I had the pleasure of interviewing Donna Scuvotti, author of mystery thrillers, Just Jonathan, Deadly Vendetta, and the upcoming Black Sheep. Donna shares insights into her writing life, inspirations, and upcoming release. A self-proclaimed pantser, she lets her imagination guide her stories, often finding her best ideas while walking her dogs or cooking. Inspired by John Steinbeck and Michael Connelly, she devours fiction and crafts gripping tales of family drama and hidden secrets.
Black Sheep releases on March 19, 2025, diving into a world of dysfunctional family dynamics and long-buried secrets. In the meantime, have a read of my interview with Donna.
If you could meet any author, living or dead, who would it be?
DONNA: Hmmm. That’s a toss up between John Steinbeck and Michael Connely. John Steinbeck is an author I read when I was younger and his writing inspired me to write. Michael Connelly is my favorite present day author. I devour everything he writes.
You are planning a dinner party. Which fictional characters would you invite?
DONNA: I would definitely invite Jonathan and Luke from my books, although it seems like I already know them. I would also invite Harry Bosch from the Michael Connelly series and Harry Potter. One can always use a bit of magic. Alex Cross from James Patterson books, and to round it off I”d like to invite Kay Scarpetta from Patricia Cornwell’s books.
Do you think you were born in the wrong era? Or are you exactly where you should be?
DONNA: I was born in the right era. I wouldn’t have done well in earlier years. The advancement in medicine and technology makes me happy right where I am.
If you could physically travel into a fictional book world, where would you go and why?
DONNA: I would go to Hogwarts in Harry Potter. I’m intrigued by magic and the different creatures are fascinating. Potions are intriguing as well.
Would you ever want to live in any of the fictional places you have created?
DONNA: I would love to live in Mount Sierra Oregon. The PNW is gorgeous and I would love to have the eclectic town and small-town feel with the forest and babbling brooks at my doorstep. Teh crime rate is at a minimum too which is appealing.
As a reader, do you prefer a series or stand-alone?
DONNA: I will read either but if I read a series I want them to also be able to read as stand alones as well. I’m not a big fan of cliff hangers so when a series book ends that way to get to read the next I’d rather not.
What do you love about self-publishing?
DONNA: Self publishing allows me to make my own decisions. I get a say in what my cover looks like and who I want to work on my book as far as editors and such. Having that control would be hard to give up.
What do you dislike about self-publishing?
DONNA: I’m not entirely sure this has to do with self publishing, but I hate the marketing aspect of it. The constant stress of having to create content on social media to try and get ppl interested enough to buy your book gets old after a while.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
DONNA: I love to let my imagination run wild. I’m always amazed at where my mind goes and the interesting plots and characters I create. I also like the fact that you can be your own boss and work when you want.
What is your favorite reference book for writers?
DONNA: I don’t use reference books but am an avid reader of fiction which teaches me a lot.
Are you a pantser or a plotter? Or a bit of both?
DONNA: I am 100% a pantser. I have yet to plan any of my books and don’t have a clue what’s going to happen until I sit down to write. To me it makes it more fun!
What’s your go-to beverage and/or snack when writing?
DONNA: I don’t eat or drink when I write. I find it distracting. If I need something to drink I’ll most likely take a break and get water. That is always my go to drink.
What do you do when your characters stop speaking to you? Or when they won’t stop speaking to you?
DONNA: My characters very rarely are quiet. If I’m stumped and my creative juices aren’t flowing, I walk away from my writing and come back once I “feel” it. When they don’t stop hounding me I take full advantage of it and write like a beast.
What’s an opinion that non-writers have about writers that is completely ridiculous?
DONNA: That it’s easy and you should have a thick skin. Writing and putting yourself out there is not for the faint of heart. PPl are ruthless and don’t take into consideration that there’s a person behind those pages.
Do you have a word that you use too much in your writing?
DONNA: I used to use the word “just” a lot but as I’ve written more I’m more cognizant of it. I’m fanatical about not using the same word in the same sentence.That drives me insane when I see that in my writing or others.
When or where do you come up with your best ideas?
DONNA: My best ideas come to me when I’m walking my dogs and in nature. It’s something about being outside that awakens my imagination and creativity. I also have lightbulb moments a lot when I’m cooking or in the shower. Both. times when I let my mind wander.
Do you have a favorite character from your books?
DONNA: I love both Jonathan and Luke in different ways. As a mother, I am very protective of Jonathan and took him under my wing. With Luke, he’s the type of character everyone wants as their best friend. That’s precisely why he got his own book. Also in Black Sheep I really like Jane, Luke’s mom. She’s the type of character you want to hate but feel sorry for her. Her POV’s were my favorite to write.
How do you come up with cover concept(s)? And do you design yourself or do you have a designer?
