I remember the very first author I friended on Facebook. It was Jess Lourey. I met her at Murder and Mayhem in Milwaukee, where she had appeared on a panel. After the session, I worked up the courage to speak to her. I told her I’d just signed a book deal and that my first book would be coming out in a little over a … Continue reading Depending on the kindness of authors—and other strangers
How do you unwind in order to get a good night’s sleep? If you said reading, you may not enjoy the same kind of books as I do. I read mysteries—cozies, traditional, police procedurals, suspense, thrillers—all of which keep me up reading way past my bed time. And don’t tell me to give up coffee. I’ll admit to being a caffeine addict. I’ve given up trying … Continue reading Falling Fast Asleep with Slow TV
In my new release, TIL DEATH DO US PARTY (the one with the pink cover), Liv and Di are in Las Vegas for Mama and Earl’s wedding and have to find the killer of an Elvis impersonator to get an aspiring Elvis impersonator, Liv’s cousin, off the hook for the murder. Meanwhile back in Dixie, Liv’s assistant is wrangling plus-size Elvis costumes for a problem-plagued Elvis-themed … Continue reading Me and Elvis
We have a lot to celebrate this week, starting with the release of Vickie Fee’s latest book, Til Death Do Us Party. This is book 4 in the Liv & Di in Dixie series, and we couldn’t be more excited! Check out the series, grab yourself a copy of the book, and join the whole Chick gang on Thursday for an online launch party. (Here’s … Continue reading Now Available: Til Death Do Us Party
Asking an author to pick her favorite book is a bit like asking a mom to pick her favorite child. An exception to the rule is my mother, because I’m obviously her favorite—but don’t get my sister and brother started on that one. Another exception is the fourth book in my Liv & Di in Dixie cozy series, TIL DEATH DO US PARTY, which comes … Continue reading 5 Reasons New Book Was a Blast to Write
Today is Valentine’s Day—and Ash Wednesday. Kind of an odd mash-up of things that don’t really match. The day we kick-off forty days of fasting and remember we are dust and unto dust we shall return combined with the day we normally celebrate romance, go out to dinner and binge on candy. (For the record, the last time Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day collided was … Continue reading Celebrating VaLENTine’s Day
Most of you may not know (or care), but tomorrow is a banner day for mostly made-up days to celebrate! Here’s a rundown: Tomorrow (January 18) is National Thesaurus Day! Pick a word, any word. It’s National Peking Duck Day! Get Chinese take-out for dinner. It’s National Michigan Day! Raise your hand if you live on the mitten (or above the mitten in the Upper … Continue reading Coffee Day, No Housework Day — What’s On Your Calendar?
Like many people I start each January with a list of resolutions of all the things I’m going to accomplish during this calendar year. You know the list – ambitious, optimistic, unrealistic goals. Most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions by March and have forgotten all about them by April. Not me. I stop actively pursuing those goals by March, but I … Continue reading All the things I’m (not) going to get done in November
In her guest post on the Chicks last week, talented author Julie Hennrikus shared some insights about moving past our fears. She posed a question that got me thinking. Do we push ourselves on a regular basis to do things we didn’t think we could do? I’m not as brave as my protagonist Liv McKay, who plans killer parties while tracking down murderers. And I’m … Continue reading Fun, Fearless Scribe?
“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 title, as well as a host of other things. But … Continue reading Mastering the Art of the Title
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 met online and at Malice Domestic conferences. And I’m doubly … Continue reading Sister Act
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 guess the true value of. My brother bought this cut-glass … Continue reading Priceless Junk
Chicks on the Case 