When Anita Paddock worked for the Miller Branch of the Fort Smith, Arkansas Library, she was already a seasoned reader. She especially liked Truman Capote. She now has three true crime novels of her own.
Anita answered these questions for Red Engine Press about her work and writing life.
Tell us how you wound up being a writer. What is your story?
I've always been a reader, which is responsible for my being a writer. I had an old typewriter, on which I wrote stories suitable for Seventeen magazine. I loved the Nancy Drew mysteries and as I got older the Daphne du Maurier books my older sister checked out from the library.
What author, or authors, influenced you to write books on true crime?
When In Cold Blood came out, I bought it and read it many times. I was teaching school for the first time then, and I stole time during the day to sneak in a chapter or two.
Who is your publisher? Who designed you book cover?
Pen L. Press in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is my publisher. They have a graphic artist who works for them. I also give my ideas to the publishers. We've always come to agreements on the covers.
Who did your editing?
Duke Pennell and his wife, Kim, are my editors. But I have trusted friends who read my books first. I also trust myself.
What places did you go to do the research on The Killing Spree?
For Killing Spree, I talked to the murdered policeman's widow. She kept a lot of newspaper clippings for me. Also, a lawyer friend who works for the Sebastian County Prosecutor's office scouted out crime reports for me.
Why do they call you the Grandma Moses of True Crime?
I have three earlier books: Blind Rage, Closing Time, and Cold Blooded. They are all true crime novels.My nickname of Grandma Moses of True Crime was given to me by a former student of mine who was in my US history class back in the day when I taught at Van Buren High School, the school from which I graduated in 1958. I also graduated from the U of A in Fayetteville.
Where do you write?
I write at home in complete silence. I'm eighty-four, with bad knees and a bad heart.
Do you have any author events coming up soon? If so, where and when?
I spoke to a crowd of 150 people recently at a fundraiser for Crawford County Literacy Volunteers.
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