So I just spent the better part of an evening looking for a form to submit feedback to a very large company. Surprisingly, this is not a new scenario. You’d think that the bigger the company, the more important it is to have a way for your customers to provide feedback. Even if Le Company does not care what we all think, it should at … Continue reading Ideas Welcome
Lisa here, honored along with my fellow Chicks to welcome debut author Adrian Andover as our guest today. His cozy mystery WHISKEY BUSINESS just pubbed–and we know you’ll enjoy it as much as you’ll enjoy meeting Adrian! Continue reading Guest Chick: Adrian Andover
When I was a kid – a mere second-grader, to be precise — the adults in my life labeled me as “unpredictable.” These things tend to stick, of course, and I’m still teased at family gatherings. You can be the judge whether or not it’s deserved. Continue reading Guest Chick: Debra Bokur
Happy National Cozy Mystery Day to all who observe – which is a lot of us. September 15th was chosen to honor the genre because it’s the birthday of the legendary mystery author, Agatha Christie. But there was another birthday last week that I want to celebrate. California, my adopted state, turned 175. If you’re thinking, wait, one of these things is not like the … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Dame Agatha – and California!
Dialogue can make or break a story. Would you agree?
There are so many rules to writing good dialogue. Characters have to sound different enough from each other that readers would know who’s speaking without reading the dialogue tags. Continue reading Talk to Me
We’re tickled to have fab author Cindy Goyette as our guest Chick today. Cindy admits that she still gets a bit nervous at book readings and podcasts. (As a side note, she also gets nervous around chickens). But, I’m sure that doesn’t extend to Chicks! Take it away, Cindy! But Did You Die? Fun fact. I’m afraid of chickens. No, a wayward chicken didn’t nearly … Continue reading Guest Post: Cindy Goyette
The biggest annual crime writing convention in the US (attracting some 1,500 attendees) is Bouchercon, named for the famed writer, reviewer, and editor, Anthony Boucher (rhymes with “voucher”). The first one was held in Santa Monica, California, in 1970. Little did I suspect as I started the ninth grade at Lincoln Junior High in Santa Monica that same year, that just minutes away was the … Continue reading Bouchercon Recap-Blood on the Bayou
A warm welcome today to Susan McCormick, fab author of the Fog Ladies mystery series. Today she’s talking mothers and sons, the subject of her new suspense book, The Room at the End of the Hall. Take it away, Susan! WHERE ARE THE MOTHERS AND SONS? “Men are what their mothers made them.” Ralph Waldo Emerson My new book, The Room at the End of … Continue reading Guest Chick: Susan McCormick
Today we Chicks are excited to welcome fabulous debut author Shelly Jones and their just-pubbed mystery PLAYER ELIMINATION, set in the world of–board games! Lisa enjoyed meeting Shelly in person at a recent New England Crime Bake, and we know you’ll all want to get to know them, too. Shelly is also offering a great giveaway–a signed paperback of PLAYER ELIMINATION and cute swag–to one lucky commenter! Continue reading Guest Chick: Shelly Jones #Giveaway
We Chicks would like to wish all of our author and reader friends a fantastic holiday as we celebrate workers everywhere. See you on Wednesday! Continue reading Happy Labor Day!
Why I almost skipped the biggest mystery conference in the U.S. — and why I changed my mind. (Spoiler alert: it’s about the community!) Now, who’s with me? Continue reading The Case of the Last-Minute Conference Attendee
Today the Chicks are pleased to welcome back Christina Estes, winner of the Tony Hillerman Prize for Best First Mystery Set in The Southwest for Off the Air. The sequel, The Story That Wouldn’t Die, was published August 19 and involves a plot twist that not even Christina saw coming. She is giving away a copy of The Story That Wouldn’t Die to one lucky commentator. … Continue reading Guest Chick: Christina Estes
Chicks on the Case 