from the realities of every day. I need the time and the place to give my imagination free reign.


What is the title of your most recently published book? Briefly tell us what it’s about and let us know where we can buy it.

My most recent novel is The Disorder of Longing (Putnam, 2008). It's the story of a young woman in Victorian-era Boston whose husband is obsessed with collecting rare orchids and controlling his wife's every move, including her sexuality. Ada Pryce's husband teaches her about the strange orchids he brings home, and as she learns to tend to the plants, she discovers a way to tend to herself as well. Library Journal compares it to Kate Chopin's The Awakening, and calls it “an engrossing blend of female self-discovery that is...both entertaining and thought-provoking.”

The Disorder of Longing is available online from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell's Books, and Borders Books.


What are you working on now and when/where do you expect it to be available?

Now I am working on another historical novel, North of the Slot. Slot is set in the period following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and tells the story of one survivor. I do extensive research for my historical novels, which can take a lot of time. So, Slot isn't finished yet, and the timeline is unknown at this point.


Writers, especially new writers, are always looking for tips and helpful information. What is the single most important “tip” you can give to a new writer?

I strongly recommend workshops. Other writers' eyes are the most crucial part of the process. We can't always read our own work objectively, so it's invaluable to check with other writers. And it's helpful to get your work read by someone who is published, and has been writing for a while. Published writers have a lot to offer. You can learn from their successes and mistakes. If you can't find a workshop, form your own writing group. Also, read first novels by writers, to get an idea of the kinds of things publishers will buy from unknowns.


Are you a member of any writer’s organizations? Has membership helped your writing career?

Yes. I am a member of Associated Writers Programs and the Authors Guild. I think it's important to stay current with industry news, and know what other writers are doing, as well as to attend conferences that these groups offer.


Do you have any upcoming book signings or appearances? If so, give us all the details.

Right now, I am teaching novel writing workshops at UCLA Extension.


Here’s your opportunity to tell us anything else you care to share.

A few more words of advice to writers: Keep at it. Sometimes it takes a long time to both perfect your craft and get noticed by publishers. I know it took me many years to finally publish my first book. And, don't ever shy away from major revisions. I think my most valuable lesson was learning that throwing my writing away sometimes leads to better writing. That old adage, “Writing is rewriting,” is so very true!


What are the addresses of your website(s) and blog(s):

My website address is http://www.NatashaBauman.com

Author Interview with LORNA BARRETT

Lorna Barrett is the nom de plume of author Lorraine Bartlett. Lorraine's other alter ego, L.L. Bartlett, writes psychological suspense and the Jeff Resnick mystery series. She's done it all, from drilling holes for NASA to typing scripts in Hollywood, and lives a life of crime in western New York.

Who is the one person who most encouraged or influenced you to be a writer—and why?

There really is no one person who encouraged me most. My parents have always been behind me, and my husband encouraged me to keep writing even during the darkest moments when all I received was rejection for my work. They are the three most creative people I’ve ever known and have cheered and commiserated with me when I needed it, and celebrated my success. They’re the best.


How long have you been writing? Tell us about all your different series and writing endeavors.

I’ve been writing since I was a teenager, although I entertained myself with “my stories” long before I hauled out the typewriter and put down my first (Star Trek) stories. I’m currently working on two mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime: The Booktown Mysteries, featuring Tricia Miles and her independent mystery bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, and The Victoria Square Mysteries, featuring Katie Bonner, who manages Artisans Alley. I like to think of them as “sister series” (even though they are written under two different names) as they both revolve around a small town and both women are dedicated to their careers. The first Victoria Square Mystery will debut in February of 2011. (My Jeff Resnick psychological suspense series is currently on hiatus.)


What does it feel like to know you hit the NY Times Bestseller list?

Wonderful and scary all at once. Now that I’ve hit it once, my publisher expects me to hit it every time. That’s a lot of pressure. Still, I sure hope I can please my editor and his management by hitting the list again (and again). To do that, I need to sell books. A lot of them. And the most important time to do that is during the first three weeks of a book’s release. My readers can help me by buying Bookplate Special during the next couple of weeks--even if they can’t get around to reading it for a couple of months.


What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?

Disappointment. Any job in an “entertainment” field is fraught with rejection. I have notebooks full of rejection letters. There were many times I wondered why I persevered, but I’m glad I did. Still, getting published is only the first step. Staying published is just as difficult, and there’s still rejection to deal with.


What is the title of your most recently published book? Briefly tell us what it’s about and let us know where we can buy it.

Bookplate Special, the third book in the Booktown Mystery series is released today. It should be available in all chain, and many independent bookstores, as well as with online booksellers. Here’s a blurb: Tricia Miles has put up—and put up with—her uninvited college roommate for weeks. In return, Pammy, has stolen $100, among other things. But the day she’s kicked out, Pammy’s found dead in a dumpster, leaving loads of questions unanswered. Like what was she foraging for? Did her killer want it too? To piece the case together, Tricia will have to dive in head-first.


