Author Interview with Tiffany Christina Lewis

8/14/2020

Who are you?

My name is Tiffany Christina Lewis! I am a Crime Fiction author who loves detectives and criminals. I've been writing professionally since 2014 when my first book "Inside Out" was released. Before that, I had a number of works published in magazines and anthologies, as well.

Where do you live?

Currently, my family resides in Sacramento CA.

What’s your home life like?

Right now, we are all home! I work from home as a Preschool teacher (until schools open again) but I also run an independent publishing company called Rebellion Lit from home with my partner. My family is usually here with me too, homeschooling, working, and playing with our dog.

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What genre(s) do you like to write? To read?

I write and read almost every genre right now. I specialize in crime but I have written Sci-Fi, Horror, Romance, and even Erotic. I'm planning to release a short story collection that showcases my talents in multiple genres soon and I am in talks with a co-author about a Fantasy collaboration.

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Reading different genres is a gift to an author and I believe highly in it. I'm always on the lookout for genre books that can help me grow as an author. I do read tons of crime fiction but I am not afraid to try any book, especially the classics.

Why did you start writing?

I started writing for fun! I wrote a play with some middle school friends and was editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper for a stint. It was all very interesting, even then. I love to take the stories I imagine and put them on paper. If they are good enough, I share them with readers!

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What do you do when you’re not writing?

When I'm not writing, I am reading and studying. I'm an avid learner. I love research. I have many author friends whose books are on my to be read shelf and I love audiobooks. I also spend lots of time with family. We play video games, love superhero movies, and eating out.

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Additionally, thanks to some motivation by a few great friends, I'm a plant mom now! I have about 11 house plants that I care for and I'm looking to add herbs and veggies to my gardening routine soon.

Where do you like to go when looking for a new book to read?

I go to Twitter. I'm already there getting to know people and readers and all my friends in the #writingcommunity have brilliant books available at great prices! I read with Kindle mostly and just about everyone has an eBook available now.

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The other place I go to is the library but I typically use the Libby app for audiobooks there.

At what point do you call it quits when reading a new book?

I have a terribly low attention span when it comes to reading books because I get sleepy while I read. I will give a book lots of time to grab my attention but if it doesn't keep me engaged, with my low attention span, then I'll likely put it down.

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However, I never stop trying to read a book. I always try to come back to it, even if its months later. I've been able to finish some books then.

I'm okay doing that because I buy my eBooks outright. I don't use Kindle Unlimited or anything like that where page numbers determine the royalties. Because I am a slow reader and require an engaging read, I don't want my page count to determine an author's royalties. If I bought it, I want them paid.

Are you independently or traditionally published?

I am independently published with a small press called Steamy Trails Publishing as well as my own company, Rebellion Lit.

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How many books/stories have you published so far?

I have published three books as part of the Michael Taylor series - "Inside Out", "Stitches", and "El Jefe". These are crime fiction novels (and one novella) that will be part of a six-part series following an Oakland PD detective investigating crime in his home city and in many other locations.

I have also been published more than a dozen times in magazines and anthologies between 2012 and now.

What book/story are you currently promoting or working on?

The third book in the Michael Taylor series, "El Jefe" was released in March so we're still talking about that but I am currently in editing on a novel for a new character. It is the origin story for my female P.I. I'm planning to release that in September.

Additionally, I have a short story collection in beta with some awesome readers which is slated to be released in April of 2021.

What’s the elevator pitch?

In this third installment of the series, Detective Michael Taylor of the Oakland PD has a decision to make: Should he begin an investigation against his corrupt lieutenant?

After being given a file of evidence against him, Michael is expected to act. He knows that after multiple attempts on his own life, opening this investigation would put himself, all of his loved ones and his partner Det. Alex Jamison in danger.

As Michael contemplates the case, he and Jamison get a late-night call to the residence of Mia McDowell, who is found assaulted and murdered. Although it initially looks like a breaking and entering, Michael can sense something isn’t right. Just as his momentum rises, Lt. Bruce Vega, the corrupt supervisor in question, arrives on the scene. As the two come head to head, Michael removes himself from the situation only to find that he has fueled Lt. Vega’s fire, and he is now under a month’s suspension.

Now Michael has to make some choices: will he investigate Lt. Vega and risk everything or will he do nothing and risk losing himself?

"Lewis does a great job setting the stakes for this mystery, and once the case gets hot, she steps it up another level!"

How long have you been working on it?

It didn't take me very long to write this book, but it did take two years to release. This is partly because I was writing it at the same time that I was releasing "Stitches" which came out in February of 2019.

I write very fast and because I work independently to publish my titles, I work at my own pace to get everything released. In the future, my company is looking to release two books a year for myself as well as one anthology per year.

When will it be available to buy? Where?

All three books are available on Amazon right now! Search Tiffany Christina Lewis.
In the future, I will be offering all my books on multiple online marketplaces and in bookstores.

How can readers find you?

I have a website and blog that I keep updated. On my website, readers can check out the first three chapters of ALL my books. Socially, I am on Twitter and Facebook but Twitter is where I interact and update the most.

What inspires you to keep writing?

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
William Shakespear, Hamlet

I love this quote because it really outlines how our reality is shaped by us.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Benjamin Franklin

I believe wholly in this quote as an educator and author. We have to prepare ourselves for success instead of constantly putting out fires.

Anything you’d like to add?

I am working as the editor-in-chief at Rebellion Lit, an indie publishing company. We are always looking to meet new authors and provide interviews with authors there as well as publishing opportunities starting at the end of this year!

My deepest thanks to Tiffany Lewis for participating in My Laughably Inane Blog. I wish her all the best in her academic, literary, and personal endeavors.

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