I recently saw an ad for an app that helps YouTube pros hunt down and eliminate filler words from their speech. You know…um, uh, well and…you know. As someone whose own dialogue is replete with Valley Girl-isms a là “Like, it’s like, I mean,” this sounded like the app for me. Except for the fact that I’m not a professional YouTuber. I am a … Continue reading My word
The Chicks are so happy to welcome back Liz Milliron, author of the Laurel Highlands Mysteries and the Home Front Mysteries! Editing – It Makes a Difference Thank you Chicks for having me as a guest. It’s great to be back. Harm Not the Earth is the fourth in The Laurel Highlands Mysteries series and it’s been the most…interesting to edit. I am anal about … Continue reading Guest Chick: Liz Milliron
WordPress gremlins at work tonight, I’m afraid. The program sent out a post about Raquel V. Reyes’ upcoming wonderful book, Mango, Mambo, and Murder that isn’t on our schedule until September 8th. I promise you’ll get her post, but on the day it’s supposed to run. And boy, will you enjoy it! So sorry for the confusion. In the meantime, enjoy her gorgeous book cover… … Continue reading Apologies, dear readers!
I believe we should all chase our dreams. But, I’ve come to believe that when your dreams start chasing you, it’s time to stop running. Most of my life I dreamed of being a published author. I’d long had articles regularly published in suburban newspapers ringing Memphis, Tennessee, where I worked the better part of 20 years as a reporter. But I desperately wanted to … Continue reading When dreams chase you
I recently relocated a beloved piece of art from one area of my home to a different and more prime location: my Zoom backdrop. I love the brushwork of the golden calligraphy. The main framed Chinese character means “patience.” Ironically, this trait is what I’ve lately needed in my life. As I reflect on my own writing journey and author’s life, I realize I’ve had … Continue reading The Patient Writer
We are so delighted to welcome back Annette Dashofy, Agatha-Award-nominated author of the Zoe Chambers mysteries! Cats in Fact and Fiction A friend recently asked me if I plan to include horses in all my books. It’s a fair question. In my Zoe Chambers mysteries, Zoe owns a horse and has managed a boarding and training facility in the past. During the last few … Continue reading Guest Chick: Annette Dashofy
It’s the book birthday for CAJUN KISS OF DEATH, the seventh book in our very own Ellen Byron’s Cajun Country Mystery series! The next shot from Cupid’s bow may be fatal in USA Today bestselling, Agatha Award-winning author Ellen Byron’s hearty and delightful seventh Cajun Country mystery. In Pelican, Louisiana, Valentine’s Day has a way of warming the heart, despite the February chill. But the air at … Continue reading Ellen’s Book Birthday: CAJUN KISS OF DEATH
The following statement may make people who know me snort a beverage out their nose, but I’m really uncomfortable promoting my work. The reason for the disbelief on the part of my friends is the blaring, may I say ballsy, “Shameless Shilling Campaign” I create for each of my book releases. Ironically, my discomfort with promotion is the whole reason I created this tongue-in cheek … Continue reading Shameless v. Apologetic
Cozy readers—and especially Chicks on the Case readers—are some of the most creative folks on the planet so we’re asking you to play Chick Pic with us! Give us a couple of sentences … where is this place? What’s the back story? Include a victim, murderer, nosy neighbor, or even innocent suspect. The more ridiculous the better! Each comment can build on the next until … Continue reading Time for a Chick Pic
We’re happy to welcome back Judy Penz Sheluk, who offers invaluable insight into how stories are chosen – or not chosen – for an anthology. Read and learn! For the past three years, my indie-imprint, Superior Shores Press, has published a multi-author anthology of mystery and suspense on June 18th. Each time, the process has been the same: Post a Call for Submissions in October … Continue reading Guest Chick: Judy Penz Sheluk
Usually, I love a good stroll down the office supply aisle. There’s something deeply comforting about looking at a colorful selection of writing utensils and notebooks. (That’s not just a writer thing, right?) But August means that it’s time to take a deep breath and gear up for the obstacle course also known as school-supply shopping! Every year, we lurch around the store, while I … Continue reading That Time of Year Again
My first grown-up job was as a liability claims adjuster for a big insurance company. I didn’t know the job existed until I got it, but it was the perfect Venn diagram of my skills and interests. Because we adjusters went to court a lot, one of the things drilled into us was that in a trial, our notes will be enlarged to wall size … Continue reading Inadvertently Funny Notes
