Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have lived my entire life in the small town of Azle, Texas. Azle is located just northwest of Fort Worth, so while I can live the small town life, I have the big city just a few miles away.
I started dating my husband, James Reasoner when I was a senior in high school. James was writing his own fiction even back then. I kind of stumbled into the business after we married, while I was typing his manuscripts, seeing different ways the story could have gone. Our careers grew as our family did. We were blessed with two beautiful daughters. We raised them in a house we built ourselves with the help of family. We did everything from the pier and beam foundation poured with buckets, to shingling the roof. I found that I love carpentry and tools. James has it easy for presents; all he has to do is buy the latest tool I’ve been yearning for. We lost that house in a wildfire caused by someone burning trash.
My first story, “The Lord Will Provide”, was published in 1980 in Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine. My first novel written with my husband was published in ’83 as by Livia James. In the eighties I had several westerns published in hardback by M. Evans, while I was writing mysteries under my maiden name Washburn. My first mystery novel WILD NIGHT was the winner of The American Mystery Award and The Private Eye Writers of America’s Best Original Paperback Award. I’ve written more than 50 novels in assorted genres, some of which were co-authored with James Reasoner
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
DEATH BAKES A PECAN PIE is the 14th novel in the Fresh-Baked Mystery series. My mother, a retired teacher, always made a killer pecan pie, so that was a natural. Much of the book is set in a park where we used to take our daughters.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Are there usual writing habits? I work on a laptop sitting in a recliner with a couple of Min.Pin/Chihuahuas on my lap. They get one leg and the computer gets the other. I also publish books with my friend, Cheryl Pierson. We have several imprints under Prairie Rose Publications, so writing has to be worked into the schedule when there’s time.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Well, first is my husband. I probably never would have realized any of this was possible without him. Authors who influenced my mysteries would be the many authors who wrote The Hardy Boys series, Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe, the first culinary mystery series, A. A. Fair’s Bertha Cool series, one of the first female detectives, Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee’s Ellery Queen, the king of who-done-it, and Dorothy Gilman’s Mrs. Pollifax series that had an older woman leading an extraordinary life as a spy, and many, many more.
What are you working on now?
The next Fresh-Baked mystery. I’m thinking about opening it with Phyllis having a new will made. With all the murders she’s had to deal with, it’s probably time to update that baby. I just need a title to get me started. And yes, I do try and have a title first these days. I do not like having to rewrite to make a book fit a title.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
wish I knew. I have a personal and publisher author page, I use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Blogger, both publisher and personal, I read and promote a lot of other authors.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not expect to get rich overnight. It’s a slow process to become successful. Keep writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The advice I just shared. It’s hard to think that very few people might read your first book. My first mystery won awards, but sold very few copies. I did get my foot in the door, however.
What are you reading now?
Ann Charles’ FERALLY FUNNY FREAKSHOW.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve been playing with the idea of a new mystery series. We’ll see how it goes. But no matter there will be another Fresh-Baked mystery.
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?
HOW TO SURVIVE ON A DESERTED ISLAND (Prepare to Survive)
HEALTH ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NATURAL HEALING: To Prevent and Treat Today’s Most Common Conditions
EDIBLE WILD PLANTS
THE BIBLE
Author Websites and Profiles
Livia J. Washburn Website
Livia J. Washburn Amazon Profile
Livia J. Washburn’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account