Author: MARILYN MEREDITH

Author's website address: http://fictionforyou.com

Books in Print:

The Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series:

Deadly Trail ISBN 0-7599-0461-8 http://www.hardshell.com E-book & trade paperback
Eppie Finalist $10.95

Deadly Omen ISBN 1-891940-03-1 http://www.goldeneaglepress.commass market paperback $7.95 or E-book from http://www.hardshell.com

Unequally Yoked ISBN 1-891940-05-8 http://www.goldeneaglepress.com mass market paperback $7.95 E-book from http://www.hardshell.com

Intervention ISBN 1-891940-07-4 http://www.goldeneaglepress.com mass market paperback $7.95 E-book from http://www.hardshell.com Bloody Dagger Award

Wing Beat ISBN 1-891940-08-2 http://www.goldeneaglepress.commass market paperback $7.95 Soon E-book from http://www.hardshell.com Best Mystery, American Authors Association

Other mysteries:

Astral Gift ISBN 1-58124-182-2 http://www.fictionworks.com E-book, trade paperback $13.99

Guilt by Association ISBN 1-928602-68-1 http://www.trebleheartbooks.com (MountainView label) e-book, trade paperback, $10.95, Publisher’s Choice Best Mystery/Suspense

Rocky Bluff P.D. series:

Final Respects 1-58124-742-7 http://www.fictionworks.com E-book, trade paperback $13.99

Bad Tidings 1-58124-788-5 http://www.fictionworks.com E-book, trade paperback $12.99

Kachima Spirit ISBN 0-7599-0099-X http://www.hardshell.com E-book, trade paperback $10.95 Eppie Finalist

The first chapters of most books can be read on the author’s website. Most books can be purchased from the author’s website as well as the publisher’s. Other books by Marilyn on the website are: The Choice, Deeds of Darkness, a Hollywood Book Festival honorary mention, and Cup of Demons, Christian horror, and Two Ways West, Historical Family Saga.

Books in Process: Calling the Dead, the next in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, coming from Mundania Press.


Welcome, Marilyn,

1. When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve written all my life, short stories, plays, newsletters, and some novels that I gave up on after the first rejection.

2. What inspired you to write your first book?
My sister did our family genealogy and there were so many mysteries, I decided to write a book about each side of the family and try to find out why some things happened.

3. How did you approach writing your first book?
My sister did the hard part, then I had to research the places the family was during the time they were there. I incorporated historical fact with family stories and of course, fiction.

4. Who or what influenced your writing?
I’ve always been a voracious reader, mainly mysteries, and I would say all the authors of the books I’ve loved have a great influence on me. Also, I have an author friend, Willma Gore, who was a great help to me for over twenty years as we belonged to the same critique group.

5. Why do you continue to write?
More people and their stories inhabit my brain and I’m compelled to put it all down in my computer. I can’t imagine not writing. I switched to writing mysteries and Christian horror as those were the kind of books that I liked to read.

6. What do you hope to accomplish through your writing?
When I first began, I just wanted my family to know how strong and adventurous their ancestors were—and I must admit, I’d been influenced by some wonderful historical romances.

7. What has been your experience as a published writer?
I’ve had a great time as a published writer. In my little hometown I’m somewhat of a celebrity. I also love helping other writers and have done a lot of that as a Writer’s Digest School instructor, through my own writing class, and mentoring friends who are writers. Also, I enjoy attending mystery and other writing cons. Because of these, I’ve made so many wonderful friends.

8. How do you promote your book(s)?
I do everything I can think of. I particularly like talking to groups at libraries and other venues, giving writing workshops at writer’s conferences, going to book festivals. Of course I use the Internet to promote my books too. I have a website, http://fictionforyou.com, a blog http://www.marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/
and an e-mail newsletter.

9. What advice would you like to share with other writers?
For new writers, have a regular time for writing and stick to it. Learn as much as possible about the craft of writing. It’s okay to break rules once you actually know what they are. Don’t get discouraged. Perseverance counts in this business.

10. Any other comments you would like to add?
Thank you for this opportunity. It’s always fun to discuss the writing life. I’m also open to people e-mailing me to ask me questions and subscribing to my newsletter. mmeredith@ocsnet.net

Thank you for your time.


Interviewer: Kaye Trout - July 14, 2006 - Copyright