1--What is the title of your latest release?
TOWARD THE CORNER OF MERCY AND PEACE
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Mrs. Minerva Place prefers communing with the dead to dealing with the living, but when a young boy and his father burst into her world, her life in small-town Paducah is turned on its head.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
Since the “ghosts” are based on actual people buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Paducah, KY, I knew it had to be in Paducah.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
I would. Minerva is smart, has a wicked sense of humor, and is ultimately kind. Plus she loves to read and write - my two favorite pastimes.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Insightful, Insecure, Disciplined
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned about many of the amazing people who lived in my hometown. There were so many stories I wanted to include but ultimately had to take out because they slowed the pace of the protagonist’s story.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit as I go. Then I go back and edit again. And again. And again. I still mentally edit as I read the final version!
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
That’s tough…Is it a loaded pizza? A dark chocolatey, fudgy, ooey-gooey cake? Homemade chocolate chip cookies? Sourdough bread straight out of the oven and slathered in Kerry butter? Yes.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I love my office. My desk is in front of a large window that faces our neighborhood. It’s painted a Tiffany blue, has a sofa, some of my own paintings, bookshelves, and a large closet where my printer and research papers are stored. I can close a set of French doors if I need more privacy.
10--Who is an author you admire?
Ann Patchett
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
If we’re talking about fiction only, it would have to be either The Secret Garden or A Little Princess. I fell in love with reading when an older cousin I adored read me these.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I was standing in line at the Post Office scrolling through my emails when Regal House’s founder reached out to me with their offer. I screamed, then turned around to tell the person behind me what had just happened. I happened to know the woman and after she stopped being alarmed by my outburst, she was all smiles. I’ll never forget it.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Literary fiction
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?
15--What is your favorite season?
Fall
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
With my family whenever possible (and one of those aforementioned culinary indulgences!)
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Oh, dear. This is tougher than the food question! We loved the Netflix series “Offspring” (give it a couple of episodes before you make up your mind) and I have read so many fabulous books lately. The first that come to mind are Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni, and Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Italian
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Paint or work on mixed media projects in my art studio
20--What can readers expect from you next?
A fun women’s fiction with a dose of rom-com
It's 1952 in the small western Kentucky town of Paducah and Mrs. Minerva Place would prefer everyone mind his own business, follow the rules, and if dead, stay dead. Nosy neighbors and irritating church members are bad enough but when residents of the local cemetery start showing up, the quirky widow wonders if she's going crazy. Just as distressing, a new boy in the neighborhood seems intent on disrupting her life. Minerva, aggravated by the precocious six-year-old, holds him and his father at arm's length. Nevertheless, with charming perseverance they find a way into her closed-off life and an unlikely friendship begins. But just when Minerva starts to let her guard down, a tragic accident shatters her emerging reconnection with life. Now more than her sanity is at stake. With the help of the living and the dead, Minerva discovers the power of forgiveness and why it's worth it to let others into your life, even when it hurts.
Literature and Fiction [Regal House Publishing, On Sale: June 20, 2023, e-Book, ISBN: 9781646033379 / ]
Tracey Buchanan crashed into the literary world when she was six and won her first writing award. Fast forward through years as a journalist, mom, volunteer, freelance writer, editor, artist, and circus performer (not really, but wouldn’t that be something?) and you find her happily planted in the world of fiction with her debut novel, Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace (Regal House Publishing, June 20, 2023). She and her husband Kent live in the UNESCO Creative City of Paducah, Ky. They have two married sons, seven perfect grandchildren, and one very mixed-up dog. You can find out more about Tracey and her book at website.
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