MLC: Do you remember the first mystery you ever read? If so, what was it, and what pulled you into it?
AUTHOR: It was one of the Nancy Drew books, I don’t recall which one. I wanted to live in Nancy’s world.
MLC: When did you first decide you wanted to write a mystery, and what led you to that decision?
AUTHOR: I decided in 2005... my agent said that since I use so many examples and anecdotes in my non-fiction books, maybe I should try my hand at fiction.
MLC: Do you write in any other genres? If so, which ones?
AUTHOR: I’ve written four non-fiction books, all on various business communication topics as part of my “day job” work as a corporate trainer. The most recent title is Business Writing for Results [McGraw Hill].
MLC: Which comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
AUTHOR: I start with the antique that will be central to the plot, and from that, I develop the characters unique to this story. Because my books are a series—the Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries—many of the primary and secondary characters recur. When I say I start with antique, here’s what I mean... I select the antique that will be featured in the book as the cause of or solution to the crime. It could be stolen paintings, an Asian vase, an artifact from the Lewis & Clark expedition, or a scrimshaw tooth, for instance.
MLC: When you are all wrapped up in the story, do you feel like you could solve the crime, or maybe even solve all the world’s mysteries?
AUTHOR: No, not at all. I’m gullible and guileless; I take people at their own valuation; also, when I don’t have all the facts, I’ll make things up! I think I’d be a terrible detective in the real world.
MLC: Do you write every day, or what kind of a schedule do you have? Do you write fulltime, or do you have a “day job”?
AUTHOR: I write everyday. I write all the time, because if I’m not writing, I’m thinking about what I’ll write. I do have a day job... but in a bad economy, training is one of the first things to go, so while I miss that income, at least I have plenty of time to write!
MLC: Other than your writing, what do you enjoy doing? What is the most important thing to you in your day-to-day life?
AUTHOR: The most important things in my life are my husband and my cats. I have four cats. We work very hard and live very simply. Most nights, I cook dinner and we eat around eight. Then we talk, watch a video or some TV, and play with our cats.
MLC: Who are your favorite mystery authors? Do you try to emulate them in your own writing?
AUTHOR: My favorites are Rex Stout, Ed McBain, and Robert B. Parker. I wouldn’t presume to emulate them, but I do integrate Wolfeian (Rex Stout’s detective is Nero Wolfe) trivia in every book.
MLC: In your present book, is this part of a series, or is it a standalone book?
AUTHOR: Killer Keepsakes is the fourth in the Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series.
MLC: If you are doing a series, do you see an end to it sometime, or do you plan to go on for several years with it?
AUTHOR: I hope Josie will continue indefinitely!
MLC: Do your characters ever drive you a bit crazy by going off in their own direction? If so, how do you rein them in, or do you just let them run off on their own?
AUTHOR: Josie would love to spend more time with her boyfriend, Ty, on vacation, but I can’t let her... she has work to do!
MLC: Do you pattern your sleuths after yourself or someone you know? If so, do you let that person know they were your “pattern”?
AUTHOR: No... Josie truly came from my imagination.
MLC: How long did it take you to get published? How many rejections did you have to suffer through first? Were you ever tempted to give up? What do you think made the difference when it was accepted?
AUTHOR: When we were marketing the first mystery, after six rejections, I asked my agent to stop sending it around. My feeling was “I can take a hint.” If it was a better book, it would have sold. The second mystery I wrote was Consigned to Death, the first Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery and it sold right away.
MLC: Do you ever attend any conferences? If so, which ones?
AUTHOR: I always attend Bouchercon and Malice Domestic.
MLC: Do you have to promote your own work, or does your publisher do that for you?
AUTHOR: My publisher, St. Martin’s Minotaur, is wonderful to me. I also promote my own books. I love meeting readers! My publisher and I work together!
MLC: If you have to do marketing, what methods have worked the best for you?
AUTHOR: My website (www.janecleland.net), touring, and promotional materials (Sneak Previews and bookmarks) are my top three.
MLC: Do you have any idea how your book is selling?
AUTHOR: I believe each books sells a bit better than the previous ones.
MLC: What has been the best review you have gotten, and why?
AUTHOR: The reviews I’ve received have been very encouraging; it’s very gratifying. Two that stand out are Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. Kirkus called the series “erudite.” I ran around the house saying “I got the ‘E’ word! I got the ‘E’ word!” And Publishers Weekly called the newest, Killer Keepsakes, “absorbing” and “ingenious.”
MLC: Have you won any awards, either as an author or for your books? Please tell us about them.
AUTHOR: Consigned to Death was nominated for an Agatha, David, and Macavity for Best First Novel. Deadly Appraisal won the David Award for Best Novel. A “Josie” short story, “Killing Time,” has been nominated for an Agatha Award.
MLC: Is there any one certain thing that a reader has written to you that made you just want to jump up and shout “Yes!!!!”?
AUTHOR: Lots of readers have spotted the Nero Wolfe trivia in the books... and a wonderful reader named Bonny made a bookmark for me featuring Josie’s favorite toast: “Here’s to silver light in the dark of night.”
MLC: What is your next project, and when will it be out?
AUTHOR: I’m writing Josie #5 which, I believe, will be published in April 2010.
MLC: If you could write anything at all, ignoring what editors and publishers say they want, what would it be?
AUTHOR: Nothing comes to mind; I’m very fortunate to be able to write books I love.
MLC: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring mystery authors?
AUTHOR: There are countless approaches, all good, but the one quality that all successful books share is that they were written... so my best advice is to write. Even if you only have time to write for ten minutes... write!
MLC: Do you have any teasers for your readers and fans about the next book?
AUTHOR: In Killer Keepsakes, the fourth Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery, Josie’s cheerful and helpful assistant, Gretchen, who turned up unexpectedly just as Josie was setting up shop in New Hampshire, doesn’t show up for work one day. Surprise turns to alarm when a dead body is found in Gretchen’s home—and Gretchen is the prime suspect. Josie sets out to find the real killer, and using her knowledge of antiques, discovers long-buried secrets that help bring Gretchen safely home.
MLC: If a genie suddenly appeared and said they would grant you just one wish for your books, what would you wish for?
AUTHOR: Congress to make reading them mandatory for every citizen.
MMLC: Please give us your website url and your email address where people can contact you.
AUTHOR: www.janecleland.net and e-mail: jane@janecleland.net
MLC: Thank you so much for giving us a little glimpse into your books and your life. We look forward to a lot more books from you.
AUTHOR: You’re very welcome! Thank you.