What inspires you to write?

Writing brings me joy and inspires me to write. Whether my books are published, sold, or critically panned, my passion for writing remains unchanged because it genuinely makes me happy.

Are you a full-time or part-time writer and how does that affect your writing?

I am a part-time writer and run my own business, so time is precious. Ideally, I would love to retire and concentrate fully on writing and marketing. Though having a day job doesn’t affect my writing per se, it does affect how much time I can devote to marketing.  

What are some day jobs you have held?

I served in the Royal Navy for 20 years, and for several years after I left the Navy, I worked as a purser aboard a superyacht. However, only some of my day jobs have involved the sea. I have been a shuttle bus driver, car park attendant, English teacher, and doorman!

How do you feel about indie/alternative vs. traditional publishing?

I’ve journeyed through both the traditional and self-publishing worlds. Initially, after self-publishing my first book, The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club, a publisher discovered it and offered me a contract. This was a dream come true at the time—I received an advance, and their marketing efforts propelled my book to best-seller status. However, a decade later, the absence of ongoing marketing and the significant portion of my royalties claimed by the publisher due to our contract has made marketing the book on my own extremely challenging. This experience led me to self-publish my subsequent works, valuing the control over marketing and receiving a more significant share of royalties. Ironically, despite reaching out to over three hundred agents to secure a publisher initially, a publisher approached me directly. It’s rare, and I’m still unsure how often it happens. While I value the freedom of being an indie author, I can’t deny that an attractive advance and contract from a traditional publisher might sway my preference. Ultimately, I ceased my search for an agent, making the likelihood of returning to conventional publishing rather slim.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

My biggest mistake when I started writing was not using an editor. The best advice I can give is to use a professional editor. I wish I had when I first started. Also, don’t rush to publish and don’t rush to market. Try gaining as many reviews as possible before embarking on a marketing campaign. 

Can you share with readers a little bit about your latest book?

My most recent book, A Cozy Mystery…With Cupcakes and Zombies, humorously mocks the clichés of cozy mystery novels. While I’m a fan of the genre, my love for comedy couldn’t be ignored. This novel follows Poppy Darling, a character who defies the typical cozy mystery protagonist mold with her lavish, problematic lifestyle, including traits of entitlement and a knack for being inadvertently discriminatory. Her antics in murder-solving, paired with her hobby of cupcake baking, provide a stark, humorous contrast to the archetype. Poppy’s foil comes in the form of Chelsea Sweetheart, a character that embodies the underdeveloped traits often criticized in cozy mystery sidekicks. This book marks my comedic return since The Reluctant Jesus earned the Reader’s Favorite Book Award for Comedy back in 2014.  This short novel is a celebration of satire and exaggerated personalities, promising a delightful read for those who appreciate a good lampooning of genre conventions—though it might ruffle the feathers of certain cozy mystery aficionados!

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

Crafting A Cozy Mystery…With Cupcakes and Zombies presented a unique challenge: intentionally simplifying my writing style to mimic that of an average cozy mystery author as part of the parody. Moreover, creating a protagonist who wasn’t inherently likable was a deliberate but risky choice, reflecting the nuances involved in penning a satire.

What is your next project?

My forthcoming work continues in the vein of parody, once more casting a humorous gaze on the cozy mystery genre with a spoof titled Murder, She Hoped (a parody of Murder, She Wrote).  This time, the spotlight shines on a protagonist who is an overly confident, opinionated, misguided, righteous, and narcissistic independent author. She becomes entangled in situations she’s convinced are criminal activities, though, in reality, no actual crimes occur.  The feedback from my beta readers has been positive, and I’m eager to see the broader reception of this project when I finally publish.

What do you do to get book reviews? 

I send ARCs to readers from my mailing list and ask them to review any new releases. I also make an announcement on my social media platforms that I am looking for reviewers.  I subscribe to Booksirens, which will offer ARCs to their subscribers.  I also post on Goodreads – again seeking advanced reviewers.

How successful has your quest for reviews been so far?

It has been successful.  In less than a month, I achieved 92 reviews (mostly good, some average, and a few critical), and once I reached 50 reviews, I felt confident enough to invest in Facebook ads and begin my marketing campaign.

Want to learn more about Duncan Whitehead?

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