Why do you write the genre that you write?
Because I love to read historical fiction, and historical mysteries in particular. Also I have read the autobiographies of people in the era I write about, and was struck with the similarities to people today – the same worries about their children, spouses, and tolerance by the outside world of people who were on the fringe of society.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
My main character, Diana, is a rabbi’s daughter, and though her father is a brilliant orator, scholar, and medical authority, he is also a compulsive gambler, and can’t resist gambling away any earnings even at the risk of excommunication and homelessness.

Tell us how you got into writing?
When I studied with Sendak, we were required to write and illustrate our own children’s book, which was “Erma and the Eagle”. Then as a creative director, I partnered with writers for ad campaigns, the highlight of my creativity being a children’s book for Pampers called, “The Wizard of Diaperdom”. But I always dreamed of doing ‘real writing’ for myself and had started many novels. It wasn’t until I attended my first conference, Killer Nashville, that I took one half-baked novel and learned the craft to revise it to become my debut novel.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
I was an art director, then creative director, and then became the head of a digital marketing agency focused on healthcare. Now I run a digital platform and blog which focuses on helping people with rare diseases connect to resources and clinical studies for their disease.

Where do you write?
Anywhere and anytime I can. My time is limited, so mostly in bed late at night or early morning.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
Baby carrots and hummus.

Who is an author you admire?
There are so many! Martin Edwards, James Benn, who are so masterful in their craft and whose stories never fail to entrance me.

What’s your favorite genre to read?
Historical fiction, but I also love noir.

What are you reading now?
I’m just finishing Kelly Olliver’s “Couvert in Cairo” and love her Fiona Figg character, and though I’ve read her Newport mysteries, I’m currently reading Alyssa Maxwell’s “Murder Most Malicious” from her lady and lady’s maid series.

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
Diet coke, standing up to the prejudice of my husband and kids, because I like it!

What is next for you?
I’m in the midst of writing Book 3 in the Venice Beauties Mysteries, as yet untitled, which takes place on the island of Jamaica and Venice.

I also have a manuscript in final edit, which won last year’s Claymore for Best Historical, which is focused on artists during the Weimar Republic, my favorite art era. It’s called the “Surrealist Circle.”

Where can we find you?
Physically, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and TriState Sisters in Crime meetings. Online on Facebook and Instagram under @thegalleryofbeauties, and on my website: venicebeauties.com.

Now to have some fun . . .

Chocolate or vanilla
Vanilla

Cake or ice cream
Ice cream

Fruits or vegetables
Vegetables

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Breakfast

Dining in or dining out
Dining in

City life or country living
Definitely city life

Beach or mountain
Mountain

Summer or winter
Winter

Short story or full-length novel
Full-length novel, but like short stories for exercise

Extrovert or introvert
Extrovert

Early bird or night owl
Used to be a night owl, but in my old age have become an early bird.

And even more fun . . .

What is your favorite movie?
“Captain Blood” with Errol Flynn.

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
To address the boredom: Pencils, notebook, and a good fat book, probably something like the Best American Mystery Stories, that I can read again and again.

My bio:
Nina Wachsman is a graduate of the Parsons School of Design, where she studied under Maurice Sendak. She is currently lives and runs a digital healthcare marketing agency in New York City. She is also a descendant of a chief rabbi of the Ghetto, a contemporary of her characters in the Venice Beauties Mysteries. Nina has published stories in mystery and horror magazines and anthologies, many with an art theme due to her background. “The Gallery of Beauties”, her debut novel set in 17th Century Venice, was an Agatha nominee for Best First Novel and a Silver Falchion finalist for Best Historical mystery. The second book in the Venice Beauties Mysteries, “The Courtesan’s Secret” was just published by Level Best Books in August. Nina is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Historical Novel Society.