Who am I, anyway?

I’m Debbi Mack, and I’m a New York Times bestselling author. And somehow I became a podcaster.

Now, those are words I never thought I’d ever write. And, to be honest, although I think of myself primarily as a writer, I’ve been exploring the storytelling potential of media other than books.

About the Crime Cafe

I started the Crime Cafe podcast in 2015, with the goal of promoting crime, suspense, and thriller writers of all kinds. I had barely the notion of what I was doing when I started the podcast. I knew that I loved and wrote crime fiction. Along with helping other authors, I wanted to promote the genre and my own writing. I hoped to benefit both authors and readers.

Naturally, my first guests were authors I knew either online or from meeting at various events. However, as I write this in the middle of the sixth season (and updated in the midst of the eighth season) (and updared again after the ninth season) with guests booked until more than a year in advance, I’m astonished looking back on some of what the podcast has become.

Among those who’ve appeared on the show, I’ve been privileged to have bestselling authors such as Joe Lansdale, Robert Crais, Jeff Lindsay, Karin Slaughter and Jeffery Deaver, among many others. And I’ve learned so much from talking with all my guests. They are a source of great stories and inspiration. Making a connection through their interviews will help you get to know them and their work.

The combined advice and experience of my guests offer great benefits to both readers and writers. Because of that, I started transcribing the episodes (sporadically, at first, because I paid for the transcriptions from my own pocket) and, eventually, set up a Patreon Page to support the effort.

Eventually, I’d like to create a series of ebooks, summarizing their advice and their thoughts about the writing life, in general.

This leads me to the other thing I hadn’t expected. That I’d aspire to be a producer or publish other authors’ work. That I might even produce a scripted podcast or a web series or a show you’d watch on a streamer like Netflix or Hulu. Or publish more anthologies. Also, a possibility.

I wish it were easy to do any of this, but having a podcast has been one of the best things I’ve ever accomplished. I’ve met so many interesting new authors this way, as well visiting with authors I’ve known (or only read!) for years.

A lot of what I hope to do will depend on my energy, especially given my chronic health issues. And quoting Yoda in my head. :)

“Do or do not. There is no try.”

Why I Started this Newsletter

This newsletter is intended to provide access to the podcast with written transcripts of the interviews. They include fascinating facts about the authors and their work, as well as excellent advice for aspiring writers.

A good deal of time and effort go into creating the podcast. Given the … um … dynamic state of the publishing industry these days, moving from interview show alone to scripted podcast requires great writing and a great story to succeed.

The best doesn’t come for free.

When you subscribe for free, you get:

A summary of each podcast interview;

A monthly compilation of reprints of short stories, excerpts of new releases, book reviews; and

A copy of any guest post and book giveaway provided before each guest’s appearance.

With a paid subscription, you get:

Access to ad-free video and bonus content.

A monthly compilation of reprints of short stories, excerpts of new releases, book reviews, and curated links of interest to crime fiction fans.

A chance to have your short story, essay, or a preview of a new release featured in the newsletter.

My goal is to, at least, make the podcast self-sustaining. My hope is to create a scripted podcast along the lines of an old radio show.

I’ll keep you apprised as to if and when that happens.

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