Why do you write the genre that you write?
I write dark fiction because it’s what I want to read. But that’s not all. Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man” is my favorite book of all time. He was able to hold a mirror up to society while giving us a tragically beautiful and humorous read. The way he weaves the dark with the light slays me. I may not be able to write like Ellison, but this genre gives me scaffolding for books that can be used to ask questions about who we are and why we do the things we do.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
It has to be Billy Ray. He’s the partner of Raven Burns, the homicide detective and protagonist of my latest novel, A Killing Rain. His quirk is collecting ceramic owls. Speckled owls, barn owls, snowy owls. It doesn’t matter. He’s always on the hunt for its ceramic counterpart.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I come from a family of writers. My dad wrote and published poetry. My great aunt Ruby Goodwin wrote a novel called “It’s Good to Be Black” in 1954. I had a great uncle who wrote for Gunsmoke. From an early age I knew writing was an option. But I also knew that it wasn’t something you could make a living at. I knew all along that I wanted to write, but I also knew that I would need a day job.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
I’ve been in information technology my entire working life, starting with the Navy. I’ve been a computer operator, help desk specialist, software engineer, lead, manager. You name it. I’ve pretty much made the rounds.

Where do you write?
I get my best writing done in my backyard detached office. Some would call it a she-shed, however, there is not much relaxing going on in there! Just fun but hard work.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
To be totally honest, nothing. If I’m working hard toward a deadline, I have to be reminded to take a break and eat. For quick jolts of energy, handfuls of M&Ms are the best, though.

What is next for you?
I have two more novels to write in the Killing series. I’m also working on a WW1 historical where the work is getting pretty serious. When I have some time, I want to start writing more short stories as well.

What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading Attica Locke’s A Cutting Season as I’m really interested in southern gothic fiction. I’m also reading Amor Towles’ The Lincoln Highway.

Where can we find you?
Best place is my website: fayesnowden.com. From there you can sign-up for my newsletter for latest updates. My twitter handle is @faye_snowden. It’s where I spend most of my time on social media.

Now to have some fun . . .

Vanilla or chocolate
Oh, chocolate. Hands down.
My husband likes vanilla, and I’m like, ‘Seriously? Why bother?’

Ice cream or cake
Ice cream – Oreo Cookie Dough

Broccoli or squash
Roasted broccoli with bacon, garlic, and balsamic. Look me up
and I’ll give you the recipe. You won’t be able to look at squash again.

Pizza, burgers, or pasta
There is nothing in the world like a good,
perfectly cooked fresh burger. Trust me on this one.

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Dinner with a nice bottle of Paso Robles red wine please

Mountain or beach
Beach. It’s where I go every vacation.

City or country
City

Introvert or extrovert
Introvert masquerading as an extrovert

And even more fun . . .

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Unlimited supply of books; Pen & Paper; Connection to the internet
so I can be rescued when I’m ready to return to the insanity.

My bio:
Faye Snowden is the author of dark, southern gothic mysteries with strong (and flawed) female leads. She has published short stories and poems in various literary journals, anthologies, and small presses including The African American Review. A Killing Rain, a new book in her noir mystery Killing series (Flame Tree Press) will be released in June, 2022. Her short story, “One Bullet. One Vote” was selected for inclusion in The Best American Mystery & Suspense 2021 edited by Alafair Burke and Steph Cha. Faye is a member of Sisters in Crime and serves as secretary for SinC National. Aside from her publications, she managed two boys, a husband, five dogs and three competitive writing fellowships over the years. Today, Faye works and writes from her home in Northern California. Learn more about Faye at fayesnowden.com.