Here I am, back again with another fun interview! This week we'll be getting to know author Marty Wingate, who writes two cozy series, the Potting Shed mysteries and the Birds of a Feather mysteries, both set in the United Kingdom and available in digital form from Random House Alibi. (Alibi is turning into one of my favorite eBook sources, and I know many of you also "read digital.") I really think you're going to enjoy this interview because Marty wears another hat besides her author one. Just wait and see!
Marty Wingate |
Now let's get to the fun part-- the interview!
What was the very first book you remember reading and loving? What makes that book so special?
Apart from The Cat in the Hat, the first chapter book I remember is Little Women. The courage of Jo! I wanted to be just like her.
Outside of your writing and all associated commitments, what do you like to do in your free time?
We travel a fair bit – I lead garden tours to England, Ireland, and Scotland, and my husband and I always add time before and after the tour and stay in one place for a week or so. Great opportunities to do research for my mysteries.
If I were to visit your hometown, where would you recommend that I go? (I like seeing and doing things that aren't in all the guide books.)
If you came to the Seattle area, I would naturally want you to visit some of our public gardens. First, I suggest Powellswood, an English-style landscape created from a dump (really!). Kubota Gardens is a Seattle city park, and also a beautiful Japanese garden. The Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island is breathtaking. And Heronswood, on nearby Kitsap Peninsula, is a lush garden filled with rare plants.
You have total control over casting a movie based on your life. Which actor would you cast as you?
Well, usually authors talk about who should play their book characters. But, me? Hmmm, I’d certainly be happy with Renée Zellweger.
Who is your favorite recurring character in crime fiction?
I love John Rebus from Ian Rankin’s books, and what woman doesn’t want to have the (usually) steely nerve of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone?
If you could have in your possession one signed first edition of any book in the world, which book would that be? Why that particular book?
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – his language and his humor are amazing. We read it aloud every holiday season. Or Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, probably one of my favorite books ever. That in the first two pages she can make you believe that magic is the most common, everyday sort of thing, amazes me. Or one of J.K. Rowling’s Cormoran Strike novels – her characters are always fun, and I’m really getting into this series.
How did you celebrate when you first heard you were to be published? What did you do the first time you saw one of your books on a shelf in a bookstore?
The day the deal was struck, my editor at Random House called me to say congratulations and welcome. I thought that was one of the best things ever. Apart from that, I believe we must’ve had takeout from our favorite Mexican restaurant. (I’m a cheap celebrator!) As my books are digital, I get excited when I see sales figures!
Name one thing on your Bucket List.
You've just received a $100 gift card to the bookstore of your choice. Which bookstore are you making a bee-line for?
Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park – it’s just down the road from us and fabulous. Huge with a broad selection of new and used books. They do great author readings. And – always important – have a wonderful coffee shop adjacent.
An extremely reliable source tells you that a thinly disguised you is a character in a book that's currently high up on the New York Times Bestseller List. What kind of character do you think you are?
I’m the comic relief – the main character’s sounding board. A sort of one-woman Greek chorus. Always around, possibly causing trouble, but loveable. I hope.
Apart from The Cat in the Hat, the first chapter book I remember is Little Women. The courage of Jo! I wanted to be just like her.
Outside of your writing and all associated commitments, what do you like to do in your free time?
We travel a fair bit – I lead garden tours to England, Ireland, and Scotland, and my husband and I always add time before and after the tour and stay in one place for a week or so. Great opportunities to do research for my mysteries.
If I were to visit your hometown, where would you recommend that I go? (I like seeing and doing things that aren't in all the guide books.)
Powellswood |
If you came to the Seattle area, I would naturally want you to visit some of our public gardens. First, I suggest Powellswood, an English-style landscape created from a dump (really!). Kubota Gardens is a Seattle city park, and also a beautiful Japanese garden. The Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island is breathtaking. And Heronswood, on nearby Kitsap Peninsula, is a lush garden filled with rare plants.
You have total control over casting a movie based on your life. Which actor would you cast as you?
Renée Zellweger |
Who is your favorite recurring character in crime fiction?
I love John Rebus from Ian Rankin’s books, and what woman doesn’t want to have the (usually) steely nerve of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone?
If you could have in your possession one signed first edition of any book in the world, which book would that be? Why that particular book?
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – his language and his humor are amazing. We read it aloud every holiday season. Or Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, probably one of my favorite books ever. That in the first two pages she can make you believe that magic is the most common, everyday sort of thing, amazes me. Or one of J.K. Rowling’s Cormoran Strike novels – her characters are always fun, and I’m really getting into this series.
How did you celebrate when you first heard you were to be published? What did you do the first time you saw one of your books on a shelf in a bookstore?
The day the deal was struck, my editor at Random House called me to say congratulations and welcome. I thought that was one of the best things ever. Apart from that, I believe we must’ve had takeout from our favorite Mexican restaurant. (I’m a cheap celebrator!) As my books are digital, I get excited when I see sales figures!
Name one thing on your Bucket List.
Live in Edinburgh, Scotland! |
You've just received a $100 gift card to the bookstore of your choice. Which bookstore are you making a bee-line for?
Third Place Books |
Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park – it’s just down the road from us and fabulous. Huge with a broad selection of new and used books. They do great author readings. And – always important – have a wonderful coffee shop adjacent.
An extremely reliable source tells you that a thinly disguised you is a character in a book that's currently high up on the New York Times Bestseller List. What kind of character do you think you are?
I’m the comic relief – the main character’s sounding board. A sort of one-woman Greek chorus. Always around, possibly causing trouble, but loveable. I hope.
Available Now! |
Available August 4! |
Thank you so much for this opportunity to get to know you a little better, Marty. We really appreciate it.
May your book sales do nothing but increase!
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