Ask the Author: Ellen Byron
Answered Questions (17)
Ellen Byron
Sheila, thank you so much! I'm thrilled you love my series. And I really appreciate this suggestion. I'll bring it up to my publisher. Lagniappe - it's hard to explain how it's pronounced; the "g" is almost silent - it sort of slides into the "n" like in the word, "gnocchi" - is a Louisiana term that means "a little something extra." I hope you get to try some of the recipes. If you eve have a problem, email me through the Contact page on my website: https://www.ellenbyron.com/contact
Ellen Byron
Here I am again, a year late! I never saw this question because my email wasn't activated on Goodreads. John, if you haven't written me off as a flake, FATAL CAJUN FESTIVAL came out about two weeks ago. Thank you so much for reading me and if you have any other questions, feel free to contact me directly at ellenbyronla@outlook.com.
Ellen Byron
Hi Jennifer! I just checked and it looks like MARDI GRAS MURDER is available on Audible right now! Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/Mardi-Gras-Mur...
I haven't heard about FATAL CAJUN FESTIVAL yet. Fingers crossed that it's also picked up in audio. Thanks so much for asking!
I haven't heard about FATAL CAJUN FESTIVAL yet. Fingers crossed that it's also picked up in audio. Thanks so much for asking!
Ellen Byron
It was kind of an accident because I'm not a natural cook. When I was writing the first book in my Cajun Country Mystery series, I made myself hungry describing all the delicious Cajun dishes my characters ate. And I thought, if I'm making myself hungry, I bet readers will get hungry. So maybe I should include some recipes. I'm glad I did because readers do seem to enjoy them.
Ellen Byron
I'm bringing food that's made from recipes in my third book, A CAJUN CHRISTMAS KILLING. Spicy Cajun Sugar Cookies, and Muffaletta Frittata. I think it's fun for readers to sample some of the recipes' actual results.
Ellen Byron
Cherie, I'm so sorry, I just saw this! Let me look at the book and get back to you.
Ellen Byron
Now, is it a real place being used in a fictional way? If it is, I'd visit F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1920s Manhattan and Emily Bronte's moors.
If it's a completely fictional place (even if inspired by a real place), I'd visit Fitzgerald's East Egg, Agatha Christie's St. Mary Mead... and Ellen Byron's Pelican, Louisiana! Seriously. I love my "Cajun Brigadoon." And the food there is terrific!
If it's a completely fictional place (even if inspired by a real place), I'd visit Fitzgerald's East Egg, Agatha Christie's St. Mary Mead... and Ellen Byron's Pelican, Louisiana! Seriously. I love my "Cajun Brigadoon." And the food there is terrific!
Ellen Byron
My grandfather disappeared in 1933. The family legend is that he left my father sitting on the apartment stoop after telling him, "I'll be back to take you swimming." When my grandmother came home from work hours later, my father was still sitting on the stoop, and no one ever saw my grandfather again. He was very low-level mob and had already been in jail for embezzlement. Money from the family business disappeared with him, so he either left to start a new life, or more likely he was "done in," because when my grandmother went to look for him, his "associates" told her she was "best off look in the bottom of the river." Someday, as God is my witness, I will write this story. Because no one in my family would ever talk about my grandfather except people who married into the family, and I've spent my life wondering what happened to him.
Ellen Byron
Hmm... I'd have to go with Cathy and Heathcliff, although Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy are right up there with them. In re-reading "Wuthering Heights," I was struck by what a jerk Heathcliff basically is. Yet the passion between the couple is mesmerizing. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have a more traditionally romantic relationship, and my attraction to it is greatly helped by that glorious image of Colin Firth emerging from the pond in a very sexy yet 18th century way.
Ellen Byron
John, you ask great questions. My agent knew Matt Martz of Crooked Lane was looking for books that would launch the imprint. Matt jumped on PLANTATION SHUDDERS, and then Doug went to other publishers who had the MS and gave them a chance to respond. Two were interested, but I had a conversation with Matt, and was very impressed. Not only was he enthusiastic, but he totally got my book. As to the royalty question, technically I do get one. I say technically because first an author has to earn out their advance, which I think I've done. No idea when I'll see any royalties, but I should eventually see something. As to your other questions, someone needs to take a good, hard look at their contract and that someone would be me! I believe the royalty is the same across all platforms, but I'd need to check. And yes, there are clauses that allow each party the option of termination. It's funny, I go over my TV contracts with a fine tooth comb. But the publishing contract was even more complex. Also, I think I see it as such a labor of love that I don't treat it as as much of a business as I should (three "as's" in a sentence. Yikes!) Thanks for asking some thought-provoking questions.
Ellen Byron
Hi, John! My apologies, I checked my inbox but for some reason, this didn't come up earlier. As to my name, no, it's not a pseudonym, BUT it's not my birth name. Here's why: I started out in my twenties with a dream of being actress. But my birth name - Seideman - was always mispronounced or misspelled, which made me nuts. I wanted a name in the family, so after much family debate, I landed on my dad's middle name - Byron. As to the second part of the question, as an author I think the benefit in using a pseudonym might come into play if you're writing multiple series. I.e., in my case, I have another mystery series my agent is trying to sell that's completely different from my Cajun Country series. People expecting a certain style and atmosphere from Ellen Byron might find themselves thrown by the new series. Hence, if it sells, it may have been written by "Rydal Waters!" (And a free tote bag to you if you can tell me the genesis of that name!) And perhaps some authors have privacy concerns. But the main reason, at least from what I've learned, is the former. Thanks so much for asking a question and again, apologies for not responding sooner. But I was also in Louisiana for a week researching for book three in the Cajun Country Mystery series. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Ellen Byron
Hi John, thanks so much for asking! Book Two has a new name - "Body on the Bayou." I turned in a draft early, but I haven't heard whether or not they're going to move up the publication date. "Plantation Shudders" was published in the book clubs (BOTMC, Literary Guild, etc.) in late April, and then its official pub date was 8/11, although Amazon started sending out pre-orders a couple of weeks prior. I'm meeting with my publisher at the Bouchercon conference and if I get any updates, I'll let you know. And thanks again. I so appreciate your support!
Ellen Byron
As a television writer and freelance journalist, I have paid deadlines to meet, so writers block simply can't exist. I don't write, I don't eat. I apply that to my fiction and playwriting as well. I simply can't afford writers block.
Ellen Byron
I love and adore words. To see mine assembled in a book is amazing. And I'm a HUGE reader, so when I hear from other readers who, lucky for me, have discovered and enjoyed my work... wow. That is just the best.
Ellen Byron
Write what you love. It's a lot of work, so make sure you're passionate about your subject.
Ellen Byron
I'm working on book two of my Cajun Country Mystery series, CRAWDEADDY.
UPDATE: "Crawdeaddy" became BODY ON THE BAYOU, which won the Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery and was nominated for a Best Contemporary Novel Agatha award.
UPDATE: "Crawdeaddy" became BODY ON THE BAYOU, which won the Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery and was nominated for a Best Contemporary Novel Agatha award.
Ellen Byron
I went to school at Tulane University in New Orleans, where I totally fell in love with Cajun Country. I'd written another book where the protagonist's dad was from Louisiana, and I gave him a twin brother whose daughter, Magnolia "Maggie" Crozat is the protagonist in my debut novel, PLANTATION SHUDDERS.
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