I can’t decide which makes me feel more anxious—receiving accolades for my work, or heavy doses of rejection and harsh criticism. I was reminded of my ability to make myself miserable either way this past week. In the accolades department, I learned that my novel, DEADLY SETUP, received the NYC Book Big Award in the…
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about gender issues. My Smith College alumnae discussion group has decided to discuss what our perceptions of our roles as women were when we were undergraduates all those decades ago, and how things have changed (or not) in our lives and the lives of succeeding generations of women. Of…
Late Thursday afternoon, I typed “The End” on my first draft of my work-in-progress, tentatively called Missing Mom. To tell you a little about what has preoccupied me all these months, the novel centers around Noelle, a rising high school senior and aspiring ballet dancer whose mom suddenly vanishes. While the circumstantial evidence points to…
During the years I taught English composition at a local university, I frequently gave my students writing prompts. The prompts were never about grades or finished products. They were all about getting creative juices going and developing the habit of writing. Wanting to model the value of writing practice, I always worked on the prompts…
Contemporary authors have a variety of publishing options, and I’m delighted to welcome Nannette Potter to my blog today as she celebrates the release of her debut thriller, PIERCE THE DARKNESS, and discusses her decision to pursue publishing as an Indie author. Below is Nannette’s guest essay, her bio, a description of PIERCE THE DARKNESS,…
As a writer who rarely ventures far from mysteries, I’m always so impressed with authors who successfully write in multiple genres. LC Hayden definitely qualifies! Below are her responses to my interview questions, followed by her bio and contact/buy links: You have had such an incredible award-winning writing career spanning so many genres—everything from crime…
I’m so delighted to welcome Mary Seifert to my blog today who has a new release out in her Kate & Maverick Cozy Mystery Series. I loved her description of her cozy mysteries as “throzies” since they include some thrilling elements! Below are her responses to my interview questions, followed by her bio and buy/contact…
I’m so excited to share that my first mystery for adults, MISSED CUE, comes out today, August 8th, from Melange Books. I’d love for you to check it out! Here’s a brief description: When ballerina Lydia Miseau dies onstage in the final dress rehearsal of Romeo and Juliet, homicide detective Caitlin O’Connor is faced with…
Valerie Jarrett, a close confidante and senior advisor to President Obama, once said in a commencement address, “You can have it all, but not all at once.” Recently, those words resonated with me when the director of the public speaking program at a local university where I’d taught part-time reached out to me. Would I…
When I began writing, I had so many questions about what to do and where to go once I felt I was ready to find a publishing home for my work. Thanks to Judy Penz Sheluk, writers now have a great resource to help them navigate their publishing options. Below is my interview with Judy…