Monday, March 20, 2017

Interview with Author Patricia Gligor by Jacqueline Seewald

I have the pleasure of interviewing author Patricia Gligor who is a Cincinnati native. She enjoys reading mystery/suspense novels, touring and photographing old houses and traveling. She has worked as an administrative assistant, the sole proprietor of a resume writing service and the manager of a sporting goods department but her passion has always been writing fiction.

Question: What is the title and genre of your most recent novel?  Why did you select them?

Answer: Marnie Malone is my fifth Malone mystery. The genre is mystery/suspense. I selected the title because Marnie plays an important role in two of the first four books in the series and I decided she deserved a book (and a title) of her own.


Question:   What inspired this novel? How did it come about?

Answer: This book will be the last Malone mystery (at least for now) and there were unresolved issues in the series that needed to be addressed. Although each book may be read as a standalone and closes with what I hope is a satisfactory ending, I wanted to tie up all loose ends.

Question:  Could you tell us a little bit about the heroine and/or hero of your novel?

Answer:  Marnie Malone is the older sister of Ann Malone Kern, the main character in the first four Malone mysteries. Like Ann, Marnie was born and raised in Cincinnati but, ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed of living near the ocean. After completing law school, she moved to South Carolina where she could be close to the water. She’s a very independent woman who relies almost solely on her own ability to take care of herself. But, as she discovers in this book, that can be a blessing and a curse.

Question:   Can you tell us about some of your other published novels or work?

Answer:  The first three Malone mysteries take place in Cincinnati. In Mixed Messages and Unfinished Business, there’s a serial killer on the loose in Ann’s neighborhood and, in Desperate Deeds, Ann’s young son goes missing.
The last two novels are set in South Carolina. In Mistaken Identity, Ann discovers the body of a young woman on the beach and, determined to find the killer, she enlists the help of Marnie and their friend, Clara. That brings us to Marnie Malone.

Question:   What are you working on now?

Answer:  I’m in the process of writing a standalone suspense novel told in the first person. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and, as with my Malone mystery series, I’m having a lot of fun writing it.

Question:   What made you start writing?

Answer: Actually, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write. I think for many of us it’s something we’re born with – the need to express ourselves through the written word.

I wrote short stories and short shorts for years. I always wanted to write a novel but the thought of writing 70,000 to 80,000 words intimidated me. Thanks to the encouragement from family and friends, I finally “bit the bullet” and I’m so glad I did.

Question:   What advice would you offer to those who are currently writing novels?

Answer: I would advise them to create a blog and actively participate in social media before they send their manuscript out. It’s crucial that they get their name out there because the first thing publishers and agents will do is Google their name. If they come up blank, even The Great American Novel will most probably go unnoticed – and unpublished.

Question:  Where and when will readers be able to obtain your novel?

Answer: My books may be ordered through local book stores and they’re available online at:
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/8sd2cz4

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Patricia+Gligor/_/N-8qa?_requestid=305533

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=Patricia%20Gligor&ac.morein=true&ac.title=Patricia%20Gligor

Note to readers: I would like to mention that I just finished reading and reviewing Patricia’s new novel. I found it gripping and recommend it to mystery/suspense readers.


Questions or comments for Patricia are welcome here!

26 comments:

  1. Jacqueline, you do a good interview. As usual, I enjoyed getting to know about Patricia Gligor. Thank you.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Sharon! I hope you'll check out my Malone mysteries.

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  2. Jacquie, thank you for inviting me to be your guest. Sharon Ervin is exactly right. You ask such interesting interview questions!

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    1. Patricia,

      Thank you for interviewing with me. I always enjoy reading your novels. Sharon, thank you for stopping by and for your support!

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  3. Featuring Marnie adds a new twist to the Malone series. Should be good.

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  4. I enjoyed learning about your new book, and your advice to beginning writers is spot on. Good luck with your new book.

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    1. Thanks, Susan! The advice I gave came from me doing things the wrong (and hard) way. Do as I say, not as I did. LOL

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  5. I am looking forward to your standalone mystery told in first person. Great interview, Pat!

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    1. Thanks, Pat, but it will be awhile. I'm a book a year writer. LOL
      In the meantime, I hope you'll read "Marnie Malone." :)

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  6. I love reading books in series....yours sounds very interesting.
    Good luck and God's blessings
    PamT

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    1. Pamela,
      Thank you for your lovely comment. I hope you'll check out my series.

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  7. I'm really enjoying reading Marnie Malone. It's really hard to put down. Love the way you do characterization.

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    1. Thanks, Evelyn! That's so nice of you to say. I'm glad you're enjoying the book. :)

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  8. I'm about half way through Marnie Malone and truly enjoying it! Lots of suspense, twists and turns. The characters are well-drawn and I can't wait for time to sit down and read more.

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    1. I'm so glad you like the book, Marja. Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. I enjoyed hearing about the Malone mysteries. Thanks.

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  10. Haven't started reading yet, waiting for a day that I can call Marnie day! and shut out the rest of the world. Soon.... And Marja's comment has even more eager to start.

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    1. Madeline,
      I can't wait to hear what you think of the book. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

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  11. Your social media advice is bang on. So many aspiring writers think it isn't important, but publishers look at that stuff. Nice interview as always, Jacqueline.

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    1. Judy,
      I learned the importance of social media - before sending out a manuscript - the hard way. A good part of the reason it took me so long to get published. I'd hate to see other writers make the same mistake.

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  12. How excited you must be to know you have five books in the series out. That is truly a huge accomplishment. Enjoyed this.

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    1. Thanks, Linda. "Excited" doesn't begin to describe how I feel. I've waited a long, long time for this. Now, if I could just sell some books. LOL

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  13. Wonderful interview! Congratulations and best wishes for wild success, Pat!

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