J.T. Ellison's Blog, page 12
March 29, 2024
Friday Reads 3.29.24
It’s Friday, and you know what that means. Grab a cuppa, and let’s talk about what we’re reading!
I hope you’ve had a good reading week! Today is Good Friday, and Easter is on Sunday, which means my social media sabbatical is over. I’ll be honest: It wasn’t the idyllic six weeks away I’d hoped for. That’s all on me; there were admittedly some very interesting news events that captured my attention in unbelievable ways (Catherine, Princess of Wales being the primary one, but also two local crime stories: the disappearance of Sebastian Rogers and the sad death of Riley Strain.) I am not making excuses—it was my own lack of willpower that had me following along—but as a crime fiction writer, when crimes happen in your backyard, it’s only natural to follow the cases.
And also, in A VERY BAD THING, there is this same sort of social media storm, the fallout from an event that is whipped into a tornadic fervor by well-placed bots, the original story being manipulated, falsified, and blown up into something that it isn’t—exactly what happened when the princess asked for privacy to heal. Seeing my book threads come alive is always interesting.
In addition to all the international news, there were at least three massive publishing kerfuffles, too. Every time it seems we’ve reached the pinnacle, there’s another misunderstanding, another personal vendetta, another blatant disregard for personal safety, another incident of past abuse—on, and on, and on. The platforms’ power has shifted. An anonymous tweet can take down a titan, that we all know. Now, a bot can ruin your life, too.
I’ve seen this happen too many times to count. It’s not healthy for any of us to be sucked into, that’s for sure. It’s why I try to make sense of these things in my fiction, exploring the ramifications for those who are in the eye of the proverbial storm. I almost deleted my Twitter account several times over the past few weeks because I hate being manipulated, and it’s hard to know who to trust anymore. In the end, I settled for logging out, but I have my own reconciliations to do in the coming weeks.
But I still got a lot of work done during the sabbatical. Moved the story forward on the new standalone, started edits on the new Jayne book, posted a couple of steps to the writing series, finalized the manuscript for A VERY BAD THING…
Speaking of, galleys are here for A VERY BAD THING! Big pink doorstops (it’s a long book). Barbiecore on steroids, people. I’d love to give one away, so I’ll choose a winner from the comments today!
I finished THE LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Stuart Turton yesterday, and I have to say, it was a wild ride. It took me almost two weeks to read, though, because it is complicated, and I had to pay close attention to the multitudes of threads. Speculative fiction is really popular right now, and this has echoes of NEVER LET ME GO and CLOUD ATLAS, for sure. The world-building was really interesting, and the moral quandary that’s so prevalent in these kinds of stories was fascinating. I’m still processing my thoughts, but it is a classic murder mystery at its core.
Mary Kubica has a new novel coming this week, SHE’S NOT SORRY, and I for one can’t wait. Mary’s got a keen eye for chatters and plot, and I’m sure this one’s going to be just as great as her last few.
It’s been a rather fascinating month of new releases from the titans of suspense. We’ve got new books from almost all the Lisas (Lisa Unger’s The NEW COUPLE IN 2B; Lisa Scottoline’s THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DEVLINS; Lisa Gardner’s STILL SEE YOU EVERYWHERE; Lisa Jewell has a departure Marvel tie-in coming in May); Heather Gudenkauf’s EVERYONE IS WATCHING; and the NEVER TELL collection of short stories featuring Liv Constantine, Loreth Ann White, Andrea Bartz, Rachel Howzell Hall, Ivy Pachoda, and Carolyn Kepnes. I’m sure I’ve missed a few (feel free to remind me…). It’s almost too many brilliant books at once.
In addition to ALL of these, I have several more books in the queue, mostly ones that need to be read for possible endorsements. I try very hard to balance books I’m reading for fun with books for work. The one I started last night, though, is superb. It’s called A KILLING COLD, by Kate Alice Marshall. More on that when I finish.
If you’re a Rebecca Yarros fan, I’m sure you’ve heard the fantastic news that the third book in the Empyreum series is coming on January 21, 2025. It’s called ONYX STORM, and you better believe I’ve already pre-ordered it. I got a Kindle version so my Dad can read it — he loves this series — and I’ll be on the lookout for a special hardcover version as well. I like the sprayed edges. If y’all find one, drop a link.
The rest of my reading time was spent traveling and working on some back-end business stuff, so I have a short list this week. Baseball is back, though, so I expect my reading to increase dramatically. There’s nothing I enjoy more than a book and a baseball game. Go Dodgers!
That’s it from me. How about you? What are you reading this weekend?
And blessed Easter to those who celebrate.
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March 22, 2024
Friday Reads 3.22.24
It’s Friday, and you know what that means. Grab a cuppa, and let’s talk about what we’re reading!
Did this week just fly by, or what? I got up Monday morning and somehow it transformed itself into Friday. Maybe it was the leprechauns. I can imagine it’s frustrating to only be celebrated once a year.
I traveled this week, too, which always speeds things up. Happily, I write well on places, so got my word counts in, but a midweek trip does shock the system.
The trip: I’m at my parents to celebrate their anniversary! If you can imagine this—67 years married. 67! They are rockstars, and I’m so excited to be here to toast them. It’s been chilly here my last three visits, and I for one am ready for a little warm weather beach time. Next trip…
My monthly newsletter dropped this week, too. I skipped February in keeping with my social media sabbatical which, let’s be honest, I failed the moment the Princess of Wales situation blew up, and then Sebastian Rogers and Riley Strain went missing in Nashville. It’s lurking, but it’s still using the endless scroll. Have y’all been more tuned in lately?
