I’ve been waiting to read Paula Matter’s debut mystery, Last Call. Readers of the blog know my schedule – read frantically for deadlines; crash; read for myself for about a week; repeat. I’m looking forward to getting to this book. In the meantime, I asked Paula if she’d answer interview questions. She was kind enough to agree. Thank you, Paula. (And, if you read the entire interview, you’ll discover an opportunity to receive a signed copy of Last Call.)
Paula, would you introduce yourself to readers?
Hi Lesa, thanks for
having me visit your awesome blog! I guess I’ll just offer my official bio:
Paula Matter is the author of the Maggie Lewis mysteries which take place in a
small town in North Florida. Paula’s short crime fiction stories have been
published in USA and German anthologies. After losing her job as a catering
server, Paula decided instead of getting yet another job as a
waitress/bartender/activities director/etc., she’d tackle her mystery novel
again. Last Call is her debut novel.
having me visit your awesome blog! I guess I’ll just offer my official bio:
Paula Matter is the author of the Maggie Lewis mysteries which take place in a
small town in North Florida. Paula’s short crime fiction stories have been
published in USA and German anthologies. After losing her job as a catering
server, Paula decided instead of getting yet another job as a
waitress/bartender/activities director/etc., she’d tackle her mystery novel
again. Last Call is her debut novel.
Originally from
Miami, FL, Paula kept moving north until she settled in north central
Pennsylvania. A proud mom of one son, she lives with her husband The Saint, and
worthy-not-spoiled rescue dog in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains.
Miami, FL, Paula kept moving north until she settled in north central
Pennsylvania. A proud mom of one son, she lives with her husband The Saint, and
worthy-not-spoiled rescue dog in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains.
Tell us about Maggie Lewis.
Maggie is younger, taller and nicer than I am. Actually, we
were the same age when she appeared in another novel I’d written some years
ago. My critique group loved Maggie, who was a somewhat minor character. She
was funny and feisty. My agent at the time couldn’t sell that book. When I came
up with the general idea for Last Call, I knew Maggie had to be front and
center. Readers of Last Call are saying
they like how real she is, and how she develops from being sort of surly and
sad to having more control over her life.
were the same age when she appeared in another novel I’d written some years
ago. My critique group loved Maggie, who was a somewhat minor character. She
was funny and feisty. My agent at the time couldn’t sell that book. When I came
up with the general idea for Last Call, I knew Maggie had to be front and
center. Readers of Last Call are saying
they like how real she is, and how she develops from being sort of surly and
sad to having more control over her life.
Tell us about Last Call, without spoilers.
The story takes place in North DeSoto, FL (a fictional town
based on a few places in Florida I love) where VFW bartender Maggie Lewis is
framed for the murder of her least favorite customer. Financially strapped, Maggie’s
suspended from her job after being questioned for the murder of tattle-tale
Korean war veteran Jack Hoffman. She’s not taking any chances on the police looking
too hard for the real killer. They still haven’t solved the last murder in
town: Maggie’s husband’s. Maggie must produce enough evidence to clear her
name, get her job back, and find the real killer–or she’ll end up behind the
wrong bars.
based on a few places in Florida I love) where VFW bartender Maggie Lewis is
framed for the murder of her least favorite customer. Financially strapped, Maggie’s
suspended from her job after being questioned for the murder of tattle-tale
Korean war veteran Jack Hoffman. She’s not taking any chances on the police looking
too hard for the real killer. They still haven’t solved the last murder in
town: Maggie’s husband’s. Maggie must produce enough evidence to clear her
name, get her job back, and find the real killer–or she’ll end up behind the
wrong bars.
What can you tell us about the next Maggie Lewis book?
In Last Supper, Maggie will be working as a cook at Sally’s
Diner. If you’ve read Last Call, you’ll appreciate the irony. Despite some minor mishaps in
the kitchen and money still being tight, Maggie starts to regain her sense of
security…until her least favorite customer persnickety spinster Helen Pritchard
comes down with food poisoning after eating at Sally’s Diner. When an outbreak
of salmonella sickens several patrons, and the Health Department shows up at
their door, it becomes clear that someone is out to sabotage Maggie’s boss and
close down the diner. With the help of her tenant, newly licensed PI Michael
Bradley, Maggie must track down the culprit before he kills more than just the
business.
Diner. If you’ve read Last Call, you’ll appreciate the irony. Despite some minor mishaps in
the kitchen and money still being tight, Maggie starts to regain her sense of
security…until her least favorite customer persnickety spinster Helen Pritchard
comes down with food poisoning after eating at Sally’s Diner. When an outbreak
of salmonella sickens several patrons, and the Health Department shows up at
their door, it becomes clear that someone is out to sabotage Maggie’s boss and
close down the diner. With the help of her tenant, newly licensed PI Michael
Bradley, Maggie must track down the culprit before he kills more than just the
business.
