Interview with Jane K. Cleland

Antiques have always intrigued me for the simple reason that owning a part of history in no matter what capacity is truly fascinating. Take for instance a Louis XIV chair. (Keep in mind that I am a former French teacher.) Imagine what it would feel like knowing that every time you sat down you were actually sitting on the Sun King's throne. I just get chills thinking about it. Okay, maybe your vision is a little different than mine, but you get the gist.

This month's jewel cleverly combines her love for antiques with murder. How's that for a storyline? A former antiques and rare-books business owner herself, Jane K. Cleland uses her prowess in the field to create a cozy mystery complete with interesting tidbits that make even the novice antique collector excited about the profession. Of course, any story that can entertain as well as educate is a definite must-read in my book.

As part of this interview, St. Martin's Minotaur has generously donated five copies of her latest release, ANTIQUES TO DIE FOR, to give-away! So, don't forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. Good luck!

Go ahead and grab something cold and sweet to drink and get to know my friend, Jane K. Cleland.

Jen: Please tell us a little bit about your personal and professional background that led to your becoming an author.

Jane: Personally, my parents both influenced my gravitating toward writing. My mother was a mystery writer, and on some level, I grew up thinking that's what women did. She communicated her love of language to me; I was raised to revere precision in language. To this day, my goal is to write so that my meaning is unambiguous.

My father was a non-native speaker who struggled with English. It's tough to write unambiguously when your reader doesn't know the language well. I always strived to express myself so that he understood me; I rarely did. I suspect that 38 years after his death, I'm still trying.

Professionally, I've been an instructional designer, seminar writer, and corporate trainer for 25 years. One of a corporate trainer's chief responsibilities is making complex business principles clear. I've developed the ability to distil complexity to its essence and communicate what I've determined are the key points so that people don't merely "get it"; they also can apply it (whatever "it" may be).

Also, I've written four business communications non-fiction books. After my last one was published, Business Writing for Results, my agent remarked that I used so many examples and anecdotes in my writing, she wondered that I hadn't considered writing fiction. It had never occurred to me that I could actually write a novel that got published.

Combine my background as the daughter of a mystery writer and a man I wished I could have communicated with more effectively with my career as a trainer dedicated to communicating complicated issues unambiguously--add in an intuitive agent and a diligent, determined writer (that would be me)--and Josie Prescott, my protagonist, was born!

Jen: Combining your love for antiques with your passion for writing must be the best of both worlds for you. Your first novel, CONSIGNED TO DEATH, introduced us to your business savvy antiques appraiser, Josie Prescott. Would you say that Josie has similar character traits to yourself or is she truly a figment of your imagination? What do you like best about her?

Jane: Let me start by confessing that I don't love all antiques equally. I love rare books and some art. Specifically, I love fine bindings, and my special passion is eighteenth century reference books. And who doesn't love Vermeer and the other Dutch Masters?

Another confession: I'm not an antiques appraiser. However, I love business. I have an MBA, and I really enjoy watching Josie's business grow. The happenings at Prescott's Antiques & Auctions form an important sub-plot in the books.

My editor said something I love. About a year ago, her assistant left and she needed to hire someone new. She e-mailed me and asked if Josie was available to help her interview. Isn't that wonderful?

Does Josie have similar character traits to me? Well... she wears work boots and I never would. She's petite, whereas I'm average in height and build. I would say that there are many parts of myself that I can't help but introduce into Josie--they are intrinsic in how I see the world. At the same time, there are many quirks of her character that have nothing to do with me, and which, frankly, I don't understand. For instance, where did she develop her love of line dancing? It makes no sense to me. If I tried to line dance, the most likely outcome is that I'd trip and kill myself.

Jen: At the beginning of your career, were your intentions solely to write a stand alone title or did you envision a series in the making from the get-go? What is the most challenging part of writing a series?

Jane: I set out to write a series. Actually, it never occurred to me to do anything other than that. I like series. I read series. Specifically, in my Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries, I set out to create a sweet and decent world, a place where I'd want to spend time.

Jen: Please take us through your writing process. Do you outline the entire book before you actually sit down to write or does the story unfold as you engage in the process? What part of the book do you look most forward to writing and why?

Jane: As of Josie #4 -- KILLER KEEPSAKES -- coming in April 2009 -- I outline. Well, it's not an outline exactly; it's a detailed synopsis. I think of it as a forest-tree thing.

