Melody Saleh Interview Published on: 31, May 2021

I’m a Florida native. I live in paradise—why would I leave? What was my childhood like? You mean, before cell phones and beepers? I was on my bike until the streetlights came on; that was my cue dinner was ready. Summers, I swam at the Municipal pool every day. We only got three TV channels, and those were usually news or soap operas, except on the weekends. On the weekend mornings, I watched cartoons while eating my sugary cereal, and I reserved Saturday nights for Creature Feature; I can still picture those big- eyed sleestak. My mother was a single parent, raising my sister and me. My father left before I was a year old, and she never remarried.

I had asthma as a kid and would have to take medication every day. I had to go to the guidance counselor’s office to take it. It was yummy—chocolate flavor. It made me drowsy, so I had an excuse when I needed to shut my eyes, even if the real reason was staying up late the night before reading.

I don’t remember the first book I read; however, the first book I remember reading was a Nancy Drew mystery. It was my sister’s. Those, along with the Hardy Boy books, were big when we were growing up. I guess that’s where my love of mystery and thrillers began.

I married my Prince Charming in 2001. Once we united, I retired from the mortgage industry and suddenly had my days to myself.

I’m very goal-driven and a high achiever, so sitting still was not anoption. Giving back had always been important to me, so I became more involved with my community, volunteering my new time for various charities. I was busier retired than I was when I worked. Publishing my first book was always a dream of mine, but I kept putting it off. Whether from fear of failure or just not having the time, it remained in the back of my mind. As it festered there, I often wondered—what if? At the time, I had a couture jewelry design business; all profits were going to charity. (That’s a whole other story). After thirteen years of giving back, it was time to give to me, so I closed my jewelry business and dove headfirst into writing. I still volunteer on a much smaller scale, but my passion now is writing.

I think the butterflies were so exhausted, their wings were motionless. It takes a lot of work to publish and market books. It caught me off guard, the vast knowledge that was necessary. When I set my date, if I wasn’t so stubborn, I might have pushed it back a few months. I released it on my birthday because I was doing this for myself. I can’t move the month and day I was born. The most exciting day was when I opened the box of my books. Holding it in my hand brought tears to my eyes. It’s still exhilarating each time I see my physical book for the first time. It’s surreal. What challenges did you face while writing ‘Facade: Things aren’t always as they appear…’? Getting it done! Life got in the way; single parenthood and two cancer diagnosis before I finished it. As far as the writing itself, it’s like a movie projector plays in my mind. I often feel more like a stenographer than a writer. These characters come to life and make their own decisions.

Facade ends with a cliffhanger. I knew my readers would want answers, so Deja Vu picks up where book 1 left off. My characters had more to say, so I kept writing. Most of the twists and turns the four main character’s lives take came up as I was writing. I did not plan for Amber to go through what she did . . . the news at the time dictated it. There are always two sides to the story. However, hearing people comment, “Women put themselves in these positions,” boiled my blood. Having been in the corporate world, I faced similar situations; however, I got out of . . . some women aren’t as lucky. Her stalker as well wasn’t planned. When Dominque got so excited about having a secret admirer, I decided another would get the complete opposite. Why the stalker was after all came together as I wrote that part of the book. I do a basic outline—I wing most of it.

Trilogies are popular; plus, three is my lucky number. It’s one story of four women—best friends—lives, broken into three installments. As I finished Deja Vu, also ending with a cliffhanger, the story continued, and I knew my readers would want a happily ever after for everyone. I also wanted to leave it so I could write standalone spin-offs in the future. My readers love the characters and have begged me to do just that. Ashanti and Mitch’s story is releasing this summer.

I was busy working three jobs to keep a roof over our head and food on the table when my daughter was young. My time with her was rare, but I made it special. I took her to the Italian restaurant I worked waiting tables, the one night a week we had together. I got a 50% discount, so it was a treat for both of us. She was only four at the time, but she loved littleneck clams and the soft rolls hot out of the oven. After two cancer diagnoses, I didn’t know if I’d ever meet my grandchildren. They are such a gift. My heart is so full when I’m with them; that’s the best way I can describe it. I love my daughter very much—I would give my life for her. Now, I’d give it to them as well. Things are just that. People make a difference in our lives. It’s not what you leave behind; it’s the lives we touch while we’re here.

