Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the author of more than twenty works of fiction in the mystery, romance and thriller genres. I write of family, friends, love, murder, and mayhem in no particular order and often all in the same story. I’m half owner of the weekly discount eBook newsletter, MyLesfic, the Director of Marketing for the Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS), a wife, parent, foster parent, and an Army veteran. I draw from all of those experiences when I write because truth is often stranger than fiction.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Steel City Confidential was published in 2019. It was born of a dare to write a legal thriller (I’m not a lawyer) with certain themes and elements. I was having a hard time coming up with something that would combine all of the themes and elements when a writer friend made an off the top of her head suggestion that became the vehicle for the entire story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to have silence when I write. Writing went mostly out the window for me in 2020 during the pandemic since I had my spouse and foster children all at home all day. I do my best work in the hours between breakfast and lunch and having them here, working and doing school work was not conducive to that.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many! In my earliest memories it was Encyclopedia Brown Stories and Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. As I’ve aged I’ve read about everything from Agatha Christie, Michael Connelly, Patricia Cornwell, Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton, Dick Francis, John Grisham, Sara Paretsky and so many more mainstream mystery and legal thriller authors. Then, there are the indies of the past ten years like John Ellsworth, Scott Pratt…it goes on and on.
And, none of that even scratches the surface of the LGBTQ/Women-Loving-Women books and authors I’ve read. It was the work of Ellen Hart and her cozy mysteries with a lesbian protagonist that finally led me to begin writing.
What are you working on now?
I’ve picked back up a book I started four years ago, a cozy mystery, ‘The Conjuring Comedienne.’ It will be the third in my cozy series that features a pair of 60+ year old moms/grandmothers who are as different as night and day but the best of friends.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found email promotion to be best. I built my own small list. I also happened to luck into taking over a site and email list from another author full of readers in the genres I write in for my books that are in the LGBT arena. Since I’m the owner, I get to advertise free. Perks!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to put your writing out there. However you do it, fan fictions, submissions, self publishing – whatever it is – share it with the world. Take some of the constructive advice you get and ignore the critics. Every story isn’t for everyone.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write the next book.
What are you reading now?
I recently finished ‘Perfect Rhythm’ by Jae. I’ve started a book called ‘Bigger Monsters’ by an author friend, Eliza Andrews, and I’m about half way through a book marketing book done by Reedsy. My Kindle is absolutely full.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to finish this cozy and then write a 2nd legal thriller. I had an idea for it that was about an intricate legal case but not a lot of action and an idea for a romantic suspense novel that I just couldn’t find the right angle for. My brain went into overdrive one day thinking about the legal thriller and asked me, ‘What if you combine the two ideas?’ Bingo! It’s going to be as much fun to write as the first one was.
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?
I’d take Steel City Confidential because I’d need all the back story information as I write the next book in the series and I’d take a few other thick legal thrillers to read for enjoyment and inspiration. No idea is completely new. Writers dissect the books they read and ask ‘what if?’ all the time. We take great ideas and twist them and turn them to form something all our own.
Author Websites and Profiles
Anne Hagan Website
Anne Hagan Amazon Profile
Anne Hagan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
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