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Gayle Trent is a ‘cozy mystery’ author whose work combines quirky characters like Daphne Martin with merriment and suspense for small town adventures in Murder Takes the Cake - the first book in the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Mystery Series. In addition, Gayle writes as Amanda Lee for the new cozy mystery series featuring a heroine who owns an embroidery shop. The series is set on the Oregon Coast and features Marcy Singer, a spunky, thirty-something, entrepreneur who is handy with a needle. The first book in the Seven-Year Stitch mystery series will be out next year.

Thank you Gayle for taking the time to answer some questions for us! To start, please tell us about the latest project you've worked on.

My latest project is Dead Pan, the second book in the Daphne Martin Mystery Series. The book is due to be released in November.

Have you received any awards for your work?

Not yet, although I have been nominated for the Appalachian Book of the Year with my book Between A Clutch and A Hard Place.

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

I do. I truly enjoy speaking and teaching about writing and publishing. There are a list of my speaking topics on my site gayletrent.com.

What kind of other works (books, scripts, poems etc.) have you had published?

Freelance articles in Law and Order magazine, P.I. Magazine and other magazines; short stories published in anthologies, such as The Gatekeeper, a true story for a Guideposts book about animals and From Not to Hot, for Chocolate for A Teen's Spirit. I've done several articles on writing, and some of those are compiled in my book, The Writer's Planner.

Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

Last year I was invited to the Oklahoma Sugar Art Show in Tulsa to promote Murder Takes the Cake. It was wonderful to talk with cake decorators and sugar artists about the book, and it was even better when I head from some of them later and they'd enjoyed the book.

What will your next project be?

I'm currently at work on the Marcy Singer embroidery mystery series for NAL/Penguin--book one has been submitted, and I'm working on the synopsis for book two. And I'm also working on the Daphne Martin mystery series for Bell Bridge Books. Book Two in that series, Dead Pan, is due to be released in November.

Who inspires you on a personal or business level?

My husband and my children inspire me every day.

What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

Read, read, read . . . especially in the genre(s) you wish to write.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

During the school year, I take my children to school, sometimes put in a load of laundry or put dinner in the crockpot, and then I work until it's time to go get them. I often work on my current book in longhand while I'm waiting in the car rider line at the school.

Who is your favorite writer/author?

I like so many that it's hard to name just one. When I was growing up, I loved Victoria Holt's gothic novels.

Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

One True God, a contemporary Christian song by Mark Harris.

Thank you Gayle! We wish you great success with your new novel!