Author: Debbie

I'm a retired librarian and the award-winning author of the Cobble Cove, Buttercup Bend, and SOUP THE SUPERNATURAL KITTEN cozy mystery series and other novels, short stories, poems, articles, and a novella. My books include CLOUDY RAINBOW, REASON TO DIE, SEA SCOPE, MEMORY MAKERS, TIME'S RELATIVE, MEOWS AND PURRS, MEMORIES AND MEOWS, A MIXED BAG OF CAT TAILS, and A MYSTERY BOX OF CAT TAILS. My Cobble Cove cozy mystery series published by Solstice Publishing consist of 6 books: A STONE'S THROW, BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE, WRITTEN IN STONE, LOVE ON THE ROCKS, NO GRAVESTONE UNTURNED, and ROCK A BYE BYE BABY. My standalone short story collection featuring the Cobble Cove characters is SNEAKY'S SUPERNATURAL MYSTERY AND OTHER COBBLE COVE STORIES. My Buttercup Bend series published by Next Chapter Publishing includes THE CASE OF THE CAT CRAZY LADY, THE CASE OF THE PARROT LOVING PROFESSOR, THE CASE OF THE LLAMA RAISING LIBRARIAN, THE CASE OF THE WHALE WATCHING WEDDING PLANNER, THE CASE OF THE REPTILE RESCUING RESCEPTIONIST, and the forthcoming CASE OF THE BULLFIGHTING BUILDER. I've also written a paranormal romance, CLOUDY RAINBOW, and short stories of various genres published as eBooks and in anthologies published by the Red Penguin Collection. My poetry appears in the Nassau County Voices in Verse and the Bard's Annual. My latest book is SUITCASE STORIES, a collection of mostly mystery short stories. My forthcoming standalone gothic mystery is LOOKING FOR LUCY. I'm a member of Sisters-in-Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Cat Writers' Association. I live in South Carolina with my husband, daughter, and 3 cats.

Author Spotlight, Authors, Books, Solstice Publishing

Author Spotlight Natalie Silk

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Debbie

Welcome to the Literary Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors. Today, I am chatting with Natalie Silk from Illinois.

Thanks for joining me, Natalie. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.

Tell us a little bit about your books — what genre you write, if you write a series, any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress. If you have an upcoming release, please specify the release date.

I now have two books published, Stars’ Fire (with another publisher) and Snowfall’s Secret (with Solstice). I also wrote a short story, Synapse, for the latest SF anthology. I’m currently working on a third book with a tentative title of Storm’s Eye.

Very nice.

Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

I want one of my books to be read by as many youths as possible.

Good luck with that. Most authors want their work read by as large an audience as possible.

What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?

I love writing science fiction for young adults. When I was a tween there were no SF books for us (particularly girls). I’m glad things are changing.

Great point. My 12-year old daughter enjoys science fiction books, as do other girls her age today.

What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?

Don’t give up. Ever.

Excellent advice.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

There was no internet or self-publishing ebooks. In fact, there was no such thing as an ebook.

Interesting. It’s true that ebooks have made a big change in the publishing field.

Have you taken any writing or publishing classes? If so, please provide information about them and if you feel they helped you further your professional skills.

I took two writing classes in college to fill a prerequisite. I have to say there is a fine art in finding the right writers’ group.

I’m sure that’s true.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I love traveling, sightseeing, and camping in warmer months. I turn into a real snuggle bug in winter (knitting, reading, and watching movies).

I think a lot of us have seasonal hobbies. Yours sound like fun.

What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?

I love getting lost in my writing and the sense of accomplishment when I finish. The toughest challenge is getting my work published.

Yes, getting published is tough and selling your work afterwards is even more of a challenge.

Thanks so much, Natalie. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

My current work is Snowfall’s Secret. It’s a about a girl from another world who must live like any other tween on Earth (and she suffers from amnesia). Of course, she learns to enjoy shopping at the mall with her very own debit card and has a few secrets. At its core is the message that everyone has value and has something special to share.

