An interview with author Eden Baylee
Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to the talented Eden Baylee, a prolific author with many books to her name. She has just released her first full length novel, Stranger at Sunset. It's an atmospheric, engrossing mystery that will keep you hooked to the very last page. Luckily, it's the first in a series, so we will be treated to more stories featuring the enigmatic main character Kate Hampton.
Vacation can be a killer.
Dr. Kate Hampton, a respected psychiatrist, gathers with a group of strangers at her favorite travel spot, Sunset Villa in Jamaica. Included in the mix are friends of the owners, a businessman with dubious credentials, and a couple who won the trip from a TV game show.
It is January 2013, following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The luxury resort is struggling, not from the storm, but due to a scathing review from caustic travel writer, Matthew Kane. The owners have invited him back with hopes he will pen a more favorable review to restore their reputation.
Even though she is haunted by her own demons, Kate feels compelled to help. She sets out to discover the motivation behind Kane’s vitriol. Used to getting what he wants, has the reviewer met his match in Kate? Or has she met hers?
Stranger at Sunset is a slow-burning mystery/thriller as seen through the eyes of different narrators, each with their own murky sense of justice. As Kate's own psychological past begins to unravel, a mysterious stranger at Sunset may be the only one who can save her.
*********
After reading this wonderful book, I was keen to interview Eden about her writing and current plans:
How long have you been writing, and was there a defining moment when you knew you wanted to be a writer?
EB: Informally, I’ve been writing since my mid-teens, but I took the leap to writing full-time January 2010. As for any defining moment, I can’t say there was. I know many authors say they’ve known all their lives they wanted to write. I’ve only ever known I had a rich fantasy life, and I’ve always loved to read.
I believe the combination of these two things pushed me toward writing.
How many books have you published? Which was the hardest to write and why?
EB: I have 13 books published. The first twelve are erotica – anthologies and short stories. My latest, Stranger at Sunset is a psychological mystery/thriller.
This last book was the hardest to write because it’s my first novel. I’ve never written anything this long before, so the structure was completely new for me. As a ‘pantser,’ I found it challenging, which is not a bad thing.
Stranger at Sunset is the first in a series, have you written the rest of the series yet, or is that something that you're still working at?
EB: Definitely still planning and writing them! It’s such a fine balance daily of researching, writing, promoting, and reading. I need 72 hours in a day if not more.
Wow! That's definitely a challenge!
Your latest book is a deviation for you as you usually write erotica. Why did you decide to venture into a different type of genre?
EB: When I set out to write full-time, I started with erotica as it was a genre I knew well. I’ve been reading it since I was eleven, but … I also knew I would not write it forever. I have always considered erotica as a short story/novella-length genre. I never intended to write novels of it.
I enjoy reading the mystery and thriller genres. There are many nuances contained in them and different ways to tell a story. I’m not a ‘blood and guts’ storyteller, so I don’t have the stomach to write police procedurals or crime novels. Where my interest lies is in the motivations of people. That is why I classify my book as a psychological mystery/thriller, because much of it is based on intellectual mind games.
The novel starts with a murder, but you don’t know who the killer is or who is killed. That is revealed only much later in the book through the interplay of the characters.
I think you got the balance just right. I often get put off by gratuitous violence in books. Yours was perfectly crafted.
I really enjoyed Stranger at Sunset. There are references in the book to James Bond, and in fact the setting is supposed to be where a James Bond film was made. Are you a James Bond fan, and if so do you prefer the books or movies and what is your favourite James Bond film/book?
EB: Thank you for your lovely compliment, Maria! Sunset Villa, the name of the resort in the book, is based on an actual place I stayed in Jamaica. The name is fictitious, but it was located next to where Ian Fleming lived and wrote his James Bond novels.
I love spy thrillers and James Bond, of course. My favorites are the old films with Sean Connery. I also liked Casino Royale. As for the books, I haven’t read all of them, but I remember being totally engrossed with From Russia with Love. I was a teenager when I read it, and it seemed magical and sexy. I loved the “foreign-ness” of it, both in the language Fleming used and in the story itself.
I saw the films on TV as a child as my dad was a fan, so I have a few memories of them, but quite distant memories LOL.
I understand that Stranger at Sunset was inspired by a trip you took to Jamaica. Tell us a bit about that trip and what you'd recommend people see if they go there?
