Meet the Author Monday and Giveaway: Interview with Ellen E. Withers

Interview with Ellen E. Withers: Meet the Author Monday

Welcome to my interview with Ellen E. Withers on this week’s Meet the Author Monday. Stick with us throughout the interview for a great giveaway opportunity.

Now, without further ado, let’s get this interview started. Ellen, thank you for joining us today. Why don’t we start with you telling us a little about yourself.

People are blessed to have one career they love, but I’ve been blessed with two. For over 25 years, I worked as an insurance fraud investigator. When early retirement was offered, I launched into my dream second career, writing novels. Although I’d been writing short stories for years, it took a full retirement from the first job to devote the time and energy to writing mystery novels.

The rest of my endeavors include spending time with my grandsons, singing in a Sweet Adeline chorus, church activities, and travel time with friends.

Your featured book today is Show Me Skulduggery. What prompted you to write this book?

I talked my publisher into a three book contract instead of two because I wanted to tell the history of the saddlehorse training industry in my hometown that lasted over 100 years. Show Me Skuldugery takes the reader from 1920 to 1953 to highlight the successful trainers there. The contemporary portion of the book provides a glimpse of the current use of the stables as a museum and event center.

If you could spend the day with any three authors, living or dead, which ones would they be and why?

Dame Agatha Christie. She was (and still is) the best mystery author that ever lived. Imagine the techniques about mystery writing she could teach me!

James Harriet. His books about his life as a Yorkshire veterinarian overflowed with humor, humanity, and a deep love of animals. He’d be a wonderful person to know.

Michael Connelly. His Harry Bosch character is the most fascinating character I’ve ever met on the pages of a book. I’ve known and worked with various law enforcement officers and he nailed their true character and motivation with Harry.

That is a great list. You write Christian fiction. Do you have a scripture that guides or inspires you in your writing life?

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

I love that verse. Other than writing, what creative pursuits do you enjoy?

I sing in an acappella quartet and a chorus, which brings much joy to my soul. It’s a team sport based upon music and friendship. It revitalizes me.

I’ve had opportunity to hear your group, and guys sounded great. Such an enjoyable show. Now, back to writing, what resources (books, podcasts, conferences, etc) would you recommend to someone just starting their writing journey?

On Writing by Stephen King. He tells his writing journey and gives writers great tips to improve their submissions.

You Write You: Freedom for the God-designed Writer in You by our very own Heather Greer. It teaches writers to use scripture as their base and provides insight into our God-given design. Writers will learn how honoring the heart brings freedom to write as God created them to write.

I also have to recommend my book, Magic Words: How to Enchant Judges & Conjure Contest Wins. This “how-to” is for writers wishing to achieve their dreams. It helps writers learn how to win writing contests and improve their product to reach their publication goals. Although it took me over 20 years to receive a publishing contract, I hope this book helps others get there in less time.

Aww. Thanks for including me in such a great list for growing and encouraging writers. What can readers expect when they pick up one of your books?

Two intertwined mysteries, one modern, one historical, form the core of every one of my novels. My characters are not perfect, but they’re working toward God’s plan for their lives. Each book has messages of hope and grace for readers. My goal is to make them fast-paced page turners, too.

They sound like a great read. And since I’ve had the opportunity to read the first book in the series, I can attest to the fact that readers will find all of those things in your stories. What’s the biggest blessing you’ve ever received as an author?

I’ve had two of them. The first blessing was being mentored by Dusty Richards when I first studied the craft of writing. The second was meeting Linda Fulkerson, who took a chance on me and offered publishing contracts for my mystery novels.

Have you ever faced discouragement as an author? If so, how did you deal with it?

My ex-husband was not encouraging about my writing when we were married. He called my dream of being published “a pipe dream.” I took his lack of support as a challenge. His disregard made me realize if I wanted to pursue this dream, I had to give it over to God and his plan for me. I never let those words stop me from writing and learning. God provided all the encouragement and help I needed directly in my path. Once published, my ex-husband apologized for not supporting my dream.

Always remember that God has a plan for you and your writing. Let your heart and your calling to write lead the way.

I’ll thank you now on behalf of your readers for allowing God to move you beyond the negative. If someone wanted to make a movie of your book, who would you want to play the hero and heroine?

Such a fun question! My dream picks would be Emma Watson or Anna Kendrick for Liesl Schrader and Chris Pine or Chris Pratt for Kurt Hunter.

And now just a could quick and easy questions. Would you rather have to hand-write all your manuscripts or speak them into a recorder?

Speak them into a recorder. I do that now when I have an idea in the car. I’ll dictate an idea or a scene and then type it up when I’m back at my desk.

And our last one. Do you prefer physical books, eBooks, or audio books?

Physical books.

I want to thank you, Ellen, for visiting with me today. And thank you, readers, for joining me for this interview with Ellen E. Withers. Keep reading to find out more about Ellen, Show Me Skulduggery, and enter the giveaway.

Ellen E. Withers Bio

Ellen E. Withers is an award-winning fiction writer, freelance writer, and retired insurance fraud investigator. Her award-winning mystery dual-time series, Show Me Mysteries, published by Scrivenings Press, is set in her picturesque hometown of Mexico, Missouri. The third book in the series, Show Me Skulduggery, debuts May 2025.

Her nonfiction book about winning writing contests is Magic Words: How to Enchant Judges & Conjure Contest Wins, inspired by her writing contest column in the digital writing magazine Writers Monthly PDF.

Coming in 2026, Ellen will have a dual-time mystery series, Spa City Mysteries, set in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Contact her at www.ellenewithers.com.

Connect with Ellen

Website: https://ellenewithers.com/

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071728886831

Amazon profile: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BWZ1G7JS

Instagram profile: https://instagram.com/lnwithers?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/33215146.Ellen_E_Withers

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-e-withers?list=about

More About Show Me Skulduggery

Death comes knocking once again in Show Me Skullduggery, the captivating third book in the award-winning Show Me Mysteries series. These mysteries involve two eras, early 1900s, and contemporary times, featuring a famous Saddlebred horse stable in Mexico, Missouri. Intrigue, deception, underhanded behavior, and murder will keep you turning pages.

Present day: Because of her behavior, the disregard of the needs of her tenants, and her penny-pinching ways, everyone despises slumlord Katherine Mull. When a killer emerges and acts upon their desire to end Katherine’s life, Liesl, Kurt, and Nicole must race against time to identify the killer before this madman kills again. Can they track down the killer before someone else dies? Do they have the skills necessary to identify the killer before they become the target?

1920 through 1953: Mexico, Missouri is famous for being the “Saddlehorse Capital of the World” thanks to world-famous owner/trainers Tom Bass, C.F. Clark, Joseph Potts, George and William Lee, Robert Stewart, and Art Simmons. Each has built upon the solid, respected reputation of the previous trainer at these beloved stables until now. Who can discover and stop sabotage at the stables? Will the Saddlebred trainers be bankrupt if the breed’s sterling reputation is destroyed? Is murder the ultimate act of an evil man seeking revenge?

And now for a giveaway!

Ellen is offering one reader either a paperback copy of Show Me Skulduggery or Show Me Betrayal (if the winner is unfamiliar with the series.) Only US entries please.  All you have to do to enter is answer the following question in the comments. And while you’re there, feel free to leave any other comments or questions you might have for Ellen. I’ll draw one winner from all the comments in one week (June 2nd).

Show Me Skulduggery features a historical saddlebred horse training stable with a history spanning over 100 years. Are you a horse lover? Why or why not?

Read the Main Character Monday featuring Kurt Hunter from Show Me Skulduggery