Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Traci Andrighetti. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Traci, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

I live to take vacations—and staycations. They’re vital to the creative process, and this is especially true for writers. It’s hard to write about people and places if you’re always in front of a computer. Sure, you can watch TV, movies, and even YouTube videos, but they can’t possibly convey the sensation of being physically present in a space, not to mention the stimulation and inspiration that can come from the experience.

Of course, it’s not always possible to take a vacation. In those instances, I do one of two things: a day trip, e.g., from Austin where I live to San Antonio, which is a 90-minute drive (and a whole other world, in many ways); or I become a tourist in my own town and visit a place I have never been, like a new coffee shop. And yes, I confess that sometimes I bring my laptop and work!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I write comedy mysteries set mainly in New Orleans or Italy. My main series is the Franki Amato mysteries, which I describe as “cocktails, color, and crime—with an Italian twist.” Ironically, getting a PhD in Foreign Language Education drove me to the writing profession. I wrote my dissertation about the regional Italian of Sicily in Andrea Camilleri’s Salvo Montalbano mysteries. When I was done, I realized that I didn’t want to be an academic but rather a mystery writer, so that’s what I did. The thing I’m most proud of about the series is precisely the aspect that is so often denigrated by academia—escapism for the pure fun of it! But I’m also proud of the way I represent diverse cultures and those who embody them. I love “the other,” and we need more of that mentality in the world.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I’ve spent all the money on all the types of book advertising, and I know from experience that the best source of new clients is and always will be word of mouth—either from a reader or another author.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I write a newsletter once or twice a month in the same voice as my books, i.e., funny anecdotes about an experience I recently had. And I rarely try to sell my readers anything.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://traciandrighetti.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/traciandrighettiauthor

Image Credits
My cover art is by Lyndsey Lewellen.