Penny Rudolph

, Female

Albuquerque

United States

Profile Information:

Hometown:
Albuquerque, NM
About Me:
I'm the author of the contemporary mystery/thriller Thicker Than Blood and its sequel Lifeblood. Both feature Rachel Chavez, a recovering alcoholic who owns a parking garage in downtown Los Angeles. I'm also the author of as well as the historical mystery/thriller Listen to the Mockingbird, set in southern New Mexico during the Civil War. Lifeblood and Mockingbird were released fall 2007. I've worked as a bartender, truck driver, chile picker, musician, science writer, and medical writer. I've also taught journalism at New Mexico State University. I received a 2003 Eppie, and was a finalist in five national fiction competitions. My work in nonfiction has won more than 50 national writing/editing awards, including an international Gold Quill. I've lived most of my life in New Mexico, with a few detours to the East and West coasts.
I Am A:
Writer
Website:
http://pennyrudolph.com
Books And Authors I Like:
Deon Meyer's Dead at Daybreak and Heart of the Hunter
Michael Connelly's The Poet
John LeCarre's work, especially The Constant Gardner and the Little Drummer Girl
Anything by Graham Greene
(Maybe I need to find something funny. Anyone know a good humorous novel?)
Movies And TV Shows I Like:
TV:
Bill Moyer's documentaries
C-Span Washington Journal

Recent film favorites:
Ratatouille
Blood Diamond
The Queen
(Hmmm. These seem a bit diverse, but I guess that says something.)

Comment Wall:

  • Morgan Mandel

    Hi Penny,
    My busy life will be slowing down some. We're heading on vacation for a week - Although some would say playing slots at the casino is not exactly relaxing!
    Morgan

    May 3, 2007

  • shirley dicks

    Hi Penny, good to meet you and your books sound great. I went to NM years ago to visit my cousin who lived just outside Albequerque....she had a tree growing up through her house and I thought that was weird. I wasn't thrilled with the flat land throughout texas, Ohklahoma and NM.....we were going to settle down there near her but I guess we were used to the green grass and mountains....

    She had a giant pig and I wouldn't let my kids go outside...she carried a rifle to hang clothes because of the snakes. I told her I wasn't that brave and we came back and settled in NC....but of course I had to move to TN where I'm still living.

    I loved living in NH and the snow but my dad needed the south because of his health so our whole family moved to be with him....

    Will try and read your books one day as I do love mystery and true crime stories....

    May 8, 2007

  • Karyn J. Powers

    Hi, Penny, I spent a wonderfully frightening month in the Gila Wilderness with Southwest Outward Bound when I was 19. I learned a lot about mole skin, flash floods, rattle snakes, and self-imposed limits. Pine pitch is a time machine. One whiff and I'm back on the trail.

    May 19, 2007

  • Karyn J. Powers

    It will be 30 years ago, this July that i hiked those canyons. I remember the clff dwellings not only for their exotic nature, but also because it was a re-supply spot where we got fresh fruit and peanut butter. After two weeks of freeze dried meals, pilot bread and tea, the dwellings brought my teen age tastebuds back to life.

    May 22, 2007

  • DeadlyDeb

    Penny,
    Do you miss the east coast? New Mexico looks lovely...but hot. I have a cousin living in Silver City.

    Nice to meet you.

    Deb

    May 23, 2007

  • DeadlyDeb

    Penny,

    Four feet of snow? I had no idea. I thought NM would be blistering hot in the summer and mild in the winter.

    Deb

    May 23, 2007

  • JackBludis

    Yes, I do know Warren Murphy. We've been on a panel or two over the years. He's tops in my book.

    I like your selection of books. As for movies, don't miss "The Departed."

    Jun 2, 2007

  • Nikki Leigh

    I hope you had fun at the convention :) The background on what was going on at the Outer Banks is posted on my website - www.nikkileigh.com/lilah.htm - click on Chapter 1. But, a couple of years ago at the end of December, I was on the ferry from Ocracoke to Hatteras and I was reading an article in the Island Breeze. It was about the CCC work in the 30's and 50's to build the National Seashore. There was also a hurricane in the vicinity at the right time :) I've gotten awesome comments about the atmosphere in the story and there's a good bit of local history woven into the story. I think you would enjoy it :)

    NIkki Leigh

    Jun 15, 2007

  • Elaine Flinn

    I LOVE The Red Shoes! And so glad you do as well! Wonder how many have seen it?

    Jun 15, 2007

  • Robin Caroll

    Hi, Penny....was Margie Lawson at Murder in the Grove?

    Jun 16, 2007

  • Robin Caroll

    I haven't heard about Murder in the Midland. I'm still fighting the planning of the ACFW conference in September.

