FAQs
When is your next book coming out?!?
My next book, AUNT DIMITY AND THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE, will be published sometime in 2021. (When I know the exact pub date, I'll pass it on to you!) My most recent hardcover, AUNT DIMITY AND THE HEART OF GOLD, came out in June 2019. The paperback edition of AUNT DIMITY AND THE HEART OF GOLD will be published in 2020. (Again, when I know the exact pub date, I'll let you know!)
Where can I buy your books?
In the US, they're available at your local bookstore, www.amazon.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com
In the UK, they're available at www.headline.co.uk and at some bookstores.
The rest of the world can find English-language editions of my books at www.thebookdepository.com
What's up with the timeline in your books?
My books don't take place Today. The timeline is far from exact, but I started it roughly when I started the first book in the series, AUNT DIMITY'S DEATH. In AUNT DIMITY'S GOOD DEED, I made it as clear as possible that Lori came along late in her mother's life. Also, several of the stories take place in the same year. When you add it all together, the timeline makes sense (sort of). With that being said, it isn't perfect. If you want mathematical precision in Aunt Dimity's world, you're doomed to disappointment---I'm as bad at arithmetic as Lori is!
Is there a map of Finch?
I've never published a map of Finch because I've never wanted Finch to be set in stone. I have a map for my own personal use, but it changes all the time! I like it when a new cottage or lane or stately home pops up unexpectedly around a hitherto unknown corner. It gives me a freedom and a sense of discovery I wouldn't have if I presented Finch in a "finished" form. It also reflects Lori's experience of her adopted home. She didn't grow up there, so she's constantly surprised by what she finds. (So am I!)
Why is the paperback edition of AUNT DIMITY AND THE LOST PRINCE larger than your previous paperbacks?
Booksellers are enthusiastic about trade paperbacks (large format paperbacks) and so am I! My publisher gave booksellers what they want and gave me a vote of confidence by deciding to publish all future paperbacks in trade editions.
How should I pronounce "Dimity"?
The correct pronunciation of "dimity" can be found in Webster's Dictionary. (Dimity is a type of cotton cloth.) As you'll discover, it's pronounced DIM-it-tee, to rhyme (more or less) with "trinity."
Should I read the books in order? If so, what's the order?
My books are listed in publication order in the Books menu on my website, from the earliest (top) to the most recent (bottom). You can, of course, read them in any order you like. However, I suggest that you read them in publication order because the characters grow and change over time, and refer back to things that happened in previous books. By starting at the beginning and going on from there, you'll be able to see the entire arc of the series unfold. But it's up to you!
Are your books available on Kindle or Nook?
All of my books are available on Kindle and Nook.
Are there audio editions of your books?
Audio editions of titles 1-18 are available at www.audible.com. AUNT DIMITY'S DEATH and AUNT DIMITY BEATS THE DEVIL were made into unabridged audio books by Recorded Books, LLC. www.recordedbooks.com.
Are your books available in Large Print?
Large print editions of many Aunt Dimity books are available at Amazon.com.
Would you please tell us about your cats?
No one actually asked this question, but they're my cats, so I get to talk about them. I have two cats, Chloe and Emma, both black shorthairs with yellow eyes, and yes, I do have trouble telling them apart in dim light. When Chloe and Emma were six weeks old, they and their litter mates were dumped on the shoulder of a highway in the middle of winter by a very bad person. Thankfully, a very good person saw them, scooped them up, and delivered them to a foster home. My girls were the last of the litter to be adopted. They're ten years old now, healthy, happy, and cuddly. They keep me grounded by reminding me at all times that I am NOT the most important creature in my house. Chloe is, at this moment, curled across my forearms. It makes typing a bit difficult, but I live to serve.
I should add that I love dogs, too. And rabbits.
Is it my imagination or did you kill off Willis, Sr.'s wife twice?