EB: Jamaica has many attractions and I was close to Ocho Rios. The small villa I stayed at was near Dunn’s River Falls and James Bond Beach. I’d recommend snorkeling and swimming if you love the water. There is also the Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary, which was established to protect the underwater sea life. I’m not a deep-sea diver, but I’ve been told you can see spectacular species of marine life in certain areas.
It sounds lovely :)
Your main character, Kate Hampton, is a psychiatrist. This involves knowledge about various mental health issues. How did you go about doing your research for this element of the book?
EB: I’ve always had an interest in psychology, and at one time wanted to get into it as a profession. Given that, I still read texts from the field, and one of my go-to books is the seminal work of Dr. Hervey M. Cleckley’s The Mask of Sanity. A professional in the field recommended it to me.
Cleckley was an American psychiatrist, and the book describes his interviews with patients in a locked institution. His detailed clinical description of psychopathy is still relevant today even though the book was written back in the forties.
I was also a student of Freud’s writings, but many of his observations are no longer studied. It all makes for good fiction though.
Are any of your characters based on real people?
EB: I’ve borrowed bits and parts of people, but no character is 100% true to anyone I know. Part of writing fiction is the fun of expanding on certain traits, but there were a couple of characters I had to tone down from real world people I knew. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction!
LOL, I know what you mean.
Apart from the series, are you working on any other projects?
EB: I don’t write a novel fast enough yet to work on too many writing projects at once. I keep an active blog, promote myself and other writers I respect, and try to do a couple of charity events each year. It keeps me out of trouble.
Do you write every day?
EB: Yes. I think it’s important, even if it’s only a short blog or an entry into a journal. The process of putting words together on paper (on screen) exercises the brain in a way only writing can.
What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
EB: It was Hellgoing by Lynn Coady, a former Canadian journalist. It’s a book of nine short stories. I’d recommend it because she’s a visual writer, and her stories are unique.
I love short stories, so I'll add that to my list!
Which authors have inspired your writing?
EB: Many. In erotica—Miller, Nin, Nabakov. In literary fiction, Bukowski, Fowles, Murakami, Steinbeck, and others. I tend toward the classics though I read a lot of indie authors too, and many have inspired me as well.
Do you have any tips for writers who may be thinking about self-publishing a book?
I’m no expert, and I’ve learned by observing and doing. And making tons of mistakes along the way! The indie community is extremely supportive, and there is a lot of information out there to help a new author. There are more knowledgeable people than me who can talk to the ‘publishing’ side of writing.
My main tip is to keep writing. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned by writing continuously. The fact that I cringe a little by reading some of my older works is a good thing. It means I’ve moved on from there. I feel the mark of any writer, no matter how they are published, should be to improve with each book they write.
I totally agree, Eden
Stranger at Sunset is extremely well edited. Who edits/proofreads your work?
EB: Thank you, Maria, and I’m sure my amazing editor, Annetta Ribken would thank you too. What she does very well is look at the big picture of a manuscript—plot holes, inconsistencies, and problems with story structure. As the author, I can tend to get engrossed in the minutiae of the book because I know it intimately. Annetta has the ability to pull me back, which is tremendously helpful.
We work well together because neither of us engages our egos in the process of editing. Ultimately, we both want what is best for the book.
Who designs your book covers?
EB: JB Graphics in Toronto designs all my book covers and media. His work is clean, spare, and appeals to my sense of aesthetics. I don’t like overly “busy” covers, and he has a way of ensuring the cover sets a mood for the book. I’m a visual person, and I love color, images, and fonts. They all need to blend together well to create a good cover.
You have great book covers!
Do you have any other news for your fans?
EB: One exciting piece of news was the partnership of Stranger at Sunset with iTunes, which I’m unaware another author has done. My book has a soundtrack!
Before the book came out, I used certain songs leading up to its release as clues for the story. It seemed only natural to pair my two loves—music and words. You can sample and buy the play list here:
iTunes Playlist
For now though, I’m working hard to promote Stranger at Sunset while drafting the next two books in the series. I will also be doing some free giveaways of my backlist. Announcements will be made on my monthly newsletter, so I encourage readers to add their names to my mailing list.
Many thanks for the interview Maria. I really appreciate all you to do. It’s been a pleasure to chat with you.
Thank you for being a guest here, Eden!
