Q&A With Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

My latest Q&A is with USA Today Bestselling Author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson. Carolyn Ridder Aspenson writes cozy mysteries, paranormal women’s fiction, and crime thrillers.  

Q: So Carolyn since you write books in many different genres, which genre is your favorite to write? 

A: It changes! When I’m writing a book in one genre, that’s my favorite, but by the time I’m finished, it’s been to the editor, and I’m making changes, I’m ready to move on to the next genre! 

Q: Which books did you have the most fun writing? Which books were more challenging to write? 

A: I have the most fun with my Midlife Psychic Medium Series featuring Angela Panther. The characters are fun, crazy, and strongly resemble people in my life. I wrote the first book, Unfinished Business, to honor my mother when she died. It started out miserably depressing, so I deleted that file and started over. It follows the path of my life in a ten month span after she passed, though my mother’s character is a ghost, and I do not see her. Unfortunately. 

Q: Do you have advice for anyone wanting to be a writer, especially those who want to write mysteries, paranormal fiction and thrillers since you write those? 

A: Research. Read. Research some more, and don’t expect it to be every agent’s dream or an instant bestseller. I had hundreds of rejections for my first book. When I finally published it myself, it sat like a ghost (no pun intended) on Amazon until I promoted it. Then it reached the top 100 of books sold on the platform and publishers called. It’s not as easy now, but if you write a good book, give it a solid professional round of edits (both content and copy edits), then get a cover that fits the market, you’ll got a good chance at success! 

Q: What novels have you read that were your favorites so far this year?

A: When I’m not reading books on how to improve my craft, I’m reading books in my genres. Right now I’m enjoying Jenna St. James and her witchy cozy series as well as Lisa Regan’s thrillers. Check them out!

Q: Does Hollywood have the rights to any of your novels? 

A: No, but if you know someone, feel free to give them my email. Wink. Wink.