Meet Author Shirley McCann
Author Shirley McCann
I had a chance to interview fellow author and member of the Springfield, MO Writer’s Guild, Shirley McCann. I have read one of her books in the Scarry Inn Series, “The Coffin: The Scarry Inn Book 2”. I will talk about the book later, but first, let’s get to the interview with Shirley.
Q: Tell me about your background.
A: “Interesting question. While I don’t remember this, my sister told me when I was younger, I always wanted to be a writer. I guess it must have been stashed in the back of my mind somewhere until I reached my late twenties.”
“After graduating from Clever High School, I worked at several jobs, sometimes as a stay-at-home mom, in between. In 2016, I retired from Cox Health after twenty years of service.”
Q: “Could you tell me about the books in your series?”
A: “While The Scarry Inn is written for the Young Adult market, the story will also appeal to an older crowd. In this six-book series siblings, Clyde and Dick Scarry run a fear-themed motel along with their sister, Madge Scarry-Story. The five rooms are named The Coffin, The Morgue, The Chapel, The Crematorium, and The Mausoleum, and each room is appropriately decorated with its theme. While the owners of the inn may remain consistent, the guests will vary, and you can bet at least one person will end up dead during their stay!”
“The Scarry Inn, Book 1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D3BTWSB and
The Coffin, The Scarry Inn, Book 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D64HHG9
Are both available on Amazon.
The Morgue, The Scarry Inn, Book 3 will be available in the late fall.”
Q: What other works do you have available or what are you working on?
A: “I’ve also written a cozy mystery, Anonymously Yours, which has been well-received. Short stories always remain a favorite of mine, and I have several collections of these stories available on Amazon. I’ve also written what is hopefully the first of many romance novels, titled Hope For The Future. Here are the links to those works:”
Anonymously Yours https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YYQ8TGZ
Hope For The Future https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CF24VZC
Q: “Who are some of your favorite authors you enjoy reading?”
A: “The late Mary Higgins Clark was my favorite, although I also enjoy David Baldacci, Harlen Coben, and Natasha Preston.”
Q: “What advice would you give to authors just getting started?
“Keep writing. Listen to the critics, but don’t take everything they say to heart. Lots of successful authors have been rejected and criticized.”
Q: “What is your most and least favorite things about writing?”
A: “My favorite thing is seeing my book in print. It takes a lot of work, and sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever get it done, but once it is, there’s no feeling like it.”
“My least favorite thing is finding the time to write. Although I’m retired, I watch my grandkids a lot. They don’t like me on the computer.”
Q: “What’s next for Shirley McCann?”
A: “Keep writing and keep producing. I’ve got another YA mystery (series?) in the works. Hoping to get the first book out next year.”
Q: “What sites, links, and contact information can you give our readers? Web site, Facebook, Twitter, or wherever else readers can learn more?”
A:
Website: https://www.shirleymccann.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shirleymccannbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shirleymccann
As you can see, Shirley is a thoughtful and insightful author. I have read the Scarry Inn Book 2, The Coffin. In this book, three friends and some strangers meet up for a Murder Mystery Weekend at the Scarry Inn. They at first seem skeptical but buy in to the idea. They begin the weekend as “all in” participants until some strange things begin to happen.
When someone ends up dead, suspicions start to rise as to who the killer may be. They cannot leave as a major storm has them trapped there. No one trusts the other, and the twists and turns leave you changing your mind about who could have committed a murder.
I recommend this book to all of my readers. Shirley does a great job of introducing different characters and making them all possible suspects. No one can be marked off the list. It is an enjoyable and quick read that I am sure you will take to immediately. I stayed engaged right up until the end and could visualize this story as if it were a movie. Her character descriptions were that good.
