📚 Up Close & Personal with 'Reversal of Fortune' F.M. Meredith @marilynmeredith #upcloseandpersonal

Up Close & Personal is one of The Writer’s Life newest features. Here we feature authors who don't mind spilling the beans and telling what it's really like to write, get published and sell that book. Today's guest is F.M. Meredith, author of the mystery novel, Reversal of Fortune.

F.M. Meredith, also known as Marilyn Meredith, has had 48 books published as well as two short stories, most are mysteries, but also a few Christian horror, a roman with supernatural elements, and a cookbook. She’s taught writing in many venues including for Writers Digest and many conferences. She lives in the foothills of the Sierra with her husband.

Her latest book is the mystery, Reversal of Fortune.

You can visit her website at http://fictionforyou.com/ or her blog at https://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

On Writing…

I’ve been writing stories since I was a child—but didn’t get published until I was a grandmother. My sister did our genealogy and when I read it there were so many unanswered questions, I thought I’d do some research and write a book. I ended up with two, one for each side of my family: Two Ways West and Trail to Glory. Since then I’ve gone on to publish more than forty books, the majority mysteries.

On Being Published…

It was definitely exciting to have the first book in hand. However, back then there was no Internet and I had no idea how a book should be promoted. I did have a fun and most exciting book signing at our local bookstore. I’ve had a grand time being a published writer. My latest book is the last in my Rocky Bluff P.D. series, called Reversal of Fortune. The series has been as much about the families of the police officers as about the crimes they solve. In this book a fortune teller is murdered and of course the plot revolves around solving the crime, and some loose ends are tied up along with a glimpse into the future.

On Publishing Industry…

I was first published by a New York house. Since then I’ve been published by many small, independent publishers. Within the last two years all my books have been re-edited and re-published.

On Mistakes Along the Way…

Of course, since I’ve been published for so long, I’ve made plenty of mistakes.

The big thing is always to make sure the book is the best it can be. Sometimes, despite numerous edits by me and the editor, mistakes in the text still seem to slip through.

On Marketing…

Marketing takes so much time. I’ve always loved doing book events with readers—book launches, book signings and attending and being a speaker or on panels at writing and mystery conferences. So much of that came to a halt during the worst of the pandemic. Something I was still able to do is promote on Facebook, do book tours, and put out a monthly newsletter. Another successful promotion I’ve done several times, is offer an older book in one of my series for free or .99 cents on Kindle. What happens, is when people try the freebie or the cheaper book and they like it, they try other books in the series.

On Goals and Dreams…

Because I’ve been writing and publishing for such a long time, my goal at this point in my life is to keep entertaining readers, and write as long as it is possible.

My tips for aspiring authors are to learn as much as you can about writing and keep learning. And while you’re doing that, write, write, write. The more you write the better you’ll become. Once you have a book you think is ready for publishing, find a good editor to go over it and listen to his or her suggestions. Be sure your book is the very best it can be.

Title: REVERSAL OF FORTUNE
Author: F.M. Meredith
Publisher: 31 Months LLC
Pages: 190
Genre: Mystery

A fortune teller is murdered in the small beach town of Rocky Bluff, California. The RBPD’s investigation uncovers several suspects—all with motives and opportunity. But which one killed her?

The body of a suspect is discovered on the fortune teller’s property. Clearly, the two killings are related, but how? Who is responsible?

Meanwhile, the mayor’s daughter, Kayla, whose best friend is Detective Doug Milligan’s daughter, is upset because her mother’s sister wants her to leave Rocky Bluff to live with her in Los Angeles. Can her friends convince Kayla’s aunt to leave her there with her father?

Book Information

Release Date: April 8, 2022

Publisher: 31 Months LLC;

Soft Cover: ASIN: B09XLQCNZB; 190 pages; $12.99; E-Book, $2.99

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EA50Eo