Donalie Beltran retired three years ago from her corporate web/graphic design company to devote full time to writing.  She’s the author of Murder is a Family Affair, a historical True Crime Novel due to be released this fall through her own publishing company.  Her first trilogy is in progress.  She lives in Kansas and has a second home in the hills of Texas, where she loves to write.  Welcome Donalie!

Tell us a little about yourself.  I am a happily married woman living in Wichita, Kansas but will be moving to the beautiful rolling hills of Texas within the next couple of years.

What is the title and genre of your book, and who published it?  Murder Is A Family Affair is a Historical True Crime Novel.  It was published by my own company, Killing Time Press, LLC.

Tina, it started in 1995 when my father made a comment about his grandfather killing some people.  When I asked questions, he had no answers, because no one in his family would speak of it.  He was raised in this silence.
Intrigued, I started researching his entire genealogy and found horrifying things!  Several generations of serial killers, two of which made national headlines from New York to California for their evil deeds right here in Kansas.

What inspired you to write it?  Seeing the carnage each generation produced, I couldn’t help but ask the question: “Can evil be inherited?”  I felt it was a story that needed to come out of the closet and face the facts.

When did you first start writing?  After my initial research, in the late ‘90s I wrote a book about one ancestor (my father’s grandfather) I had discovered. It was just a “what I discovered” type book for the family.  However, this novel was started 2 years ago even while research continued.

What authors have most influenced you? How? Why?  I believe every story you read influences you to some degree.  I love murder mysteries – the ‘edge of your seat’ kind of thing, and I don’t care who writes it.

How and where have you marketed your work?  The usual social medias, Tina.  Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  There are members of my family, of course, who wanted to read about their history.   I warned them it may not be pretty.

Do you have other publishing credits?  This is my first published novel, but definitely not my last.  I discovered a love for writing, and, thankfully, a talent.

What is your current writing project?  I am writing a murder mystery trilogy at this time.  The first book is titled The Promise Broken.  It’s about finding out the killer is the victim of the killer… [smile]  Second will be The Cost of Death, and the last will be To Stop A Heart.  All three are Police Detective stories placed in Wichita, Kansas.

Do you have a website and/or blog?  My website is Donalie – but is currently under construction.  The book site is MurderIsAFamilyAffair.

Where can your book(s) be purchased?  It can be purchased on my Book Site.

What advice would you give to a new writer?  Tina, I would tell them to have patience.  The book is not going to happen overnight.  The editing/rewriting will take months, if not years.  Be patient.  It will be worth it.

What do you wish to say to your readers?  First and foremost, I truly appreciate their reading about my difficult experience with my family history.  I hope they take the time to leave wonderful reviews on Amazon.com! [laughter]  [serious again]  I also want to warn those who feel the need to dig deeply into their ancestry, be prepared for what you might find.  We all want to find royalty and wealth.  But, as in my case, it may turn out to be evil.

Learn more about Donalie:   Website   Book Site   Book Co-Op      Amazon   Twitter   LinkedIn   Facebook