Tell us about yourself and your background. 

My name is M. Rebecca Wildsmith. I have written two #1 internationally bestselling novels, Hattie Vavaseur and Verity Easton. They are both supernatural murder mysteries, with a crossover character between them. My third novel, Evelina Fontana, is slated to be released next year and also has a crossover character from Verity Easton. I have a bachelor's degree in Literary Studies. During that, I completed a study abroad in Europe, in which some of my books take place. I've always been fascinated with history as well as literature, and I always love to do a good deal of research and travel in order to make my books feel as close as possible to the country or period to which I've devoted my writing. I've lived in Florida for about two-and-a-half years, but have lived in Oregon, California, New Mexico, New Jersey, and Idaho.

Describe your job and what a typical day at work is like. 

In addition to writing novels, I have a day job that's also in the writing realm. I've been writing and editing in the marketing world for about twenty-two years. Right now, I have a full-time job as a Creative Director for a fantastic company, so I have to find time to write my books during lunch breaks or in the evenings. I'm also married and have a six-year-old daughter, so finding time to write can definitely be a challenge. With my busy schedule, I try to work on time for me throughout the day. My weekday goals are to write or edit, play the guitar, sing, play the piano, listen to an audiobook, and work out. I find that if I can express or consume creativity in ways other than writing, it helps inspire my imagination.

What inspired you to become a writer?

I can't remember a time when I didn't want to be a writer. I read voraciously as a child and was always scribbling on the backs of notebooks that were meant for schoolwork. I was inspired to write my first short story murder mystery as an eight-year-old child. I'd discovered an old typewriter in the back of a closet at my family home, and it gave me such film noir vibes. I wrote a little court scene with a mysterious woman who gave evidence wearing a dark veil over her face. It was a lifelong dream fulfilled to just see my books in print, so I'm very humbled and grateful to have them both become #1 international bestsellers.

How has your career evolved as a writer?

I feel like it's an ever-evolving process. It took 15 years to finish my first book, Hattie Vavaseur, and just over a year to finish my second book, Verity Easton. I felt compelled to complete the second one more quickly, as I saw all of these authors who could pump out books multiple times a year. After publishing Verity Easton, I very soon concluded that there were elements to the storyline development that I wish I'd taken more time to mull over. I also realized that many other authors are doing this full-time, while I'm still holding down a day job and raising a child, so it's okay for me to take my time in developing characters and stories. I've been working on my third novel, Evelina Fontana, since 2022, and I'm so glad I've taken the extra time, as I've had moments of inspiration that otherwise may not have come if I'd rushed through it.

How has your previous work motivated you to follow in the arts?

I've always been obsessed with the arts. I started taking piano lessons at the age of three and was a competitive, classically trained pianist. I also sang in a professional children's chorus, picked up the guitar in high school, and performed for a season with the Idaho Falls Opera Theatre. I was lucky enough to be able to travel all over the country as a child, and we would always visit museums. I've dabbled in sketching and painting, and I've always found great joy in observing the masters. When I go on vacation, I don't go to relax...I go to visit museums and galleries and plays and architecture. I minored in Humanities so that smattering of "all things art" in my education has spilled over into my adult life, as well as my writing. You'll usually find a reference to a work of art or interesting artifacts in my books.

From all your books, which one has been your favorite?

Hattie Vavaseur is definitely my favorite. I lived with the characters in my head for so long, that they will always be close to my heart. I love all my books and stories, but that one, as my first, will always have a uniquely tender place in my soul. Vamelda, the eccentric medium of the occult, will always live with me and cheer me. She was a fabulously fun character to write.

How has writing helped develop in aspects of your life?

Writing has always been very therapeutic for me. I had a bit of a rough childhood, so growing up, I would often take any deep emotion I was feeling and imagine a character that could be in a different situation but feeling the same type of emotion, then write out that scene. It helped me view my life from the outside and see the larger orchestration of my humanity or how my little world relates to others. Specifically with Verity Easton, I was able to start to put to bed some people-pleasing aspects that were ingrained in me during my upbringing. That was a triumphant expulsion of feelings I'd been sitting with for years, and writing finally allowed me to overcome them. This way of writing also helps me to see the lighter side of things. I've always been one to laugh at myself, so I sometimes put my characters in humorous situations in which they might not always act gracefully...just like we've all done at some point.

Who are your author inspirations?

Daphne du Maurier is my favorite author of all time. Her poetic descriptions and mind-bending storylines truly inspire me to be a better writer. Of course, as a murder mystery author, I also revere Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle for their deftness in building suspense.

What advice do you have for others who are interested in joining your field?

Sit down and do it! That's what I have to continue to tell myself every day. I can very easily direct my creativity into making every excuse "in the book" not to write, but redirecting that creativity into developing your characters and stories is definitely worth the feeling of accomplishment you'll get when you finally fulfill that dream of becoming a published author! I've always told myself that if just one person read and liked my book, that would make it worthwhile. And now, I've sold over 22,000 copies of my books, and I hear from readers from all over the world that they are enjoying my little stories. Still, I have to keep telling myself to sit down and write every chance I get.

Tell us something about your upcoming book.

Evelina Fontana takes place during WWII in Italy. It's a supernatural murder mystery, of course, but it's also a spy/insane asylum mashup, which sounds strange, but I think it's working so far! This one almost has a tinge of sci-fi that accompanies the supernatural. I'm hoping to have it completed in 2025. In Hattie Vavaseur, I have secret messages hidden throughout. In Evelina Fontana, you'll be able to use Verity Easton as a cipher to decode the messages that Evelina receives, so keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you!

Where can readers find your books?

My books are available on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Audible, Apple Books, Waterstones, Books-A-Million, and a few local shops around Florida. I also sell signed copies (and, occasionally, sprayed-edge editions) in my TikTok Shop. I also do about one book signing a month all over Florida. You can find all the links to my books, as well as my upcoming events, on my website at MRebeccaWildsmith.com.