As we approach the second annual Book Club Blast, MinnPost has invited participating authors to answer a few questions about their writing and inspiration. Responses from our Keynote Speaker, Speed-Chatters, and Meet & Minglers will be published over the next two weeks. To meet this remarkable lineup of Minnesota authors, register here and reserve your spot at the Book Club Blast.

Ellen Hart

MinnPost: Tell us about your recent and upcoming book releases.
Ellen Hart: My most recent mystery, "The Cruel Ever After," was published in December of 2010. I just turned in my 27th book to my editor in New York -- "The Lost Women of Lost Lake," which will be published in the fall of 2011. Since I've been writing for over 20 years, many of my older novels are out of print. Bella Books, in Florida, has been steadily re-releasing them. The newest from Bella is "Wicked Games." "Hunting the Witch" will be released in February of 2011.

MP: Which authors have been the strongest influences on your own writing?
EH: I think that the suthors I love -- the ones that helped me become a reader -- are also the books that inspired me to become a writer. Authors such as Margaret Atwood, Gore Vidal, Anita Shreve, Michael Cunningham, Marilyn French, Donna Tartt, Christopher Hitchens, Kurt Vonnegut, and on and on. The authors with the most impact on my actual writing are Dennis Lehane, P.D. James and Michael Nava. Favorite novels: "The Secret History," "Gone, Baby, Gone," "The Hours," "Too Late the Phalarope," "The Time Traveler's Wife," "Testament of Youth," "Julian," "The Robber Bride." I also read a lot of poetry, nonfiction, memoir, history, science, etc.

MP: What do you like most about living in Minnesota?
EH: Minnesota is a great state to live in if you're a writer. Not only do we have a strong state book award, but we have wonderful libraries and bookstores, book events for every kind of reader and a literate population that actually loves to read.