What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I worked 18 years at an elementary school in the library and attended college writing courses since 2004. I’ve won several writing scholarships and was able to attend a Society for Children’s Writers and Illustrators conference in New York City. I also won a scholarship through Highlights Magazine and attended a weeklong writing retreat in Chautauqua New York.

What is the first book that made you cry?
Old Yeller

What is your writing Kryptonite?
Procrastination, distraction especially if I’m stuck or know I have a big change in a chapter to make.

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Each book will stand on its own even though the subject matter or genre may be the same. I have written for adults, children, and family magazines.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
Since I had never planned on writing a book, it was all a learning experience. Mostly all good. Way more decisions than I had ever imagined. Whew!

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
A dragonfly. (For it’s amazing transformation and free spirit)

What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please)
My picture book, I edited word count and scenes. Had to tighten for a better story. My memoir I had to rename everyone and everything once it was decided the best course of action would be for me to use a nom de plume-a pen name. Some publishers are pickier than others about permission documents. My publisher wanted a notarized document from each person, business, and or quote that I used in my first book, including my children and husband. I tried for three months without any cooperation from the business’s so decided I would publish under Patti Rae Fletcher. (This name is a story in itself)

What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
My Time, for education and craft to become better.

What is your favorite childhood book?
Charlotte’s Web

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Marketing

What is the easiest part of your writing process?
The ideas, passion and first drafts.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
The memoirs span years-the picture book- Whoa Nilly a Nymph Grows Up!, began from an experience I had gone camping years ago and have loved dragonflies ever since. Because of my interest/fascination/maybe obsession- I did research on them for a long period of time. But I didn’t begin my writing education until much later and then I tried to publish a story in a magazine as a poem and it was rejected many times. It finally evolved into the creative non-fiction picture book it is today. After all that time, I’m so amazed with the final product, illustrations, photographs and how it all came together.

A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that?
I don’t agree. Maybe because I wasn’t always a writer. That didn’t happen until the early 2000’s. I love to be social.

When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author?
That came with working in the library and actually reading some horrible books to the children. After my complaining, my husband suggested if I could write one better than I should do it. The seed was planted. And after that I felt guided in every step.

Who are your biggest literary influences?
For children’s books, Jan Brett, Barbra Park, Shutta Crum, Eve Bunting, Mem Fox – Adult inspirational books, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Mike Dooley, for inspirational and for fun reading I love Janet Evanovich, the Stephanie Plum Series. Just finished book 26. She never fails to make me laugh out loud. Her characters hit a bit too close to home.

What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book?  Why?
The original Charlotte’s Web. Because it has all the emotional elements. Amazement, believability, humor, tension, and of course the happy ending.

How did it feel when your first book got published? How did you celebrate?
I was still in disbelief of all that was gifted to me and then the scenarios poured out of me. It was meant to be a journal to find myself/my purpose, to process…after the loss of my parents and it began with looking back at the most monumental moments in my life and figuring out the reasons behind all the synchronicities that became absolutely crystal clear. I was able to figure out who I am, why I am here, and am living life in a whole new perspective with a joyful purpose.

What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors?
How hard we work in creating, rewrites, editing, formatting and all the little details that no one thinks about so our books can be the best they can be. There’s time and effort that goes into research, listing resources, writing back matter, front cover copy, back cover copy, acknowledgements, dedications, picking or finding your perfect front/back cover,  finding editors, agents, publishers, and then there is the marketing aspect. There is so much more than just the writing part. Also, it’s a team effort, even when publishing independently. I’ve learned to read differently - now I try to savor all books I read, instead of devouring or rushing through. I have learned even the books that aren’t my favorites, or I find a mistake in that it had a ton of work go into the process. I’m appreciative.

Can you tell us about your current projects?
My second unplanned memoir book is in the final round of edits, my talented husband painted my cover for this one-It brings great joy to my soul, as I hope it does for everyone who sees life as a celebration. The title is, Celebrate Life’s Miracles It’s formatted like my first book (This Sign Was Mine, Message Received!)  that is about life’s perfect timing and how synchronicites align for our greater good and in perfect timing weather we can see it or not. It is about how to recognize our Universe/divine signs. I believe we are guided, but mostly unaware. My second book has a “ponder” question at the end of each chapter to figure out your own signs and how everything showed up when it was supposed to.

Are you attending any conventions/festivals where readers can meet you and/or buy your books?
At the moment I’m doing outdoor local farm markets. Also, some outdoor story-times. When schools closed, as with all authors, my calendar cleared.

