Interview With Author Jocie McKade
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Jocie has written over 15 books and numerous articles. Jocie worked at several jobs before landing her ideal one as a librarian, a perfect segue to becoming an author.
Her fiction writing has received the Author / Ambassador at Library Journal Self-e Authors, Winner Queen of the West Reader Favorite Award, Amazon Bestseller in Historical, Double finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the Mystery and Humorous Categories. She has won several awards for her non-fiction writing on a multitude of subjects.
Writing cozy mysteries and romantic comedy, Jocie can find humor in most everything. She lives in the Midwest on Dust Bunny Farm with her family.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It is The Line is Drawn, book number 5 in the Mayson-Dickson Mystery Series. The entire series was inspired by my mom. She was a true Southern lady and I was. Yankee kid! Having family on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line, I can go from ‘y’all’ to ‘you guys’ in the same sentence!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can write anywhere, seriously, anywhere. I’ve freelance written for magazines for over twenty-years and because of having a family, a farm and a full-time ‘real world’ job I learned quickly to write whenever I had a break. I’ve written at kids sporting events, the doctor office, in the greenhouse, on a tractor (well, this was with a recorder!), in parking lots and while hiding from my kids in the woods! LOL
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Way too many to name. I am a huge fan of many author for many different reasons. I do love thrillers so Vince Flynn, James Rollins, Sara Paretsky, Brad Thor. And I love some of the classics, Mark Twain, Isaac Asimov, Anne McCaffrey. Plus humor with Janet Evanovich, Kim Foster. I should probably stop now.
What are you working on now?
I have a Tea Leaf Reader mystery series of which I’ve written two short stories. I’m working on a full length novel for this fun series. It features Lilly Cunningham who drives a mobile tea truck and parks were the leaves tell her she’s needed to help solve a mystery.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My newsletter without a doubt. Social media can be fickle and several authors I know have had accounts canceled for no apparent reason. I only send it out monthly…with a small….tea drinker newsletter in between. I reach those who want to hear from me and have goodies, sneak peeks, and giveaways for those subscribers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
WRITE. That’s it. WRITE. Don’t wait for the perfect time, the perfect office, of the perfect frame of mind….just write. You can edit a sucky page, but you can’t edit a blank one.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Again, write….just write. Secondly, write the story YOU need to tell. Don’t try to follow what’s popular, because in 3-months it won’t be something else will grab readers attention, so write the story you need to tell.
What are you reading now?
I just received some copies to review The Good Son by Jacquelyn, Strangers We Know by Elle Marr. If I’m in heavy writing mode, I don’t read fiction I find it distracting, but I do read a lot of non-fiction both for research and enjoyment. I live on a small farm, so right now I’m reading No-Dig-Gardening by Charles Dowding. I’ll let ya know if it works! LOL
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have several books lined up (if the real-world would cooperate!). Book 6 in Mayson-Dickson Mysteries, Tea Leaf Reader mystery, and new series……I can’t say much about yet, because I’ve only just sparked the idea.
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?
A desert island?
The Complete Survival Shelters Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Life-saving Structures for Every Climate and Wilderness Situation by Anthonio Akkermans.
U.S. Army Survival Manual: Official Updated by the U.S. Army
Wilderness Ranger Cookbook by Forest Service Wilderness Rangers
I am a practical woman!!
Author Websites and Profiles
Jocie McKade’s Social Media Links