by Rox Burkey
Authors who have published a book or more are often avid readers. That is the case with my guest today, April Nunn Coker. She is the newest member of the renowned Underground Authors. These are the creators of the famous Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. A former high school English and science teacher, she decided to share her creative words of worlds, characters, and events from her active imagination through her many stories.
Today, I am delighted to share our conversation. If you haven’t had the opportunity to read April Nunn Coker’s Christian Suspense Mystery Fiction stories, I hope you’ll change your mind after learning more about her.
Welcome April. Thank you for spending time with me. Let’s begin.
How did your early years shape your desire to publish your creative stories?
I was always fascinated with the stories and books my mother would read to me, and then, when I was in school, I was always in the top reading group so I got to read even more great stories. I would imagine what those characters did outside the pages of the books, so I suppose that was the beginning of my desire to create stories. I also acted out scenes of favorite television and book characters when playing alone.
How did your early teaching profession lead you to publish your stories?
I became a teacher because I felt it was a calling from God. I used my writing ability to teach students grammar and writing, and I even used my skills to create newsletters for students and other teachers. I’m not sure all that led to my publishing because I had always dreamed of being a published author. I guess teaching instilled me with a certain discipline which helped me pursue my writing and publishing goals.
How did your family shape your desire to read and write?
I was the oldest of four children with a brother and two sisters. My parents always made sure there were plenty of books in the house, even though there wasn’t a lot of extra money to spend. My mother read to us every day and provided paper, notebooks, pencils, crayons, and anything else we needed to explore our creativity. She encouraged that. She would even take us to the school library during the summer to find books to read, even though we lived ten miles out of town and it meant piling four kids into a hot car with no a/c or seatbelts.
Who do you rely upon for giving you honest feedback on your writing?
I have very good critique partners with my local writers’ group who give me great feedback. With my last book I used three beta readers who gave very honest and meaningful feedback. Just Dying to Glamp wouldn’t be the book it is without my critique partners and beta readers. I appreciate them so much.
April, thank you for giving me the inside scoop on the fun you have with your own camper. Many of us have heard ‘write about what you know.’ You epitomize that with Just Dying to Glamp. I love that you are an outdoors lady having fun camping in a delightful way. I would guess your real-life adventures are great foundations for stories.
Do you find it easier to grade others’ writing over your own?
Maybe? I don’t know. I’m pretty hard on myself. I do seem to catch every grammar and punctuation error, no matter who has written it.
As a reader, what do you feel makes a mystery compelling for readers?
I love it when there is a cliffhanger at the end of every chapter, making it hard to put the book down. I try to do that with my own books. Also, a believable hero with endearing qualities makes any book compelling.
What is the funniest experience have you had because of writing?
Absolutely nothing comes to mind. *Scratching my head.
Tell my readers a little about your Keeper Trilogy. Fans love them. Your ability to create a masterful story that draws in readers shines through.
The Keeper Trilogy is three books: 1) The Keeper: A Novel, 2) Keeper II: The Storm, and 3) Keeper III: Blackout. They were inspired by my late husband who was a zookeeper himself and my consultant on all things about the inner workings of the zoo where he worked. I won’t be writing any more of those. He passed away in 2021.
I am sorry for your loss. I am glad you were able to create these with his guidance and support.
I know you are an avid reader. Do you have a favorite author who you feel influenced you?
I always credit Louise Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy, for inspiring me to become a writer. I must have checked that book out of my elementary school library a dozen times. Other influential authors would be Karen Kingsbury, Margaret Mitchell, and Caleb Pirtle III.
Do you always write reviews for the books you read? What do you try to convey with your reviews?
It is my intention to write reviews for the books I read. I don’t consider myself a good reviewer but I’m working on it. I write them to support the author and to encourage other readers.
I know you live in Texas. Is this where you grew up?
Yes, I am a native Texan, born and raised. I was born in the Valley, which is what natives call South Texas, but moved to East Texas between Dallas and Shreveport when I was three years old, and I’ve lived in the area ever since.
Can you share your typical day with readers?
I’m not sure I have any typical days! Haha! On a perfect day, I like to have quiet time with prayer and journaling for a couple of hours before starting my day. I will deal with emails and write all morning, and save the afternoon for housework, errands, and time with grandkids.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still here and healthy (Lord willing), more books under my belt, hopefully more readers, doing what I love—writing, traveling, spending time with family, enjoying life.
How do you feel AI will impact people’s creative energy, and why?
There is so much discussion about AI, and I know that it threatens artists and writers, but I believe that nothing can replace the individual creative mind. AI takes humanity out of the equation, and in so doing removes creativity. People will continue to be creative because they are compelled to, and even if AI interferes with an individual artist’s income, it can’t take away the nature of the artist—to create.
What sort of author and reader groups are you involved with and why?
I am currently president of the East Texas Writers Guild and I belong to the Underground Authors (the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles) and several Facebook writing groups. ETWG has been instrumental in giving me confidence as an author and the tools to get my books out there. I believe groups are important for support, opportunity, and education, which is the motto of ETWG.
April, you’ve been invited to speak at an important authors’ conference. You’ll be seated between two of your favorite authors. Please let us know who they are, what primary question you want to ask each of them, and why.
Karen Kingsbury. I would ask how she started writing Christian fiction, and how she found an agent or publisher.
Stephen King: How do you keep track of the characters in your books? I find it difficult to remember everything.
At the above conference, what would you like to speak to new authors about?
I It’s a cliché, but keep writing. Write every day. Rewrite and revise, and don’t stop.
Where can people find and follow you on social media?
Website – www.aprilnunncoker.com
LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/april-coker
Instagram – www.instagram.com/authorancoker
Amazon Author Page – Amazon.com: April Nunn Coker: books, biography, latest update
Facebook – www.facebook.com/aprilnunncoker
Facebook Groups Texas Author Con and Book Festival, Sprint Club for Authors, Writers: Promote Your Books, The Book Authors Club, Book Viral, Author Book Promotion, Texas Writers Network, Book Promotion, Books, etc. I didn’t realize I belonged to so many groups!
Thank you for taking the time to share this information.
Thank you for this opportunity, Rox
4 replies to "A Visit with April Coker"
Awesome interview, Rox. I learned a lot about April!
Thanks Cindy, so nice to see you. She is clearly committed to crafting stories.
Thanks for posting. It was good to get to know a bit more about April.
Thank you for stopping by CW. She is a remarkable author. Come back often. Take care.