Good Morning, Booklovers!
Can you believe it is August already! The Iowa State Fair will soon be over, and kids will be going back to school. We’ll be putting away the beach reads and getting out something to cozy up to before a warm fire. But I’m getting waay ahead of myself. It’s 88 degrees today, and we’re on the deck ready to meet mystery/PI author Tracy Clark.
Can you believe it is August already! The Iowa State Fair will soon be over, and kids will be going back to school. We’ll be putting away the beach reads and getting out something to cozy up to before a warm fire. But I’m getting waay ahead of myself. It’s 88 degrees today, and we’re on the deck ready to meet mystery/PI author Tracy Clark.
Welcome, Tracy! What may I get you to drink?
TC: I drink tea. Earl Grey, specifically, or any other strong black tea. I never acquired the taste for coffee.
Ally: No problem. Earl Grey coming right up. While I prepare our drinks, please introduce yourself to readers.
Bio:
Tracy Clark, a native Chicagoan, is the author of the award-winning Cass Raines Chicago Mystery series, featuring ex-cop turned PI Cassandra Raines. A multi-nominated Anthony, Lefty and Shamus Award finalist, she is also the 2020 winner of the G.P. Putnam’s Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award. Tracy is a member of Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and currently serves on the boards of her local MWA and SinC chapters, as well as the Bouchercon national board. Her fourth Cass Raines novel, RUNNER, released in June 2021.
Something unique/unusual that isn’t in your regular bio: “I’m an avid Broadway musical fan. I love everything from Rodgers & Hammerstein to Lin-Manuel Miranda, with a few exceptions. My favorite shower tune? “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” from Oklahoma.”
Author Contacts:
Twitter: @Tracypc6161
Instagram: Tpclark2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tclarkbooks
Website: www.tracyclarkbooks.com
INTERVIEW:
Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?
TC: I am traditionally published. I have great respect for those authors who self-publish and are successful at it. Self-published writers really have to cover a lot of bases and wear several hats at once. They’re writing, promoting their work, marketing it, designing book covers, reaching out to media, etc. I knew early on I didn’t have the know-how or the energy to get all of that done on my own.
Ally: If you switched careers with the main character of the last book you read, what would it be?
TC: I would be a PI. I love PI fiction. I write PI fiction. The last PI novel I read was Cheryl Head’s Warn Me When It’s Time, the latest installment in her Charlie Mack series. It’s so good.
Ally: Why did you choose writing as a career? Is it your only career, or do you have a “day” job?
TC: I think writing chose me. I actually can’t remember a time when I didn’t write anything. As a kid, I read all the time and wrote little stories in my head and on paper. I think I was born to write, though it took me many, many years before I learned how to do it well … and I’m still learning how to tell a successful story. Writing is not my only career. I’m an editor by day. I tackle words all day long. LOL.
Ally: Do you write from an outline?
TC: I am required to submit to my publisher a short outline for my books. This gives all the promo and marketing people an idea what the story is about so they can work up promo copy, come up with a book cover, etc. I, however, am a pantser by nature, so once that outline’s handed in, I’m done with it. I write by the seat of my pants, slowly, with just the vaguest idea about what comes next. You’d think I’d follow that outline I handed in, but I never look at it again. It’s just the spine of the story for me. The good stuff, the flesh of the novel, I always build day by day, writing session by writing session, in the moment.
Ally: If you could rewrite the ending of any book ever written, what would it be and why?
TC: I’d change the ending to “The Wizard of Oz.” If I were Frank L. Baum, I would have made Oz real, and not just a dream, and I’d have had Dorothy choose to stay there. She would be Oz Queen. Kansas wasn’t so great, really. It was all gray and she had to feed those mean, ugly pigs all the time, and Elvira Gulch was still there on that rickety old bike. Oz was nice and both evil sister witches were dead, right? One got beaned by the house falling on her, the other got melted by a bucket of water. Dorothy could have hung out with her new pals—the Tin Man, the Lion, the Scarecrow. Life could have been sweet, especially with that horse of a different color trotting her all around town. There’s no place like home? Hmmm. I beg to differ.
Ally: What three books in your genre would you recommend to readers?
TC: Indemnity Only, Sara Paretsky
A is for Alibi, Sue Grafton
Any Spenser novel by Robert B. Parker
Ally: What book character would you like to be? Why?
