Where were you born, and what was your childhood like?
Columbus, OH—I was an only child and experienced abuse from my biological father. I channeled that into escape through reading and writing. My step-father was my real father, but he did not come into my life until I was in the fifth grade. After that, I had a pretty standard childhood playing sports, going to school, but I've always been more of an introvert, reader, and writer and still prefer to be home.
What genre of books did you like to read while growing up? Which is your favorite book?
I loved the Choose Your Own Adventure books, Seasame Street books when I was younger, Sweet Valley High, Judy Blume. Then I got into poetry and biographies; next was literature—I became an English Literature major for my undergraduate degree in college.
Since how long have you been residing in a small, cozy village in Ohio?
Since I was in fifth grade.
What developed your passion for both mysteries and education?
My past demons. My step-dad used to say I was an enigma because he knew everything I'd been through and was shocked that I worked through it all on my own. I was the first in my family to get a college degree, and I obtained an undergrad degree in English Literature and an M.A. in education. Mysteries were my favorite genre to read because it allowed me to figure things out and provided a fun escape while learning and reflecting on characters. Education was a way for me to work with teens that were at-risk to show them that education was a way out of their situation.
What made you decide to begin a life of crime in her The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series?
This series focuses on themes of a dysfunctional family, urban sprawl, gentrification, effective communication, diversity in race, religion, culture, and growing up. I see a lot of myself in the protagonist, Jolie Tucker—her best friend Ava is a combination of all of my best friends—which aren't many since I'm such a private person.
What is your business MYS ED about?
The name is a pun on Miss or Mrs. or Ms. Education—Mysteries and Education is the forefront of my industry. What I do is I teach five online courses to teachers in the state of Ohio through universities in Ohio that I contract with through my business. Secondly, I write on deadline for educational blogs, affiliations, and publishers. Third, I write the Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series and do all of my marketing—I minored in marketing in college. Leading me to fourth, I am a part-time marketing consultant for indie authors and small publishing companies. Lastly, I have written a psychological thriller that was pitched (by me) and picked up and bought by a streaming service—so, I'm now delving into screenwriting.
What inspired you to start writing The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series?
My life, my family, my students, my readers—wanting to provide an escape for others while focusing on universal themes that many can relate to.
What is the significance of writing a novella numbered 2.5 in The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series?
The (.5) are the holiday books—book 2.5 was Turkey Basted to Death—a thanksgiving murder mystery. This year, book 5.5 is Yuletide Cast of the Iron Skillet, which is a Christmas book.
Who inspired the character of Jolie Tucker, an introverted yet passionate restaurant co-owner of Cast Iron Creations?
While I am A LOT like Jolie—she's got a much more interesting and exciting life that I do.
How did you come up with the idea for your book, Cast Iron Stake Through the Heart?
I was an online teacher and still am—but I taught HS students online and now teach educators online—so Jolie and Ava take on creating an online cast iron cooking class—but it's never as easy as they want it to be!
When you're running low on ideas, what do you do, or who do you talk to for inspiration?
Honestly, that hasn't happened to me yet. I planned all 14 books in the series, came up with the titles, came up the themes, came up with the map of Leavensport—all the places in it (I created a PowerPoint and found Google images to help me always look at the same picture when describing the places—plus I have a chart with character details, setting details, and plot arc details for books and the series), etc. before I ever wrote book one.
If you could describe your journey as an author in one word, what would it be?
Exhilarating.
What are the names of your nine cats? How do manage them all?
Lucky Lou Rath, Stewart Michael Rath, Sammy JR Rath, Murray Kinz Rath, Murray McGuillicutty Rath, Slinky Marie Rath, Lily-Rose Rath, Luna Belle Rath, and Lulu Bean Rath. My husband and I are both homebodies and we are both clean and organized freaks—so we have a system—it started 18-years ago with four and grew to nine over the years.
What are you currently working on?
Deep Dish Pizza Disaster that comes out Labor Day weekend 2020—but I'm also working on a psychological thriller called Monday Sessions that is partly based on a true story about my first husband, who is now in prison for life.
How has your experience of association with AllAuthor been?
Excellent. I love it so much—I paid up for two to three years in advance and plan to keep it.