The story was inspired by a dream I had when I was twelve. I saw five monks standing in a semi-circle. They were all wearing a triangle-shaped pendant with a red stone in the center. One of the monks looked at me and said, “You’re not ready,” and I woke. I had subsequent dreams of a girl with a pendant to the one the monks wore and I wrote them all down.

My favorite character to write about (funny how that turned out) was a secondary one to the story: Mrs. Margot Greenfield. I based her on a favorite childhood teacher.

By the way, my favorite genre to write is science fiction. Surprise! Just kidding.

My focus right now is science fiction for girls; but I’ve also wrote a short science fiction story and I’m still playing around with a short story that’s alternative history to give myself a mental stretch. I have this irrational fear that the last thing I finish writing will be my last. I wonder if I’m not alone.

I’m pretty ‘old school’ when it comes to my writing habits. The first thing I do is buy a brand new hand-sized spiral notebook and use it to write the basic story that’s mostly action punctuated here and there by dialogue. The little notebook helps me believe that I’m accomplishing so much. I then use my trusty laptop to write the second draft that looks as if I threw words down to see what sticks. The technical term I like to use is word hurl. Each subsequent draft looks a little more refined than the previous one. I then use the little spiral notebook to make notes and jot down ideas for the story.

I began writing when I was ten and back then we didn’t have home computers.

I was asked a while ago what I would do if I weren’t a writer; and I quipped that I would be an artist. I dug deep down and realized the truth is that I would be a very sad person without writing. My words are what ground me and keep me sane.

I’ve been asked advice by aspiring writers. I’m very, very flattered. But let me tell you, I’m still an aspiring writer. My advice is simple: don’t ever, ever (and I mean ever) give up.

Please reach out to me on:

Facebook Natalie Silk, Author

https://www.facebook.com/Natalie-Silk-Author-313822162074307/?fref=ts

Twitter @natalieasilk

Thanks again, Natalie. It’s been a pleasure having you as a guest. We both have in common that we started writing very young and have been published by Solstice Publishing. I’ve also done some Sci-Fic writing but for adults and not teens. I wish you the very best on your future books.

Facebook, New Year's

Making People Your New Year’s Resolution

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Debbie

I didn’t make a New Year’s resolution this year. Most of the ones I’ve made in the past were abandoned before the end of January. I think goals are more realistic. What do I want to accomplish this year? This month? This week? Today? When you know what you want to achieve, it’s easier to take steps toward making it happen. But as much as we plan, organize, and schedule ourselves, there are more important things we often forget or ignore. I learned a lesson this holiday season that I want to share with my readers because it affects everyone, even more so as the years pass and one grows older.

What are your priorities? Work? Money? Success? Are you neglecting any of your relationships? Where on your to-do-list are getting together with family and friends? Are there any people who you’ve wanted to reconnect with but have put off trying to contact?

Although life is very busy today with more social contact through phones and computers than personal face-to-face encounters, it’s important to try to make time for the people you love and care about.

I was lucky to have had a chance to see two long-time friends over the holidays. I traveled into New York City with one, and we attended the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Then we had lunch together and spent some time in Bryant Park near the New York Public Library (since we are both librarians, we took some photos near the famous lions outside who were wearing decorative wreaths). We also watched the ice skaters while having hot chocolate and ended our day viewing store window decorations as we walked back to Penn Station for our train home. It was an enjoyable excursion with a friend I hadn’t gotten together with in a long time.

After Christmas, I saw another friend. Although we spent our time locally, it was a nice day shopping in a nearby pet store (we both are cat lovers) and then browsing the shops at the Milleridge Village that were still decorated for the holidays. We stopped in the cafe where we also had some hot chocolate. I had a craving for their famous peppermint ice cream, but they were all sold out.

Those will be two memories I’ll cherish from 2016 and 2017. They mean more than all the texting, chatting, IMing, and emails I share. However, I realize it’s not always possible to personally see people especially when they are in another state or country. That’s where social media can help. Many relatives and friends have been reunited through Facebook and other sites. I’ve reconnected with many college and school friends through Facebook and that’s one of the reasons I keep my maiden name on my profile.

