And our Sue's Clues Mystery Author is:

She may not be familiar to you yet, but Judith Laik is quickly becoming a known name in the Regency Romance circle. Her books are receiving great reviews and more are on the way. Judith took some time out of her schedule to answer a few questions so we can get to know her better.

Thank you, Judith!

1. I see that you are a member of 'The Beau Monde'. I don't know how I haven't come across them before now. It looks like a fantastic group. How long have you been a member? Can you tell us a little about it? Has it been a great help as an aspiring novelist? Are there other groups like this that concentrate on one particular time period that you know of?

I'm thinking it would be a Godsend for many authors, old and new.

The Beau Monde is a special interest chapter of RWA, to educate and support authors of Regency-set romantic fiction. RWA has a number of "special interest" chapters, but most of them focus on a genre, such as the Kiss of Death (Mystery/Suspense chapter). The only other one I know that helps authors write in specific periods is the Hearts Through History chapter. It covers all historical periods but has "Special Interest Groups" that focus on certain periods, such as ancient history through the Renaissance; one that covers the Georgian through the Victorian periods, etc. I’m not a member, though, so I can’t speak to the benefits of membership. The Beau Monde and my local chapter (Greater Seattle) are the only chapters I belong to. (My local chapter is terrific, also. Through them I’ve attended writing workshops that have taught me a variety of skills, found my critique group. They sponsor a local conference every year that I attend whenever I can and always learn a lot, besides having a great time.)

But having the Regency period as its focus makes the Beau Monde just about essential, in my opinion, for anyone who writes books set in that period. Beau Monde members are the most supportive, knowledgeable, and generous group I’ve ever known. Whatever question you ask, someone on their e-list knows the answer. The chapter’s Royal Ascot contest has led to publishing contracts for a number of talented writers. And those who don’t final still receive critiques by our positive, kind, and expert judges, which help them improve their writing. (The fact that I’ve been the coordinator for the contest the past two years does not mean I’m prejudiced!)

2. You attended the RWA convention in Reno this year and your first, I imagine, as a published romance novelist. You must have been pretty excited. What made it the most memorable for you?

Yes, this was my first RWA conference as a published romance author, although last year I attended wearing my pink “First Sale” ribbon, and was reinforced in my belief of what a supportive organization RWA is. Throughout that conference, complete strangers would congratulate me and ask me about my sale.

This year, for me the highlight was attending my first Literacy Autographing as an author, sitting behind the tables instead of walking in front of them. I know I had a big, goofy smile on my face the whole time. I didn’t even care if anyone bought one of my books, although I was very happy that some did--even a few who weren’t my friends!

3. Your romance novels aren't your first experience in the world of publishing. You've written for children as Judy Laik. Tell us about the book, UNDER WHOSE INFLUENCE, and "The Mysterious Delaneys", your story appearing in an historical anthology for children.

4. I also want to mention AROUND THE CIRCLE GENTLY/ A BOOK OF BIRTH, FAMILIES, AND LIFE, a book you did with your friend, Lynn Moen. You've mentioned this is a book you turn to often.

I’m going to answer numbers 3 and 4 together, because all my previous published efforts have a connection. A HORSE'S TALE, the anthology in which my historical story, “The Mysterious Delaneys,” appeared, was written for the Washington State Centennial in 1989. Elizabeth Crary, owner of Parenting Press, was a good friend of Lynn Moen, my co-author for AROUND THE CIRCLE GENTLY. At that time Lynn owned the Birth & Life Bookstore, which sold all of the books Elizabeth wrote and/or published. I worked with Lynn on the Imprints, the reviews newsletter/catalog for the bookstore. Elizabeth came into the store full of enthusiasm for her centennial project, and, knowing I was a writer, she asked me if I’d like to contribute one of the stories. Of course I said yes. I loved her concept--stories of ten children of various backgrounds, each set in one of the decades of Washington’s history, and linked by ownership of a toy horse. I’m really proud to have been a part of it. Parenting Press is an unusual company. Everything they have published is still in print, and A HORSE'STALE is in use in many school districts throughout the state.

Another series Parenting Press publishes--"The Decision Is Yours"--written in a "choose your own adventure" format, always features a real problem that children might face and is intended to teach problem solving skills. A year or so after A HORSE'S TALE, Elizabeth asked me to write a book for the series, about peer pressure. Under Whose Influence? was the result. It was a challenge to write in second person, but again I’m proud to be a part of that series.

While I was still working on these projects, Lynn was approached by a different publisher to do a book of quotations about the fields her bookstore specialized in--pregnancy, childbirth, child care, women’s health, and historical and social issues of families. She asked me to take part, and a five-year marathon ensued. We both read tons of books, found wonderfully expressed sentiments, and spent endless hours distilling, arranging, and testing out the book on its potential readers. Then we’d read more books, discover more fantastic quotes, and go through the process all over again. Along the way, we eventually found a new publisher after Lynn and I parted ways with the original one. Much of the book does cover the process of growing a family; it’s really about all of life, and the fabulous authors we quote have something to say about almost any situation I’ve encountered. Though I was delighted with how AROUND THE CIRCLE GENTLY turned out, I’m not sure I’d have been brave enough to commit myself to the project if I’d known it would take so much of my life.

5. What does your husband and children think about your shift in genres? You have three children, one a daughter still at home. How old are they? Boys, girls? Have any of them read either of your regencies?

I haven’t really shifted genres. I’d already written a novel set in the Regency period (which thankfully hasn’t been published!) when I participated in the above projects. Being published in the historical romance genre has always been my main goal.

