Why do you write the genre that you write?
I love reading and writing mystery and suspense novels because they hold my attention. I always, always, want to know what happens next.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
In The Finalist, whenever Risa Marr wakes up she pops a mint into her mouth to remind herself that life is sweet.

Tell us how you got into writing?
My love of writing began when I won a county-wide essay contest in sixth grade.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
I’ve held a variety of jobs, including working in a florist shop and a jewelry store. I worked for the Florida State Legislature twice, helped run an alumni program for a five-campus junior college, and handled community relations for several large hospitals.

Where do you write?
I have an office in my home but often write on my back porch (where I am easily distracted by birds, flowers, and rabbits).

What is your favorite deadline snack?
I should say something healthy like grapes, but my favorite is peanut butter cookies.

What is next for you?
I’m writing a psychological suspense novel set on Florida’s beautiful Gulf coast.

What are you reading now?
I recently finished A Dead Man’s Eyes by Lori Duffy Foster and The Secrets We Share by Edwin Hill. Both are great! Next up is Disappeared by Bonnar Spring.

Where can we find you?
Links to my social media can be found on my website at joanlongbooks.com, and I can be followed on BookBub at @joan-long.

Now to have some fun . . .

Vanilla or chocolate
Definitely chocolate

Ice cream or cake
Cake

Broccoli or squash
Broccoli

Pizza or burgers
Pizza

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Breakfast

Mountain or beach
Beach

City or country
Country

Introvert or extrovert
Introvert, with occasional bursts of extrovert

And even more fun . . .

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Since I get to choose, I’d like a resort-style hotel all to myself
(complete with food, A/C, and books, of course), a fully-charged
laptop for writing, and a gazillion dollars. The money is so that
people will eventually come looking for me!

My bio:
Joan Long is a third-generation Floridian with a graduate degree in Journalism and Communications from The University of Florida. She’s written for universities, public television, a magazine, and more. Her short story “The Extra Ingredient” is published in the Anthony Award-winning anthology Malice Domestic 14: Mystery Most Edible. The Finalist is her debut novel.