What are you working on now and when/where do you expect it to be available?

I’m currently polishing up the first Victoria Square Mystery, A Matter of Murder, which will be available in February of 2011. Young widow Katie Bonner discovers the body of Ezra Hilton, who ran the local artisan cooperative like his own fiefdom. Katie has little reason to mourn Ezra, who convinced her late husband to invest in the Artisans’ Alley before he was killed. Ezra's will makes Katie the controlling partner in the enterprise--much to the chagrin of his nephew, who comes to town hell-bent on collecting money as quickly as possible...and barely arrives before one of the vendors also ends up dead. The entire co-op is in a disgruntled uproar, and it seems like the detective in charge of the investigation does everything except investigate the murder. Everyone from the village’s lawyer to the quilt shop owner had motive to want Ezra dead, and it’s up to Katie to find out who’s responsible before more of her vendors die.


Writers, especially new writers, are always looking for tips and helpful information. Do you mind sharing a couple of tips for new writers?

If you write mystery, join Sisters In Crime and their Guppy Chapter. (www.sinc-guppies.org) The Guppies have a lot to offer. First, is their wonderful list, where members engage in conversation about the industry, writing problems, etc., and to offer support for the highs and lows inherent when submitting material for publication. They have many subgroups, including critique groups, Mystery Analysis, Brainstorming, and groups that are dedicated to the various subgenres of mystery, like cozy, noir, etc. There's also Agent Quest, which helps members polish their query letters and synopsis, and where Guppies share news and information about agents and editors.

The best thing one can do is join a critique group. Your mom, husband, and best friend may love your story, but a writer needs objective feedback to polish his or her work to make it publishable.


What writers organizations claim you as a member and how has membership benefited your career?

I currently only belong to Sisters In Crime and their Guppy and New England chapters. I can honestly say if it wasn’t for the Guppies, I wouldn’t be published. (See above!) Although the group was set up for unpublished authors, many of us who have gone on to be published retain membership, giving back to the group that helped us in the early days of our struggles to get published.


Do you have any upcoming book signings or appearances? If so, give us all the details.

I’ll be signing Bookplate Special on Saturday, November 7th, 2-4 p.m. at the Greece Ridge Barnes & Noble (Rochester, NY). I have two more signings in the Rochester area: November 28th, 11am-1pm Lift Bridge Books (Brockport, NY) and November 29th, Towne Center at Webster Barns & Noble, 2-4 pm.


Here’s your opportunity to tell us anything else you care to share.

One of the themes in Bookplate Special concerns feeding the hungry. Tricia attends the opening of the newly expanded Stoneham Food Shelf. There she learns that looks are deceiving, and how she can help those going hungry in her own town. The holiday season is fast approaching, but hunger knows no season. I hope that my readers will be touched by this storyline and motivated to help their local food pantries, not just during the holidays, but all year round.


What are the addresses of your website(s) and blog(s):

http://www.lornabarrett.com/
http://www.lorrainebartlett.com/
http://www.llbartlett.com/
Dazed & Confused Blog: http://www.lornabarrett.blogspot.com/
Writers Plot Blog (I post on Tuesdays): http://www.writersplot.typepad.com/
Cozy Chicks Blog (I post on Saturdays): http://www.cozychicksblog.com/

Author Interview with VICKI DELANY

Vicki Delany is a Canadian author with two mystery series to her credit, as well as three other novels of mystery/suspense. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she spent a year travelling across North America and another eleven years living in South Africa. She now calls “bucolic, rural Prince Edward County, Ontario” home and seldom wears a watch. She has been known to write to the accompaniment of a cup of tea and Bruce Springsteen (on tape, not in person).

Before retiring, your professional life included computer programming. What started your writing career?

I have three children and one year I decided to write them all a personal story for Christmas. I thought I did a pretty good job, so signed up for creative writing classes with the aim of writing for children. That idea died mighty fast, but I found that I did have a knack for it, and so I continued!


How long have you been writing? You write in several genres, tell us about the pros and cons.

I’ve been writing, on and off, for more than 15 years. Most of those years I was working full-time, so it’s only been the last two years that I can say I’m a full-time writer. I write standalone psychological suspense, a traditional police procedural mystery series, and a humourous historical series. A mixed bag, as you say. I think the strength of standalones is that you can deal with the characters' problems in great depth. A standalone should see the main character struggling with, and possibly defeating, whatever demons she has to deal with as well as the crisis that forms the crux of the plot. I think standalones can be more realistic – how many times in one’s life does one have that great adventure? Whereas in a series, the main character has to come back again in the next book. In a series, you can draw out the resolution to the character’s personal problems very slowly, and also have her dealing with other people’s problems, and helping other people resolve their own issues. I find that series books are faster to write, after the first one, because you don’t have to spend as much time working out the details of the setting or the regular characters’ backgrounds. My books are all quite different in tone and style--the standalones are fairly serious, the Constable Molly Smith books are sort of medium-boiled, and the Klondike books are funny and mad-cap. I find that I like writing in all those different ways, and if I put it all in a book, or even in a series, I’d have a real mess.