I have a bunch of books to share today. I’m still reading SLOW PRODUCTIVITY (listening, actually, so it’s taking longer… point taken, Calvin) and THE LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD. I’ve put Wolf Hall aside for a bit, and will come back to it later this year. It’s been a superb experiment, but I am definitely a read-it-all-at-once girl, because setting it down and only reading a chapter a week meant too many other books started competing for its attention.
I brought Lisa Scottoline’s THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DEVLINS with me to read this weekend. Lisa is possibly one of the most accomplished writers we have going, and I can’t wait to dig in. Whether suspense or historical saga, she can’t miss. She’s touring, don’t miss her!
I loved the premise of this short story by Liv Constantine, EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK (part of the Amazon Originals NEVER TELL anthology). This whole collection looks slick! I’m starting with Liv’s book, but I’m going to read them all.
THE PRINCESS OF LAS VEGAS by Chris Bojhalian is another interesting entry in his growing oeuvre. This one is about a Princess Diana impersonator in Las Vegas—and how eerily timed is this?
Christina McDonald’s prequel to her awesome Jess Lambert series, THE STRANGER AT BLACK LAKE, came out this week.
From her new Audiobrary imprint, the one and only Julia Whelan released CASANOVA, the audiobook companion to THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, which is the “book within the book”. I hope you’ve read TYFL, because it’s spectacular. This is a cool meta story.
Lisa Gardner’s newest Frankie Elkin mystery, STILL SEE YOU EVERYWHERE, is out and she’s also on tour. Lisa is a personal favorite and one of those authors I always return to when I forget how to write (Karin Slaughter and John Connolly are the others)
And of course, in case you missed it, IT’S ONE OF US released in trade paperback this week, and is on a Kindle Spring deal this week, too!
That’s it from me. How about you? Good week? Anyone plugged into March Madness? (My brackets haven’t busted yet!) What are you reading this weekend?
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This post may contain affiliate links. They help defray the cost of running the site — and buys the cat her favorite treats!
March 19, 2024
IT'S ONE OF US Out In Trade Paperback Today!
There’s a new book out in the wild, waiting for you! In honor of the release of IT’S ONE OF US in trade paperback, I thought I’d share a little video I made for my sales team to tell them what the story is about. And below you can find all the links to the interviews, reviews, and essays I did relating to this story. I can’t believe it’s already been a year! 🥳
Everybody lies. Even the ones you think you know best of all . . .
Olivia Bender designs exquisite home interiors that satisfy the most demanding clients. But her own deepest desire can’t be fulfilled by marble counters or the perfect rug. She desperately wants to be a mother. Fertility treatments and IVF keep failing. And just when she feels she’s at her lowest point, the police deliver shocking news to Olivia and her husband, Park.
DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder investigation is Park’s son. Olivia is relieved, knowing this is a mistake. Despite their desire, the Benders don’t have any children. Then comes the confession. Many years ago, Park donated sperm to a clinic. He has no idea how many times it was sold—or how many children he has sired.
As the murder investigation goes deeper, more terrible truths come to light. With every revelation, Olivia must face the unthinkable. The man she married has fathered a killer. But can she hold that against him when she keeps such dark secrets of her own?
This twisting, emotionally layered thriller explores the lies we tell to keep a marriage together—or break each other apart . . .
Globe and Mail Bestseller List
★ Library Journal starred review
Amazon Editors' Pick - Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Apple Books’ Best Book of March
Costco Canada Buyer’s Pick for March 2023
Walmart Canada Read of the Month March 2023
Goodreads 2023's Most Anticipated Mysteries & Thrillers
Paste Magazine: The Most Anticipated Mystery and Thriller Books of 2023
POPSUGAR: 28 New Mystery Books That'll Have You on the Edge of Your Seat in March
SheReads: Top Thrillers on Booktok & Bookstagram: February 2023
CrimeReads: 10 New Books Coming Out This Week
INTERVIEWS, PODCASTS, AND ESSAYSThe Creative Edge is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
🖥 Bookreporter Talks To... with Carol Fitzgerald
🖥 Facebook Live with Jayne Ann Krentz
🖥 Ampstigator Podcast with Lauren Lowrey
🖥 The Poisoned Pen: J.T. in conversation with Nick Petrie
🖥 Emily Booked Up Instagram Live
🖥 Local on 2 with Larissa Wohl
🖥 Mystery Maven with Sara DiVello
🖥 Killer Women Podcast with Danielle Girard | Authors on the Air
🖥️ Sonica Soares, The Reading Beauty Instagram Live
🎤 Authors on the Air with Allison Brennan (Soundcloud | Anchor)
🎤 Simplified Podcast with Emily Ley: When Your Life Becomes a Thriller Novel (with J.T. Ellison)
🎤 The Inside Flap Podcase: The Trouble With Sperm Donors
🎤 Books are Chic Podcast with Courtney Marzilli
REVIEWSLibrary Journal: “Ellison spotlights the issue of infertility, based on her own experiences, then adds betrayal, obsession, and familial ties that bind to create a tension-filled story with an intriguing theme. Readers will race through the pages to an end they didn’t see coming.” ⭐️
Apple: “Long-held secrets become a matter of life and death in J.T. Ellison’s taut, edgy thriller.”
