Welcome!
Please introduce yourself.
I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on from my mom’s Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew to Little Women. When I wasn’t flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although I did manage, every once in a while, to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic after returning to the law. But being a lawyer really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out being a B&B owner wasn’t my thing either. I decided to follow the husband to Istanbul for a few years where I managed to churn out book after book. But ten years was too many to stay away from ‘home’. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.
- When did you start writing?
I can’t actually remember a time I didn’t write. I even remember writing stories in a notebook on the yellow school bus on the way to elementary school. Although I had to stop writing stories for a while when life just got too busy, I always kept reading (even if I had to sneak a book into my Army rucksack) and making up stories in my head.
- What motivates you to write?
I love making up stories. Seriously, I am always thinking up a story. If I’m out to eat, I’ll spend half the time coming up with background stories for the other dinners. Obviously, I need help.
- What genre do you write in and what made you chose this particular genre?
I actually write in a few genres. The majority of my books are cozy mysteries, but I write romantic comedies as well. I’ve also written a military suspense novel and an historical novel. No matter what genre you categorize my books in, there’s always some romance in there somewhere and a bit of a mystery as well. I’m completely and utterly fascinated with the world. I’ve studied everything from history to law to international relations to environmental studies to nutritional counseling. I guess you could say this ‘fascination’ is reflected in the range of genres in which I write. You could also just say I’m crazy. You wouldn’t be the first.
- What is your goal in writing? Do you have dreams where your writing should take you?
I’m super-duper lucky that I can write full-time even though I don’t actually make enough money off my books to support myself. It would be completely and totally awesome if I could earn sufficient royalties to actually support myself, although then I’d have to curb my one-click addiction.
- Do you ever suffer from writer’s block and if yes, how do you deal with it?
Everyone suffers from writer’s block. If they say they don’t, they lie! There’s really only one solution to writer’s block – Just. Keep. Writing. It doesn’t have to be on your work in progress, but write something, anything! A blog article, an outline for a new book idea, it doesn’t matter. Just do it.
- What advice would you like to give new, hopeful authors?
Do not expect miracles. Sure, there are those rare and beautiful creatures who have an international bestseller with their first novel but that’s the exception and not the rule. Most of the writers I know write as a hobby because they need to support themselves. It’s also important to realize being an author is not only about writing. Whether you’re self-published or not, you need to do a lot of marketing and networking yourself. Be prepared for the reality that is being an author in today’s world.
- Please, tell us about your work.
I just released a bundle of my second cozy mystery series, Death by Cupcake. The bundle contains the three books in the series: Never Trust a Skinny Cupcake Baker, Bring Your Own Baker, and Self-Serve Murder. The novels take place at Callie’s Cakes, a cupcake bakery owned by the heroine of Never Trust A Skinny Cupcake Baker. Each novel contains a serving of mystery with a side of romance and a sprinkling of laughs. Cupcakes are not included.
Thank you for being my guest. It was such a pleasure to have you here!!
Connect with D. E. Haggerty:
Website: http://dehaggerty.wordpress.com
Blog: https://dehaggerty.wordpress.com/category/mymusings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dehaggerty
Twitter: https://twitter.com/denaehaggerty
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DEHaggerty/posts
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/denahaggerty/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7210211.D_E_Haggerty
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/D.E.-Haggerty/e/B00ECQBURU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_5?qid=1438239628&sr=8-5
Email: dena@dehaggerty.com
D. E. Haggerty’s books:
Series Name: Death by Cupake
Books in Series:
Never Trust a Skinny Cupcake Baker
Bring Your Own Baker
Self-Serve Murder
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Humor
Bundle buy link:
Cupcakes not included. Get all three books of Death by Cupcake series in one bundle! A cozy mystery series with a heap of laughs, a generous portion of romance, and just a smidgeon of suspense. The bundle includes Never Trust a Skinny Cupcake Baker, Bring Your Own Baker, and Self-Serve Murder. Come join us at Callie’s Cakes, where murder investigations are on the menu.
Synopsis Never Trust a Skinny Cupcake Baker:
A mystery with a heap of laughs, a generous portion of romance, and just a smidgeon of suspense. Callie’s life is rather awesome. She owns a successful bakery and teaches German literature at the local university. There’s just one tiny problem. She has no self-confidence when it comes to her body. And then there’s the little matter of her being accused of murdering her pole dancing instructor. There’s no way Callie’s going to risk losing her teaching position and thus she embarks, with her best baker bud Anna, on a journey to discover the real killer. Between stripper auditions and a detective who insists Callie is the woman of his dreams, it’s a roller coaster adventure. Cupcakes not included.
Buy links:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/620975
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/never-trust-a-skinny-cupcake-baker-de-haggerty/1123498864?ean=2940152907117
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/never-trust-a-skinny-cupcake-baker
Synopsis Bring Your Own Baker:
Anna just wants to earn enough money on the side to buy into the bakery, Callie’s Cakes, where she works together with her best nerd pal Callie. The last thing she expects to see when she walks into Arthur’s apartment to do some moonlighting is a blood bath. Callie’s ready to jump into the investigation into Arthur’s murder, and she’s bringing another bakery worker, Kristie, into their hijinks whether Kristie wants to or not. But things aren’t as they seem. There are gang affiliations, illegal gambling dens, and ladies of the night to wade through. Will Anna and Callie discover who murdered Arthur or will Callie’s detective boyfriend and Anna’s self-appointed protector put a stop to such aspirations?
Come join us at Callie’s Cakes, where murder investigations are on the menu, but make sure to bring your own baker, because Anna’s a bit preoccupied at the moment.
Warning: This is NOT your mom’s cozy mystery. Bring Your Own Baker may be a ‘clean’ read, but if gangs, illegal gambling, and pimps make you turn your nose up at your e-reader, you might want to skip this one. Although you’ll be missing some sizzling chemistry between Anna and her protector. Not to mention a whole bunch of witty dialogue.
Buy links:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/636073
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bring-your-own-baker-de-haggerty/1123795411?ean=2940153018690
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/bring-your-own-baker
Synopsis Self-Serve Murder:
Kristie is kind with a capital K, so it’s quite the surprise when she wakes up next to a dead man with no recollection of the previous night. Even worse? She’s naked. Kristie may be a sweetheart out to save the world, but sticking her nose into an investigation of rapes across campus makes her the target of a murderer. Before she knows it, Kristie is smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation with her colleagues Callie and Anna. If that’s not enough to drive a sane person up the wall, a friend has decided he’s going to keep her safe whether she wants him to or not. And, oh yeah, he’s her man and that’s that.
Come join us at Callie’s Cakes, where murder investigations are on the menu. You are most welcome, but you may need to serve yourself as our barista Kristie is busy trying to save the world.
Warning: Although there are plenty of moments that will make you shake your head and laugh at the antics of the ladies of Callie’s Cakes, the subject matter – rape on college campuses – is very real and somewhat darker than your usual cozy mystery.
Buy links:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/673189
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/self-serve-murder-de-haggerty/1124934721?ean=2940153788715
Writer's Treasure Chest 
Thanks for having me. It’s been fun!
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It was my pleasure. Thanks or being my guest. Come back anytime. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
Check out featured author D.E. Haggerty on Aurora Jean Alexander’s Writer’s Treasure Chest blog
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Thanks so much for the re-blog, Don! 🙂
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You’re welcome.
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