Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a nurse practitioner and ex-university professor. I wrote most of my nonfiction books because I was teaching nursing students and couldn’t find texts that suited what I was teaching. So I wrote a book on group leadership, assertiveness, management, anxiety, menopause, weight loss, self-care options for common chronic conditions and more. I even started a journal on complementary procedures and was editor-in-chief of an Encyclopedia of Complementary and Natural Practices. Three of my books son Book of the Year Awards from the American Journal of Nursing.
In fiction, I started with mystery, because I’ve always loved reading mysteries. I expanded into romance, paranormal, futuristic and more. Now I’m going back and adding the second book in my Cookie Berelli mystery series. That should be available in a couple of months on Amazon.com.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, CANDY, MURDER, and ME, a Cozy Mystery with an Amateur Detective, and Family Recipes came to me in a dream. I woke up picturing the main character, Cookie Berelli, the energetic plus-sized dress designer who opens up her own design studio and along with it a whole bunch of trouble. Including a dead body in her design studio.
Good thing she has friend and employee, Rhonda, to help her find out who murdered her main cloth cutter and why. Oh, and she also has her pooch, a determined dachshund who complies when she asks him to approve what she wears before she goes out for the day. Because he listens to her complaints and worries as a psychoanalyst would do, she called him Sigmund Freud.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sometimes like to listen to music or even “Too Cute” on TV about the most adorable kittens and puppies ever.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ross Macdonald, the mystery writer who wrote close to twenty books, many of which became movies, influenced me to try and write a mystery from a woman’s viewpoing.
What are you working on now?
I am querying a young adult book inspired by the late, great humorous author who used to be a standup comedian. Her book was entitled ANGUS, THONGS and FULL-FRONT SNOGGING.
I am also querying a young adult thriller, two YA romances, a YA adventure/coming of age novel, an historical fantasy, a MG fantasy,and an adult thriller inspired by an event last year about a professor who accused a judge applying to be a Supreme Court Justice of attempted rape.
Whatever novels don’t get picked up by an agent, I’ll self-publish on Amazon and Smashwords.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use promotion vehicles recommended by AWESOME GANG to sell books and the BOOK CAVE to build an email mailing list and send a newsletter about my upcoming books and free e-books.
I also have a blog at https://CarolynChambersClarkMyBooks.blogspot.com, and an author page on Facebook at https://www.Facebook.com/CarolynChambersClarkBooks. I also belong to groups on FaceBook and and have made friends with other authors on Linked In to talk about strategies they’ve found helpful and share mine.
To keep up with my future writing pursuits and obtain free e-books, leave a comment on my author page on FaceBook or on this page and a way to contact you online.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, read, read, Write, write, write. Revise, revise, revise.
Also, write about what you most fear and your books will be full of emotion, which makes readers read on.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To sell a lot of books, start a series that people will want to read.
What are you reading now?
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, Dare Me, and The Blind Assassin.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a few ideas percolating in my brain. When they become more focused, I’ll start writing them down and start a new book.
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?
First Aid and Surgery When There’s No Doctor
High Touch Acupressure
Morse Code
Author Websites and Profiles
Carolyn Chambers Clark Website
Carolyn Chambers Clark Amazon Profile
Carolyn Chambers Clark Author Profile on Smashwords
Carolyn Chambers Clark’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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