Interview with Author/editor/publisher Harriette Sackler

I am interviewing author/editor/publisher Harriette Sackler. Harriette has served on the Malice Board of Directors longer than she can remember. After twenty years she stopped counting. As Grants Chair, Harriette loves presenting an award to unpublished writers each year to assist them along the road to publication. She is an Agatha-nominated short story writer and a co-publisher and editor at Level Best Books. Harriette lives in the D.C. suburbs with her husband and two very much -loved Yorkies. She is a proud mother and grandmother and has a passion for animal advocacy and rescue. In what spare time she has, Harriette crochets blankets for donation to charitable organizations, reads books by her favorite authors, and spends as much time as she can at the ocean on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Question:   What inspired Level Best Books? How did it come about?

Answer: Jacqueline, thank you for having me. In 2015, Shawn Reilly Simmons, Verena Rose, and I, collectively known as the Dames of Detection, assumed ownership of Level Best Books, formerly operated by a group of New England authors. We have been active in the mystery writing community for over twenty years, as authors, editors, grants coordinators, convention organizers, and publishers.

Question: Is Level Best limited to the mystery genre?

Answer: Level Best publishes both contemporary and historical crime fiction. Our Historia imprint is focused on historical (pre-1970) mysteries and thrillers. Our New Arc imprint highlights a broader range of fiction to include literary fiction, fantasy, and science fiction. Level Elevate features works for younger readers.

Question:   What are you working on now?

Answer:  Level Best Books is committed to publishing quality crime fiction and bringing new books and new voices and stories to a wide audience of readers. Our focus is to partner with our authors to create stories that entertain and inspire as many readers as possible.

Question:   You are a well-known mystery writer. What made you start working as an editor/publisher?

Answer: Many of my short stories have been published in a variety of anthologies and I was honored to be nominated twice for an Agatha Award for Best Short Story. At the present time, I’ve found it necessary to put my own writing on hold in order to concentrate on my Level Best responsibilities. 

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

Answer: I would suggest that any writer who wishes to submit a manuscript to a publisher, be sure you send your best work. Your manuscript should be well edited in a standard format. Provide sufficient information about your manuscript and yourself to allow the publisher to determine if you are a good candidate for publication.

Comments for Harriette are welcome here!