Chicks Check in with Virtual Assistant Marie McNary

Pretty much all of us know Marie McNary re: the terrific Facebook parties she plans and throws for mystery authors. But did you know she’s also a virtual assistant? If you’ve ever wondered what exactly a virtual assistant does, read on… Marie’s desk What is a virtual assistant? A virtual assistant is a person who provides support services and performs tasks from a remote location. … Continue reading Chicks Check in with Virtual Assistant Marie McNary

Chicks on the CaseJune 7, 2019June 9, 202134 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick Katherine Bolger Hyde: Whither the Weather?

Today the Chicks are pleased to welcome Katherine Bolger Hyde, whose newest book in the Crime with the Classics series, Cynanide with Christie, was just released. Katherine is a member of the Santa Cruz Women of Mystery, along with Chick Leslie Karst—who wholeheartedly agrees that it’s about time for summer to finally come to Northern California. The weather has been odd this spring in my … Continue reading Guest Chick Katherine Bolger Hyde: Whither the Weather?

Chicks on the CaseJune 5, 2019July 29, 202031 Comments

Vickie Fee

So, what’s it like to be a mystery writer?

(The answer to that question today is: stressful! Vickie’s on deadline with the manuscript for My Fair Latté, the first book in her new Café Cinema series, due tomorrow! So, here’s one of her posts from the Chicks’ archives we believe is worth a repeat.) I get asked this question and related questions —Why did you become a mystery writer? How did you end up being … Continue reading So, what’s it like to be a mystery writer?

Vickie FeeJune 3, 2019July 31, 202024 Comments

Becky Clark

The World is a Book

My husband and I just returned from an excellent Danube River cruise. (This is a picture of us when we saw our free minibar in Amsterdam, stocked with beer and wine, perhaps some other stuff, too.) We started out with a few days in Budapest, then sailed to Vienna, Durnstein, Passau, Regensburg, and Nuremberg, where we disembarked and headed to Prague for a few days. … Continue reading The World is a Book

BeckyMay 31, 2019July 27, 202039 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Mollie Cox Bryan

We are delighted to welcome back our friend Mollie Cox Bryan, whose new book, The Jean Harlow Bombshell, is out this month. We Chicks can’t wait to read it, especially since Mollie told us an incredible story about her connection to Jean the last time she was here. Welcome back and congratulations on the book, Mollie! Chances are, if you’ve heard of the movie star … Continue reading Guest Chick: Mollie Cox Bryan

Chicks on the CaseMay 29, 2019January 24, 202036 Comments

Ellen Byron

Pie not?

My Cajun Country Mystery series contains recipes, but I’ll be honest. Sometimes coming up with them, whether as originals or adaptations, is the hardest part of writing the books. Still, when KCRW, our local public radio station, announced their tenth annual Good Food Pie Contest, hosted by Good Food‘s Evan Kleiman, I decided to be adventurous and enter a recipe I’d created that I like … Continue reading Pie not?

Ellen ByronMay 27, 2019August 1, 202046 Comments

Group Post

What We’re Working on Right Now

No doubt about it, authors experience plenty of ups and downs on the crazy roller coaster of Publishing. Sometimes it’s a thrilling ride, and sometimes it’s…less thrilling. But one thing writers can count on: We are ALWAYS busy. Here’s what some of the Chicks are working on at this very minute… Continue reading “What We’re Working on Right Now”

Chicks on the CaseMay 24, 2019May 23, 201936 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick Peggy Townsend: In Praise of Kick-Ass Women

Today we are thrilled to host acclaimed author, Peggy Townsend, who pens the Aloa Snow Mysteries, the newest of which, The Thin Edge, was released just last week. Take it away, Peggy! I’ve always loved kick-ass female protagonists: feisty, smart, complicated women who don’t give two cents about polite society. Think Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone and Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum. My own character, reporter Aloa … Continue reading Guest Chick Peggy Townsend: In Praise of Kick-Ass Women

Chicks on the CaseMay 22, 2019January 24, 202014 Comments

Kathleen Valenti

Ode to the Typo

O Typo, I know ye well. You are a constant companion. A feared adversary. The source of “send now” trepidation. The raison d’etre of my delete key. The typo and I go way back, all the way to tenth grade, the year my father insisted I learned to type. My father is A Man of a Certain Generation who, as an attorney, had an office … Continue reading Ode to the Typo

Kathleen ValentiMay 17, 2019August 2, 202038 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Annette Dashofy

We are thrilled to welcome USA Today-bestselling author Annette Dashofy. Annette’s popular Zoe Chambers mysteries have been nominated for multiple Agatha awards. The latest in the series, Fair Game, is out this week! That Cover Ever since I revealed the cover for Fair Game, I’ve been hearing a lot of comments, from those who love the colors (so do I!) to those who think a … Continue reading Guest Chick: Annette Dashofy

Chicks on the CaseMay 15, 2019July 29, 202025 Comments

Leslie Karst

Cycle-logical Health

I have no problem with people knowing how old I am (62). I’m actually quite content being a woman of “a certain age,” as the French like to say. After all, the longer you’ve lived, the more you’ve experienced and learned in life. As a result, us older folks tend to see things in more nuanced shades of gray, rather than as simply black or … Continue reading Cycle-logical Health

Leslie KarstMay 13, 2019January 24, 202030 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Editor: Kristen Weber

Ever wonder about the behind-the-scenes stories of the book publishing industry? Well, wonder no more, because each month we’re featuring an interview with a well-known book blogger, editor, or agent. For May, we’re thrilled to welcome fabulous developmental editor, Kristen Weber! What was your first job in (or out of) editing/publishing? How did you end up in this career path? I was pre-law in college. I … Continue reading Guest Editor: Kristen Weber

Chicks on the CaseMay 10, 2019January 24, 202029 Comments