Today’s guest is indie author Anne Hagan, who is probably best known for her lesbian mystery novels, especially the Morelville series.
Anne is about to publish her f/f thriller Steel City Confidential, which can already be pre-ordered on Amazon. She’s giving away two ebooks and two signed paperbacks of Steel City Confidential, so don’t miss the pre-release giveaway at the end of this post!
Welcome, Anne. Please tell us a little about Steel City Confidential.
Steel City Confidential is a novel I wrote as the result of a challenge from a Twitter follower and Sheena Lemos Ebersohn of The Lesbian Review. It’s not ‘just’ a legal thriller. To meet the challenge, I also had to include women over 40, families with children, outlaws, investigators and action/adventure.
It’s written backwards. The big reveal is right there in the first chapter, then we go back in time to find out how everything got to that point. I think the reveal will be appealing to my faithful women loving women (WLW) readers and, I hope, to many women.
If I’m not mistaken, Steel City Confidential is your first legal thriller. How was writing a thriller different from writing a mystery novel? Did you run into any challenges?
A legal thriller is similar to a mystery. The client is either innocent and we find out whodunnit during the trial, or guilty after all, but proclaiming her innocence all along. My challenge was in getting the details right. I’ve always been a reader and a fan of the genre, but I’m not a lawyer. There was a lot of digging for me into how the courts run in Pennsylvania and in Pittsburgh in particular.
The main characters in Steel City Confidential are women over 40. Characters over 40 seem to be quite rare in lesbian fiction. Why do you think that is, and what made you decide to make your characters more mature women?
Lesbian fiction really started to find an audience – with lesbians – with fan fiction, a free and accessible electronic medium. FanFic appealed to a younger demographic than the women who came to WLW fiction by way of printed books. I’m 52. I write characters of all ages, but even in my primary mystery series, the lesbian couple are in their late 30’s. I like to read and I wanted to write something that is more representative.
My lawyer, ‘Ro’ is in her 40’s in this book and her wife celebrates her 40th birthday in the story. They have children. Ro’s client is in her late 60’s with a wife that’s over 70. Her client has a daughter in her 20’s they raised together.
We met at the GCLS conference for lesbian fiction last year, and I know you’re planning on going again this year, as well as going to Bouchercon. What do you enjoy most about literary conferences? What would you say to introverted readers and writers who are not sure about attending an event like that?
With GCLS, I feel like I’m among friends. I know many of the authors personally after a couple of cons, and I’m getting to know a lot of the readers who go too. It’s a great, supportive and affirming environment.
I’m what you’d call an introverted extrovert. It’s hard for me to take those first few steps into a con environment and after a full day, I need to be away from people and recharge. For an introvert who’s never been to a con, a small, intimate one like the GCLS con is a good place to start. If you’re on social media, you’ll feel like you already know half the people there. And, a big plus for GCLS is their Con Virgins group which begins on Facebook and goes live at the con.
You do a lot for the community of lesbian fiction authors, including putting together a list of currently writing lesfic authors. Let me be the one to say thank you in the name of all other lesfic authors. Have you had anyone wondering why you would help out “the competition”? (That’s a question I got when I did Lesbian Book Bingo). What’s your view on the “other authors are the competition” argument?
Thank you! I get more thanks than I do questions about helping ‘my competition’, actually. I take the Sallyanne Monti view: Readers can read a lot faster than we can write. We’re colleagues not competitors. I think about the Mega Sales I’ve been involved with – Thanks T.B. Markinson at IHeartLesfic. You would think having so many books to choose from would dilute sales, but it has the opposite effect.
You’re probably best-known for the Morelville series—a series of an impressive length! How many books are there in the series? How do the Morelville Mysteries relate to the Morelville Cozies? And where would you suggest readers start if they want to get into the series?
The Morelville Mysteries series stands at 11 books. The 12th is in process. There are two Morelville Cozies out and a third one to be released later this year. The cozy mysteries feature the 60+ aged mothers of my two lesbian main characters in the Mysteries series.
