Interview with Judi McCoy

I’d like to welcome our fellow blogmate and guest today, Judi McCoy. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called DEATH IN SHOW . Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Professional dog walker Ellie Engleman doesn't know much about the ins and outs of dog shows. But when one handler is killed, Ellie will learn that it's a dog-eat-dog world. Especially since the killer might now have it out for her. She and her sometime boyfriend, Detective Sam Ryder, will have to dig up the truth faster than a speeding bulldog...

DEATH IN SHOW is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Actually, this title wasn’t the first choice. I wanted Liver Let Die and the marketing department at NAL said NO. They didn’t think anyone would buy a book with Liver in the title. I was heartbroken because Liver Let Die was THE perfect title (when you read the book you’ll understand why) these days, it seems that marketing is running the publishing business.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

After 14 straight romances I needed a change, but I love series. I brainstormed with my sister and we came up with it together.

Are you a plotter or a pantser and how did it affect the writing of this book?

I call myself a PLOTSER, which means I do a little of both. I know the premise, who gets killed and why (pantser) then I figure out how/when things are going to happen (plotter).

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

This book took a ton of research. Aside from attending ONE Westmister kennel club show a few years ago, I knew nothing about the dog show world. Luckily, two women in my Chesapeake Romance Writers’ group showed dogs and knew all about it. I also bought a few books that gave the rules and regs.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I’d always wondered how dogs were chosen as best in breed, best in group, etc. in a championship show. Then I heard how competitive the dog handling business way, so the murder scenario just fit.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

In this book it was the villian. I got to give them an interesting personality and some interesting dialogue too.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

Ellie and Rudy, the stars of the book, and Sam, were already lurking in my brain when I came up with the dog walker series. The other characters trickled in as I wrote, and they still do. I try to include two new characters in every book. I never know when they’ll be used later on.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

I have dozens of romancver writers, but for mystery I like Cleo Coyle and Janet Evanovich (who doesn’t?)

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

I send a newsletter and I travel to signings. And I always have the next book on a bookmark.

What do we have to look forward next?

The death of a cross dresser, which was a ton of fun to write. I met dozens of interesting people who know all about that world.

Thanks, Judi!

To celebrate her book release, Judi McCoy is offering a free book of Heir of the Dog , book two in the series, to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Check out author’s website at www. Judimccoy. Com Buy the books at Amazon, B and N, Borders, any chain bookstore.

Rudy's Blog

Winters's Over Yay!
..............
Hi, everyone. Sorry to be so late filling you in on what mom and I’ve been doing, but it’s been a wild couple of months. The weather here in February was crazy. We got snow...lots of snow. I know, I know, you got snow where you live, too, but hey, we’re down on the eastern shore of Virginia. We’re supposed to be protected by water on both sides. Of course, every once in a while a storm gets crazy and heads our way. This year, we got the biggest and longest lasting snow mom and the gang have had since we moved here.

Buckley and Belle as small, so they could walk on top of the snow, but Sasha, well she just sunk in and stayed put. Mom didn’t get angry, because she knew Sasha was raised in a crate and that was probably her first time dealing with the big white flakes, so she and dad were patient, trying to teach her what to do in the snow.

The beginning of March was busy, too. Mom and her sis, Nancy, headed out to the Hamptons to do research for boom FIVE in the dog walker series. They stayed in the Montauk Manor and drove around for two days, searching for the celebs and their houses. They got a glimpse of the homes of Martha Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld, Billy Joel, and Christie Brinkley. They even saw that sleazeball Bernie Madoff’s house, which gave mom the inspiration for the home featured in book five. And they had a true taste of living in the Hamptons, which is quite a snazzy place.

We didn’t see many dogs, but Montauk Manor is pet friendly, so check them out if you ever decide to go ‘out east’ on Long Island. And don’t forget about book FOUR, BEGGING FOR TROUBLE , due out in March of 2011. This is a totally fun story about the world of cross-dressers. Can you figure out who the star of the book will be, beside me, of course?

