BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--AN INTERVIEW WITH MYSTERY AUTHOR E.J. COPPERMAN

Today we sit down for a chat with mystery author E.J. Copperman, who when asked what genres he writes, answered, “Allegedly cozy, definitely humorous (we say “funny” in my house.)” Learn more about him and his books at his website and blog.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

When the 25^th consecutive screenplay didn’t sell. I think I always wanted to write novels but didn’t believe I could until I couldn’t tame a script idea and it came out as a novel. You live and learn. 

 

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

Five days. I pitched the book to 150 publishers via email and got one response. The publisher there said to send him the first 10 pages “and if I laugh reading those, I’ll read the whole book.” The next email read, “I laughed on page 3.” Sold the book five days later. It’s never been that easy again. 

 

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

I am traditionally published. I’m too bad at marketing and promotion to publish myself. 

 

Where do you write?

In New Jersey. 

 

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

It can go either way. If someone in the house is doing something nearby that might distract me, I plug in the headphones and play something without lyrics. Strauss. A lot of Strauss.

 

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

Since my first three books, which took my circumstances but exaggerated them shamelessly, nothing I have written has had the slightest hint of truth in it. I make stuff up. That’s what I’m good at. 

 

Describe your process for naming your character?

I hate naming characters. I usually go by sound rather than word choices. If I think a character needs a hard consonant on the front of their name, it’ll have some bearing. Then I tell myself this is a placeholder name and I’ll change it later, but I never do. 

 

Real settings or fictional towns?

Fake, fake, fake. Although Sandy Moss lives in Los Angeles, which is allegedly a real place. My characters will drive through real towns, but never live there. 

 

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

Samuel Hoenig has autism-spectrum behaviors, so he does things some people will find quirky. To best evaluate a person’s character, he’ll ask them their favorite Beatles song. And he won’t take no for an answer. 

 

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

I write novels for a living. What’s quirkier than that?

 

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?

Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Sometimes Zeppo by Joe Adamson. People think I’m kidding but I’m not. It’s a brilliantly written book on a subject I’m passionate about, and it sounds like something I’d have written, only smarter. 

 

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?

I would have skipped the 20 years trying to sell screenplays and started writing novels sooner. 

 

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

His name’s Gizmo. He’s a beagle, and he resents you calling him a peeve. 

 

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

1. My wife, because she’d see me through it.
2. A luxury yacht and someone to sail it.
3. A book called “How To Get Off A Deserted Island Using Only a Book.”

 

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?

Movie usher. They were showing an awful movie and I had absolutely nothing to do but watch it four times a day. They could have nailed the stupid uniform coat to the back wall of the theater, and I would have been able to sleep through it without anyone knowing the difference. Unless I snored, in which case someone would have to alert me that there was a person snoring in the theater and I would have had to tell myself to be quiet.

 

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

Oh, there’s no way you’re getting me to answer that one. I have friends who are authors. Suppose I don’t say it was one of theirs. Heck no. But the Adamson book listed above is definitely my favorite. 

 

Ocean or mountains?

Um… see answer below. 

 

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?

I like to visit cities. If I get too far away from buildings and movie theaters, I tend to curl up in the fetal position and whimper. 

 

What’s on the horizon for you?

The line between the land and the sky. Why? Do you see something else?

 

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books? 

You can find out anything worth knowing at www.ejcopperman.com and you can buy discounted copies of many of my books at www.cohencoppermanbooks.com. Otherwise, pick one up and see if they’re your style.

 

And Justice For Mall

A Jersey Girl Legal Mystery, Book 4

 

Sandy Moss is faced with a client who won’t let her off the hook: eleven-year-old Riley Schoenberg walks brazenly into Sandy’s office and tells her she wants Sandy to mount an appeal for her father, who is in prison after being convicted of murdering Riley’s mother. And just to make it interesting, he’s confessed to the crime.

 

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BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JONNIE JACOBS' LEGAL SLEUTH KALI O'BRIEN

Today Kali O’Brien, the protagonist of the Kali O’Brien Legal Mysteries by Jonnie Jacobs, sits down with us to dish about her author.

What was your life like before your author started pulling your strings?