Please provide all the “find it” information.
If you are interested in a talk about writing or a reading of my books, you can contact me through my FaceBook page: Whoa Nilly or This Sign Was Mine.
www.facebookwhoanilly@anymphgrowsup
www.facebookmelinescheidel
www.facebookthissignwasmine@pattiraefletcher

Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books.
I have a website that is being worked on at this time, so if you want me to mail you an autographed book, I will be honored to do that. Email me [email protected].

Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors?
Work on your craft. No one likes to read a poorly written book of any genre. Know or expect to have or grow a tough thick skin through the criticism. It’s what’s needed to grow as a writer. Don’t rush the process.  Attend writing workshops and conferences online or in person. Some are expensive, (check for scholarships) but so far, I have not been to one that wasn’t worth every penny I spent. I have learned so much, met so many generous, helpful, and kind people. They have turned out to be the best connections of my writing career. They are who led me to publication, and the best part is, I have built some lifelong wonderful friendships. Write ON!

Holy Moly!  I waited WAY too long to read Kate McNeil's work.  I don't think I've enjoyed a spy book this much in quite a while.  Generally, I gravitate more toward stories about people and exotic locations, rather than tales of espionage and government back dealings... but this one had me hooked from page two. 

It took me a minute or two to realize that this wasn't going to be the average take on the spy genre.  This wasn't James Bond or Jason Bourne... this was so much better!  Why?  Mostly because of the fact that the main character, Vivian Carmichael, was a real person.  She has self-doubt, strong confidence, mad firearms skills, and a heart and brain that are constantly in motion... sometimes overlapping with the high-energy of a quick-step, and at other times with the seductiveness of a tango.  So unpredictable are her thoughts and movements, that only a skilled author, like Kate McNeil, can create a love interest to keep up - and sometimes, he doesn't... which makes this story even more engaging.

If you're looking for an escape into a world of thinking ahead while simultaneously pulling the pieces together, this book, with its tight dialogue, reverberating action, and tender psychology will have you hooked.  The details written into the story... the places, the language syntax, the cultural nuances... they all provoke you to follow wherever Vivian leads, and you'll believe it's all true.

This is book three in the series, but it's really the beginning.  The acumen with which the author can entice you to jump in the middle while validating your need to read both forward and back, is, in my opinion, the reason to ditch your preconceived notions about what spy thrillers are all about, and embark on the adventure to Bulgaria.  

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I don’t believe I have done anything pilgrimage-worthy, literary or otherwise, but I do tend to visit bookstores pretty much anywhere I can find them – especially bookstores with ambience and history. City Lights was one of the very few Must-Sees on my first trip to San Francisco. John R. King in Detroit is a destination all on its own. My wife and I stumbled across Jonathan Rand’s Chillerama on vacation in Northern Michigan. We even spent one anniversary in Wisconsin chasing the haunts of one of her favorite authors… that isn’t the main reason we went out there, but that is the majority of what we ended up doing. Madison has a lovely bookstore called A Room of One’s Own.

What is the first book that made you cry?
No lying – a lot of books have, but I don’t think I could tell you which one was first. I suspect, based on my childhood required reading lists, and the stories I remember, that it was probably Where the Red Fern Grows, or The Incredible Journey, or maybe Charlotte’s Web. Another possibility is the short story The Scarlet Ibis.

What is your writing Kryptonite?
The trepidation that what I am working on isn’t worth the effort of being written down. I can blame distractions, or my television, but that’s the truth. No matter how much I write, that fear will always exist. I don’t think there will ever be a day when I think, “You know, I really am as good as everyone says.” It’s just not how my brain works. I will always need readers to tell me if my work is any good and how it measures up to my other works.

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
The connections I draw between my stories are tenuous at best. They’re Easter eggs for avid readers (and myself). Unless I’m working on a series, I think the universe of the story should be cemented between the pages of the book – not outside it.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
My writing suddenly had an audience with limitless potential. Anyone could read my published work. I now had an army of eyes scrutinizing my grammar and my plot. I was lucky and heard from a lot of readers about some of my issues – I’d never published before; I had no idea what the process truly was – and took the feedback seriously. Each new book is a new adventure, but the same old preparation applies, more each time. I feel like I am less desperate to rush my stories out now. I let them go when they are ready, not because I am ready to let them go.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
I could take this in a lot of directions, but I feel like my mascot is probably a cat. Maybe it has wings and breathes fire, or uses magic. It’s probably and avid reader and enjoys tea. It also has a lot of opinions about things, and is kind of judgmental. So, it’s likely some kind of cat. Or a dragon. Or a cat-dragon.