It is not your imagination. I would like to thank an Alert Reader for drawing my attention to the curious case of Jane Willis's double death. Those of you who share Alert Reader's familiarity with the series may have noticed that Willis, Sr.'s enchanting wife died once in AUNT DIMITY'S DEATH only to pass away a second time in AUNT DIMITY AND THE VILLAGE WITCH. How can this be? You may well ask.
I'd love to tell you that Jane Willis was such a remarkable woman she deserved two separate deaths, but the fact of the matter is: I forgot about the first death when I wrote the second. In literary circles this is known informally as a "boo-boo," though the technical term for it is a "whoops." I hope you (and Jane) will accept my sincere apology as well as my assurance that, from this point forward, none of my characters will die more often than is absolutely necessary.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing letters to my cousin Margo in Minneapolis as well as short stories when I was nine years old. I started writing poetry and plays when I was elevenish. Though I loved to write and wrote all the time, I didn't dream of being a writer when I grew up because I didn't know writing was a profession.
What was your first story?
The earliest short story I still have in my possession is "A Trip to the Moon," written in the fourth grade (by hand, in pencil, on lined paper). The story consists of three chapters in two pages, with a beginning, a middle, and a twist at the end involving an astronaut goat named Geyser.
What was the first thing you had published?
I had three poems published in Windfall, a school district literary journal, when I was in the seventh grade. My first professional publication was my first novel, AUNT DIMITY'S DEATH, which came out in 1992 (a few years after seventh grade).
Do you have a newsletter?
No, I don't have a newsletter. Some people enjoy multi-tasking. Me? Not so much. While others juggle newsletters, blogs, Twitter accounts, and whatever else is out there, I focus on my primary task, which is to write books. I may one day add a page to my website where I'll jot random thoughts that might amuse my readers, but I wouldn't expect a newsletter from me anytime soon, or ever, really.
Do you have a Facebook page?
I started a Facebook page in 2014 at the urging of my editor and my literary agent, who thought it would be a good idea. It's called Aunt Dimity's World and it's turned out to be more fun than I'd anticipated.
Do you have a set work schedule?
I've never had a set work schedule. I don't keep track of hours or word counts or page counts or anything. I work until I'm done working and repeat the process until the book is finished. I tend to work through the night because I find it easier to sink into a story when there are no distractions---ringing phone, chiming doorbell, screaming to-do list, et cetera. If a book wishes to be written in daylight, however, I'll write during the day.
I love the recipes in your books. Where did they come from? Do you have a favorite?
I inherited some of the recipes from my mother, some were given to me by friends, and others were simply picked up along the way. As for a favorite . . . I love them all, but if I had to choose one . . . No, I can't possibly choose one. It would have to be a tie between Lilian's Lemon Bars and Uncle Tom's Butterscotch Brownies. Yum and yum.
Have you ever been approached by people in cinema or television interested in dramatizing your novels, be it as films, or mini-series, or whatever?
I was approached once by someone involved in American television, but she vanished shortly thereafter and no one else has approached me since. Sigh.
I, too, would love to see my work translated into film. My preference would be for the BBC to create an ongoing series based on my books, (a la Masterpiece Mystery, aka Mystery!) because the BBC would remain faithful to the stories, get the visual details right, and cast actors rather than celebrities.
Sadly, it's nothing but a dream at the moment. Perhaps, one day, one of my readers will send one of my books to the Right Person, and my dream will become a reality. Or the Right Person will simply stumble across one of my books and shout, "Eureka!" In the meantime, I live in hope.
All of your stories are set in England. Have you ever lived there?
No, I have never lived in England. I was nineteen when I first visited the United Kingdom and I've been there many times since, traveling from Land's End to John o'Groats by rail, automobile, bicycle, hiking boot, and thumb. I've had hypothermia on the top of Mount Snowden, food poisoning in London, and a root canal (my first!) in Haslemere, Surrey, so I must love this place because I keep going back for more.
Do you have a Reginald?
Thanks to the generosity of my readers, I have quite a few Reginalds. When I was little, however, my constant companion was my Raggedy Ann. I still have her.
