Speak No Evil received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Liana Gardner.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Speak No Evil, Publication date was October 1, 2019
What’s the book’s first line?
The door swung open and a broad-shouldered officer pulled a skinny woman toward the front desk by her bony elbow.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Four weeks shy of her sixteenth birthday, Melody Fisher, half-Cherokee casualty of the Appalachian foster care system, is arrested for stabbing a boy. When Melody refuses to speak in her own defense, the judge mandates that she attend daily therapy sessions until she is able to tell her side of the story. Speak No Evil takes a journey through Melody’s past as Dr. Roger Kane strives to uncover why she stopped speaking in order to give her the courage to stand before the court and talk.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
As a victim of sexual assault, there are times when music can convey our feelings better than we can express them on our own.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
For survivors, as well as current victims of abuse, my hope is they can find a “hero” of sorts in Melody who clings to music as her strength and, through it, is able to find her voice and speak out. My hope is those readers may find their voice and with it, peace.
For those who have not been abused but know someone who has, I hope they can find the empathy and patience to support those who need it.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
When Melody begins to communicate, she does so through music. Although I ran across her story well after Speak No Evil was written, Esha Alwani reminds me so much of Melody as they use music in very similar manners.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
For Melody Fisher, I’d love to see Shay Eyre or Amber Midthunder play the part.
Ed Quinn would make a perfect Dr. Kane.
Quatie Raincrow would be brought to life by either Tantoo Cardinal or Wilma Pelly.
Either Drew Barrymore or Reese Witherspoon would make a terrific Rebecca Prescott.
When did you first decide to become an author?
When I was nine, I decided to write a book because I had read everything worth reading both at the library and from the Scholastic catalog and decided I needed to write something I’d enjoy more.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
This is the ninth book I’ve completed.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I am a system analyst process efficiency expert for an International Shipping company based out of Hong Kong.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Hone your craft. Every book you read, after you read it for enjoyment, go back and see what works and what doesn’t and why. Read as many craft articles as possible and write, rewrite, and rewrite again. Utilize a strong, knowledgeable editor who has worked with traditionally published authors.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I am with a traditional publisher, Vesuvian Books.
Is there something in particular that motivates you?
Helping others. Since I write for pre-teens and teens, if readers connect with my characters in a way that gives them comfort or strength, that is the best compliment and measure of success I can strive for.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Tough call. And the answer may depend on my mood at the time, but I’ll go with two … Agatha Christie and Joseph Heller.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
I’ve never wished to have written someone else’s book because that is their story to tell. And while I admire a great many books for so many reasons, those weren’t my stories. So the book I wish I could have written is the one(s) I have not written yet.