Posts by Lynn Slaughter
International Travel and Work Inspire Mystery Author DK Coutant
I love DK Coutant’s description of her second Cleo Cooper mystery as an “edgy-cozy” and am delighted to get to interview her again as she releases ELEGANCE AND EVIL: First off, congratulations on the release of the second Cleo Cooper Mystery, ELEGANCE AND EVIL. Can you share with our readers a bit about the novel?…
Read MoreRetirement Parallel: A Guest Essay by DonnaRae Menard
I went to high school with a wonderful writer, Elizabeth Cooney, who went on to write scores of best-selling young adult novels, including THE GIRL ON THE MILK CARTON. When I recently corresponded with her, I was shocked when she told me she’d “retired” from writing and was now happily living in a retirement…
Read MoreA Treat for Dog and Mystery Lovers: S.A. Kazlo Releases A PAWSOME SUMMER FOR MURDER
I’m delighted to welcome S.A. Kazlo back to my blog as she releases A PAWSOME SUMMER FOR MURDER, her latest Samantha Davies mystery which features a lovable and lively dachshund, Porkchop. When I first interviewed you, you’d just released the first book, KIBBLES AND DEATH, in your Samantha Davies mystery series. Now, here you are…
Read MoreFrom Midwifery to Murder: Christine Knapp Releases MURDER ON THE GREEN
One of the joys of featuring authors on my blog is the opportunity to be introduced to authors with fascinating backgrounds, and Christine Knapp, a midwife for many years, is no exception! I’m delighted to celebrate her latest release in her Modern Midwife Mysteries’ series. First off, congratulations on the release of Book #5, MURDER…
Read MoreWriting When I’m Not Writing
I holed up in my home office yesterday to work on a short story to submit to Malice Domestic’s upcoming anthology. Those of you who know me are aware that I write novels and only rarely dip my toes into short stories. Truthfully, I’m in awe of short fiction writers who can pack so much…
Read MoreFather’s Day Reflections: Sadness But Gratitude as Well
My father was a “big deal” in the publishing world. Prior to the illness that eventually took his life, he was the number two guy at McGraw-Hill. His boss delivered his eulogy. Harold McGraw genuinely loved my dad, not only for his business contributions but for his character and friendship. Leafing through the sympathy letters…
Read MoreAward-Winning Author Pamela Meyer Reflects on “Islands and Silver Linings”
I’m so delighted to welcome Pam Meyer to my blog today! Pam is not only a gifted writer but is extraordinarily supportive of other authors in our online Guppies chapter of Sisters in Crime. If there’s a place in heaven for talented authors who are also really generous people, Pam will definitely be there! Below…
Read MoreAccidentally Blocked!
Recently, a dear author friend and I had a total miscommunication breakdown. Here’s what happened. In late March, unbeknownst to me, my friend stopped receiving any emails from me: no submissions of my work for our critique group (she solicited my chapters from other group members), no thank you notes for her feedback on my…
Read MorePriming the Pump: The Value of Writing Prompts
My fourteen-year-old creative writing student and I had our last session of the semester before summer break. She is a gifted writer already working on a novel. When I asked her what she enjoyed the most about our sessions, she said, “The writing prompts. I feel like it gets our creative juices going.” I had…
Read MoreCelebrating the Gift of Life As We Age
This afternoon, Joyous Singers, my chorus of music-loving seniors will sing at the memorial service of a longtime beloved choral member. On a recent Thursday at one of our final rehearsals before the start of our spring concert series, a group of us chatted amiably before the start of practice. Our soon-to-be deceased friend seemed…
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