Centerville author pens first domestic suspense novel
Centerville author Allison Dickson’s newest novel, “The Other Mrs. Miller,” is her domestic suspense debut, as well as the first of her novels published by a major traditional publisher.
However, Dickson is also the author of several independently written horror and dystopian novels, as well as nearly two dozen short stories published both independently and as part of anthologies.
She recently completed a book tour for “The Other Mrs. Miller,” a twistyturny suspense about family secrets both large and small, published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons on July 16. The novel has received stunning reviews from critics, other authors and readers.
Recently, Dickson took the time to visit with me and share some insights into her writing journey.
“I graduated from Miamisburg High School in 1997,” Dickson says. “I was born in Ohio, grew up here, and my husband and I lived in other areas of the country, including Olympia, Washington, off and on, but we returned to Ohio in 2010 for work.”
“I come from a family of visual artists — both my brother and my mother. I was often in my own imagination as a kid, but I wasn’t a visual artist. My freshman English teacher encouraged me to write and I’ve been writing creatively ever since,” she explains.
Dickson says she began blogging after high school, and kept up that practice for eight years, and found success with short story publication early on.
“I’m largely self-taught through a lot of practice and reading,” Dickson says. As she reared her family — she and her husband have two teen children — and worked outside the home, she continued writing.
“I began self-publishing at the start of self-publishing,” Dickson explains. “I learned a lot about writing, and grew a small audience. My novel ‘Strings’ was also published by a smaller press. What I finally realized about self-publishing is that there are two distinct sides — writing and the publishing half.
I love writing, but being a publisher wasn’t for me. I didn’t want to keep dealing with the business end of hiring copy editors and cover designers, as well as all the infrastructure and marketing. I knew either publishing or writing would suffer if I kept selfpublishing, and for me the publishing end would suffer.”
After signing with a literary agent, Dickson’s path to traditional publishing wasn’t quick or direct; the novel that got her an agent has yet to find a publishing home. But “The Other Mrs. Miller,” a domestic thriller focusing on family dynamics, garnered interest very quickly, Dickson says.
“It’s been exhilarating,” Dickson says. She is at work on her next novel, also a domestic thriller.
Dickson also shared several tips for other writers.
“If you get stuck, try a different point of view and/ or tense. Experimenting was how I found the right approach for ‘The Other Mrs. Miller,’ and switching points of view keeps me interested in what I’m writing. Connect with other writers. It’s so important to have an inner circle that might be a critique group or other writers you respect to confide in. It’s hard to go the writing journey alone. And finally, I think we should all be easier on ourselves. For example, we’ll hear the advice that we should write every day, and if a day comes along that we don’t or can’t, we whip ourselves mentally. It’s okay to be human and take care of ourselves as people and as writers.”
Learn more about Dickson and her writing at www.allisonmdickson.com.
Upcoming literary events
■ Tuesday, Aug. 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Dayton Metro Library, Dayton Main Branch (215 E. Third St., Dayton), Conference Room 3A — The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) South-Central Ohio Chapter now holds monthly meetings the first Tuesday of each month in Dayton. The meetings are open to the public. This first meeting in Dayton will feature guest speaker Jody Casella, a Young Adult author and Regional Advisor to the chapter. Learn more at ohiocensouth.scbwi.org.
■ Wednesday, Aug. 7, 5-7 p.m., Warped Wing Brewing Company (26 Wyandot St., Dayton) — Tim Gaffney kicks off his Dayton brewery tour for his book, “Dayton Beer: A History of Brewing in the Miami Valley,” which was recently published by The History Press. Learn more about the “Dayton Beer” brewery tour at www.facebook.com/DaytonBeerBook/ or at timothyrgaffney.blogspot.com.
■ Thursday, Aug. 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Word’s Worth Writing Center (Oakwood Starbucks, 2424 Far Hills Ave.) — “Summer Writing Workout” (for ages 18 and up) will offer writing exercises and creativity boosts, led by author and instructor Katrina Kittle. Visit www. wordsworthdayton.com for more information or to register.
■ Saturday, Aug. 10, 1 p.m., Books & Co. at The Greene — Local author Amy Weinland Daughters debuts her first novel, “You Cannot Mess This Up,” a modern day timetravel book.
■ Sunday, Aug. 11, 2-4 p.m., Washington Centerville Public Library, Woodbourne Branch (6060 Far Hills Ave., Centerville) — Local poet Grace Curtis introduces her newest collection, “Everything Gets Old.”
■ Learn more about her work at www.gracecurtispoetry.com.