Back to high school sets background for Angela Henry's Schooled in Lies

Can anyone remember their high school days with fond memories?  Shudder!  I was the scrawny little girl in the back of the auditorium with nose in books instead of flirting with the boys like everyone else.  Oh, I had my crushes, don't get me wrong, but let's just say I was so glad when those days were over and I finally blossomed!

But imagine this. 

Imagine having to go back to the chamber of horrors because your job required it and then you get roped into serving on your high school reunion committee when you didn't even want to be there in the first place?

That's exactly what happened when Kendra Clayton of Angela Henry's new book, Schooled in Lies (Boulevard Press), had to do.  Only, spending time with her former classmates was even less fun than having a root canal.  Ouch! 

Then to make matters worse, she and the other committee members started receiving strange messages and having freak accidents.  When one of the accidents results in a death, Kendra is convinced it's murder.  What a dilemma!

I am loving Angela Henry's new book, Schooled in LIes, because knowing me, that's exactly what would happen if I went back - too much bad karma there.  But Schooled in Lies is a fast paced mystery novel that I did enjoy and I'm sure my Virginia Beach readers will, also.

I interviewed Angela to find out more about her writing life and her new book to give you an inside glimpse of this gifted author.

Thank you for this interview, Angela. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

I’ve worked in the library field for more than twenty years and I started writing short stories in high school. I got away from writing fiction when I was in college but writing a novel was always a goal of mine. I didn’t attempt it until I was in my late twenties and didn’t get published until I was in my late thirties.

Do you write full-time?

I wish! No, writing is my part-time job. But a girl can dream!

You’ve met an old friend from high school and you want to pitch your book to him/her in five minutes or less. What would you say?

Hey! Did you know I have a new book out? You might like my latest Kendra Clayton novel, Schooled in Lies. Kendra gets roped into serving on her high school’s reunion committee with murderous—and humorous—results. And don’t worry; you’re not in it. No, really, you’re not in. I swear!

Who is your intended audience? Have you been able to crossover into other audiences as well?

My intended audience is anyone who enjoys mysteries, especially small town murder mysteries with humor.

Why did you choose your particular genre?

I’ve loved mysteries for as long as I can remember. But I wasn’t finding many with black characters. I read somewhere that you should write the kind of book you’d like to read. So, I did.

Do you ever experience self-doubts with your work?

Not as much as I did when I first started. But, yes, I still experience self-doubts about my writing. As a writer you’re putting your work out there for the whole world to see, and it can be scary. I think it’s only natural to have doubts.

Where do you write? Do you have a favorite place?

I love to write surrounded by books. I write in libraries, usually at work during breaks and lunch hours.

What kind of research did you have to do during the writing process?

Since my books are set in a fictional town, I have to do very little research.

Who is your publisher and how did you get accepted by them? Did you pitch your book yourself or go through an agent?

BET Books, a division of Black Entertainment Television, published my first book in the Kendra Clayton series. I got my contract with them after I submitted sample chapters to editor Glenda Howard in the summer of 2003. She contacted me about two weeks before Christmas of that year, after she read the chapters on the subway on her way home from work, and requested I overnight her the rest. Two weeks later, she offered me a three-book deal. BET Books was eventually acquired by Harlequin and renamed Kimani Press. My current Kendra book is published my Boulevard West Press.

How are you promoting your book thus far?

Well, I’m doing a blog tour, email blasts, targeted web ads, book giveaways, and reaching out to fellow librarians at libraries that own my previous books.

If you could give one book promotion tip to new authors, what would that be?

Don’t expect your publisher to do all, or any, of your book’s promotion. You need to get involved because you are your book’s biggest cheerleader.

What’s next for you?

Book five in the Kendra Clayton series, KillJoy is in the pipeline for a 2011 release. I’m also hoping to find a home for an adventure/thriller I got inspired to write after my first visit to Paris.

Thank you for this interview, Angela Can you tell us where we can find you on the web?

http://www.angelahenry.com

http://angelahenry.blogspot.com

http://www.twitter.com/mystnoir