The “Throw Spaghetti at the Wall and Hope Something Sticks” Approach to Marketing

Through the years since my first mystery was published in 2015, I’ve developed a finely honed approach to marketing my books, something we are all tasked with these days. Let me bullet-point my approach for you: Yup. That’s it. One poor, lonely bullet point. Like all authors, I’ve blogged, guested on podcasts, and done in-person and virtual appearances at bookstores. My overall goal is to … Continue reading The “Throw Spaghetti at the Wall and Hope Something Sticks” Approach to Marketing

Ellen ByronJune 24, 2024June 22, 202440 Comments

Ellen Byron

When one road closes…

This spring, the rains washed out Mulholland Drive in several spots, forcing its closure for repairs. The opportunity this presented didn’t occur to me until I was making plans to meet up with friend and fellow author Nadine Nettman, who lives wonderfully close to me. She suggested we rendezvous on the closed stretch of Mulholland for a walk. Which we did. Los Angeles is blessed … Continue reading When one road closes…

Ellen ByronMay 20, 2024May 20, 202442 Comments

Ellen Byron

5 Handy-Dandy Travel Gadgets

Over the last few years, I’ve found myself on the road or in the air a lot for various professional and personal reasons. Since March, I’ve been in Wisconsin, Phoenix, New York, and Seattle. I leave a week from Thursday for Maryland and Malice Domestic. Given how stressful traveling can be, I’m always on the hunt for gadgets that will the journey make easier. Since … Continue reading 5 Handy-Dandy Travel Gadgets

Ellen ByronApril 15, 2024April 10, 202439 Comments

Behind the Book, Ellen Byron

Behind the Book: The Witless Protection Program

NOTE: I’ll be at Left Coast Crime when this publishes, so my response to comments will be slow today. Bear with me! When I finished the draft for The Witless Protection Program, I wrote to my agent, “This is a screenplay masquerading as a book.” I’m a very visual person. I don’t know if it’s because of my years writing theatre and TV but I … Continue reading Behind the Book: The Witless Protection Program

Ellen ByronApril 12, 2024April 7, 202420 Comments

Ellen Byron, Mysteries

Happy Book Birthday to THE WITLESS PROTECTION PROGRAM!

Yippee, it’s release day for The Witless Protection Program, the 5th book in “Maria DiRico’s” Catering Hall Mysteries. For readers wondering if Mia Carina’s philandering, presumed dead husband Adam Grosso would ever make an appearance in the series, this is your lucky day. And he couldn’t be showing up at a worse time for Mia! “An incredible cast of characters, starting with our lead, Mia … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday to THE WITLESS PROTECTION PROGRAM!

Ellen ByronMarch 26, 2024February 20, 202425 Comments

Ellen Byron

A L’il Help From the Hive Mind

2024 came in like a battering ram for me. As many of you know, my mother died on January 3rd, the day after her 97th birthday. Despite her age, her death was unexpected and up-ended my life a bit. Okay, a lot. I haven’t even had time to grieve, to be honest. I’m guessing that will come at the end of March when I’m staring … Continue reading A L’il Help From the Hive Mind

Ellen ByronMarch 11, 2024March 7, 202426 Comments

Ellen Byron

Purging the Past.

Hi, Ellen here. See all the vintage cookbooks lining the top two shelves of one of our many bookshelves? Here’s what used to occupy them… You’ll notice the bags and boxes are filled with nothing but scripts. Scripts from forty-plus years ago. They were once so important to me that they made the journey across the country when I moved from New York to Los … Continue reading Purging the Past.

Ellen ByronFebruary 5, 2024February 1, 202440 Comments

Ellen Byron

A cover reveal and a change of heart.

A few years ago, my cousin Marie and I met up for lunch at some trendy Manhattan restaurant. I don’t remember what we were talking about, but she suddenly went, “You’re a Californian.” My jaw dropped. I was appalled. I quickly corrected her. “No, no, no. I’m a New Yorker who lives in California.” I’m sure my instant reaction comes as no surprise. New York’s … Continue reading A cover reveal and a change of heart.

Ellen ByronNovember 27, 2023November 22, 202330 Comments

Mysteries

And the winner for Best Halloween City is…

Okay, this is a gimme. It’s New Orleans, of course! NOLA never met a holiday it didn’t celebrate on steroids and given its boast that it’s the most haunted city in America, Halloween is particularly popular with those who love to decorate. I’ve spent the last three years here in the Big Easy around Halloween time. I’m that very rare kid who dreaded Halloween growing … Continue reading And the winner for Best Halloween City is…

Ellen ByronOctober 23, 2023October 18, 202328 Comments

Ellen Byron

Back from Bouchercon – All the Pix and Feels

I’ve been back from Bouchercon for two weeks and you’ve probably seen a million pix by now, including some of mine. But… I feel a need to share. I haven’t been to a Bouchercon since 2016. I was all set to go to B’con in New Orleans in 2021 – and I actually did go, even though it was cancelled. My daughter was in college … Continue reading Back from Bouchercon – All the Pix and Feels

Ellen ByronSeptember 18, 2023September 18, 202352 Comments

Ellen Byron

Throwing Promo Spaghetti at the Wall

I semi-joke that I currently have two titles: Ellen Byron, Author and Marketing Director for Ellen Byron, Author. I’m thinking all authors these days can relate to this. Under the guise of my second title, I came up with what I consider a brilliant marketing idea: First Book Fridays. Readers like to start with the first book in a series and since I have three … Continue reading Throwing Promo Spaghetti at the Wall

Ellen ByronAugust 14, 2023August 14, 202338 Comments

Ellen Byron

Hambones gotta hambone.

It’s sum-sum-summertime and you know what that means. Family vacays! Growing up, that meant loading up the family station wagon and leaving at 2 or 3 a.m. (my favorite part of every trip) so we’d avoid traffic and start our trip with a full day of activities. I saw the sun rise over many East Coast states. In my family, summer vacation also meant trudging … Continue reading Hambones gotta hambone.

Ellen ByronJuly 10, 2023July 7, 202329 Comments