Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, S.K. Derban moved to London within the first three months, and remained in England until the age of five. Her mother, born and raised in the United Kingdom, was involved with the London Royal Ballet Company, and a great fan of the arts.
Even after returning to the United States, S.K. Derban’s life was filled with a love of the theatre and a passion for British murder mysteries. Her personal travel and missionary adventures also help to transport readers virtually across the globe.
S.K. Derban has smuggled Bibles into China on five separate occasions, and has been to Israel on seven missionary trips. When writing, she relies on all aspects of her life, from a strong faith in the Lord, to her unique combination of professional experience. The many personal adventures of S.K. Derban are readily apparent as they shine through into her characters.
Author Interview
What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine or do you have any weird, funny, or unusual habits while writing and what are they?
My goal is to write a minimum of one page per day so the storyline remains fresh in my mind. On the days that I miss, I never try and make up for it on the following day. I write what comes to me, and sometimes even write twenty plus pages per day.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?
Fortunately I have not suffered from writer’s block. I suffer from not having enough time to write. I fear I am beginning to run out of room in my brain for all of my ideas!
What is the single most important piece of advice for aspiring authors?
All aspiring authors should stop what they are doing right now and go write at least one page! When one book is finished, write another. Do not stop writing even while trying to get published. Good writing will find a way!
What are your current/future projects?
Presently I am working on another mystery romance with the working title of Circumvent. I am hoping for a publication date of Christmas 2016.
Are you traditional or self-published, and what process did you go through to get your book published?
Limitless Publishing published Uneven Exchange, my most recent novel. Any talent I have is considered a gift from God. For that reason, I made the personal decision to trust in the Lord. If being a published author was completely right for my life, I knew that God would make it happen. Therefore, I decided not to self-publish, but rather to wait on the Lord. Ten years and 500 rejections later, I signed with a publisher for my first novel, For No Apparent Reason. After proving myself as an author, I signed with Limitless Publishing for Uneven Exchange.
What field or genre would you classify your book(s) and what attracted you to write in that field or genre?
Mystery romance is the genre for my books. Writing mystery romance is my way creating a “Dinner plus Dessert book!” When I do read romance, I miss the mystery. When I read romantic suspense, the outcome seems inevitable. My goal is to provide readers with a satisfying meal of solving a mystery, along with the dessert of a romantic conclusion.
Do you believe there is value in a review? Do you believe they are under rated, over rated, or don’t matter at all?
Reviews are essential to a successful book!
What is the intended audience for you book?
Women from the age of 17 to 117. It is my strong desire with all of my books to make a difference in the lives of my readers. Throughout all of my different stories I hope to bring them joy. I also hope that their strength and faith will increase by reading about the strength and faith of my characters.
Have you ever had a book idea or characters come to you in a dream? What did you do about it afterwards?
The idea for my first published book, For No Apparent Reason, came to me in a dream. It was so vivid, remembering the idea was like recalling a movie.
What makes your book stand out from the crowd?
It does not disappoint. Reading Uneven Exchange is like having a satisfying meal, following by a decadent dessert!