Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
U.S. National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship recipient M. Lee Musgrave has had his art exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions, lived most of his life in Los Angeles. He writes about today’s art world from the inside. He now lives in the Pacific Northwest. Musgrave has organized hundreds of exhibitions at museums, galleries, and municipal centers involving artists, collectors, critics, gallerists and a vast array of related enthusiasts. His writings related to those exhibitions contributed to their success and to his ability to relate that community to others. Those many experiences and his ongoing personal art activities inform his creative writing about the exciting art community. He is the author of romantic, amateur sleuth thrillers Brushed Off, Off Kilter, and The Beautiful One.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Off Kilter is the sequel to M. Lee Musgrave’s first novel Brushed Off. It continues the growing relationship between main characters Nicole, James, and Cisco plus introduces Merra a new dynamic character who ups the action.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do not preplan the plot or the chapters. Rather, I write organically. Each morning I read out loud what I wrote the day before and that process tells me what happens next.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Raymond Chandler has had the strongest influence on my writing. I admire how he creates settings and characters. Other authors include Ross Macdonald, Walter Mosley and Michael Connelly who have also inspired me to deepen and expand my plots.
What are you working on now?
I just finished my third novel, The Beautiful One, a romantic amateur sleuth thriller set in 1912 Cairo and Berlin. It was inspired by the discovery of the sculpture bust of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti and a number of other historic events and invention from that era. Ebook copies of the book are available and print version will be out soon.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media sites Facebook and Instagram plus Amazon, Barnes & Noble as well as publisher Black Rose Writing have all been very generous in promoting my books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be true to yourself for if you are not, you will make yourself ill. Only do, say and write what makes you feel good about yourself.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Know thyself … which means you have to be very honest with yourself and don’t be delusional.
What are you reading now?
Perchance To Dream, sequel to The Big Sleep, written by Robert Parker.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The third book in my James Terra Mystery Series. I can hear the characters talking in my head already.
What is your favorite book of all time?
That is a long list, impossible to narrow down to just one book for it includes, in no particular order, Chinatown, L.A. Confidential, Farewell My Lovely, Devil In A Blue Dress to name just a few.
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