Featured Author: Emily Kimelman

[Jen Rattie]

Tell us about your latest book.

THE DEVIL'S BREATH is the 5th novel in my Sydney Rye Series of mysteries. This series feature a courageous female protagonist and her canine best friend, Blue. It is recommended for adults who enjoy some violence, don't mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery!

One of Sydney Rye’s dearest friends, Hugh Defry, has been accused of brutally murdering his business partner. All the evidence points to Hugh and he has no memory of that night. But Sydney refuses to believe that Hugh is capable of such violence.

Called to investigate by Robert Maxim, a man she has, until now, considered her greatest enemy, Sydney flies to Miami searching for the real killer. Her investigation leads her from the mansions of Star Island to the depths of the Everglades. Rye’s suspicions are raised when she learns that Robert Maxim not only wants to work together, but also wants to build a friendship. She doesn’t begin to understand Maxim's motives until her former lover, Dan, arrives in Miami to tell her a devastating secret.

As more people from her past turn up, and not knowing whom to trust, Sydney begins to recognize that her personal fight for justice has become much more than she'd ever imagined. Sydney is pushed towards making a decision that will change not just her life, but possibly the future of crime fighting.

Where did the idea for the book come from?

My character Sydney Rye told me this was the next book and I always listen to her. She wanted to take me to Miami because it has such a rich history of criminal activity. It seemed the perfect place to face her arch nemesis, Robert Maxim, again.

Who and what inspire you to write?

Everything inspires me to write especially travel and reading.

Each author has his or her own inspiring journey. How did you begin writing?

I’m severely dyslexic so most of my childhood I couldn’t read but desperately want to. I was lucky enough that my family lived near a school on the cutting edge of learning differences and when, at age 11, I finally figured out what all those weird squiggles on the page meant I felt that I’d finally been let into a secret world and I never wanted to leave.

I thought my life with books would be exclusively as a reader since someone who can’t spell well shouldn’t write books. So I became a photographer right out of high school and lived in London then ended up in Brazil for awhile and when I came back to New York, two years later, I decided to go to college.

I was taking a required writing course when 9/11 happened. I wrote about it in a way that helped me to deal with the terrifying tragedy. When people read my work they responded strongly and that was the first time I realized how truly powerful the written word could be for me and my readers.

About a year later, I was on the subway reading a mystery novel where a cat solves the crime and the killer is aliens. I thought, f#ck it, I can do better than that. I was working as a dog-walker at the time. It was during hours of strolling the Upper East Side with a variety of canines by my side that I came up with the characters of Sydney Rye and Blue. I’ve been writing about them ever since.

What has been the most pleasant surprise about writing? How about an unexpected down side?

The most pleasant surprise is how much easier it’s gotten. It took me 5 years to write my first book and 8 to publish it. Since then I’ve published another four books and can now write a first draft in a matter of months. Oh, and my writing is so much better than it used to be. Sure, some days it’s still like pulling teeth to get the words out but most the time they fly and leap across the page, surprising me at every turn.

I’d say the most obvious downside for a fiction writer these days is a lack of stability. It’s impossible to tell what will happen in the next weeks let alone year the way things are shifting in publishing right now. But, that is also an upside because opportunity comes out of change. And boy are things a changin’

Do you have any writing rituals?

About a gazzilion and I’m always coming up with new ones. First draft, I put up a sign that says “It doesn’t have to be good. It just has to be done”. When writing I put on headphones and sip tea. I do a 750 word purge before I begin my session where I just spew out anything that’s on my mind. I take long walks on the beach, ride horses into the woods, read tons of books, pace, talk out loud, and let the wheels turn without judgement or purpose.

Do you write your books in order?

I start where ever I want to. One of my rules is don’t write it if you don’t want to. Because if I’m bored creating it imagine how the reader will feel. For STRINGS OF GLASS I wrote the last chapter first. For THE DEVIL’S BREATH I wrote the first chapter first. For #6 which I’m working on now, I also started with the first chapter. I don’t stay tied into any kind of structure in the beginning though. I just write what I see and if I trust it and follow my characters it all comes together in the end.

What is on your writing playlist for this book?

Have you heard the soundtrack for Drive? I basically put that on repeat for the last couple of months with a little Robyn thrown in.

Any favorite writing snacks?

I don’t snack while I write but I do drink copious amounts of tea.

What advice would you give writers who aspire to be published?

Keep writing and reading. Finish your book, edit it, get a friend to read it. Rewrite it. Hire someone to edit it. Rewrite it. Hire another person to edit it. Rewrite it. Get one last person (or a team of people) to make sure there are no more little mistakes. Then publish it. Oh, and while all this editing is going on, start the next one. And don’t forget to get a great cover.

Are you working on anything new right now?

Yup, Sydney Rye #6 is in the works. I’m in Costa Rica right now, where it takes place.

Who is your favorite character in your current book?

Blue, the dog in my books, is always my favorite character. And, of course, Sydney Rye who actually tells the story. I’m also in love with the rest of the cast. I even have a soft spot for the bad guy.

What is your favorite book of all time?

Pride and Prejudice.

Tell us in one sentence why we should read your book.

It will keep you up late at night, squirming in your bed, dying to know what happens next.

Emily Kimelman is the author of the best selling Sydney Rye series of mysteries including UNLEASHED, DEATH IN THE DARK, INSATIABLE, STRINGS OF GLASS, and the forthcoming, THE DEVIL'S BREATH. She travels around with her husband and her dog writing books and searching for adventure.

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