One of the key components of cozy mysteries is the use of the “amateur sleuth.” Amateur sleuths are usually female, who are not paid to solve crimes. They’re not trained members of law enforcement, nor are they highly skilled. Amateur sleuths are average people just like you and me. Critics of the genre often disparage […]
The Beauty of the Amateur in Solving Crimes by Valerie (V.M.) Burns Read More »
I’m probably not the only author to dream of having a platform like Reese Witherspoon or Zibby Owens. They’ve helped hundreds of authors with their recommendations. Oprah Winfrey was amazing at helping some authors sell thousands of books too, but I was never good at public speaking and wouldn’t want to be on television. My
My Dream of Being Like Reese or Zibby by GP Gottlieb Read More »
We’ve reached the point of the year where conferences send out award nomination forms to attending authors and fans and where readers, recovering from holiday festivities, are ready to settle down with an enjoyable read. I don’t have a “published in 2025” novel to beg you to nominate or buy. Rather, because of my husband’s
Looking for a Short Story to Nominate or Read? – by Debra H. Goldstein Read More »
Rituals are about creating space in time, in our surroundings, and in our own minds. They give us a sense of predictability while still leaving room for creativity and flexibility. Something I already understood during my teaching career, where routine was the backbone of every successful day. When I began my second act as a
All About Rituals by Joanne Guidoccio Read More »
Keep breathing. That’s what I told myself despite the immense pain radiating through my chest and shoulders. I hadn’t expected to come out of surgery and feel like I was being crushed alive. The nurse thought I was exaggerating. After consulting with my doctor over the phone, and ignoring my plea—“I have a high pain
The Choice I Made by Joanna Campbell Slan Read More »
I promised when I created my second series, Niki Undercover Thrillers, that I would make my writing life easier. I particularly wanted to improve ease of marketing the series. Turns out my stories have minds of their own—just like my characters. I wanted to simplify setting. I had allowed the stories in the Seamus McCree
Lessons Learned—and Discovered by James M. Jackson Read More »
There’s a saying that truth is stranger than fiction. But in my experience, truth also hides better. It disguises itself behind corporate statements, medical jargon, and policy papers. And when you’ve worked in medicine—as I have—you quickly learn that the most dangerous facts are often the ones marketed as “progress.” That’s why I write thrillers.
The Best Way to Tell Facts Is to Write Fiction by Sophy Smythe Read More »
In recent months, I have been doing a number of talks and signings in support of the release of the newest installment of the Will Rogers Medallion award-winning Sheriff Ty Dawson crime thriller series, KNIFE RIVER. And the question I encounter most frequently regards the origins of Ty Dawson, and the fictional locale Meriwether County,
KNIFE RIVER: CRIME FICTION & MUSIC – WHEN ARTFORMS INTERSECT by Baron Birtcher Read More »
When I began my author adventure in 2020 at the ripe, old age of 58, I decided I may have been ripe, but I wasn’t expired. But I was clueless. And when I say that, I mean I was winging it in every aspect of my newfound, late-in-life passion. Starting out totally self-taught has a
COZY & CO. – The Importance of Surrounding Yourself With Kindred Souls by S. C. Merritt Read More »
Here’s a surprising twist on crime and mystery writers that you might not know: these writers who deal with some of the darkest crimes that the human mind can conjure are also some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. I think it’s because we get our darkness onto the page and let it bleed
The Light Enables Mystery Writers to Explore the Dark by Bobby Mathews Read More »