Author Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Website: Marcy McKay
Author's Blog: McKayCom
Blog: LinkedIn
Twitter: @MarcyMcKayBooks
E-Mail: marcy@marcymckay.com
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Amazon Author Profile
Author Description:
Marcy McKay knew she wanted to write stories the moment she read about Oompa Loompas in the fourth grade. She's an award-winning short-story author and copywriter, as well as a freelance journalist. Her work has appeared in Writer's Digest, Accent West, Roots & Wings, The Write Practice, Write to Done, and Positive Writer and Jane Friedman.com. Marcy lives in Texas with her husband and two teens, who all still like her...most of the time.
For readers who enjoyed The Lovely Bones or Room, you're going to love Marcy McKay.
SPOTLIGHT Questions and Answers with the Author
Congratulations on your book: Pennies from Burger Heaven. What do you have on the drawing board next? Can you tell us the timeline for its release and give us a little tease?
I'm working on Burger Heaven #2 right now: Life is very different for Copper Daniels, but to her, it's just a different kind of bad. A new mystery calls to her back to Eternal Peace Cemetery where a new mystery is buried six feet under. Heaven and hell collide as she fights the battle of her life.
Since you are just starting out, what are your goals for social media? Which platforms are you going to use?
My goals are simple. Have fun and connect to people. My drugs of choice are Facebook and Twitter.
Do you do any book signings, interviews, speaking and personal appearances? If so, when and where is the next place where your readers can see you? Where can they keep up with your personal contacts online?
My website has all that information: http://marcymckay.com.
You have written several short stories. Are shorty’s one of your styles of writing or are they created to give readers a sample of your work?
I love all types of writing: novels, short stories, magazine articles. A Cemetery Plot Worth of Love is the free short story on my website that's the precursor to my novel. It's a thank you to people for signing up for my email list.
I like the idea of Author bundles. You are a part of a novel collection called Murder, They Wrote: Four SkipJack Mysteries. What was the main objective of bundling your works with other mystery authors?
Some of the SkipJack authors thought it'd be fun to work together, and this was the perfect way to do so.
What writer support groups do you belong to? Do they help with the writing, marketing and the publishing process?
The Texas Writers' League in Austin puts on an outstanding conference each summer that I try to attend. However, it's too far away for me to make their month meetings. Locally, I'm a member of the Panhandle Pro Writers and learn more of whatever the topic is that month...writing workshops, marketing, publishing. These are fun to attend because it's great to be around like-minded spirits. I'm also in a weekly critique group with three published authors: New York Times Bestselling author, Linda Castilo (The Kate Burkholder series), New York Times Bestselling author, A.G. Howard (The Splintered series) and Jennifer Archer (Through Her Eyes).
How do you manage your plots, characters and timelines to keep your stories going? Do you use any software to keep track of your books?
In the past I've been completely old school and just used an Excel spreadsheet. However, I do write with Scrivener now (love it!), and it has a few features to help track different things.
You have a great blog. You do a great job keeping readers informed, marketing your books and providing useful information to other writers. What is your primary goal?
Thank you! My blog started from major heartache. My literary agent left publishing in the fall of 2014 before we got the chance to try and sell my book. I cried in my Oreos for a few months, then launched my blog in April 2015. I LOVE my audience. Some are writers. Some are readers. All are awesome!
What is your method of getting reviews for your novels? Do you seek professional reviews, use social media or do you rely on your reading audience to supply them?
Since this is my debut novel, I'm just learning the process of what works for me, but the answer right now is my audience, professional reviewers, family and friends.
Tell us about the Second Mudpie Writing Challenge. What was your goal? Do you plan on doing one next year? How can authors keep in touch with you for the latest news?
My goal was simple - pay it forward. Many writers are where I was 15 years ago...wanting to write, but to afraid to do so. We had 97 writers from all over the world participate in my 5-day online Challenge, exploring their creative fears, and how to overcome them. It was amazing. I'll do another one next January. People can keep in touch with me about it through my website.
Author's Book List
Pennies from Burger Heaven
- Burger Heaven #1Eleven-year-old Copper Daniels is homeless and alone. She spends her nights sleeping beneath the cemetery’s Warrior Angel statue for protection, and her days battling the mean streets of Remington, Texas, hell-bent on discovering what happened the night her Mama disappeared. While Copper and her rag-tag group of friends find danger at every corner, two horrors are certain: her Mama’s really missing and someone’s after Copper, too.
In the tradition of The Lovely Bones and Room, Pennies from Burger Heaven tells a dark story through the eyes of a child. With wit and wisdom, Copper Daniels will steal your heart, then break it in two.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
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HBS Author's Spotlight
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