Jen here, and happy to welcome Jessica to the blog. I’m kind of a scaredy-cat in general, but I find eco-horror fiction fascinating. What Scares Me Gracias to Jen and all the Chicks for having me as your guest today. You are the best! It’s October and the spooky season of Halloween is well underway here in Minnesota. There’s something you should know about me: … Continue reading Guest Chick: Jessica Laine + GIVEAWAY
City of deaming spires. Birthplace of Stephen Hawking, J.R.R. Tolkien, Dorothy L. Sayers, and P.D. James. Creator of the most celebrated dictionary of the historical development of the English language. And home to almost 200 pubs. Not to mention that comma. But one of the things I most love about Oxford—where I’ve been staying the past three weeks—is its wealth of whimsical signs. They’re everywhere: … Continue reading Forget the Comma; Oxford Rocks its Signs
Ah, to go back in time and dress up for Halloween…because, well, not all of us Chicks have big party plans. Yet, anyway. While we wait for our invites, here’s what we (or our characters) might choose as costumes…
Ellen here, so happy to welcome my friend Shari Randall, a wonderful author – and occasional convention roomie! Shari writes the delightful Ice Cream Shop Mysteries. Today, she’s talking about what lies beneath the masks people present to the world. A perfect way to kick off the Halloween season! Wikimedia Commons Ellen, Many thanks for inviting me to visit. You and the Chicks are some … Continue reading Guest Chick: Shari Randall/Meri Allen
Forget the candy and costumes and cauldrons. I’m with Linus of Peanuts fame: Halloween is all about the pumpkins. Will I wait through the night in a worthy gourd patch for the mysterious Great Pumpkin to make his annual appearance? Nah, I’ve got other plans… Continue reading The Great Pumpkin Lives!
As a writer, writing is job one—unless you’re writing about jobs. Then it’s job one, plus one. We’ve had a slew of recruitment-related clients at the ad agency where I work, and the projects have called to mind my own jobs and job searches. I began my career in writing as anyone would: by selling pantyhose. Back when hosiery was part of the dress code … Continue reading It’s a tough job, but–well, you know.
Lisa here, delighted to play hostess today for amazing mystery author, anthology editor, and indie publishing expert Judy Penz Sheluk. Welcome back to Chicks, Judy–and hold onto your feathers, Everyone, because Judy’s here to tell us about her new step-by-step guides (1 recently published, 1 coming soon) that are sure to provide both inspiration and information to countless aspiring (and veteran) authors, no matter which publishing path they choose. Continue reading Guest Chick: Judy Penz Sheluk
When I was a kid, my mom was very protective. I could ride my bike from corner to corner. But not around the block. She wanted to stand in our driveway, turn her head to the left and to the right and be able to see me. On occasion she’d loosen the leash just a little. She’d let me walk, along with my little sister … Continue reading Candy-coated memories
I like quizzes. What about you? Well, actually, I don’t like pop quizzes. I feel my kids’ pain when they talk about those—something clearly along the lines of feeling crushed by books: (Honestly, I still get stress dreams about taking exams.) Nevertheless, I’ve often enjoyed quizzes. These are the kind of questionnaires that come with glossy magazines. Nowadays, we can take fun tests online. Caveat: … Continue reading Who Likes Quizzes?
Becky here to introduce you to my friend Kathleen Donnelly. We’re both in Colorado and in the same Sisters in Crime chapter. We once did a field trip to a locale where Kathleen put her adorable Sparky and Gracie through their paces to find the narcotics she had hidden. Absolutely fascinating to see her and the dogs work. In addition to having smart and adorable … Continue reading Guest Chick: Kathleen Donnelly and a Giveaway!
I’ve been back from Bouchercon for two weeks and you’ve probably seen a million pix by now, including some of mine. But… I feel a need to share. I haven’t been to a Bouchercon since 2016. I was all set to go to B’con in New Orleans in 2021 – and I actually did go, even though it was cancelled. My daughter was in college … Continue reading Back from Bouchercon – All the Pix and Feels
We all put off things we don’t want to do immediately (um, right?). But some of us Chicks (and writers in general) have developed particularly ingenious methods of avoidance. In fact, we come up with amazing new ones every day. Read on for inspiration…
Continue reading “Chick Chat: New Adventures in Procrastination”
Chicks on the Case 