When I joined SoCalMWA, the local chapter of Mystery Writers of America, I lucked out. Every year, the chapter kicks into gear in the fall with a gumbo party, hosted by chef extraordinaire Bill Fitzhugh and his lovely wife Kendall. If you know my connection to New Orleans, you know how happy this makes me. (Bill is from Mississippi, but his gumbo is so good … Continue reading It’s Gumbo Season… in SoCal?
I missed the Chicks last week when some of them were in Nashville. Not that I would’ve seen them in person anyway. But, because they were in Tennessee — and I wasn’t! I do get a bit homesick. Not because I’ve ever lived in Nashville. I lived in and around Memphis for most of my life. My brother and his wife lived in Nashville for … Continue reading I’d like to be on the road again
The Chicks are beyond thrilled to welcome back one of our favorite authors and human beings, Catriona McPherson. Remember how Winston Churchill supposedly said, “Guests and fish stink after three days?” You’re in for a treat as Catriona shares her usual hilarious take on the subject of guests, which plays into the plot of her 16th – yes, you read that right, 16th – irresistible … Continue reading Guest Chick: Catriona McPherson
“The worlds of Hollywood and New Orleans collide in a fantastic whodunnit.” J.C. Kenney, author of the Elmo Simpson Mysteries It’s release day for FRENCH QUARTER FRIGHT NIGHT, the third book in Ellen Byron’s Vintage Cookbook Mystery series! Halloween isn’t just a day, it’s a month of celebrations in New Orleans. Ricki James-Diaz and her friend at Bon Vee Culinary House Museum are ready to … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday to FRENCH QUARTER FRIGHT NIGHT!
Hi, Ellen here, writing from my hotel room. I know Lisa gave you a taste of Bouchercon Nashville. I’m here to give you the whole meal today. I thought I’d do this day by day but honestly, it’s hard to keep the days straight at a con, so there will be some guesswork involved. Here goes nuthin’! WEDNESDAY: I kicked off the day by meeting … Continue reading Greetings from Bouchercon! (Although I’ll be home when you read this)
Lisa here, peeking around the door of my office—aka Writer’s Jail. I’m trying hard not to panic with a looming publisher deadline and the launch of THE JIG IS UP next week. Hope you’ll enjoy this encore presentation post–because, hey, these inspirational comments for mystery writers never get old! Continue reading 13 Helpful Comments to Inspire a Mystery Writer (Redux)
Hi, it’s Ellen! Sorry about the late post. I had four events – three events in one weekend – to shill for, I mean celebrate the launch of A Very Woodsy Murder, my first Golden Motel Mystery. Two out of the three were policed by those of a furry persuasion: bookstore cats. I don’t know why I haven’t paid attention to this phenomenon before. There’s … Continue reading Bookstore cats
It’s release day for A Very Woodsy Murder, the first book in Ellen Byron’s new Golden Motel Mystery series. What happens when Dee Stern, a burned-out sitcom writer, impulsively buys a retro rustic motel in California’s Gold Rush Country with her best friend-turned business partner who also happens to be her short-lived first husband? And their very first guest checks in but doesn’t check out… … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday to A VERY WOODSY MURDER!
The Chicks are excited to welcome Gianetta Murray to the blog today. She has a wonderful tale to tell about her journey across the pond to a new life and how it inspired her enticing new mystery… Stranger in a Strange Land Despite a long career as a librarian and tech editor, I always knew I wanted to write a murder mystery someday. I was … Continue reading Guest Chick: Gianetta Murray and #giveaway
Through the years since my first mystery was published in 2015, I’ve developed a finely honed approach to marketing my books, something we are all tasked with these days. Let me bullet-point my approach for you: Yup. That’s it. One poor, lonely bullet point. Like all authors, I’ve blogged, guested on podcasts, and done in-person and virtual appearances at bookstores. My overall goal is to … Continue reading The “Throw Spaghetti at the Wall and Hope Something Sticks” Approach to Marketing
This spring, the rains washed out Mulholland Drive in several spots, forcing its closure for repairs. The opportunity this presented didn’t occur to me until I was making plans to meet up with friend and fellow author Nadine Nettman, who lives wonderfully close to me. She suggested we rendezvous on the closed stretch of Mulholland for a walk. Which we did. Los Angeles is blessed … Continue reading When one road closes…
It’s that time of year when “yard sale” and “garage sale” signs are a common sight. One man’s junk is another’s treasure, and I’ve bought my share of both junk and treasure over the years. We all have knickknacks and odd items scattered in our homes, neither beautiful nor particularly useful, which guests could never guess the true value of. My brother bought this cut-glass … Continue reading Money can’t buy me love
Chicks on the Case 