Good Morning, Booklovers!
Join me this fine fall morning in welcoming mystery author Nancy Nau Sullivan to the Coffee Chat with her featured series The Blanche Murninghan Mysteries and a cover reveal for book three.
Nice to meet you, Nancy. How do you take your coffee?
NNS: I drink coffee black, no sugar, and strong. Preferably Peet’s or Dunkin’ Dark, and only one or two in the morning otherwise I’m stuck to the ceiling.
Ally: No problem for my magic pot. While I pour, please introduce yourself to readers.
Bio:
Nancy Nau Sullivan’s Saving Tuna Street–nominated for best mystery, 2020, at Foreword Reviews—launched the Blanche Murninghan mystery series. Second in the series, Trouble Down Mexico Way (June, 2021); third, Mission Improbable: Vietnam (June, 2022) follow up (Light Messages/Torchflame Books). Nancy’s memoir, The Last Cadillac, won two Eric Hoffer awards. Her novel, The Boys of Alpha Block (TouchPoint Press, April 2021), is based on years of teaching at a boys’ prison. A former newspaper journalist, she also taught in Mexico, Argentina, and Chicago. Nancy lives in Northwest Indiana, and often anywhere near water.
Something unique/unusual that isn’t in your regular bio: “I love to drive long distances – alone—listening to country music and eating kettle korn until it comes out my ears.”
Social media:
www.nancynausullivan.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nancy.sullivan.9638
Twitter @NauSullivan
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nancy-nau-sullivan
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-nau-sullivan-712b2015a/
Nancy Nau Sullivan’s Saving Tuna Street–nominated for best mystery, 2020, at Foreword Reviews—launched the Blanche Murninghan mystery series. Second in the series, Trouble Down Mexico Way (June, 2021); third, Mission Improbable: Vietnam (June, 2022) follow up (Light Messages/Torchflame Books). Nancy’s memoir, The Last Cadillac, won two Eric Hoffer awards. Her novel, The Boys of Alpha Block (TouchPoint Press, April 2021), is based on years of teaching at a boys’ prison. A former newspaper journalist, she also taught in Mexico, Argentina, and Chicago. Nancy lives in Northwest Indiana, and often anywhere near water.
Something unique/unusual that isn’t in your regular bio: “I love to drive long distances – alone—listening to country music and eating kettle korn until it comes out my ears.”
Social media:
www.nancynausullivan.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nancy.sullivan.9638
Twitter @NauSullivan
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nancy-nau-sullivan
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-nau-sullivan-712b2015a/
INTERVIEW:
Ally: Who or what inspired your featured book/series?
NNS: I’m hugely driven by setting, hence, the places I’ve visited and loved have lent the backdrop, and the hook, for the Blanche Murninghan mystery series. The first, Saving Tuna Street, came out of a concern for the environment on Anna Maria Island, Florida—the setting for my memoir, The Last Cadillac. Mexico City was a favorite haunt during my stint in the Peace Corps in 2013 and inspired mystery number two. I visited Vietnam, which totally captured me for the third installment, and the fourth takes place in Ireland, which I’ve visited many times.
Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?
NNS: I’m traditionally published, mainly because I wanted to work with professionals on my writing projects. I have an English teaching background, so I’m pretty grounded in grammar and the essentials, but I wanted that excellent eye on my work. I’ve been happy with the wonderful relationships I’ve made at three small presses for my four books.
Ally: Why did you choose writing as a career? Is it your only career, or do you have a “day” job?
NNS: I’ve always been a writer since writing squiggly lines to my sister when I was six. It was frustrating then (and sometimes now), but my grandmother said, “Don’t worry. You’ll write one day.” That remark certainly planted something in my head. I was a newspaper journalist before teaching English. I began getting short stories published about ten years ago and it became the springboard to getting a publisher for my memoir, my first book.
Ally: What’s the best writing/marketing advice you’ve been given?
NNS: Keep finishing the books. Promotion is great, but the writing and the publishing of more and more is what matters.
Ally: What authors have had the biggest influence on your writing?
NNS: Carl Hiaasen, James Lee Burke, Anne Tyler, Anne Lamott, Laura Lippman, Tana French
Ally: Tell us about your reading habits. Current favorites?
NNS: I read up on the country or setting for months before, and during, writing the book; right now, it’s Ireland—Carlene O’Connor, Kathleen McGurl, Tana French, Frank Delaney, Colm Toibin, Rutherford, so many.
Ally: You’re thrown into a different time period—either past or future—what book hero would you want with you? Why?
NNS: James Hall’s wonderful Thorn, or any of Carl Hiaasen’s plucky, fabulous, funny female leads. These characters stick to their truth, through all the bad stuff. It’s easier to live with yourself when you do.
Ally: What is your most frequently used source of information? Why? What are its benefits?
NNS: I buy a Frommer’s or other guide book of the year my story takes place. It’s invaluable for details about flights, food, streets, events. Even though I’ve been to these places—I lived in Mexico for a year—the guide book is a great assist to notes, blogs, and that old memory.
Ally: Do you buy ads for your books? Where? Have they been profitable?
NNS: With my first book, The Last Cadillac: A Memoir, I bought a tiny ad in a prominent writing magazine for $750. Stupidest thing I ever did. I also bought a review for the memoir from Kirkus – also pricey – and the best promo I’ve ever done. It was glowing.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
NNS: Third in the Blanche Murninghan mystery series: Mission Improbable:Vietnam–is in edits and due out next June from Light Messages/Torchflame Books. Cover reveal, attached to email.
