Ask the Author: Mary Miley
Answered Questions (13)
Mary Miley
Belleville? That's funny. My great-grandfather was born and raised there, and he taught school there for a year or two before going to West Point Military Academy. (Imagine--teaching school before going to college!) He lived there a whole century before you. I've never been there myself, but I was honoring him in a small way.
And yes, I've been leaning toward Carl. David is just too incorrigible. I'm thinking of having him come out of prison a changed man--less appealing, harder. So Jessie--and the reader--will prefer Carl.
And yes, I've been leaning toward Carl. David is just too incorrigible. I'm thinking of having him come out of prison a changed man--less appealing, harder. So Jessie--and the reader--will prefer Carl.
Mary Miley
Thank you, Judy. Excuse the tardy response . . . I only just discovered your question a few minutes ago on Goodreads, which is a site I seldom frequent. I hope you've managed to read all 4 books by now. My favorite is #4, with the little girl who is deaf. I'm glad you recognize the familiar names--my own daughter, when she read the first book, said, "So am I supposed to know who this Jack Benny guy is?" I particularly like my Bob Hope character. I read several of his books and used some of his jokes to convey his voice.
My new, as yet untitled, series is set in Chicago in 1924. I'm revising the first book now and can't say when the publisher will bring it out. Maybe next year? I hope you will like it!
My new, as yet untitled, series is set in Chicago in 1924. I'm revising the first book now and can't say when the publisher will bring it out. Maybe next year? I hope you will like it!
Mary Miley
Hi Elizabeth. Excuse the tardy response . . . I only just discovered your question a few minutes ago on Goodreads, which is a site I seldom frequent. The short answer is Not Likely. I did start #5 but let it drift while I worked on some new things. I decided to finish it only if THE IMPERSONATOR was made into a TV series, which hasn't happened yet. Hollywood producers optioned the book a couple of years ago, wrote a pilot, and have tried to sell the concept but the pandemic pretty much knocked out any chance of that. Writing #5 is rather unlikely at this point.
My new, as yet untitled, series is set in Chicago in 1924. I'm revising the first book now and can't say when the publisher will bring it out. Maybe next year? I hope you will like it!
My new, as yet untitled, series is set in Chicago in 1924. I'm revising the first book now and can't say when the publisher will bring it out. Maybe next year? I hope you will like it!
Mary Miley
Hi Melinda. Excuse the tardy response . . . I only just discovered your question a few minutes ago on Goodreads, which is a site I seldom frequent. The short answer is Not Likely. I did start #5 but let it drift while I worked on some new things. I decided to finish it ONLY if THE IMPERSONATOR was made into a TV series, which hasn't happened yet. Hollywood producers optioned the book a couple of years ago, wrote a pilot, and have tried to sell the concept but the virus pretty much knocked out any chance of that. Writing #5 is not impossible, mind you, but rather unlikely at this point. My new series is set in Chicago in 1924. I'm revising the first book now and can't say when the publisher will bring it out. Maybe next year? I hope you will like it!
Mary Miley
Hi Ann. Excuse the tardy response . . . I only just discovered your question on Goodreads, which is a site I seldom frequent. The short answer is Not Likely. I did start #5 but let it drift while I worked on some new things. I decided to finish it ONLY if THE IMPERSONATOR was made into a TV series, which hasn't happened yet. Hollywood producers optioned the book a couple of years ago, wrote a pilot, and have tried to sell the concept but the virus pretty much knocked out any chance of that. It's not impossible, mind you, but rather unlikely. My new series is set in Chicago in 1924. I'm revising the first book now and can't say when the publisher will bring it out. Maybe next year?
So glad you've come to enjoy mysteries. Ever since Nancy Drew, they've been a favorite of mine.
So glad you've come to enjoy mysteries. Ever since Nancy Drew, they've been a favorite of mine.
