In the US and Canada 11,200 people turn 65 every day. 7 in every 10 readers is a woman over 50!
A huge market? You bet. What genres, protagonists and settings are they looking for? I'm pleased to host writers in this market who know what their readers like.
Today's guest is SUSAN SANTANGELO, former feature writer, drama critic and editor for
daily and weekly newspapers in the New York metropolitan area and now author of the Baby Boomer Mysteries.
I’m Writing What I Know Best!
I’m frequently asked at book talks, “Why do you
write a Baby Boomer mystery series?” My answer is, “Why not?” There are 78.2
million Baby Boomers in the United States, according to the latest census
figures. And many “senior” Boomers, myself included, are starting to hit the
magic age of 65. There’s so much written about the financial piece of growing
older – taking care of your IRAs, 401Ks, etc. – but nobody seemed to be taking
a look at the emotional piece. By that I mean, how do couples who have been
married for years, raised a family, and been leading fairly independent lives,
now cope with the fact that the husband and the wife are no longer going out to
a 9 – 5 job every day? Instead, they often get into each other’s way as they
struggle to re-define their roles. Of course, nothing like that ever happens in
my house! (smile.)
I’ve always loved the mystery genre. I was hooked on
Nancy Drew books when I was a child, then I graduated to Agatha Christie, and
I’ve just keep on going. I love what is traditionally called the cozy – no
blood and gore for me. I like to be entertained. And, especially, I like to
laugh!
I was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago, and
that was a real wakeup call for me. I’ve been a freelance writer, editor and
drama critic for years. I’ve also had my own P. R. company and done special
events for a variety of clients, including Carnegie Hall. Writing press
releases, articles, brochures – I did it all. But I’d always wanted to write a
mystery. After the cancer diagnosis (I’m fine now!) I thought, why wait? Who
knows what other curve balls life might have in store for me
The original idea of the series was that my husband
and I would do it together. He’s been writing non-fiction professionally for
years. But it didn’t work out that way.
The series deals with
typical Boomers Carol and Jim Andrews as they navigate the rocky way toward
their golden years. In the first book, Retirement Can Be Murder, released
in April 2009, Carol dreads Jim’s upcoming retirement more than a root canal
without Novocain. She can’t imagine anything worse than an at-home husband with
time on his hands and nothing to fill it, except interfering in the day-to-day
activities and driving her crazy. Until Jim is suspected of murdering his
retirement coach. The second one in the series, Moving Can Be Murder, was
released May 1 2011. This one deals with Carol and Jim selling the family home
and downsizing, with one dead body thrown in to keep things interesting. Book 3
in the series, Marriage Can Be Murder, includes a destination wedding on
Nantucket, and was released in July 2012.
Book 4 in the series, Class Reunions Can Be Murder,
was released in July 2013. Funerals Can Be Murder will be
released by Suspense Publishing in October. 2014. There a total of 10 books
planned for the series.
My books are written in the first person, so many
people think I’m Carol. I’ve even been introduced at book talks as Carol! We’re
both sarcastic and like to be in charge. We value our family and our close
women friends. Oh, one more thing – we both love English cocker spaniels. There
are two English cockers in the books, Lucy and Ethel.
My characters have become my best friends. The more
I write about them, the more I want to write about them. And I have a sneaky
suspicion that when I’m not keeping an eye on them, they get into trouble. Or,
maybe it’s the other way around?
The subhead for each book title is, “Every wife has
a story.” The more women I connect with, either at book talks or via the
Internet, the more I realize how true that is!
The books are available on Amazon and a number of
independent book stores, as well as on Kindle. The first two titles are also
available on Nook.
Thanks for the
opportunity to make some new cyber friends. I always love to hear from readers.
I can be found on Facebook and reached at ssantangelo@aol.com
Susan
An early member of the Baby
Boomer generation, Susan Santangelo has been a feature writer, drama critic and
editor for daily and weekly newspapers in the New York metropolitan area,
including a stint at Cosmopolitan magazine.
A seasoned public relations and marketing professional, she has designed and
managed not-for-profit events and programs for over 25 years, and was principal
of her own public relations firm, Events Unlimited, in Princeton NJ for ten
years. She also served as Director of Special Events and Volunteers for
Carnegie Hall during the Hall's 1990-1991 Centennial Season.
Susan divides her time
between Cape Cod MA and the Connecticut shoreline. She is a member of Sisters
in Crime and the Cape Cod Writers Center, and shares her life with her husband
Joe and one very spoiled English cocker spaniel, Boomer, who also serves as the
model for the books’ covers.
A portion of the sales from the
Baby Boomer Mysteries is donated to the Breast Cancer Survival Center, a
non-profit organization based in Connecticut which Susan founded in 1999 after
being diagnosed with cancer herself.
