Today we are the first stop on Joanna Slan’s book tour! Â She is promoting her new cozy mystery Kicked to the Curb. Â Joanna took some time to answer some questions for me. Â After reading her delightful answers, be sure to look for the prize guy to enter her giveaway-a $50 Amazon Gift Card and Ebooks!
Joanna Slan-Author of
Kicked to the Curb
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve always been an avid reader. As a kid, I’d walk to the local library, check out as many books as I could, and read them as I walked home. (I still have scars on my knees from tripping over uneven sidewalks.) Books were my best companions, so the idea of writing my own stories came naturally. In college, I majored in journalism. After I graduated, I found jobs that allowed me to write. I worked in public relations and advertising. Along the way, I sold short pieces to magazines. Eventually, I had five essays published in the Chicken Soup for the Soup books. But I didn’t write my first full-length book until my son got his driver’s license. Until then, I didn’t have a large enough block of time tackle longer projects. Now I write fiction full-time.
What inspired the idea behind this book?Â
I’d been reading about the atrocities at the Dozier Boys School. The fact that this abuse had gone on for more than one hundred years seemed incredible to me. It still shocks me that no one has been held responsible.
You say on your website “If I had any motto to live by, it would surely be this quotation from Emily Dickinson: Dwell in possibilities.” It is such a positive message to readers. How has this attitude helped in the ups and downs up writing?Â
I believe in a universe of abundance. The world is vast, the opportunities are limitless, and it is up to us to find our bliss. The world of publishing has changed/is changing. I could whine about that but I choose to explore the possibilities. Several years ago, I decided to write short stories and offer them on Kindle for less than a buck to encourage readers to try my work. That strategy—that willingness to practically give away my work—has brought me scads of new readers.
On a more personal level, when there’s a set-back, I don’t panic. I take it as a creative challenge. I’m blessed to have my health and my family. The ability to tell stories is a gift that I’ve been given. It’s my job to work out a way to get those stories into the hands of readers.
You have a great collection of books! How can readers find your books and are there more to come?
Readers can view all my books and short stories by going to http://tinyurl.com/JoannaSlan We’re releasing at least two and probably three more books before the end of January. To stay informed, I suggest that people sign up for my mailing list—and I’m even offering a free bonus gift when they sign up. All readers need to do is send me an email at KTTCBonus@joannaslan.com and they’ll automatically get two recipes, two craft tutorials, and an outtake scene from  Kicked to the Curb.
Click on Me to Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway!
$50 Amazon Card & Ebooks!
 MY REVIEW 5 Stars!
Cara Mia Delgatto is clever at repurposing and recycling at her little shop, The Treasure Chest, Â but she’s out of solutions when a dead body is found in a car near her shop. Â It doesn’t help that she may have been the last person who was with the victim. Â This mystery kept my attention and I genuinely loved the idea of the store and the circle of friends around Cara. This is a well-crafted cozy mystery. Â Now I need to back up and read Tear Down and Die- the first book in the series!
This does look like a fabulous read.
Teresa, thank you so much for having me! I love the look of your blog!
Thanks! I love it I’m your first stop and good luck with your tour. Taking your “Dwell in the possibilities” as a great mantra for my day-to-day challenges with my Down Syndrome child.
Mary, I’m so glad it sounds appealing to you. Thanks so much for commenting.
I do like that quote “Dwell in possibilities”. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Thanks for a great interview. I too used to visit the bookmobile that would come to our neighborhood. Walking home with the number of books I was allowed to check out, my week would be spent reading and waiting for the bookmobile to come again. My world was expanded greatly by all the books I read during those years.
Looks like a fun read!
Teresa, as I’m sure you’re well aware, every parent has challenges. Some are more profound than others. That’s why we moms need to stick together and cheer each other on. My challenges with my son led to me writing the Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series. Drugs would have ruined my career as a carpooler, alcohol gives me hives, and so fiction was my best chance for a clean escape. Sending you prayers, good wishes, and courage.
Suekey, when you adopt that motto, you start to see the world as a place full of opportunities. Most of them get overlooked. That’s why Cara Mia is dear to me…she believes in second chances, which is another way of saying that she looks for opportunities.
Lisa, I loved writing this book–although at some points I felt like Jacob wrestling with the angel because it was a challenge. I hope you’ll get it and give it a try.
Robin, when I lived in the UK, I walked to the bookmobile. What a lovely memory you’ve brought back to me~!
I love reading her books!
Thanks so much, Tina!
I have read all of Joanna’s books and I must say that I love them all. Can’t wait for the next release.
Colleen, there’s a free short story on my blog. Go to http://tinyurl.com/KLHauntedAlbum2
Thanks Joanna, I have already read it. Did that last night. It was nice to see Kiki again. Been having withdrawal from the Kiki story line.
Love all of Joanna’s books!!
Kiki’s my imaginary playmate on paper, so have Kiki withdrawal, too, sometimes.
I hope you’ll take a chance on Cara Mia.
That’s for Colleen. You’d think I’d be smart enough to figure out how to post a reply under the comment. Does it help to know I was waving a stuffed fox with one hand (playing with my puppy Jax) and typing with the other?
Don’t worry, I have both Cara Mia books and also the Jane Eyre books. Love them all. When ever I get my hands on one of your books, I stop reading whatever I was reading and read your book then go back to the other book.
Aw, Cindy, that’s so sweet of you! Thanks a bunch.
I haven’t read this series yet, but if it is anything like the Kiki series, I know it will be great!
It’s a spin off, Dawn. And in some of the more recent Kiki books and short stories, Cara plays a supporting role.
This looks good!
Thanks, Elaine. I try hard!