It’s a pleasure to welcome Abby Collette (also writing under Abby L. Vandiver and publishing a women’s fiction book, Where Wild Peaches Grow, under Cade Bentley in 2022). Abby is from Cleveland, Ohio.
How long have you been published, Abby? What titles and/or series have you published and with which publisher? Have you self-published any titles? Please give details.
I am a hybrid author. I am both traditionally and self-published, writing more than twenty-five novels and short stories. I have about six series, and all but one are cozy mysteries. Henery Press published one of my series, and Penguin has published one and will publish another one sometime soon.
That’s wonderful. I also consider myself a hybrid author. I’ve been publishing with two Indie publishers under my own name, but I write both a cozy series, my Cobble Cove mysteries, and standalone thrillers for Solstice Publishing and Next Chapter Publishing. One day I hope to also publish with a large publisher.
Tell us a little bit about your books — 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 write cozy mysteries. I have a new series about twins who were abandoned, one grew up in foster care the other was adopted. They find each other as adults, open a bookstore and soul free café. And as noted, I’m writing a women’s fiction to be published by Lake Union an imprint of Amazon.
Nice. Those sound like very interesting books.
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 just want to write as many books as I can. I hope to continue self-publishing and writing cozies and women’s fiction.
Good luck with that.
What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?
I want everyone to enjoy my books. But, I do understand that readers don’t like every genre, so I guess I want every reader who enjoys the genres I write in, to read my books.
It’s true that some people prefer a certain genre, but I’ve found that if people like your writing, they may try your other books even if they’re in a different genre.
What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?
Don’t give up!
That’s short and sweet and oh so true.
What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?
Learning how to write. I didn’t go to school for creative writing. As I used to say, who knew there were rules to writing.
People don’t realize that writing involves knowledge as well as talent.
9. Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?
I do belong to a writing group, it’s called #amwriting and started at my local library. Now, though we have it on Zoom. I also have a writing partner, another author, Kathryn Dionne.
That must be helpful. As a librarian, I’m glad when writers use the library. I host a writer’s group, First Draft, that meets once a month through Zoom. While we have a few patrons registered, it’s open to everyone since it’s virtual.
What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?
I love movies and traveling. I’ll be happy when I can get back to doing those things.
Me, too. I enjoy traveling, although I always miss leaving my cats.
What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?
I don’t think there is anything that I don’t like about being an author. I love the independence, writing on my own schedule and writing what I like.
Sounds like it’s a great fit for you.
What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?
I love that they are light reads, fun and that I can make them funny.
I enjoy that, too.
Can you share a short excerpt from your latest title or upcoming release?
From a Game of Cones:
“We don’t need revitalization,” someone yelled from the audience. “There’s nothing wrong with Chagrin Falls.”
“It’s not revitalization,” someone else yelled out. “It’s gentrification.”
“We’re not a blighted area.”
I knew that voice. I swiveled from the waist and cast my eyes toward the rear of the room. Standing near where Miss Green-Eyed Junior Associate Veronica had just vacated, was my brother Bobby. The activist. Standing next to him was my grandfather.
Someone must have spread the word because neither of them had been there when the meeting first started. Now, the back of the room, since the last time I looked, had become standing room only.
“We’ve been named Tree City USA for twenty-five years running,” PopPop said. “We’ve got the falls, the trees, and our shops. We don’t need anything else.”
“That’s right.” I heard several people say. “Yes! We don’t need anything else,” came the chorus.
“We’re not going to stand for this!” Miss Devereaux said and stepped forward. Even dressed in a dainty summer pink sweater with three big bows down the back and a pair of loose fitting jeans, she seemed ready for a fight. Usually glittery and gem encrusted, the only sparkle I noticed was the one in her eye that I was afraid would flicker into a flame. At nearly seventy, I hoped she wasn’t thinking of forcibly ushering the man out of her shop. She was known to be a little feisty.
“You’re coming here trying to mess up things that aren’t broken.” It was Squeaky Voice speaking again, she seemed willing to join in the fight if that was Miss Devereaux had planned. I didn’t know which, if any, shop she owned.
“I’m not—we’re not-” Zeke Reynolds stopped what he was trying to say and let out a nervous chuckle. “Please,” he said raising his hands to control the crowd, “I’m just here to assess and send in a report. And,” he stopped to take a sip of out of his bottle water, “keep you informed of how things are progressing.”
“We don’t need your progress reports,” Miss Devereaux said. “And we don’t need or want you here.”
“That’s right!” Maisie pumped a fist in the air, choking out the words. “We don’t want you here.” The threat of tears emerging spilling out in her voice.
“Get out!” Riya said and with that hurled her shoe.
As it went spinning over the heads of the sitting shopkeepers and toward the podium and Zeke, a hush came over the room, and all heads turned toward Riya.
“What are you doing?” I screeched, my mouth gaped, my eyes big.
“Being supportive,” she said, as if it were obvious.
“Hey!” Zeke Reynolds shouted defensively, ducking out of the way of Riya’s projectile. “Don’t shoot the messenger!”
Excellent excerpt, Abby. Thanks for the interview, and best wishes on your new release. I’m sharing the blog tour for it along with your giveaway.
A Game of Cones (An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery)
by Abby Collette
About A Game of Scones
A Game of Cones (An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: Berkley (March 2, 2021)
Paperback: 352 pages
ISBN-10: 0593099680
ISBN-13: 978-0593099681
Digital ASIN: B089S6SPKB
In this charming mystery series set in an ice cream shop, no case is too cold to crack!
Bronwyn Crewse is delighted that Crewse Creamery, the ice cream shop her family has owned for decades, is restored to its former glory and serving sweet frozen treats to happy customers in the picturesque small town of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. But when a big city developer comes to town intent on building a mall, a killer with a frozen heart takes him out.
After literally stumbling across the body, one of Win’s closest friends becomes the prime suspect, and to make things worse, Win’s aunt has come to town with the intention of taking command of Crewse Creamery. Even though Win has a rocky road ahead to help her friend and keep her ice cream shop, it’ll take more than a sprinkle of murder to stop her from solving the crime and saving the day.
About Abby Collette
Abby L. Vandiver, also writing as Abby Collette, is a hybrid author who has penned more than twenty-five books and short stories. She has hit both the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller list. Books one and two, A Deadly Inside Scoop and A Game of Cones, from her latest cozy series, An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery, published by Penguin Berkley, is out now.
Author Links
Website: www.authorabby.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorabbyl.vandiver
Twitter: www.twitter.com/abbyvandiver
Instagram: www.instagram.com/abbylvandiver
Purchase Links
Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound
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