Is there an Aunt Dimity in your life?
There are dozens of Aunt Dimitys in my life. I'm blessed with the best friends on earth, which may explain why I write the kinds of books I write. Whenever I hear my stories described as fairy tales, I shake my head and murmur, "If I told them what my friends have done for me, they'd never believe me." My stories are, to a large extent, a way of thanking the people who've been kind to me.
Where do you get your ideas?
My ideas come from books, films, people, places, scents, sounds, textures--from everyone and everywhere. A chance comment or a memorable vista can strike a spark of inspiration that flares into a full-blown story. Lightning strikes rarely happen to me, however. The sparks lit in my brain tend to smolder for a long time before igniting, which is why it's difficult to identify specific sources.
Lori Shepherd's character, for example, is based on me (except, alas, for the inherited fortune), but I have no clue as to where Aunt Dimity came from. I don't, as a rule, "create" characters. More often than not, they simply show up and start talking (bless them). I get to know them as you do, bit by bit, as the story progresses.
By the same token, I rarely plan storylines. I don't want to know what's going to happen before it happens--where's the fun in that? Instead, I let the story unfold as I go along. I don't recommend my method--it's slow, inefficient, and disorganized. But it keeps me energized, holds my interest, and piques my curiosity. I can't wait to find out what happens next!
How do you feel when you finish a book?
Exhausted, relieved, and somewhat satisfied. Mostly exhausted.
What do you do when you're not writing?
When I'm not writing I catch up on everything I've neglected---laundry, lawn mowing, grocery shopping, gutter cleaning, housekeeping (within reason), and other chores that make the world go round. When I'm not catching up on my neglected chores, I hike, snowshoe, explore small towns, museums, and cemeteries, spend time with friends, see plays and films, play with my cats, and travel.
Claudia Stafford is the current Aunt Dimity webmaster.
Jerry Schroeder is the creator and webmaster of the original Aunt Dimity website.
Diane Schroeder continues to create the artwork for the Recipe website pages.
My next book, AUNT DIMITY AND THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE, will be published sometime in 2021. (When I know the exact pub date, I'll pass it on to you!) My most recent hardcover, AUNT DIMITY AND THE HEART OF GOLD, came out in June 2019. The paperback edition of AUNT DIMITY AND THE HEART OF GOLD will be published in 2020. (Again, when I know the exact pub date, I'll let you know!)
Where can I buy your books?
In the US, they're available at your local bookstore, www.amazon.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com
In the UK, they're available at www.headline.co.uk and at some bookstores.
The rest of the world can find English-language editions of my books at www.thebookdepository.com
What's up with the timeline in your books?
My books don't take place Today. The timeline is far from exact, but I started it roughly when I started the first book in the series, AUNT DIMITY'S DEATH. In AUNT DIMITY'S GOOD DEED, I made it as clear as possible that Lori came along late in her mother's life. Also, several of the stories take place in the same year. When you add it all together, the timeline makes sense (sort of). With that being said, it isn't perfect. If you want mathematical precision in Aunt Dimity's world, you're doomed to disappointment---I'm as bad at arithmetic as Lori is!
Is there a map of Finch?
I've never published a map of Finch because I've never wanted Finch to be set in stone. I have a map for my own personal use, but it changes all the time! I like it when a new cottage or lane or stately home pops up unexpectedly around a hitherto unknown corner. It gives me a freedom and a sense of discovery I wouldn't have if I presented Finch in a "finished" form. It also reflects Lori's experience of her adopted home. She didn't grow up there, so she's constantly surprised by what she finds. (So am I!)
Why is the paperback edition of AUNT DIMITY AND THE LOST PRINCE larger than your previous paperbacks?
Booksellers are enthusiastic about trade paperbacks (large format paperbacks) and so am I! My publisher gave booksellers what they want and gave me a vote of confidence by deciding to publish all future paperbacks in trade editions.
How should I pronounce "Dimity"?