You have received much praise for the settings in your books. Tell us why setting is important to you and how to create praiseworthy settings.

Thank you for saying so. The most important thing about setting, I believe, is detail. Not only what does the place look like, but what are the people like (I mean the people who don’t even have a word to say in the book), what does it smell like, what’s the weather like, and how does that weather affect personalities, what local issues are the people dealing with? It is possible, but difficult, to write about a place you’ve never been. Historical writers, of course, have to write all the time about someplace they’ve never been, but they can still go to the physical place, and see what the light is like at night, the colour of the trees. Sometimes you simply can’t go there--a friend of mine is writing a book set in Iraq in the 1990s, and she is certainly not going to go to Iraq to see how the light moves across the sky. But she is able to talk to people who’ve been there, read books, look at photographs, etc. In the absence of going there, you just have to do a lot of leg work. I set my books in places I love, so I guess that makes it easier to create a sense of place.


What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?

I left this question to answer last, because I really can’t think of anything. It was hard when I was working full-time and had kids at home to find the time to write, but most of us have been through that. I think that sometimes it can be an advantage to have to move into a writing career slowly, you really find out if it’s what you want to do and that time you do spend writing becomes something you don’t want to waste. So, other than that, I really haven’t had many challenges.


What is the title of your most recently published book? Briefly tell us what it’s about and let us know where we can buy it.

Winter of Secrets will be released on November 1st by Poisoned Pen Press. It is the third in the Constable Molly Smith series set in a small town in the Interior of British Columbia. Writing this book was a complete departure from my usual writing method. I had an idea for the first scene and it went from there with no idea of where I was going. I sort of felt like the police themselves, sifting through the clues and trying to make sense of it all. It begins on Christmas Eve when the storm of the decade has settled on Trafalgar. Molly Smith is on duty, and spends the night running from one mishap to another. Then, at the stroke of midnight, she and Constable Evans get a 911 call: a car has gone into the frozen river. The bodies of two young men are pulled out, apparently having died of exposure in the river. But the autopsy reveals something else. There is lots of skiing in the book—Smith is a top-notch skier and the powder is falling fast. The book will be available at the independent mystery bookstores, and all the online outlets such as Amazon and B&N. The big chains might not have it in stock but they will always order on request. The second book in the series, Valley of the Lost, will be released in paperback at the same time, and like all my paperbacks, should be on the shelves at Chapters stores in Canada.


What are you working on now and when/where do you expect it to be available?

I’ve finished the second in the Klondike series, titled Gold Fever, and it will be out in Spring 2010. The fourth Molly Smith book, tentatively titled Negative Image, is in the final stages right now. I expect it will be out in late 2010 or early 2011.


Writers, especially new writers, are always looking for tips and helpful information. What is the single most important “tip” you can give to a new writer?

Your first book is the only chance you will have to have a first book. The first (published) book is not a stepping stone; it’s an elevator. In most cases it will let you off where you are going to remain. So don’t rush it.


You are a member of several writer’s organizations. What tips can you give new authors concerning their decisions about joining a writer’s group?

If you regard yourself as a serious writer, then you need to belong to professional organizations. Accountants join accountant groups don’t they? Networking is important. I regret not joining Sisters in Crime or Crime Writers of Canada before I was published. I’ve found that mystery writers are so encouraging of others, and so helpful in terms of giving tips, but no one can help you if they don’t know you.


Do you have any upcoming book signings or appearances? If so, give us all the details.

The last three months of the year are busy for me! I attended Boucheron in Indianapolis. Then it was off to Canada’s east coast with R.J. Harlick, another Canadian mystery writer on a book tour. In November and December I’ll be doing signings around Southern Ontario. I did a big tour to the Western U.S. in March and as much as I’d like to go again, just can’t swing it this time. Links to my schedule are on my web page, and I have a page at Booktour.com (http://www.booktour.com/author/vicki_delany) .


Here’s your opportunity to tell us anything else you care to share.

Just that it’s been a great pleasure talking to you.


What are the addresses of your website(s) and blog(s):

My web page is http://www.vickidelany.com/. I am part of a group blog of mystery writers at Type M for Murder (http://typem4murder.blogspot.com/) and I write a personal blog about the writing life, as I see it, at Klondike and Trafalgar (http://klondikeandtrafalgar.blogspot.com/).