An experience I had recently spurred me to write this post. I found someone on Facebook from my childhood who was very special to me. I sent him a friend request before the holidays, but he didn’t accept. At first, I thought it was because too many years had passed. I was sure he had changed from when I knew him as a 13-year old and probably wasn’t interested in catching up with me now. He had also moved to another state and was most likely married, as I am. Still, I was curious. Although we’d known one another only briefly, he had been the inspiration and namesake for my male main character in my Cobble Cove mysteries, and our friendship had been the basis of a story I’d written and hope to publish in an anthology one day. Another novel that I’m currently querying with agents also features a man and woman who cross paths with one another twenty years later after having known one another as kids.

I don’t know why I sent the friendship request at the time I did or why I hadn’t tried earlier; but, the day after New Year’s my request was accepted — not by him but by his son. I later learned he had died a short time before Christmas. I was shocked and saddened by the news. Of course, I sent his family my deep condolences, but none of them knew me or what he’d meant to me. He had been my first boyfriend. He had given me my first kiss. It had been innocent. I was a lonely girl with a weight problem, but he didn’t care how I looked. We had fun together. I showed him my writing that I was interested in even then, and he encouraged me. We played some silly games. We went to the movies with his older sister and my older brother. We made believe we would marry one day. When we lost touch, I was very sad. I got over it, of course, and went on to lead a new life, as did he. But, as I said in A Stone’s Throw and also in my unpublished thriller, Sea Scope, “you never forget your first love.”

After I found out about my childhood friend’s death, I thought about another friend who’d died a few years ago after calling me. She’d been to my wedding, but we hadn’t been in touch for a long time. I tried to make plans to meet her, but she passed away a few weeks later before I found the time to arrange it.

I guess the lesson I’ve learned from these experiences and a resolution I’d like to make for life and not just New Year’s is to keep in touch with the people in my life, those there now and those who were once a special part of it. It’s easy to make excuses, but life is too short for regrets, holding grudges, being shy, feeling awkward, not having the time, etc. The Latins had the right idea with their motto, “Carpe diem,” Seize the day. Call, text, email, write, or visit a friend or loved one you haven’t heard from in a while. Don’t wait until a New Year to do it.

A Stone's Throw, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Limitless Publishing, Solstice Publishing

Looking Back to 2016 and Forward to 2017

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Debbie

When the year ends, it’s very common for people to reflect on what they accomplished in the previous twelve months and what they’d like to achieve in the future. As I look back at 2016, I realize how blessed I’ve been both personally and professionally. Not only did I publish my third book and several short stories, but I wrote two other novels that I hope to publish in 2017. More importantly, I’ve made many new friends among fellow authors and readers and strengthened the friendships I already had. My family and library co-workers have been supportive of my endeavors, and I’ve begun to actually feel like an author and not someone whose hobby is writing.

My year in review starts in January 2016 when I gave my first author talk at the Hicksville Public Library on my first Cobble Cove mystery, A Stone’s Throw. Not having had any previous public-speaking experience, I was very nervous. It was the day before a major snowstorm, but more people attended than I imagined. I thought many of them would be shopping for food or staying home. Those that came were patrons I already knew who were interested in hearing about my book. I found that I was among friends and my fear of talking in front of an audience diminished. I even started enjoying myself.

In March, I spoke again. This time, at my local Barnes and Noble store to a small group composed of several of those who attended my library talk as well as a few friends and co-workers. Their support meant so much.

June was a busy month, as I traveled to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut to attend the MASE (Mystic Author Signing Event) with other authors of my past publisher. Although I did not talk at this event, it was my first time at a signing. A few weeks later, I was one of three local authors who attended the Levittown Library’s Summer Reading opening festival and signed books in the “Author’s Garden.” While I did not sell many books at either of these events, I met some wonderful people including local authors and now good friends, Lisa Diaz Meyer and Kimberly Amato. The month capped off with my being awarded the Cat Writer’s Association Glamour Puss Award sponsored by Hartz Corporation for my article, “Brush your Cat for Bonding, Beauty, and Better Health.”