But I love writing for younger people as well. I have a contemporary YA novel which won the PNWA (Pacific Northwest Writers Association) contest a few years ago, and which I hope to see published. I have another YA partially completed, and ideas for several YA fantasies I’m excited about and hope to start on later this year. It’s my plan to continue writing in both genres.

And my husband and family are pretty positive about my book, THE LADY IS MINE, being published. Some of them have even read it. My children--two sons and a daughter--are all grown, and I’m not sure they’d want me to reveal their ages. But my grandchildren range in age from 7 to 25. My oldest grandson is getting married this September.

6. Is there any particular reason you've chosen to write regencies? Do you see yourself continuing with this time period for future books?

I’m not sure whether it’s possible to explain the fascination the Regency period holds for its authors and readers. But it’s a time that uniquely lends itself to the romantic fantasy. It holds every element on which romance novels flourish: elegance, wealth, a stratified society in which people were nonetheless able to move up (and down!), social and political events that breed danger and adventure--wars, exploration, labor unrest, scientific discovery. In my research, I keep finding more factors about the period that excite me and stimulate me to delve deeper.

I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t fascinated by history, and I’ve read books set in many periods and locales. But when I discovered the Regency, I knew I’d found my “home.”

7. If you were to choose another time period in which to set your stories, what would it be?

I can’t say I’d never write about another period. As mentioned above, many historical places and times have engrossed me. But at present I can’t truly picture myself writing about them, either. The only other period that’s exercised even close to the same fascination is the American West in the nineteenth century. Even then, many years before I discovered the Regency, the area that most caught my imagination was the time immediately after the Louisiana Purchase and the early exploration of that vast territory. The historical figure I worshipped as a teenager was John Colter, who was a member of the Lewis & Clark expedition and an early explorer of the land that’s now Yellowstone National Park. Interestingly, he lived in the early years of the nineteenth century--roughly corresponding to the Regency!

8. You live "... on a mini-farm in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, daughter, three horses, four cats, approximately a dozen Collies, and one Scottish Deerhound." I think 'mini-farm' is an understatement! Tell me you have at least a few acres for all of that livestock! :) Did you plan on having that many pets or did it just turn out that way?

Yes, we have almost nine acres. And the animals are mostly my daughter’s. She raises and shows Collies. The horses are just living out their lives with us--they were an earlier interest of hers. The area around us has built up to a degree that makes it difficult to ride. When she was a teenager, there were numerous riding trails all around us, and she and her friends spent a lot of time on horseback. The Scottish Deerhound is mine. I’ve admired the breed all my life and finally made the decision to own one. I hope to eventually have more "stories" about our menagerie, along with pictures, on my website.

9. "Recently, the population has been increased by one granddaughter and two cats." Your granddaughter must be in heaven with so many playmates. What is her favorite?

The granddaughter who moved in with us is 25 years old and a talented massage therapist (as well as a wonderful person!) She’s going back to school this fall and couldn’t afford her own place right now. She does enjoy the animals but doesn’t have a lot of free time.

10. As the mother of a daughter who will be turning 12 this fall, I'm very interested in the book you wrote for the 'The Decision is Yours' series. How did you get the opportunity to write it? Did the publishers, Parenting Press, ask you to write about this topic or was it one you chose?

As, I mentioned above, Elizabeth Crary asked me to do a book about peer pressure, and when I started on the project we brainstormed a number of situations that lent themselves to peer pressure--shoplifting, cheating on a test, etc.--but the subject of drinking shot to the top immediately. I think it gave extra depth to the book, covering both peer pressure and alcohol abuse. I believe the book is used in a number of substance abuse education programs.

11. Do you have experience in teaching or a degree that made you an obvious choice to write for the series? I don't think it's a requirement but it seems some combination of letters, phd etc, follow the names for authors who write this style of book, especially one for children. (I was very impressed with the five star review given by a psychiatrist at amazon.com)

I don’t have a degree. It’s something that makes me feel somewhat self-conscious at times--but I’ve read very widely and lived a lot of life! I was careful not to have any false statements or impossible scenarios in Under Whose Influence? Elizabeth Crary has an MS degree and she oversees all her projects in a thoroughly hands-on way.

12. When your not writing or tending your menagerie, *Grin*, what do you like to do? Any hobbies?

I read. A bunch! My husband and I love to travel; we are also "musical comedy" fans and have season tickets to a couple of local theater companies. I try to get to beaches as often as possible, whether just sitting looking at the water, daydreaming, writing, or looking for interesting rocks and shells. A dream of mine is to have beach property. I love to spend time with my kids and grandkids, but don’t do enough of it. Some of them no longer live close enough to see much of; others have very busy lives. My writing keeps me busy too.

13. Who are your favorite authors?

There are so many, it’s impossible to list them all. I have to start with Barbara Metzger and Carla Kelly. Elizabeth Peters (and her Barbara Michaels persona as well, though I’m most partial to Amelia Peabody--and wish she’d write another Vicky Bliss!) Carole Nelson Douglas, Anne Perry. Dorothy Dunnett. Julia Quinn, Jo Beverley. Stef Ann Holm, particularly her historicals. Maggie Osborne. Rachel Gibson, Jennifer Crusie. By mentioning some, I’m leaving out others, and I wish I could list them all.

14. Is there anything or anyone in particular that has influenced your writing?

I’d have to say the inimitable (but greatly imitated) Jane Austen.

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To learn more about Judith, her books, and what she's working on now, please visit her website at:

http://judithlaik.com/