Celebrating Texas Writers Month with us today is Diane Fanning (New Braunfels).

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Diane Lynn Butcher started out in Baltimore, Maryland. After college, Diane worked in radio, TV, and advertising, winning over 70 Addy Awards. She didn’t write a book until she moved to Texas and her last kiddo carted off to A&M.

Diane has served on the executive committees of the Writers’ League of Texas and the Heart of Texas chapter of Sisters in Crime. Her book, Written in Blood, was nominated for an Edgar. She says that the most fulfilling thing for her as a true crime writer was the role she played in finding justice for wrongfully convicted Julie Rea Harper. She is also pleased to hear from staff at Domestic Violence Shelters around the country, who’ve called Gone Forever an important book for women.

Q. How long have you lived in Texas, Diane?

A. I really never considered moving to Texas but, somehow, I stumbled across the state line and landed in the Hill Country. I’ve been here for the last nineteen years.

Q. How did you end up writing true crime and fiction?

A. When I was nine years old, a man attempted to drag me into his car but the fortuitous arrival of another vehicle foiled the abduction. I memorized his license plate. He was picked up and ultimately convicted of the sexual assault and murder of an 8-year-old the month before. That led to my lifelong interest in the criminal mind seeking answers for his motivation and for his selection of me as a victim.

One day, I watched the story of Krystal Surles on 48 Hours. At 10-years-old, she watched as a serial killer murdered her friend, slit her throat and left her for dead. Thanks to her courage, the two decade long killing spree of Tommy Lynn Sells was brought to an end. She was my hero. Her actions were similar to mine but so much more. I simply had to write her story. The end result was my first true crime book, Through the Window.

I started writing fiction to take a break from the real life tragedy of true crime stories.

Q. What book marketing activities made you a bestselling author?

A. Commenting on cases on 48 Hours, 20/20, MSNBC and other shows have provided incredible exposure. But to get there, it took a lot of work from the ground up to build name recognition. A large number of internet and local radio interviews and speaking engagements laid the groundwork that made the larger showcases possible.

Q. Tell us about your latest release. Is it set in Texas?

A. My latest fiction release, Twisted Reason, is the fourth book in the series featuring Virginia homicide detective Lucinda Pierce. Kirkus Reviews wrote, “As usual, Fanning poses Lucinda a quirky mystery, this time providing a thoughtful look at the stress of those caring for loved ones with dementia”.

My latest true crime release, Mommy’s Little Girl, is about Casey Anthony and her daughter Caylee’s tragic fate. It is set in Orlando, Florida, where Casey’s trial is underway this month.

Q. Where can we pay you a virtual visit?

A. Website– http://www.dianefanning.com

Writing Is a Crime, my personal blog— http://dianefanning.blogspot.com
Women in Crime Ink, a cooperative blog— http://womenincrimeink.blogspot.com

Facebook main page— http://www.facebook.com/diane.fanning
Facebook true crime page— http://www.facebook.com/truecrimebooks
Facebook fiction page— hhttp://www.facebook.com/lucindapierce

Twitter— http://www.twitter.com/dianefanning