Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the author of 22 books, all of them Christian at the core, most of them falling into the cozy mystery, romance, suspense category. Two notable exceptions are “Killer Conversations,” a gritty thriller, and “Love’s Beating Heart,” a young adult with a pro-life theme.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Pirate Hole Murders” is the third in the Fog Busters, old bones detectives series set in Scotland. Conducting research for the first two books in the series, “Black Pudding Murder,” and “Mushroom Murders” acquainted me with a true pirate hole murder mystery on the Isle of Mull, and I could not leave it behind in the pages of the research books.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nope. I’m pretty ordinary in every way, except that I love writing. I live for writing. I don’t have a TV and while I enjoy long walks and fun outdoor activities – I currently live in Dunoon, Scotland, a marine climate where it rains nearly every day. Therefore…I write…almost every day.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first author who influenced me was mystery-romance-suspense author Phyllis A. Whitney. I still love her books, adult and young adult. I also love Agatha Christie. The contemporary mystery writer who gets my immediate attention is Christy Barritt. I also love Lauren Carr, and sister team Vickie Britton and Loretta Jackson. And the first book I ever read that made me want to become a writer was “Black Beauty” by Anna Sewell.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a fourth Fog Busters mystery set in Scotland. But the work in progress that has really touched my heart is set in Laredo, Texas, and features a main character who is suffering from dementia, and is determined to write one more book before her mind clouds over completely.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Except when I had back surgery and when I’ve been traveling and had no access to a computer, I get on Facebook at least once daily and send tweets out two or three times a day. I also avail myself of affordable promotions – like this one.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Write because you love to write. Write because you will die inside if you don’t write. Don’t write for money.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up.
What are you reading now?
I read my Bible nearly every day. I have nine markers in nine different places in the Bible, Old and New Testaments, and by reading them every day – I read through the Bible in a year. As for a contemporary author, I have just started a new Christy Barritt book, “Gaffe Out Loud.”
What’s next for you as a writer?
My dream is to move Arizona, USA. I’ve never lived there, but I have lived in the Great Basin Desert of Nevada, and I love desert. I am also weary of rain and cloudy skies. I would love to move to Arizona and buy a little house that I could rock (I love rock work almost as much as writing) during the daytime. I would write after dark.
What is your favorite book of all time?
“Black Beauty.”
Author Websites and Profiles
Stephanie McKean Amazon Profile
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