What’s the strangest job you’ve ever had? I feel so honored to be in such amazing company of people like Valerie, Rachel Howzell Hall, Kyra Davis, Alexia Gordon, Carolyn Wilkins, VM Burns and more.Ģ2. There are so few black women who with traditionally published mysteries, that when we find each other, we all go above and beyond to support each other. When I finally got my deal, I tracked down her email address and sent her a gushing, fan letter. Needless to say, I’ve had a writer crush on her and her series for years.

It wasn’t just one of the first times I saw a black woman as the star of a mystery, it was also the first time I read a book where I actually recognized the places in the book. Have you ever met someone you idolized? What was it like?ĭoes email count? Valerie Wilson-Wesley is a black woman author who wrote an amazing mystery series about Tamara Hayle, a black woman Private Investigator who lives in Essex County, New Jersey. A fully-decked out bathtub (see above).Ģ1.What three things would you want with you if stranded on a desert island? In fact, the only thing I haven’t tried is poetry. Of course, in the ensuing years, I detoured into every other type of writing from journalism to TV writing. It just took me a really long time to get over my fear and to just do it. It’s what I wanted to be since I was five years old, actually. When you were a teenager, what did you think you’d be when you grew up?Ī novelist. I also even splurged on a bath tray so I can read a book or have a drink.ĩ. I go overboard with bubbles, Epsom salt and a tablespoon of coconut oil. Nothing makes me forget a stressful day like a nice, long bath. I feel like I should say some exotic location like Bora Bora. It’s the start of what will no doubt be an absolutely stellar series, and I’m delighted to welcome her to the Ball!

Her own debut, Hollywood Homicide, was chosen as a Library Journal Debut of the Month and described as a “winning first novel and series launch” in a starred review by Publishers Weekly. She has tirelessly devoted herself to organizing the group and celebrating each release, and I daresay it’s largely due to her that it’s so robust and active. Kellye Garrett has, in addition to writing a highly acclaimed mystery novel, spearheaded the 17 Scribes group of 2017 debuts for over a year now.

This week’s guest at the Deb Ball is a force to be reckoned with.

Kellye garrett books in order