Midnight Ink is a well-respected publisher. Tell us about
your publishing journey. Everyone’s is different. How did you learn they were
going to publish Last Call?
your publishing journey. Everyone’s is different. How did you learn they were
going to publish Last Call?
Oh, what a fun journey this has been! I still pinch myself.
I’m waiting for the call or email that says, “Oh, we’re sorry. We meant to
publish Paul Mather’s book.”
I’m waiting for the call or email that says, “Oh, we’re sorry. We meant to
publish Paul Mather’s book.”
My fabulous editor Terri Bischoff rejected it , but with a
list of suggested revisions. If I revised and resubmitted, she’d take another
look. I revised, sent it back to her. Six months later, Terri emailed me saying
she wanted some more info that she could share with the acquisitions team. I
responded very professionally with “Wait, what?! You liked it?” Then I sent her
what she wanted. A few weeks later, I received a three book contract.
list of suggested revisions. If I revised and resubmitted, she’d take another
look. I revised, sent it back to her. Six months later, Terri emailed me saying
she wanted some more info that she could share with the acquisitions team. I
responded very professionally with “Wait, what?! You liked it?” Then I sent her
what she wanted. A few weeks later, I received a three book contract.
What has been the most exciting moment in relation to your
book?
book?
A dear friend took a photograph of Last Call on a bookstore
shelf. She–if I’m allowed to name drop, Ramona DeFelice Long–then posted the
photo on Facebook. It was my first “in the wild” sighting! I’d love to see more
of them. Whoa. Lesa, may I have a giveaway? I’ll give one person (US only,
please) a signed copy of Last Call if a photo of my book is taken and posted on
my Facebook author page. Include your
name and the location of where the photo was taken. I’ll leave it up to you if
you want to take a selfie with the book. The winner will be randomly selected
within one week after this interview is up on Lesa’s blog and the giveaway
starts. https://www.facebook.com/PaulaMatterAuthor/
shelf. She–if I’m allowed to name drop, Ramona DeFelice Long–then posted the
photo on Facebook. It was my first “in the wild” sighting! I’d love to see more
of them. Whoa. Lesa, may I have a giveaway? I’ll give one person (US only,
please) a signed copy of Last Call if a photo of my book is taken and posted on
my Facebook author page. Include your
name and the location of where the photo was taken. I’ll leave it up to you if
you want to take a selfie with the book. The winner will be randomly selected
within one week after this interview is up on Lesa’s blog and the giveaway
starts. https://www.facebook.com/PaulaMatterAuthor/
What authors influenced you?
Oh, what a difficult question to answer! There are so many
for different reasons. In no particular order: Hallie Ephron, Lisa Gardner,
Lisa Scottoline, S.J. Rozan, Carlene Thompson, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Linwood
Barclay are the ones who come immediately to my mind. The suspense, settings,
characters are all well written.
for different reasons. In no particular order: Hallie Ephron, Lisa Gardner,
Lisa Scottoline, S.J. Rozan, Carlene Thompson, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Linwood
Barclay are the ones who come immediately to my mind. The suspense, settings,
characters are all well written.
What author do you think is underappreciated?
Annette Dashofy. Her Zoe Chambers books are magnificent.
I’m a public librarian, so I always end interviews in the
same way. Tell us a story about your experience with a library or a librarian.
same way. Tell us a story about your experience with a library or a librarian.
Oh, I wish I could remember her name. I’ve wanted to contact
her over the years to thank her for contributing to my love for reading. She
was the librarian at my elementary school. After I had read every single
age-appropriate book on the shelves, my teacher took me by the hand and led me
to the librarian. She spent so much time with me looking for just the right
book. I remember vividly the smile on her face when she pulled the book off the
shelf. The book was Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski.
her over the years to thank her for contributing to my love for reading. She
was the librarian at my elementary school. After I had read every single
age-appropriate book on the shelves, my teacher took me by the hand and led me
to the librarian. She spent so much time with me looking for just the right
book. I remember vividly the smile on her face when she pulled the book off the
shelf. The book was Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski.
Thank you, Paula!
Paula Matter’s website is https://paulamatterbooks.com
Last Call by Paula Matter. Midnight Ink, 2018. ISBN 9780738757827 (paperback), 288p.
Congrats on the new book, Paula! Last Call sounds fabulous.
I haven't had a chance to read it yet, Marla, but I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks, Marla!
I think your book sounds great, Paula. And I love Midnight Ink. Such a great publisher. I always take a look at a book just because they've published it. Congratulations and best wishes! I'll be watching for Last Call. I'm doing a lot of audiobooks lately. Will it be released in audio? Just inquiring.
Thanks, Kay! Midnight Ink has been great. Sorry, but I'm not sure about Last Call being released in audio.