What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please)
There isn’t a lot that hits the cutting room floor. I usually have to add more than I remove. I tend to write linearly – from start to end, so as I am writing, I kind of see the curve of the road and follow it as best I can. I have a “word graveyard” for everything I work on, in the hope that one day, all of these elements will find homes. But those documents are rarely more than a couple of pages.

What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
Yikes, I’m not sure. It’s kind of a sliding scale… like, would I give up Snickers forever? Yes, I think I would. Would I trade my immortal soul? No, I’ve seen that movie. So, somewhere between those two extremes is a price that is both a sacrifice on my part and a prize to whoever is collecting. I mean, I guess I could give up some time and energy to dedicate to my craft, but that doesn’t really seem like a sacrifice…

What is your favorite childhood book?
If you ask me this question at another time, I’m sure I’ll give you another answer, but right now, two books come to mind. The first is The Monster at the End of This Book. This is a book that I’ve returned to numerous times throughout my life, and I find a new and different perspective on it each time. I don’t know the name of the second one. It was a special order by my parents where I was the main character of the book, name and all. They might both stand out because each story introduced me to tension and perceived fear. They threatened the reader (or at least me) with the danger of monsters, but they both wind up with happy endings, no lasting harm done. They were, perhaps, my first unintentional introduction to horror.

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Keeping the story straight. There’s a lot of backstory that builds in my head when I am creating worlds and characters. Every good character has a lifetime of experience, but the reader doesn’t get the whole story – only the part relevant to the book. But it’s all there, somewhere, in my brain. So, what the reader knows about a character versus what I know about them can get a little confusing.

What is the easiest part of your writing process?
Coming up with ideas. I have no shortage of ideas. There’s a veritable backlog of unique situations and scenarios in my head to choose from. The trouble starts from there. Having to choose from all these ideas and pick one that is worth spending the time to write, struggling with the writing, and every step of the way to release. But at least I’ll never run shy of things to invent.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
It really depends on what part of the process is “writing a book”… if I’m inspired and excited about the story, I can write a first draft in less than a month. But with editing, revisions, formatting, etc., having a finished book takes closer to six months or so. Some stories take longer than that. Years. But I don’t think we can measure anything about an author or a story by the time it takes to write it. A story is a piece of art, and time must be taken for art to mature to its final state.

A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that?
I don’t think it is fair to call any author socially inept. Some may be introverted; some may have anxiety when speaking to strangers or crowds… that’s fine. That’s who they are. I think there is something to be said for people who build entire universes inside their own minds. I think that, sometimes, having dozens of people in/on your mind who are literally depending on you is a little more pressing than small talk with strangers.

When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author?
I don’t know when the idea got into my head, but my mother recently discovered a file folder with some of my childhood stories in it. On the front of the folder, in my poor cursive scrawl, reads “Andy Lockwood The Author 1988 – 89.” So I was no older than 10 when this plot was hatched.

Who are your biggest literary influences?
One of my biggest influences is Richard Matheson. He’s an amazing writer and his influence itself is prolific. His writing has been adapted again and again for TV and film. I would argue that most people know a Matheson story, even if they don’t know him by name. It took a long time for me to realize that the same person wrote some of my favorite stories, movies, and television episodes. His work defies genre. Sure, some of it is very horror, but then he writes love stories just as beautifully, or science fiction.

What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book?  Why?
Stardust. Because the only bad thing I can say about it is that it is too short. It’s one of the few films on the planet that I can argue the book is necessarily better. I love the book with all my heart; I love the film just as much, because it is the same story, but different. The adaptation doesn’t change the story; it makes the film more cinematic, while the story is more literary. Each version appeals to its presentation, and I love them both for that. Neither misses the important impacts. They both grab you by the heartstrings when and how they want.

​How did it feel when your first book got published? How did you celebrate?
Terrifying. It wasn’t an intentional process. It was supposed to be a vanity print. I was supposed to get five copies and be done with it. Instead, I got my five copies and it got listed on Amazon. Clearly, I misread something. But – it did set me on this path, for better or worse, and here we are.

