Hi Dani-Lyn, it’s so great to welcome you to HarperImpulse as a fellow author. Can you tell us a little bit about “getting the call” from your new publisher?

Thank you so much! I’m thrilled to be here.

My agent submitted my story, Anonymous, to Harper Impulse. I was a nervous wreck! I don’t remember how long I waited, but it wasn’t too long. I was at work, and my cell phone rang. I glanced at it sort of quickly, figuring it was one of my kids. When I saw my agent’s number my heart stopped. She told me Harper Impulse was interested in Anonymous. I can’t tell you how happy I was!

You have books on the shelves already. We’d love to hear a little about your journey? Did you self-pub? Do you have other publishers?

I sat down with a pen and paper and started writing my first novel three years ago. I had half of the book written in a looseleaf binder when my husband went out and bought me a laptop and a desk and set me up a small office. Then my best friend came over and taught me how to use Microsoft Word. I had never even heard of it before that. I had to learn pretty much everything there was to learn about queries, agents, publishers, track changes, editing…

My first book, Trust and Betrayal, and its sequel, Truth and Deceit, were published by Etopia Press. I also contracted several short stories with other small presses. Then I was fortunate enough to have an editor named Liz Ryan, at Still Moments Publishing, edit one of my stories. I can’t begin tell you how much I learned from her. She is kind, patient, and knowledgeable, a wonderful teacher. I will always be grateful for everything she taught me.  Soon after working with Liz, I found my agent, Dawn Dowdle at Blue Ridge Literary Agency. She originally contracted a children’s fantasy book with me. When I sent her Anonymous, she really liked it and offered to represent it. Now she represents all of my work.

You’re a New York state native! I live in New York City, right nearby. What’s it like to live in Long Island?

We’re practically neighbors! I love living on Long Island. I especially enjoy the fall, when the leaves turn colors and we take the kids out east to pick pumpkins and have roasted corn-on-the-cob and apple cider. During the summer, I like going to a small beach on the bay with a playground for the kids and occasionally the ocean beaches. It’s great being so close to NYC. I can hop on a train and go walk around the city for the day, see a play, visit the museums, but I still enjoy living in a small town.

I know you have three kids, and I notice there’s quite an age range there. What’s it like having a little one among older, more independent ones?

My kids are twenty-three, fifteen and three. I LOVE having a little one! People often ask how I could start over with an infant when my other two were so much older, but I love every minute of it. He brings so much joy to our family, brings everyone together in a way. Plus, I have two built in babysitters. You can’t beat that!

When you write, do you prefer silence or do you listen to music. What kind of music?

I love music, but I can’t listen to it while I write. I was a dance teacher and choreographer for more than twenty years, so when I hear music my mind choreographs.

Aside from writing what do you do (or have you done) as a profession or job?

I have done so many jobs; Deli clerk, retail, house cleaning, dance teacher, play director, choreographer, secretary, data transcriber, editor, and probably a few more I don’t remember.

Awesome interview, Dani-Lyn. I appreciate your willingness to join me here on the blog. Wishing you every success with Anonymous!