Jackie Layton Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I’m a wife, mother and Gigi to three amazing kids and one more is on the way. I’m an author living on the coast of South Carolina, and I work part-time as a pharmacist. I love walking on the beach, taking bike rides, and reading cozy mysteries.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. As a teenager, I used to imagine how I’d write stories differently. When my youngest son was in high school, I finally gave into the desire and began learning how to write.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?
A. Another author kept encouraging me to join ACFW and go to their conferences. I took her advice. I learned a lot at the meetings and made lots of friends. I also joined Sisters in Crime where I learned even more. I queried agents, and Dawn Dowdle offered to represent me. She’s an amazing agent, and I feel blessed to have her. In 2019, I got my first offer from Bell Bridge Books.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Dog-Gone Dead?
A: Low Country dog walker Andi Grace Scott is happy to get mulch from one of her brother’s landscaping jobs—until she discovers the dead body buried beneath the bark.

Worse, her brother’s landscaping tools were used to commit the murder. Once the police arrest her brother and seem happy to have “caught their man,” Andi Grace has no choice but to track down the real killer. She’ll risk everything to prove her brother’s innocence. Even if it means turning over every rock in town.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Dog-Gone Dead?
A: My cozy mystery series is set in the Low Country of South Carolina. There are so many pretty historical plantations and something is always blooming. Landscaping companies do lots of business in South Carolina, and it made sense to include that in this series.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: Family sticks together no matter what, even if you must face your fears.

Q: What inspires you to write?
A. I love people, and I love telling stories.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. The third book of A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series will release later this year. I’m currently working on a cozy mystery series set in a small town in Texas. The setting includes a farmers market, antique stores, a coffee shop, flowers and much more.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
A. I enjoy reading, walking my dog, biking, and trying different coffees and teas.