Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written 2 novels, Roll with the Punches, and Alice in Monologue Land. I’ve also written a collection of stories that take place at the college where Alice in Monologue Land occurs–it’s called Kiss My Sweet Skull: The Alice Chronicles. All my work has a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, some adventure, and a lot of humor. And all of it is about strong, large women taking on daunting tasks–often in comical ways. Kind of like most of the women I know.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is the collection of short stories about Alice Chalmers’s colleagues and students at Garden Beach College–Kiss My Sweet Skull. I loved those characters so much that I decided to follow them through their own stories. Betty, Frannie, and Annabelle each get their own (love) story with a bit of mystery, and Alice pops up in each one.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I never complain about not being able to write. Most writers count words in their WIPs and worry about not being able to finish. I usually write way too many words and have to cut a few thousand. LOL
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Janet Evanovich and Jenny Crusie and Elizabeth Peters have been my idols. Also Mary Kay Andrews. They all write humor and a mix of action with mystery and humor–with strong female leads and a little romance.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a WIP without a title. It takes a character from Roll with the Punches, Hippo, and tells her story. Hippo is a VERY big girl, and she’s used to getting her own way, so we throw her some monkey wrenches and see if she can solve a mystery involving her own, somewhat unsavory family.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a lot of promotional helpers. Freebooksy is great. Robin Reads is wonderful. Then there’s Awesome Gang and Sweet Free Books!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the story–full of conflict and suspense and fun. Then rewrite it. Then rewrite it again. Then let someone smart look at it. Then rewrite it again. At some point, it will be really shiny. Then publish it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Swimming is good exercise for people with bad knees.
What are you reading now?
Girl Meets Class by Karin Gillespie and Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews. Also Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m always writing a book and a constant stream of readers’ theater plays to produce with the seniors at the local assisted living. Those plays keep me really sharp at the writing game, plus they’re fun to read and produce.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
3 new humorous mysteries by the authors I mentioned above–at least one Janet Evanovich book, a Jenny Crusie book, and something with the gorgeous Southern writing from Karin Gillespie or Jill Connor Browne. Plus something dense that I’ve never read–maybe Elizabeth Gilbert’s newest book.
Author Websites and Profiles
Amy Gettinger Website
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