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New Jersey born clinical psychologist Roberta Isleib took up writing
mysteries to justify time spent on the links. Her first series, featuring a
neurotic professional golfer and a sports psychologist, was nominated for
both Agatha and Anthony awards. Roberta is now writing the Key West food critic mystery series as Lucy Burdette.
Roberta's series starring a Connecticut psychologist and advice columnist,
debuted in 2007 with DEADLY ADVICE, followed by PREACHING TO THE CORPSE and
ASKING FOR MURDER (Berkley Prime Crime.) Her short story "Disturbance in the
Field," published in SEASMOKE by Level Best Books, was short-listed for both
Agatha and Macavity awards. Roberta says the work of the detective in a
mystery has quite a bit in common with long-term psychotherapy: Start with a
problem, follow the threads looking for clues, and gradually fill in the big
picture. So this career move turned out to be a natural progression.
Roberta is passionate about portraying her psychologist character as a
competent professional (with flaws of course!)
Roberta is the past-president of both the International Sisters in Crime and
the New England chapter. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America,
Romance Writers of America, and the Authors Guild. She lives with her family
in Connecticut.
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photo by Ruthanna Terreri
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| Questions for the author: |
HOW DID YOU FIND AN AGENT?
I don't have a magic formula for this subject.
However, I did find an agent and she did sell my book, though none of this came easily or quickly. I studied Elizabeth
Lyon's THE SELL YOUR NOVEL TOOLKIT and Jeff Herman's WRITER'S GUIDE TO BOOK EDITORS, PUBLISHERS, AND LITERARY AGENTS.
I contacted agents who had interests like mine (mystery, sports, psychology), or who had some feature in their
personal background that made me think we might connect. I hired an independent editor to give me fairly inexpensive
but useful feedback on my manuscript, she directed me to several agents. I attended mystery conventions and talked
with people there about the process. I attended the International
Women's Writers Guild "Meet the Agents" forum in New York City. I groveled in front of everyone I even remotely
knew connected with the publishing business. And I suffered through multiple rejections and shouldered forward.
My advice? First, write the best book you can. Take classes, join a critique group, and rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.
And second, be persistent and flexible.
HOW DOES YOUR PSYCHOLOGY BACKGROUND PLAY INTO YOUR MYSTERIES?
Believe it or not, the work of the detective in a mystery has quite a bit in common with long-term psychotherapy.
You start with a problem, then follow the threads, looking for clues, and gradually fill in the big picture. So
this career move turned out to be a natural progression!
Most shrinks are appalled by the way we are portrayed in the popular media, usually these characters are bumbling fools,
lacking in scruples, or crazy themselves. But I have the chance to dream up psychologist characters who can help solve
mysteries without stumbling too hard over their own personal issues, crossing ethical boundaries, or imploding with
self-importance.
The lead characters in both my series are in psychotherapy, I've really enjoyed writing these scenes which showcase the
therapy process.
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