Q&A

Where can I get an advance reader copy of your latest book?

Advance reader copies (ARC’s) are available from NETGALLEY.

If you’re a NetGalley member, type in my name to see if my latest ARC is available, then hit “Request.” To become a member, go here.

Review copies of my latest mysteries are available from Macmillan at this link.

For media review copy requests, go here.

Are any of your books FREE?

Yes, my publisher and I will be hosting various Goodreads giveaways, Instagram giveaways, Bookbub freebies and Amazon freebies all year long—just sign up for my newsletter to get notified here.

Or follow me on Instagram @aliceblanchard.author, or Goodreads.

or you can follow me on Threads, Bluesky (TBA) and Twitter.

Also if you’re a member of Amazon Prime, my Kindle mysteries Darkness Peering, The Breathtaker and Life Sentences are always free with Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited.

Have you ever cried, laughed or had an emotional response to your own books?

Yes, and that’s always a good sign. Like Robert Frost said, “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.”

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Writer’s block means you’re being too hard on yourself and expecting perfection. A first draft demands that you spill your guts on the page. Don't censor yourself. It’s okay to fail. Writing is rewriting. Everything flows from there.

Where can I learn more about the Natalie Lockhart mystery series?

For a quick recap, go here.

What about your other mysteries and thrillers?

For a quick recap of my other books, go here.

What routine do you have when you sit down to write a book?

I’m at my best early in the morning, when it’s quiet. Dreams fuel the imagination, and I want to catch that dream energy before it dissipates. My routine involves large quantities of caffeine, and then launching into a flow state. I'll take a break to listen to music or take a walk. Then I'll spend the afternoon revising or continue writing if I'm in the zone.

What’s your best advice to other writers?

Never give up. Believe in yourself. Embrace criticism that makes sense to you and discard the rest. Keep improving your craft. Find your voice. If you get stuck, Ernest Hemingway's advice always works for me: "Write the truest thing you know."

Where do you get your ideas from?

Sometimes they come out of the air, like magic—and by that I mean they come from my subconscious. I keep a notebook nearby and jot things down constantly. I write down my dreams. I write down random titles. I have boxes and boxes of old stories, new stories, observations, storylines, descriptions and dialogue, which I’m constantly digging into for inspiration.

Do you like to read the same genres you write in?

I like beautiful writing and riveting characters. I read across all genres.

When does your next book come out?

My new mystery, The Shadow Girls, is available now—just go to your favorite online bookstore, or else you can go here.

Where did the idea for the Natalie Lockhart series come from?

Good question. You can go here for the answer.

You mix creepy elements of the occult in with the mystery genre in the Natalie Lockhart series. Do you believe that supernatural evil exists?

I used to play with a Ouija board when I was little, and I’d never do it again. I grew up in a haunted house, and whether it was haunted by spirits or my imagination is up for debate—but I’m convinced there was at least one ghost in that centuries-old farmhouse. See this interview for more.

Are you an outliner or a pantser?

I always start with an outline, but I love being surprised. Sometimes a new character will pop up in the middle of a first draft, or another character will take on new dimensions. Occasionally a bad guy will transform into a good guy. I love when that happens, and it happens all the time. In truth, writing fiction is a profoundly mysterious process.

How can your readers reach you?

The best way is through my Contact page, where you can ask me questions or sign up for my newsletter—that’s up to you. Your information will remain private, as I don’t share my list with data-hungry corporations.

When did you start writing?

I wrote my first murder mystery when I was seven. It was a dozen pages long. The book begins: “It was a rainy day in Lond, England. It was raining halfway up to your ankles.” lol. After that, I didn’t start writing seriously until I knew how to spell London and describe the weather. : )

Do you get exhausted or energized during writing sessions?

It all depends on whether or not the writing is flowing. I’m usually energized by my new projects. I'm working on something now that I can't wait to share with you.

You write twisty dark mysteries and thrillers. What scares you?

Go here for the answer to that question.

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know?

I'm humbled and amazed by my readers. They keep me going.