Author’s Choice with Martha Reed

Please welcome Martha to Author’s choice.

📚 Don't miss the drawing. Martha is giving away a signed paperback. Details below.

Dear readers, here’s where you get to play along. The author will tell us two truths and one lie (ed comment –I randomized the order). At the end of the questions, we’ll reveal what really happened. Remember, we write crime fiction, so lying is in our nature . . .

Two Truths, One Lie

Truth or Lie?: I was born in a Sanitarium.

Truth or Lie?: I’ve visited every United State east of the Mississippi River.

Truth or Lie?: I’ve danced in a New Orleans Mardi Gras Carnival krewe parade.

Eight Quick Questions

Now for some fun insight into today’s author. Here are eight forced choice questions.

1.        First draft: longhand, keyboard, or dictation? My first professional job in 1980 was as a computer typesetter. A keyboard continues to be a big part of my life.

2.        Plotter, pantser, or plantser (that chaotic middle ground)? I am a solid plantser. I use index cards and a storyboard to initially outline my plot ideas and suggestions, but when the rubber hits the road it’s pure pantser all the way. I consider myself to be the “First Reader.” I want to be surprised by the story’s twists and turns too!

3.        Editing as you go, or vomit draft first and fix it later? To quote Anne Lamott from ‘Bird by Bird,’ her writing instructions book, I let myself produce a ‘shitty first draft.’ My goal is to just get the basis of the story down on paper without judgment. The second draft is more deliberate; I fill in gaps and plot holes and craft transitions. Then I send the second draft out to my trusted beta readers. After incorporating their suggestions, I consider my third and final pass to be my final polish.

4.        Character names: meticulously researched, stolen from real life, or whatever sounds right? Oddly enough, my characters tell me their names at our introduction. I’ve tried changing a name in one of my short stories, and I heard such an imaginary protest from that character that I had to change it back. Lesson learned.

5.        Writing space: coffee shop chaos, library quiet, or home sweet home? Home sweet home at my writing desk or at the local public library with my noise cancelling headphones in a pinch.

6.        Reading your own work aloud: love it, tolerate it, or would rather eat glass? Using the “Read Aloud” feature in Word is part of my third and final polish. It takes an extra day or two when I’m already chomping at the bit to format, publish, and release the new book, but close listening helps me catch those last pesky typos that always try to sneak through.

7.        Happy ending, bittersweet, or gut-punch finale? I strive for all three!

8.        Book launch day: celebrate big, feel quiet relief, or hide under the covers? I consistently face mixed emotions. I'm amazed that the book project is done, relieved that KDP has accepted my books files and populated my Amazon sales page and terrified that the readers and reviewers won’t like it.

About the Book

Enough about you, let’s turn to three questions about your book.

Q: If your main character in this novel showed up at your door right now, what would be the first thing they'd say to you (and would it be a complaint)?

A. This is a fun question. I have two protagonists: Jane Byrne, a disgraced ex-police detective and brand new private investigator. I think Jane would thank me for keeping her life so interesting. If Gigi Pascoe, my second protagonist showed up at my door, I’m pretty sure Gee would plaintively let me know she wants to star center stage in my next NOLA Mystery #4 (and that’s the plan).

Q: What's one thing you hope readers take away from this book?

A. I hope they come away with a less biased understanding of NOLA Voodoo culture and give some thought about becoming better critical thinkers on all things themselves.

Q: What question did you want me to ask, and what is your answer?

A. What is your dream writing project? Luckily, I’m so enchanted by New Orleans history and the French Quarter specifically that I’m already working on my dream project.

The Big Reveal

Now let’s see how good a sleuth (or guesser) our readers are. Please reveal all.

The lie is that I’ve danced in a New Orleans Mardi Gras Carnival krewe parade. The idea of participating in that Carnival mob scene terrifies me.

I am a vagabond. I have visited every state east of the Mississippi River, and most of the western states during my travels. And yes, I was born in the Hinsdale Sanitarium and Hospital outside of Chicago, Illinois. I was surprised to see that listed on my birth certificate!

Here’s a blurb for and some links where you can find Martha’s latest:

Book Blurb

Ignoring dire supernatural warnings, four university students vanished in 1977 while cosplaying the Intrepid Quest fantasy board game. The avid gamers were last seen performing bogus Voodoo rituals around NOLA’s historic French Quarter at rumored red magic portal sites.

Jane Byrne, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1’s Chief Security Officer and Gigi Pascoe, a transgender sleuth are feeling hopeful and empowered as they launch their new private investigative agency. Facing a crucial deadline, a desperate client hires them seeking to mark ‘Cold Case Closed’ on the baffling forty-year-old mystery.

[Martha’s Website]       [Amazon]

🎁 DRAWING! Win a Signed Paperback

Martha is giving away a signed paperback of The Seven Gates of Guinee to one lucky reader! (International readers will receive an ebook.)

To enter:

• Subscribe to Martha's newsletter on Substack (it's free), OR
• Sign up for Jim's Readers Group newsletter (also free), OR
• Leave a comment on this blog, OR 
• Do all three and get three chances to win!

Winner will be selected in a week and notified by email. Good luck!

Want to know more?

For more information about Martha https://www.reedmenow.com/