Bookreporter: “The eerily titled IT’S ONE OF US opens with a scene that will creep out even the staunchest reader…”
BookTrib: “J.T. Ellison’s scintillating “It’s One of Us” is an early contender for best psychological thriller for 2023.”
And more…
Chapter 16: Heartbreak and Betrayal
PRAISE“A heart-stoppingly tense thriller about the price of secrets and the layers behind every marriage.”
—Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author of THE IT GIRL
“It’s One of Us brings all the twists, chills, and thrills I expect from the preternaturally gifted Ellison, and it’s also an emotionally resonant read that I can’t wait to recommend to my book club. The secrets snarled in the threads of an unraveling marriage and a heroine who wholly won me over put this one on my keeper shelf—you are going to love it!”
—Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of WITH MY LITTLE EYE
“J.T. Ellison has done the impossible in IT’S ONE OF US, by crafting a riveting domestic thriller full of twists and turns, but also heart and emotion. You’ll root for her heroine Olivia Bender every step of the way, as soon as a knock on the door brings shocking news that threatens her marriage and her world. You won’t be able to put this novel down!”
—Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author of LOYALTY
“A smart, taut, mind-blowing thriller full of heartbreak and betrayal that moves along at breakneck speed. IT’S ONE OF US is a force to be reckoned with. I’ve always been a fan, but Ellison has outdone herself with this one. Readers will be obsessed!”
—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of LOCAL WOMAN MISSING
“Without ever once sacrificing narrative grace, J.T. Ellison hits every bumper in her newest novel: IT’S ONE OF US — a husband and wife who are both troubled and troubling, murky medical ethics targeting people desperate for babies, the thicket of surprise families through DNA testing and the murders of two young women, twenty years apart. It might sound like a whirlpool of social-media fodder, but it’s anything but: It’s one of the most compelling psychological suspense stories I’ve read in years.”
—Jacquelyn Mitchard, New York Times bestselling author of THE DEEP END OF THE OCEAN and THE GOOD SON
"Beautifully written and impossible to put down, master storyteller J.T. Ellison will have you spellbound with this deeply layered psychological thriller. Immersive and propulsive, IT’S ONE OF US, keeps you turning pages with an ending you’ll never see coming. I loved it!”
—Liv Constantine, bestselling author of THE LAST MRS. PARRISH
“IT’S ONE OF US is an emotional and thrilling psychological journey through the shadows of the human heart. Just when you think you know what’s coming, prepare to gasp with each new revelation. Through multiple fascinating points of view, layers of secrets, lies, love and loss are revealed. I did not put this book down until the last unexpected and breathless page. Unpredictable, intense and riveting, J. T. Ellison is at her heart-stopping best.”
—Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of THE SECRET BOOK OF FLORA LEA
“IT'S ONE OF US sets a stunning new gold standard in psychological suspense. At once an extraordinary, unpredictable, absolutely riveting thriller and a fiercely insightful, emotional journey, this is psychological suspense at its most enthralling and intense.”
—Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author of SLEEP NO MORE
“In IT’S ONE OF US, J.T. Ellison pulls no punches as she expertly explores the intensely complex emotions surrounding infertility, loss, and marriage. Throw in murder, a vivid cast of characters, and shocking secrets, Ellison masterfully mines the human heart in this treasure of a thriller that will keep readers turning the pages long into the night.”
—Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest
“J.T. Ellison is one of my absolute favorite authors and with IT’S ONE OF US, she brings things to a whole other level. Ellison takes her trademark gripping, breathless thriller, adds an incredibly unique premise and delivers a novel that’s also a deeply poignant story about our deepest desire for love, family and happiness. Brimming with tension and raw emotion, it’s the perfect book club pick. I’ll be thinking about this book for a very long time.”
— Hannah Mary McKinnon, internationally bestselling author of NEVER COMING HOME
“Secrets and lies abound, relationships are tested, and the twists keep coming. A signature J.T. Ellison thriller told from multiple points of view with an added layer of emotional depth that held me captive until the end. This read is wild, going from 0-60 mph on the first page, and doesn’t stop until the last. I’m pretty good at guessing whodunit. Not this one, which made this book that much more gripping. Ellison outdid herself, a master storyteller. This is a must read, especially the author’s note at the end, which gutted me.”
—Kerry Lonsdale, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post & Amazon Charts Bestselling Author of NO MORE WORDS
“J.T. Ellison is one of my favorite authors. I eagerly await everything she writes. And in IT’S ONE OF US she is at the very top of her formidable game. Don’t miss this layered, emotional, and twisting thrill ride.”
—Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX
“The perfect mix of edge-of-your-seat tension, deep emotion, and impeccably developed characters, J.T. Ellison’s latest is a masterclass in storytelling. Secrets and lies, love and loss mix flawlessly to create a novel that touches every single emotion. Fans of Lisa Jewell and Ruth Ware will flock to IT’S ONE OF US, and book clubs won’t be able to stop talking about it. Five dazzling stars.”
—Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times Bestselling author of THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS
"A tense and propulsive thriller, IT’S ONE OF US explores the dark truths of marriage, the lengths we go to hide our deepest secrets and the ways in which they find their way to the light. J.T. Ellison knows how to grab readers and hold them on their edge of their seats to the final pages, and IT’S ONE OF US proves this writer is at the top of her game."
—Danielle Girard, USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestseller of THE EX
“Raw, layered and full of stunning revelations, IT’S ONE OF US is the most original thriller we’ve read in years. With a richly drawn cast of characters, an emotionally charged plot and a jaw-dropping ending, IT’S ONE OF US should be your next read!”
—Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke, authors of How to Save a Life
J.T. Ellison is at the top of her game with IT’S ONE OF US, an extremely compelling thriller shot through with twists and turns, a strong emotional pulse, and heartfelt exploration of the pressures of marriage and starting a family. Impressive and gripping.
—Gilly Macmillan, internationally bestselling author of THE LONG WEEKEND
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March 15, 2024
Friday Reads 3.15.24
It’s Friday, and you know what that means. Grab a cuppa, and let’s talk about what we’re reading!
Beware the Ides of March!
It’s been quite a week. From missing princesses to—oh, who are we kidding, that’s all I’ve been doing this week. I think the internet needed a scandal that wasn’t political, and everyone was comfortable talking about, and then Kensington Palace said, “Hold my Grey Poupon…” and picked up a can of lighter fluid, and ten minutes later, the cheery chuckling fire in the great room burned down the country house. I haven’t seen the zeitgeist this tuned up in years, and I readily admit I am here for it. Considering the prophetic day, what’s going to happen next?
I poke fun, but I am quite concerned for Catherine, Princess of Wales. I wish her all the best for a speedy recovery, and hope the rest of the world can get out of her way to do so.
If you’re interested, here are some excellent reads that are not positing that aliens have eaten HRHCPOW. (Jump ahead if you aren’t interested; there are plenty of books ahead, too.)
by Anne Helen Peterson is wonderful in general, but her piece on the actions of the Royal Family was well-reasoned and smart. (Stick around for her take on the ACOTAR phenomenon, too.)
Amanda Matta’s (possibly the best Substack title ever for the content) had a few great pieces this week, including this one on why the Royal Family’s PR is failing them, and why now, in particular.
From Vox, here’s a fun conspiratorial deep dive into the doctored photograph itself.
And another new Substack that I’m obsessed with belongs to who has kept a level head and still done some legitimate speculating on what’s been going on behind the scenes.
The BBC Sounds podcast When It Hits The Fan has a 30-minute deep dive from a couple of palace insiders explaining the mentality of the two palaces’ comms teams and how to decide whether you are in a PR crisis or not.
Now, to the books!
All the above said, it’s ironic to start with a book based on a reality TV show gone wrong, but her, que sera, sera. EVERYONE IS WATCHING by Heather Gudenkauf is tight, and smart, and an utter page turner.
I’ve mentioned this one before, but I finally got started on Kemper Donovan’s THE BUSY BODY and it is awesome. I love the characters, the topic (ghostwriter to a politician), the setting, the snark… it’s great.
I also started THE LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Stuart Turton (this is a Netgalley score) Wow. Speculative literary fiction is having a real moment, and I’ve read a few books in this vein this year (see THE OTHER VALLEY) and it is one of those you have to just go with and assume you’ll be let in on the whole picture later on. I can’t wait to see what the real story is.
I grabbed THE IDEA OF YOU by Robinne Lee based on the movie trailer featuring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine (who played Prince Henry in Red, White, and Royal Blue, which I adored). A May-December romance that starts at Coachella, when a mom takes her daughter to see her favorite boy band and finds herself in a relationship with one of the band members? OK!
newest, WATCH IT BURN, drops on Tuesday. Kristen’s got a great voice, and the book simmers with malice! A great cover, too.
In full disclosure, I DNF’d a book I was excited about reading. I just didn’t connect with the characters, and 100 percent recognize that I am not the target audience. Instead of grinding my teeth, I moved on. The reviews are sparkling, so clearly it was just me. I don’t like to share the names of these books, because I don’t want to color other readers’ experience with it. If I DNF for cause, I will not be shy.
We also have been totally obsessed with the new Apple series Masters of the Air. I can’t say enough good things about this show. It’s set in the 100th Airborne Squadron in WWII and showcases the boys who fly the B-17 bombers. I’m ridiculously invested. Plus, Austin Butler and Callum Turner. And their characters’ friendship is dynamite.
We watched a distressing documentary called THE PROGRAM: Cons, Cults, and Kidnappings. It was hard to watch, and heartbreaking, but I’m glad we did because as the filmmaker and former “student” Katherine Kubler says, now you know.
Some other smatterings:
IT’S ONE OF US releases in trade paperback on the 19th. It’s part of the Harper Collins March Madness and just made it to the second round…feel free to drop a vote!
In the Craft series, Step Seven: The Daily Grind (20k) went up.
And last, but not least, my new novel, A VERY BAD THING, went up on Netgalley! For those of you not familiar, that’s where reviewers and librarians and booksellers can get an early copy. I will definitely have galleys closer to release date.
That’s it from me. How about you? Good week? What are you reading this weekend?
This post may contain affiliate links. They help defray the cost of running the site — and buys the cat her favorite treats!
March 10, 2024
Step Seven: The Daily Grind (20k)
We’ve reached Act Two of this series, the most vital part: the day-to-day work of laying down the words that will eventually be edited into a novel. For fear of it devolving into the dreaded saggy middle, I’m breaking it into its own series of acts based on where I am in the book. My plan is to write an essay at 20k words (Act 1), 40k words (Act 1.5), 60k words (Act 2), 80k words (Act 3), and 100k words (Act 4). I’ve just crossed the 20k mark, and feel like this part of the series is ready to begin.
