I’m a Baby Boomer, I admit it. Born in 1956 with two older brothers to influence me, I fall squarely within the generation of Captain Kangaroo, Hula Hoops and Slinkies, Sputnik, the Sears Catalogue, JFK, Scholastic Book Fairs, and long-play record albums (aka LPs). my childhood lunchbox The digital age arrived when I was in my late twenties—I was 28 when Apple released its first … Continue reading An Analog Gal
Writing is a lot of hard work, but sometimes luck plays a part in our success too. What are some lucky breaks you’ve caught as an author? Maybe it was in the writing, or inspiration, or on your path to publication. Perhaps it affected your sales after the fact. Tell us about one of your unexpected wins. Readers, please share your lucky breaks with us … Continue reading Chick Chat: What’s luck got to do with it?
Lisa here, chirping the happy news that fabulous author and Chicks close friend Diane Vallere is our guest today! Not only is Diane here to tell us about her latest Madison Night mystery, My Nightmare is Yours, but she’s offering insights into how she discovers new books! Continue reading Guest Chick: Diane Vallere
Lisa here, breathless after a whirlwind library tour. Well, maybe that’s a wee bit of hyperbole, but here’s her report from 3 bookish events—and 2 very different New England libraries… Continue reading A Tale of Two Libraries
June is wedding month — and I have thoughts! But first things first: In honor of the most popular month for weddings (allegedly) I’m doing my very first sale! The ebook of TERROR IN TAFFETA — book one in the Destination Wedding Mysteries — is on sale through Sunday for only $0.99. So, exciting news: Next week, I’m going to a destination wedding! Kind of … Continue reading Wedding Season, but make it cozy
Leslie Karst here, pleased to welcome the marvelous Ellie Alexander to the coop, to talk about the benefits of boredom–something we could all perhaps use a little bit more of. And she’s giving away a copy of her new mystery, A VERY NOVEL MURDER, to one lucky commenter! The Beauty of Boredom When we think about what sparks creativity, a long list might come to … Continue reading Guest Chick: Ellie Alexander
Newsroom controversies can arise in unexpected places. For instance, the Oxford comma, sometimes referred to as the Harvard comma, is a coma placed after the penultimate term in a list (just before the conjunction) when writing out three or more terms. For example, a list of three countries might be punctuated with the Oxford comma as “France, Spain, and Italy.” The Oxford comma, or Harvard … Continue reading The case of the Oxford comma
I was on a panel the other day and had to answer a question about deliberateness—that is, do I insert particular messages and themes? I answered that I’m an organic writer, but upon reflection, I do incorporate intentional elements: family, community, justice, self-discovery… And now as I’m working on my current draft, I’ve been more mindful about word choice and contemporary issues—not to the extent … Continue reading Practicing Mindfulness
Congratulations to Mary Garback and Sally Fortney, winners in this week’s giveaway! Marla here! Leslie and I ran into the awesome Carmela Dutra at Left Coast Crime this year, and as Chicks, we couldn’t help but notice her adorable chicken-themed swag. So of course we invited her to come visit the blog! Carmela’s Food Truck Mysteries feature twins who run the “Kluckin’ Good” food truck. … Continue reading “Twins, Fried Chicken, and a Lifetime of Mysteries” — by Guest Chick Carmela Dutra (Giveaway!)
Help the Chicks celebrate book release day twins Ellen Byron and Patricia Sargeant (writing as Olivia Matthews). Continue reading Book Release Day Twins
When I created Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop, the setting and premise for my Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, I thought I was being so creative. I mean, who ever heard of a shop like that existing in the real world, right? Well, guess what. Not only do they exist, there are least two of them. One in New Orleans – where my series is … Continue reading A Real-Life Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop
Marla, here, introducing my wonderful friend Cindy Brown. I’ve known Cindy since my first Left Coast Crime back in [mumble mumble]. You may know Cindy from her delightful Ivy Meadows Mysteries, set in the world of theatre, or her “Slightly Silly News,” but Cindy’s new book takes on a more serious tone and I can’t wait to read it! Today, she’s talking to you, dear … Continue reading “The Magical Power of Being a Reader” — by Guest Chick Cindy Brown (Giveaway!)
Chicks on the Case 