09 | August | 2015 | Dreaming...

Over the past several years I have gotten to know many authors. None, however like my first guest, Debbie Manber Kupfer. Her quick wit and charming eloquence in style and presentation makes any of her short stories and books a delight to read. The first story I read of hers was in the anthology, Fauxpocalypse. A collection of shorts about the end of the world that never happened. Her little piece was titled, Vodka and Watermelons. I found it thought provoking as well as humorous. So It is fitting that she be my first guest on Author, Author.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a writer and puzzle maker who grew up in London, but today lives in St. Louis, MO with my husband, 2 kids, and the real ruler of our family, our kitty, Miri Billie Joe. I get through each day by consuming about a gallon of hot tea with milk, and like to reward myself with dark chocolate mint M&Ms.

Who are your favorite authors?

I’ve a whole bunch including Douglas Adams, J.K Rowling, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I also love reading indie authors – there’s some amazing talent out there – some I recommend are Misha Burnett, M.A. Ray, Jen Ponce and Fiona Skye (and of course Cleve Sylcox).

Tell us a bit about your books.

My novel series is P.A.W.S. It focuses around an international magical organization – the Partnership of Animagi, Werewolves and Shapeshifters. It follows the life of Miri Katz, a young girl who is given a silver cat charm by her grandmother on the day before she dies. Little does she know but the charm carries a family secret, a powerful magic that saved her grandmother from the Nazis and plunges Miri into a paranormal world that she never dreamed existed.

The first two books of the series, P.A.W.S. and Argentum are currently available and I’m working on a third installment which is tentatively called Maze of Shadows.

If you could travel back in time to any place and period in the past where and when would you go?

Not that far back! I’d like to go back to the 1960s, so that I could get to see the Beatles live and go to Woodstock!

What attracts you to writing in your genre?

I love writing (and reading) fantasy because in fantasy anything can happen, it’s like I get to dream for a living! I also enjoy writing short stories in between my main books as in short stories I get to experiment in other genres.

Are you planning to participate in any anthologies? Any hints about your story?

I’m the editor of the upcoming sci-fi/horror anthology, Sins of the Future and also have a silly little tale inside the volume about a frustrated vaccu-bot called Doris.

What do you like to do to relax?

Relax, what’s that? Well apart from my fiction writing and puzzle writing I also read lots and solve lots of puzzles. I also hang out with my kids and try to share what they love. For my son that involves playing board games (he plays a mean game of Clue) and with my daughter who adores music it means going to concerts with her – this summer we’ve been to a whole bunch including Warped Tour. It’s a two way education. She educates me on her favorite bands and I educate her on mine.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently rereleasing my first book P.A.W.S. with a shiny new cover created by the talented Rachel Bostwick (find her on Fiverr) and bonus bits. I’m also working with an artist to produce a children’s book, Adana the Earth Dragon.