In August, I signed with Solstice Publishing for my second Cobble Cove Mystery, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, and spoke at the Levittown Library’s summer closing program.

In September, the C.W. Post Pioneer newspaper published an article about my books. I was especially thrilled to be featured in the paper that I had worked on as a secretary and Features editor when I attended college.

In October, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, was published, and I gave an author talk at the North Bellmore Public Library.

An article bout my mystery series appeared in the Hicksville News in December, a week before I spoke there again about my new book and my publishing journey. Right before Christmas, Between a Rock and a Hard Place was #18 on Amazon.com’s Top 100 list for cozy mysteries.

I already have some plans for this year and quite a few dreams.

In January, I will give an introduction to my mystery series for the Hicksville Library book club who will be discussing Between a Rock and a Hard Place.

In February, my short historical/paranormal romance, “The Seashell and the Stone” will be published in an anthology of love stories by Solstice Publishing.

In April, a local church book group will be featuring Between a Rock and a Hard Place for their book discussion, and I will be attending the talk.

In May, I head out to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the Cat Writer’s Association Conference.

In June, I will be attending Book Expo America in New York City.

I also plan to publish Written in Stone, Cobble Cove Mystery #3 and Sea Scope, my standalone psychological thriller that I am querying with agents in the hope that they will recognize it as worthy of a contract with a large publisher. Of course, I also have many ideas for new stories, books, and articles.

I want to thank you all for being part of my 2016 and hope you will stay with me as I continue my writing journey.

Authors, Books

Happy Holidays and Thank You for a Wonderful 2016

Posted on December 23, 2016December 23, 2016 by Debbie

Even though the year isn’t over, I want to thank you all so much for your support in 2016. They say actions speak louder than words; but, for a writer, all your comments, reviews, notes, messages, and kind remarks are equally treasured. Writing is a tough field, but all of you have made it worthwhile.

I look forward to 2017 and the words I will share with you then in my books and stories. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s!

Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Contest, Cozy Mysteries, Freebies and Special Offers, Short Story

Holiday News, a Contest, and Gift to Readers

Posted on December 18, 2016December 18, 2016 by Debbie

I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season. I wanted to share with you a few updates. If you haven’t participated in the Aurora Holiday Hop in which 100 authors including myself are giving away prizes, you should do so before it ends today, December 18. You can find the details on the post on my Facebook author page at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/. The main hop page is located at https://www.facebook.com/events/1101537709967416/.

I also have some good news to share with those who have read or would like to read my Cobble Cove Mystery series. Following A Stone’s Throw and Between a Rock and a Hard Place, I have completed the first draft of a third book that I hope to call Written in Stone. I will be sure to include more news about this new mystery and some excerpts as it gets closer to a release date. The best way to keep updated about all my author news is through my twice monthly newsletter which you can subscribe to at https://debbiedelouise.com by filling out the pop-up form. I also feature a monthly prize contest for my subscribers.

As a holiday present to those of you who have not yet read my second mystery or would like to give it as a gift to someone, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, will be free on Amazon.com on Tuesday, December 20 and Wednesday, December 21. I also have a Christmas story for only 99 cents that features the Cobble Cove characters. Celebrating Christmas with my Characters.

I am also up for Best Author of the Year. If you’ve enjoyed this blog, my newsletter, and/or my books and would have a moment to vote in the next few days, please visit the polls at http://solsticepublishing.com/vote-for-author-of-the-year/ I truly appreciate your support.