TC: Hercule Poirot. He’s brilliant, but also deliciously persnickety. I’d like to be Poirot just to go through his meticulous moustache routine just once. It might be fun.
Ally: Do you read reviews of your books? Do you respond to them? Are you affected by them?
TC: I was told early on by veteran writers who knew the ropes that it was the kiss of death to read your reviews. If they’re good, you’re lulled into a false sense of security; if they’re bad, it’s almost impossible not to internalize some of that negativity. Writing’s difficult, and your books are personal to you. Do your best, write the book you want to write, and leave the criticism to those who feel the need to give it.
Ally: How many drafts (revision passes) do you do on a typical book before submission to your editor/publisher?
TC: Impossible to say. I revise until the book moves the way I need it to move and sounds the way I need it to sound. If I can get all the gears moving in the right direction after three drafts, great. If it takes six, then it takes six.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
TC: My first standalone novel entitled Hide releases in December of 2022. I have high hopes for it.
Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you select to answer?
TC:
Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?
TC: I am traditionally published. I have great respect for those authors who self-publish and are successful at it. Self-published writers really have to cover a lot of bases and wear several hats at once. They’re writing, promoting their work, marketing it, designing book covers, reaching out to media, etc. I knew early on I didn’t have the know-how or the energy to get all of that done on my own.
Ally: If you switched careers with the main character of the last book you read, what would it be?
TC: I would be a PI. I love PI fiction. I write PI fiction. The last PI novel I read was Cheryl Head’s Warn Me When It’s Time, the latest installment in her Charlie Mack series. It’s so good.
Ally: Why did you choose writing as a career? Is it your only career, or do you have a “day” job?
TC: I think writing chose me. I actually can’t remember a time when I didn’t write anything. As a kid, I read all the time and wrote little stories in my head and on paper. I think I was born to write, though it took me many, many years before I learned how to do it well … and I’m still learning how to tell a successful story. Writing is not my only career. I’m an editor by day. I tackle words all day long. LOL.
Ally: Do you write from an outline?
TC: I am required to submit to my publisher a short outline for my books. This gives all the promo and marketing people an idea what the story is about so they can work up promo copy, come up with a book cover, etc. I, however, am a pantser by nature, so once that outline’s handed in, I’m done with it. I write by the seat of my pants, slowly, with just the vaguest idea about what comes next. You’d think I’d follow that outline I handed in, but I never look at it again. It’s just the spine of the story for me. The good stuff, the flesh of the novel, I always build day by day, writing session by writing session, in the moment.
Ally: If you could rewrite the ending of any book ever written, what would it be and why?
TC: I’d change the ending to “The Wizard of Oz.” If I were Frank L. Baum, I would have made Oz real, and not just a dream, and I’d have had Dorothy choose to stay there. She would be Oz Queen. Kansas wasn’t so great, really. It was all gray and she had to feed those mean, ugly pigs all the time, and Elvira Gulch was still there on that rickety old bike. Oz was nice and both evil sister witches were dead, right? One got beaned by the house falling on her, the other got melted by a bucket of water. Dorothy could have hung out with her new pals—the Tin Man, the Lion, the Scarecrow. Life could have been sweet, especially with that horse of a different color trotting her all around town. There’s no place like home? Hmmm. I beg to differ.
Ally: What three books in your genre would you recommend to readers?
TC: Indemnity Only, Sara Paretsky
A is for Alibi, Sue Grafton
Any Spenser novel by Robert B. Parker
Ally: What book character would you like to be? Why?
TC: Hercule Poirot. He’s brilliant, but also deliciously persnickety. I’d like to be Poirot just to go through his meticulous moustache routine just once. It might be fun.
Ally: Do you read reviews of your books? Do you respond to them? Are you affected by them?
TC: I was told early on by veteran writers who knew the ropes that it was the kiss of death to read your reviews. If they’re good, you’re lulled into a false sense of security; if they’re bad, it’s almost impossible not to internalize some of that negativity. Writing’s difficult, and your books are personal to you. Do your best, write the book you want to write, and leave the criticism to those who feel the need to give it.
Ally: How many drafts (revision passes) do you do on a typical book before submission to your editor/publisher?