My detailed synopsis is a high-level, wide-angle view of the story and the characters' motivations from beginning to end--it shows the entire forest as one image. Once my agent signs off on the synopsis it goes to my editor for feedback. Then, presuming she likes it, I write the novel, integrating her input (i.e., the murderer was too obvious; the resolution was too similar to another of your books, etc.).

Jen: Your latest release, ANTIQUES TO DIE FOR, is a delightful story that combines love, murder, and of course, antiques! How did you arrive at the premise?

Jane: The series came to life because of an editor who didn't buy my first novel. He said that, among other problems, the premise was weak: a male PI based in NYC. He encouraged me to try my hand at what is, apparently, the fastest growing segment of the mystery market--a female amateur sleuth who's not based in NYC. Since I'd owned a rare book store for several years in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, it was a logical choice.

As to the origin of ANTIQUES TO DIE FOR itself, I wanted to show Josie as nurturing. Josie's mother died when she was thirteen; it was, as you can imagine, a horrific and traumatic event--the kind of experience that changes the course of your life--by at least she had her dad, a rock of stability and a constant source of strength. When Paige, a twelve-year old orphan, loses her sister, Josie's friend, Paige has no one. Josie is devastated on her behalf and determined to help. Josie is able to give a young girl hope.

Jen: One of the aspects of your storytelling that I find especially appealing is the strength of your secondary characters. Each contributes to the plot without overshadowing the main storyline. In this novel, the character that stands out the most to me is the quirky Officer Brownley. Will we be seeing more of her? Perhaps maybe even a love interest in the future?

Jane: Thank you. Officer Brownley is back in the fourth installment-- KILLER KEEPSAKES. (Out in April 2009.) She's been promoted to detective! (I'm not going to tell you anything else about the plot!) So far, I haven't planned a romance for her, but it's an interesting thought. Hmmm.

Jen: One of the best parts of a cozy mystery is the proverbial hunk that romances the leading lady and your main character, Ty Alverez, does just that and then some. He's sensitive, kind, and compassionate towards Josie which scores points with your readers as a definite keeper! Does Ty have a dark side or a secret past? Why do you think he and Josie make a good pair?

Jane: You mention an important fact--Ty's past is unknown. I think it's a safe assumption that his past will come up in a future book! Josie likes manly men--men who are strong and self-contained. I described her lawyer, Max, in the first in the series, CONSIGNED TO DEATH as "paternal without being bossy." She feels things deeply, but she isn't demonstrative, and after the loses she's endured in life, she doesn't trust easily. With Ty, however, she's able to "surrender to his strength." As for Ty, he respects and admires her--and he thinks she's hot!

Jen: In the novel, artichokes play an important role in the plot. Please explain to us the significance of artichokes in relation to decorating and antiques. I found that part of the book very interesting.

Jane: Thank you. I love writing about the antiques from a sociological perspective--in this case, in earlier generations, artichokes were considered to be an aphrodisiac. Here's an excerpt from the book that explains more. Josie is recounting a conversation she had with the murder victim, Rosalie, to Officer Brownley.

"Artichokes?" Officer Brownley asked, uncertain she'd heard me right.

I smiled. "Artichokes are actually a pretty popular collectible."

"Really? Why?"

"People collect all sorts of things for all sorts of different reasons. But there's a longstanding tradition of integrating vegetables and fruit into designs--textiles, architecture, paintings, sculpture, and so on."

"Still... artichokes?" She raised a brow, which I took as a sign of good natured incredulity.

I smiled again and nodded. "In ancient Greece, they were considered to be an aphrodisiac."

She shook her head, part amazed and part intrigued. "An aphrodisiac," she repeated. "What else is popular?"

"Well, there are trends, of course," I replied, enjoying her reaction. "But it's safe to say that pineapples are pretty consistently in vogue. They were an expensive delicacy in Colonial times, so any hostess who served them to her guests, well, to put it simply, she was putting on the dog. You see pineapples all over--there are renditions in pottery and porcelain, pineapple-shaped door knockers, fence and molding ornamentation, everything. Corn's big too--it indicates a bountiful harvest. And grapes--grapes represent friendship and conviviality."

"Amazing," Officer Brownley said, shaking her head.

Jen: How did you get involved with Mystery Writers of America and what is the most rewarding part of serving as president of the New York chapter?

Jane: I joined as soon as my manuscript sold--my agent encouraged me to become involved in the mystery world. I didn't even know there was a mystery world! After a year or so, I accepted an invitation to join the chapter board. The next thing I knew I'd been nominated as chapter president.

