Stacy Juba: "Sink or Swim"

Stacy Juba is the author of the mystery novels Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim (Mainly Murder Press), as well as the patriotic children's picture book The Flag Keeper and the children's e-book Victoria Rose and the Big Bad Noise. Her young adult paranormal thriller Dark Before Dawn will be released by Mainly Murder Press in January 2012. Her young adult hockey novels Face-Off and Offsides will be released in 2011 and 2012. She is a former journalist with more than a dozen writing awards to her credit.

Hello Stacy, could you describe yourself in five words?

Creative, imaginative, analytical, determined, sensitive.

What can you tell us about "Sink or Swim"?

Sink or Swim is a cross between a cozy mystery and a romantic suspense novel, about Cassidy Novak, a personal trainer who attracts a stalker after appearing on a reality show set aboard a Tall Ship. Most of the book takes place back in Cassidy's hometown, after the reality show has ended. The book has been endorsed by former contestants from Survivor, The Amazing Race, and Big Brother, but you don't need to be a reality show fan to enjoy the story.

Who's your favourite author?

I admire J.K. Rowling because of the depths of her imagination and her ability to produce book after book in the Harry Potter series under such public scrutiny and deadline pressure. 

Do you have tips for budding writers?

I would recommend connecting with other writers through an in-person local critique group, on-line writers communities, or professional writing organizations, and finding critique partners to exchange manuscripts with so that you can get feedback on your own work and hone your editing skills by critiquing the work of other writers. Be willing to rewrite and revise when necessary. A first draft is rarely publishable. Go through your manuscript focusing on aspects such as dialogue, description, pacing, conflict, internal thought, and plot. You need to make sure each of these aspects is strong before looking at the manuscript as a whole.  

What are you working on now?

I'm preparing for the release of my young adult/adult paranormal crossover novel Dark Before Dawn scheduled to come out from Mainly Murder Press in January 2012. I'm also updating and revising my out-of print young adult hockey novel Face-Off and its unpublished sequel Offsides, preparing to release an e-book edition of each and a double edition paperback with both books in one volume, with the first e-book debuting in Fall 2011.

Where can we find you online?

My web site is http://stacyjuba.com/blog/ and my blog is http://stacyjuba.com/blog/blog/ .