Marta Stephens

Female

Midwest USA

United States

Profile Information:

Something About Me and My Book:
I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. My parents, four older siblings, and I moved to Indiana when I was four. Although I lived in Los Angeles for a couple of years in the mid 1970s, the American Midwest is where my late husband, two grown children, and I call home.

My writing career began in the winter of 2003 while in the process of researching information about an event that happened during WWII. It sparked the idea for my first novel—a spy murder mystery. That's all it took for the writing bug to hit. The experience quickly evolved into a life-changing passion. I am a member of Sisters in Crime and the Midwest Writer's Workshop.

The person who most influenced me to pursue my writing was one of my college English professors. She was the first professional to compliment my writing; something that took me quite by surprised. Prior to that, I never considered writing as a path in life. Her encouragement was instrumental in leading me to decide on journalism/PR as a major course of study.

The first novel in the Sam Harper Crime Mysteries, “Silenced Cry” (2007 & 2017) was followed by “The Devil Can Wait” (2008 & 2017). It won the bronze medal in the 2009 IPPY awards in the mystery/suspense category. Books three and four in the series are in their first draft forms.

My third novel is a stand alone, "Shroud of Lies."

All my novels are available on Amazon and Barns & Noble.
Website:
http://www.mstephensbooks.com

Comment Wall:

  • Jo Kelly

    Wow, Marta I'm soooo impressed. I put up my website about 18 months ago and don't get anywhere near that. Are you selling a lot of books or are they just looking.
    Good for you whichever way it's going.
    Best.
    Jo Kelly

    Jun 6, 2007

  • Marta Stephens

    Hey Jo! Time will tell. As I understand it, I'll receive my first sales report from my publisher this month. I don't know what to expect because it won't reflect a full quarter of activity, only the the first 39 days since the book release. So-o-o.

    Wouldn't it be nice to convert those hits into sales?? Honestly though, my goal for this first book is to acquire name recognition and hopefully a following for the series. But hey! Don't let that keep you from buying a copy!! LOL

    Thanks for your comment!
    M

    Jun 6, 2007

  • Patrice-Anne Rutledge

    Hi Marta -- thanks for your comments. Yes, Google Alerts are great. They've alerted me to many mentions about my books that I never would have noticed on my own and also helped develop some new sales channels. Good luck with your book -- looks interesting. I love mysteries.

    Jun 12, 2007

  • Author Marketing

    Hi Marta, thanks for the comment! Yes, the images on my pages are designs I have created for a variety of publishers.

    You can see more of my work on my site at http://www.platypie.com/portfolio/book-design-and-marketing/

    Jun 13, 2007

  • rsukenick

    Nice to meet you as well Marta. My wife Yvonne formally (odle) gre up in Muncie and went to Muncie Central.

    How is you book and speaking business going?

    Jun 23, 2007

  • Marta Stephens

    The world is getting smaller by the minute! I just returned from my SinC meetingin Carmel. I love that community.

    Jun 23, 2007

  • Philip Harris

    Hey, I look forward to our radio interview!

    Jun 24, 2007

  • Rosemary I. Patterson

    Hi Marta:

    My best friend Edward Michel Bird is a mystery writer too. Makes for a very imaginative and creative mind, right? Cheers, Rosemary

    Jul 8, 2007

  • Marta Stephens

    Absolutely, Rosemary! The best reaction I’ve received from a reader (produced the biggest smile) came from my late mother’s best friend (83 years old). She said she thought she knew me well after 35+ years but now wanted to know where in the world all of this came from. How did I come up with those nasty characters, the crimes, and all that street talk? LOL She claims that she doesn’t like to read suspense but stayed up until 3 in the morning reading; got it done in one day!

    Jul 8, 2007

  • david b mclaughlin

    Please help me name my book (if you have not already)!

    Vote here:
    http://fortyblog.blogspot.com

    Thanks in advance,
    David B. McLaughlin
    http://www.davidbmclaughlin.com

    Jul 25, 2007

  • Bill Frank

    Hi, Marta. That is an interesting statistic and I wish I had written something that glib. I did provide you some book sales statistics based on 2004 figures. Unfortunately, I wasn't the one who wrote about each author's time in the spotlight that year. It reminds me of the Andy Warhol comment about everyone's 15 minutes of fame, except for authors in 2004 the 15 minutes would have been shortened to about thirty seconds. Wish I could help. Sorry.

    Aug 4, 2007

  • Marta Stephens

    Hmmm. Okay, now it's going to drive me crazy until I find it. I know I didn't make it up!! LOL Thanks Bill.

    Aug 4, 2007

  • Lonnie Cruse

    Yehawww, thanks Marta, I've got my page going!

    Aug 7, 2007

  • Author & Book Promotions

    Hi Marta,

    I love the look and design of your page! Thanks for accepting my invitation. I joined yesterday, so I'm still learning my way around here.

    Aug 7, 2007

  • Author & Book Promotions

    I will definitely take a look at your page and watch your video.

    Aug 7, 2007

  • Colleen Breuning

    Hi Marta, your book looks absolutely fascinating! The cover is very very striking! After reading about your characters, I must say I'm intrigued and will need to definitely check out your book. Best wishes!
    :D Colleen

    Aug 10, 2007

  • Marta Stephens

    Thanks so much!!!

