Today we welcome Julie Mulhern, author of the Country Club Murders and the Poppy Fields Adventures, whose new book, Killing My Softly, releases in December. Welcome, Julie! When I wrote the opening line of what would become my Country Club Murders series—”My morning sun doesn’t usually involve corpses”—I never dreamed I’d still be writing about Ellison and Frances and Grace ten years later. Ten years. … Continue reading Guest Chick: Julie Mulhern
Okay, this is a gimme. It’s New Orleans, of course! NOLA never met a holiday it didn’t celebrate on steroids and given its boast that it’s the most haunted city in America, Halloween is particularly popular with those who love to decorate. I’ve spent the last three years here in the Big Easy around Halloween time. I’m that very rare kid who dreaded Halloween growing … Continue reading And the winner for Best Halloween City is…
Welcome to “Behind the Book,” our fun new Chicks on the Case feature! Join us as we Chicks share the real stories behind our stories: Inspiration, motivation, frustration, jubilation– research, rewrites, tidbits– you’ll find them all right here… Hiya! It’s Kathy, and I’m delighted to offer a peek into my first book, Protocol. A large portion of its plot revolves around odd messages my protagonist receives … Continue reading Behind the book: Protocol
Kathy here, and so excited to welcome Wendy Tyson (a.k.a. Liv Andersson, a.k.a. great writer and human person) to Chicks! Wendy is multitalented and multi-series’ed. Today, she talks about the paths we follow and the progress that can be made when following the Wright–or write–way on our journeys. Take it away, Wendy! The Wright Way Thank you for having me here today, Kathi! I’m thrilled … Continue reading Guest Chick: Wendy Tyson/Liv Andersson
The first year we lived in our current house, it felt as though we’d been transported to Disneyland for Halloween–people up and down the street decked out their homes with oversized decorations and all sorts of curious items that spewed mist or growled sporadically or otherwise scared trick-or-treaters. Spooky music was blasted from various houses and neighbors dressed in elaborate costumes. There was a fantastic … Continue reading It’s Halloween Season
If you do, you’re probably cowering under your covers instead of reading this because today is Friday the 13th. Both of those delightfully king-sized words describe a fear of this supposedly evil and unlucky day. Paraskavedekatriaphobia comes from the Greek word for Friday, Paraskevi. Here’s how to pronounce it … Friggatriskaidekaphobia comes from the Norse Goddess for Friday—Frigg— in mythology. Here’s how to pronounce it … Continue reading Do You Have Paraskavedekatriaphobia or Friggatriskaidekaphobia?
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.
Chicks on the Case 