Well, yes, my eyes are getting worse. But this post isn’t about failing eyesight but boundaries, particularly with my “professional” and “personal” self. In my previous career as a social worker, we used to talk a lot about setting boundaries. It’s better for your emotional health to have rigid lines. As an author, I’ve found the lines blurring. Want some examples? CHICKS. Clearly, here at … Continue reading The Lines Are Blurring
Kathy here, and I’m so pleased to welcome back J.C. Kenney! The bestselling author of multiple series, including The Allie Cobb Mysteries, The Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, and The Elmo Simpson Mysteries, J.C. is also a webcast co-host, wonderful supporter of the mystery community, and a good friend of the blog. Today, J.C. rocks our world with a rock ‘n roll retrospective. Take it away, J.C.! … Continue reading Guest Chick + Giveaway! J.C. Kenney
This week marks the 35th Malice Domestic, the convention celebrating the traditional mystery. If you’re attending, please say hello–we’d love to see you! Ellen Byron/Maria DiRico “Cozy Or Traditional – What’s The Difference?” panel (Friday at 2 pm) “Simply the Best: Our Agatha Best Contemporary Novel Nominees” panel (Friday at 4 pm) Book Signing (Saturday at 10 am) Kensington Multi-Author Book Signing Event (Saturday … Continue reading Gone to Malice Domestic 2023
Jennifer here. A warm welcome to Michelle! Read on for her inspiring words about pursuing your passions! Indulge Your Passions Recently I read “Rat,” a short story by Stephen King, about a professor who is obsessed with completing a novel. The professor’s first serious attempt at writing resulted in him suffering a mental breakdown. Although the negative impact of this attempt scarred him and his … Continue reading Guest Chick: Michelle Corbier
I’ve had three medical May Days in my life. (I’m not counting an emergency C-Section because the preeclampsia that necessitated it had been rearing its ugly head for weeks.) When I was twenty-five, a cramp that wouldn’t go away turned out to be a rare tumor. (You can read about that particular adventure here.) Five years ago, a routine angioplasty revealed 70% percent blockage in … Continue reading After a Medical Crisis: What They Don’t Tell You.
Yesterday was launch day for BOOKED, the first book in the Sugar Mill Marketplace series. Yay! The early reviews are positive and make me very, very happy, because it’s scary to put a book out into the world! Until the world at large sees it, you don’t truly know if you’ve done what you set out to do. That said, reviews aren’t for the author. … Continue reading Stars in Our Eyes
Ellen here, thrilled to introduce you all to Damyanti, an author of Indian descent currently living in Singapore. She offers an absolutely fascinating perspective on what it’s like to write for an audience in another country – namely us, here in the good old U.S. of A. (And FYI, due to the time difference between countries, Damyanti’s responses to comments will probably be delayed.) Writing … Continue reading Guest Chick: Damyanti Biswas
Most of you likely know by now that I had the good fortune to host an intimate dinner party for the iconic Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an event now chronicled in my new memoir, Justice is Served: A Tale of Scallops, the Law, and Cooking for RBG. Well, you readers of the Chicks on the Case blog are in for a treat today, as I’m about … Continue reading An Inside Peek Into My Dinner With Ruth
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–you’ll find them all right here… Hello! Jennifer here, and I’m going to talk about HOT POT MURDER–and cooking disasters. As some of you know, I grew up in a family restaurant. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t … Continue reading Behind the Book: Hot Pot Murder
We are so delighted to welcome the author of From the Kitchen of Christilisa, a Substack focused on fabulous food, books, and recipes. Christilisa is also currently working on a culinary mystery! Did Lent help me hit my writing goals? I would like to say absolutely but you know I don’t even remember them at this point. Good thing GOD knows my heart and my focus. … Continue reading Guest Chick: Christilisa Gilmore
April brings Spring-ier weather (usually), holidays, the Malice Domestic conference for mystery lovers, and…the Agatha Awards! This year the Chicks will be well-represented in Bethesda—can’t wait to see many of you there. Here Lisa takes us behind the scenes as she tries to reason with unsinkable Frankie impersonator Joey Romano from her nominated short story, “Fly Me to the Morgue”… Continue reading Livin’ the Author Dream, Baby: Uncle Joey’s Big Night
You GUYS. I am so stressed. It’s National Stress Awareness Month, and I’m already behind. I mean, I’ve already started celebrating by overthinking, making endless to-do lists, worrying about things I can’t control, and running through scenarios that will never happen. But it’s too little too late. Or maybe it’s too much too soon? Either way, I’m stressed that I’m not giving National Stress Awareness … Continue reading Stress Out
Chicks on the Case 