Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Interview & Giveaway: Gayle Trent, author of Dead Pan


Today I am thrilled to welcome Gayle Trent to Pudgy Penguin Perusals. She was kind enough to answer a few questions before we get to the giveaway. I have to say I read the first book in this series, Murder Takes the Cake and it was a riot! Here's a link to the review. I've already read Dead Pan and I can tell you right now, the winner is in for such a treat. It's just a delightful series. And the included recipes are really the icing on the cake. *Groan*, I couldn't resist that one! But first here is a little bit about Gayle.

Bio: Gayle Trent writes the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Mystery series for Bell Bridge Books. The second book in that series is Dead Pan. Thorndike has released the first book in that series, Murder Takes the Cake, in large-print, hardcover format. An audiobook version of Gayle's book Between A Clutch and A Hard Place is due out from new publisher AlwaysKeepers Press in February of 2010. Gayle also writes an embroidery series under the pseudonym Amanda Lee for NAL/Penguin. The first book in that series, The Quick and The Thread, is due to be released in August of 2010.

Kaye: Tell us about Dead Pan.

Gayle: Dead Pan is the second book in the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Mystery Series. When the book opens, a police officer is questioning Daphne about a cake she took to the Brea Ridge Pharmaceutical Company Christmas party. Many people at the party got sick, but most recovered after being treated with a vaccine manufactured by the company. Only one, Fred Duncan, went into a coma and died. Coincidence? Or did somebody have it in for Fred?

Kaye: What would you like to overhear people saying about your book?

Gayle: "I laughed so hard when--" A local book club selected Murder Takes the Cake as one of their books; and when I attended the meeting, I was delighted to hear that they thought this or that part was funny. I also love it when people say, "I never guessed ______ was the villain." Also, there was a review where a woman said she loved the main character's relationships with various members of her family--that they were beautifully or realistically drawn. I felt like, "Oooh, she got it!" Actually, I'll take anything that's not negative. :-)

Kaye: Well, you know how much I loved Murder Takes the Cake but what inspired you to write Dead Pan?

Gayle : I was reading an article in Wired magazine about clinical drug tests. I did some further investigation, and I came across some fascinating stuff.

Kaye: What do you advise new writers to do?

Gayle: Read the genre they're interested in writing. For instance, when my agent pitched my first three chapters of the embroidery mystery to the editor, the editor said she liked it but didn't love it. I needed to revise it to make her love it in order for her to buy the book. I asked my agent who the editor had published recently. With two names in hand, I went to the bookstore and bought two books. I read them and found they were more descriptive than my own books. I went back, added more description and gave the heroine a bit more spunk, and the book sold. Sometimes you have to be flexible. Also, check out my coaching page (http://www.gayletrent.com/coaching/) to sign up for my monthly writing newsletter.

Kaye: How do you hold readers' interest between books?

Gayle: I try to hold readers' interest through my blog. Both series' heroines have their own bi-weekly newsletters on my blog. Daphne Martin's newsletter is called Killer Cakes and publishes every other Monday. Marcy Singer's newsletter is called Sew Deadly and publishes every other Wednesday. And, I hope readers of one series will check out the other!

Kaye: Thank you so much for visiting with us, Gayle. Also, thank you for being so generous is allowing me to host the give-away.

Just leave me a comment that you would like to win. Please read instructions at the end of the post. Bonus entries can be earned by:

+2 Becoming a new google friends connect follower
+2 Already being a follower ( remind me, please)
+ 2 Post about contest and leave me a link
+1 Put contest in sidebar or tweet and leave me a link

****Giveaway is open internationally. However, only residents of the US & Canada will be eligible to win a hard copy of the book. The international winner will be eligible for a PDF copy. Isn't that clever of Gayle to include our international friends! Must have active e-mail address. No P.O. Boxes.

Deadline to enter is December 22nd at 5 P.M. Please put all info in ONE box and be sure to include an e mail address. No e-mail, no entry. Good Luck!

45 comments:

  1. What a great interview, Kaye! This is a new series to me, but since I used to do cake decorating in my spare time, I think I gotta check it out :)

    Loved her tip about writing for your audience and the willingness to be flexible. I am going to visit her blog now!

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  2. I love mysteries and cozies and this one sounds very good. Please sign me up for the give-away.

