Author Interview—Marcia Rosen

I just returned from a getaway to the Northern California coast, and it was just what I needed. Beautiful scenery, a lovely cottage overlooking the ocean, delicious food, great music, and fun with friends. I felt myself starting to decompress within hours of our arrival. I hope you’re enjoying your summer as much as I did the past week.

Speaking of enjoyment, this week I’m interviewing Marcia Rosen, author of eleven books. Her latest is Murder at the Zoo, a cozy mystery. Enjoy the interview!

About the Author

Marcia Rosen (a.k.a. M. Glenda Rosen) is the author of eleven books including the Senior Sleuths mystery series, the Dying To Be Beautiful mystery series, and The Gourmet Gangster: Mysteries and Menus (New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards winner). She is also the author of The Woman’s Business Therapist and award winning My Memoir Workbook. She is a member of Sisters in Crime National and New Mexico (Croak & Dagger), Southwest Writers, New Mexico Book Association, Women Writing the West, Public Safety Writer’s Association, and National Association of Independent Writers and Editors. You can contact Marcia at marciagrosen@gmail.com.

Interview

Who or what inspires you to write?

I love words and knowing the impact our words have on us and on others is so important. I have loved writing since I was in high school.

Words are the keys to the magic, for sure. What is the best thing that has happened because of your writing?

Owning a sense of accomplishment. Compliments from friends and family. Seeing my books published.

Writing and publishing a book is a great accomplishment. What is the most difficult thing you have experienced about writing or publishing?

Difficult people at times, from editors to publishers, and learning they are not at all … ever … always right.

It sounds like there’s an interesting story there. What didn’t you do during your writing or publishing journey that you wish you had?

Start writing books earlier, but I owned several business over the years and for over 20 years I owned a successful marketing/public relations agency, which was very demanding and also gratifying.

I imagine having owned a marketing/public relations agency must have been extremely helpful with marketing your books. Do you have a publisher and/or agent, or are you an indie (self-published) or hybrid author?

Yes, my publisher is Artemesia Publishing based in New Mexico. My previous three-book series, the Senior Sleuths, was published by Level Best Books. My first four-book series, Dying to Be Beautiful, based in The Hamptons, was self-published.

It sounds like having a publishing company is your preferred way to publish. Which genre(s) do you like to write in, and why?

I love writing mysteries, creating the good and bad characters, determining the setting, figuring out how to best create red herrings and then the solution. I also like nonfiction and write articles to appease that interest.

It’s great that you are able to satisfy both your fiction and nonfiction writing interests. Do you outline your books before you write them?

Not really. My writing style is very organic. What I know now that I didn’t really do in my first couple books was work with the best editor possible and be patient if it takes a bit of extra time.

Having a good editor is so important to a book’s success. How do you define success as a writer?

For me it’s being published. Being recognized by peers and readers. Often being asked to be a speaker if I attend a conference or writing organization meetings. Of course, it would be wonderful to be a New York Times bestselling author.

Being a bestselling author would definitely be gratifying. If you could have lunch with any author, who would it be?

For mysteries, Elizabeth Peters, otherwise Umberto Eco. They have wonderful minds that have created intricate and insightful writing in their books. Peters was also one of the small group of women who started Sisters in Crime, realizing women mystery writers were not getting anywhere near the attention male mystery writers were getting.

Sisters in Crime is a great organization offering so many interesting programs. Tell us about a great adventure you’ve had.

Traveling by myself to Israel. Making some friends while there and even riding a camel—so fun—and I was over 50. Getting older should be freeing … of course, a lot older is another story!!!

Traveling to Israel by yourself and riding a camel is definitely an adventure! Marcia, thank you for spending time with us.

Readers, you can find out more about Marcia and her books at her website, https://marciarosen.com.

Murder at the Zoo

When she was a young girl, Miranda Scott read dozens of mystery books by authors such as Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler, and she loved characters like Sherlock Holmes. She was equally obsessed with watching old black and white crime movies. She began hearing their voices in her head suggesting what she should and should not do. Sometimes, she even answered them.

After a body is tossed into the lions’ habitat at the zoo where she is the senior veterinarian, Miranda Scott and Detective Bryan Anderson find themselves investigating several murders. There is a group of bad guys seeking revenge as well as other possible suspects. Miranda must also deal with a scheming would-be boyfriend, her badly-behaved mother, her coworkers, and gangster friends of her father, who she has loved and known since childhood. The good guys do their best to protect her. So do the voices in her head. All the while, Miranda and Bryan alternate between flirting and fighting off romantic feelings. Well, Miranda does; Bryan is ready for love. Murder seems to keep getting in the way!

Readers, what’s your greatest adventure? Let us know in the comments!