Mary Miley
Thanks for asking, Angela. The honest answer is, I don't know. I did start #5 a few years back and let it drift as I worked on other things. Then THE IMPERSONATOR was optioned for a TV series, and I decided that I would finish #5 if that series was made. Well, it's been two years and the Hollywood folks have written a pilot but not sold the concept . . . it doesn't help that the virus has nearly shut down Hollywood. I don't expect much to happen on that front, at least not until the virus is tamed. Meanwhile, I've started a new series, also set in the 1920s but with different characters and set in Chicago. My publisher likes it and we're working on some revisions. No publication dates yet.
If I should decide to finish #5, who do you think Jessie should end up with--David the con or Carl the cop?
If I should decide to finish #5, who do you think Jessie should end up with--David the con or Carl the cop?
Mary Miley
Hello Rachel. I only just received your question (posted 5 months ago). My apologies for the long delay. You've no doubt forgotten all about it, but I can't ignore it now. The answer is: STOLEN MEMORIES is available now, but it doesn't officially debut until Feb. 15. There is a Giveaway going on at present, if you want to sign up.
STOLEN MEMORIES isn't part of the Roaring Twenties series; it's a stand-alone set in France in 1928. I've spent a good deal of my life in France and enjoyed re-creating some of the places where I'd lived. I hope you enjoy it. Do let me know, either through this forum or my personal email: mmtheobald@comcast.net.
STOLEN MEMORIES isn't part of the Roaring Twenties series; it's a stand-alone set in France in 1928. I've spent a good deal of my life in France and enjoyed re-creating some of the places where I'd lived. I hope you enjoy it. Do let me know, either through this forum or my personal email: mmtheobald@comcast.net.
Mary Miley
Hi Reacherfan. I only just discovered your question (of 3 months ago). My apologies for the long time--you've probably forgotten all about it!
But in any case, I couldn't have given a definitive answer much earlier than this. I only learned last month that book #3, RENTING SILENCE, will be out this summer. Still no firm date, but we're moving ahead. The publisher also said #4 would be released 6 months after #3. Both are ready to go. Renting SILENCE is about blackmail and murder. Here's the tag line I hope they'll use: "You don't buy silence, you only rent it. And the rent keeps going up."
But in any case, I couldn't have given a definitive answer much earlier than this. I only learned last month that book #3, RENTING SILENCE, will be out this summer. Still no firm date, but we're moving ahead. The publisher also said #4 would be released 6 months after #3. Both are ready to go. Renting SILENCE is about blackmail and murder. Here's the tag line I hope they'll use: "You don't buy silence, you only rent it. And the rent keeps going up."
Mary Miley
Hello John. I only just discovered your question (of 36 days ago). My apologies.
I don't consider Mary Miley a pseudonym, because it's my maiden name. I had many books published under my married name, Mary Miley Theobald, and when I began writing fiction, I had to come up with another name to avoid confusion. At least, that is what the publishers require. Whenever an author changes genre, a different name is required. Publishers believe readers will be angry if they buy a book by an author expecting one genre (say, romance), and get another (say, sic-fi). I don't agree, but I have to go along.
I don't consider Mary Miley a pseudonym, because it's my maiden name. I had many books published under my married name, Mary Miley Theobald, and when I began writing fiction, I had to come up with another name to avoid confusion. At least, that is what the publishers require. Whenever an author changes genre, a different name is required. Publishers believe readers will be angry if they buy a book by an author expecting one genre (say, romance), and get another (say, sic-fi). I don't agree, but I have to go along.
Mary Miley
Several projects at once--that keeps me from getting bored. 1) a nonfiction book for Colonial Williamsburg on 18th-century travel and transportation; 2) the fourth in my Roaring Twenties mystery series; 3) a magazine article on history myths; 4) a lecture on silent movies to coincide with the release in September of the second in the Roaring Twenties series, Silent Murders.
Mary Miley
Marry well. Keep your day job and write on weekends and evenings. Almost no writers make enough money to support themselves.
Mary Miley
The best thing about being a writer is the independence. As long as you keep an eye on your deadlines, you can make your own schedule, work when you want to and as long as you want to.
Mary Miley
I don't believe in writer's block. If a writer gets stuck, it is usually because he/she doesn't know where the plot is going next or doesn't know the characters well enough to continue.
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