This week’s featured author is Donna Del Oro. Ms. Del Oro is the author of several books and just recently has signed a contract with Musa Publishing for a contemporary spy mystery — A Bodyguard of Lies. It is a contemporary story featuring a Jewish-American FBI agent who goes undercover to investigate an American grandmother that could potentially be a notorious Nazi spy that caused the death of thousands during WW II.
Ms. Del Oro grew up in two places, Silicon Valley, CA and the countryside of East Texas. She experienced a bicultural world; Spanish on her mother’s side and English on her father’s and has used that experience to help launch her career as an author. Most notably, she received a second place award in 2010 for her book Operation Familia in the Romantic Comedy category of the Latino Books into Movies Awards which was presented by actor Edward James Olmos, founder of the Latino Literacy Now Organization. Read our interview with Donna Del Oro and see more about her next project on the literary scene.
What compelled you to be an author?
I’ve been a voracious reader since childhood and I started making my own comic books in junior high school. Then I wrote my first novel in high school. None of this, I took seriously–just a hobby at the time. So you might say I’ve always been a storyteller. It’s in my DNA.
What are some of the hurdles you’ve faced as a writer?
I’ve tried unsuccessfully to get an agent. I’ve had more success finding publishers who like my work. I don’t have writer’s block or fear of failure–too old for that, I suppose. Not much scares me off a project once I set my mind to doing it. Time and energy are the biggest factors now. There are always too many distractions. The latest one, one I wouldn’t trade for anything, is my newest little grandson. Just holding little Charlie and feeding him once a day is my “emotional fix” for the day.
What advice would you give to upcoming authors to be successful in this business?
NEVER GIVE UP. Keep learning and revising your work. Two drafts are never enough.
What lessons learned can you share about the writing business?
It’s a very subjective business. One man’s pleasure is another man’s poison. Finding the right agent–or publisher–for you personally is difficult, really difficult. Finding one that knows how to help you make money–even rarer.
What is the next project you are working on and what upcoming events are on your calendar over the next couple of months?
I just sold my first romantic mystery, a spy mystery with historical and romantic subplots, titled A BODYGUARD OF LIES. It features Jake Bernstein, a Jewish American FBI agent who goes undercover to investigate a woman whom MI5 suspects was a notorious, ruthless Nazi spy during WW II. The woman, however, is an elderly, frail, naturalized American grandmother. How can SHE be a war criminal who caused the deaths of thousands? Does her beautiful granddaughter know that her grandmother might be an impostor? Can Jake remain objective in his pursuit of the truth? And can he stay alive in the process?
I’m hoping to develop this into the Jake Bernstein mystery series. Musa Publishing has signed on. I also have another series going at DevineDestinies.com/Mainstream. The BORN TO SING series spotlights professional singers, their careers and love lives in various American cities and locales.
Visit me at www.donnadeloro.com!
