My wife Robin leaves today for a two-week road trip, during which time she’ll visit friends in eastern California, Utah, and Colorado, and spend a couple days eating and gambling her way through Las Vegas (don’t worry; she only plays 25-cent video poker). It’s always a bit odd when she’s gone. When you’re used to having someone around the house, it’s strange having it to … Continue reading When the Cat’s Away…
Readers, for the daily double jackpot prize (our unbridled enthusiasm and gratitude), we Chicks want to know: What movie-based-on-a-book (or vice versa) do you feel most strongly about–positively or negatively? **Extra points if you give the answer in the form of a clue!**
Continue reading “Chick Chat – Best (or Worst) Book or Movie Adaptions for 5 Thousand, Please”
Today, we are thrilled to host three fabulous reviewers from Kings River Life Magazine and KRL News & Reviews: Cynthia Chow, Kathleen Costa, and Sandra Murphy. Readers and writers alike are fans of their terrific work–welcome to all! Cynthia Chow How did you get into professional reviewing? To start off, I don’t really consider myself to be a professional reviewer. It’s not my paid … Continue reading Guest Chicks: Cynthia Chow, Kathleen Costa, and Sandra Murphy
If you happen to be a Peanuts fan—or a writer—you’ve probably seen the cartoon of Snoopy on top of his doghouse, hard at work on his novel. He has the perfect opening line: “It was a dark and stormy night…” Continue reading It Was a Dark and Stormy Morning…
The Chicks are attending More Than Malice (July 14-17)! Some of us will be at the Author Speed Dating events, and our own Ellen Byron is nominated for an Agatha Award (Best Contemporary Novel)–huge congratulations and cheers!–and you can watch the recorded nominee panels here. The More Than Malice schedule offers information about the many wonderful panels happening this week if you are attending. Also, if you … Continue reading Gone to Malice 2021
The Chicks welcome back Esme Addison, whose newest Enchanted Bay Mystery, A Hex for Danger, launched yesterday. Today, Esme tackles a great topic… On Finding Inspiration Everywhere Most writers probably know that inspiration for stories can be found everywhere. I have a hard time turning that off – the ability to see something, meet someone or experience something and get an idea for a story. … Continue reading Guest Chick: Esme Addison
If you know me for more than, say, five minutes, you know that the only thing I like as much as reading is watching movies. So perhaps it’s no surprise that movies that feature books—specifically authors—hit the sweet spot in my entertainment Venn diagram. Fortunately, there’s plenty of material. I’ve waxed poetic (or perhaps prosaic?) about my love for Joan Wilder (yes, THE Joan Wilder) … Continue reading You Oughta Be in Pictures
Every year in recent history (with the exception of 2020), my family has gone on a camping trip. We’ve been to Zion, Joshua Tree, Redwood National Park… This summer, we explored Kings Canyon National Park. Besides being in beautiful nature, I was forced to UNPLUG—in a good way. Here are lessons I learned while being out in the wild, which can apply to both my … Continue reading Unplugged
Jennifer here, and I’m welcoming Diane Kelly to the blog. I got to read an ARC of Diane’s newest book, The Moonshine Shack Murder. Here’s my blurb for it: “A shining example of a cozy mystery, complete with a business savvy protagonist, an irascible granddad, and a brewing romance.” Okay, take it away, Diane! This Little Light of Mine . . . I have always … Continue reading Guest Chick: Diane Kelly (and a giveaway)
I’ve spent a good portion of my life obsessed with Peter Pan and Neverland. When I was little, I fantasized about Peter materializing at my window, holding out his hand, and flying me off to his magical island. Then one night, I discovered a real magical island much closer to home. We lived in Queens at the time, on a street that happened to be … Continue reading Neverland in New York
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
Ellen here, happy to welcome DonnaRae Menard, soon to be a debut author! These are exciting – and a little scary – times for her, as she shares today, along with the lifechanging event that motivated her to commit to a writing career. IT’S TOUGH BEING NEW IN TOWN Like a lot of writers, I came into the business through the back door. That is, … Continue reading Guest Chick: DonnaRae Menard
Chicks on the Case 