I love that iTunes idea, and I'm not aware of other authors having done that, either! :)
Author Bio
Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to become a full-time writer. She incorporates many of her favorite things into her writing such as: travel; humor; music; poetry; art; and much more.
Stranger at Sunset is her first mystery novel, on the heels of several books of erotic anthologies and short stories. She writes in multiple genres.
An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often!
To stay apprised of Eden’s book-related news, please add your name to her mailing list.
Links:
Website: http://edenbayleebooks.com/
Blog: http://edenbaylee.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/edenbaylee
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/edenbaylee/
LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/pub/eden-baylee/31/62...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edenbaylee
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/edenbaylee
Get your copy of Stranger at Sunset from Amazon:
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stranger-at-S...
US: http://www.amazon.com/Stranger-at-Sun...
Worldwide: http://authl.it/B00L7BVDFM
Vacation can be a killer.
Dr. Kate Hampton, a respected psychiatrist, gathers with a group of strangers at her favorite travel spot, Sunset Villa in Jamaica. Included in the mix are friends of the owners, a businessman with dubious credentials, and a couple who won the trip from a TV game show.
It is January 2013, following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The luxury resort is struggling, not from the storm, but due to a scathing review from caustic travel writer, Matthew Kane. The owners have invited him back with hopes he will pen a more favorable review to restore their reputation.
Even though she is haunted by her own demons, Kate feels compelled to help. She sets out to discover the motivation behind Kane’s vitriol. Used to getting what he wants, has the reviewer met his match in Kate? Or has she met hers?
Stranger at Sunset is a slow-burning mystery/thriller as seen through the eyes of different narrators, each with their own murky sense of justice. As Kate's own psychological past begins to unravel, a mysterious stranger at Sunset may be the only one who can save her.
*********
After reading this wonderful book, I was keen to interview Eden about her writing and current plans:
How long have you been writing, and was there a defining moment when you knew you wanted to be a writer?
EB: Informally, I’ve been writing since my mid-teens, but I took the leap to writing full-time January 2010. As for any defining moment, I can’t say there was. I know many authors say they’ve known all their lives they wanted to write. I’ve only ever known I had a rich fantasy life, and I’ve always loved to read.
I believe the combination of these two things pushed me toward writing.
How many books have you published? Which was the hardest to write and why?
EB: I have 13 books published. The first twelve are erotica – anthologies and short stories. My latest, Stranger at Sunset is a psychological mystery/thriller.
This last book was the hardest to write because it’s my first novel. I’ve never written anything this long before, so the structure was completely new for me. As a ‘pantser,’ I found it challenging, which is not a bad thing.
Stranger at Sunset is the first in a series, have you written the rest of the series yet, or is that something that you're still working at?
EB: Definitely still planning and writing them! It’s such a fine balance daily of researching, writing, promoting, and reading. I need 72 hours in a day if not more.
Wow! That's definitely a challenge!
Your latest book is a deviation for you as you usually write erotica. Why did you decide to venture into a different type of genre?
EB: When I set out to write full-time, I started with erotica as it was a genre I knew well. I’ve been reading it since I was eleven, but … I also knew I would not write it forever. I have always considered erotica as a short story/novella-length genre. I never intended to write novels of it.
I enjoy reading the mystery and thriller genres. There are many nuances contained in them and different ways to tell a story. I’m not a ‘blood and guts’ storyteller, so I don’t have the stomach to write police procedurals or crime novels. Where my interest lies is in the motivations of people. That is why I classify my book as a psychological mystery/thriller, because much of it is based on intellectual mind games.
The novel starts with a murder, but you don’t know who the killer is or who is killed. That is revealed only much later in the book through the interplay of the characters.
I think you got the balance just right. I often get put off by gratuitous violence in books. Yours was perfectly crafted.
I really enjoyed Stranger at Sunset. There are references in the book to James Bond, and in fact the setting is supposed to be where a James Bond film was made. Are you a James Bond fan, and if so do you prefer the books or movies and what is your favourite James Bond film/book?
EB: Thank you for your lovely compliment, Maria! Sunset Villa, the name of the resort in the book, is based on an actual place I stayed in Jamaica. The name is fictitious, but it was located next to where Ian Fleming lived and wrote his James Bond novels.
