Tell us about yourself.:
Hello! I am Peggi Davis, 77 years old, a widow, and living my best life this very minute. I was raised in New York City by an eccentric British father and sometime-model mother, in an untethered, unusual home filled with fashion, formality, and a few friendly ghosts. After graduating from Texas A&M University, I entered the wacky world of retail advertising as a fashion art director and creative director. This painfully shy and quiet young girl was introduced to a world she never knew existed. There, I developed a cadre of creative colleagues with whom I shared decades of outrageous experiences and escapades. My career took me all over the country, from New York to San Francisco as I worked for Macy’s, Saks Department Stores, and AGA Design, New York. I settled in Birmingham, Alabama, which I love. Cool restaurants, warm biscuits, and gentle people. There is something to be said for Southern hospitality. Plus it is beautiful, an assault on the eyes. My little piece of paradise.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Queens Village, New York and was fortunate to attend The Webster Day School. It was tiny, with only 99 kids in grades 1-8. I was so lucky to have teachers who encouraged my writing and artistic abilities. In the fourth grade, my teacher read "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" to my class and it changed my life. I discovered fantasy and the ability to create new worlds through words. It was magical. I also have a deep respect for New York authors Dorothy Parker, Nora Ephron, James Baldwin, and Joan Didion.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a design background and am a very visual person. Once I can "see" my book I begin to write it. I design the cover and title first. It grounds me and makes my project real.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Queens Village, New York and was fortunate to attend The Webster Day School. It was tiny, with only 99 kids in grades 1-8. I was so lucky to have teachers who encouraged my writing and artistic abilities. In the fourth grade, my teacher read "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" to my class and it changed my life. I discovered fantasy and the ability to create new worlds through words. It was magical. I also have a deep respect for New York authors Dorothy Parker, Nora Ephron, James Baldwin, and Joan Didion.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I have often heard the saying, “It’s a journey, not a destination” And that is what I would say to new authors. Most of you are not going to get rich or be interviewed on NPR or CBS Sunday Morning. Chances are you will never be mentioned in the New York Times book section or hounded by Hollywood producers. Write because you have something to say. Write because you absolutely love it. Write because it feeds your soul like nothing else. Just write.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Always be open to possibilities. I am the most unlikely author. Sometimes I look at my printed books in total disbelief. My writing has given me a sense of accomplishment and pride. I know I won’t be accepting the Pulitzer Prize anytime soon, but to see my books on a shelf next to Joan Didion makes me feel like I have left a mark on our crazy world. It’s like saying, I am here.

What are you reading now?
I just finished "The Great Believers" by Rebecca Makkai and loved it, partly because I lived it working in New York all through the 1980s. I had so many friends and colleagues who were tragically impacted at that time.
I am just beginning "North Woods" by Daniel Mason.

What’s your biggest weakness?
Online shopping! I am addicted and feel terrible about wasting all those boxes and contributing to the demise of the traditional retail stores. I'm disgusted with myself!

What is your favorite book of all time?
I am always hesitant to answer this question but "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls always comes to mind.

When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
I love to cook and entertain my friends. I love to decorate, travel, music, make collages and greeting cards, paint, and of course read. I have a sweet doodle dog named Dylan (for Bob) that is my constant companion.

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I think my first memories consist of Babe, Alice in Wonderland and Eloise. Going to the Plaza Hotel for tea was always a treat for me and my sister growing up. And to this day, we remember shrieking at the mushroom-induced, tall Alice illustration as kids. I found a darling store in London last year that was all Alice in Wonderland products in Cecil Court. I found a mug with that same illustration on it and that was the best Christmas gift ever!

What has inspired you and your writing style?
My favorite boss in advertising told me once to "write the way I talk." And so I do. I tend to follow long paragraphs with one-liners and use alliteration which probably is influenced by writing advertising headlines and copy.

What are you working on now?
My efforts right now are helping to promote my latest book, "Rewind Ranch." It is not the fun part of being an author for me as it is just like working again!

What is your favorite method for promoting your work?
Promoting my work feels like self-promotion to me. I am a great number two person and therefore hire professionals to do the heavy load. I do great launch parties though, and had over 100 people show up for "Rewind Ranch." And, the bookstore sold out!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am considering a sequel to "Rewind Ranch" as so many readers have asked for one. The characters seemed to resonate with them, and I am fascinated with my villain Dr. Wendy Wu, and how she became so evil.

How well do you work under pressure?
Working under pressure is my strong suit. Again, my career in advertising, with all the craziness, changes, and deadlines was a great training ground for being able to produce under time restraints.

How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
My tone reflects the subject which is so different in my memoir "Funny Face" than my contemporary thriller "Rewind Ranch."

If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
Gratitude. Thank you for even caring what I have to say. It is such a privilege to put myself out there and be greeted with open arms. It means the world to me.

Peggi Davis’s Author Websites and Profiles
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Amazon Profile
Goodreads Profile

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