Monday, March 5, 2012

WELCOME AUTHOR DEBORAH MOLONE

I'd like to welcome author Deborah Molone to my blog.



Deborah has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, since 2001, for the historical magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published during this time. Her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails” edited by Olin Jackson. She has also had a showing of her photographs at Floyd Medical Center Art Gallery as well as winning several awards. Her debut cozy mystery "Death in Dahlonega" is now available.She is a current member of the Georgia Writers Association, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She has an established blog, Butterfly Journey, where she reviews Christian Fiction.

http://www.deborah-malone.com/
http://deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com/

Q:When did you first discover that you were a writer?

A:I remember starting a book when I was just a young child, so the desire to write has been with me for a long time.

Q:What other books/short stories/articles/poems have you written, whether published or not.

A:I’ve been writing for a historic magazine since 2001. “Georgia Backroads” is a regional magazine devoted to the past history of Georgia. I’ve had many articles published during the past ten years. If you live in Georgia or the surrounding area you might want to check this out.

Q:Do you have an all time favorite book? Which genre do you prefer to read and why?

A:My all time favorite is probably “To Kill A Mockingbird”. My favorite genre is cozy mysteries/suspense.

Q:What was your greatest roadblock in writing this book and others, and how did you overcome it?

A:Finding the time to write in a hectic life. I have a daughter who is severely disabled and requires a lot of time for her care. I also took care of my dad while I was writing my first draft of “Death in Dahlonega”. But then again there were times that my writing was my salvation.

I also have fibromyalgia and suffer from chronic pain. I’ve had to make adjustments with my writing to accommodate the pain. Another challenge was editing and learning the techniques I needed to make it a good book. I’m still learning, but I have had the help of a couple of great editors. I would say it is worth the money to invest in a professional editor to help you when you’ve done all you can on your on.

Q:What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

A:You will hear this over and over. Join groups such as American Christian Fiction Writers, etc. These are places you can network and also learn techniques. Writing can be a lonely business and it is good to connect with other writers. Read books that are in the genre you are writing. Learn from them. Also, go to writing conventions. And then write, write, and write some more. Then never, never, never give up!

Q:How can readers find the book and where can they find you on the Internet?

A:you can find “Death in Dahlonega” at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Lamp Post Publishing. You can find me at www.deborah-malone.com or my blog at www.deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com

Q:Tell us one interesting fact about you that your readers would find interesting, and maybe even surprising.

A:I don’t think I have anything that would be surprising, but I do love photography. I like to take macro shots of nature. The butterfly on my blog is one that I took.

Q:Can you tell me a little bit about your newest book?

A:My next book is “Murder in Marietta” a cozy mystery. This is the second book in the series of “Death in Dahlonega”. It takes place in Marietta, Georgia and features the main characters of Trixie, Dee Dee and great-aunt Nana. Anyone familiar with Marietta will recognize a lot of the landmarks in this book.

Q:When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?
Any last thoughts for your readers?

A:Enjoyment! This is purely a book that I would love for my readers to be able to sit down to and forget the trials and tribulations of the day and just be entertained. We have so many things that demand our attention in our life. I want “Death in Dahlonega” to provide some laughs to make you forget about the seriousness of life for just a little while. There are some underlying themes in the book such as starting over. Trixie has to take on a new career during her 40’s after she’s been out of the workforce for many years – but the themes are subtle and you’ll have to read the book to discover these themes. LOL



Back Cover: Lamp Post is PROUD to bring you Death in Dahlonega, a Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery — Winner in American Christian Fiction Writers’ Category Five writing contest!

A friendly adventure turns to murder and mayhem in the north Georgia mountains.

Historical writer Trixie Montgomery is asked to cover Gold Rush Days in the picturesque Georgia mountain town, Dahlonega. Trixie seizes the chance to mix business with pleasure and asks her best friend, Dee Dee to tag along.

Their well laid plans go awry when Dee Dee is discovered standing over the lifeless body of prominent citizen, John Tatum – the very man she’d had a run in with earlier that day – holding a bloody pickax in her hands.

Can Trixie find a way to finish her assignment and keep Dee Dee out of the slammer?

