JUSTICE BE DONE, by author CARLA DAMRON (out now!)

Social worker Caleb Knowles finds himself in the heart of a firestorm of racial tensions and violence in downtown Columbia, SC. When he interviews young Laquan Harwell, the truth behind Laquan’s crime becomes clear—it was born from years of racial mistreatment. However, Laquan’s assault on a white storekeeper lights the match that sets the town on fire: a hate crime sparks protests. Protests erupt into riots.

Downtown becomes a war zone.
The murder of a racist police officer further fuels the violence, and soon Caleb is entangled in a desperate search for justice. As the riots escalate, Caleb’s brother Sam is injured, leading Caleb to take rash actions that put his career on the line.
As he uncovers the truth about the police officer’s death, Caleb’s efforts to save a client thrust him into the eye of the storm and endanger his life. Will justice prevail, or will the hate-spawned violence take more lives?

A Caleb Knowles Mystery - Book 4

Author interview with Carla,

Tell us a little about yourself and how you started writing.

I wrote as a kid, but drifted away from creative writing in my early adult years. Later, the

bug came back, and I’m very glad it did. Writing is a huge part of my life now.

 

What are some things you enjoy when not writing?

I love to read of course—for pleasure and for craft. I also enjoy beading. I stay active

doing volunteer work, too, which introduced me to some incredible people and

sometimes I get to share their stories.

 

Is there anything major that changed in this novel from when you first plotted it out?

As I dove deeper into the characters, they revealed things that surprised me. Bad guys

had hidden good qualities. Furtive characters had big secrets to tell me. And my killer’s

motivation? That was the biggest surprise of all.

 

Finish this: “I can’t write without…”

A community of writers who support me and make this very isolating craft less lonely.

 

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I grew up in theater. My mom was a theater director, so I learned ALLLLL about the

theater business. I’ve acted, stage managed, run lights, painted sets, and served as

properties manager---all before the age of fifteen.

 

What was the original title of this book? PITCHFORK.

 

Where do you get your ideas, or what inspired this book's plot?

After the horrible George Floyd incident, I watched race riots on the news here in

Columbia. It felt like unresolved rage that was centuries old was bubbling to the surface.

That, coupled with the horrendous murders at the Mother Emanuel AME church in

2015, haunted me. Why is hate so prevalent now? So destructive now? We think we’ve

come so far, but we really haven’t, have we? These are the issues I explore in Justice

Be Done.

 

Do you have a manuscript(s) in your drawer? If so, will it ever see the light of day? 

Bird On Limb. I workshopped it with a group who meant well, but confused me with their

contradictory input. It also deals with a sensitive subject, so I have to do it right. Hope to

resurrect it and try again soon!

 

If I wasn’t an author, I might be…?

A LOTTERY WINNER! Wouldn’t that be great? Of course, I’d probably just keep writing

till I went broke.

 

If you have written more than one book, which story would you choose to live?

Oh, man, I’m so hard on my characters I can’t answer this one.

 

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it

published that you’d change?

I would have done a better job at marketing my earlier books, or hired someone to do it

for me.

 

How do you market your work?

I have someone who helps with social media, which is wonderful. The rest happens

organically. I’m lucky in that I get invited to TONS of book clubs, something I really

enjoy—and readers tell other readers who tell other readers… that’s the best kind of

marketing there is.

 

What are you working on now?

The sequel to my last book, The Orchid Tattoo. Those characters had more to tell me

so I’m writing it down. I hope to finish a draft of The Weird Girl by the end of this year.

 

What is a bestselling book you’ve been itching to read? 

Demon Copperhead, except I’m a little afraid of it, too. I know it will be upsetting!

 

Is anything in your book based on real-life experiences?

One of the opening scenes in Justice Be Done came from a DREAM. Seriously, I

hadn’t visited my Caleb Knowles character in years, and suddenly I have a vivid dream

of a scene with him and his brother, Sam. This is how the novel came to be.

 

Do you have a favorite chapter or scene?

I do! But I’m not telling!

 

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

All writers are self-taught, even if you go to school for it. If your first novel doesn’t get an

agent or publisher, don’t be mad or frustrated. That novel TAUGHT you how to write.

Move on to the next one. Each book will be better than the last, and maybe it’s your

second or third that lands the big book deal. And maybe then, you go back to the first

one, fix what needs fixing, and try again.

 

What are the downfalls of your writing career? The best parts?

Downfalls: it can be expensive. I hope and pray that one day, I’ll make minimum wage.

 

Best parts: connecting with readers. Hearing them tell me how they related to my

characters, or describe what they learned, or express how they feel differently about an

issue after reading my work. That’s worth more than anything.

 

Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers and fans?

Justice Be Done is crime fiction that deals with racial issues. I tried to be as sensitive

and fair as I could be. Please, give it a try. It may surprise you.

 

To connect with Carla: 

Facebook: carladamronwrites

twitter:@carlawritesfic

instagram: carladamron

tiktok: carladamron

carladamron.com