I find all aspects of the experience gratifying. I love the people, the community, and the opportunities the organization has presented. So far under my watch we've revamped the website, reached out to libraries by attending their conferences, increased the frequency of our communications, and established a speaker's bureau.

Jen: Whose opinion do you value most when it comes to your writing and why?

Jane: My husband, Joe Stanko, for his ability to catch continuity errors; my agent, Cristina Concepcion, for her editorial savvy; my St. Martin's Minotaur editor, Executive Editor Hope Dellon, for her insights and her sharp eye and ear and sense; and my friend, Katie Longhurst, for catching all sorts of errors I never would have noticed.

Jen: What has surprised you most about the publishing business and why?

Jane: How complex it is and how little I understand it. I have an MBA and a pretty good business sense, but I just don't get a lot about publishing.

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next novel? If so, what can you tell us about it?

Jane: I've just finished the fourth Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery, KILLER KEEPSAKES. It will be out in April 2009. In the book, Josie's assistant, Gretchen, goes missing. As Josie works to find her, she finds layers of deception surrounding a five-year old murder. Using her knowledge of antiques, Josie discovers the truth of Faulkner's observation: "The past is never dead. It's not even past."

I'm also trying my hand at a thriller called NIGHT STARS about the CIA striving to find art that's being sold on the black market to fund terrorist activities.

Jen: Please tell us about your website. Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about arranging one? Do you participate in a blog?

Jane: My website, www.janecleland.net/, is filled with fun, FREE content related to the Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries. For example:

- I publish a newsletter about the writing process, antiques and how they can figure into mysteries, and other related news and information. www.janecleland.net/htm/newsletter/newsltr.htm (Plus fun content like unpublished facts about Josie!) It's free! Readers can sign up at my website! www.janecleland.net/htm/forms/subscribefrm.htm

- Once you're on my mailing list, I send out announcements of my tour schedule based on zip code--I love to meet readers! www.janecleland.net/htm/appearances/schedule.htm

- There are listings of all Josie's dad's sayings per book. Many readers have told me they find his words moving--even inspirational. www.janecleland.net/htm/fun/dad.htm

- All the recipes mentioned in the book from Josie's mom are detailed on the website. www.janecleland.net/htm/fun/dad.htm

- Excerpts from the books and blogs are available as both text and audio. (MP3 podcasts available for download!) www.janecleland.net/htm/blog/blog.htm

- Book club discussion questions are available for each book. They're good! (If I do say so myself!) I say they're good because they're specific to each book and, I hope, thought-provoking. www.janecleland.net/htm/book_clubs/bookclubs.htm I love to participate with book clubs! I often organize call-ins. Please e-mail me to arrange a time: [email protected]

- There's also a fun, interactive promotion relating to antiques--readers are challenged to pit their antiques appraisal skills against those of the experts. It's called "What's It Worth? You Be the Judge," and I think it's loads of fun!

I invite readers to visit and take a spin!

Jen: Thanks so much for spending some time with my readers. I really enjoyed your novel and look forward to Josie's next big sale!

Jane: You're more than welcome. Thank you so much for helping me introduce Josie to your readers.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Jane. Please stop by her website or blog and let her know that you read this interview! She loves to hear from her readers.

Okay, it's time for the trivia question. Five readers will win a copy of ANTIQUES TO DIE FOR. Good luck!

Name the title of the first book in the Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series.

Later this month, I will be bringing to you my interview with Debbie Macomber! So many of you have written to me requesting that I interview her and finally, the time has come! You won't want to miss it!

Until next time...Until next time...Jen

When a twist of fate landed Jennifer at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would essentially be over. Instead, she figured out a clever way to combine her love for reading and writing and "voila" She became a book reviewer and columnist with www.freshfiction.com. On the sidelines, her parents secretly hoped that her French degree from Vanderbilt would one day come in handy and Jennifer is happy to report that the phrases "Je ne sais pas" and "C'est incroyable!" have been quite useful when reviewing certain selections! As is typical in her whirlwind life, one thing led to another and soon she found herself facilitating a popular moms' book club and writing a column she cleverly named Jen's Jewels. (Jewelry is one of her many addictions, as is the color pink and Lilly Pulitzer, which when you think about it, would probably make for a good story! Hint! Hint! ) To keep herself away from her favorite retailer, Ann Taylor, she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library in Maryland. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Classes, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. When asked how she manages to do all of these things and actually get some sleep at night, she simply replied, "It's just Par for the Course." Hmm! Now where have we heard that before?