What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors?
I think people forget that we’re people too. I think there’s a mystique applied to people who write, as if we’re sorcerers that sit in darkened towers writing with quill pens by candlelight all day every day. It doesn’t seem to translate that a lot of us are real people who have 9-5 jobs and dedicate our free time to being authors – writing and doing events, etc. The books get written after the chores are done and we have an extra half hour of quiet – it’s not the full time job, and listing a book on Amazon doesn’t give us millions in return. Just like any other job, the cushy spots are few, and they’re all the way at the top of the mountain. It’s a long, hard climb and it isn’t for everyone. But like I said: authors are people. Just like your friend who knits, or the coworker who paints. It’s a real thing that anyone can do if they set to the task, and, if asked, I bet some of your favorite authors probably wouldn’t mind talking about it with you.

Can you tell us about your current projects?
Since releasing Threshold in May, I’ve been playing with a number of projects. Each one has a promising start, but I haven’t decided which one I really want to invest myself in as the next project. I keep meaning to tackle a zombie apocalypse story, and something with vampires – both solid topics in the horror community that I’ve been relatively silent on so far. I have ideas for both, but so far they haven’t been anything I’ve been obsessed with writing.

Are you attending any conventions/festivals where readers can meet you and/or buy your books?  Please provide all the “find it” information.
I still have one convention appearance that has not been canceled yet, but I’m not holding my breath. These days, it’s all about the online presence and online conventions/appearances. It’s really kind of cool how some of these people manage to pull these events together.

The nice folks at Monroe Pop Fest hosted the 2020 Monroe Online Quarantine Con back in March to help support everyone who relies on these events to get their wares out in the world. You can still find the aftermath listed here: https://www.facebook.com/events/207799773780949/

Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books.
The best way to get anything is to reach me directly: https://www.facebook.com/happierthoughts/ or https://www.happierthoughts.com/
 
Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors?
Never give up. Writing isn’t always as easy as some people make it look.
​
Be kind – to yourself and to others. What’d I say above? Writing isn’t easy. Sometimes things don’t work the way you want them to; that’s okay. Take the lesson and try it a different way – or try a different story. Encourage your fellow writers, but don’t lie to them. If something isn’t working for you, let them know. Try to be courteous about it, but they need to hear if something isn’t working. It will help them reach their audience, and it will make them better writers.

Find your tribe. Find the people who are willing to help you be a better writer. They don’t have to be writers, but you have to tell them what you need and you have to let them do it. Don’t ask people what they think of your story if you aren’t ready to hear criticism. Don’t get upset when they tell you they didn’t like it. Start asking questions. Find out if it is something you can control. Maybe they just don’t like the genre you write in – find a different reader. But if they like your genre, and they are willing to help, you have to be ready to listen.

Watch an Interview with Andy Lockwood from our 2020 Autumn Virtual Book Festival!
Watch a Reading with Andy Lockwood from our 2020 Autumn Virtual Book Festival!
Visit Andy Lockwood's Amazon Page HERE!
Watch Part One and Part Two of Andy Lockwood's Interview on Indie Reads TV!

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
None, I have not found myself seeking out the home or drinking spot of an author. The closest would be my fear of the Pacific Northwest because I am an avid reader of true crime novels.

What is the first book that made you cry?
I do not remember the first book to brought me to tears, but the story of Diane Downs (Small Sacrifices by Ann Rule) made me so angry and ill that I am sure that I cried. I, also, remember crying at the opening in Sula by Toni Morrison, where the matriarch uses her last bit of food, a carrot, to give her youngest child an enema in the frozen outhouse. I have been moved by Toni Morrison, Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespeare, Maya Angelou…countless authors and poets.

What is your writing Kryptonite?
Overthinking. It is my weakness in so much of my life. I can have a million ideas and struggle to get them down onto paper.

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Both. I am writing a series that you will not have to read the other books to understand each individual book, but they do build upon the previous story. In addition, I have written companion books for the first novel of the series. With the companion books, they are intended as supplements.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
It did not change it at all. I wrote my supplements in less than a day on the urging of my writing mentor. I am going to start writing the second book in my series in December though when I am overwhelmed with inspiration I do have Google Assistant take dictated notes.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
Phoenix. The idea that I can burn to nothing and rise again is quite freeing for me.

What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please)
My books are fiction though I borrowed a fair bit from my life so I left out some difficult conversations and themes that I am not to deal with. I am hoping that I will be able to address in future books when I am strong enough.

What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
I would love to give the debt that I have to other’s personas/identities. In my writing, I deal with topics that are fun and bouncy so I find it difficult on occasion to not write the entire truth.