In the Morelville Mysteries series, each mystery stands alone, but because all of the characters grow and change over time, it’s best to start with Book 1, Relic.
What’s the most useless talent you have?
I don’t have any talents besides writing. It took me 45+ years to finally find something I’m decent at.
Image you discover a beautiful, remote island and you decide to build your own society, where you make the rules. What would be the first rule you put into place?
Honestly? That four letter ‘F’ word would be banned from public use. I hear it so much – far too much – from the younger generations I’m surrounded by.
Do you have time to read? If you do, what types of books do you like to read? Any favorites you can recommend?
I make time to read. I schedule it in the morning, and I try to read a little before bed. I’ve been a mystery lover since I learned to read and I read widely in the genre, both from mainstream and lesfic authors. I also love legal thrillers, most of which are in the mainstream. Carson Taite is the only WLW writer I’m aware of who consistently combines legal drama and romance. For mystery and suspense in lesfic space, you can’t go wrong with works by Ellen Hart, Kim Baldwin, Gerri Hill, JM Redmann, RE Bradshaw, Cheryl Head, Jessie Chandler, Katherine V. Forrest, Penny Micklebury, Claire McNab, Radclyffe…there are so many. I maintain an ever-growing list of lesfic writers, and I try and note the genres they write in. It’s on my website.
When’s your next book coming out, and what are you working on right now?
Steel City Confidential is about to be released. I’ve started edits on the 12th Morelville mystery. Look for that in August. I write a bit of romance too. Readers can look for a new edition to the Loving Blue in Red States short story series in late July.
Where can your readers find out more about you and your books?
Website: https://AnneHaganAuthor.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnneHagan/
Twitter: @AuthorAnneHagan https://twitter.com/AuthorAnneHagan
Book giveaway
Anne is giving away 2 e-book copies and two signed paperbacks of Steel City Confidential.
Anyone can enter. To be entered into the drawing, leave a comment on this blog.
Entries close on Saturday, July 6, 2019, 10 a.m. CET, when I’ll draw the winners using a random numbers generator. I’ll notify winners via email. Your email address won’t be used for any other purpose.
For more giveaways and free books, make sure you subscribe to my blog
I’m posting several author interviews with giveaways and free books each month. If you want to make sure you don’t miss any of them, please subscribe to my blog.
Anne is brand new writer for me. I have Relic in my to read pile, but nothing else. This book sounds really interesting
Thanks for the interview Jae and for all that you do for the lesfic/WLW reading and writing community. You’re one of our shining stars!
Love Love everything Anne has written so far. I’m looking forward to this new book!!
Congrats on a successful writing career.. I look forward to reading more from you, whether that’s more of the Morelville series or something new!
I liked ‘Relic’ so I am interested in reading more books by Anne Hagan. Thank you, Jae, for another interesting interview. 🐺✨
I have read all of the Morelville books along with other writings of Anne Hagan and I look forward to reading her next book.
I love mysteries. This sounds great.
Enjoyed Relic and look forward to Steel City Confidential.
I saw the title and was drawn in!
I would love to read this one!
Sounds like a great book, and definitely on my to-read list! Great interview :)
Thank you for having Anne on. She’s does so much for the lesfic community and is a wonderful writer.
Can’t wait ! Love and have read and re-read your series, love your thrillers!
Steel City sounds like a great read. I’m adding Relic to my reading list. I love good mystery series.
First of all, great interview! I’m not familiar with Anne’s work yet, but I’m about to meet her at the upcoming GCLS Conference. I’m looking forward to checking out her body of work.
Thanks for The Interview. Hagan is in my reading Pile :)
I look forward to your new series.
Sounds really good, I will add to my wish list.
I’ve read Relic and loved it. I look forward to reading Steel City Confidential
I am looking forward to reading this book.
Would love to win. I’m a big fan. 😊
Sounds like a very interesting read. The ‘Look inside’ doesn’t seem to work at the moment, but I’m excited to start this thriller.
