Interview with M.K. Scott, Author of Requiem for a Rescue Dog Queen

M. K. Scott is the husband and wife writing team behind The Painted Lady Inn Mysteries and The Talking Dog Detective Agency. Morgan K Wyatt is the general wordsmith, while her husband, Scott, is the grammar hammer and physics specialist. He uses his engineering skills to explain how fast a body falls when pushed over a cliff and various other felonious activities. The Internet and experts in the field provide forensic information, while the recipes and B and B details require a more hands-on approach.  Morgan’s daughter, who manages a hotel, provides guest horror stories to fuel the plot lines. The couple’s dog, Chance, is the inspiration behind Jasper, Donna’s dog. Overall, both are a fun series to create and read.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Where did you grow up?

Since we are a writing team, we both have different back stories. Scott grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan and his father was an engineer at Kellogg.

I, Morgan, grew up in rural Indiana. The child of a farmer and his devoted wife, who later became a nurse. 

What is your fondest childhood memory?

It was riding my half broke pony, Flicka.

When did you begin writing?

Morgan- I started writing at the advanced age of six since the school reading books was so deadly boring. The teacher didn’t appreciate the alternative endings created for Dick and Jane stories.

Scott started writing about two years ago to help his wife create a cozy mystery series. 

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

Morgan-Usually early morning-anywhere from 4am to about 2pm in the afternoon.

Scott- I write at night.

What is this book about?

Requiem for a Rescue Dog Queen is about an extreme dog lover who is being threatened. It is assumed her harasser must really dislike dogs and her. Nala and Max, her talking rescue dog, step in to investigate when a fire is set near the kennel.

What inspired you to write it?

Morgan- People at the Indiana Historical Society Signing because they kept asking why I never set a book in Indiana.                                                          

Who is your biggest supporter?

Morgan-My biggest supporter is my husband, then my daughter, Sarah. 

Who is your favorite author?

Mary Higgins Clark and Nora Roberts

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?

Morgan-It was wildly bumpy! At the tender age of fifteen, I had my first poem published in a national magazine. After that, I was published in regional magazines, newspapers, liturgical papers, and anthologies. My articles/stories even appeared in Ladies Home Journal, Guideposts, and True Confessions.

About eleven years ago, I had an agent take my story, Act Your Age with a promise to promote it. She went out of business and forgot to tell me. I found out two years later from another writer. I had a publisher hold onto my story, Escaping West for another two years with the promise they wanted exclusive rights to the story. When the editor that chose it left, my story came back. I wasted four years waiting to hear from people.

I’ve had two publishers go bankrupt. So, I guess you can say the path to full scale novels has been rocky. I have published thirty books under four different pen names. Five are currently out of print. Nine are cozy mysteries and another two are waiting for release. 

If you knew then, what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?

I would have stayed with one pen name.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

Requiem for a Rescue Dog Queen is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Kobo and Smashwords.

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

Website

 Website    Amazon   Facebook   Twitter  Goodreads    

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Never give up on your dreams and try to write 1000 words every day.

What is up next for you?

The third book in The Talking Dog Detective Agency, Bark Twice for Danger, which is set in my hometown, Noblesville will be available in April.

The eighth book in The Painted Lady Inn Mysteries, The Skeleton wore Diamonds, will go on sale early March.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Much of my social media is under Morgan K Wyatt, my initial pen name.