The final piece of news is that I have just created a Facebook group that will be hosted by one of the Cobble Cove characters each month. The host will answer questions about their role in the mysteries and anything people would like to ask about the books excluding spoilers. The host will also offer a contest or giveaway and may post some interesting trivia about themselves and/or the series. The current host until January is Alicia, the main character. Even while she is host, readers are welcome to post questions to any of the characters. For more information, to post a question, and to join the group, please visit the Cobble Cove Character Chat at https://www.facebook.com/groups/748912598599469/.

The Cobble Cove characters and I wish you and your families a very happy and healthy holiday.

Freebies and Special Offers

Necklace Giveaway Ending; Free Autographed Book Offer Starting

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Debbie

For those who haven’t yet signed up for my author newsletter, I am choosing the winner of the silver locket pictured here from all subscribers tomorrow night, Wednesday, December 14, and will announce the winner in the newsletter that will be emailed on Thursday, December 15. The prize will make a lovely gift for yourself or someone special for the holidays. If you want to participate and are also interested in keeping up to date on my monthly contests, book and other news, please subscribe by filling out the pop-up form at https://debbiedelouise.com. If you have any difficulty, simply email me at debbiewriter@yahoo.com with your email, and I can manually subscribe you.

If you like autographed paperbacks, I am also offering a copy of my first Cobble Cove Mystery, A Stone’s Throw, in the Aurora Holiday Hop. There are over 100 authors participating in this event who are also giving away prizes. My contest will be up tomorrow morning, Wednesday, December 14, and will run through Sunday, December 18. For details and how to enter, read the post that is pinned at the top of my Facebook author page starting Wednesday, December 14: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/

I wish you luck in any or both of these contests that you enter. Happy Holidays!

Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Blog Tour, Facebook Hop

Don’t Miss My Tours, Giveaways, and Holiday Promotions

Posted on December 11, 2016 by Debbie

This has been a very busy week for me. I’ve been involved in a Facebook blog hop and will start another tomorrow. I’ve also had a week-long blog tour on Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book and presented an author talk at my local library. Because I want everyone to have a chance at the prizes and promotions I am offering, I have summarized them below. Most are ending very soon, so hop to it and enter a few or all of them. Good luck, and thanks for your interest.

XMAS HOP!
48 eBooks ! 2 swag packs ! $10 Amazon gift card! & an eBook gift of YOUR choice up for grabs! Today, December 11, is the last day to enter for all prizes that will be awarded on Monday, December 12, by all participating authors including myself. Don’t miss out. Check my Facebook author page for details and how to enter: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/

Newsletter Contest for a silver locket. To participate, you just need to subscribe to my author newsletter by filling out the pop-up form on my website at https://debbiedelouise.com. One winner will be announced on Thursday, December 15. I am giving away a duplicate necklace through the rafflecopter in my blog tour with Escape to a Good Book with Dollycas that ends today, December 11. Below are all the stops the tour has made. Each stop features a chance to enter the giveaway:

December 5 – Books, Dreams, Life – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

December 6 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

December 7 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW

December 8 – Omnimystery News – INTERVIEW

December 9 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

December 11 – Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Starting tomorrow, December 12, I am one of over 100 authors participating in the Aurora Publicity Holiday Hop. Check my Facebook author page on Wednesday, December 14, for information on how to enter my contest and the prize I will be offering. https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author. For more details and to enter all the other author contests and giveaways going on the entire week, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1101537709967416

Thanks to the local folks who attended my author talk on Friday, December 9. Here is a photo from the event.

Blog Tour, New Releases

New Release: Canoples Investigations Exposes Space Dodger Release Tour

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Debbie

Welcome to the Canoples Investigations Exposes Space Dodger release tour. This is the third novel and fourth story in this series. Strap on your restraints and be ready for an exciting ride… oh, once you have the book in hand, you will discover there’s a special added attraction—the first chapter of Secret Society: A Canoples Investigations Novella!

