Today we’d like to introduce you to DeAnn Daley Holcomb.
Hi DeAnn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
All my life, my love of hearing stories from family, friends, and at school led me to Texas Tech University in Lubbock to seek a degree in journalism. I was a ballet dancer and worked at the University’s newspaper and radio station. My senior year at Texas Tech I worked as a television news reporter for the ABC affiliate KAMC-TV. I was transformed as a television news journalist reporting on news and feature stories.
After graduating from Texas Tech, I landed a job at the ABC television affiliate KMID-TV in Midland, Texas, during the oil boom of the eighties. I met my husband, Greg, the second day in Midland, and we were married a year later. Our son, Spencer, was born in Midland. Greg graduated from Texas Tech and works in the oil, gas, and financial industries.
Working as a television news reporter, anchor, and news director, I loved being able to tell stories every day, from baby Jessica falling in a well and being rescued two days later to the changing oil business, economy, and people feature stories. Living my dream over the years of reporting and sharing stories of the ups and downs of everyday life and being an award-winning journalist, I knew in my heart my next dream in life would be to become a published author.
In February 1996, Greg’s company transferred him to Dallas, and our family moved to Plano. I landed a job working as a staff reporter for two local newspapers and freelance writing stories for three Dallas magazines. Once we were settled in, I knew it was time to follow my dream to write my first fiction novel. Although I first started my latest fiction novel, Beyond the Shadows, I set it aside and began the outline for Family Secrets, my first published novel.
Writing fiction makes your imagination take off. At the heart of my first published fiction novel, Family Secrets, is the journey of three generations of women as they explore their hopes, fears, and dreams. It is what we experience in all of our lives — we have our ups and downs, but you can never give up; you must conquer and reach your goals. During the writing process, my laptop went everywhere with me. Then, it happened, what changed my life forever.
Less than a year after starting the rough draft of Family Secrets I was diagnosed with cancer for the second time in my life. Going through the medical surgeries and chemotherapy treatments slowed me down. It was difficult, but I never stopped writing.
Greg and I signed the publication agreement for Family Secrets on our wedding anniversary day, and now twelve years later, my latest new mystery fiction novel, Beyond the Shadows, launches on our wedding anniversary this year, on March 20 th, 2023.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No matter what career or work you begin your journey in, you will run into struggles and challenges, but you can never give up as you begin learning and establishing your career and goals in life. While training and establishing your career, it is a long road ahead, but worth every step of the way.
As you balance your work and what’s ahead, balancing your personal life can be hard, so you need to be ready and prepared for many ongoing changes and never give up. Always keep going no matter what takes place or happens. If you love the job and work you are doing, you can reach your goals and balance in your life. If you want to try a new career, go for it. Always believe in yourself and remember to spend time with loved ones, family, and friends, and always keep on doing what you enjoy.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In Beyond the Shadows, the talented Dallas television news reporter Claire McKenzie hits the airwaves, warning the public about the killer tagged the ‘Smiley Face Murderer’ and reporting the latest information on the investigation. While Dallas Homicide Detective Lance Harris searches for the killer of eight women, Claire, his former girlfriend, becomes entangled in the investigation when Harris discovers Claire knows the killer personally. In a race to find the killer, will Lance be able to save Claire? Find out if Claire becomes the serial killer’s next victim.
I am so thrilled about my latest book launch, Beyond the Shadows, and I want everyone to enjoy the read.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I have a creative spirit, determined aspirations, and willingness to help writers, readers, anyone who has reached out to me to surge ahead. The best of life is always there for you to grasp.
My dream to publish my second fiction novel, Beyond the Shadows, led me to Atmosphere Press and an amazing publishing journey as well as mentors to lead me along the way. From my tremendous editorial journey with Alex Kale to my book cover that Ronaldo Alves created that is spectacular, and editorial and design publicity management with Cameron Finch. Publication and now my new journey ahead with promoting and selling my book, Beyond the Shadows, and public speaking and appearances with guidance and advice from Hayla Alawi. The best of life is always there for you to grasp. Always keep trying, stay focused, and never give up following your dreams.
Image Credits
Greg Holcomb