What is your favorite childhood book?
Anything Dr. Suess

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Deciding where to let the character grow – I am impressed with her development and it is so much outside of myself that I find myself trying to cage her because I would cage myself if I was in those situations.

What is the easiest part of your writing process?
Talking about my city.

A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that?
I am an extroverted person with a large group of friends from every timeframe in my life…I have friends I have known since elementary school. (My wedding last year had 800 guests).

When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author?
It has not yet. My mother and I wrote short stories together when I was a child, I was a published poet in high school, and I have been authoring scientific articles since I was 18. Writing has always been something that I had to do, not something that I sought out to do.

Who are your biggest literary influences?
Like with music, I am drawn and inspire to produce pieces that are real, true…pieces that make someone reflect and hopefully love and forgive themselves.

What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book?  Why?
Probably Small Sacrifices but my reaction to it was just so visceral.

How did it feel when your first book got published? How did you celebrate?
When my first full novel was published, I felt incomplete. I still fell incomplete. I feel like there is more to be done. I have not celebrated yet.

What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors?
I cannot begin to speak for all authors. I think what people are generally surprised to learn about me is how hard I am on myself.

When it comes to research for your books, are you a hunter or a gatherer? Talk about your research process.
I write about things I know. I write loosely on my life and experiences of those around me therefore, I tend to just sit, sip bourbon, and reminisce.

Could you be housemates with your characters? Why or why not?
Yes, I basically already am my character’s housemate. I write people I am impressed by and those that I would love to be. Absolutely, I would love to be housemates with the best version of myself I could imagine.

What’s your typical writing routine or schedule?
I write in the free time between my full-time job as a scientist and regulatory and my full-time job as a wife, aunt, sister, and daughter.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit.  How do you recharge?
Monkey Shoulder

Do you prefer music or silence when you write?  Do you have a writing playlist?  What’s on it?
I do not have a preference. Generally, my husband is around either watching TV or listening to music so I tend to have to block out the white noise. No I do not have a playlist.

Which celebrity would you choose to narrate your audiobook?
Queen Latifah

What well-known author, living or dead, do you wish could be your mentor? Why?
Toni Morrison or Maya Angelou. I am impressed by their work and they wrote their truth and was not always respected for it.

What is your favorite of the six senses (touch, taste, smell, sound, sight, intuition) to write about, why?
Touch. I am a tactile person so describe the electricity that runs over the nerves that I imagine experiencing. Goosebumps forming in response to the slightest stimuli.

What is a favorite location you’ve written about?  Have you visited that place?  How did you choose which details to include? Detroit. I am in armored with my city and I write so many details in the hopes that the reader will love it, too.

Travel back in time (without negative effects for you or the timeline) what year do you visit? Why?
While, I think seeing history up close would be interesting, I do not think that I would want to go backwards. History was not kind to Black people. The present is not kind to Black people. If I am not allowed to change the past, I do not want to witness the horror first hand.

What is something about your hero or villain that drove their character, but you didn’t specifically tell your reader?
Self-doubt. My characters are real in that all people are driven by their secret self-doubt.

Have you ever resuscitated a project you'd shelved? What helped it work better the second time around?
No I have not.

What do the words “literary success” mean to you? How do you picture it?
A success is being able to use my book to better the lives of my audience.

Can you tell us about your current projects?
I am in the process of writing the second installment in Nicolette’s story.

Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors?
Do not be too hard on yourself. Being critical is easy – sometimes you just need to like you (and your work).

Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books.
www.AngeliqueClemens.com for signed copy of my book(s).

Watch a Reading with Angelique Clemens from the Autumn Virtual Book Festival on our YouTube Channel!
Watch an Interview with Angelique Clemens from the Autumn Virtual Book Festival on our YouTube Channel!

​I'm madly in love with bookshops; big, small, big box, and Indie.  I'm the person that, when you take me shopping at those large warehouse stores, I always seek out the book tables while you find the bags of bulk shrimp.  I've been known to stop at garage sales, just to see if they're selling any books (far be it for me to abandon homeless books!), and I have been known to browse at a bookshop for up to five hours at a time (to the complete frustration of my husband); and come home with an armload of books.  I read them all, eventually.  And it doesn't matter how full my shelves are, I will always buy more.  You can never have too many books.  Books make the best gifts, no matter the celebration.  They're great as birthday presents, holiday presents, and "please forgive me for being stupid" presents.  Seriously, there's not an occasion in this world that a book doesn't perfectly fit and the perfect gift.