The correct pronunciation of "dimity" can be found in Webster's Dictionary. (Dimity is a type of cotton cloth.) As you'll discover, it's pronounced DIM-it-tee, to rhyme (more or less) with "trinity."
Should I read the books in order? If so, what's the order?
My books are listed in publication order in the Books menu on my website, from the earliest (top) to the most recent (bottom). You can, of course, read them in any order you like. However, I suggest that you read them in publication order because the characters grow and change over time, and refer back to things that happened in previous books. By starting at the beginning and going on from there, you'll be able to see the entire arc of the series unfold. But it's up to you!
Are your books available on Kindle or Nook?
All of my books are available on Kindle and Nook.
Are there audio editions of your books?
Audio editions of titles 1-18 are available at www.audible.com. AUNT DIMITY'S DEATH and AUNT DIMITY BEATS THE DEVIL were made into unabridged audio books by Recorded Books, LLC. www.recordedbooks.com.
Are your books available in Large Print?
Large print editions of many Aunt Dimity books are available at Amazon.com.
Would you please tell us about your cats?
No one actually asked this question, but they're my cats, so I get to talk about them. I have two cats, Chloe and Emma, both black shorthairs with yellow eyes, and yes, I do have trouble telling them apart in dim light. When Chloe and Emma were six weeks old, they and their litter mates were dumped on the shoulder of a highway in the middle of winter by a very bad person. Thankfully, a very good person saw them, scooped them up, and delivered them to a foster home. My girls were the last of the litter to be adopted. They're ten years old now, healthy, happy, and cuddly. They keep me grounded by reminding me at all times that I am NOT the most important creature in my house. Chloe is, at this moment, curled across my forearms. It makes typing a bit difficult, but I live to serve.
I should add that I love dogs, too. And rabbits.
Is it my imagination or did you kill off Willis, Sr.'s wife twice?
It is not your imagination. I would like to thank an Alert Reader for drawing my attention to the curious case of Jane Willis's double death. Those of you who share Alert Reader's familiarity with the series may have noticed that Willis, Sr.'s enchanting wife died once in AUNT DIMITY'S DEATH only to pass away a second time in AUNT DIMITY AND THE VILLAGE WITCH. How can this be? You may well ask.
I'd love to tell you that Jane Willis was such a remarkable woman she deserved two separate deaths, but the fact of the matter is: I forgot about the first death when I wrote the second. In literary circles this is known informally as a "boo-boo," though the technical term for it is a "whoops." I hope you (and Jane) will accept my sincere apology as well as my assurance that, from this point forward, none of my characters will die more often than is absolutely necessary.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing letters to my cousin Margo in Minneapolis as well as short stories when I was nine years old. I started writing poetry and plays when I was elevenish. Though I loved to write and wrote all the time, I didn't dream of being a writer when I grew up because I didn't know writing was a profession.
What was your first story?
The earliest short story I still have in my possession is "A Trip to the Moon," written in the fourth grade (by hand, in pencil, on lined paper). The story consists of three chapters in two pages, with a beginning, a middle, and a twist at the end involving an astronaut goat named Geyser.
What was the first thing you had published?
I had three poems published in Windfall, a school district literary journal, when I was in the seventh grade. My first professional publication was my first novel, AUNT DIMITY'S DEATH, which came out in 1992 (a few years after seventh grade).
Do you have a newsletter?
No, I don't have a newsletter. Some people enjoy multi-tasking. Me? Not so much. While others juggle newsletters, blogs, Twitter accounts, and whatever else is out there, I focus on my primary task, which is to write books. I may one day add a page to my website where I'll jot random thoughts that might amuse my readers, but I wouldn't expect a newsletter from me anytime soon, or ever, really.
Do you have a Facebook page?
I started a Facebook page in 2014 at the urging of my editor and my literary agent, who thought it would be a good idea. It's called Aunt Dimity's World and it's turned out to be more fun than I'd anticipated.
Do you have a set work schedule?
