Andrea Hurst & Associates

The AUTHORNOMICS Interview Series with Penny Warner

By: Andrea Hurst

With a publishing industry that is ever in flux, it can be hard for an aspiring author to figure out what information is relevant and what she needs to do to be successful. Recognizing this, literary agent Andrea Hurst and writer and blogger Katie Flanagan present a series of weekly interviews with publishing industry specialists. The AUTHORNOMICS Series features literary agents, editors, authors, marketing experts and more talking about their opinions on the publishing industry, writing, and what a writer needs to know.

If you have questions for upcoming guests on the AUTHORNOMICS Interview Series, email them to authornomics@andreahurst.com.

Interview with Author Penny Warner

Penny Warner has published over 50 books, including over a dozen party books. Her firstmystery series won a Macavity Award for Best First Mystery, and was nominated for an Agatha and an Anthony Award.

Her latest is a mystery series featuring event planner, Presley Parker, and set in the San Francisco Bay Area. HOW TO HOST A KILLER PARTY features a wedding on Alcatraz, HOW TO CRASH A KILLER BASH offers a Murder Mystery Party at the de Young Museum, and HOW TO SURVIVE A KILLER SÉANCE, features a Séance Party at the Winchester Mystery House (Penguin). HOW TO PARTY WITH A KILLER VAMPIRE will be out in October 2011 and offers a Vampire Party set in Colma, City of Souls, followed by HOW TO DINE ON KILLER WINE next year.
Her middle-grade mystery, CODE BUSTERS CLUB: THE SKELETON KEY, debuts in August, 2011 (Egmont.) Her non-fiction book, THE OFFICIAL NANCY DREW HANDBOOK,was nominated for an Agatha Award. She can be reached at www.pennywarner.com.

Penny is giving away a free copy of HOW TO HOST A KILLER PARTY! Just comment on the post below within the next week, and a lucky random commenter will be chosen Monday, August 22nd! See below for the winner of Nathan Bransford’s query critique!

1. Your Party Planning Mystery Series features a party planner who finds herself solving murders. Can you talk about the inspiration for that series?

I’ve been planning parties since I was three years old and hosted by first tea party for my dolls. That went well, so I’ve been partying ever since. Truthfully, I’ve hosted a wide variety of parties for friends, family, companies, even Jackie Speier, and love giving traditional parties a new twist. I’ve written nearly a dozen party books for kids and adults, and really enjoy bringing people together for a good time.

2. You are a bestselling non-fiction and mystery writer, and you are writing a new middle-grade series. Have you run into any problems in being an author in different genres?

Not at all. I like writing both fiction and non-fiction for adults and kids. They’re such different styles so it’s nice to go back and forth between them.

3. How have you built a platform as a non-fiction writer, and has that been a different experience than building a platform as a fiction writer?

I think it’s easier creating a platform for non-fiction, since you can offer yourself up as an expert in a particular field, then build on that. With fiction, since I haven’t murdered anyone in real life, my platform is more limited to the theme of the book, such as party planning.

4. What are some tips you have for authors marketing their own books? What has worked well for you?

I recommend a slim book called “Shameless Promotion for Brazen Hussies,” put out by Sisters in Crime (I have an article in the book.) Basically, get connected online, with a website, Facebook, etc., write for some blogs related to your topic, set up bookstore signings, go to conference, and get the word out as best you can.

5. How much does your personal experience inform your fiction writing and how much comes from your imagination? Do you think it makes a difference?

I think it’s a little of both. I use a lot of my background to make the book realistic, but I love to imagine what it might be like to, say, solve a crime, find a body, etc. I think they go hand-in-hand.

6. Do you have any editorial tips for mystery writers? For YA and middle grade writers?

Join a critique group so others who are writing in the same genre read your work and make comments, suggestions, etc. Rewrite your book several times – until you can’t stand to look at it any more! Read everything you can get your hands on in your genre and find out how others are doing it.

7. You are a big fan of Nancy Drew as you’ve even written The Nancy Drew Handbook. Have you ever considered ghostwriting the next Nancy Drew novel?

Yes, I’m a huge fan. I learned a lot about writing by reading Nancy Drew mysteries. But I prefer to focus on writing my own work, rather than what someone else wants me to write. I’ve done it, and it’s rewarding, but there’s nothing like getting your own story published.

8. What is your advice for new writers looking for an agent?

I’d recommend you read the acknowledgments page of your favorite mysteries. Often authors thank their agents there. You can also meet agents at conferences – that’s how I found mine. I heard her speak and liked what she had to say. Then finish your book and write a dynamite query letter.

9. Do you think it is important for authors to do book signings and present at conferences?

I think it’s important for them to get out there, meet readers, meet the booksellers, and share your joy of writing. I love speaking to groups and try to make the talk entertaining as well as informative.

10. Any new releases on the horizon?  Where might a fan get a signed book in person?

The fourth book in the Presley Parker Party Planning series, HOW TO PARTY WITH A KILLER VAMPIRE, comes out in October, and I’m excited about that. THE CODEBUSTERS CLUB: THE SKELETON KEY, a book for middle-grade kids, comes out in September. I just turned in HOW TO DINE ON KILLER WINE, which will be out next year.

I’ll be speaking at the Central Coast Writers Conference coming up in September, and I’ll be at several bookstores in the San Francisco Bay Area as well. You can find more details on my website, www.pennywarner.com.

Thanks for the great questions! This was fun!

Thank you for interviewing with our blog series.

Andrea Hurst has over 25 years experience as a published author, developmental editor for publishers, and skilled literary agent. She works with both major and regional publishing houses, and her client list includes emerging new voices and New York Times best-selling authors. Andrea represents high profile Adult Nonfiction and well crafted fiction. Her clients and their books have appeared on the Oprah Show, Ellen DeGeneres Show, Good Morning America, National Geographic network and in the New York Times.

Katie Flanagan is a fiction major at Northwestern University. She is currently an editor with Booktrope and a reader for Pink Fish Press. In the past, she has interned with Andrea Hurst Literary Management and the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts. Her favorite genre is women’s fiction, but she reads any fiction put in front of her. Check out her blog about the writing life at katieflanagan.wordpress.com and follow her on Twitter at @K_Flanagan.

The winner of Nathan Bransford’s query critique is Cyndi Tefft! Don’t forget to check out the AUTHORNOMICS Blog Interview Series’s Summer Contest!