Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Interview with Carolyn Arnold, DETECTIVE MADISON KNIGHT Series


Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
Sadly, the subject matter of my latest book, In the Line of Duty, is one that hits news reports far too often. Violent attacks against police and claims of police brutality are commonplace these days and two topics that only seem to be gaining momentum. In my twenty-sixth release and latest international bestseller, I shed light on this tragic reality.

Neither vilifying or idolizing law enforcement, I do my best to portray officers as truthfully as possible as they work through their grief while trying to find their fellow officer’s killer. This piece of fiction is a painfully honest depiction of life and loss in the police force and illuminates the camaraderie and loyalty behind the badge. It shows clearly the human side of policing.

Publishers Weekly described In the Line of Duty as being “as much an action-packed mystery as it is a heartfelt tribute to police who give up their lives to protect others.”

And, although, In the Line of Duty is book 7 in the Detective Madison Knight series, it can be read as a stand-alone. Reviewers who haven’t read previous books have noted that it was easy to understand everything that is going on.

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?
Oh, for the most part, I love complete silence. There’s only been the rare exception to this when I’ve been writing a scene and want to turn on the same music that my characters are listening to.

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
Whenever I try to outline, nothing. The creativity juices dry right up and I hear crickets. I don’t think my characters like to be told what to do. LOL

I write organically, going with the flow. I basically find out who the killer is along with my investigators.

What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?
I have learned so much that it could be a course with several webinars. I think an important thing for new writers to remember is don’t be afraid of change or involving.

For me, in the 2015, I worked through having all my previously published Detective Madison Knight and Brandon Fisher FBI covers redone. This was for branding purpose. Before that, I had the McKinley Mysteries redesigned.

I originally had the McKinley Mystery books designed using people, but they weren’t moving as much as I’d have liked. Then I realized that other books in the cozy genre were cartoons. I had all my covers in that series updated and I’m happy to say they’re selling a lot better!

Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?
I’m not exclusive to Amazon so you can find my e-books on Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more. My books are also available in paperback and in hardcover (for my Detective Madison Knight and Brandon Fisher FBI series) from many retailers including Books-a-Million.

What kinds of marketing [Twitter, Facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?
I utilize social media for spreading the word, and I also regularly pay for advertising.

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?
Absolutely, but I’m fortunate to have some help in that endeavor. Writing is a business, though, and it can be especially hard (read near impossible) to be creative when your focus is on administrative tasks. That’s why establishing the day’s priorities ahead of time is crucial.

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?
Non-negotiable is to hire and work with reputable professional editors before publishing. Hire a professional designer for your cover.

Always remember why you’re writing and know that not everyone will like your work—and that’s okay. Focus on the readers who love your books and this will keep you going.

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?
I love reading and going to the beach, going on walks, taking in a movie with my husband.

What’s next for you?
Currently, I’m working on book 6 in the Brandon Fisher FBI series. The killer in this book makes my skin crawl.



Blurb:
In the Line of Duty
Book 7 in the series.

He devoted his life to seeking justice. But would she get any for him?

It was an ordinary day for police officer Barry Weir. It was the end of shift, he was tired, and he just wanted to get home to his wife and kids. But someone had other plans for him, shooting him down and forcing him to make the ultimate sacrifice.

When news of Weir’s murder reaches the department, it leaves Detective Madison Knight and every cop in the Stiles PD itching for revenge. It cuts Madison’s boyfriend, colleague, and Weir’s childhood friend, Troy Matthews, deepest of all, driving him away from everyone he loves just when they need one another the most.

With evidence pointing to a gang-related drive-by, Madison and her team investigate the town’s seedy underbelly in search of justice for their fallen brother. But the deeper they dig, the more convoluted the case becomes. Now they need to figure out if this was a random shooting as part of a gang initiation, a straight-up hate crime, or a targeted kill. But with members of the Stiles PD under attack, they have to do it fast…before more officers pay with their lives.

Read in any order or follow the series from the beginning: Ties That Bind, Justified, Sacrifice, Found Innocent, Just Cause, Deadly Impulse, In the Line of Duty, Life Sentence (Bonus Prequel).

This is the perfect book series for fans of Law & OrderCSIBlue BloodsRizzoli & IslesWomen’s Murder Club, and Hawaii Five-O.





You can also visit the author’s McKinley Mysteries Series page: http://carolynarnold.net/detective-madison-knight-series/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international best-selling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.

Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives just west of Toronto with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada.

Connect with CAROLYN ARNOLD Online:

And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter for up-to-date information on release and special offers at http://carolynarnold.net/newsletters.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

No comments:

Post a Comment

Your post will be published after administrator approval.