NOTE: I’ll be at Left Coast Crime when this publishes, so my response to comments will be slow today. Bear with me! When I finished the draft for The Witless Protection Program, I wrote to my agent, “This is a screenplay masquerading as a book.” I’m a very visual person. I don’t know if it’s because of my years writing theatre and TV but I … Continue reading Behind the Book: The Witless Protection Program
Ellen here, happy to host Maya Corrigan, author of the always entertaining Five-Ingredient Mysteries. She’s talking about the genesis of her super fun cozy mystery titles. Take it away, Maya! Thank you so much for hosting me, Ellen. I’m happy to be here visiting the Chicks. I’ve gotten to know several of you at mystery conventions and hope to meet all of you at future … Continue reading Guest Chick: Maya Corrigan
Hi, Ellen here! It’s always a treat to host my pal, the fabulous and prolific Edith/Maddie. Today she took on not one, not two, but three writing challenges. I get out of breath just thinking about trying to keep up with her! Read all about wine and mittens and local food here… (I’m particularly excited about the wine part, wink wink.) And Edith is giving … Continue reading Guest Chick: Edith Maxwell, aka/Maddie Day & #giveaway!
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… Hi, Ellen and “Maria” here! You’ll notice I didn’t include the title of Catering Hall Mystery #4 in the header. And the cover image is on the bottom of this post … Continue reading Behind the Book: “Maria DiRico’s” Fourth Catering Hall Mystery
When readers reached the epilogue in Cajun Kiss of Death, my 7th Cajun Country Mystery, they realized it was the last book in the series. Many emailed me to share their sadness about the series’ demise. I thanked them and shared that I was sad too. While sometimes authors make the choice to end a series, often the choice is out of their hands. This … Continue reading How to Help a Book Series Thrive
When we discovered four Chicks had books launching in November and December, we decided we had to celebrate! Cue bookstore and event organizer Creating Conversations hosting a special panel: Chicks on the Case Celebration, featuring Becky, Cynthia, Ellen, and Jen. Join us for laughs and a fun four-way chat on Tuesday at 8:30 EST, 7:30 Central, and 5:30 PST. Click here to register. Hope to … Continue reading A Chicks on the Case E-ppearance!
The Chicks are so happy to welcome Liz Ireland, author of the delightful Mrs. Claus Mysteries, to the blog today. Take it away, Liz! A Cake Walk Thank you, Ellen, and to all you Chicks for having me as your guest today! Growing up, November was my favorite month. I loved that it fit snugly in the middle of Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas time. Also, four out of … Continue reading Guest Chick: Liz Ireland
It’s Release Day for It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder, the 3rd book in the hilarious Catering Hall Mystery series, written by our very own Ellen Byron under her pen name, Maria DiRico! You can pick it up at your local bookstore or buy it through the links below. Congratulations, Ellen! IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE MURDER Astoria, Queens, is decorated … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday, Ellen/Maria!
The Chicks are thrilled to welcome back our pal, the always delightful Kaye George. And we’ve stumbled onto an accidental theme this week – where do writers get their ideas? Leslie shared what she goes through on Monday. Today, Kaye gives us her take on it… The Dreaded Question Where do you get your ideas? Why do people always ask this? I got asked just … Continue reading Guest Chick: Kaye George
Thrilled to share that today is the book birthday for LONG ISLAND ICED TEA, the second book in the Catering Hall Mysteries series by our very own Maria DiRico who is also Ellen Byron. In the second installment of Maria DiRico’s new Catering Hall Mystery series, Mia Carina is back in the borough of Queens, in charge of the family catering hall Belle View Banquet … Continue reading LONG ISLAND ICED TINA Launches Today!
Hi, Ellen here, and I am so happy to welcome back my pal Daryl Wood Gerber to the Chicks. Today she shares how how a hobby inspired her new series. (Wait until you see her magical cover!) Playing with Fairies – My New Hobby “Are you kidding?” I said to my inner voice. “You want me to play with fairies while I write a story? … Continue reading Guest Chick: Daryl Wood Gerber
F02 – Could Worst Cooks in America be in My Future? Sometimes, I think I should try out to be on Worst Cooks in America. I’m a natural – cooking from scratch petrifies me and almost everything I make in the kitchen frightens everyone else. Let’s put it this way, if I offer to cook more than two nights in a row, my husband insists … Continue reading Guest Chick: Debra H. Goldstein
Chicks on the Case 