First, a small celebration. Twenty thousand words! Seventy pages! There is a story brewing. When I hit 25k, that’s when I really lean in and say okay, you’re rocking and rolling. The 100-page mark is a watershed moment for me. That’s not only when it feels like I’ve really got something, but when the shape of the novels usually becomes clear.
Wait a sec. Your novels have…shapes?
Yes. I like thinking of story in terms of shapes. It’s the story’s basic structure, and determining the narrative shape gives me a good idea of what the story will look like both structurally and thematically.
I’ve had an ouroboros (Lie To Me), infinity loops (Tear Me Apart), Celtic knots (Good Girls Lie), DNA strands (It’s One of Us), even nonsensical chaos (Her Dark Lies) though when the scribbled lines were stripped away, it showed a maelstrom that became a funnel. Down, down, down into the story I went until I realized I was caught in the vortex between Scylla and Charybdis (literally, the island is home to Scylla’s cave), and everything made sense.
The shape of A Very Bad Thing—an octagon—came from John McPhee’s wonderful writing memoir DRAFT NO. 4, in which he talks at length about the myriad story structures he’s learned and utilized in writing for the New Yorker. I couldn’t figure out what I was trying to do with so many characters until I saw this little graphic:
John McPhee’s diagram of how to structure a storyWhen I applied the name Columbia Jones to the X and put the names of every person (POV character) whom my journalist, Riley, will have to talk to to get a complete story about Columbia, poof: the shape of AVBT is an octagon.
These visual cues are important to me. I’m a visual storyteller, and the sooner I can see the story’s shape, the tighter the storytelling itself becomes.
March 8, 2024
Friday Reads 3.8.24
It’s Friday, and you know what that means. Grab a cuppa, and let’s talk about what we’re reading!
Ah, the first full week of the month. I enjoy it a little too much. There’s something very satisfying about setting up my bullet journal for the month. I start with the Goals page of the previous month and see what I’ve accomplished and what I missed. If it’s something important, I will push it over into the next month. If it’s not, I leave it behind.
Deciding where my energies should go is a major part of my planning cycle. Last month I skipped my monthly newsletters. Being on a social media sabbatical, it felt true to my six-week mission to pull back (which has had mixed results—getting good news and doing a cover reveal and planning a research trip and prepping for a book release means I’ve had to cheat a bit.) I have broken that knee-jerk reaction to open Instagram when I’m bored (though I’ve maybe replaced it with Substack Notes? Work to be done on that in the next few weeks…)
Once I’ve determined my monthly goals and updated my Trello Boards and my ToDo list, I use a simple notecard to remind me of my main goals for the month. It’s beautiful, and it sits proudly on the corner of my desk by my crystal Hedwig. This month, things on it include my word count goal for HLN, the release of IOOU, the AVBT cover reveal, a draft read of the new Jayne book, Substack plans, and reminders to say no and exercise. On the back, the books I’ve read. There are only a few entry lines, so I have to be very specific with my goals. There is only so much a person can reasonably do in a given time period; this is a visual reminder of that. I think we’re all trying to do way too much, and this is my way of pulling back to the core, focusing on the things that really matter to me.
This quiet practice of mindfulness means hitting goals is a lot easier. It’s also easier to see what’s realistic for the schedule. I have three books going right now—the one I’m drafting (HLN), the one I’m about to start promoting (A VERY BAD THING), and the next Jayne book, which is starting editorial. Plus, IT’S ONE OF US releases in trade paperback on the 19th. It took me about five minutes of calendar searching to realize there ain’t no way I can do everything I’d planned this month to move these projects along apace. I’d hoped to release Jayne #5 at the end of April: That had to be pushed. Could I have done it? Yes. Would I have been a nice person to be around? Would there have been dinners made and laundry done and workouts finished and word counts realized? Nope.
Guess what? The world will not end.
So, if I’m learning anything from my sabbatical, it’s this: Go slower. Do less. Put more margin in the schedule. Breathe deeper, and enjoy the ride.
The ride includes some fun reads this week. My bookshelves were bursting, and the TBR stack taunting, so I did a little shelf cleaning and moved all the TBR books off the ladder and onto a shelf. Not having them in a constant line of sight also allowed a reframe of the priorities. Many are galleys, so I put them in publication order so I can share them here close to release dates. (Also see: Trying not to do too much.) With that in mind…
SLOW PRODUCTIVITY - Cal Newport
I may have pre-ordered a few too many copies of this. Two hardcovers, one digital, and one audio all showed up on Tuesday. No matter, they are all being put to good use.
Cal’s thesis for Slow Productivity is quite straightforward: “1. Do fewer things. 2. Work at a natural pace. 3. Obsess over quality.”1
That’s it. By slowing down, taking our time, saying no to being busy and instead saying yes to a slower approach, the quality of our work increases, our stress levels decrease, and we have a deeper, more meaningful life.
This book speaks to me on a thousand levels. Maybe it’s entering middle age. Maybe it’s knowing that there is a limited amount of time in our lives, and spending it on pursuits that are not nourishing to the soul wastes precious moments. Maybe it’s because it opens with an anecdote about a book by John McPhee (Draft No. 4) that changed the course of the writing of AVBT(more on that in another post…)
Maybe I’m just making up lost time from those first jazzy years, when everything was shiny and new and I magpied my way through them. My old work standard, fiction from 1-4 daily M-F, was sacrosanct, but the rest of the time? I was all over the place. If I could do anything differently, it would have been to pull back sooner than I eventually did. I was young, and I was idealistic, and I thought everyone was logical and approachable. I forgot that publishing is art. It was in 2009, four years into my career, that I started tracking word counts and focusing more on only my work. Obsessing over quality instead of popularity. I realized early on that social media was hurting me. When Cal’s DEEP WORK came out and I was introduced to his ideas, I was primed to receive them.