    Jun 20, 2007

  • Paula R. Stiles

    Hi Penny,

    Just stopping by to return the favor for your comment on my page. I'll have to check out your book.

    Jun 25, 2007

  • Scarlett Dean

    Hi Penny,
    I live in St. John, which isn't too far from Demotte. I have cousins who live there. Nice place.
    As for the fun part of writing and all that goes with it, I have to say it's never a chore. I love what I do. EVen the promo, the cons, and the legwork. I wouldn't have it any other way.
    Nice to hear from you!

    Jun 26, 2007

  • Robin Caroll

    Hi, Penny. Sorry it took so long to answer...deadline! LOL ACFW conference is in September in Dallas.... www. acfw.com Fighting the planning because I'm president of ACFW this year and next and it's a LOT of work! Grr. But very fulfilling too!

    Ouch on the IRS looking into your conf expenses. My CPA makes me keep DETAILED records. LOL

    Jul 1, 2007

  • Evelyn David

    Hi Penny,
    Thanks for stopping by.

    Good luck with your new September books!
    Evelyn

    Jul 5, 2007

  • Kathryn Lilley

    Thanks, Penny! Yes, a pox on all the 110-pound women, lol.

    Jul 7, 2007

  • Michael W. Sherer

    No, actually, it's easier to write about the place where you live, or at least visit often. I lived in Chicago for 20 years, and wrote the first four books in my series there. I love NM, btw.

    Jul 9, 2007

  • Elizabeth Zelvin

    Thanks for your comment, Penny. I was glad to hear about another recovering protag--will look for your books. And thanks for the info about ITW too. :)
    Liz

    Jul 20, 2007

  • Eric Stone

    Hi Penny, where'd you work as a journalist? I always seek out new books that are set in L.A. I'll hunt yours down.

    I was freelancing from L.A. for quite some time, made several trips to Asia and the work that came out of those got the attention of a guy who owned a business and finance magazine in Hong Kong. He offered me the job and away I went. What was great was that writing for a business and finance magazine gave me good entry into all sorts of places during the time I was there - the economic boom, 1986-97 - and they wanted me to write about pretty much everything. I covered economics, politics, culture, sports, sex, drugs and rock & roll and anything else you can think of. All kinds of good stories came out of it. Excellent fodder for my thriller series.

    Jul 29, 2007

  • Jackie Houchin

    Several people have encouraged me to publish my kid's books, but it seems like SO much time and effort involved for such a slim possiblility - especially in the children's lit markets. And I'm busy searching out, interviewing and writing 2-3 stories per week for a local newspaper. And I HAVE to get the book written for the third granddaughter before she gets much older! I have it plotted... it's just the time. Thanks for asking, though.

    Jul 30, 2007

  • Morgan Mandel

    Hi Penny,
    Yes, Hard Shell is still alive and kicking. My present mystery, Two Wrongs, is still available through them. I've also got a romantic comedy, Girl of My Dreams, coming on in January, 2008 through them.
    I'm in Arlington Heights actually, but Chicago is more recognizable. There are people from many countries on here.
    Morgan Mandel

    Jul 30, 2007

  • Eric Stone

    Hi Penny. For nine years I was based in Hong Kong, but working for regional publications. In any given month I was travelling at least two weeks and I worked in pretty much every country in Asia, other than Burma, Mongolia and Brunei. The last two years I was mostly living in Jakarta, Indonesia and doing publishing jobs for the World Bank that took me all over Indonesia.
    Speaking of medical writers in L.A., did you know a woman named Linda Marsa? She was an old pal of mine who I think went into medical journalism here.
    My books should be easier to find starting soon - paperback of the first one will be out toward the end of August and both a hardback and paperback of the new one will be out at the end of September.

    Jul 30, 2007

  • Sheila Connolly

    Hi, Penny--

    A parking garage certainly sounds like an interesting setting. It sounds as though we could compete for most/varied careers before ending up here.

    And I have to learn to blow my own horn more (I've been waiting for a cover before updating my sites). Through a Glass, Deadly--yes, it's a cozy, set in Tucson, with a female glassblower, the Irish mob, and an Australian uncle. Lots of fun!

    I'll look for your books.

    Sheila

    Jul 30, 2007

  • Meredith Anthony

    Penny-- Thanks for your note. Although I work in advertising -- and love it -- I've never written about it. LADYKILLER is a serial killer story set in New York and the one I'm writing now is set in a small town in West Virginia -- a state I think I've never visited... ??? Hmmm. Can't wait to read you. Sounds great. Meredith

    Jul 31, 2007

  • Eric Stone

    I'm looking forward to all the running around the country like a crazy person on book tour. For some perverse reason, I enjoy that.
    Nope, never an economic hitman - a publishing consultant. I put together a number of brochures and magazines and newsletters and reports for them. I left the economic contract killing to others.

