“So how do you come up with book titles? And how much say do you have about the final title and cover art?” These are questions that often come up at author events. Generally, when you’re under contract with a traditional publisher, they have the final say on the cover art, cover copy and the … Continue reading
I don’t know what I’d do without my sisters. I have have only one sister by birth. (My mom having birthed both of us). Pam ranks right up there with the best of siblings, and even hawks my books to her friends and colleagues. I’m also lucky to have some amazing Sisters in Crime—some I’ve … Continue reading
It’s that time of year when “yard sale” and “garage sale” signs are a common sight. One man’s junk is another’s treasure, and I’ve bought my share of both junk and treasure over the years. We all have knickknacks and odd items scattered in our homes, neither beautiful nor particularly useful, which guests could never … Continue reading
I’m wrapping up my “Sofa-Surfing Book Tour” for One Fete in the Grave, the latest in the Liv & Di in Dixie mystery series. First thing in the morning, hubs and I hit the road heading home to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The trip has taken us southward through Chicago and St. Louis to Memphis, road-tripping … Continue reading
I get asked this question and related questions —Why did you become a mystery writer? How did you end up being a mystery writer? — quite a bit. The short answer is that it’s cool, frustrating, exhilarating and infuriating in turns, and sometimes all at the same time. But since I was always better at … Continue reading
Tomorrow I’ll get on a plane, like many other authors and fans, and make the annual pilgrimage to Bethesda, Maryland for Malice Domestic, which celebrates cozy mysteries. I have exactly 463 things on my to-do list to accomplish before then. I have important stuff I need to do, like write five times my usual daily … Continue reading
So, here’s a conversation I had recently with my main character, party planner Liv McKay. (WARNING: Making sausage can be hard to watch. Some of you may enjoy the books more if you’re blissfully unaware of the author’s process). Me: The writing is going painfully slow. Why are you not talking to me? Liv: Do … Continue reading
