The people behind the writer…

You all know I write the books you love, but you don’t know what goes on behind the scenes to get the books to you. I’ve got a whole group of people who make me look really good. I think it’s a good time for you all to meet them.

Jamie Lee Scott – Jamie has been designing the book covers for Lizzie since day one. She is also the one who encouraged me to publish Old Coot back in November 2011 (oh my gosh, it’s been almost seven years!). She formats my books, too. She is the computer goddess. Bless you, sweetheart. You’re awesome!

Kristi Spinks – Kristi, Kristi, Kristi…she knows where all the bodies are buried. It’s why I keep her around. Just kidding…Kristi and I have been friends for a long time. I supported her as she pursued first her bachelor’s degree, and then her Master’s. She returns the favor tenfold every single day. She inspires me all the time with her courage and her zest for life. You are the bravest woman I know, Kristi, and I am blessed a hundred times over to have you in my life. You are one of my dearest friends.

Charlotte Massey – this wonderful lady is my heart and soul. She has been a blessing to me for forty-three years. She has seen me at my worst, held me up, dried my tears and held my hand. She has given me unconditional love. She took a wild seven-year-old and raised her to be a sweet, understanding woman. If you’ve read the Ghostwriter books, you already know her. She’s a character in that series. She’s my mom. Thank you for all you’ve done, Mom. I hope when I grow up, I’m half the woman you are. I love you!

Stacy Jeziorowski – Stacy is my most awesome, wonderful assistant (she knows where the bodies are buried, too!). Along with Kristi and my mom, Stacy edits all of my books. She and Kristi also help me brainstorm story ideas (you can thank Kristi for the headless man in Death Yells “CUT!”). But Stacy is also like a sister to me, and the person I turned to when my life went haywire over the last couple of years. Her strength and encouragement got me through some dark times. Stacy, I am so thankfully Jamie introduced us. You are like a sister to me, someone I can tell everything and anything to. Thank you for being there to give me a shoulder to cry on, and for all the kicks in the butt that you give me when I rightly deserve them. You are my rock and I wouldn’t be where I am right now without you. Love you!

James – My head assistant, my car guru, the one who always says, “Isn’t it time to blow something up again?” He also helps me brainstorm story ideas. I think my favorite story is a texting session I had with him one day when I was stuck on a story line. We shot ideas back and forth for thirty minutes, and it ended when we had plotted out someone’s death. “Did we just plot out a murder?” he asked me. “Yeah, we did. Cool, wasn’t it?” He told me it was. I replied, “This is what I do for a living. Isn’t it fun?!” I have had the pleasure and joy of watching him grow from an adorable little baby into a young man who is spreading his wings and trying to find his place in the world. I love you more than life itself, son. You are the greatest blessing and joy in my life.

Jim Massey – last, but by no means least, my late father. Dad was my biggest and loudest cheerleader. Whenever they went on vacation, my parents would brag about their daughter who was a writer. One time, they went into a Barnes and Noble and put my latest book on all their display Nooks. Dad would print out my manuscripts for Mom to edit, then enter her notes on the Word document and send them back. He never read any of my books while I was working on them. He waited until the day they were published, buy it and read it. I miss him every day, but I continue to write because I don’t want him to haunt me because I quit. I love you, Dad. I’ll see you again someday.

That’s the gang. A motley crew, but they’re mine and I’ve very grateful for each and every one of them!