In conversation with Author Shelley Blanton-Stroud, Author Maren Cooper discusses her writing journey and her latest thriller novel, Behind the Lies. She talks about her transition from a career in healthcare to becoming a writer, and how she discovered her passion for writing through classes at the Loft Literary Center. Cooper also discusses her experience with publishing, including her decision to work with She Writes Press, a hybrid publisher. She shares her thoughts on the changing landscape of publishing, including the rise of self-publishing and the impact of AI. Cooper also touches on the themes of ambition and the portrayal of women in her novels, emphasizing the importance of showcasing the diverse roles and motivations of female characters.
Learn more about Maren Cooper here: https://marencooper.com/
Watch the Interview with Maren Cooper & Shelley Blanton- Stroud
About Shelley Blanton-Stroud
I grew up in California’s Central Valley, the daughter of Dust Bowl immigrants who made good on their ambition to get out of the field. I recently retired from teaching writing at Sacramento State University and still consult with writers in the energy industry. I co-direct Stories on Stage Sacramento, where actors perform the stories of established and emerging authors, and serve on the advisory board of 916 Ink, an arts-based creative writing nonprofit for children. I’ve also served on the Writers’ Advisory Board for the Belize Writers’ Conference. Copy Boy is my first Jane Benjamin Novel. Tomboy (She Writes Press 2022) will be my second. The third, Poster Girl, will came out in November 2023. My writing has been a finalist in the Sarton Book Awards, IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion Award, the American Fiction Awards, and the National Indie Excellence Awards. I and my husband live in Sacramento with an aging beagle, Ernie, and many photos of our out-of-town sons and their wonderful partners.
To find out more about Shelley Blanton-Stroud and her books, and to sign up for her newsletter, go here. https://shelleyblantonstroud.com
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