Chick Chat: What’s in a title?

When authors are submitting a proposal for a series or for more books in a series, we typically are asked to suggest titles for those books, as well. Sometimes they fly; sometimes they get shot down by the publisher. We think the Chicks have had some pretty cool titles, including The Semester of Our Discontent and Til Death Do Us Party. Ellen’s latest release, Long Island Iced Tina, is a contender for best ever! (Look here for a list of all the Chicks’ books to date.)

But today we reminisce about those titles that didn’t make the cut — or the cover.

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The Moment We First Felt Like a Legit Author

Sometimes it’s hard for us authors to believe we are really, truly…well, authors. What an honor and thrill that the words we tap onto our keyboards magically–or not so magically–become books that other people may read. We Chicks still pinch ourselves sometimes, but here are the moments we realized, Hey, this is real!

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Chick Chat: Why Our Local Libraries Rock!

We all love libraries; that’s a no-brainer, right? I mean c’mon, books. For free. With fabulous librarians who can help with a research question, or provide advise on whose mysteries are most like those by Diane Mott Davidson or Donna Leon. Not only that, but they buy and circulate books written by the CHICKS—wow!

Our Chick Chat question for today, however, is this: What is it about our own local libraries that we most appreciate? What special resources or services do our town’s libraries provide that we want to, er…crow about?

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Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays!

Season’s greetings, beloved readers! We wish you and yours the happiest of happy holiday seasons and a bright New Year. We’ll see you in January – the 4th, to be exact – but thought we’d celebrate the end of a year by revisiting photos from each Chick’s early beginnings – including our newest Chicklet in the nest, Jen! Leslie Karst Ellen Byron Lisa Q. Mathews … Continue reading Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays!

Bouchercon 2020

The Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, which is online this year, is happening this weekend–hope to see you there! We’ll be appearing on the following panels: Not So Secret Lives of Authors: Simon Wood (M), William Kent Krueger, Ellen Byron, Gary Phillips, Catriona McPherson Authors are forged by the things they’ve done… and the things they shouldn’t have done. Drop by the “Not So Secret Lives … Continue reading Bouchercon 2020

Gone to Left Coast Crime 2020

This week, some of the Chicks are attending Left Coast Crime. We’ll be appearing in the following panels, with book signings to follow. We are also looking forward to meeting those of you who signed up for our Author-Reader Connection. If you’re in San Diego at the conference, please say hello! Ellen Byron Fiction Writers are Professional Liars: But Can They Do It to Your … Continue reading Gone to Left Coast Crime 2020

Happy Book Birthday, Vickie!!

The Chicks are thrilled to announce the birth of Vickie Fee’s fabulous new book, My Fair Latte! The delightful page turner is the first in her Cafe Cinema Series and we know you’ll love it. AND join Vickie and all us Chicks tonight as we celebrate the launch with a Facebook party from 7-8 p.m. CST!!   Click here to buy My Fair Latte! To … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday, Vickie!!