I was working at a prestigious law firm in San Francisco, on my way to making partner. I earned a nice income, was dating a man I hoped might be “the one,” and thought I was set for life. Ha! Authors can make a mess of best-laid plans, and actually put a person in danger.

What’s the one trait you like most about yourself?

I’m smart (at least I like to think I am), tenacious, honest (well, I’m not above a white lie or two, but where it counts I have integrity), and I treat people fairly (except for people who don’t deserve it.)

What do you like least about yourself?

My hair. Oh, you mean personality. I’m critical (of myself as well as others) and impetuous. Both get me into trouble sometimes. And I have trouble saying “no.” That also gets me into trouble.

What is the strangest thing your author has had you do or had happen to you?

She’s had me do all sort of things I’d rather not do — break into homes and offices, fall down cliffs, climb out windows, run for my life, get shot, and she sent me back to the DA’s office where I started my career to determine if I’d helped convict the wrong man of serial murder (talk about stress!) But the strangest thing occurred in The Next Victim where she had me interview a porn star and spend time in a porn studio. That was a real eye opener!

Do you argue with your author? If so, what do you argue about?

Absolutely, it’s a constant struggle of wills. I try to avoid trouble but she ignores my pleas and asks, “Where’s the adventure in that?” Who says I want adventure? And I’m tired of failed romantic relationships (she’s put me through a LOT of heartache). I think she’s finally listened to me though. I’m sort of engaged to a hunky homicide detective named Bryce. 

What is your greatest fear?

Failing to successfully defend an innocent person. I’m always afraid I’ll miss some important but seemingly insignificant piece of evidence that’s crucial to my client’s defense. Personally, I’m claustrophobic (my author knows this but it doesn’t keep her from putting me through horrible experiences) and I hate spiders (luckily, she does, too, so I don’t run into many of them.)

What makes you happy?

Fighting for a just cause. A nice glass of wine (or iced martini) and a quiet night with Bryce. Or with a book. (Huh? No wonder I haven’t done so well with the relationships.)

If you could rewrite a part of your story, what would it be? Why?

Other than being born beautiful and rich? There were plenty of experiences I would have preferred skipping at the time, but looking back I can see they’ve all contributed to making me who I am today, and I’m fairly happy with that.

Of the other characters in your book, which one bugs you the most? Why?

 Luckily, I’m not bugged by any of the characters who’ve stuck with me through the series, but in each book there’s always one. Slimy prosecutors, smug judges, reporters who ignore the facts and write the story they want. Oh, and clients who are trouble (happens more often than you’d think.) 

Of the other characters in your book, which one would you love to trade places with? Why?

There’s actually no one, except maybe my sister because she managed to skirt through most of her life ignoring responsibly. If it was just a quick, temporary trade, my friend Margot, who is actually a man. Or was. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be her.

Tell us a little something about your author. Where can readers find her website/blog?

Jonnie was an attorney, like me. But she opted for a more normal life (husband, kids, dogs). She lives her exciting escapades vicariously through me and her other characters. Granted, I have a dog, but I might like a husband and maybe a kid, too. And not so many close calls. Not that she’s going to listen to me.

Jonnie has written sixteen books (two series and several stand-alones) and a couple of short stories. You can find her at her website. 

What's next for you?

I’m not really sure. My author left me in a nice place in the last book (if you can ignore the stitches in my face). I won a case, exposed some bad people, and learned what a great guy Bryce really is. But now she’s off working on another stand-alone. Meanwhile, I’m itching for more adventure. (I know, I said I liked to avoid trouble, but maybe she can send me on a nice beach vacation or a trip to Paris. I can hear her already, “Where’s the adventure in that?”)

Kali O’Brien Legal Mysteries

There are eight books in the Kali O’Brien Legal Mystery Series. In the first, Shadow of Doubt, Kali returns to her hometown of Silver Creek where her childhood friend is the prime suspect in the murder of her husband. Kali is convinced she's innocent until the evidence begins to mount. The second, Evidence of Guilt, is currently available for the promotional price of 99 cents, and the eighth, What the Widow Knew is a super bargain because it’s part of a ten-novella collection SleuthingWomen II: 10 Mystery Novellas  — 99 cents for all ten.