posted by Ramona DeFelice Long
Today, the Working Stiffs are delighted to welcome Edith Maxwell and Liz
Mugavero.
Liz and Edith share the distinction of sharing many
distinctions--both mystery authors, both members of Sisters in Crime's New England chapter, both Guppies,
both cat lovers. Both have writing day jobs, both are as-yet-unpublished in the
novel arena AND they met at the Seascape Writers Retreat, so both have the
benefit of wonderful teachers (Hallie Ephron, Roberta Isleib and Susan
Hubbard). Even better, last year Edith and Liz signed with the same
agent, John Talbot, who sold their manuscripts to the same publisher,
Kensington, who will publish both of their books in 2013.
Edith and Liz have agreed to answer a couple of questions
for our readers.
Question
1 – What can you tell us about your journey to publication?
EDITH
SAYS: Since childhood, I’ve written fiction, journalistic news and features,
academic articles, essays, memoir, and software documentation. Fiction is my
passion, though. I’ve written two dozen short stories, with four published and
one more accepted. My first finished mystery, Speaking of Murder, is out as a full
with several independent presses now, and is a finalist in the Linda Howard
Award for Excellence Suspense category. Speaking of Murder’s
sequel is almost done, too.
I
credit Sisters in Crime with helping me get to actual publication, including
the contract for the Local Foods Mystery series. The President of the New
England chapter, Sheila Connolly, connected the membership with agent John
Talbot. After I worked with him on the cozy proposal, he sold the series to
Kensington Publishing within a week. More basically, I have learned almost all
I know about the publishing field from SINC and the Guppies chapter.
LIZ
SAYS: I’ve been a writer since I could hold a pen. Poems, stories--I even wrote
a proposal for a soap opera at one point (sadly, it never made it to the small
screen). I majored in English and communications in college and went on to grad
school to study writing and publishing. There, I finished my first full-length
novel as my thesis, though it will never see the light of day.
I
went on to work as a journalist at various papers around New England and wrote
the first book in my first series, which is still looking for a home. I moved
on to marketing and PR and started another series, which I just started
shopping around. When Sisters in Crime NE president Sheila Connolly offered
this wonderful opportunity with agent John Talbot, I jumped at an alternate
route to publication and the chance to work on something fun, since I tend to
write dark. I talked with John and we settled on the idea for the gourmet pet
food mysteries, I wrote the proposal, made a few edits, and he sold it to
Kensington shortly after. The whole experience was awesome and reinforced the
benefits of organizations like Sisters in Crime and Guppies.
Question
2 - Why were you the perfect person to write your story?
EDITH
SAYS: I pitched an organic farm-based idea to John Talbot in my query letter
and he called me the next day, saying an editor friend of his had suggested a
locavore series. Since I farmed and co-owned an organic farm a couple of
decades ago for some years, and currently eat locally with fervor, I told him I
was his writer! It was about the most perfect fit I could imagine.
At
the end of my farming days before I become a technical writer, I had written
about two-thirds of a mystery novel set on an organic farm. I use much of the
world I set up in that book, including Cameron Flaherty, the protagonist, in
the current series. I’ve added a Locavore Club and a CSA but it has given me a
head start on the first book in the series, A Tine to Live, a Tine to Die.
LIZ
SAYS: I love animals and have been involved in rescue for a number of years.
Along the way I’ve learned a lot about nutrition and how the foods our pets eat
affect their health, and I’m thrilled to be able to use that knowledge in this
series and increase awareness out in the world through the Pawsitively Organic
Pet Food Mysteries.
I’m
also excited to showcase some of my real-life friends in the books--under
aliases, of course. Kneading to Die features Nutty the Maine coon cat, based on
the real-life Tuffy cat, and a mini Schnauzer-poodle mix named Scruffy who bears
a striking resemblance to Shaggy the rescue Schnoodle. Trying not to let
stardom go to their heads is another story.
Question 3 - For Edith, why
should we read Liz’s book?
Liz
is a fabulous writer. I first met her at the Seascape writers’ retreat/workshop
several years ago. I was impressed and entranced by the scenes she read there.
I predict this new series is going to be a big hit. She let me read the first
chapter from her proposal, and I wanted to read the rest of the book right then
and there. She knows the world of pets, rescue animals, and small-town
Connecticut life, but more importantly, she knows how to write about it with
humor and suspense all at once.
Question 3 -
For Liz, why should we read Edith’s book?
Anyone
with an interest in local farming, food co-ops, organic nutrition and overall
good food will love Edith’s book. Not to mention, Edith is a natural
storyteller and creates characters who grab your interest from page one. She
let me read the first two chapters and I’m already engrossed in the story and
Cam’s life. Plus, the topic of organic farming and local food is so important
and Edith knows it well and is passionate about it. That’s key to a good story.
Edith
Maxwell currently resides in Ipswich, Massachusetts, but she’s originally a
4th-generation Californian. She has two grown sons, and lives in an antique
house with her beau, their four cats, and several fine specimens of garden
statuary. Look for her as Edith
M. Maxwell
on Facebook, and @edithmaxwell on Twitter. She blogs weekly at www.edithmaxwell.com.
Liz Mugavero currently resides in Connecticut, but is
Massachusetts born and bred. You can find her on Facebook as http://facebook.com/liz.mugavero
and @lizmugavero on Twitter.
