Lisa here, delighted to welcome amazing author, anthology editor, publishing entrepreneur, and our good friend Judy Penz Sheluk to Chicks today. Even though we can’t imagine the prolific Judy ever procrastinating on anything, she’s sharing a little secret… Continue reading Guest Chick: Judy Penz Sheluk
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: Who is this character? What’s their back story? Victim, murderer, nosy neighbor, innocent suspect? The more ridiculous the better!
Lisa here, thrilled to welcome multi-talented mystery author and our ever-fashionable past Sisters in Crime president Diane Vallere to Chicks today. Even though it’s not technically Easter time (hey, candy is candy!), we readers always enjoy the thrill of the egg hunt. Join Diane as she shares how she hides those fun little nudge-nudge-wink-winks in her books… Continue reading Guest Chick: Diane Vallere
Yesterday I saw an S.M.S. (Save My Sanity) tweet from a mystery author I’ve never met. Let’s call her Angie. She was manning her table at a book festival when a passerby noted her banner and estimated the likely number of readers for Angie’s sub-genre: 3. That could have ruined Angie’s day, if she hadn’t sold a bunch of books—and figured out a crucial element for her next mystery at the same time. Continue reading 13 Helpful Comments to Inspire a Mystery Writer
Lisa here, and I’m delighted to welcome first-time Chicks guest Lori Roberts Herbst, who recently burst onto the cozy mystery scene with her fabulous Callie Cassidy Mystery series. Book One, SUITABLE FOR FRAMING, was just awarded the 2022 Silver Falchion for Best Cozy Mystery, as well as 2nd Runner Up for Best Book of 2021. Take it away, Lori! Continue reading Guest Chick: Lori Roberts Herbst
Today we Chicks share our (mostly) humorous experiences from real life that inspired an element in our writing: books, series, characters, scenes–you name it. Read on and feel free to add a few of your own!
Continue reading “Chick Chat: Seeds of Mirth–or Murder?”
A few summers ago, I got The Call. No, not my agent, or my publisher, or Ed McMahon from beyond the grave to inform me I’d won an unfathomable amount of cash. It was a Facebook message from an author friend with an invitation to guest on her group’s culinary mystery blog. I accepted on the spot, of course. Then I wracked my brain for a fabulous, no-fail recipe to share… Continue reading Blueberries Gone Wild
Yes, poppies were the evil flowers that put Dorothy and her friends to sleep in the Wizard of Oz. They also bring to mind the killer seeds of the opium crisis. But the blood-red, starkly bright poppy blossom also represents something more: the memory of lives lost in battle. And maybe–just maybe–a bit of hope for those left behind. Continue reading Poppies – 2022 Edition
We Chicks have a very special treat for you today: magical mystery author, locked-room expert and our good friend Gigi Pandian, whose latest Under Lock & Skeleton Key has just hit the shelves. Take it away, Gigi! Thanks so much to Lisa and Ellen for inviting me to join the Chicks today! Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about something that’s not a new idea, … Continue reading Guest Chick: Gigi Pandian
It’s March in the Northeast, the blustery month that comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Smack in the middle are St. Patrick’s Day, the Spring Equinox, and–for one Chick–another ever-green holiday, Christmas… Continue reading The One with the Lion, the Lamb, & No Snakes
The late great legend Betty White once said that, in her day, “seeing pictures of people’s vacations was considered a punishment.” (She was referring to Facebook.) Well, dang. One cannot argue with Betty White. But if it’s okay, I thought I’d share a few random photos (with authorly commentary) from my incredible adventure last month in Cartagena, Colombia. Continue reading Notes from Cartagena: Blooper Reel
It’s said that writing is a solitary pursuit. Or is it? Continue reading Me, Myself, and My Characters
Chicks on the Case 