DONNA: I have a designer that I share my visions with. It obviously has something important to do with the book and usually comes to me as I’m writing. I want it to be eye-catching because, myself as a reader, am always drawn to covers first. If they don’t speak to me, I don’t either bother with the blurb.
What do you want readers to know about you?
DONNA: I’m just a person like everyone else, who just happens to love writing and using my imagination to create entertaining books. I’m always more than willing to do a zoom call with a book club and speak at any function they would love to invite me to.
DONNA: I’m kind of an open book (no pun intended). I don’t have secrets that I want to keep buried. If anything, I probably would prefer for them not to know my address just in case they want to stalk me Haha!
Do you use a pen name?
DONNA: I do not use a pen name. I never even considered it to tell you the truth.
Do you have a new book coming out? When? Title? Genre? Blurb?
DONNA: I do have a new book coming out. I’m releasing Black Sheep on March19, 2025. It’s a family.drama/ dysfunctional family/ hidden secrets contemporary fiction.
Donna’s Books
| Book | Genre | Blurb | Link |
 | Thriller | Reeling from the death of his beloved mother, at the hands of a drunk driver, thirteen-year-old Jonathan is struggling with the aftermath, while living with an abusive, alcoholic father. Past curfew one night, plagued by nightmares, ventures into the forest by his Pacific Northwest home, trying to escape his life at home and come to terms with his devastating loss. While wandering aimlessly, he hears a blood-curdling scream that freezes him in his tracks. Faced with the dilemma on whether to investigate and potentially put himself in harm’s way, his adventurous spirit wins out, and he stumbles on more than he bargains for. Jonathan soon discovers that a serial killer has been running amok and using the forest as his own personal playground. This suspenseful murder mystery will bring out a plethora of emotions in the reader, as it touches on loss, friendship, redemption, and coping, all the while keeping you on the edge of your seat, with twists and turns you don’t see coming. | https://a.co/d/gSyELlU |
 | Thriller | Gripped with fear and confusion as his paralegal takes her last breath in his arms, Jonathan vows to avenge her savage death… or die trying. With a successful career as an attorney living in Portland, Oregon, Jonathan’s life is about to take a turn that nobody could have predicted, especially him. An adventure seeker, he loves his life until a chain of events leaves him reeling and wondering if life as he knows it is on the brink of collapsing. Leaving him hanging in the balances between mayhem and bliss, will he be able to regain his sanity before he’s hurled into the point of no return? Fearing for his life and those close to him, Jonathan finds himself in the crosshairs of someone with their own agenda. Someone determined to turn his life into a living nightmare. But why? Twenty years after Just Jonathan, we find Jonathan Elliott again plagued with nightmares. Still haunted by his past, which he had long since buried, can he overcome his demons and find the love and acceptance he craves to fill a void in his life? Or will he be too late and see his world crashing down around him? | https://a.co/d/iNffG33 |
 | Thriller | Luke’s world is about to be turned upside down when an innocent inquiry unlocks a past he thought he’d left behind, buried in the depths of hell. With every step forward, he risks falling deeper into the darkness of his childhood memories. Will Luke be able to rise above the shadows? Or will they bury him in the rubble of his past? Throughout his childhood, Luke was an outcast; alone and unloved, spending years struggling to survive. Just as he’s on the verge of breaking free, he has a hunch his mother Jane is keeping a secret that could shatter everything he’s worked so hard to overcome. Filled with doubts but hopeful that he can escape his past, Luke embarks on a journey, searching for the happiness he has been denied. Fiercely determined to exorcise his demons, can Luke face the truth without losing himself as he fights for his freedom? Or will the past destroy him for good? Black Sheep is a story of perseverance, resilience, optimism in the midst of adversity, buried secrets, and a man’s fight to escape his haunted childhood memories. |
Author Bio
 | Donna Scuvotti is retired and lives in Northern California with her husband of twenty-five years, there dogs and a very dog savvy cat. She enjoys spending time with her family and taking her lab, golden retriever and weimaraner to the park, on walks or to her happy place, the beach. Just Jonathan is her debut novel but a sequel, Deadly Vendetta will be released fall 2022. At the present time she is busy working on her third novel with a release date yet to be determined. When not writing, her passions are reading, animal rescue and traveling. She is looking forward to many more adventures in the near future. |
Donna’s Socials
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Thanks so much for hanging out with Donna and me. I’ll be back soon to share a new Indie Author Chat on March 15th, to drop a recipe, or to bring you updates about the Marnie Reilly Mysteries series.
Take care and see you next time!👋
Great interview! I love learning about how and where authors find their inspiration. (And I’d also like to visit Hogwarts!) 😀
Thanks, Tracy. Stay tuned for JBC and Ghost Writer on March 15th.