I’ve signed on for the fourth in the series, A Deathly Irish Secret, tentative publication, June 2023.
Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you choose to answer?
NNS:
Ally: Who or what inspired your featured book/series?
NNS: I’m hugely driven by setting, hence, the places I’ve visited and loved have lent the backdrop, and the hook, for the Blanche Murninghan mystery series. The first, Saving Tuna Street, came out of a concern for the environment on Anna Maria Island, Florida—the setting for my memoir, The Last Cadillac. Mexico City was a favorite haunt during my stint in the Peace Corps in 2013 and inspired mystery number two. I visited Vietnam, which totally captured me for the third installment, and the fourth takes place in Ireland, which I’ve visited many times.
Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?
NNS: I’m traditionally published, mainly because I wanted to work with professionals on my writing projects. I have an English teaching background, so I’m pretty grounded in grammar and the essentials, but I wanted that excellent eye on my work. I’ve been happy with the wonderful relationships I’ve made at three small presses for my four books.
Ally: Why did you choose writing as a career? Is it your only career, or do you have a “day” job?
NNS: I’ve always been a writer since writing squiggly lines to my sister when I was six. It was frustrating then (and sometimes now), but my grandmother said, “Don’t worry. You’ll write one day.” That remark certainly planted something in my head. I was a newspaper journalist before teaching English. I began getting short stories published about ten years ago and it became the springboard to getting a publisher for my memoir, my first book.
Ally: What’s the best writing/marketing advice you’ve been given?
NNS: Keep finishing the books. Promotion is great, but the writing and the publishing of more and more is what matters.
Ally: What authors have had the biggest influence on your writing?
NNS: Carl Hiaasen, James Lee Burke, Anne Tyler, Anne Lamott, Laura Lippman, Tana French
Ally: Tell us about your reading habits. Current favorites?
NNS: I read up on the country or setting for months before, and during, writing the book; right now, it’s Ireland—Carlene O’Connor, Kathleen McGurl, Tana French, Frank Delaney, Colm Toibin, Rutherford, so many.
Ally: You’re thrown into a different time period—either past or future—what book hero would you want with you? Why?
NNS: James Hall’s wonderful Thorn, or any of Carl Hiaasen’s plucky, fabulous, funny female leads. These characters stick to their truth, through all the bad stuff. It’s easier to live with yourself when you do.
Ally: What is your most frequently used source of information? Why? What are its benefits?
NNS: I buy a Frommer’s or other guide book of the year my story takes place. It’s invaluable for details about flights, food, streets, events. Even though I’ve been to these places—I lived in Mexico for a year—the guide book is a great assist to notes, blogs, and that old memory.
Ally: Do you buy ads for your books? Where? Have they been profitable?
NNS: With my first book, The Last Cadillac: A Memoir, I bought a tiny ad in a prominent writing magazine for $750. Stupidest thing I ever did. I also bought a review for the memoir from Kirkus – also pricey – and the best promo I’ve ever done. It was glowing.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
NNS: Third in the Blanche Murninghan mystery series: Mission Improbable:Vietnam–is in edits and due out next June from Light Messages/Torchflame Books. Cover reveal, attached to email.
I’ve signed on for the fourth in the series, A Deathly Irish Secret, tentative publication, June 2023.
Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you choose to answer?
NNS:
- memorable book you’ve read: Anna Karenina (in high school—it turned me on to great books)
- book you’re currently reading: The Searcher by Tana French
- an item on your bucket list: Australia, definitely (Read Jane Harper!)
- favorite quote: “If you surrender to the wind you can ride it.”~~Toni Morrison
- the best thing a book fan has ever said to you: “…beautifully written…” and “…a funny page turner…”
- pie or cake? What kind? Coconut cake and cherry pie
- best places you’ve ever visited: Vietnam and Maui and Anna Maria Island…
Ally: Thanks so much for visiting with us, Nancy. Before we finish up for today, please show us your series and the cover reveal for book three.
Cover reveal: Mystery #three: Mission Improbable: Vietnam (June 2022, Light Messages)
Blurb for Series:
The Blanche Murninghan Mysteries
Genre: Cozy mystery
Sometime sleuth, part-time journalist, and full-time beach bum, Blanche Murninghan, gets herself in one scrape after another—in places she never expected.
The new mystery series starts off peacefully enough on sleepy Santa Maria Island, Florida (until murder and mayhem drop in). Adventure then finds Blanche in Mexico City where she uncovers a “new” mummy, and in Vietnam where she hunts down a friend’s lost mother. Saving Tuna Street and Trouble Down Mexico Way from Light Messages/Torchflame Books, available on Amazon, through the publisher, and at any bookstore. Mission Improbable: Vietnam launches June, 2022.
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Covers:
Mystery #one: Saving Tuna Street (June 2020, Light Messages)
Mystery #two: Trouble Down Mexico Way (June 2021, Light Messages)
Also available at the publisher and other bookstores
(see more buy links on website or Bookbub listing in bio above)
Mystery #one: Saving Tuna Street (June 2020, Light Messages)
Mystery #two: Trouble Down Mexico Way (June 2021, Light Messages)
Buy Link:
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0928LWQQR?Also available at the publisher and other bookstores
(see more buy links on website or Bookbub listing in bio above)