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Friday, May 27, 2016

Interview With Cozy Mystery Author, Amanda Flower

Amanda Flower, a national bestselling and Agatha Award winning mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. She also writes mysteries as USA Today bestselling author Isabella Alan. In addition to being an author, Amanda is librarian in Northeast Ohio.

Interview: If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?  
I’ve wanted to be an author my entire life and now I’m living my dream with God’s grace.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?
I like to spend as much of my free time as I can with my friends and family, especially my niece and nephew, who I love like they are my own children.

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?
Charlotte Web

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.
1) I’m a vegetarian.
2) I like to cross country… even though I’m not very good at it.
3) I’ve always wanted a pet goat.

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?
Mystery. I’m always wanted to write mystery. I would never say never, but I can’t imagine writing anything else.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
The toughest criticism was from my creative writing teacher in college who thought my writing was trivial. I took that on as a challenge to prove her wrong. She was an adjunct professor, and I don’t even remember her name but I remember what she said, and I’m grateful to her to put the fire in me to get published.

The best compliment was from a friend who said she loved my book so much that she forgot that I was one the who wrote it because she was so wrapped up in the story.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?

I like to read some Urban Fantasy and Sweet Romance.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?

I’d be a librarian like I am. I am a fulltime librarian and a fulltime author.

What is the most important piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?


Keep trying. Don’t give up. Success in publishing is more dependent on determination and a strong will than natural talent.

Can you tell us something about your latest novel,  Crime and Poetry, first in the new Magical Bookshop Mystery series.

Rushing home to sit by her ailing grandmother’s bedside, Violet Waverly is shocked to find Grandma Daisy the picture of perfect health. Violet doesn’t need to read between the lines: her grandma wants Violet back home and working in her magical store, Charming Books. It’s where the perfect book tends to fly off the shelf and pick you...

Violet has every intention to hightail it back to Chicago, but then a dead man is discovered clutching a volume of Emily Dickinson’s poems from Grandma Daisy’s shop. The victim is Benedict Raisin, who recently put Grandma Daisy in his will, making her a prime suspect. Now, with the help of a tuxedo cat named Emerson, Violet will have to find a killer to keep Grandma from getting booked for good...

Please leave a comment for Amanda, along with your email address, for a chance to win a copy of Crime and Poetry. US residents only. 

44 comments:

  1. Amanda It was a pleasure to meet you last weekend and I look forward to reading your books! You are a new author on my list!!! Have a blessed day
    clynch45040@yahoo.com

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  2. Enjoyed the interview. I would also like a pet goat, but have settled for chickens. Thank you for the chance.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  3. I have read it already and loved it. The cat and bird are a hoot.

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  4. Lorraine AlexanderMay 27, 2016 at 7:53 AM

    Great interview.....I really enjoyed meeting you last weekend Amanda Isabella :) I would love to read Crime & Poetry....thank you for the opportunity to win this book!

    Blessings,
    Lorraine lorialex50(at)gmail(dot)come

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  5. Great interview. Your book looks really good. Thank you!

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  6. It's always nice meeting new authors...this book sounds like a fun read. Please enter me to win.
    debsbunch777(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. I haven't read any of your books yet but would love to start with this new series! njcar22@aol.com

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  8. This sounds like a delightful book! Keeping my fingers crossed for the opportunity to win one of them!

    mtrver@gmail.com

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  9. cassandra vanderpoolMay 27, 2016 at 12:51 PM

    i love your books and look forward to reading more books by you
    scifigirl14@yahoo.com

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  10. Can't wait for your new series! It was nice to learn some facts about one of my favorite authors!

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  11. Always looking for a new mystery!

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  12. I enjoy mysteries and I am thrilled that you have experienced such great success.
    Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. Looking forward to reading this! Cheers@marjimmanor.com

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  14. No housework gets done when I lose myself in your mysteries! In fact, I just picked up two from the library this afternoon. Oh, oh.... auroras4@yahoo.com

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  15. Amanda I love your mysteries. I read them cover to cover. I have hope to win. seascapelife (at) gmail (dot com. Wonderful to learn more about you, you are very talented.