Keep thinking. If you’re a loyal reader, you’ll figure it out. For now, add DEATH IN SHOW to your reading list. You can order it on Amazon right now, and they’ll ship it out first day it’s available.

Me? I’m scheduled to go for a walk with a couple friends I met up here, like Teddy and Big Bear. We’re lookin’ for new trees to um...well, you know what dogs need trees for, don’t’cha?

And if you get a free minute, drop mom a line. She still misses me somethin’ fierce, still cries every day because I’m not with her, too. But she knows I’m there next to her as she writes MY stories. That will never change.

Talk to you all soon,

The Rudster

Rudy's Post Blog

Happy Holidays!!! It’s time to fill your four-legged pal’s stocking with Dingo bones and load their presents with the good stuff: filet mignon, marrow bones, broiled chicken breasts, and lots of rice and veggies (no onions or raisins, please) I’d also add a couple of carob chip cookies for all your extra special dogs.

HEIR OF THE DOG is on sale now, and it makes a great stocking stuffer. Give the book to your dog walker, pet sitter, groomer, vet tech, anyone who loves canines. They’ll thank you for it and beg you to get them book three, Death in Show, out in June of next year.

Nothin’ much is happening in Mom’s life. She still misses me and cries every day because I’m gone. But Sasha, a fun loving Bichon rescue, has made her smile, and so have Buckley and Belle. Now that she has a Bichon, she vows she’ll get another, so check out all the Bichon Rescue sites on the Internet. There are plenty of cotton balls with four legs lookin’ for a good home, and rescuing a canine is always the best way to go.

There’s no snow here in ....Virginia...., and there probably won’t be. It rarely happens in the southern part of the state, but we do get wind and rain. Lately, lots and lots of rain. If that rain were snow, it’d reach to the roof of our house, so I’m kinda’ glad for the warmer air.

Mom’s getting together a schedule of places she’s going to sign books for the new year, so take a look at the ‘appearances’ section of the website. I’ll be back in 2010 to tell you more about Death in Show, maybe give you a sneak preview if you’re naughty—er—no—if you’re nice!

So Ruff! Ruff! Ruff! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. Your canine pal,

Rudy

Rudy's Blog

Hi, everyone. It’s the Rudster here. Sorry I’ve been out of touch but Mom’s been busy and I don’t type so good when she’s not around.

Exciting things are happening. Book two in the dog walker series, Heir of the Dog, will be out in ten days, and it’s a great book. Especially ‘cause I inherit a wad of dough...er... make that money. Enough to by my own Dingo Bone factory and make treats for all my pals. So go to Amazon, Walden books, Borders, B&N, or another local bookstore and buy one. Heck, buy two or three, and give them out as holiday gifts to the person her grooms your dog, their vet, or their walker. Maybe even your neighbor or kids’ teachers.

And while I’m on the topic of books, remember Best Friends is still getting all the royalty money from the sale of book one, Hounding the Pavement. They’re doin’ a great job taking care of all the pit bulls that wonderful guy (NOT) Michael Vick admitted to abusing and killing a few years ago.

Mom’s also running a contest, and it’s a good one. If you can show proof of giving $250 to Best Friends in the past year, she’s gonna put you in a book. That’s right, you’ll have a story line and everything, your DOGS too. She’ll even let you use their real names (yours too, if you want) There’s just one catch. You have to agree to whatever she writes. If she decides you’d make a perfect killer, then that’s what you might end up being. Ditto, a victim. If you’re lucky, you’ll just be involved in one of the plots, but you won’t know until she writes the story.

And last but not least, here’s a list of places Mom will be signing books:

September 28, 12 – 5, Books in the Park
Waterside Park Norfolk, VA

October 3, 2- 4, Walden Books
Chesapeake Square Mall, Chesapeake VA

October 24, 4 – 5:30, NJRW conference
Renaissance Hotel, Iselin, NJ

October 25, 2- 5, Barnes & Noble
Rt 22, Springfield, NJ

She’ll be at a few more places in November, but they’ll be on her website, so check there for the when and where.

