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?

Leslie KarstOctober 9, 2026October 8, 202629 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.

Lisa Q. MathewsOctober 7, 2026October 5, 202619 Comments

Cynthia Kuhn

And now what?

“Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!” ~ Through the Looking-Glass It’s been so busy and chaotic lately for many of us…feels like everything takes more effort than before for a variety of reasons. And trying to … Continue reading And now what?

Cynthia KuhnOctober 5, 2026October 5, 202632 Comments

Patricia Sargeant

Bore Me

“[T]he monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.” This quote is attributed to Albert Einstein. Continue reading Bore Me

patriciasargeantOctober 2, 2026October 2, 202626 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Kim Harrington

Today, on Chicks: Fabulous guest Kim Harrington, whose debut cozy A KILLER FOR CHRISTMAS is sure to sleigh this holiday season. Take it away, Kim! Continue reading Guest Chick: Kim Harrington

Chicks on the CaseSeptember 30, 2026September 30, 202629 Comments

Leslie Karst

Leslie’s in France!

Bonjour à tous de France! Yes, I’m currently walking and eating my way around beautiful France with my sister, Laura. We’ve talked about taking this trip for years, and since we were both celebrating BIG birthdays this September (65 and 70; I’ll let you guess whose birthday is whose), we thought this was finally the time to go. Our trip in France started with Paris, … Continue reading Leslie’s in France!

Leslie KarstSeptember 28, 2026September 28, 202627 Comments

Chick Chat

Chick Chat: Written in the stars?

Whether you think astrology is just for fun or you have a fully mapped-out chart with your houses and your rising sign, you probably have an opinion about your astrological sign and what it represents. So are we our zodiac signs? Read what the Chicks have to say, and tell us your answer in the comments below! Lisa Q. Mathews As a baby editor, I … Continue reading Chick Chat: Written in the stars?

Chicks on the CaseSeptember 25, 2026September 25, 202645 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Kim Davis

Leslie here, pleased to welcome the marvelous Kim Davis to the coop, with a look at the not-so-fictional town where her Aromatherapy Apothecary mysteries are set. And she’s giving away a copy of the newest in the series, Essentials of Homicide to one lucky commenter! So, take it away, Kim: [The winner of Essentials of Homicide is cherierj. Congrats!] Thank you, Leslie, and all the … Continue reading Guest Chick: Kim Davis

Leslie KarstSeptember 23, 2026September 24, 202643 Comments

Lisa Q. Mathews, Mysteries

Merrily We Roll Along

Lisa here, with an updated version of a post I wrote 6 years ago about the publishing world and its relationship with ever-evolving and “improving” tech. GRWM (Get Ready with Me) and see How it Started/ How It’s Going … Continue reading Merrily We Roll Along

Lisa Q. MathewsSeptember 21, 2026September 20, 202622 Comments

Marla Cooper, Mysteries

The Cozy is Coming From Inside the House

Tuesday September 15 was National Cozy Mystery Day, AKA Agatha Christie’s birthday. Ever want to write a cozy but think all the good ideas are already taken? Just look around your house for craft projects, pet items, and unusual collections. Turns out inspiration is everywhere! Just for fun, I challenged myself to come up with five cozy mystery ideas from things currently in my h0use … Continue reading The Cozy is Coming From Inside the House

Marla CooperSeptember 18, 2026September 18, 202629 Comments

Mysteries

Three Things I Learned from Publishing Three Books in Three Years — by Guest “Chick” Greg Rhyno

Marla, here, welcoming author Greg Rhyno to the blog! Greg’s giving away a copy of Who By His Own Hand to one lucky reader, so read on and comment by midnight on Friday, September 18, for your chance to win. Take it away, Greg! In March of 2022, I had a dentist appointment. After the hygienist hacked away at the plaque and tickled my teeth … Continue reading Three Things I Learned from Publishing Three Books in Three Years — by Guest “Chick” Greg Rhyno

Chicks on the CaseSeptember 16, 2026September 3, 202620 Comments

Vickie Fee

Line cooks and Titans and Bobby, oh my!

Hubs recently told an acquaintance of ours that I’m a Bobby Flay groupie. I’ll admit to being a fan. I even think he’s cute. But that’s not the same as being a groupie. I’ll also admit that I watch many of his shows. I’m especially fond of Triple Threat and Beat Bobby Flay. If you haven’t watched the shows, you won’t know that they’re more … Continue reading Line cooks and Titans and Bobby, oh my!