Meet Christina Estes | Author & Reporter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Estes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
As a child, I loved reading and dreamed of writing books. When I got older, I gravitated toward reporting because it seemed like a more practical way to combine my passion for reading and writing. Two mystery authors got me thinking seriously about writing a novel: J.A. Jance’s Ali Reynolds series, set in northern Arizona, planted the seed and Hank Phillippi Ryan’s Jane Ryland series, featuring a Boston reporter, helped it grow.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I’m a reporter writing about a reporter. After more than twenty years of reporting for different Phoenix TV and radio stations, I’m excited to highlight the profession and the city.

My mystery, OFF THE AIR, features a Phoenix TV reporter investigating the suspicious death of a controversial radio talk show host. It is fiction but many scenes will ring true to local journalists. Plus, there are real Phoenix landmarks and businesses mentioned, including one of my favorite snacks – Food City chips and salsa!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Let’s be clear upfront: no one is relying on me to create a week-long itinerary. I can stay home with a book practically every day. But I do have favorite food spots and bookstores. Here are a few:

Long Wong’s at 28th Street and Thomas in Phoenix. Get the wings extra crispy and potato skins. You’re welcome!

Haji-Baba in Tempe for hummus and gyros.

I’m on an endless quest for the best no-frills place serving carne asada fries. If you want a fancier version, try Richardson’s in Phoenix for Happy Hour.

Mi Patio in Phoenix for spinach enchiladas. This is a sentimental pick because it was the first restaurant I visited when I moved here.

Welcome Diner in Phoenix for chicken biscuits.

Miracle Mile Deli in Phoenix for The Straw sandwich, loaded with pastrami, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut.

My favorite bookstores are The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale and Changing Hands in Phoenix. The Pen is located in Old Town Scottsdale, surrounded by restaurants, and within walking distance of the Arts District. The Pen’s owner, Barbara Peters, has been incredibly supportive of my work, along with countless other authors. Changing Hands is located at The Newton, an adaptive reuse project that repurposed the historic Beef Eaters restaurant in central Phoenix. Changing Hands has the First Draft Book Bar and beautiful community space to visit with friends – both literary and real life ones.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I have so many shoutouts! From bookmobile drivers and librarians who supported my childhood reading to authors Kellye Garrett and Mia P. Manansala who generously read an early draft of OFF THE AIR and provided encouragement that kept me writing.

Sisters in Crime is a valuable writing organization with two local chapters, Desert Sleuths and Grand Canyon Writers, that offer conferences and presentations that have helped me grow.

And, of course, Phoenix! It wasn’t until after I had written OFF THE AIR that I realized it’s a love letter to my hometown.

Website: www.christinaestes.com

Instagram: @reporterestes

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-estes/

Twitter: @reporterestes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaEstesAuthor

Other: Join the News Crew to get the scoop first about local places mentioned in OFF THE AIR. https://www.christinaestes.com/joinnewscrew