I’m blessed with quite a few people who fit that description. My husband—he doesn’t pressure me when my days blur together with nothing but writing on my mind. And he doesn’t question the money needed for covers, editing, marketing, etc. My daughter is my biggest fan and one of my beta readers. She has no problem telling me when something isn’t right or I need to change a part of my manuscript. My closest friends, Cherie, Holly, Nancy, Shiela, and Tammy, are also big fans and always helping me whenever I need it, even if it’s to take a break so I don’t burn out. I’m blessed to have so many other people in my life that also support me all the way.

I love where I am in my life today; I like who I am. Sure, I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I’ve learned something from each one that’s helped me become who I am. If I change things, I’m not sure I’d be where or who I am. My biggest regret would be not going to college. I obtained my graduate gemology and pearls degrees when I started my jewelry design business in 2006, but I missed that experience right out of high school.

It depends. I’m not a big fan of extra backstory. I’ve read best-sellers bogged down with too many details, and I just can’t get into them; I don’t finish them. If they were a movie, I’d watch them because I know the scriptwriters would cut out many of those words. On the other hand, I’ve seen horrible films. My favorite book is When Rabbit Howls: the Truddi Chase Story. It’s nonfiction about the first documented case of multiple personalities and the only book I’ve read numerous times. The mind fascinates me. What her mind did to allow her to function after the horrible events she experienced is unbelievable. The movie was a disgrace. I couldn’t wait to see it, but the emotion was all wrong.

I read both digital and printed books. For traveling, ebooks are the way to go. I can take several books with me and not weigh me down. It’s also easier reading at night while my husband sleeps. I reserve my Sunday afternoons for relaxing and reading; that’s the time I love a printed book. When it comes down to it, sometimes it’s the price that dictates which one I buy. Some ebooks are priced at the same or higher than paperbacks. In that case, the printed copy wins. Audiobooks are great for road trips, especially if I’m driving by myself. Autobiographies, I think, are best when narrated by whose life story it’s centered around.

I just released a suspense thriller, The Job, on March 30. Keep your enemies close and your target closer.

Rules were broken—Sam had no choice but to leave the organization. Walter’s dying wish is for Sam to come out of retirement for one last job. Trained in martial arts with the patience of a sniper and underground connections, Sam must ruin Andrew Donovan and take away everything and everyone he holds dear, including his wife, Dr. Leigh Harris.

Dr. Harris races the clock to release her groundbreaking cancer treatment to save millions of lives. However, when the setbacks shift from unfortunate accidents to targeted misfortune, the one to save becomes herself. Surrounded by an inner circle of people with secrets of their own, who can she trust?

Everyone has a role—a job. Protect, assist, love . . . but who’s getting paid to kill?

The book I’m beginning now is Ashanti and Mitch’s story from the Unbroken Series. Mitch was her bully in high school. The outcome of their last encounter wakes him wake up, choosing to be a better person. Ashanti is already a forgiving, loving young girl. At the end of Cést La Vie, the two are in love, yet Mitch wants her to be sure, giving her the chance to experience life before committing to him. They leave for college on opposite sides of the country, him to major in Political Science, while she pursues her dream to find a cure for cancer. Will the young bully turned boyfriend become Ashanti’s happily ever after, or will the world open to her for other possibilities?

I found AllAuthor when voting for a cover contest at the end of 2019 and joined for free. Self-published authors are not only the product, but we’ve also become the client as well; many claiming to help us make our ‘best-seller’ dreams come true. I’ll admit, I spent lots of money before I came back to earth and realized, if it’s to be—it’s up to me.

My purpose for joining as a ProMember was the expense versus the exposure. The weekly mock-ups are a great perk, something I can share across my social media platforms. It’s one less thing I must create. We’re responsible for our marketing, and that includes our social media presence. Twitter posts are a great plus. I’ve paid a fee to have my book publicized only to have it just sit on a webpage. With AllAuthor, I see where my book is getting personal attention. Now let’s talk about posts on Facebook and Instagram . . .