Nevada writer celebrates third novel

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Nevada native Tracy Comstock has completed her third novel, "Murder Takes Center Stage," which is scheduled to be released in October.

"I have always wanted to be an author," Comstock said.

Comstock, 38, was born and raised in Nevada. She is the daughter of Dan and Kathy Coffman.

She said that while growing up, her family was always involved in school and church. Comstock was part of Rhinehart Christian Church youth group. In high school, she participated in choir, drama, and cheerleading. She was a member of Future Teachers of America for four years and graduated as valedictorian in 1996.

In 1997, she married Jason Comstock, and together they have two boys, Garrett, 11, and Trevyn, 7.

"It was my middle school and high school teachers who inspired me to teach English: Mary Reinert, Carol Swinderman, Patsy McCullough, Richard Daut and Ranea Schulze," Comstock said. "Every single one of them had a huge impact on what I write."

Comstock credits much of her success to each of her teachers for exposing her to different styles of writing.

Comstock is a career educator having received her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with an emphasis in English from Missouri State University in 1999.

Comstock taught high school English in the Joplin area before her family moved back to Vernon County where she continued her teaching career.

Comstock completed her Master of Arts degree in English at Pittsburg State University in 2013. While at PSU, she focused on studying American and British literature.

After finishing graduate school, Comstock is now in her third year as an adjunct instructor with PSU and teaches dual-enrollment classes at Frontenac (Kan.) High School.

"I wrote my first extended short story in the fourth grade, and I was hooked," Comstock said.

Comstock explained that much of her inspiration comes from Charlotte Bronte, William Faulkner, Carolyn Hart, and Jane Austen. She took creative writing courses while studying at PSU and has had her work published in the Cow Creek Review, a PSU publication featuring student's writing.

In 2014, she entered a writing contest sponsored by Gemma Halliday Publishing.

"I was lucky enough to end up with a publishing contract even though I didn't win."

Comstock said that when she didn't win, she contacted Gemma Halliday Publishing to get her score as the rules of the contest allowed. Her score was not available because her entry had been pulled from the submissions and given directly to Gemma Halliday.

"Signing that contract was a dream come true! It was all new and exciting -- the writing, the revising, the editing, the cover art, the marketing."

Comstock said she had to learn to juggle her writing with her career and family.

"Although not always ideal, it's a fact of life," she said. "My writing often has to be done late at night. But thankfully, my husband and boys are very supportive and give me space and quiet to write when it's absolutely necessary."

It took her just under a year to finish her book and for it to be published.

"Holding that finished book in my hands was an amazing feeling. Seeing the support of my family, friends, students, and community meant the world to me."

"I read voraciously to help me grow as an author," she said. "I read extensively both in and outside of my genre, cozy mystery."

After the Oct. 4 release of her third book, "Murder Takes The Stage," Comstock said she is planning a break from her Schooled in Murder series to pursue another writing project but would not disclose details yet.