My favorite bookshops though, are the Indie Bookshops.  These are wonderful escapes, carefully curated by souls who love books just as much as I do - perhaps even more - although that's doubtful.  The moment you walk into these spaces, you know that someone with a severe love of the written word has created a place where kindred souls can easily find each other, no matter their profession, hobby interests, or age.  Three of my favorite Indie Bookshops are right here, in Michigan.  I love each of these for different reasons.  And I recommend you visit them all!

​Toadvine Books; Berkley, Michigan is owned and operated by Luke Janes.  He's a wonderful man who brought his love of bookselling with him from Denver.  He had a shop there, too.  Luke is super-knowledgeable about books.  He's has a special affinity for information about rare and unique titles.  He carefully curates each box of books, to be sure that it fits his standards of excellence, and the literary dreams of his visitors.  The shop is small and inviting; with gentle jazz or classical music playing on vinyl, from a real turntable!  It's a very intimate place with beautiful wood shelving and floors, and high-back, comfy chairs placed strategically throughout.  Toadvine Books offers a wonderful collection of used and new books, and they have a very special collection of rare and unusual books, as well.  There is a large youth room at the back of the shop, filled with books for children, as well as a hearty collection of comic books and graphic novels.  Luke also offers a prominent set of shelves near the front of the shop to showcase local Indie Authors.  If you haven't been to Toadvine Books, I highly recommend the trip; you won't be disappointed.   You can find Toadvine Books at 2783 Coolildge Highway, Berkley, Michigan 48072  The phone is 248-439-0409; and you can reach them at [email protected].  The shop hours are Tuesday thru Saturday, 11am - 6pm; and Sunday, 1pm - 5pm.  Luke offers curbside pick up and advance ordering via phone, Facebook, and email.  Be sure to call him to learn about any COVID restrictions or changes in their bookselling processes.

​Book Cottage, Jackson, Michigan is owned and operated by Nancy Lemler-Oakley.  She's a wonderful woman, and a terrific author, in her own right.  Book Cottage is an eclectic mix of both new and used books.  There is a large shelf near the front door where Nancy displays books written by local Indie Authors, and she also has a large children's section with toys, games, and puzzles, including the Michigan Chillers series.  As you walk through the shop, you're enticed by the overflowing shelves of books, all easily organized.  But the extra gem here, is that Book Cottage also hosts a market area with consignment items.  Here, you can find wonderful treasures from toys to glassware, clothing and tools.  The fun thing is, you come in looking for books, and leave with books AND an unexpected extra treasure or two.  Nancy hosts events throughout the year to showcase both local authors and local consigners... it's always a delightful surprise to discover something new at Book Cottage.  You can find Book Cottage at 4500 Francis Street, Jackson, Michigan 49203.  The phone is 517-768-8030 and you can reach them at [email protected].  The shop hours are Monday thru Thursday, 9am - 5pm; Friday 9am - 7pm; Saturday, 10am - 4pm, and Sunday, 12pm - 4pm.  Nancy offers curbside pickup as well as advance ordering via phone, Facebook, and email.  Be sure to call her ahead to learn about any COVID restrictions or changes in their bookselling processes.

R&B Used Books; Grand Blanc, Michigan is owned and operated by Beth Dumity.  This shop has been around for over fifteen years, and it keeps growing each year.  Beth has organized her gargantuan collection of used books into eleven rooms, each one holding shelves full of one particular genre.  You'll find both paperback and hardback books here, and she accepts books on trade for store credit.  One of the most fascinating things about R&B Used Books is that Beth rescues books from donation sources - both private and organizations - and finds them new, forever homes.  She has a non-profit organization that gives back to the community with the love of literature.  Her goal is to provide books to anyone who wants to read, and she does a stellar job at it!  R&B Used Books also has a generous space to support local Indie Authors, and, something extra-special; Indie Author, Boyd Craven is the author in residence at the shop.  Much like a shop cat, you may find him on any given day, sequestered in his writing space, crafting his next book.  The wonderment of having a resident author is that occasionally, when Boyd comes up for air, you can ask him questions about his books, his writing process, and when you're hooked - and you will be, quickly - he will gladly sign books for you.  His entire catalogue us hosted at the shop, of course.  Make sure you visit R&B Used Books... but plan on spending a few hours.  There are literally THOUSANDS of books at amazing pricing!  You can find R&B Used Books at 12830 Saginaw Road, Suite F, Grand Blanc, Michigan 48439.  The phone is 810-695-7762 and you can reach them at [email protected].  The shop hours are Monday, by appointment only; Tuesday thru Saturday, 11am - 5pm; Thursday, 11am - 7pm, and Sunday, 1pm - 5pm.  Beth offers curbside pickup as well as advance ordering via phone, Facebook, and email.  Be sure to call her ahead to learn about any COVID restrictions or changes in their bookselling process.