ICYMBI: Cal and I had a long talk a while back about my path toward becoming a thriller writer, but also working my way through those first few frantic years as a debut to a more steady career-paced life. Things in that conversation presaged both this book of his and my desire to make a change in how I was published. It might be interesting, and this book certainly is. (My part starts at 23:30 — though Cal’s deep dive is well worth watching, too.)
And if you want a précis on Cal’s work, you can watch the A WORD ON WORDS episode where I grill him about all the things.
THE NEW COUPLE IN 5B - Lisa Unger
Lisa Unger is simply brilliant, and I love everything she does. Her ability to crawl inside a character’s head and bare their soul piece by jagged piece is unparalleled. This is not different—a writer and an actor inherit a spectacular apartment in a famed New York City building, the Windemere, and it’s off the hook from that moment forward. There’s a creeping dread to this book that made me deliciously uncomfortable. A master at work.
THE STRANGER IN THE WOODS - Michael Finkel
Recommended here on the Edge, I grabbed this one from the library and it was utterly fascinating. Christopher Knight lived alone in the Maine woods three minutes from society and was never seen, but stole from almost every cabin in the area. I don’t know that I could live alone in the woods for 27 years, but I applaud the ordered mind that isolation can bring, though certainly don’t condone the burglaries that took place to help sustain the Hermit. Hermits are romanticized throughout this text; I got a great deal of information that was very helpful for the new book, too.
WOLF HALL - Hilary Mantel
I have discovered that this book is much more fun as a physical book than as an ebook. I don’t know why. Maybe I’m too tired to read it at night before I go to sleep, and the words don’t have the same impact? Moving back to the print book made the language and story sing again. Interesting…Do you find some books lend themselves to different formats?
Up Next:
EVERYONE IS WATCHING - Heather Gudenkauf
One of my most anticipated reads of the year. Heather and I started out together ages and ages ago, and it’s been such a pleasure watching her stratospheric rise. When she told me about this one, I begged for an early copy. So far, it does not disappoint. More when I’m done.
That’s it from me. How about you? Good week? What are you reading this weekend?
A quick housekeeping note: Going forward, I’m considering not sending paid posts to all subscribers, only to the ones who’ve signed up for these posts. Why? I worry I’m annoying those of you who are readers first and are not interested in the paid writing class. While having a paywall break in the post achieves a certain goal—the idea that some of you will be interested enough in the topic to subscribe—it also feels like an annoyance. From now on, if there’s a paid post done or upcoming. I will link to it on Friday, and you can explore it on your own. Sound good? For example, last week, I wrote about Resistance. You can see the post here.
Just to be sure that’s what you want, I’m going to drop a poll here, but I’m guessing this will be met with relief. We’ve never had a transactional relationship, you and I. No need to start now unless YOU want it.
This post may contain affiliate links. They help defray the cost of running the site — and buys the cat her favorite treats! 1Newport, C. (2024). Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout (1st ed., p. 8). Portfolio. www.calnewport.com
March 5, 2024
🎉 Cover Reveal: A VERY BAD THING
From New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison comes a taut thriller about one author at the pinnacle of her career, whose past threatens to destroy everything she has―and everyone she knows.
A great writer knows when to deliver a juicy plot twist. But for one author, the biggest twist of all is her own murder.
With twenty hit titles, and a highly anticipated movie tie-in, celebrated novelist Columbia Jones is at the top of her game. Fans around the world adore her. But on the final night of her latest book tour, one face in the crowd makes the author collapse. And by the next morning, she’s lying dead in a pool of blood.
Columbia’s death shocks the world and leaves Darian, her daughter and publicist, reeling. The police have nothing to go on―at first. But then details emerge, pointing to the author’s illicit past. Turns out many people had motive to kill Columbia. And with a hungry reporter and frustrated cop on the trail, her secrets won’t stay buried long. But how many lives will they shatter as the truth comes out?
Who killed Columbia Jones? Find out in Fall 2024…“J.T. Ellison delivers yet again. A Very Bad Thing sizzles from page one. Moving at breakneck speed, Ellison’s latest explores the complex relationships between mothers and daughters and delivers twists and turns that make for an irresistible read.”
– Lori Roy, Edgar Award-winning author of Lake County
“A world-famous author, a devoted daughter, a persistent journalist, and one shocking murder - master storyteller J.T. Ellison has penned another winner to keep us up at night. In A VERY BAD THING, Ellison delves into the complex nature of mother-daughter relationships, the price of fame, and the danger of long-held secrets in this addictive, impossible-to-put-down thriller. Loved it!”
—Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest and Everyone Is Watching
“Once again, J.T. Ellison hits it out of the park. A VERY BAD THING is twisting, juicy, suspenseful, and heartfelt—a single-sitting read. I couldn’t put it down.”
—Meg Gardiner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shadowheart and Heat 2
“A VERY BAD THING is a wonderfully smart, twisty, psychological thriller infused with dark secrets, high drama and edgy tension. Wow, what a ride!”