Now for a chance to win a copy of Deborah’s book, Death in Dahlonega.

For each of the following, your name will be entered into the drawing:

1) Leave a comment with your email address or check back later for the winner. If you won, you’ll need to email me your information.
2) Become a follower on this blog.
3) Leave a comment on my Youtube video.

Make sure to let me know with your comment what you’ve done.

I can only ship in the US. Drawing will be done on March 11th. Please check back to see if you've won if you didn't leave your email address. If I don't have your email address and haven't heard from you by the 18th, I'll draw another name

16 comments:

Deborah M said...

Hi Kym,
Thank you for having me as a guest on your blog. I saw your yourtube video and it was great - your girls are darling! Can't wait to see who stops in for a chance to win "Death in Dahlonega."
Debbie

James R. Callan said...

Hi Deborah,

I also like cozies - and sometimes they are hard to find. I liked the advice you gave for new writers, but I'd like to add one other item. Find a good critique group to join. What is a good critique group. Take a look at today's blog on my blogsite: www.jamesrcallan.com/blog It tells how a good critique group should work.
Thanks for an interesting interview.
James R. Callan
www.cleansedbyfire.com A Christian mystery.

Deborah M said...

Hi James,
Thank you for stopping by. You are right a critique group is a good thing, but I've never belonged to one. I tried by there was no one in my area and I just never found the right partner on-line.

I visited your website and read your article on critique groups - it was filled with good advice. I see where you and your daughter have written a cozy and it sounds very interesting. It seems we have something in common.

Thank you for your comments and for your support.
Debbie

The Crazy Cat Lady said...

Thank you Kym for having Deborah here. I'm thrilled to read about her book. I'd love a chance to win it ~ it looks so wonderful!

Hi Deborah! I wish you the BEST!

amanda38401 at gmail dot com

Pat Dyer said...

Hi Deborah, So glad to hear your book is getting great reviews on Amazon. Gotta try to win that book!!!

Pat Dyer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Andrea Schultz said...

Sounds like a great book from my Facebook friends, Deborah! My husband and I visited Dahlonega in 2007 and thought it was a really cool little town! I'd love to read a book set there!

Kym - I followed your blog (= additional entry!). If you don't mind, I'd love for you to check out mine at http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com

Thanks -

Andrea Schultz
Ponderings by Andrea blog
andrealschultz at gmail dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Hi Deborah, I am still following you around and entering the giveaways for "Death in Dahlonega".
I love cozy mystery books and being from Georgia I love books using Georgia locales. Looking forward to reading DiD. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.
Thanks for hosting giveaway Kym.

I am a GFC follower

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Jackie Layton said...

Enjoyed the interview.
Deborah, I admire your strength to deal with fibromyalgia and tackling a writing career.
Thanks for sharing today!
Jackie
joyfuljel(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer said...

Nice interview Deborah! Glad Niki is better and you're receiving positive feedback on your book...

Deborah M said...

Wow it is great to see my friends have stopped by to say "Hello." I feel like I have a "following" LOL.
It really does feel good to have the support of readers as well as fellow writers. As we all know writing is not for the faint of heart. In these days everyone has to market themselves and it is not always a plesant thing to do. Who wants to brag about themselves - well I guess there are some who do but I'm not one of them. LOL However, I do believe "Death in Dahlonega" is a fun book and my hope is that it will take the reader on a fun adventure for a little while and they can forget the stresses of real life. Thnk you again for your support!
Debbie

Kym McNabney said...

Hello Everyone,

So glad you all stopped by. Wish I had enough books for everyone. :-)

Blessings,

Kym

Tom Blubaugh, Night of the Cossack said...

Very nice interview. I already have a copy of the book and I'm looking forward to the read.

Blessings,

Tom Blubaugh, Author
Night of the Cossack

Deborah M said...

Thanks for stopping by Tom! Good to see ya!

Jo said...

Great interview Deborah and a book that I have been wanting to read. I enjoy cozies and this sounds so good.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Kym McNabney said...

Thanks everyone for stopping by and participating in the drawing.

Winner is now posted…

Blessings,

Kym