​What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I have not gone on any specific literary pilgrimages where I have gone to visit favorite places or homes of authors—though I wouldn’t turn the opportunity down! I think for me, literary pilgrimages are simply using and observing everything around me, no matter where I am, to strengthen my writing.

What is the first book that made you cry?
I read so many as a child that I don’t really remember – but most likely the Disney storybook Bambi. The death of Bambi’s mother really got to me and I still won’t watch the movie.

What is your writing Kryptonite?
Getting out of my own head. I often second-guess myself and have to constantly remind myself that I need to write the story that’s in my heart without worrying about what other people will think of it.

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
My young adult books are all stand alone, and I do like them that way. I feel each story has its own purpose and I haven’t felt that they need to continue beyond that. A lot of the suspense books I have written have ended up as a series or trilogy—probably because I keep thinking of more and more twists and turns the story can take and it’s too much for just one book!

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
It gave me confidence to do it again. To see all my hard work in actual paperback form and know it was possible was very affirming. It also made me realize that people enjoyed my stories and my writing—and were waiting for the next book, so procrastination wasn’t an option (which I am very good at….). It also made me want to learn more, to hone my talents, and I began reading and researching how to make my novels better each time, and my writing better as a whole.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
It sounds weird, but a turtle! They are viewed as having emotional intelligence, humble, and as having a great amount of persistence. I will persist, I will not give up on my writing, because if my stories help even one person then that is enough for me. I can’t help anyone if I give up on writing.

What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please)
I edit out swear words. Writing Young Adult, I am very conscious of what I put in front of an age group that can span anywhere from ages 10 to 85.

What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
Social media for any other purpose than to support my writing and the writing of others. It can be very distracting and a great way to procrastinate, unfortunately.

What is your favorite childhood book?
Honestly, I read so many I’m not sure I could choose! In middle school/high school I fell in love with The Hawk and The Jewel by Lori Wick. I read that so many times it began falling apart and I even began a short story that was inspired by it.

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Honestly, getting out of my own head. I overthink and second guess myself all the time. When I am able to remember I am simply writing the story that’s in my heart and it doesn’t matter what other people think about it, the words flow much more easily.

What is the easiest part of your writing process?
As weird as it sounds, the editing process. The creating part is where I second-guess myself and pull my hair out!

A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that?
It’s not true at all. While I am a natural introvert and often get nervous before events because it requires talking to people I don’t know, I have had many people say they never would have guessed I was shy. Not to mention, several authors I know personally have very outgoing personalities and work the crowds at events like they were born for it.

When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author?
I think I have always wanted to write, to create, but it probably didn’t hit me that this was what I REALLY wanted to do until I was in my 30s and had realized – hey, this IS possible!

Who are your biggest literary influences?
Edgar Allan Poe and Daphne du Maurier are the biggest. Poe dared to go where others didn’t and his writing gives me chills; his works made me dare to step outside my conservative upbringing and write what I wanted to—no matter how dark it was. Daphne du Maurier has beautiful writing and has a grasp of human nature I have rarely seen, even when she wrote as a young adult. It makes her works even more spellbinding and chilling because, at some level, we can all relate to at least one of her characters.

What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book?  Why?
Oh my, there are so many…but probably The Birds (written by Daphne du Maurier and created for film by Alfred Hitchcock). I still can’t look at birds in the same way (shudder, shudder). Both du Maurier and Hitchcock had such a stunning understanding of the human psyche and human nature; they knew how to create works that would play on your mind and emotions, whether for good or for bad.

How did it feel when your first book got published?
There are no words to express how accomplished and successful you feel to see your hard work in physical form. Simply put, it’s amazing.

How did you celebrate? I gave the book to my sister who had been hounding me to get it written and revamped (it was an updated version of the novel I had written at age 14). Then I dusted off my hands and figured I was done. I couldn’t have been more wrong…

What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors?
We don’t always have the same belief systems and thoughts as our characters. It is amazing how people combine the characters thoughts and actions with those of the author—it made me very self-conscious about my writing for a long time because I didn’t want to offend anyone. I have to remind myself that it is the reader’s responsibility to remember a character is simply a character.

