Scrapping Her Way To a New Career–Joanna Campbell Slan, Mystery Author
I love interviewing authors, but let’s face it, authors are some of my very favorite people. Several years ago I went to a terrific writer’s conference in West Virginia and made two good friends. Today you’ll get to meet one of them, Joanna Campbell Slan, who since that conference has gone on to publish a brand new mystery series for Midnight Ink. Her latest, Photo, Snap, Shot is on bookshelves now. I’ll let Joanna introduce herself in detail. By the way, the other friend will make her author debut soon, and you’ll meet her here, as well.
Joanna will give away a copy of Photo, Snap, Shot to one reader who comments on this blog. We’ll let random.org choose a winner on the morning of Friday the 14th.
So, without further ado, here’s Joanna. . .
Joanna, you have your third mystery out right now in the delightful Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft series. Tell us a little about Kiki your sleuth. What makes her such an individual?
She’s flawed, and she knows it. I mean, perfection is so over-rated. She loves too much, she worries too much, and she eats too much. In other words, she’s Every Woman. I think my readers appreciate her because they see a bit of themselves in Kiki.
You are a scrapbooker yourself, plus the author of several scrapbooking how-to books. What made you decide to make Kiki a scrapbooker, and how does her craft flesh out the mysteries?
A smart friend of mine suggested I write about scrapbooking. Her name is Emilie Richards, and she was right on target. I’ve been involved in the craft for a decade. After you’ve been around the block that many times, you understand the lay of the land. Kiki cares about saving memories. Really, that’s all you have to do to be a scrapbooker…have a life worth remembering. All that other stuff is fluff.
Your covers and titles are fantastic. How much input did you have?
I suggested that Midnight Ink’s artist Kevin Brown go to a local scrapbook store and have a look-see. Bless his heart. He “got it.” Before he starts to work on a new cover, he asks me if I have any thoughts about colors or iconic images. But the genius is all Kevin. What a scrapbooker he would be!
Can you give us some hints about the storyline of Photo, Snap, Shot? Pique our interest please.
Kiki’s daughter Anya stumbles over the dead body of a flirtatious teacher who was involved in a mixed race relationship. The police think Anya might have seen the killer, so Kiki is forced to play amateur sleuth. Her snooping around leads her to suspect the murder has something to do with a 132-year-old secret society in St. Louis. Things go downhill rapidly after that! (Yes, the secret society is real! I’m hoping I live long enough to sign books!)
I know you’re a person with a variety of interests. You’ve been a motivational speaker and author, a scrapbooking author, and now a mystery author. What’s in store for your future? Do you have other projects you’re planning?
We’re negotiating for Kiki Lowenstein Book #5, and I just turned #4 in last week. Other than that, I’m hoping to get a Virginia Drivers License this afternoon. That might qualify as a good career move, don’t you think? I mean I moved here, what, nine months ago? I could have been pregnant and had the kid already. (Now that would be something to write a book about! Emilie, if they pick me up on the way to your house, would you post bail?)
I’m thinking a loaf of my homemade bread with a file baked inside. But don’t tell the authorities!
OOh, another Kiki book. I stumbled on the first one at my library and I loved it! I can’t wait to read the latest!
Thank you, Cindy! And the contract for Book #5 is on my desk.
Glad to know you loved it, because I LOVE writing them.
Oh my goodness Joanna, I see I will have to get my scrap-booking daughter your books I am sure she would enjoy them. My daughter Tammy started me into scrapping and like all crafts I went into it gun-ho…well I still sometimes scrap but I have found a new love, paper tole which is 3- D decoupage I love it, reading and writing. Thank you Emile for letting me meet Joanna…..Just so you know though no one can take your place as my first favorite author. lol
I’m so glad there’s going to be a fourth book and I know that fifth book’s contract will be forthcoming.
Did you get your Virginia license?
Audrey, I think you’ll like the tips and hints in my books as they would appeal to all papercrafters.
I will be going to get all of these as I can’t resist a good read!! I am a quilter, but am intrigued by scrapbooking, I fear these books may promote yet another craft stash. The secret society sounds ominous, but I love books when there’s some historical truth embedded!
Interesting site you have. I will be coming back to read later on. many thanks
Dear Joanna,
Love your books…I am finishing the second and hunting up more. When will your fifth book be out? Title? Do you write under any other names? I love your style…thanks.
Margo, This is not Joanna’s site. You’ll find her at http://www.Joannaslan.com.