Dishing it up with Betty Sullivan La Pierre plus a giveaway!

Today I have the pleasure of having author Betty Sullivan LaPierre on my blog today. Not only has she taken the time for my Q&A, she also has been kind enough to raffle off a copy of “THE SILENT SCREAM to a lucky commenter.

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Betty Sullivan LaPierre now lives in Silicon Valley California and writes Mystery/Suspense/Thriller novels, which are published in digital format and print. Her Hawkman Mystery Series is developing quite a fan base. She’s also written two stand-alone mystery/thrillers and plans to continue writing. ‘BLACKOUT,’ Betty’s story about a bingo hall (of the Hawkman Series), ranked in the top ten of the P&E Reader’s Poll, and won the 2003 BLOODY DAGGER AWARD for best Mystery/Suspense. EuroReviews picked ‘THE DEADLY THORN’ (One of Betty’s stand alone thrillers) for their 2005 May Book of the Month.

JET: You’ve written twelve books in the Hawkman series, can you tell us about the latest?

BETTY: My twelfth book of the series is “SHADOWS IN THE NIGHT”. Tom Casey, Private Investigator, better known as Hawkman, was hired by George and Maggie Hampton to investigate the deaths of their friends living in Morning Glory Haven. The facility houses people capable of independent living, along with those who need twenty-four hour assistance. It baffled him to think someone would kill people who were in the last stages of their lives, and doubted the Hamptons, but as he delved into the case, he found out there were definitely murders taking place.

The Thirteenth in the Hawkman Series, “THE ARCHER” has just been published and is up at my site and my publisher’s for purchase. It’s about a young college woman, Laura King, who is being harassed on her cell phone, and the calls have escalated into vile and treacherous threats. Hawkman takes it upon himself to find out who’s tormenting her. It leads him into the world of archery.


JET: What drew you to crime thrillers?

BETTY: I’ve always enjoyed reading, and loved the plotting aspect of mysteries, even as a child. I never dreamed I’d take up writing, but with encouragement from my family, I finally tried my hand and love it.


JET: What’s been your most challenging hurdle on the road to publication?

BETTY: Being rejected over and over again by the big publishers. I finally got tired of putting out the money to send manuscripts and then get a ‘good, but not our thing’ comment stamped across the front page. There were times when I could tell the manuscript had not even been read. Very frustrating.


JET: What was your favorite moment in the journey?

BETTY: When I turned to e-publishing. I could see it would be the “wave of the future”. Then came the royalty checks....’How sweet it is...” and to know someone is actually reading your work and likes it.


JET: Which authors had the most influence over you growing up?

BETTY: Carolyn Keene. I loved the Nancy Drew mysteries and tried to read every one.

When I couldn’t find them, I’d go to the Hardy Boys Series by Franklin Dixon. I started reading mysteries at a very young age.


JET: When did you know you wanted to take the plunge into the writing world?

BETTY: After I wrote the first book, “THE ENEMY STALKS” where I introduced Hawkman, I couldn’t phantom not sharing the stories about him. He’s a fantastic man. That’s when I decided to take the plunge.


JET: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of book research? Most interesting fact you uncovered?

BETTY: I had to think about this, because I do so much of my research on the internet. However, when I first started researching, I remember being in the library when a young police officer came in. I grabbed him by the arm and said, “I need to talk to you.” I’m sure he thought I was going to report some lewd man exposing himself to children behind the shelves. When I started asking questions about his job, he almost breathed a sigh of relief.

As far as the most interesting fact I’ve uncovered was when I was writing “THE SILENT SCREAM”. I needed to know how to skin a large animal and cure the hide. I had no idea there were so many ways this could be done. A very fortunate finding as I needed a specific method and found it.


JET: Of all the novels and stories you’ve written - which one is your favorite? Why?

BETTY: My favorite is ‘THE SILENT SCREAM’. I graduated from college with a degree in Speech Therapy, with a speciality in the Deaf. I did my student teaching at a deaf school on the campus, Jane Brooks School for the Deaf. These children were taught to speak and were not allowed to use sign language. They were extraordinary, and what they accomplished was close to miraculous. When I started writing, I wanted to do a book about a deaf person. In “THE SILENT SCREAM’, Richard is my protagonist, a young deaf lad. Everyone who read the book fell in love with him, and I loved writing about Richard.


JET: Any advice (from a writer’s standpoint) for the novices out there?

BETTY: Research what it takes to write a book. It’s not easy. You need to know the genre and what is required. Once you’ve written your book, had it critiqued, edited, and polished to the best of your ability, then submit it to a publisher, either a big house or small house. In this day and time, I’d suggest an e-book publisher. Then wait to see what they think. If you’re turned down, go back to the drawing board and work on it some more. Never, never, never give up. Someone out there will like your story.


JET: All right - now that I’ve hammered you with the big questions, let’s tackle my favorite (and geeky) quick ten. . . starting with: Paper or Plastic?

BETTY: Both (prefer Paper)

JET: Steak or Tofu?

BETTY: Steak

JET: Beach or Mountains?

BETTY: Mountains

JET: Country or Rock-n-Roll?

BETTY: Country

JET: Leather or Lace?

BETTY: Lace

JET: Angels or Demons?

BETTY: Angels

JET: Paper or Digital?

BETTY: Both. I just received a Kindle for a gft, so this is up in the air as yet. ;-)

JET: Silent Film Classics or Cheesy B Rated Horror?

BETTY: Silent film Classics

JET: White Chocolate or Dark Chocolate?

BETTY: Dark Chocolate..yummy

JET: Coffee or Tea?

BETTY: Coffee (I like iced tea)


JET: Thank you for indulging me. Before we wrap this up, can you tell us what you're working on now? What's next?

BETTY: I’m working on #14 of the Hawkman Series. Just started, so I can’t reveal much. Other than it will involve Randy, a ten year old boy.

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat on my blog. Folks, you can find out more about Betty Sullivan LaPierre and her work at the following places: http://www.bettysullivanlapierre.com/


http://synergebooks.com/ebook_thearcher.html

http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/BettySullivanLaPierreeBooks.htm

Kindle version of Betty Sullivan LaPierre's books

Also for the Kindle version you can get at the above link.


It’s been a pleasure, and before I go, I’d like to give away a book to a lucky commenter. Once you’ve removed the blog, we’ll draw a name for the winner of “THE SILENT SCREAM”. So everyone be sure and put your e-mail address on your comment, so we can reach you.


Thanks for joining us today!

Next week I have sensational author of Impeding Justice - Mel Comley on tap.

Until then,
Ciao
JET