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01N0OBRS6

Blurb

There’s a carnival on the station, with all kinds of “legally” cloned animals, more than a few zero-G acrobats, and miniature clowns. BD’s ever present suspicious mind latches onto one thing when the advance team for Galactic Carnival arrives to begin preparations for a weeklong visit. The ringmaster looks familiar, but the man swears that he has never been to Canoples Station before. Even worse, children five and under are disappearing. A bit of investigating on BD’s part clues him in to the fact this has happened on every station Galactic Carnival has visited so far. He’s determined to uncover the true identity of the ringmaster and solve the mystery of the missing children, but at what cost. Is BD willing to lose his lifelong friends to solve this case? Will they prove Jenna Rock, Wade’s girlfriend, isn’t involved?

About K.C. Sprayberry

Born and raised in Southern California’s Los Angeles basin, K.C. Sprayberry spent years traveling the United States and Europe while in the Air Force before settling in northwest Georgia. A new empty nester with her husband of more than twenty years, she spends her days figuring out new ways to torment her characters and coming up with innovative tales from the South and beyond.

She’s a multi-genre author who comes up with ideas from the strangest sources. Those who know her best will tell you that nothing is safe or sacred when she is observing real life. In fact, she considers any situation she witnesses as fair game when plotting a new story.

Excerpt

It feels so good to have Mildred close. I can’t think of her as Jenna, even when she has on her trademark wig and is wearing stage makeup like she is now. Granted, she’s the premier space grunge/rap artist in the whole galaxy. Everywhere she goes, people want to touch and possess her, but here on Canoples Station, I do my best to give her the room she needs to wind down.

That is, until I got a message late last night from her. I still can’t believe what she’s done. That my girl, who has absolutely no investigative training, has stumbled onto and taken control of a situation that is potentially explosive and might endanger her life without consulting Security on any of the stations where she’s performed until now just boggles my mind.

“You know.” She giggles. “I dream about moments like this.”

Her comment startles me. Here we are, stuck near the space dock with so many people around that it’s hard to keep an eye on everyone, and she says that. Sometimes, I think Mildred is a lot like BD.

“What do you mean?” I take my gaze off the crowd to look at her.

Interview with the Author

What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?

I read. Of course, I read. I’m an author and reading is vital to what we do, but I also have certain books that draw me back. Action/adventure, science fiction, and fantasy top the list. Also, real life crime books are very intriguing. I’ll also cook—as in I take over the kitchen and without a recipe of really anything more than some ingredients, create new dishes. The most recent one was a pasta salad that was nothing more than tossing the pasta with leftover ham, whatever veggies were in the fridge, and then adding a great natural balsamic/olive oil vinaigrette. Everyone loved that. Or my tacos in pasta shells, which was created one night when I forgot to pick up taco shells. That’s an often requested family favorite. My biggest relax and recharge my batteries is to grab my camera and go out into the country, just taking pictures of whatever I find interesting.

What truly motivates you in general? In your writing?

The story motivates me. I have to hear the characters and be able to visualize the scenes in order to write my books. Often times, I am writing with my eyes closed, thinking about the whole scene as it’s unwinding in my head, and getting down the small details that make the book important.

Where do your ideas come from?

For the Canoples Investigations series, the story began on the afternoon of September 11, 2001. Writing that day had become impossible, just like many people found they couldn’t function after the devastating news struck. My youngest was about two months away from his sixth birthday and once we got home from kindergarten, he asked me why bad people want to hurt so many other people all at one time. This child needed to understand why his nice safe world didn’t feel that any longer. All I could tell him is that was a time when we looked for heroes, for people who stand up against injustice and put the world right again. He sadly said that it was too bad there weren’t any kids around who could do that. That moment was when the characters of BD, Carl, Cassie, and Terry began to fight their way to the surface. It would take another ten years before I could write their tales, but once I started, they have never let me release them for long.

https://youtu.be/eZgtik2flEM

Interview with Wade Bradford

What is your most marked characteristic?