—Jayne Ann Krentz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Night Garden
“From the first sentence, A VERY BAD THING is a bullet train-paced thriller that plunges the reader into the scene of a murder and a brilliant novelist's dark past. Filled with a cast of characters with questionable motives and a whip-sharp plot, Ellison's latest will have you guessing who-done-it until the very last page. An engrossing domestic thriller well-suited for Ellison's fans and mystery readers alike. I was thoroughly entertained by this fun and wild story.”
— Kerry Lonsdale, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post bestselling author of No More Words and Last Summer
March 3, 2024
Interim Step Two: Facing Down Resistance
I want to talk about a sensitive topic today. A nasty little beast called Resistance. What it is, how to recognize it, and how to battle it effectively.
Resistance comes in numerous forms. They are all valid and difficult to manage, but they are all beatable. The trick is to recognize resistance, which isn’t easy because it has many personalities. And they are all designed with one goal in mind: derailing your creative spirit.
But have faith. Resistance can be temporary. Transient. It’s all in how you allow it to affect you. As I interpret the Buddhist theology toward emotions: You are not your emotion; it is simply something you’re experiencing at a particular moment. If you can learn to look at resistance in this way, you will be able to conquer it.
First, what is resistance, really? Real resistance is elemental. It’s driven by the creative soul. At its most simple, exposed self, it is Fear, capital F. Fear is a familiar, corrosive beast. You will recognize it easily as the critical voice that sneaks in to derail you just when things start going well. It is rude and wrong, and if you can be honest with yourself and acknowledge it when it shows up, you defang it entirely. But how?
You’re probably already familiar with your own particular internal resistance. It is more commonly referred to as the critical voice. We often give it power by identifying it—wrongly—as the mythic writer’s block. I would argue that block is very different than resistance. Block is your story saying, “Hey, things aren’t going the way they need to. Come have a sit and let’s talk about it.” Internal resistance, on the other hand, is the fear that the story is worthless, that it can’t be finished, and that no one will want it anyway, so why bother? A block is not crippling, at least on its face. A block is circumventable. Resistance, though, needs training to subvert, sometimes professionally in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy, sometimes by sheer freaking will.
Photo by Elisa Ventur on Unsplash
March 1, 2024
Friday Reads 3.1.24
It’s Friday, and you know what that means. Grab a cuppa, and let’s talk about what we’re reading!
It’s the first of March…I can’t believe it, can you? This year is streaking past already. I want to extend a big welcome to all the new folks who’ve recently ventured into this creative pasture. The grass is green and, hopefully, filling. Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to the crew here in the comments or on the official Get to Know You post…
It’s been a very good week. I have excellent news: The International Thriller Writers have nominated IT’S ONE OF US for Best Hardcover, and in a shocking double-header, These Cold Strangers also got a nod for Best Short Story. The Thriller Awards are the highlight of the annual ITW conference in New York, and I’m thrilled to be nominated—and able to attend. What an amazing honor bestowed upon me by my peers. I’ve been a judge for several awards over the years, and it’s a difficult job. My deepest gratitude to all involved, and major congratulations to my fellow nominees! I mean, breathless over here. These categories are *stacked* with amazing talent. 🤯
It also gave me a midway break on my social media sabbatical to pop in and say thanks to everyone. I’ve been missing some folks badly, so it was nice to have a brief catch-up. It was a wild morning. My texts blew up, and my mom was in surgery, so I flipped for a moment. Then, I flipped again when I saw the news. (Mom’s doing great; a trapped nerve in her elbow is now released. Poor thing.)
After that lovely mid-week interlude, it was back to work (and books). I’d hoped to have a quick 22 Steps series update this weekend, but having (happily) lost most of Wednesday, I fell behind on ye old word count. Instead of Step Seven, I thought I might tackle our frenemy, Resistance, so tune in on Sunday for a look at this unique creative derailment.
I maybe have a few too many books going at once. I was heading to the kitchen for a cuppa, and realized there was an open book on almost every surface. My desk, the side table, the kitchen table, the kitchen counter, the couch. There are just so many amazing books to read right now! Here are a few I’m totally digging:
Scott Alexander Howard’s brilliant debut, THE OTHER VALLEY, is out this week! I’ve been babbling to anyone who will listen what a remarkable book this is. If you liked NEVER LET ME GO, you will love this intellectually stimulating dystopian. It’s a beautiful concept and very much an elegy on grief as well.
I’m nearly done with THE STRANGER AT THE WEDDING by A.E. Gauntlett. What a book! Suspense with dread creeping around every vignette…
I was approved for an early look at Jesse Q. Sutanto’s YOU WILL NEVER BE ME (great title) and I am here for it. Especially after watching her live-write her last novel, I’m super curious about her thrillers!
I read Rick Rubin’s THE CREATIVE ACT: A Way of Being, a few months back, and I wanted some breakfast inspiration, so listened to the Blinkist of the book. Its koan-level snippets on creative thought are wonderful. I love the creative metaphor of the peach tree. In short: The tree puts out fruit every summer. It doesn’t *try* to produce peaches; it just does. That’s one of the best ways to think about your own creativity. You’re a writer. Why are you *trying* to write? Just write. Also, the print book is super cool—devoid of a book jacket, the title and image are printed directly on the light gray cloth. Perfectly minimalist.
I mentioned Blinkist… not a sponsor, just a fan. I love it for non-fiction. If you’ve never tried it, it summarizes books and gives you the drilled-down essence. I have gone on to buy many of the books I’ve listened to — they’re all very short, so you can get through one during a workout, or a drive to PT, and it makes you smarter. Smarter is good.
