Marta Stephens is represented by the interviewer's Pump Up Your Book Promotion, a public relations agency specializing in online book promotion.
Marta Stephens is a native of Argentina who has made Indiana her home since the age of four. This mild-manner lady turned to crime with the publication of the first in her Sam Harper Crime Mystery series, Silenced Cry (2007), which went on to receive honorable mention at the 2008 New York Book Festival and top ten in the 2007 Preditors & Editors Reader Poll. The second book in the Harper series, The Devil Can Wait, will be released by BeWrite Books (UK) on November 3, 2008.
Stephens holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism/Public Relations from Ball State University (IN) where she is employed in human resources. She is a member of Sisters in Crime International, Sisters in Crime Speed City Indiana Chapter, and the Midwest Writer's Workshop.
Stephens believes learning is a life-long adventure. Aside from her writing, she is trained in graphic and web design. She co-designed the award-winning book cover of her debut novel, Silenced Cry with friend Scott Parkison (IN), created the book trailer, and designed/administers her website, her personal blog, her personal blog, and the authors’ blog MurderBy4.
Thank you for this interview, Marta. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?
Indiana has been my home for nearly 50 years. My husband and I have a daughter and son who attend the same university where I am employed. I returned to school to complete my own college degree after many years and graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Public Relations from Ball State University. During the day, I work in human resources at the university primarily as an event planner and often get involved in the development, marketing, and promotion of special projects. In many ways, writing has been a major part of my life, but discovering a desire to write fiction was as expected as a landslide. I never saw it coming. One of my passions is history and it was while reading about a World War II event six years ago that the idea for a suspense novel sparked. I haven’t stopped since.
At what point in your life did you make up your mind you were going to become a published author?
Article comments
1 - Kim Smith
Seems like each interview I read that is done with Marta (the divine Ms. M as I like to refer to her :) I learn something new. Thanks for this one.
2 - Marta Stephens
Hi Kim, thanks so much for stopping by!
"M" ;)
3 - Aaron Lazar
Marta, wonderful interview with plenty of your generous insight for those just starting out. Thanks for doing this, and good luck with the rest of your tour for The Devil Can Wait!
4 - Marta Stephens
Hi Aaron, thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed the read. :)
5 - A. F. Stewart
A great interview with a very talented writer.
6 - Marilyn Meredith
Great interview! I learned lots more about you and it was fascinating. Good luck on your virtual book tour.
7 - Marta Stephens
Hi A. F. and Merilyn. The funny thing is, I too learn from these interviews. Some questions really make you stop and think of the what, how and why of things. :)