Mysteries

Chick Chat – How do you get into character?

Leaning into the Halloween theme, let’s talk about putting on our costumes — or rather, getting into character. How do authors develop their protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters? Do we channel our characters or leave the sculpting to our Muses? And how relatable do readers want their protagonists to be? Do we want characters who could live next door or would we prefer to meet … Continue reading Chick Chat – How do you get into character?

Unknown's avatarpatriciasargeant28 Comments
Guest Post, Mysteries

Guest Chicks: Judy Penz Sheluk and Amanda Capper

We always love having Chicks friend Judy Penz Sheluk join us. Today, she brings a co-author… and shares how they planned for the release of their fascinating new book. Planning a Book Launch Today is a special day for me, and not just because I’m returning as a guest on the Chicks. It’s special because today is publication day for my latest book, A Fatal … Continue reading Guest Chicks: Judy Penz Sheluk and Amanda Capper

Unknown's avatarEllen Byron24 Comments
Lisa Q. Mathews

The Great Pumpkin Lives!

For Linus of Peanuts fame, Halloween was all about the pumpkins—and unshakable faith in one in particular. Would you, too, wait through the night in a worthy patch for the mysterious Great Pumpkin’s annual return? Or go for the candy? It’s said that Jack of lantern fame was once a real person who made a bad deal with the devil. He ended up forever doomed … Continue reading The Great Pumpkin Lives!

Unknown's avatarLisa Q. Mathews30 Comments
Marla Cooper

An Author’s Guide to Halloween Costumes

It’s October, and instead of regaling you with another love letter to the Spooky Season (“We know, we know, you love Halloween!”) I’m going to make a confession. I low-key suck at Halloween costumes. Maybe if I had an awesome Halloween party to attend, I would up my game. Or maybe if I had kiddos to take trick-or-treating, I would try planning ahead. But I’m … Continue reading An Author’s Guide to Halloween Costumes

Unknown's avatarMarla Cooper25 Comments
Guest Post, Mysteries

Guest Chick: J.C. Kenney

We are delighted to be hosting our dear friend and colleague J.C. Kenney, award-winning and bestselling author of the North Star Series, Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, Allie Cobb Mysteries, and Elmo Simpson Mysteries!   A Big Thank You Hi, folks and Happy Hump Day! It’s a thrill to be back visiting with the Chicks and you all today. As you may know, I’m celebrating the release … Continue reading Guest Chick: J.C. Kenney

Unknown's avatarChicks on the Case33 Comments
Book Birthday, Leslie Karst

Paperback Release of MURDER, LOCAL STYLE!

Happy book birthday to Leslie Karst, whose Orchid Isle mystery, MURDER, LOCAL STYLE, releases today as a PAPERBACK–hurrah!      About Murder, Local Style:  Retired caterer Valerie Corbin investigates a suspicious poisoning in this Orchid Isle cozy culinary mystery, featuring a feisty queer couple who swap surfing lessons for sleuthing sessions in tropical Hilo, Hawai‘i. A dinner to die for! It’s been an eventful transition, … Continue reading Paperback Release of MURDER, LOCAL STYLE!

Unknown's avatarChicks on the Case11 Comments
Mysteries

New Agatha Christie: Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel

Apologies to Ellen Byron, I accidentally scheduled this post a week early and it published right after hers! Let’s try this again on the right date, today, October 19th. Murders at the Grand Alpine Hotel, is a new Miss Marple mystery by celebrated mystery author Lucy Foley. Murders at the Grand Alpine Hotel is set at a glamorous retreat in the Swiss Alps with an … Continue reading New Agatha Christie: Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel

Unknown's avatarVickie Fee24 Comments
Jennifer. J. Chow

Pumpkin, Spice, and Everything Nice

I’m not big on ghouls and goblins, but for some reason, when this season comes around, I always fall for the pumpkin marketing. I blame it on my friend Lisa (not our Chicks Lisa), who taught me how to make pumpkin bread in elementary school. Mmm. Ever since then, I have a soft spot for all things pumpkin-y. My seasonal decadent indulgence is a slice … Continue reading Pumpkin, Spice, and Everything Nice

Unknown's avatarJennifer J. Chow30 Comments
Ellen Byron, Mysteries

A Brontë Pilgrimage

A couple of weeks ago, I lived my dream of visiting the Brontë Parsonage and walking the moors Emily, Charlotte, and Anne walked. It almost didn’t happen. Visiting this sacred literary site has always been number one on my bucket list. I finally got a trip to England on the books, with a weekend in Haworth (home to the Brontës) sandwiched between days in London. … Continue reading A Brontë Pilgrimage

Unknown's avatarEllen Byron30 Comments
Chick Chat

CHICK CHAT: What Was the First Serious Writing Project We Ever Completed?

All writers have a starting place–the first time they set down words on paper (or screen) with the intent to have it become an original finished “piece.” So the question we’re asking today is, what was the first serious (and we can each be the judge of what “serious” means) writing project that we ever actually completed? Lisa Q. Mathews I’m not exactly sure we … Continue reading CHICK CHAT: What Was the First Serious Writing Project We Ever Completed?

Unknown's avatarLeslie Karst32 Comments
Guest Post, Mysteries

Guest Chick: Thomas A.Burns, Jr.

Lisa here, delighted to welcome Chicks’ good friend and distinguished author Thomas A. Burns, Jr. (Tom to us!) to the blog today. Sherlock Holmes fans, you’re in for a treat as Tom introduces his latest Holmes pastiche, SHERLOCK HOLMES IS…THE WIZARD OF MONTAGUE STREET, and shines a lantern on the mysteries of the Great Detective’s early days. Continue reading Guest Chick: Thomas A.Burns, Jr.

Unknown's avatarLisa Q. Mathews19 Comments