And if you get a minute, drop Mom a line and tell her about your favorite four-legged pal. She still cries because I’m gone every day, even though she’s got Sasha, Belle, and Buckley to keep her company.

Got to run. There’s a whole group of canines waitin’ to play ball, and that’s one thing I really like to do up here in Doggie Heaven.

Talk to you soon,
Rudy

Rudy's Blog

Sorry I haven’t sent out news in a while, but I’ve been following Mom in her travels and she’s been busy. I told you about that Malice Domestic gig in D.C., right, and all the book signings she did after that? And just last week she was in D.C. again for the big RWA conference, so she’s beat.

In between all that, Mom and Dad adopted Sasha, a smallish Bichon Frise. The four-year-old pooch came from a puppy mill (grrr...bad puppy mill) and lived in a wire crate her entire life until Robin of Tidewater Bichon Frise Rescue in ....Virginia Beach.., ..VA..... brought her home. JoAnne, her foster mom, was an angel, and took care of her for weeks while Mom toured. She and Dad brought Sasha home to live with Buckley and Belle on May 15, and it’s been fun the whole time.

I know Mom still misses me, because I catch her cryin’ every once in a while when she’s lookin’ at my picture, but she has Sasha now, and that little cotton ball with legs has helped Mom pass the time without me. When Sasha came to our house she couldn’t jump (her rear leg muscles never developed because she lived in a crate) she didn’t bark, and she didn’t realize all ‘business’ should be done outside on the grass.

Well, guess what? She now watches TV and barks at all the animals on Animal Planet, she jumps on the sofa, chairs, and Mom and Dad’s bed, and she’s getting the hang of going potty outside.

Here’s more news. Mom’s announcing a new CONTEST on her website www.judimccoy.com. Check it out and learn how you can win a spot as a character in her future books.

I’m off to play with Teddi, a cute little guy who just joined me here in Doggie Heaven a week or so back. He’s missing his Mom, so I’m helpin’ him along.

Until next time,

The Rudster

Rudy's Blog

Howdy to everyone from that big dog park in heaven. It’s been a hectic couple of months for Mom and me. We’ve been on the road promoting Hounding the Pavement in Dallas and

Orlando, meeting friends at book signings and conferences.

Our latest stops were the Malice Domestic conference in DC, and Oakmont, PA, where we took part in a big book signing held by the Mystery Lover’s Bookshop. What a great time. She was the first author to sell out and, since she had books in her car, sold even more. She also made friends with a pack of dog lovers. We’ll be there again next year to say hi and sign more of Hounding the Pavement plus Heir of the Dog.

We went back to DC for Mother’s Day weekend and a signing at the Border’s Express in Springfield, PA. That one was arranged by Jenn Wilson, a fab-u-liscious girl who knows everybody who’s anybody in the writing world. Buckley and Belle were allowed in the store, and let me tell you, those little stinkers attracted a ton of attention.

If you’ve been reading this blog, you’ve probably been askin’ yourself how I fit in because I’m not livin’ on earth anymore, right. The answer’s simple. I’m with Mom wherever she goes. I’m in her head and her heart all day, every day. I sit with her while she writes her stories and curl up next to her when she goes to sleep at night. I’ll never leave her because I am, after all, the star of these books.

Oh, and one more thing. American Idol is over and Kris won. I’m happy about that, but I’d be a lot happier if it had been Danny. That Adam guy creeped me out with that guyliner and black nail polish. Reminded me too much of Bibi from Hounding the Pavement. Goth girl was a psycho.

Thanks for readin’, but I got to go. I’m hookin’ up with a cute little Papillon for a night of chasing ball, but I’ll be back in a couple more weeks with another report.