I've never had a set work schedule. I don't keep track of hours or word counts or page counts or anything. I work until I'm done working and repeat the process until the book is finished. I tend to work through the night because I find it easier to sink into a story when there are no distractions---ringing phone, chiming doorbell, screaming to-do list, et cetera. If a book wishes to be written in daylight, however, I'll write during the day.
I love the recipes in your books. Where did they come from? Do you have a favorite?
I inherited some of the recipes from my mother, some were given to me by friends, and others were simply picked up along the way. As for a favorite . . . I love them all, but if I had to choose one . . . No, I can't possibly choose one. It would have to be a tie between Lilian's Lemon Bars and Uncle Tom's Butterscotch Brownies. Yum and yum.
Have you ever been approached by people in cinema or television interested in dramatizing your novels, be it as films, or mini-series, or whatever?
I was approached once by someone involved in American television, but she vanished shortly thereafter and no one else has approached me since. Sigh.
I, too, would love to see my work translated into film. My preference would be for the BBC to create an ongoing series based on my books, (a la Masterpiece Mystery, aka Mystery!) because the BBC would remain faithful to the stories, get the visual details right, and cast actors rather than celebrities.
Sadly, it's nothing but a dream at the moment. Perhaps, one day, one of my readers will send one of my books to the Right Person, and my dream will become a reality. Or the Right Person will simply stumble across one of my books and shout, "Eureka!" In the meantime, I live in hope.
All of your stories are set in England. Have you ever lived there?
No, I have never lived in England. I was nineteen when I first visited the United Kingdom and I've been there many times since, traveling from Land's End to John o'Groats by rail, automobile, bicycle, hiking boot, and thumb. I've had hypothermia on the top of Mount Snowden, food poisoning in London, and a root canal (my first!) in Haslemere, Surrey, so I must love this place because I keep going back for more.
Do you have a Reginald?
Thanks to the generosity of my readers, I have quite a few Reginalds. When I was little, however, my constant companion was my Raggedy Ann. I still have her.
Is there an Aunt Dimity in your life?
There are dozens of Aunt Dimitys in my life. I'm blessed with the best friends on earth, which may explain why I write the kinds of books I write. Whenever I hear my stories described as fairy tales, I shake my head and murmur, "If I told them what my friends have done for me, they'd never believe me." My stories are, to a large extent, a way of thanking the people who've been kind to me.
Where do you get your ideas?
My ideas come from books, films, people, places, scents, sounds, textures--from everyone and everywhere. A chance comment or a memorable vista can strike a spark of inspiration that flares into a full-blown story. Lightning strikes rarely happen to me, however. The sparks lit in my brain tend to smolder for a long time before igniting, which is why it's difficult to identify specific sources.
Lori Shepherd's character, for example, is based on me (except, alas, for the inherited fortune), but I have no clue as to where Aunt Dimity came from. I don't, as a rule, "create" characters. More often than not, they simply show up and start talking (bless them). I get to know them as you do, bit by bit, as the story progresses.
By the same token, I rarely plan storylines. I don't want to know what's going to happen before it happens--where's the fun in that? Instead, I let the story unfold as I go along. I don't recommend my method--it's slow, inefficient, and disorganized. But it keeps me energized, holds my interest, and piques my curiosity. I can't wait to find out what happens next!
How do you feel when you finish a book?
Exhausted, relieved, and somewhat satisfied. Mostly exhausted.
What do you do when you're not writing?
When I'm not writing I catch up on everything I've neglected---laundry, lawn mowing, grocery shopping, gutter cleaning, housekeeping (within reason), and other chores that make the world go round. When I'm not catching up on my neglected chores, I hike, snowshoe, explore small towns, museums, and cemeteries, spend time with friends, see plays and films, play with my cats, and travel.
Claudia Stafford is the current Aunt Dimity webmaster.
Jerry Schroeder is the creator and webmaster of the original Aunt Dimity website.
Diane Schroeder continues to create the artwork for the Recipe website pages.