TC: Impossible to say. I revise until the book moves the way I need it to move and sounds the way I need it to sound. If I can get all the gears moving in the right direction after three drafts, great. If it takes six, then it takes six.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
TC: My first standalone novel entitled Hide releases in December of 2022. I have high hopes for it.
Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you select to answer?
TC:
- memorable book you’ve read: Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel
- book you’re currently reading: Blind Vigil, Matt Coyle
- an author (living or dead) you’d love to take to lunch: P.D. James
- an item on your bucket list: Visit Machu Picchu
- a movie you’ll always remember: Casablanca
- favorite book character: Jean Louise Finch (aka Scout)
- favorite quote: “Nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we were put in this world to rise above.” – The African Queen
- pie or cake? Cake. Pound. My Mom’s.
- best place you’ve ever visited: Colonial Williamsburg. I could so live there.
- a supernatural ability you’d love to have: I’d like to fly like Superman. No TSA pat-down required.
- How long does it take you to write a book? Comfortable, one year. In a pinch, nine months. It’s like having a baby, only without the need for an epidural.
Ally: It was a pleasure to meet you, Tracy. Before we wind up today’s chat, please show us your featured book.
Runner (A Chicago Mystery)
Genre: PI/mystery
Chicago in the dead of winter can be brutal, especially when you’re scouring the frigid streets for a missing girl. Fifteen-year-old Ramona Titus has run away from her foster home. Her biological mother, Leesa Evans, is a recovering addict who admits she failed Ramona often in the past. But now she’s clean. And she’s determined to make up for her mistakes—if Cass can only help her find her daughter.
Cass visits Ramona’s foster mother, Deloris Poole, who is also desperate to bring the girl home. Ramona came to Deloris six months ago, angry and distrustful, but was slowly opening up. The police are on the search, but Cass has sources closer to the streets, and a network of savvy allies. Yet it seems Ramona doesn’t want to be found. And Cass soon begins to understand why.
Ramona is holding secrets dark enough to kill for, and anyone who helps her may be fair game. And if Ramona can’t run fast enough and hide well enough to keep the truth safe, she and Cass may both be out of time.
Tracy Clark’s “lapel-grabbing and provocative new novel.” — The New York Times
“Clark has a unique voice in the P.I. genre, one that is articulate, daring and ultimately hopeful.” — S.A. Cosby, Anthony-awarding winning writer, for The Washington Post
Buy links:
https://www.bookcellarinc.com/book/9781496732019
Runner (A Chicago Mystery #4) (Hardcover) | Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore (centuriesandsleuths.com)
https://www.amazon.com/Runner-Chicago-Mystery-Book-4-ebook/dp/B08KKLXRL7/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=RUNNER+TRACY+CLARK&qid=1627424049&sr=8-1
Genre: PI/mystery
Chicago in the dead of winter can be brutal, especially when you’re scouring the frigid streets for a missing girl. Fifteen-year-old Ramona Titus has run away from her foster home. Her biological mother, Leesa Evans, is a recovering addict who admits she failed Ramona often in the past. But now she’s clean. And she’s determined to make up for her mistakes—if Cass can only help her find her daughter.
Cass visits Ramona’s foster mother, Deloris Poole, who is also desperate to bring the girl home. Ramona came to Deloris six months ago, angry and distrustful, but was slowly opening up. The police are on the search, but Cass has sources closer to the streets, and a network of savvy allies. Yet it seems Ramona doesn’t want to be found. And Cass soon begins to understand why.
Ramona is holding secrets dark enough to kill for, and anyone who helps her may be fair game. And if Ramona can’t run fast enough and hide well enough to keep the truth safe, she and Cass may both be out of time.
Tracy Clark’s “lapel-grabbing and provocative new novel.” — The New York Times
“Clark has a unique voice in the P.I. genre, one that is articulate, daring and ultimately hopeful.” — S.A. Cosby, Anthony-awarding winning writer, for The Washington Post
Buy links:
https://www.bookcellarinc.com/book/9781496732019
Runner (A Chicago Mystery #4) (Hardcover) | Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore (centuriesandsleuths.com)
https://www.amazon.com/Runner-Chicago-Mystery-Book-4-ebook/dp/B08KKLXRL7/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=RUNNER+TRACY+CLARK&qid=1627424049&sr=8-1