Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Debbie Regan Cleveland is a retired non-profit Executive Director, blogger, author, free-lance writer, volunteer, historian, and collector of vintage photos and ephemera. She co-founded two neighborhood groups and was designated a “Hometown Hero” as an advocate for her section of town.
Debbie has been a published author beginning in high school when she was selected to be the student reporter for an area Massachusetts newspaper, The Lowell Sun. She was a columnist for her college newspaper, and just about everywhere she was employed, she used her writing skills in newsletters and marketing pieces.
Grandmother’s Trunk Press, her company, grew out of Grandmother’s Trunk, her consignment shop full of antiques, collectibles, unique items, and vintage clothing. Debbie published brochures and booklets as part of promoting the shop. She also was invited to write feature articles for trade antiques periodicals.
When she and a fellow dealer launched New England’s first Vintage Clothing Show and Sale, they published a companion newsletter, The Vintage Gazette, reporting on the vintage clothing market and East Coast Vintage Clothing Shows.
Debbie worked full and part-time in public libraries for 20 years. At one point she was the Local Store Marketing Coordinator for 13 corporate McDonald’s restaurants, using her ideas and promotional skills when introducing new products and new stores.
For several years she was the owner and webmaster of Framingham.com, one of the first community websites in the U.S. and still online. She is a long-time volunteer at the Framingham History Center and blogs about being a senior citizen on her blog 50plusses.com.
She enjoys shopping at thrift and consignment and vintage shops, especially looking for interesting photographs and ephemera. She has created some books and digital products using her finds.
She has published several books. One of significance is a memoir of a Massachusetts Legislator who championed women’s, gay, and the underdog’s rights.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
How Shadowchaser Got His Name: A Cat Tale. This is my first children’s book and it took me 34 years to write and publish it. It is loosely based upon an incident in my family when my children were young.
There really was a Shadowchaser.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in my mind when I can’t sleep.
I may jot notes in my phone for later.
I like writing longhand, but typing gets my ideas down quicker.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have four grandchildren and noticed what keeps their attention. That helped me to better choose my words and format the book. I also worked in public libraries for about 20 years, often in the children’s department and noticed what kids tended to like.
One would be Dr. Seuss, for the bright colors and simple illustrations on each page. The illustrations for Shadowchaser are simple, without a lot of backgrounds.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a sequel to How Shadowchaser Got His Name. Working title is: The Trouble with Shadowchaser. As he is a life-like stuffed cat, he is sometimes mistaken for a real cat. That’s when there’s trouble.
I am also working on a non-fiction book: So You Really Want to Buy A Cabin in the Woods. We own a cabin in Maine and there’s the dream and then there’s the reality, which I will share in the book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hmmm…well, I use my website, which is GrandmothersTrunk.com, and my blog, which is 50plusses.com, which is about the joys of being 50 plus and I mention my books. I also use Facebook. I also carry business cards with a picture of the book cover and a QR code for where to buy the book on Amazon on the back. I hand them out, which is working better than just telling people.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up and don’t do it alone. Even though I wrote free-lance articles and newsletters, etc. for years, writing a book is different. I signed up for several paid and free writing summits or webinars and took copious notes. I credit them with helping me with the title and the book cover, as well as the book structure. I used a lot of the words and ideas I had written down years ago, but used them better. I had a librarian and educators critique my book and their suggestions helped me over humps and better use words. It takes a village.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t go it alone. Seek and ask for advice.
What are you reading now?
I read mostly mysteries and thrillers. But right now I am reading Table for Two by Amor Towles. I am in awe of his craftsmanship and versatility.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hmm…beyond the sequel and the book about owning a cabin, I have a few other children’s book ideas.
I also love Maine and may do a book about my experiences as a “PFA” – “Person from Away” and how enriching it has been to be in DownEast Maine.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Perhaps Gone with the Wind.
I have trouble picking favorites or bests.
Author Websites and Profiles
Debbie Regan Cleveland Website
Debbie Regan Cleveland Amazon Profile
Debbie Regan Cleveland Author Profile Other Bookseller
Debbie Regan Cleveland’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account