First off, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by A Literary Vacation! I’m always fascinated to get inside the head of an author and see what inspires them to write the captivating novels that they do. Can you tell us how you came up with the idea for Ocean City Cover-Up? Can you tell us about your writing process?
Thank you for hosting me, and for all the work you do to get the word out about great stuff to read.
Ocean City Cover-up is the second in a mystery series that was originally inspired by the research I did for a travel guide to Ocean City, Maryland. At the time (2008) I was looking for a Ocean City-based mystery to read for pleasure as I was working on my book for the Tourist Town travel series. Much to my surprise, I found almost nothing! So I got to thinking about what a ripe, beautiful location Ocean City would be for some juicy mystery stories. And so, the Jamie August series was born with Ocean City Lowdown. Fast forward a couple of years, and my husband and I have moved to the Middle East, where he took a job. We packed up and moved to the Arabian Peninsula, and I began to explore all that this region has to offer. I’m still hip deep in the Ocean City mystery series, but now I can see the fascinating (and comedic) potential of sending a down-home Maryland girl like Jamie August to … Dubai.
My writing process is relentless and dull. I set up a series of deadlines for myself and then I work like a stressed-out madwoman to meet those deadlines. I pay an editor and a cover designer, so I have to deliver the goods or I’m out a bunch of cash. There are moments where I feel exhilarated, and indeed I am proud that I’m bringing out something I feel is good-quality entertainment. But for the most part, it’s all about sitting at my desk and cranking it out, just like an accountant or a coder would do.
I think everyone, no matter what they do, struggles to fit in all the various aspects of their life into the short 24 hours we have each day. What does a typical day in your life look like? When do you fit in time to write?
I recently took a full-time job, so I’m not really sure how I’m going to push the next book out the door! I used to have the luxury of time, as a freelance writer with not quite a full-time load. Now, I guess I’m going to cook simpler dinners and let the laundry pile up.
Social media is a monster. Everybody says you have to do it, so I try to keep up. Frankly, though, I don’t know whether the time spent doing it is worth the time it takes away from my actual writing time. As you say, there are only 24 hours in a day! When I read other authors’ comments about how they LOVE interacting with their readers and they want to make themselves available to their audience 24/7, I think, are they crazy or are they lying? That said, I really do love hearing from readers. Frankly, that almost always happens via my web site rather than on Facebook or Twitter or any other the other social sites.
Indeed, I am a huge reader! I prefer mysteries, naturally. Just now I am in the middle of Sujata Massey’s India Gray, a collection of her historical fiction. Massey is best known for her mystery series featuring Rei Shimura, a Japanese-American art dealer/sleuth. Recently she has also started writing historical fiction set in India, and I’m enjoying that as well.
I am now working on the third book in my Jamie August series. Ocean City Getaway is based, of course, in Ocean City. I can’t give away too much, but I will tell you I’ve been watching and reading up on classic cons and heists. And last summer I took a trip to Ocean City, and spent some time down at the track….
Thank you, Kim, for answering my questions! It sounds like Jamie August has quite a few adventures ahead of her. Readers, please find more information about Kim and her Ocean City series below!
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Publisher: Capri House
Publication Date: May 29th, 2015
Pages: 494
Euro-trash collides with American gangsta in Maryland's gleefully cheesy beach resort. Reporter Jamie August befriends a spoiled heiress who is being pursued by Russian mobsters--and a chart-topping rap star. Meanwhile, a raging crime spree is keeping Jamie busy--and so is a hot new boyfriend and a strict jogging and frozen custard fitness plan. Action careens from OC to Dubai, from the wild shores of Assateague to a wild-west campground. Will Jamie survive to debut her fringed leopard-print bikini?
Praise for Ocean City Cover Up
“High-spirited, slyly humorous page-turner." - Marcia Talley, Agatha and Anthony award-winning author of Daughter of Ashes
“Jamie is a smart, sexy and unforgettable heroine I'd love to be my guide to the real Ocean City, Maryland--no matter what the season."- Sujata Massey, Agatha and Macavity Award winner author of India Gray
“Kim Kash has crafted a solid mystery with plenty of twists, whip-smart dialogue, and a sprinkle of romance. Ocean City Cover Up kept me awake into the wee hours, flipping pages and collecting clues with Jamie." - LynDee Walker, Agatha Award-nominated author of Devil in the Deadline
Buy the Book
About the Author
Kim Kash is the author of two novels in the
Jamie August series: Ocean City Cover-up (Capri House, 2015) and Ocean City Lowdown (Capri House, 2013). She also wrote the bestselling Ocean City: A Guide to Maryland's Seaside Resort (Channel Lake, 2009), and is currently working on the next installment in the Jamie August series. Kim divides her time between Maryland and the Middle East, which can be weird.
Find out more about Kim on her website and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter. You can also find her on Flickr where she curates her travel photos.
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