Do Giveaways Really Work?

I have a love-hate relationship with giveaways. I’m a sucker for raffles and the possibility of winning prizes. I’ve entered my share of contests at in-person local events. Never won a single thing. True story: At one event, there was nobody clamoring after this particular salt and pepper shaker. I placed *two* raffle tickets into the box. At the last minute, someone entered their single … Continue reading Do Giveaways Really Work?

Your Book is Making Me Hungry

Dear Authors, While I appreciate you putting mouth-watering food descriptions in your books, I also charge you with making me hungry. Your excellent sensory prose has led to the revival of my sweet tooth, much snacking, and procrasti-baking. My evidence? Exhibit A: Pecan Pralines. I made these after reading Ellen’s Fatal Cajun Festival. Exhibit B: Cinnamon Rolls. These pastries aren’t even typically served at the … Continue reading Your Book is Making Me Hungry

What Should I Do with All These Books?

Okay, this is definitely a book lover’s dilemma. My TBR pile keeps growing perilously taller. Death by falling books is just waiting to happen. Having a (literal?) ton of books means that I keep upgrading to bigger bookcases. Unfortunately, during this timespan, my home has not expanded. I also house books in this ornate wooden trunk my mom gave to me. Side note: She used … Continue reading What Should I Do with All These Books?

Zoom Shirts & Other Fashion Accessories

I’m in Book Release Week for the second installment in the Sassy Cat Mystery Series. (Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines came out last Tuesday on November 10th.) Understandably, all my events are online. So, of course, the burning question on my mind is: What should I wear? I read some recent articles about Zoom shirts. People actually have go-to tops for their e-ppearances (thanks … Continue reading Zoom Shirts & Other Fashion Accessories

Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines launches TODAY!

Happy book birthday to me! This is the second book in my Sassy Cat Mystery Series, and I’m really excited about the wonderful cover. Look at those two cute cats! Plus, it’s even captured the amazing beach vibe. I’m excited to participate in a Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour this time around. Today, I’ll also be on the Writers Who Kill blog and on Writer’s … Continue reading Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines launches TODAY!

The Art of the Elusive Comp

Writing comp titles really is an art form. Boiling a story down to “when x meets y” requires a lot of skill. Some tips I’ve heard before are: Nix the bestselling titles (a.k.a. Please don’t think you’re John Grisham) Try to use semi-current works Use ones in a similar genre (some folks recommend using just books, while others are okay with references to short stories … Continue reading The Art of the Elusive Comp

Changing my Reading Habits

If you are what you read, then I’d be a mishmash of different personalities: mysterious, quirky, lovestruck, creepy, and even superheroic. I’ve always enjoyed escaping into books, and I’ve done that even more during these pandemic times. My go-to genres are young adult (mainly dystopian), buzzy books on the New York Times bestseller list, and mysteries of all flavors. I like chasing down a good … Continue reading Changing my Reading Habits

Chicks R Us

Have you ever experienced that phenomenon where you suddenly start seeing the same thing everywhere? When I first got engaged, I saw sparkling rings on people’s hands all the time. When I was pregnant, I noticed that a lot of people around me were also preggers. Now, after becoming a Chick, I’ve been seeing chickens all around me—uh, okay, I mean chick-themed items in my … Continue reading Chicks R Us

Turning into a Lockdown Butterfly

From my new Chick interview, you might remember that my relationship with my husband followed the frenemies-to-lovers trope. It really did remind me of Pride and Prejudice when we first met in college. He’s since confessed that he thought I was a total social butterfly (and not in a good way). Yes, I was that girl who had to “pencil you in” on her planner. … Continue reading Turning into a Lockdown Butterfly