I’m gaining again on the WOLF HALL slow read, thank goodness. Though my weekends are about to be subsumed with magic (a.k .a. the revision of Jayne Thorne, CIA Librarian #5), so I might fall behind again.
Speaking of magic… Over the past few weeks, there have been oodles of articles on Sarah J. Maas, celebrating the release of HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW. As you all know, I am a huge fan, and I’ve been struck by how… okay, let’s not dance around it… snide some of the articles have been. The compliments are couched in language that makes it clear that yes, she’s a phenom, but the whole idea of romantasy is . I think that does her a real disservice and is insulting to her fans, to boot. God forbid a beautiful, intelligent young woman writes three epic fantasy series that bring millions of fans to the genre. (where’s my sarcasm emoji?) I feel like anything that gets folks reading is valuable to the publishing world, and if it’s making both the author and publisher money? All the better. Vox at least had a nicer tone. I am waiting for my next vacation to read the new series, starting with HOUSE OF EARTH AND BLOOD. I need a beach and some waves for a total escape. But my dad’s halfway through the third and says it’s all great!
We watched Einstein and the Bomb on Netflix this week, and I was struck by the snippets of his 1933 speech at Royal Albert Hall, so I found a copy and read the whole thing. It’s scary how prescient he was. What they skipped over in the film was his idea for deep work, to take brilliant young minds to the lonely shore or isolated countryside and let them think deep thoughts. I think this is an excellent idea.
I sent it immediately to our friend Cal, who, by the way, has a new book out Tuesday called Slow Productivity. Expect a dissertation on it next week 😂
Yes, I am reading all over the place right now. I’m firmly convinced it exercises all parts of the brain, and as such, is good for writing.
And on the writing front:
I’m cooking along on #HLN. The story is fully outlined, and I’m laying down words. The constraints of the outline don’t seem to be keeping me from getting creative with the storytelling. Ergo, the experiment is declared a success. And the first draft of the new Jayne Thorne novel is now in my queue for edits. Things are getting busy again, so I’m really buckling down.
That’s it from me. How about you? Good week? What are you reading this weekend?
This post may contain affiliate links. They help defray the cost of running the site — and buys the cat her favorite treats!
February 23, 2024
Friday Reads 2.23.24
It’s Friday, and you know what that means. Let’s talk about what we’re reading!
There is such comfort in books and the quiet that comes with reading. When I have a week that finds me away from the pages of others, like last week, I get downright grumpy. But this week, all is well. I read a bunch, bought a few, and have lots to share!
I started THE STRANGER AT THE WEDDING by debut author A.E. Gauntlett, and I am entranced. The dread oozes from the pages… I feel like this might be a bit Silent Patient-esque, with a kitchen sink twist, and I am here for it. One heck of a novel so far.
I’ve mentioned already that has a new book coming, EVERY MOMENT SINCE, and now I’m halfway through. It is outstanding. I should be wrapped on it this weekend, too.
Lisa Unger, superstar and writer of has a new one out this coming in 2 weeks — THE NEW COUPLE IN 5B. I may have scored an early copy, and you know what I’m reading next…
I am also deep into Barrier to Entry, a short story in the Blaze collection from Amazon Originals. It’s the story of the mother of forensic science, and I have been dying to read it—it just came out yesterday, so perfect timing! Plus, the covers are wonderful!
My pal Barbara Peters at Poisoned Pen sent me THE BUSY BODY by Kemper Donovan. This book came up in our last discussion, and I’m excited to read it!
I snagged a copy of Samantha Bailey’s A FRIEND IN THE DARK — wow, that cover is hot stuff.
Mark Greaney’s new Gray Man thriller, THE CHAOS AGENT, is out! I love this series. Mark is one of the nicest guys on the planet, too.
I also read the opening chapters of A.J. Finn’s END OF STORY. It’s good so far; I liked the atmospheric opening. Has anyone finished it? Should I keep going?
I am so ashamed that I’ve fallen terribly behind in the Wolf Hall slow read (Sorry, ) But, in a wonderful discovery, I realized I have it on my Kindle from years ago! I’ve started reading it before bed, and I’m catching up. I’m going to set aside an hour on Sunday to read and hopefully get current with the rest of the read. It really is remarkable; Mantel is a genius. It’s sly, and smart, and so lushly beautiful.
In keeping with my sabbatical…I read a fascinating piece that I heard about on the Deep Questions podcast that’s unlocked a whole new world of thought about how social media is affecting girls, and the “conveyer belt” analogy is perfection. I can’t imagine it’s not hurting the self-image of our boys, too.
On the writing front:
A celebration is in order… I finished the page proofs of A VERY BAD THING. I really am getting excited for you to read this book. And I can’t wait to share the cover, which is 👩🏼🍳💋
And from the craft series, Step Six: The Outline, is now available. It was not the easiest entry because A - I had to teach myself how to outline, and B - did I mention I had to teach myself how to outline? And then relay that knowledge to you in a way that makes sense. Glad this step is wrapped!
If you want to lay some groundwork on your next story, here’s a taste of something I’ll be discussing in the upcoming Step Seven: The Daily Grind—how many words should we write in a day? At what point does the quality fall off?
And last but not least, I interviewed Christine Coulson about her wondrous book, ONE WOMAN SHOW. I don’t know if you remember me raving about it last year, but the book was one of my top five for 2023. Excellent!
That’s it from me. How about you? Good week? What are you reading this weekend?
This post may contain affiliate links. They help defray the cost of running the site — and buys the cat her favorite treats!
