How difficult is it being a writer firstly, a crime writer secondly, an ebook writer thirdly?

Being a writer is only difficult because it takes a tremendous amount of will, support, and motivation to keep writing in the face of hundreds of rejection letters. Every sale offers momentary support, but most writers I know can't think of anything they'd rather do - or they'd quit.
Being a mystery writer is as difficult as whatever subject I've decided on. Some books take more research, some are heavy all the way through, some, like Voodoo, Whipped Cream, and Billy the Kid have a lot of humor in them.
Being an ebook writer is difficult because many people don't understand that there are ebook publishers out there who have the same requirements for submission as paper publishers. They are the new small homesses for writers. While the market is growing, there is not a lot of money in it quite yet - at least in my experience. However, the turnaround time is faster, the cross-genre and hard-to-pigeonhole books are welcome, and so is your input on cover art.

Like yourself, and now even Stephen King, many younger/first time writers have started publishing their material through ebooks. Do you think this is a good thing for literature or perhaps is it negative for the business?

It's a good thing in that this opens doors to a wider variety of reading material. A negative thing in that most people perceive that epublished books are self-published books - and they are not. Editing your own work, in my experience, is incredibly difficult, and having the benefit of an editor, very important. In my case, I belong to several critique groups and they are helpful, too.

Do you think ebooks in a nearby future will compete successfully with "real" books or will they always remain a back door entry into the world of literature?

I think they will be an alternative format for literature, and develop their own markets. The more people use computers and ebook readers, the more they'll enjoy electronic books. I read on my Rocket ebook as much as possible. I can adjust the font size, I don't have to worry about the book falling closed and losing my place, and when I travel I load my own books (works in progress) into it so I can make revisions while flying, and I also load several books that I can read when I need a break from work.

Which is the first mystery book do you think someone should read?

Depends on what they like. If you're talking about my mysteries, the Blaize/Zoloski series has a female protagonist, is written in the first-person, and is written in a style similar to Sue Grafton's series. Each book, however, deals with relationship issues, addiction issues, and how her past affects her homesent in all areas of her life. In my Murry/Kidman series, it has a 42 yr. old male protagonist, Art Murry, and his 23 yr. old partner, Billy Kidman, and it deals with subjects tinged by the supernatural or paranormal. I like looking at how this affects Murry and Billy, and I like looking at subjects like voodoo through different eyes.
If you're talking about someone else's mysteries, a good first read would be Autumn by Robert Parker. It's been ten or more years since I read that book and I still remember it. Any Dick Francis book is a great read, in my opinion. I also like Faye Kellerman's Pete Decker series, and Elizabeth George's series. Oh, and Sue Grafton, and Tony Hillerman, and.... I can't name them all, but there are a lot of wonderful mystery writers out there.

What five books would you take with you to a desert island?

I'd take my Rocket loaded with 100 books!! But if I had to pick five, I would choose ones that I've read several times and know I'd love to read again - like Autumn. If I veer away from mysteries, I would also take one of Oliver Sacks' books, The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat, or A Leg to Stand on because they make me think in a different way. I'd take an inspirational book, like Friendship With God by Neale Walsch, and I'd have to flip a coin amongst a bookshelf of favorites for the other two.

What countries/cultures fascinate you more?

Most countries once I delve into their culture. If I have to be less vague, I'd say I found Haiti fascinating when I did the research for Voodoo, Whipped Cream, and Billy the Kid. I'm looking forward to learning more about Jamaica for the third Murry/Kidman book. European cultures draw me because of all the centuries of artwork and history everywhere. The U.S. is so new compared to most countries, that sense of history is not as homevalent. Native American cultures are intriguing, too. I've written several short romances with Paiute characters and I'd like to do more.

Please forgive the classic "What do you think of the Bastulli Mystery Library?" question at the end.

The Bastulli Mystery Library is a great website to visit and hang out. Check out reviews, interviews, cover art, whatever catches your fancy.

Thank you very much.

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