An Interview With R. Franklin James

Please welcome my friend and fellow mystery author R. Franklin James, who writes The Hollis Morgan Mysteries (Camel Press) – a friend and fellow author who will be joining me — and many other authors — at this weekend’s Bouchercon Mystery Convention in Long Beach, California. What is your favorite aspect of writing mystery novels? Writing a scene nonstop because the words are pouring out and it’s real good writing. How do you inspire yourself to get past difficult moments in writing and editing? I give myself a goal of time in chair, or word count and no matter if it’s

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An Interview with Kim Rendfeld

Please welcome Kim Rendfeld, whose new historical novel THE ASHES OF HEAVEN’S PILLAR (Fireship Press) released this month. 772 AD: Charlemagne’s battles in Saxony have left Leova with nothing but her two children, Deorlaf and Sunwynn. Her beloved husband died in combat. Her faith lies shattered in the ashes of the Irminsul, the Pillar of Heaven. The relatives obligated to defend her and her family instead sell them into slavery.  In Francia, Leova is resolved to protect her son and daughter, even if it means sacrificing her own honor. Her determination only grows stronger as Sunwynn blossoms into a beautiful

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STRANGE GODS: An Interview with Annamaria Alfieri

Please welcome my friend and fellow historical mystery author Annamaria Alfieri, whose fantastic new novel, STRANGE GODS (Minotaur Books, June 2014), is the first in a brand-new mystery series set in British East Africa during the early years of the 20th century. What inspired you to set your new series in Africa? The irresistibility of Africa itself. I read Out of Africa as an adolescent who had never traveled farther from my New Jersey home than the coast of Maine. That book gave me a nostalgic longing for a place I experienced only in my dreams and had no prospects of ever

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An Interview With Lorna Suzuki

Today, I’m honored to host author and martial artist Lorna Suzuki, whose fantasy series THE IMAGO CHRONICLES have been optioned for a major motion picture trilogy! I met Lorna through Twitter, where we connected over a mutual love of writing and martial arts, and a deep respect for the true historical ninja (aka, “shinobi”). I’m honored Lorna could join us today to share a little more about her writing and inspirations. Lorna Suzuki is a martial arts practitioner/instructor with 30+ years experience in a discipline based on 6 traditional samurai schools and 3 schools of ninjutsu. When not teaching, she is the

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Mini-Interview: A Book By Any Other Name…

Today’s mini-interview takes a look at a pair of interesting topics: how long it takes to get traditionally published, and what happens to the title of your debut book when you get there. It took me ten years (and five manuscripts) to get my first publishing contract. My debut mystery, Claws of the Cat, was originally titled Shinobi. When the series sold to Minotaur Books, my editor, Toni Kirkpatrick, told me she loved “Shinobi” for the series but that the novel needed a title that offered readers more than a foreign word. With a little help from my critique group, Shinobi became Claws of the Cat: A Shinobi Mystery. I asked a group

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An Interview With Mariam Kobras

Today’s guest author, Mariam Kobras, is not only an award-winning author and a delightful person, but a testament to the power (and importance) of social media. I met Mariam through Twitter (we’ve since connected on Facebook, too) and immediately found myself drawn to her joyful demeanor, engaging personality, and professionalism. If you want an example of the way authors should behave on social media, follow Mariam–and read her books, which are equally wonderful. Today, Mariam is here to celebrate her upcoming release, WAITING FOR A SONG: Naomi’s Story (Buddhapuss Ink, June 3, 2014), a prequel to her award-winning Stone Trilogy (Buddhapuss Ink): Where do

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An Interview with Kerry Schafer

Please help me welcome Kerry Schafer, author of the new fantasy release WAKEWORLD (The Between, #2) (Ace Books, January 2014) Kerry Schafer lives in Washington State with her family. Her job as a Mental Health Crisis Response Specialist takes her regularly into odd pockets of reality that provide inspiration for her writing. A self-styled perpetual student, she earned an RN from Royal Alexandria Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta; a BA in English (Honors) from York University in Toronto, Ontario; and an M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from Washington State University. She is the author of Between. Vivian Maylor is trying to hold it together.

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An Interview With Marci Jefferson

Please welcome Marci Jefferson, author of the debut historical novel GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN (Thomas Dunne Books, February 2014)! Years after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, immersing herself in a Quality Assurance nursing career, and then having children, Marci realized she’d neglected her passion for history and writing. She began traveling, writing along the way, delving into various bits of history that caught her fancy. The plot for GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN evolved slowly after a trip to London, where she first learned about the Stuart royals. Marci is a member of the Historical Novel Society. She resides in the Midwest

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An Interview With Mystery Author K.B. Owen

Please help me welcome fellow mystery author K.B. Owen, author of UNSEEMLY PURSUITS (Concordia Wells Mysteries, #2), which just released this month. K.B. Owen taught college English for nearly two decades at universities in Connecticut and Washington, DC, and holds a doctorate in 19th century British literature. A mystery lover ever since she can remember, she drew upon her teaching experiences in creating her amateur sleuth, Professor Concordia Wells. Unlike the fictional Miss Wells, K.B. did not have to conduct lectures in a bustle and full skirts.  Thankfully.  No doubt, many folks are grateful for that little fact.  😀 A deadly secret

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An Interview with Anna Lee Huber

Please welcome mystery author Anna Lee Huber, who’s joining us today to celebrate the release of her second Lady Darby Mystery, MORTAL ARTS (Berkley Trade, September 3, 2013)! Anna Lee Huber is the award-winning author of the Lady Darby historical mystery series. She is a graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN.  She currently resides in Indiana with her family, and is hard at work on the next novel in the Lady Darby series.  Visit her at www.annaleehuber.com.   Scotland, 1830. Lady Kiera Darby is no stranger to intrigue–in fact, it seems to follow wherever she goes. After her foray

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