Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Deena Lindstedt has a BA in English Literature and Writing from Marylhurst University in Portland, Oregon. She is an award-winning author for the Lady of the Play from Firebird Literary contest in April 2022. She delivered a paper, Shakespeare, Perhaps a Woman, at the 2011 Shakespeare Authorship Symposium at Concordia University in Portland, leading to her writing Lady of the Play. She published a revision of her first novel, Deception Cove, in May 2022 as the first book in the Meredith Maxwell Mystery series. Her second book, Betrayal Bay, will be available in 2023. Deena’s other writing honors included third place winner for a poem, Two Ladies of Chedigny, for a Willamette Writers contest and a finalist for a short story, Simply to Fly, for NW Writers Association contest in Seattle. Further information is available on her website: http://www.deenalindstedt.com.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Lady of the Play was inspired during a college Shakespeare class. A debate on the authorship question was held arguing for either William Shakespeare as the true author, or Edward deVere, the 17th Earl of Oxford. I was on the Oxford side and when I conducted my research for the debate, I was of the opinion a woman had to either influenced or was the actual Shakespeare which would account for the strong female roles in the plays. These roles were in direct conflict with the culture four-hundred years ago. Then when I learned the wife of Oxford, Elizabeth Trentham, died the same year "Shakespeare" decided to retire, this started my journey to learn more about Elizabeth.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Perhaps no different then other authors, except I try to be meticulous in my research no matter the subject.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am an avid reader and all well-written books influence me to try to improve my writing style. Probably Gone With the Wind was the first book where I admired the research Margaret Mitchell put into her book--and the years she spent making sure she wrote a true depiction of the old South. This was why I was in no hurry to finish my Lady of the Play. My research, Included two trips to England, including to Staffordshire, where Trentham spent her childhood, pouring over books of the Elizabethan Era, Shakespeare's England, UK archives, and the history of the King James Version of the Bible. I am very proud I was able to uncover compelling evidence that Elizabeth Trentham was in fact the other Shakespeare, along with her husband, Edward deVere. After his death, she spent eight years continuing to write under the name Shakespeare.
What are you working on now?
I am now nearly finished with my first draft of Betrayal Bay, the second in my Meredith Maxwell Mystery Series. It takes place mostly aboard a one-hundred foot yacht moored in San Francisco Bay.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My own promotion through speeches of my research and private book sales are the best method. I have used many methods and spent more money in advertising these past eighteen months that I don't know what has worked best. I must be doing something wrong with social media, because my book sales has been disappointing.
Which Websites you like most to promote your book
Facebook and LinkedIn
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be prepared to do your own promoting.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Learn from your rejections.
What are you reading now?
I'm now reading the sixth book in the Winter Black series by Mary Stone.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to write my own series. My third book will take place in Oregon-Whitewater rafting theme.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Bible, Shakespeare's complete works, Jane Austin