Interview with A.K. Alexander, author of 'Daddy's Home'

I started writing when I was nine-years-old. I used to write short stories on my dad’s notepads. One day he read one and he said to me, “You are a writer.” It stuck. My dad is still my biggest supporter and he is also my mentor in many ways. I went to college at The University of Southern California. My parents though didn’t think that “creative writing” at USC was a major that would likely be lucrative in the long run, so I figured I would be logical and look at writing in the journalistic field. God (the Universe), etc. had a different plan for me. Soon after I graduated from USC I gave birth to my first son. He was six weeks premature and he had some health issues, which caused me to decide that going into a career at that time would not benefit my son. So, I stayed home with him and I wrote my first book. That first book is tucked away in a box somewhere because it’s pretty darn bad, but it gave me the confidence I needed to know that I could start, write, and finish a book. From that point on, it took me twelve years to become a published author and several manuscripts. It has been a wonderful and amazing process, and although many challenges have presented themselves along the way, I have never quit writing. It is my passion!

My other passion is Horses. These amazing animals are very dear to my heart and I have been known to take in “strays.” My daughter and I are very active in the horse world. My daughter is involved in pony club and three day eventing.

I enjoy work with other writers when I can , especially kids. I designed a program for young writers to help them learn how to write short stories and picture books to writing complete novellas for older kids. I have mentored several students now and it’s a joyful experience to see young writers and their creative minds at work. It is something I am working on expanding with some local teachers in my area.

Family and friends are extremely important to me. I am the proud mother of three amazing kids who have always supported me and are just great, awesome human beings (yes, I know I sound like every mother in the world about their kids, but I really mean it). My husband is my best friend and a very patient man, which is a real positive—he is married to a writer after all. We also have three dogs, a kitty, and eight horses.

When not writing, riding, or being a taxi-cab driver for my youngest, I try to find time to do a little yoga, meditate or cooking. I love cookbooks and cooking!

A.K.’s recent release is Daddy’s Home.

You can visit her website at www.michelescott.com/books/ak-alexander.

About Daddy’s Home

A KILLER STALKS HIS PREY…

A calculating and deadly killer is in search for what he terms as his perfect family. Preying upon single mothers and their innocent children, the police have dubbed him “The Family Man.”

HE WATCHES THEM…HE TAKES THEM…

He plays out his role as the perfect father. When things don’t go so perfect in his insane fantasy world, the family man kills.

HOLLY JENNINGS IS ON THE CASE…

Crime Scene Investigator Holly Jennings of the San Diego Police Department is determined to track him down and see that justice is served. With Holly being a single mother herself, this man’s crimes are deeply personal to her, and turn more so when a friend and her daughter become the latest victims of “The Family Man.”

Along with tracking an evil killer, Holly is dealing with her own internal demons. She is raising her daughter Chloe alone after the death of her husband–a death she feels guilty for.

To complicate her life further, Holly is doing her best to avoid possibly falling in love again with charming veterinarian Brendan O’Neil. As Holly delves deeper into solving the murders, she finds herself being sucked into a game of cat and mouse by “The Family Man,” that may lead her down a dark path too horrible to bear. One that may cost her gravely-her family, her new found love, and even her life.

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, A.K.. Can you tell us how long you’ve been writing and how your journey led to writing your latest book, Daddy’s Home?

I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I’ve been a focused fiction writer for 20 years.

Q: How did you choose your title and was it your first choice?

I chose it because of the creep factor. The killer sees himself as the perfect father and he reminded me of Jack Nicholson’s character in The Shining. I kept seeing that scene in my head where Jack’s character breaks down the door and says, Johnny’s here. It made me think of Daddy’s Home. It was my first choice of a title.

Q: We all know that publishers can’t do all of the publicity and that some lies on the author. What has your publisher done so far to publicize the book and what have you done?

I am the publisher. I was published from 2004-2010 with a Big 6 house. My two mystery series were dropped in 2010 and I decided with the ever changing face of publishing to do it on my own. I do all of my own marketing and the books are selling extremely well. Daddy’s Home has hit The Wall Street Journal’s Bestseler List, The Amazon Bestseller list in both The U.K. and The U.S., and several Indie bestseller lists. The film rights are now under management by the producers of Mad Men and The Walking Dead.

There have been over 200,000 copies worldwide sold of this book.

Q: Open to a random page in your book. Can you tell us what is happening?

Yes. In this scene Holly is going undercover at a dating service to get the goods on the seedy owner who is suspected of being the killer.

Q: Do you plan subsequent books?

I am currently writing the sequel and plan to make Holly Jennings and series character. She’s kind of like a female Alex Cross.

Q: What is the one thing you learned about your book AFTER it was published?

That women could relate to it because so there are a lot of women out there who have been stalked. I’ve received quite a few e-mails with some scary stories. Life is stranger than fiction!

Q: What is your most favorite time of the day or night to write?

The day time is the best time for me. I have a big family and I reserve the evenings for spending time with them.

Q: What is usually better – the book or the movie?

Usually the book, but there have been some good movies based off of books, too—Harry Potter comes to mind.

Q: You’re about to write your next book. What did you learn from your previous book to help you write your next book?

I’ve been writing for years—18 books now, but each book teaches me something and helps me get better as a writer. Focus is the key and sitting in the chair and writing the book!

Q: Finally, what’s your best tip you can give to writers who want to be published?

Write. Write the best book you can. Have it edited. Don’t have your spouse, parents, or best friend be your editor or critique it. Get a good, objective editor, and study the craft. That is it. It may sound boring and simple but that is the best advice I can give.

Q: Thank you for your interview, A.K. Do you have any final words?

Readers are why writers should write. It’s all about entertaining the readers and doing something that you love. Writing is a passion that is in you—follow it. I am truly grateful for every reader who picks up one of my books.