There are lots of great authors out there writing in many genres. In today’s publishing world, authors often (usually) have to take the lead in marketing and publicizing their work. And so, in the spirit of collaboration, I’m inviting authors to share a bit of their writing lives here.
Whether these authors are old friends or new to you, I hope you’ll check out their work, click on their links, and share your thoughts about their books. This week, we’ll hear from mystery author Rae Davies. Let’s get to know her!
You’ve written in quite a few genres in your career. Tell us a bit about that experience, and how it shaped your writing today.
Rae Davies, Author with Despereaux and Nigel
I started in mystery and light, as in funny. That book was Loose Screw. While I was still shopping it, I started Love is All Around, my first romantic comedy. I sold that book very quickly which put me on a romance path and took me away from mysteries for quite some time.
Unfortunately, after two books it appeared light wasn’t selling. So I had rethink my career. Returning to mysteries would have required a huge shift—finding a new agent, leaving behind many contacts I’d made in the romance world, etc. So I went in another direction. I tried light paranormal, but that seemed a dead end for me. Then I went dark and sold to Harlequin’s Nocturne line. I wrote a number of books for them. I also wrote two urban fantasy novels which were published by Pocket Books. Those were also dark, but had shades of humor I think.
When authors discovered we could self-publish, do it well, find readers and pay our bills, I was there. I started with a vampire short story, but soon decided to go back to my very first book, Loose Screw and I’m glad I did. Writing the books make me happy and I love knowing the readers who “get” my books are happy too.
You and I share a common writing ground—the Ozarks. Which books use that setting?
I’m from the Ozarks and I am very proud of my heritage. My romantic comedies are set in the Missouri Ozarks. The people in Love is All Around and Love is All You Need are based on people I knew, many of whom I’m related to.
Your Dusty Deals mystery series features an amateur sleuth with a gorgeous Malamute. Tell us about them.
My main character, Lucy, lives in an old Montana mining community/ghost town that only has 20 year-round residents. She lives in an old log house bordered by National Forest with her Alaskan Malamute, Kiska.
I believe characters should love something so intensely they would do anything for that thing, person or place. Kiska is that for Lucy. Lucy’s a bit goofy, dives in to things headfirst, and is a little insecure, especially about her weight. Still, she is a good soul and I enjoy spending time with her and the quirky characters that surround her.
Where can readers find excerpts of your books?
I have an excerpt of my newest book, Let Loose, on my website. And you can download a free sample of my books from any of the ebook retailers.
What’s next in the Dusty Deals series?
I’m working on a novella right now set around Valentine’s Day. I’ve had readers ask for more time with Lucy and her cowboy detective boyfriend. In this novella the two of them, with Kiska, head out for a Valentine’s mystery weekend.
