I think indie authors will eventually rule the world! The entire business of indie publishing is still in infancy stages, and no one really knows where it’s all going, but I believe it’s going to be phenomenal.

Beverly Simcic – 25 February 2013

The Back Flap

About the book

What is the book about?

The book is about two girls from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who buy a vacation package for Las Vegas in 1982; only one of them returns to Pittsburgh alive. The other one is haunted by the unsolved murder for the next twenty four years.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing the book in 2006 as a project that I did not believe would ever be finished.

How long did it take you to write it?

Six years

Where did you get the idea from?

It was a haunting memory that suddenly surfaced when I lost my business and became unemployed. I felt lost being a 56 year old woman with no career. I had been a four time entrepreneur and business owner since 1983.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Everything was a struggle, nothing came easy. Research was extremely difficult, and many times I thought I would give up on it entirely.

What came easily?

The passion I had for wanting to complete the story so that Christine Casilio’s story would be told. After interviewing family members I realized that no one was ever going to write about it, and that I had to do it.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Every character in my story is real. I did change a few names due to legal fears, and invented a few others for lack of having any memory of the real ones.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I’ve been reading all my life, but there were many years that I stopped due to being a small business owner and single mother. I went back to reading voraciously in 2006 after losing my career, and continue to this day. I am hooked on non-fiction stories, and have enjoyed Annie Dillard, Jennifer Lauck and a few other memoirists—-but I absolutely worship and adore Augusten Burroughs for his creative writing techniques and brutally honest storytelling.

Do you have a target reader?

I believe my targeted reader is female, between the ages of 35 and 70. I realize that based on the true crime genre of my book that there have been all ages reading my book, but anyone who is an avid fan of traditional true crime may not appreciate the scope of my writing—-my book is more of a catharsis in healing myself. I have called it a spiritual journey because that’s what it was for me.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I just write what I feel, and then I go back and do in depth character outlines and chapter outlines and pick apart what I’ve written.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I do outlines as I write in order to dig deeper into the subject matter.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Actually, I do both. I finish a chapter, and then go back, proof and edit, then after receiving feedback from readers, go back again and pick apart nuggets that I missed or breezed over too quickly.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes, I did hire a retired editor and book formatter after I finished my book.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No music for me, complete solitude for concentration is essential.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No, I did not.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I started reading about Kindle Direct Publishing and I knew this is what I had to do. My book was halfway finished and seeing immediate hope that I actually could publish on my own, motivated me to finish the book.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I was lucky in that my husband had a background in graphic design. He produced my book cover rather easily and painlessly. I would highly recommend hiring a professional designer if you have no experience in graphic design. A book cover can make or break your success. In researching mine, I saw some that were very poorly done. I cannot stress how important your book cover is—-it just is!

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Having a background in sales, marketing and promotions for many years, I know what I need to do. My entrepreneurial skills have made me a self starter. I find ways, I read everything I can, and eventually figure it out myself, but having the backing of Amazon and the marketing programs they offer has been wonderful.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Just write! Worry about all the other stuff later on. The hardest part is finishing the book. You can always hire someone to do the other stuff. I have watched other author friends do just what I’m describing here, and they’re having success. I think indie authors will eventually rule the world! The entire business of indie publishing is still in infancy stages, and no one really knows where it’s all going, but I believe it’s going to be phenomenal.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Where do you live now?

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

What would you like readers to know about you?

Writing saved me from thinking I was finished career wise, and that hope is something that can inspire anyone, if they love the written word, and if you do love the written word, you should be writing.

What are you working on now?

This month I’ll be releasing the first two mini e-books (on Kindle only) in my series called Boomer Woman Diaries. The first installment is entitled: How I Wrote my First Memoir. I am hoping to inspire first time authors to pursue their dreams and write. The second installment is on the horrors of Menopause.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Who Killed Chrissy? from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).