I love spy thrillers and James Bond, of course. My favorites are the old films with Sean Connery. I also liked Casino Royale. As for the books, I haven’t read all of them, but I remember being totally engrossed with From Russia with Love. I was a teenager when I read it, and it seemed magical and sexy. I loved the “foreign-ness” of it, both in the language Fleming used and in the story itself.
I saw the films on TV as a child as my dad was a fan, so I have a few memories of them, but quite distant memories LOL.
I understand that Stranger at Sunset was inspired by a trip you took to Jamaica. Tell us a bit about that trip and what you'd recommend people see if they go there?
EB: Jamaica has many attractions and I was close to Ocho Rios. The small villa I stayed at was near Dunn’s River Falls and James Bond Beach. I’d recommend snorkeling and swimming if you love the water. There is also the Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary, which was established to protect the underwater sea life. I’m not a deep-sea diver, but I’ve been told you can see spectacular species of marine life in certain areas.
It sounds lovely :)
Your main character, Kate Hampton, is a psychiatrist. This involves knowledge about various mental health issues. How did you go about doing your research for this element of the book?
EB: I’ve always had an interest in psychology, and at one time wanted to get into it as a profession. Given that, I still read texts from the field, and one of my go-to books is the seminal work of Dr. Hervey M. Cleckley’s The Mask of Sanity. A professional in the field recommended it to me.
Cleckley was an American psychiatrist, and the book describes his interviews with patients in a locked institution. His detailed clinical description of psychopathy is still relevant today even though the book was written back in the forties.
I was also a student of Freud’s writings, but many of his observations are no longer studied. It all makes for good fiction though.
Are any of your characters based on real people?
EB: I’ve borrowed bits and parts of people, but no character is 100% true to anyone I know. Part of writing fiction is the fun of expanding on certain traits, but there were a couple of characters I had to tone down from real world people I knew. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction!
LOL, I know what you mean.
Apart from the series, are you working on any other projects?
EB: I don’t write a novel fast enough yet to work on too many writing projects at once. I keep an active blog, promote myself and other writers I respect, and try to do a couple of charity events each year. It keeps me out of trouble.
Do you write every day?
EB: Yes. I think it’s important, even if it’s only a short blog or an entry into a journal. The process of putting words together on paper (on screen) exercises the brain in a way only writing can.
What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
EB: It was Hellgoing by Lynn Coady, a former Canadian journalist. It’s a book of nine short stories. I’d recommend it because she’s a visual writer, and her stories are unique.
I love short stories, so I'll add that to my list!
Which authors have inspired your writing?
EB: Many. In erotica—Miller, Nin, Nabakov. In literary fiction, Bukowski, Fowles, Murakami, Steinbeck, and others. I tend toward the classics though I read a lot of indie authors too, and many have inspired me as well.
Do you have any tips for writers who may be thinking about self-publishing a book?
I’m no expert, and I’ve learned by observing and doing. And making tons of mistakes along the way! The indie community is extremely supportive, and there is a lot of information out there to help a new author. There are more knowledgeable people than me who can talk to the ‘publishing’ side of writing.
My main tip is to keep writing. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned by writing continuously. The fact that I cringe a little by reading some of my older works is a good thing. It means I’ve moved on from there. I feel the mark of any writer, no matter how they are published, should be to improve with each book they write.
I totally agree, Eden
Stranger at Sunset is extremely well edited. Who edits/proofreads your work?
EB: Thank you, Maria, and I’m sure my amazing editor, Annetta Ribken would thank you too. What she does very well is look at the big picture of a manuscript—plot holes, inconsistencies, and problems with story structure. As the author, I can tend to get engrossed in the minutiae of the book because I know it intimately. Annetta has the ability to pull me back, which is tremendously helpful.
We work well together because neither of us engages our egos in the process of editing. Ultimately, we both want what is best for the book.
Who designs your book covers?
EB: JB Graphics in Toronto designs all my book covers and media. His work is clean, spare, and appeals to my sense of aesthetics. I don’t like overly “busy” covers, and he has a way of ensuring the cover sets a mood for the book. I’m a visual person, and I love color, images, and fonts. They all need to blend together well to create a good cover.
You have great book covers!
Do you have any other news for your fans?
EB: One exciting piece of news was the partnership of Stranger at Sunset with iTunes, which I’m unaware another author has done. My book has a soundtrack!