I am devoted to my job, my duty. Nothing stands in the way of ensuring the residents of Canoples Station safe from whatever threatens us. But I don’t rush madly into a situation. I go by the rules, always. That goes back to when my dad, Tom Bradford, disappeared. He is the former Chief of Security. Everyone thought he’d been attacked and killed, but I knew better. Only I couldn’t tell anyone what was only suspected at the time, not even my younger brother. To make matters worse between us, I was thrust into the position of his father, a job he didn’t want me to have and one I took on reluctantly. That has caused more than a few problems between us.

When and where were you the happiest?

I’m happiest when Mildred is around. She’s the love of my life. Most people know of her as Jenna Rock, the space grunge/rap singer, but they don’t realize that’s only a persona she adopts to hide her true feelings. Mildred is a wonderful, loving, caring woman, even though her parents abandoned her on Mistlich when she was little more than a toddler. That she survived and became a galaxy wide success is a miracle.

What is it that you most dislike?

People who break the rules. We have rules for a reason. They are there for the citizens of the space stations to have an orderly, normal life. Lawbreakers, those who think the rules are for others and not themselves, always upset the balance. This is why I take my job as a Security officer so seriously. Our lives would be madness unless people like me are there to ensure order.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/K.C.SprayberryAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kcsowriter

Blog: http://outofcontrolcharacters.blogspot.com/

Website: www.kcsprayberry.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5011219.K_C_Sprayberry

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005DI1YOU

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KcSprayberry/posts

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kcsprayberry/boards/

Manic Readers:

http://www.manicreaders.com/KCSprayberry/

AUTHORSdB:

http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/5230-k-c-sprayberry

Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Blog Tour, Freebies and Special Offers

Blog Tour, Xmas Hop, Newsletter Contest, and More

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Debbie

I am participating in a lot of special events and giveaways this week. Here is a rundown of them and how you can enter.

XMAS HOP!
48 eBooks ! 2 swag packs ! $10 Amazon gift-card! & an eBook gift of YOUR choice up for grabs!

All details are listed on a pinned post at the top of my FB author page located at: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author

A WINNER will be chosen on 12 Dec. Good luck!
Please note that Facebook and WordPress are not responsible for this giveaway.
Each individual author is responsible for delivering their prize.
*Entrees must have a Kindle address.

Today is the 3rd day of my tour with Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book. Today, I am featured on Christa Reads and Writes. http://christanardi.blogspot.com/

The tour will run until December 11. Below is the schedule, links, and what each blog will feature. There will also be a special rafflecopter giveaway to one lucky winner of a silver locket that is featured in our recent release, Between a Rock and a Hard Place. locket December 4 – Dalene’s Book Reviews – REVIEW, EXCERPT

December 5 – Books, Dreams, Life – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

December 6 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

December 7 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW

December 8 – Omnimystery News – INTERVIEW

December 9 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

December 11 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

I hope you will follow the tour to learn more about me, my cozy mystery series, my latest release, and my future writing endeavors.

I also have a newsletter contest for the same silver locket that I will give to one lucky, random winner from my subscriber list on December 15. To participate, you just have to be a subscriber. To sign up, just fill out the pop-up form at https://debbiedelouise.com or send your email address to me at debbiewriter@yahoo.com with a request to join my newsletter.

If you’re local, you can also hear me talk at the Hicksville Public Library on Friday, December 9 at 2 p.m.

Author Spotlight, Freebies and Special Offers

Author Spotlight: Margaret Egrot

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Debbie

Welcome to the Literary Library Lounge where I interview fellow authors. Today, I am chatting with Margret Egrot from Coventry, UK.

Thanks for joining me, Margaret. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.How long have you been published? What titles have you published and with which publisher? Have you self-published any titles? Please give details.

I have had short stories published in magazines or anthologies for the past six years or so. These have been almost exclusively written with adults in mind. In 2015 I had a YA novel published by Solstice – And Alex Still Has Acne – which is free as a download from Amazon on the 6^th and 7^th of December. In 2106 I had a second YA novel published – Girl Friends. Both novels have been in the best seller sales rankings on Amazon at least once. Other publishers include The Pigeon Park Press – for my story in Festive Treats, currently free on Amazon, and Greenstream Publishing for two anthologies I have stories in. I also write regularly for the theatre, and have had a number of short plays produced or read in rehearsed performances in theatres around the country.