When it comes to research for your books, are you a hunter or a gatherer? Talk about your research process.
I am more of a hunter. I will get what I need and then commence writing. If I find I need more information then I will go back to researching.

Could you be housemates with your characters? Why or why not?
From my suspense novels…um, a resounding no! I could never trust they wouldn’t kill me in my sleep! As for my young adult characters…possibly. But there is usually a lot of drama with those characters and I am not a fan of living with drama!

What’s your typical writing routine or schedule?
I have a 500 word minimum I meet every day without fail. I get up before six o’clock every morning so I have an hour to write before the kids are up and getting ready for school and I have to get ready for work. I typically then find some time in the later afternoon/early evening timeframe as well, but I make sure my 500 word minimum is met in the morning so if I don’t find more time to write that day, my goal has already been met.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit.  How do you recharge?
I run. A lot. I am a long-distance runner and have found it to be a great stress-reliever and energy-booster. I also plan quite a few scenes during my runs as well.

Do you prefer music or silence when you write?
Silence, though I am doing better at focusing even if there is noise around me (I have a husband and young kids. Writing at home or while in the foyer during dance class or basketball practice can be an adventure!)

Do you have a writing playlist? 
If I listen to anything it is classical music – something without words.

Which celebrity would you choose to narrate your audiobook?
Tom Hanks! Seriously, that man’s voice was MADE to narrate.

What well-known author, living or dead, do you wish could be your mentor?
Daphne du Maurier, no question.

Why?
She knew how to get inside your head and pull on every thought and emotion. I would LOVE to enrich my writing by even having one conversation with her (just my luck—she is no longer living).

What is your favorite of the six senses (touch, taste, smell, sound, sight, intuition) to write about, why?
Probably sight and intuition. I love bringing things that I see to life on the page—creating a picture with words, if you will. But I also love using different writing techniques to bring the character’s emotions alive for the reader as well.

What is a favorite location you’ve written about?
Australia! (That novel is not out for publication at this time, however.)

Have you visited that place? 
No, but it is on my bucket list!

How did you choose which details to include?
I am fascinated with the Outback and definitely wanted to include aspects of that in the novel. The entire first half of the novel takes place in the Outback before the character makes it back to the city.

Travel back in time (without negative effects for you or the timeline) what year do you visit?
Probably during WWII, so 1942ish.

Why?
There were so many facets of that war, and so many things that happened. To truly know and understand by personal experience what people of that time went through would be life-changing. There were many horrific things that happened, yes, but also acts of kindness and heroism that take my breath away. I have studied that war often, trying to understand the many components of it all, especially the different aspects of humanity during that time.

What is something about your hero or villain that drove their character, but you didn’t specifically tell your reader?
I am not sure on this one…I am very open and transparent with my characters and if something is driving them, the reader will usually know about it through dialogue or action.

Have you ever resuscitated a project you'd shelved? What helped it work better the second time around?
I would say that would the novel I wrote when I was fourteen. I took it off the shelf in my mid-twenties, revamped it, and it became my first self-published book! Having experienced life for over a decade more after the first writing, I found I was able to delve more deeply into the characters and draw on those life experiences to help with my writing.

What do the words “literary success” mean to you? How do you picture it?
From a personal perspective, I see it as knowing I have helped others who may be struggling through my writing. From a monetary perspective, I would say being able to support myself with my writing without having to have a “day job.”

Can you tell us about your current projects?
I am currently working on a YA novel that touches on the issues of depression and suicide. So many people have reached out to me to tell me they have struggled with these issues that I knew I needed to create something that would hopefully help those who are looking for hope.

Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors?
Write! You will never regret writing the story that’s in your heart, but you will definitely regret never trying. If you are passionate about writing, give writing the time and place in your life it deserves. Carve out some time, even if it’s only a few minutes a day to feed that passion. You won’t ever regret it!

Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books.
All of my books can be found on my website: https://dareedauthor.com/If you would like it signed, contact me through my website and I will sign a copy, work out payment with you, and mail it directly to you.

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Watch a Reading with D.A. Reed from our Autumn 2020 Virtual Book Festival!
​Watch an Interview with D.A. Reed from our Autumn 2020 Virtual Book Festival!