Steel City Confidential has now been out on my list of books to buy and read. Thank you
Good interview as always. Although I haven’t read any of Anne’s work yet most of your Morelville series is in my rather large to-read pile on my e- reader. Mysteries aren’t my favorite genre but I do enjoy a good one now and then. Your series sounds really interesting because of the ongoing growth of the many characters connections and when I start with Relic I plan to read what I have of the series in order.
This latest one sounds intriguing and might be the first of your work I read should I be lucky enough to win a copy. Have fun at GCLS, both of you.
Would love to attend the event but circumstances won’t allow can’t wait to read the book.
This book sounds interesting. I’m looking forward to reading it.
I just love the Morelville series. Really interested in reading this side step though. Top of the list it goes.
Thanks for the interview! I love the perspective that lesfic authors are colleagues more than competitors. Looking forward to checking out Anne’s books!
I’m no much of a mystery fan but that legal thriller sounds interesting,
This sounds like it could be a really interesting series. I like seeing new characters than the norm. :-)
Thank you for another title to add to my ‘read’ list in lesfic, and for a great interview.
Great interview! Steel City Confidential sounds intriguing! Would love to read it!
Thanks for sharing ladies! I can’t wait to meet everyone at GCLS!
You’re speaking my language Ann! I’m an introverted extrovert too and can definitely relate to your need for some recharge time after a big social outing.
I was a total wreck walking into my first GCLS con last year, but you’re right, it’s such a welcoming environment. I made some new friends :)
I don’t believe we had the pleasure of meeting last year. We need to rectify that in Pittsburgh.
Looking forward to reading Steel City Confidential!!
All excited about authors I haven’t discovered yet!
i have enjoyed reading Anne’s stories
Excited to hear the 12th book in the Morelville series.
I love the Morelville series, have now added the cozies to my wish list, the mothers are a hoot!
Thanks Glenda. Yes they are a hoot. Sometimes characters speak to us, begging to have their stories told. Those two just had to have their own books. I’ve got two of those out and one in process. I plan a few more.
Always looking for authors new to me
I love legal/crime thrillers. Can’t wait to get this one.
Hey there !! 👋👋
Very interesting interview !! Thanks for sharing it with us ladies. 😊
Oh !! And very interesting plot and info about “Steel City Confidential” => WOW : legal thriller + women over 40 + families with children +outlaws +investigators and action/adventure … What an amazing cocktail we’ve got here!!
That’s so cool everyone can enter. Thank you for the thought !!!! => Since I’m a paperback lover, I’d love to win one of the 2 signed copies of « Steel City Confidential »…. 😉 If I win an e-book copy, of course, I’ll take it (I’m not crazy … LOL)
About the giveaway : good luck everyone !!! 🙃🙂
Greetings from Reunion Island 🇷🇪
I had to look up Reunion Island Laure. I got a geography lesson today. Thank you! Curious, are there any stories you love which are set there?
I just started reading the Morelville series, on book 5, and loving it!
Can’t wait to read this new book!
Moreville’ series and Barb and Janet ‘ s books were very good, and also so different from this new plot.
I love mistery , police and romance books, so surely will be pleased by Steel City. :)
Anne Hagen really does a lot of good in the lesbian community–as well as being a really great writer!
I absolutely love Anne! I started with Broken Women, Healing Embrace, and Steamboat Reunion. I loved them all and fell in love with Barb and Janet. I am getting ready to start the Moreville Series. I can’t wait for Steel City!
Sounds Good, have read the first of the Morelville books, would love to try this one.
I love Anne’s books. I can’t wait to read Steel City Confidential.
I’ve read a number of Anne’s books and they’re all great. I’m going to the GCLS con this year and hope to finally meet her in person.
I’ve read a number of Anne’s books and continue to enjoy what she has written. I’m attending the GCLS con this year and hope to finally get to meet her in person
Excellent! Thank you for the interview, I’ll add this book to my list of “must reads”.
I have been waiting for this book a looooong time, and I know just how much work you have put into it Anne! Excited to see it head out into the world!
Thanks for the great interview, and hosting a giveaway!
Another author I need to look into. Cool!