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…
I’m so delighted to welcome DonnaRae Menard back to my blog today. DonnaRae has two very different new books out this year. In her guest essay, she explains why the advice to find your writing niche and stick to it has never worked for her! JUMPING THE RAILS By DonnaRae Menard Years ago, when I…
This morning, pre-orders became available for the e-book of my forthcoming mystery, MISSED CUE, with the official release happening on August 8th. I’m excited and thrilled that Melange Books took a chance on my fifth novel, my first written for adults. I’m also a bit stunned that this is happening because this is a book…