Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the British author of the Alicia Allen Investigates trilogy (“A Model Murder,” “Wilful Murder,” and “Murder in Hand”), and the legal handbook “Fathers Matter.” I share similarities with the heroine Alicia Allen in our Anglo-Italian heritage, solicitor experience (aka “lawyer” in the U.S.), as well as an enthusiasm for crime solving, Shakespeare, All Things Italian and, of course, Pringles. “A Model Murder” was my debut novel, written at the suggestion of a mentor who encouraged me to write mysteries based on real-life stories I encountered while working within the law.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“A Model Murder” is being re-launched with Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing Select program as a 3-day giveaway May 31-June 2, 2014. It draws parallels between the poor treatment of women workers in hostess clubs and law firms. The story ignites when an aspiring Australian model is found murdered, and her friend, Alicia Allen, sets out to solve the crime. Since the model had taken a moonlighting job at a hostess club out of financial desperation, Alicia is drawn into that arena while working as a lawyer at a London law firm for a psychotic boss. is autobiographical in parts, which probably makes this story even darker because it is real. The legal profession is still male dominated despite what we are told about more women qualifying or more women reaching top jobs. I think for a young woman working within the law it can still be quite hard.
While I was doing a little modeling, I met a model who worked in a club to supplement her income. To research, I talked with women at the clubs. They told me how they got treated depended on the “boss.” They had to generate money for the club by being “nice,” but the degree of how “nice” came from the top. Some bosses looked after their employees better than others. Some women felt pressured, and some did not.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I jot down notes in pencil and then plot the book out. Then I work the plot backwards, having decided on whodunit and the red-herrings. The actual writing took about 8 weeks. I edit as I read aloud: something my mentor taught me to do. I don’t know how “unusual” that is.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sherlock Holmes, Dorothy Sayers, Sarah Paretsky. “War and Peace.”
What are you working on now?
Oh that’s top secret! I do tend to write when my life demands it. And it is demanding it now, but not in any form that I can share yet.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a terrific publicist, Marlan Warren. She has set up my author blog, facebook fan pages, and I do love her Author’s Showcase at Book Publicity by Marlan. She really got to grips with the character of Alicia and understood what drives her. She rewrote all my “pitches” and synopses, which really did not present the books in a way that would “grab” readers. I’m trying out Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing giveaway program to see if it will generate enough “buzz” to make the e-book promotion worthwhile. And with the help of my publicist, we’ve been querying book clubs and have gotten some good responses. Her belief is in “attraction, not promotion” and that works for me as well as the books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up.
What are you reading now?
The Alexandria Quartet.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on a new novel. Crime Fiction, naturally.
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?
All of the books I’ve written!
Author Websites and Profiles
Celia Conrad Website
Celia Conrad’s Social Media Links