We adore Nancy Cole Silverman and we double-adore having her on Chicks on the Blog. Today, the award-winning, multi-series writing author talks about old passions and new beginnings. Take it away, Nancy! I used to have a great aunt who, at 66, decided to go back to nursing school because she wanted to be a travel nurse and, at 70, build a harp because she … Continue reading You’re Never Too Old
It’s release day for A Very Woodsy Murder, the first book in Ellen Byron’s new Golden Motel Mystery series. What happens when Dee Stern, a burned-out sitcom writer, impulsively buys a retro rustic motel in California’s Gold Rush Country with her best friend-turned business partner who also happens to be her short-lived first husband? And their very first guest checks in but doesn’t check out… … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday to A VERY WOODSY MURDER!
With the Olympic Games starting soon, the excitement is palpable. Athletes coming together from around the globe is an amazing thing–conceptually, emotionally, and logistically. And even though the main goal is competition, so many other aspects can be marvelous to witness. The races, matches, and events themselves can be thrilling to watch, of course. The demonstration of talent and determination can be impressive and inspirational. … Continue reading Olympics Week is Here!
I have a daily “Unexplained Mysteries” calendar from the History Channel. Most of the mysteries aren’t very mysterious. Some of them are just ancient ideas that have been debunked by science. But some of them are truly perplexing and fascinating. Like these. Sometimes I mull these over while I’m swimming in the morning. Inevitably, though, my mind wanders back to all the unexplained mysteries in … Continue reading Unexplainable
We Chicks want to give a warm welcome to Sydney! She’s here to talk about different ways to discover a new book–including being drawn to beautiful covers! Judge a Book by its Cover? You Bet I Do! By Sydney Leigh With so many books coming out every month, even the most voracious of readers has to whittle down their list of TBR’s (To Be Read’s). … Continue reading Guest Chick: Sydney Leigh and #Giveaway
I don’t think of myself as a huge sports fanatic, but of late I’ve been doing an awful lot of sports watching: the Tour de France, the Euro Cup, baseball, Wimbledon. Part of it is the timing, since this is the period when those sporting events occur. But it’s also definitely an escape from, well…the world. Because truly, who enjoys reading the newspaper headlines these … Continue reading Why Can’t They All Win?
Writers know how to get things done. Writers know how to meet deadlines. Writers know how to research. Writers know how to…procrastinate. Today the Chicks share our favorite tactics for putting off finishing— or starting — that next book. Deep cleaning: Guests will be dropping by. Eventually. Deep research: You might need a shovel for this. Reading a book comp: your agent might ask. Right? … Continue reading Chick Chat: Procrastination
The Chicks are excited to welcome Gianetta Murray to the blog today. She has a wonderful tale to tell about her journey across the pond to a new life and how it inspired her enticing new mystery… Stranger in a Strange Land Despite a long career as a librarian and tech editor, I always knew I wanted to write a murder mystery someday. I was … Continue reading Guest Chick: Gianetta Murray and #giveaway
Strawberry season was a bust here in NH last month, thanks to extreme early heat and nonstop rain. Rinse and repeat. But I have high hopes for blueberry season later this month… Continue reading On Blueberry Hill
How was your 4th of July? I’m not much of a fan, to tell you the truth. As a kid, I was riddled with anxiety watching my dad light fireworks in the backyard. One time, as part of the arsenal, he bought some of those pinwheels that shoot out sparks as they twirl around. Yep. Nailed ‘em to the wooden fence. Yep. Caught on fire. … Continue reading My Summer Vacation Essay
The Chicks are thrilled to have Valerie Burns (aka VM Burns aka Kallie E. Benjamin) visiting us today! Valerie writes multiple wonderful series, so she has to come up with many interesting things to write about. If you’ve ever wondered how authors manage to generate plotworthy ideas, here is your answer! Where do Authors Get their Ideas? I’m often asked where I get ideas for … Continue reading Guest Chick: Valerie Burns
My husband and I will likely drag our camp chairs down the side of our block and stake out a spot to watch Marquette’s annual July 4th parade. I love a parade as much as the next guy. I especially love marching bands. It’s hard not to admire someone playing an instrument that weighs as much as a tuba. This year the city of Marquette is … Continue reading A 25 buck memory is priceless
Chicks on the Case 