Meet Debra Klein, Chicago IT expert turned mystery writer
"There’s a strength and toughness that’s unique to Chicago."
Please give a warm welcome to my next guest, Debra Klein. This is Debra’s very first interview, so it’s extra special for her and a privilege for me!
Debra Klein is a lifelong Chicagoan, which is also the setting of her debut cozy mystery, Serving Up the Truth. Her Chicago-themed short story “Ghost of a Chance”, is in Tales From The Golden State of Mind anthology. She serves on the board of her Sisters in Crime local chapter and is a member of Mystery Writers of America and the Authors Guild. A reader of all genres, for Debra, walking into a book store is like stepping into a chocolate shop – she wants one of each!
What was the inspiration for Serving Up the Truth?
My inspiration came from a community college writing class. We had to write a short story that weaved in the five senses and added conflict. I headed to my favorite local coffee shop to ponder how to start when I realized all five senses were right in front of me: the smell of brewing coffee; seeing customers come and go; savoring the yummy sips of my favorite latte; the feel of the newspaper as I turned the pages; and hearing the chattering of customers and staff. I added a camouflaged murderer on the run and my protagonist was a deli clerk stopping in for her morning coffee on her way to work when she unexpectedly saved the day. My instructor gave me a thumbs up. She also said it could be expanded into a cozy mystery. Thus, Serving Up the Truth was born.
Do you have anything in common with your protagonist, deli clerk turned sleuth, Amanda Knightly?
They say you write what you know. And yes, Amanda Knightly and I have many things in common. We’re both life-long Chicagoans, we have trouble losing those nagging extra ten pounds, we live where walking is second nature, we savor greasy fries, but reluctantly substitute fruit, even with the surcharge. Most importantly, we love our families, friends and community though they can drive us crazy at times.
Did you do any research for your novel? If so, what is the strangest thing you've had to research?
Living in the suburban village that mirrors the fictional Oak Hills, I thought I wouldn’t have to do much research. But after I took a Guppies class on Police protocol as well as a local Citizen Police Academy ten-week course, I quickly learned my idea of police procedures was different than reality. Plus, my eyes were opened to all police do.
Meredith: I’ve had the same experience. It’s amazing how different actual policing is from media depictions of the work.
As to the strangest thing I had to research, it was that coffee can be made from cat poop. Honestly, I thought it was someone’s crazy imagination. But I soon found out it is a true delicacy. Still, YUCK!!!!
Meredith’s reaction: YUCK!
You're a lifelong Chicagoan. I've never even been to Chicago(!), though my late grandfather was raised there. How would you characterize your city?
I think Carl Sandburg said it best. He called Chicago the “City of Big Shoulders”. There’s a strength and toughness that’s unique to Chicago. Add Lake Michigan’s breathtaking stretch of lakefront from north to south, the iconic architecture dotted throughout, and the many cultural museums, restaurants and neighborhoods, and you’ve got a great place to live and visit.
Your background is in IT and you've mentioned that there's a bit of overlap between that world and the world of self-publishing and writing. What aspects do they have in common?
IT is a solitary profession. It’s you and the software. And it’s mandatory that you test, test again, and keep testing until the outcome is perfect. Otherwise, there can be a catastrophe if you missed even one small condition, thinking it was good enough.
Writing is also a solitary profession. With writing it's you and your story. Edit, edit again and keep editing until your words and story are perfect, which for me is the equivalent of IT testing. True, it’s not quite the same catastrophic risk if something is missed. But it can impact the success of your book if what you miss turns into a big red flag for reviewers and readers. And no one wants that.
Do you have a favorite bookstore in Chicago?
My favorite bookstore is the Book Bin, in Northbrook, Illinois, a Chicago suburb not far from fictional Oak Hills, where Serving Up the Truth is set. A multitude of books of all genres are showcased through the spacious arrangement of tables and bookshelves. Its owner has an infectious love of books and all things fun – like the pet turtle aquariums and the model train that runs along the top of the bookcases in the children’s section. It’s a real treat to stop in whenever I’m nearby.
What's the most number of books you've bought at one time?
As to the greatest number of books I’ve bought at one time, I’d have to say it was at Bouchercon in Minneapolis. I attended a ton of wonderful sessions and of course, had to purchase speaker and panelist books because it was the perfect opportunity to get them signed. I remember jumping on my suit case to get the top closed. And lugging not only my very heavy suitcase, but the overflowing book bag stuffed to the brim, as I dragged both to my car for the drive home.
In your bio, you mention that walking into a bookstore is like walking into a chocolate shop for you. (Same here. Ditto for libraries.) And what's your favorite type of chocolate?!
My number one favorite chocolate is toffee squares. Followed by anything with caramel and nuts and coated with chocolate. But no matter the filling, I never turn down chocolate. And isn’t chocolate one of the important food groups we must eat every day??? Or did I hear that wrong (wink wink).
What else would you like readers to know about you?
In addition to my focus on writing, I love to play pinochle, work the daily crossword in our local paper and read books across all genres. I’m also an avid golfer, still driving for that elusive hole in one. No surprise, my next book in the Amanda Knightly Mystery series has scenes on the fictional Oak Hills municipal golf course. FORE!!!
Where can readers find you online?
The best place to keep tabs on me is through my website: DebraKleinBooks.com. It’s my go-to spot where I keep my fans, friends and family updated with my current and future writing adventures. I plan to start incorporating more of the fancier software features now that I’ve launched my debut. And of course, I’ll be doing that “test, test again and keep testing” thing I mentioned above.
I’m still tiptoeing into other social media options. Right now, I’m having great fun pulling together small personal gatherings for family and friends to both introduce and celebrate the launch of my debut cozy mystery, Serving Up the Truth. I’m also sending out my launch announcement through individual personalized notes. Yes, it takes time, and more than I estimated, but it’s been very rewarding to have that one-on-one connection. My family and friends have told me the same. That was a reward of its own to hear.
Thanks for joining us, Debra!
Over to you, readers. What is your favorite bookstore? Share in the comments, because I know all us bookworms would love to discover new places to buy books!
And as always, thanks for reading. Please share this with your book-loving friends!
Much love,
What a fun and lighthearted interview! Looking forward to the next book with Amanda solving another cozy mystery. Serving Up the Truth is a great read!