I feel as if the idea just sort of came to me; to have four teens with differing interests, but a strong glue of friendship holding them together, working their way through each crime as they dealt with the drama and fun parts of high school.

Kelly Brady Channick – 2 January 2021

The Back Flap

Can four teens solve a puzzling whodunit that captivates their small town and baffles the police, all while starting high school? Kelly Brady Channick’s YA debut, Asbury High and the Thief’s Gamble, is the enticing start to an old-fashioned cozy mystery series.

Available in paperback and audiobook now too!

Besides years of close friendship and their shared confidence in each other, just what do a spunky smart tomboy, clever billionaire athlete, gossipy in-the-know cheerleader and technological genius have in common? When a string of burglaries threatens their coastal town, Maddie, Cornelious, Carly and Pilot embark on a mission to stop the crime spree and put things right.

Unfortunately, solving crimes isn’t as easy as it seems on TV. The further they investigate, the more they find themselves constantly side-stepping tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum-like policemen, outsmarting local bully JB and his gang of misfits, and dealing with Cornelious’ billionaire father and Governor—who has disapproved of his son’s choice of friends for years. In addition to these obstacles, the foursome must also adapt to their evolving friendship with each other and their peers. But with upperclassmen, teachers, and teammates vying for their attention, the amateur sleuths must work even harder to root out the red-herrings from the true thief, before it’s too late.

Asbury High and the Thief’s Gamble is the first book in a young adult cozy mystery series, that fans of Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys and Scooby Doo will love.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Asbury HIgh series is a young adult, cozy mystery series, centered around four lifelong friends, who are just starting high school. In this book, (the first one) Asbury High and the Thief’s Gamble, the foursome are fourteen and ready to take on high school, in their small, seaside town. However, they quickly find how hard it is to find time for each other. Maddie and Cornelious are star athletes and students, Carly is the socialite and competitive cheerleader with her ear to the world, and Pilot is a computer and technological genius who can hack, invent or bypass his way into anything. When a string of burglaries rock their small town, they begin an investigation as a way to find time to hang out. It’s only after someone close to the gang gets arrested for the crime, that the foursome really take the case seriously.

As the series continues, the gang grows and matures. It starts when they’re fourteen and a little clueless, and ends with them graduating high school, much more prepared to take on the world–and all the mysteries it contains.

When did you start writing the book? How long did it take you to write it?

I’m combining these two questions, as they are basically one answer for me. I wrote this book eleven years ago, when I was a Senior in high school. I wrote the first draft, then spent four years playing college basketball on scholarship, so had no time to take it any further. It was only a few years after college, in which I was dating my boyfriend at the time (and now my awesome husband), when he encouraged me to pick it up again. I was teaching full-time, but I guess he grew tired of my endless talking about my story ideas. 🙂 Thus, I reread the book, and realized how much work it needed. Before continuing further, I completely outlined all seven books in the series. In this way, I was able to drop Easter Eggs and hints in the earlier novels, and make connections to previous books in the later ones.

Where did you get the idea from?

I have always been a fan of mysteries, especially old school ones. Growing up in a shore town (Ocean City, NJ), I’ve always had the idea of mysteries popping up in such a place. I feel as if the idea just sort of came to me; to have four teens with differing interests, but a strong glue of friendship holding them together, working their way through each crime as they dealt with the drama and fun parts of high school. I also was growing tired of paranormal or dystopian teen novels–no matter how much I do love them–and wanted something more realistic, and fun.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Honestly, no. After rereading the first book and mapping out the whole series, writing the books came very easily.

What came easily?

The easiest part of each book, for me, was crafting the mystery. I’d start with the crime and who the perpetrator was–then I’d think of clues (both obvious and obscure), and then add in some red herrings. Basically, a cookbook recipe for mysteries.

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

While my characters are fictitious, I have borrowed names of friends and family, as well as various points of personalities–especially when describing the teachers of Asbury High. There are some great teachers out there, and I wanted to use a little bit of what I loved about each of them to create some memorable characters. When it comes to the bad guys, especially as the series progresses, I’d say they were a conglomerate of people who just weren’t nice…some of my closest friends and teammates will know exactly who I’m referring to here.

