Why do you write the genre that you write?
I write the books I want to read. When I was in the mood for paranormal romance and urban fantasy, that’s what I wrote. When I needed something lighter, I wrote cozy mysteries. It also depends on what story comes to me…

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
Well, my Baba Yaga is a witch and can turn people into toads if they make her too cranky. That’s kind of fun.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I’ve basically written my entire life, even when I was a kid. But my first book wasn’t published until I was in my mid-40’s. I got an idea for a nonfiction book on Witchcraft, which was published by Llewellyn. Then I really buckled down and started working on the fiction after that, since I no longer had the excuse that I’d never finished anything!

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
Up until a year ago, I was the manager and executive director of The Artisans Guild, a not-for-profit artists’ cooperative shop a friend and I started in 1999. I also made gemstone jewelry. I recently gave up both of those to focus on the writing.

Where do you write?
Sitting on my recliner couch in the living room, usually with at least one cat to supervise me and make sure I get it right. (I use the laptop for writing, and the desktop for practical daily stuff.)

What is your favorite deadline snack?
Chocolate. Dark chocolate, to be specific.

Who is an author you admire?
There are so many! I’m a huge fan of Jennifer Crusie, Donna Andrews, Tamora Pierce, and Jim C. Hines, to name a few.

What’s your favorite genre to read?
It varies depending on my mood. But a good romantic comedy gets me every time.

What are you reading now?
The Accidental Queen by Kristen Painter

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
Water. But I like a glass or two of wine with dinner…

What is next for you?
I’m working on another oracle deck and a nonfiction book for Llewellyn, but I’m also starting a novel that is magical realism, something completely new and different for me.

Where can we find you?
My website is deborahblakeauthor.com and you can find links to all my other online places there. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and so on.

Now to have some fun . . .

Chocolate or vanilla
CHOCOLATE

Cake or ice cream
Ice cream

Fruits or vegetables
Both, but I do eat a ton of veggies out of my garden

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Dinner

Dining in or dining out
Dining in

City life or country living
Country (I live in the middle of nowhere upstate NY)

Beach or mountain
Beach

Summer or winter
Summer

Short story or full-length novel
Novel

Extrovert or introvert
Introvert

Early bird or night owl
Early bird

And even more fun . . .

What’s your favorite movie?
The Princess Bride

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Books, wine, Richard Dean Anderson. (Hey, you asked.)

My bio:
Deborah Blake is the author of over a dozen books on modern Witchcraft, including The Eclectic Witch’s Book of Shadows, The Little Book of Cat Magic and The Everyday Witch’s Coven, as well as the acclaimed Everyday Witch Tarot and Oracle decks. She has also written three paranormal romance and urban fantasy series for Berkley, and as well as a cozy mystery series about a run-down pet rescue. Deborah lives in a 130-year old farmhouse in upstate New York with numerous cats who supervise all her activities, both magical and mundane. She can be found at deborahblakeauthor.com.