A Visit & Giveaway with Lissa Marie Redmond

I'm pleased to welcome Lissa Marie Redmond back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Lissa's first full length novel, A COLD DAY IN HELL, was released in February. It is the first in the Cold Case Investigation Mystery series.

Kathy: A COLD DAY IN HELL was your first full length novel. How has life changed for you after its publication?

LMR: It’s been a very eye-opening journey. I was overwhelmed by the support of my family and neighbors here in the city of Buffalo, my new online friends, and in the writing community. Changing speeds from cop to writer has definitely improved my health, helped me make new friends, and has broadened my world.


Kathy: In regards to writing, what's the best thing that has happened to you since being published?

LMR: I appreciate all the people I have gotten a chance to meet at book signings, libraries, and book clubs. I still can not believe they want to hear what I have to say! But I also enjoy listening to my readers' stories as well. I’m amazed at the different ways readers have connected with my characters. I love to hear what they took away from my book. It’s the ultimate compliment to a writer.


Kathy: Authors are required to do a lot of their own marketing, especially for a new release. What's your favorite part of marketing your work? What do you dislike about marketing?

LMR: I don’t mind making appearances, doing book signings, or being a guest on blogs (although I have a comma problem that I’m very self-conscious about and try to run everything through a second reader). The only thing I dislike about marketing is there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to get everything done.


Kathy: When it comes to writing I understand there are 2 general camps-plotters, who diligently plot their stories, and pansters, who fly by the seat of their pants. Are you a plotter, a panster, or do you fall somewhere in between?

LMR: My first book, A COLD DAY IN HELL, was totally by the seat of my pants. Book two, which I’m working on, is a little less so, but book three has already been plotted out. So I’m evolving from a pantser to a plotter as I go.


Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for Detective Lauren Riley?

LMR: Lauren has at least two more appearances in two subsequent books. She seems to attract a lot of trouble where ever she goes, so there may be even more stories in the works for her. She’s a fun character to write, because she is so unlike me. I get to take some risks with her that I wouldn’t take myself. And I love to take her in some totally new directions.


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

LMR: The second book in my Cold Case Investigation series is set to come out in February, 2019. Lauren and many of the characters from A COLD DAY IN HELL make it into the book, but I can tell you they don’t all make it to book three!


Kathy: What's one piece of advice you'd give to an aspiring writer?

Write every single day. Even if it’s only a paragraph. Even if you don’t feel like it. Even if you don’t think you’ve got anything to say. Get in the habit of writing and the words will come. Will everything you write be a masterpiece? No, but you’ll learn something from it, even if it’s what not to do. And don’t give up. Writing is a tough business. You have to believe in yourself and your work.

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Keep in touch with Lissa Marie Redmond with these links:

website: http://www.Lissamarieredmond.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LissaMarieRedmond
Twitter: @Lissa_Marie_Redmond

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One lucky reader will receive an autographed copy of A COLD DAY IN HELL. (Sorry, due to postal costs US addresses only.) Simply leave a comment on this blog post no later than 11:59pm EDT Wednesday, May 16, 2018 answering the following question: Since Detective Lauren Riley has such a rotten love life, should she keep looking for Mr. Right or get a dog? Be sure to include your e-mail address so that I can contact you should you win.