G.B. Ralph's Blog, page 10
January 22, 2025
“Cute chaotic cosy crime”
What a headline! I was so tickled when I spotted this in a recent reader review of Murder on Milverton Square, the first of the Milverton Mysteries.
The Milverton MysteriesA delightful cosy mystery series set in an enchanting small town nestled amongst stunning New Zealand scenery.
Investigate The Milverton Mysteries for a chaotic cast of local busybodies, delicious baked treats, a demanding and disdainful ginger cat, a very slow-burn romance with a rather appealing policeman, and ...
January 20, 2025
Top 10 writing highlights of 2024: #10 Mailing list!
My final writing highlight of 2024 has to be the success of my author mailing list!
It’s always wonderful hearing back from readers, both those who have been following along for months or years and those who have stumbled across me and my books more recently.
I don’t think I can overstate how important my mailing list has been for me and my writing career. It’s the best, most reliable way for me to stay in contact with readers. I know my email newsletters are landing safely in everyone’s i...
January 19, 2025
Top 10 writing highlights of 2024: #9 Local bookstore!
My penultimate writing highlight of 2024 was having my books stocked at my local bookstore, Bruce McKenzie Booksellers. I am so grateful for the effort and enthusiasm of the booksellers who keep recommending my books and to local readers who keep picking them up!
The bookstore supported my first in-person book launch by selling copies of the books and, even more importantly, supplying the wines.
And what’s better than having my paperbacks in store? They keep selling out! Here’s a post I sh...
January 18, 2025
Top 10 writing highlights of 2024: #8 Livestream!
My eighth 2024 writing highlight was my very first livestreamed interview. I joined Mark Stay for his monthly Creative Differences podcast livestream, where we chatted about writing and “the little things that can make all the difference to the creative process.” On top of that, we had live audience members firing plenty of questions our way which were great fun to discuss – we had a whale of a time!
It may have been livestreamed, but it was also recorded so everyone could listen to the podca...
January 17, 2025
Top 10 writing highlights of 2024: #7 Library books!
My next highlight for 2024 was seeing my latest book, Death in Douglas Glade, on the shelves at my local library. I spotted it during its brief appearance on the New Books display, but since then every copy has been checked out, and now there’s a waiting list!
It’s so great to have the continued support of the librarians and locals who use the Palmerston North City Library.
Have you checked out any of my books from your local library? If they don’t have my books in their catalogue yet,...
January 16, 2025
Top 10 writing highlights of 2024: #6 Newspapers!
Having a write-up in the newspaper was an author bingo square checked off for me, so it definitely gets a place on my list of 2024 writing highlights. And if that wasn’t enough, it happened twice!
I was interviewed by NZME journalist Ilona Hanne, and her article featured in The New Zealand Herald and the Manawatū Guardian. We discussed, among many other topics: our love of reading, libraries, cosy mysteries, The Milverton Mysteries, fictional cats, local inspiration, finding ways for peop...
January 15, 2025
Top 10 writing highlights of 2024: #5 New release!
My fifth writing highlight of 2024 was releasing Death in Douglas Glade, the third of my Milverton Mysteries!
For me, releasing a new book into the wild is equal parts excitement and terror. But seeing how much early readers loved Death in Douglas Glade – variously describing it as “the best one yet”, “fun and clever and delightful,” and “exactly what I needed to read” – was a real boost.
Then those wonderful words were backed up with cold, hard numbers when Death in Douglas Glade jumped u...
January 14, 2025
Top 10 writing highlights of 2024: #4 Book launch!
My fourth writing highlight for 2024 was holding my first in-person book launch. It was a wonderful evening, with so many people showing up to support and celebrate the release of Death in Douglas Glade that we had to get more chairs out!
Palmerston North City Library hosted the event and put on the nibbles; Bruce McKenzie Booksellers supplied the wine and were on hand to sell the books; and Bing Turkby joined me up the front to ask the questions and keep the conversation flowing.
For ...
January 13, 2025
Top 10 writing highlights of 2024: #3 Anthology!
Another absolute highlight of 2024 was being involved in this fantastic – quite literally! – short story anthology.
Discover drama, treachery, love, and the unpredictable outcomes of our actions in The Law of Consequences which collects 20 tall tales from 20 talented authors! There’s even one from me: The Sand Witch’s Sandwich.
The full list of contributing authorsAlex WeightAndrew ChapmanAndrew GuileEmmanuella DekonorG B Ralph (that’s me!)G.M. WhiteGaret...
January 12, 2025
Top 10 writing highlights of 2024: #2 Author panel!
The second of my 2024 highlights was joining fellow authors for a panel discussion, in front of a real, live, in-person audience! ‘Mysterious Manawatū’ was part of the Ngaio Marsh Awards ‘Mystery in the Library’ event series and was held at the Palmerston North City Library.
I was rather nervous going in but ended up having a fantastic time chatting with Bing Turkby, Riley Chance, Gigi Fenster, and MC Hugh Dingwall from Manawatu People’s Radio. Of course, the real treasure was the friends I m...
