In addition to her own writing, Barbara is an editorial consultant and president of the Barbara Casey Agency. Established in 1995, she
represents authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan.

In 2018 Barbara received the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and Top Professional Award for her extensive experience and notable accomplishments in the field of publishing and other areas.

Barbara lives on a mountain in Georgia with three cats who adopted her: Homer, a Southern coon cat; Reese, a black cat; and Earl Gray, a gray cat and Reese’s best friend.

Interview

Did you learn anything from writing this book? If so, what?

Each of the five books in The F.I.G. Mysteries required a great deal of research, and the themes that surround the three main characters – Dara, Mackenzie, and Jennifer (the three F.I.G.s) – are based on fact.

The Cadence of Gypsies (Book 1) focuses on the Voynich Manuscript (the most mysterious book in the world) and Gypsy culture.

The Wish Rider (Book 2) focuses on the Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Who knew there are concealed passages inhabited by a secret subculture under the train tracks, and that there is an abandoned train car hidden there? But there is!

The Clock Flower (Book 3) involves actual scientific research findings involving immortality and the dandelion flower.

The Nightjar’s Promise (Book 4) delves into the art thefts that took place under the reign of Adolph Hitler during World War II. The search for the missing art continues today.

The Seraphim’s Song (Book 5) focuses on archaeology and ancient artifacts, specifically in China, and the connection of early man and extraterrestrials.

Tell us about the absolute BEST fan letter you have received.

I don’t know if it was the best, but it was certainly the most memorable. The Cadence of Gypsies – Book 1 of The F.I.G. Mysteries – had been out only a short time when I received a hand-written letter from a mother who had adopted her daughter. She had read The Cadence of Gypsies because it told the story of the three orphaned F.I.G.s living in the same orphanage. Even though my book is fiction, she said she loved how the three young girls were so independent; and even though they caused mischief at the orphanage, she could relate because she had also been adopted. As much as she enjoyed the book, it was her daughter who seemed to bond with the characters – the three F.I.G.s, and they couldn’t wait for the next book. I was deeply touched not just because she took the time to write such a nice letter, but because the story I had created somehow reached her own adopted daughter and gave her joy.

Who designed the book cover for the book you are touring?

My publisher is also a professional artist, and she created the beautiful covers for each book in the series. The covers are unique, yet they look as though they belong together in a series. I really love them. There is a quiet understated beauty to them, and if you look closely, you find how each cover relates to that particular book.

What do your main characters do that make them special?

The three Females of Intellectual Genius (F.I.G.s) share the fact that they are all orphans from different parts of the country sent to live at Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women. What makes them so different is the fact that Dara, Mackenzie, and Jennifer each have an IQ in the high genius range. Dara’s gift is in foreign, obsolete, and antiquated languages. Mackenzie has always considered numbers her friends and is a genius at solving problems. Jennifer is the artist and musician. Because of their abilities, they are looked at as weird by the other resident/students at Wood Rose. And there are other problems in that the faculty is intimidated by the intellect of these three young women, and the F.I.G.s are constantly getting into trouble with the headmaster for their so-called “expressions of creativity.”

Debbie, I appreciate your interest in The F.I.G. Mysteries and my latest book in that series – The Seraphim’s Song. My best to you and your bloggers. ~Barbara

Thanks so much for taking the time to let us get to know you better. ~Debbie

Connect with the author:  Barbara Casey Author ~ Barbara Casey Agency ~ Goodreads