Star of the written word and soon to be on television (paws crossed)

The Rudster

Rudy's Blog 3

RT Orlando 2009

Hello from Orlando, this year’s home of the Romantic Times Convention. I’ve been following Mom from place to place to make sure she’s okay. We took care of her two day Aspiring Author class, and her 30 students were great. They soaked up everything she said, just like Sponge Bob after a long dry spell. Her speakers were great too. Linnea Sinclair, Stacey Kade, Karen Kendall, Nancy Cohen, Allison Chase, Susan Yarina, Kathy Love, Debra Parmley, and Aleka Nakis did a bow-wow-licious job. I’d advise any dog to stop by their house and make them your friend.

Mom also spoke on a panel about writing humor in paranormal books, which I don’t get. I mean, what’s paranormal about angels, aliens, and goddesses? Or talking dogs? ALL us canines talk, it’s you humans who don’t listen.

She’s also done a couple of book signings in the past month. The last one was in Dallas and it was as big as a Buster Bone. She sold every book Georgette, the B&N bookseller, ordered, plus a few more they brought in from another store.

So far, I think the best part of the convention was Maureen and Jane, two of her students from last year. They brought the newbies spiffy bags filled with goodies they called ‘Judi Survival Kits’. It was such a surprise, Mom started to cry, especially when she saw the buttons with my picture on them. The other ‘best’ thing was a Starbuck’s travel mug with MY book cover decorating the side.

Okay, I gotta run. Mom’s crying as she types this because she still misses me bad. Just check out her website soon, because she’s putting up a section called Puppy Pages. If you send her a picture of your special four-legged friend (please NO cats) she’ll post the picture and write a caption.

Sounds good, don’t it.

Gotta run. The last dinner bell sounded and I’ve got a date with a cute little peekapoo for dessert.

The Rudster

Rudy's Blog

I’d like to thank the devoted readers of my first adventure for giving HOUNDING THE PAVEMENT a great debut month. The book was #8 on the Barnes & Noble mystery list and #26 on the Borders/Waldenbooks list of ALL books sold. Not too shabby for a who-done-it from a first time mystery writer.

Of course, Judi doesn’t consider herself a mystery writer in the true sense of the word. She claims she’s writing about characters who just happen to find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Her goal is to make our readers fall so in love with Sam and Ellie, and ME, that they’ll keep coming back for more… and more…and more.

I tried to tell her the series would be a hit, but did she listen? Nooo-ooo. And now that I’m in doggie heaven, all I can do is channel my positive thoughts and hope that they get through to her. Which brings me to another point.

Have you been watching American Idol? What the heck is going on with the girls this year? The red-head is a ditz, the blondes can’t sing, and Lil? Well, she runs hot or cold. It’s the guys who can sing, but I’m having a hard time deciding who I like best. Danny, or Kris, or that weird guy, Adam, with the
nail polish and eyeliner. I’m gonna keep my eye on all of them and report back to you as they get knocked out each week.

Oh, and one more thing. Judi will be on the road signing HOUNDING THE PAVEMENT in a couple of cities around the country. She’ll be in ..Charlotte.., ..NC.., the first weekend in April, then ..Dallas.. two weeks after that, then ....Orlando.., ..FL.... at the big Romantic Times convention. Stop in and say hello if you’re in the area.

And don’t forget to send her your lawyer jokes (for me) and any ideas you have for plots, especially the ones that will make ME the star. And if you think of a small misfortune to befall the demonic dick, Sam Ryder, let her know. Ellie is head over heels about him, but I’m not so sure he’s the right man for my girl. I know Judi is going to put his toes to the fire in the next book, HEIR OF THE DOG, but he manages to worm his way back into her heart. The putz.

So long for now, and fell free to comment on any or all of this blog. It’s a bitch to write, so you all better be reading it.

