Interview with Pamela Samuels Young, Author of Abuse of Discretion

Pamela Samuels Young has always abided by the philosophy that you create the change you want to see. She set giant-sized goals and used her talent, tenacity and positive outlook to accomplish them. Pamela consequently achieved success in both the corporate arena and literary world simultaneously.

An author, attorney and motivational speaker, Pamela spent fifteen years as Managing Counsel for Toyota, specializing in labor and employment law. While still practicing law, Pamela began moonlighting as a mystery writer because of the absence of women and people of color depicted in the legal thrillers she read. She is now an award-winning author of multiple legal thrillers, including Anybody’s Daughter, which won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Fiction, and her new release, Abuse of Discretion, a shocking look at the juvenile justice system in the context of a troubling teen sexting case.

Prior to her legal career, spent several years as a television news writer and associate producer. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from USC and earned a master’s degree in broadcasting from Northwestern University and a law degree from UC Berkeley School of Law. She is a frequent speaker on the topics of teen sexting, child sex trafficking, self-empowerment and fiction writing.

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Did you like mysteries when you were growing up?

No. I was big on romance and literary fiction as a kid. Go figure.

What was the first story in that genre that you wrote?

Every Reasonable Doubt, which is about two lawyers who don’t get along but have to put their differences aside as they jointly defend a socialite accused of murder.

What is your favorite part of writing in this genre?

Surprising the reader. I hate it when I get to the end of a book and I’ve guessed the killer on page fifty.

What do you find most difficult about writing in this genre?

Surprising the reader! LOL. You have to drop enough red herrings along the way, but not too many.

Is there an author in this genre that you admire most?

Mystery writer Tami Hoag. I think she’s amazing and I love everything she’s ever written. I’m serious. As a result of winning an auction bid, I’ll actually be a minor character in her next book. I can’t wait!

What is up next for you?

I’ve just finished my first erotic romance novella under the pen name, Sassy Sinclair. I decided to use a pen name because I didn’t want someone to pick up the book with my name on it and be stunned at the sex scenes. My next mystery, The Perfect Lawyer, will be out Fall 2018.

Do you have anything to add?

Never give up on your dreams. I faced a ton of rejection from the publishing industry, but today, I’m the author of ten books. So no matter what it is you want to do, hang in there. And remember, “Dreams don’t work unless you do!”