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?

Yes, the most obvious one is JK Rowling. After all of these years, I’m still in awe of her world-building. I use her formula of dropping hints in my earlier books of things to come later on, and also tying the fictional world together by creating connections in each story, to make the world of Asbury seem real.

Do you have a target reader?

While this is a young adult, it also is a cozy mystery. Ergo, anyone who enjoys an old-fashioned mystery, with an ode to simpler times (aka high school days, with close friends), and especially those who like Scooby Doo, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.

About Writing

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

I basically will think of a main idea–main plot, with the main protagonist(s) and antagonist(s), and from there outline a few sentences of what will happen in each chapter. Once that’s complete, I go back and fill out and write each chapter completely. Then, perhaps most importantly, I take a month’s break and go back to read the book with fresh eyes–adding to and editing each chapter as I go. After the third or fourth go-around, I usually felt satisfied with my finished book and send it to editing.

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

Yes, as stated earlier, with this series I outlined every chapter of every book (with a few sentences) before even writing out the actual books. It’s basically a few sentences 2-3 of what action happens in each chapter.

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

I wait…but mostly because I go through multiple drafts, and therefore editing sessions, before sending it to the editor.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I did, and it’s been very helpful–although my beta reader husband is almost just as good and finds the same things to correct that the editor does…

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

This is weird…but no not music, I prefer the weather channel. You see, I have two very active dogs and can only write when my little one is napping or sleeping. Thus, if it’s completely quiet the dogs will bark and wake up my little man.

About Publishing

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

Once again, I’ll combine these questions, since they’re essentially the same for me. I did submit to various agents a few months at a time, every few years. Unfortunately, they only ever want the first few chapters or pages, and for my series I knew that wasn’t playing to my strong side. As every good mystery should, the ending is the aha-who-saw-that-coming moment (of which readers keep telling me they felt that exact way!), so to expect to get a good feel for the story so quickly wasn’t going to happen. Also, there is a lot of build-up in the first book, both with getting to know the characters and designing the world of Asbury, Thus, the rest of the series is much quicker, with the mystery happening sooner, but that wasn’t the case with the first one.

After realizing I could publish on my own, I did some serious research and am now a proud indie self-publisher.

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

The covers are all designed by one of my best friend’s mothers, who I have known since I was born! She, Susan Schafer, is a talented artist, and full-time art teacher, who has also published, written and illustrated other books.

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

I feel like you really can’t ‘wing’ a career and hope to be successful. I have made nice, strong connections with other authors and enjoy reading up on new marketing trends and ideas. You never know what is going to work!

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

Make sure that you write every day and that writing is a priority for you. Do your due diligence on starting a business, and all that entails, as well as what your book needs to be the most professional, perfectly-completed piece of product that you can feel comfortable putting out there. Also, NEVER be afraid to ask a fellow indie for advice. There’s a wealth of knowledge out there, and all of us indie authors have the same goals: encourage readers and reading!

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in South Jersey, right across from Ocean City NJ–although that is where I attended school, as it is the district. Therefore, I was always outside playing sports, games and being an overly energetic kid. When I wasn’t running all over, I was writing and reading anything that I could get my hands on.

Where do you live now?

I currently live back where I grew up, in South Jersey. Although I am now happily married, with the world’s greatest husband, an energetic eighteen month old with another little boy due in February, two crazy dogs and a lazy cat.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I am very approachable and love connecting with readers. If they read and enjoy my books or have questions (or even the opposite), I’d love to hear their thoughts! They can email me or find me on social media, and let me know what’s on their mind.

What are you working on now?

As I am finished the Asbury High series, and now just have the releases and launches to contend with there, I am putting the finishing touches on my adult crime novel. I’m hoping that will also be available at the end of 2021, but it may very likely be a 2022 release.

End of Interview:

For more from Kelly, visit her website and like her Facebook page.

Get your copy of Asbury High and the Thief’s Gamble from Amazon US or Amazon UK.