    Aug 10, 2007

  • Author & Book Promotions

    Hi Marta,

    I recently viewed your book trailer. It was quite interesting. It seems like there is so much work that goes into making one. Thanks for allowing me to view your work.

    Have a great weekend!

    -Nadia

    Aug 11, 2007

  • Author & Book Promotions

    Hi Marta,

    I made my first trailer, be sure to view it when you get the chance.

    Stay in touch.

    -Nadia

    Aug 26, 2007

  • Sherri Knight

    Hi Marta,

    My maiden name was Stephens. So we already have a co*nec*tion! I'm so interested in how to inbed an mp3 player on a blog. Can you point me in a diection to learn how to do this? Thanks! Sherri

    Aug 26, 2007

  • R. C. BECKOM

    welcome, your story sounds like a real thriller

    Sep 3, 2007

  • Leeanne Marie Stephenson

    i WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO VISIT MY WEB SITE:
    www.lmstephenson.com
    AND CHECK OUT MY HOT NEW ROMANCE NOVEL CALLED, "A PRESCRIPTION FOR LOVE". IT'S A HARD TO PUT DOWN READ THAT YOU WILL WISH WOULD NEVER END!! WHILE YOU ARE THERE PLEASE VIEW MY TV INTERVIEW VIDEO, CHECK OUT MY CONTEST AND SIGN MY GUESTBOOK. THANK YOU, LEEANNE

    Sep 28, 2007

  • Linore Rose Burkard

    Hi Marta!
    Waynesville is a popular tourist attraction if you like antique shops and gift shops, etc. We're about 30 miles from Indiana "as the crow flies:" Could cross the border in less than an hour. I have a child at Grace College in Winona Lake, IN. Anywhere near you?
    Your book sounds wonderful.
    Linore

    Oct 19, 2007

  • Dianne Schwartz

    Hi Marta. I love your genre. What a talented lady you must be! Thanks so much for the invitation.

    Oct 19, 2007

  • Enspiren Press

    Hi Marta.

    Thanks for being a friend. :o)

    Nov 29, 2007

  • Nelson Pahl

    Hello Marta

    You're welcome.

    Nelson

    Dec 7, 2007

  • Anita Davison

    Hi Marta


    If you have a moment on a sleepy January Monday, do drop by my latest interview at Unusual Historical Blogspot.

    There's a copy of Duking Days Rebellion being offered in a draw too.

    Unusual Historicals Blogspot
    http://unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com/

    Jan 28, 2008

  • Bert Martinez

    Hello, I'm Bert Martinez, I'm looking to network with success minded authors. If you would like my free report 30 Strategies for Selling More Books just fill out the form below. I look forward to networking with you and if there is anything that I can help you with please do not hesitate to contact me.

    You Were Created to Succeed!

    Bert Martinez
    www.bertmartinez.com




    For Email Marketing you can trust

    Mar 16, 2009

  • Freya R

    Hi Marta

    Do stop by when you have a moment to check out our free book marketing tool - BookBuzzr. (www.bookbuzzr.com)

    BookBuzzr is a page-flipping application that is more suited for marketing books online. BookBuzzr comes with the built-in ability to share your book-extract on over 60 social networking and bookmarking sites such as Facebook, Orkut, MySpace, Digg, Delicious etc.

    We'd love it if you'd take a look at our tool and share your thoughts.

    Cheers
    Freya [at] bookbuzzr [dot] com

    PS - Sorry for this message if you already use BookBuzzr, but please help us tell others and spread the benefit!

    Jul 14, 2009

  • Freya R

    Thank you Marta for taking the time to try out BookBuzzr. We'd love to know your thoughts on it.

    Cheers
    Freya

    Jul 15, 2009

  • DragonCub

    Good Day !
    Hope so you will be fine. If you get some time then do visit my website http://www.dragoncub.com/books

    DragonCub.com is a brand new online bookstore and gives you a plat form to promote and sell your work easily.

    I will be happy if you add your book(s) there.

    Looking forward.

    Aug 4, 2009

  • Kim Mitchell

    Howdy, neighbor! I hope we can connect on other discussions in the future.

    Have a great night,
    Kim

    Aug 13, 2009

  • Kim Mitchell

    Okay...other discussions. :) I'm looking for an editor for my book. I've just spent the last two weeks waiting on a sampling and then they changed their mind. I could use Author House, which is the self-pub company I'm going with but thought there might be a better opportunity out there for me.

    Anyone you can refer for editing? I have been quoted $300 to $5000 for editing. I don't even know what to expect for 67,800 word manuscript (about 200 pages).

    Any suggestions are appreciated.

    Aug 13, 2009

  • J. Steve Miller

    Marta,

    Bill Frank tells me you've participated in some virtual blog tours. Did they work well for you? Any hints? I'm thinking of doing one for my recent book.

    Sep 10, 2009

  • J. Steve Miller

    Thanks for the info! After doing one on your own and one through a publicist, which would you recommend? btw, I don't like to spend money unless I absolutely have to!

    Sep 10, 2009