I took a quick break from these posts for a couple of weeks during the holidays and while I was focusing on wrapping up 2022, but now I’m back with a quick Q&A with Cate Lawley.
Lawley was actually the first to get back to me with answers for this post, and I’m really grateful for that. I’ll be dipping my toes into her work and that of her nom de plume in the next couple of weeks, she (they?) have some really good-looking stuff.
Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
Author bio for Cate Lawley:
Cate Lawley writes humorous, action-filled mysteries that frequently contain a paranormal twist. And when she’s writing as Kate Baray, she writes page-turning urban fantasy with relatable characters.
When she’s not tapping away at her keyboard or in deep contemplation of her next fanciful writing project, she’s sweeping up hairy dust bunnies and watching British mysteries.
Cate is from Austin, Texas (where many of her stories take place) but has recently migrated north to Boise, Idaho, where soup season (her favorite time of year) lasts more than two weeks.
She’s worked as an attorney, a dog trainer, and in various other positions, but writer is the hands-down winner. She’s thankful readers keep reading, so she can keep writing!
Contact basics:
www.CateLawley.com
https://www.facebook.com/katebaray
Are you a native Idahoan? What brought you to Idaho in the first place? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I’m from Texas. Family brought me here. I love the weather, the beauty of the state, and the wonderful friends I’ve made since coming here.
Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
I belong to several local author groups in the Boise area. The Idaho Writers Guild, the local chapter of Romance Writers of America, and a few smaller groups. I enjoy the community of it. Sharing knowledge and resources, as well as the friendships I’ve made with like-minded people.
What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
Locally, I attend a variety of events. Whenever a topic piques my interest, I’ll attend a presentation, and I also enjoy socially oriented meetings. The local RWA chapter also has a yearly retreat that I sometimes attend.
Nationally, I try to attend NINC’s conference in Florida and Romance Author Mastermind in Houston, but they’re specialized events and not something I’d expect locally. Sometimes it’s good to leave so I can come back and appreciate Boise all the more for being gone. = )
I’m trying to capture an idea of what the literary community is like in the area, could you mention a couple of the specific events? What kind of things grab you?
Idaho Writers Guild just had its annual membership meeting with more than 60 Idaho writers in attendance. Dinner, games, and giveaways = ) I also meet regularly with a group of writer friends for coffee and a writing chat.
What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
I write fairly niche genre fiction under three different pen names: urban fantasy, paranormal cozy mystery, and steamy paranormal romance. My audience is primarily US, but also in other English-speaking countries (UK, AU, CA). I don’t target locally or expect to find a voracious market for my work in the local area.
Is there a particular reason you don’t expect a voracious market locally?
I write in very niche genres. While I’m sure I have readers in the area, the population is relatively small and statistically isn’t likely to have a large percentage of vegan vampire-loving cozy mystery readers (to reference one particular series.)
Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
Advantages: A warm, welcoming writing community! I arrived in Boise with no local contacts four years ago, and I’ve met so many amazing people almost exclusively through various writing communities in the area.
Do you bring Idaho (or some sort of Idaho-sensibility, assuming one exists) to your work? Whether or not anyone else sees it, can you look at some aspect of your writing and think “That’s Idaho” or “I would do ____ differently if I was a Kentuckian or from Illinois?”
I have a “world” (interconnected series) that is Boise but with magic. I’ve written those series to incorporate my experiences, with each of the main characters as new(ish) transplants. My books don’t tend to be setting-heavy, but there are some Boise-specific bits sprinkled in.
Which series is that? I’d be curious to see how you work Boise in. I’ve read a couple of Boise-based series lately, and have fun picking out the things they mention (and the things they use poetic license on).
My Cursed Candy (Cate Lawley) world takes place in Boise. From Cursed Candy Mysteries: Cutthroat Cupcakes, Twisted Treats, and Fatal Fudge. From the related series, Furry Fairy Holiday Hijinks series: Candy Cane Conspiracy and Sugar Plum Ploy.
Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks! Cate