Before the book came out, I used certain songs leading up to its release as clues for the story. It seemed only natural to pair my two loves—music and words. You can sample and buy the play list here:
iTunes Playlist
For now though, I’m working hard to promote Stranger at Sunset while drafting the next two books in the series. I will also be doing some free giveaways of my backlist. Announcements will be made on my monthly newsletter, so I encourage readers to add their names to my mailing list.
Many thanks for the interview Maria. I really appreciate all you to do. It’s been a pleasure to chat with you.
Thank you for being a guest here, Eden!
I love that iTunes idea, and I'm not aware of other authors having done that, either! :)
Author Bio
Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to become a full-time writer. She incorporates many of her favorite things into her writing such as: travel; humor; music; poetry; art; and much more.
Stranger at Sunset is her first mystery novel, on the heels of several books of erotic anthologies and short stories. She writes in multiple genres.
An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often!
To stay apprised of Eden’s book-related news, please add your name to her mailing list.
Links:
Website: http://edenbayleebooks.com/
Blog: http://edenbaylee.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/edenbaylee
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/edenbaylee/
LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/pub/eden-baylee/31/62...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edenbaylee
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/edenbaylee
Get your copy of Stranger at Sunset from Amazon:
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stranger-at-S...
US: http://www.amazon.com/Stranger-at-Sun...
Worldwide: http://authl.it/B00L7BVDFM
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Thanks, eden, I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. It's a pleasure to host you here. I'm looking forward to book 2 in the series!! :)
Great interview with two of my favorite people. Maria, I see that you enjoyed reading Stranger at Sunset every bit as much as I did. I love psychological mysteries, and you know I'm also a fan of your novel, Haunted.Eden, I learned even more about you in this interview. I love your writing and really hope people will treat themselves to this book.
Lisette, great to see you here ;) I have Maria's Haunted in my TBR and look forward to reading it!
I hope people will pick up my book too. and thanks for your comment. I really appreciate it.
eden
Lisette wrote: "Great interview with two of my favorite people. Maria, I see that you enjoyed reading Stranger at Sunset every bit as much as I did. I love psychological mysteries, and you know I'm also a fan of y..."Thanks, Lisette! :) You're one of my favourites too xx
So glad you enjoyed Haunted. Yes, it was great finding out more about eden, the wonderful thing about the indie writing community is that there are so many talented authors out there!
Eden wrote: "Lisette, great to see you here ;) I have Maria's Haunted in my TBR and look forward to reading it!
I hope people will pick up my book too. and thanks for your comment. I really appreciate it.
..."
Thanks, eden! Hope you enjoy Haunted :)
Thanks for the comment, Billy Ray. :)eden
Eden wrote: "Thanks for the comment, Billy Ray. :)eden"
For you, the world! :-)
I really enjoyed this interview, Eden and Bill. Thanks.
Thanks Tim for reading, appreciate it ;)eden
Timothy wrote: "I really enjoyed this interview, Eden and Bill. Thanks."Thanks, Dr. Tim. Hi to Renni and Gentry.
Billy wrote: "Great interview!"Thanks, Billy!
Timothy wrote: "I really enjoyed this interview, Eden and Bill. Thanks."Thank you, Tim :)
Maria wrote: "Billy wrote: "Great interview!"Thanks, Billy!"
You're most welcome! All the best.
Thank you, John, and appreciate your comment.xox
eden
John wrote: "Good, interesting interview, ladies! :)"Thanks, John! :)
Nice introduction to a new crime writer. I agree with you about psychological suspense being much more interesting than over-done violence.Best of luck with the series.
J.R. wrote: "Nice introduction to a new crime writer. I agree with you about psychological suspense being much more interesting than over-done violence.Best of luck with the series."
Thanks for reading, J.R.! Glad you enjoyed the interview. I have a more recent interview with Eden, here: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog... - there's also a giveaway there that you might want to enter :)
J.R. wrote: "Nice introduction to a new crime writer. I agree with you about psychological suspense being much more interesting than over-done violence.Best of luck with the series."
Hi J.R., Many thanks for your kind words, especially since you are an accomplished author of the genre. ;)
eden
It means so much to me that you enjoyed Stranger at Sunset and reviewed it.
I think you will enjoy Coady's book since you like short stories like I do. :)
Thanks again for your stellar support,
Big hugs,
eden