Rudy

Rudy's Blog

Hey, everybody, D-day (delivery day) is here. According to Amazon, HOUNDING THE PAVEMENT was available on March 3. I’m really excited that my first mystery is out. I know Mom is a nervous wreck, hoping the book sells big so Best Friends gets lots of cash.

Speaking of Best Friends, she was told by their CEO yesterday that they’re building a state-of-the-art puppy shelter and it should be up in April. Can you imagine, an entire building just for baby furballs, where they get to socialize, make friends, and learn basic commands like sit, stay, wait, and heel. How great is that!?

So, you all know your job. Got to Amazon or your local Borders, Waldenbooks, B&N, Books a Million, whatever is best for you, and buy HOUNDING THE PAVEMENT.

Gotta tell you,book two will be out in October, and Mom and I think it’s even better than book one. I inherit a boatload of moola and a bad guy is out to get it. Ellie puts me in a couple of dangerous situations, but I manage to fight my way out of them and, don’t tell her this, but I save the day…er…sort of. You’ll meet some new characters, too, like Bobbi and Bitsy, who are too funny. And those bean eaters show up, Too. idiot Chihuahuas are too stupid to live. I don’t know how Ellie can stand them. I sure can’t.

Mom’s in the middle of writing book three, and she’s still running a contest, so check out her website, www.judimccoy.com to find out how to enter.

And she’s doing a bunch of signings for HOUNDING THE PAVEMENT in the next couple months, so take a look at her travel schedule too.

Oops, I’m being called, so I have to run. Doggie heaven’s not so bad. All the treats a canine could want, belly rubs all around, and plenty of pals to play with. I’m up for it.

Talk to you all in a few weeks.
Rudy

Make Time For Rudy

So, what do you all think of the photo? That’s me, in the center of the picture. Sister Belle is on the left and bro’ Buckley is on the right. We’re not really related of course, because Mom adopted us separately, but we’re as close as the real thing. Or, should I say, we were as close as the real thing. Because I’m not alive anymore. I passed to the big doghouse in the sky on January 19.

Hey, hey, hey! No cryin’! Mom’s done enough of that for all of us. I’m right here by her side whenever she writes, giving her mental suggestions and telling those lawyer jokes just like I did when I was alive. I even sneak out of doggie heaven at night sometimes and curl up next to her exactly the way I used to do. Time will pass and she’ll stop missing me so bad, as soon as she understands that I’m with her in spirit now and forever.

So it’s up to all of you to make her feel better about losing me. You have to buy that first book because her royalties from HOUNDING THE PAVEMENT—-that’s right, every freakin’ dime she earns—-is going to be donated to Best Friends in Kanab, Utah. And it’s the greatest place for a dog, cat, bird, horse, goat, or reptile to be. They take in all animals and rehab them for adoption or let them live rent free for the rest of their lives. Can’t argue with that now, can you?

HEIR OF THE DOG comes out in October, and it’s a doozy, even better than the first book, because in it I inherit enough moola to buy a couple million Dingo bones. As usual, Ellie’s going to donate all the cash to animal charities, but I don’t care. She gives her Rudy all the treats he needs.

So be a stand-up fan and buy each of her releases. She’s been writing a long time, and she’s a great story teller. She’s spent months learnin’ different ways to kill humans, and it’s been rough for her ‘cause she’s a wimp. Doesn’t believe in violence, just sees the good in everyone she meets, exactly like Ellie does.

In fact, Ellie is just like Mom, only she’s about twenty years younger, but don’t tell Mom I said that because she doesn’t want anyone to know how old she is or how much she weighs. Yeah, yeah, I know. Like Sam the doofus detective says, “Women. Go figure.”

Well, I gotta sign off now. Mom’s in Phoenix at the Chocolate Affair, so I’m going upstairs for some canine R&R. They’ve got some pretty hot bitches…er…lady dogs up here, and I’ve got a lot of time to play with ‘em all.

I’ll be back at ya’ in a couple of weeks.

Rudy

And Rudy's Mom-Judi McCoy