    I am already a follower.

    harvee44 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'd love to win this. I read your review of the first book and added it to my tbr list. (also it seems that spammer Ed had something to comment about but I wish he'd convert his comments to English. Maybe he'd be allowed on more blogs!!)

    I'm already a follower

    I blogged in my sidebar:
    http://bookfan-mary.blogspot.com

    meah56 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love cozies. I know I will like "Dead Pan."

    teakettle58atyahoodotcom

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love cozy cooking mysteries! Please enter me!

    nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I follow via Google Reader.

    nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love cozy mysteries and this series looks like a great one!!

    I put this contest in my sidebar:

    http://karabookchallenges.blogspot.com/

    And I also follow through Google Reader.

    ktulanko AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd love to win this book.
    I'm a follower.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Would LOVE to read this book...please count me in...thanks.

    karenk
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks, guys! I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm for Dead Pan. :-)

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  11. I would love to read this! It sounds terrific!

    bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm not that great at cake decorating, but I'd love to read about it :) Please enter me!

    I am already a follower.

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks. wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)coom

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am already a follower through Google Friend Connect. wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)coom

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm a follower and you are the reason why I'm falling in love with cozy mysteries...this one sounds like another series I need to make note of!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great interview! I love books that make me laugh, so I'd love to read this.
    I subscribe in Google Reader, if that counts.
    milou2ster(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Book looks good.
    I'm a follower.
    samnstacyATmeDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  18. Please count me in.

    I am already a follower.

    simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I would love to win this and I'm a follower

    dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Please count me in.

    I already follow

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. This was a great interview. Another new to me author!! The book looks really good, and I'd love to be entered to win.

    +2 Old follower.

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I need a good mystery! Count me in!

    +2 old follower

    mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. book...mystery...cake...what is not to love?

    please throw my hat in the ring. I too am a Google reader follower if that counts.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I always love a good mystery! This one sounds like so much fun! Great interview too! Please enter me for the giveaway!

    *I am already a loyal follower! (who wouldn't be!)
    *I posted your giveaway on my sidebar!
    (www.chickwithbooks.blogspot.com)

    Thanks so much for hosting this! And sharing a new author!

    Suzanne
    quzy at mac dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Please enter me in the contest

    melissa(at)gingerhigh(dot)com


    I am a follower +2

    ReplyDelete
  26. This sounds similar to a series that I love by Melinda Wells, so I'd love to try it.
    stacybooks at yahoo

    ReplyDelete
  27. Please count me in. It sounds like a great series and Gayle sounds like a lovely woman.

    +2 I'm already a follower.

    Thanks.
    JHodlen955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for the chance!
    christinbanda at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. +2 Follower:) Thanks for the chance!
    christinbanda at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'd love to win! Thanks for the giveaway.

    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I would love to read this!

    +2 already a follower

    Raelena
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I follow thanks for this.

    chocolate and croissants at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. oops sorry I am not following the rules-

    I follow

    cococroissants

    http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/2009/12/interview-giveaway-gayle-trent-author.html dead pan giveaway

    thanks for the giveaway-I am with you no more shovelling.

    chocolate and croissants at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Looks like a fun mystery!
    I'm a follower.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Okay, you've made a new fan.

    No need to enter me, which is good 'cause I've got a PO Box and I don't think I'm eligible anyway.

    So I'm dropping in mostly to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

    ReplyDelete
  36. This would be a fabulous gift for a friend of mine who makes and decorates the best cakes ever!

    melacan at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. This one sounds like a good one! Very interesting interview...

    Thanks
    heidivargas [at] live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Blogged about the giveaway @ http://theblackcell.com/blogs/index.php/book-giveaway-dead-pan-by-gayle-trent-ends-12-22-2009/

    Thanks
    heidivargas [at] live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. justpeachy36@yahoo.com

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

    I am an old follower.

    I tweeted the giveaway here:

    http://twitter.com/justpeachy36/status/6702974747

    ReplyDelete
  40. Great interview. This book is already on my wishlist.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I enjoy cozies and this sounds like a good series! Thank you for the giveaway!

    +2 Already being a follower

    mittens0831 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Sounds like a great book. Thanks!
    +2 follower
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  43. I enjoyed this interview. I have also added 2 more books (series) to my TBR list....lol! Thanks!

    Please enter me.
    +2 already a follower!
    lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I would like to win!
    contest82[@]gmail[.]com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I would love to be entered in your giveaway

    +2 i follow your blog


    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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