Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My life-long career has been in teaching. I taught in Seaford, in the Middle School when it was a Junior High, and in the High School. I taught science, ending my career in the high school as Department Chairperson, teaching biology, chemistry and forensic science. I went on to teach at Hofstra University, forensic science and biotechnology. I also supervised science student teachers at Adelphi University.
It was my forensic science courses coupled with my love of Nancy Drew and other mystery heroes that led me to write the Annie Tillery Mysteries, “The Madonna Ghost”, ” Girl With Pencil, Drawing”, and “Secrets in the Fairy Chimneys”.
It was also my involvement with my students that inspired me to create a young female heroine who embodies the qualities that my students could emulate, enabling them to create happy productive lives for themselves.
I was awarded the Seaford High School Teacher of the Year in 1989, and received an award from the American Association of University Women in 1995 for inspiring young women to pursue the field of science.
Presently, I am marketing my Annie Tillery Mysteries. I am also producing a TV show, The Writer’s Dream, on LTV-EH, a local access station in East Hampton, as well as Long Island Cablevision. We interview guests who are involved with writing, publishing and marketing in all genres.
It is my goal to find venues to help market my books to schools and libraries. My website has lesson plans based on my books. Eventually I want to gain entrée into film and television, hoping to see my books on either the big or the little screen, not just Kindle and Nook. The books are now available as soft cover, e-book , and digital audio. Find me on Twitter, facebook, Youtube and Linked-In.
I’m a native New Yorker, born in N.Y.C. and a lover of that city. Living on Long Island affords the best beach experience on the East Cost which led to my years of sailing.
I love to cross country ski and also love to travel. Those interminable waits at the airports and long flights afford me the opportunity to write which I still do long-hand on a yellow pad before committing text to the word processor.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Secrets in the Fairy Chimneys” is the latest Annie Tillery Mystery, published 2/14. The third in my series that I like to refer to as “Nancy Drew Meets CSI”, my heroine delves into an amazing archaeological dig in Turkey. I really dig archaeology, foreign travel, and the DNA technology used in the book.
Amateur sleuth Annie Tillery has been warned to stay away from Nevshehir, Turkey, where she is
heading to meet her boyfriend, Ty Egan, and Cedric Zeeks, Ty’s best friend. Intent on helping the two excavate an archeological site where they hope to link human remains to the fi rst African ancestors, Annie does her best to shakes her foreboding feelings as her plane lands in Istanbul and she prepares to embark on her next adventure.
But when a stranger claims he is there to pick her up and then disappears once he sees Ty, Annie is immediately thrown back into worry mode—especially after Ty tells her there is unexplained tension surrounding the dig and she receives a threatening note at the hotel. Still, as the three head to Nevshehir, Annie is buoyed by the excitement surrounding ancient Turkey and the possibility of uncovering secrets. The dig is plagued by accidents and theft, however, and the three friends, assisted by the head archeologist’s twins, must search the ancient city of Istanbul and the caves of fantastic Cappadocia to find who is sabotaging their work.
In this young adult thriller, detective Annie Tillery must once again walk on a dangerous path in an attempt to unravel a complicated mystery and solve the secrets in the fairy chimneys.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to completely disconnect from the world when I write. I do it on yellow pads, no computer, and the best place of all for me to write is near the speed of sound, 30,000 feet in an steel can. It frees my mind, literally of earthly cares, and the creative juices flow. Cars and trains, even a long subway ride let Annie come alive for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Steven King. He paints the best characters.
Steve Berry. Love his take on historical events.
Elizabeth George. I like the way she weaves sociological aspects into her books.
But, don’t laugh, my all time favorite is Charles Dickens.
What are you working on now?
I am marketing my Annie Tillery Series. I do workshops on mystery writing and self-publishing at libraries, museums, historical societies and schools. I keep my local access TV show, The Writer’s Dream, going. I’ve interviewed over 90 authors, and I get to plug my books there as well.
I will start research on the next Annie Tillery mystery which will take Annie back to a mystery connected to WWII through some letters from her great grandmother, discovered by her mother.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think it’s my social media posts through facebook and twitter. The press releases I do that link to my amazon pages, my social media pages and my website seem to be the best for me.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you have a manuscript, get a good professional book editor. English teacher friends are great, but they are not aware of industry standards.
Look into self-publishing. Weigh you options.
Go to a lot of workshops on writing, publishing and marketing.
Don’ spend a lot of money.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get a good editor.
What are you reading now?
“Me Before You”
What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to improve my TV show, The Writer’s Dream
Writing the next Annie Tillery Mystery.
Translating the books into Spanish.
Improving the lesson plans I have on my website for the Annie Tillery books.
Getting Annie Tillery Mysteries into as many libraries as possible.
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?
“War and Peace” Maybe on a desert isle, I could finish it.
“Chapman’s” An encyclopedia for sailors. Might help me find a way back to civilization.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” My favorite.
The USAF survival in the tropics manual.
Author Websites and Profiles
Linda Maria Frank Website
Linda Maria Frank Amazon Profile
Linda Maria Frank’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account