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  16. I just discovered you from a recommendation from The Learned Owl on Shop at Local Bookstore Day.

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  17. Sounds good and thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
    dawn dot nicol at gmail dot com.

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  18. I loved the interview with Amanda and would love to read her book. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  19. I love the cover of your book. It has two of my favorite things. Books and kitties.
    susanmsj at msn dot com

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  20. I would love to win your book. srpaulsen3(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. Amanda, that sounds like a great book - and I love the cover! My parents had goats before I was born. My mom misses them! josie(dot)siler(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. Amanda, that sounds like a great book - and I love the cover! My parents had goats before I was born. My mom misses them! josie(dot)siler(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Enjoyed the interview and thank you for the giveaway redeemed1ru(at)comcast(dot)com

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  24. Enjoyed your interview. It's interesting to look back and realize something someone said to us has shaped us, whether good or bad. I love reading mysteries and I'd love to read yours.
    My daughter-in-law, for not quite a year now, is a school librarian. She got her masters and is finishing out her first year in our city school system. I've always thought I'd enjoy working in a library, even just doing menial things. But I found myself working most of my job years in the medical field.

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    1. Forgot my email oops.
      tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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    2. I've always wanted a pet goat, too! The book sounds like a hoot to read. Cozy mysteries are my favorite reading. Thanks, Amanda. Cheers

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  25. Thank you for sharing this lovely interview and giveaway! I would love to read Crime and Poetry!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  26. thank you for a chance to own this book I would love to be one chosen for it but if not I will be happy for the ones that do. khsmith97217@yahoo.com
    KAREN SMITH 1911 N.KILPATRICK PORTLAND ORE 97217

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  27. You are 1 of my most favorite writers no matter which name you write.I just love your books. mcaquinn@aol.com

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  28. Thank you for the fun interview! I would love to read Crime and Poetry.
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  29. Have your "Andi" series in our church library. Fun read. Looking forward to the other books. Thank you. Church Librarian

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  30. This sounds like a great cook,so pick me to win! :)
    Martha T. at CRPrairie1(@)imonmaildotcom

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  31. Enjoyed your interview. When I was young I always wanted a pet goat to use out back instead of me having to mow the lawn.
    Sounds like a good read. Love the cover especially the old cars register.
    Carol Smith
    penelope223(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  32. My grandma was a librarian into the early 60s! I lve libraries!! I go at least twice a week and. Put books on hold. The librarian that orders mysteries, suspense and romance les me give her a list every month of books that the library orders. I go to our little towns used bookstore and yarn shop quite a bt too. I love books! Thank you for writing them!! Donamaekutska7@gmail.com

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  33. Loved the interview! I worked briefly in a library, and of all the jobs I have ever had, that was the one I enjoyed the most. This book sounds like a keeper. Thanks for the giveaway.
    bettimace at gmail dot com

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  34. I would love to read Amanda's new book. I enjoy mysteries and I enjoyed learning that Amanda is also interested in writing a sweet romance in the future.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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  35. I haven't read any of Amanda's books yet but it sure sounds like I should! I do enjoy reading cozy mysteries. I'd love to win Crime and Poetry. Thanks for the giveaway.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  36. Love your books. I would really enjoy reading "Crime and Poetry". Thanks for the giveaway.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  37. Love your books. I would really enjoy reading "Crime and Poetry". Thanks for the giveaway.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  39. Thanks for sharing that tidbit for aspiring writers.

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  40. Great interview. Sounds like a fun book.
    betsylu2@msn.com

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  41. Jeff and Shawn, you're my lucky winner of Amanda Flower's book, Crime and Poetry. I will also send you and email separately to:
    srpaulsen3(at)gmail(dot)com
    Thank you everyone who entered. ~ Mary Ellis, Suspense Sisters

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    1. Thank you so much. I replied back to your email. Shaun

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