That’s excellent, Margaret.

Tell us a little bit about your books — what genre you write, if you write a series, any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress.

My two YA novels are contemporary adventure stories. There is humor in them but they also deal with some of the difficult issues young people can face as they grow up. And Alex Still Has Acne deals with a boy coming to terms with his father coming out as gay (as well as adoption, anorexia, alcohol – and acne … just the stick with the first letter of the alphabet). Girl Friends is about friendship, boyfriends, broken families and sexual exploitation.

I don’t write YA, but I have a 12-year-old daughter, so I can relate to the challenges of that age group. Both those books sound like they handle difficult topics well.

Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

I don’t have a grand plan. I would like to sell more books and get more plays performed, but I keep finding writing (and stuff) gets in the way of properly marketing what I have already done.

During 2017 I hope to complete my ‘Shakespeare project’ which is to write 12 short stories about some of his female characters (basically what they are thinking or doing when not in front of us on the stage) Four of the stories have already been published by Solstice – The Ghost Queen (The Winter’s Tale), Chains of Magic (Othello), Journey to the Fair Mountain (Hamlet) and A Midsummer Day’s Dream. I have another six in the can, and I should soon have enough for an anthology.

On the drama side I will be working on turning a different short story (Sleeping Beauty) into a film script, and ‘by popular demand’ (well four separate people) I am looking to turn a one act play I wrote about England just before the outbreak of the second World War, into a full length play that encompasses the War.

I can also relate to the problems of finding time to both write and promote your material. You have some great ideas for the future.

What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?

With the YA books I am catering primarily for the teenage market. And Alex Still Has Acne has two male protagonists, so I am hoping it will appeal to boys as well as girls. I think they are good reads for adults also, especially Girl Friends which deals with an issue a lot of schools and parents worry about.

The short stories and plays are primarily for adults, but older children should be OK with them. One or two of the plays contain a few rude words – parents you have been warned!

What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?

They could start by reading my blog dated 23^rd November 2016, where Fellow Solstice author, Diana Rubino talks about the merits of the small presses for the aspiring author: www.writingandbreathing.wordpress.com.

Nice article. Thank you.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

My particular challenge was trying to get Girl Friends published a few years ago. Publishers told me they liked the story, but felt the secondary story-line about child sexual exploitation was too controversial for them to take the risk. So I wrote And Alex Still has Acne and, after several attempts, this was accepted for publication by Solstice.

In 2016, by which time there had been several court cases re child victims of sexual exploitation reported in the British press, the topic was no longer so controversial. I approached Solstice again, and they agreed to publish Girl Friends.

Persistence certainly pays off in the writing field.

Have you taken any writing or publishing classes? If so, please provide information about them and if you feel they helped you further your professional skills.

I did a correspondence course with the Writers Bureau. The tuition was good and I found it helpful in establishing a disciplined approach to writing.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

Reading (of course). I also swim regularly, walk the dog, go to the cinema and theatre, help with a local community theatre, and sit on the boards of two local charities.

Very nice.

What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?

The toughest challenge is actually seeing myself as an author. I never admit to spending time writing – just say I have some paperwork to do. I am surprised – and flattered – when people approach me in the street to talk about something I have written, or ask my advice about writing. However, it hasn’t happened that often – yet!

I’m sure it will. I’m approached almost every day by a different library patron complimenting me on one of my books. I’m like a local celebrity – lol. I just wish people would buy the books instead of borrow them from the library.

Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc.

My blog includes links to all my published work – as do my Amazon Author pages.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00RVO1BHO

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00RVO1BHO

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Margaret-Egrot/1374506486178952

Twitter: https://twitter.com/meegrot

Blog: http://www.writingandbreathing.wordpress.com

Wonderful! Thanks so much for the interview, Margaret. It’s been a pleasure to learn about you and your books, and I wish you much luck on your future writings.