    Aug 7, 2007

  • Love Is Murder Conference

    LIMCON LOVES (yes, we're shouting) romantic suspense! We have RWA representation on our board and we're always looking to expand the number of romantic suspense authors and fans. Register now and make sure -- when you send your registration in -- that you remind us of what you've done and what you might like to do at LIMCON. We'll do our best. And make sure you bring those readers with you! Note there is a November 1st deadline if you want to be considered for a panel, so the wise author will get her Intrigue in gear and sign up.

    Aug 16, 2007

  • Penny Rudolph

    Hi All,
    I'm just flabbergasted with some good news and I gotta brag about it. My lastest book, LIFEBLOOD, was featured in the Southwest Airline magazine, Spirit. Wowww! I sure never expected that. Here's the link to the online version:

    http://198.65.149.131/2007_09/features/ft3.php

    Sep 15, 2007

  • James Roberts

    Hi Penny: Most of the mid-Missourians pronounce it MI zur UH; those of us on the western portion of the state give it an I and the end. Liberty is in Clay County (birthplace of Jesse James and home to the first bank robbery) just north of Kansas City, MO.

    Looking forward to tipping one of your novels onto my to-be-read stack!

    Sep 15, 2007

  • D K Gaston

    Hi Penny, sorry for taking so long to respond. Whiskey Creek Press is a small publishing company. I am happy with them. They have a very professional staff. Rachel Chavez sounds like an interesting character.

    Sep 18, 2007

  • Pat Mullan

    Hello Penny,

    A bit tardy in getting back to you. Some answers/comments follow. You said:

    …
    "Hi Pat, I am so pleased to meet you."

    We met at ThrillerFest in Phoenix. We shared a panel (21st Century Thrillers)


    "With my 2nd and 3rd books (one contemporary, one historical, both mystery/thrillers) just out this month I'm sorta meeting myself coming and going, so I was a little slow to respond."

    My best wishes for your new books ... may they roll off the shelves!

    " I like the description of THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. The "Machiavellian schemes" sound way too realistic these days."

    Yes, I have a great agent so I'm hoping she'll find an
    important home for this one

    "I love Ireland and the Irish. Visited there some years ago. I hope the booming economy hasn't spoiled it."

    Depends on your perspective. I think a little wealth doesn't hurt. Now people are immigrating here instead of us emigrating there.

    "Do you know Warren Murphy, the Destroyer series author? You should. You even look a bit like him. "

    No, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Warren - yet. Hope to run into him at a conference soon.

    "(Sorry to make the post so long, can you tell I'm part Irish?) "

    Well, Penny, we're even! I've made my answer just as long. And, yes, it's an Irish affliction.

    Slan go foill, Pat.

    Sep 19, 2007

  • D K Gaston

    HI Penny,

    It's funny that you mentioned Poisoned Pen Press. I originally submitted Lost Hours to them and they were interested but strongly suggested to me that I change the suggest matter of the book. To do that, I would have had to rewrite the entire book, so I went with another publisher. But they are on my list for my next mystery. Thanks for the suggestion.

    Sep 23, 2007

  • Jackie Houchin

    Thanks for the comment on my review of LIFEBLOOD. I've now purchased the first book to rean (on my own) because I liked the character so much... and the premise and setting are unique too. Jackie

    Oct 26, 2007

  • Jackie Houchin

    Read... not rean. My fingers must be tired.

    Oct 26, 2007

  • Jennie Bentley/Bente Gallagher

    Hiya, Penny! Nice to hear from you. Fatal Fixer-Upper (glad you like the title) was always intended as the first in a series. Actually, my publisher approached me, after we submitted something else to them, and asked if I'd be interested in writing a series about a renovator. Real estate and renovation is part of my background - the background of the real me, anyway, Jennie Bentley being a pseudonym - and I thought it might be fun. The books are set in Maine, actually, although I'm writing another series, one we're still trying to place, that's set in Nashville. Berkley is still considering that one, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good news in the new year! Have a happy 2008!

    Jan 1, 2008

  • Jennie Bentley/Bente Gallagher

    Forgot to mention, I wrote Do-It-Yourself renovation book #1 this fall. I have to deliver DIY#2 in July, and DIY#3 by the end of the year. It'll be a busy 2008 for me!

    Jan 1, 2008

  • Elizabeth Zelvin

    Thanks for your comment Penny. I don't think any of us do it the easy way. :) Death Will Get You Sober is certainly intended to be the first of a series, so I'm praying it does well.

    Jan 1, 2008