Clea Simon's Blog, page 80
August 25, 2015
Permission to write badly... (my interview with Mayhem and Magic)
"When you hit a snag in your writing, how do you conquer it?"
That was only one of the insightful questions I fielded from Terri at Mayhem & Magic. This is what I told her:
"I give myself permission to write badly. I say – sometimes out loud – that I can write something utterly awful, something that I will just erase tomorrow, but that I have to write SOMETHING. I tell myself that it’s like
That was only one of the insightful questions I fielded from Terri at Mayhem & Magic. This is what I told her:
"I give myself permission to write badly. I say – sometimes out loud – that I can write something utterly awful, something that I will just erase tomorrow, but that I have to write SOMETHING. I tell myself that it’s like
August 24, 2015
"I think of 'Code Grey' as a love story to books..."
Here's just part of a long chat mystery maven Frankie Bow and I had:
Q. What kind of research did you do for Dulcie’s life and daily routine? Were there any surprises when you were doing your research?
A. By now, I know Dulcie’s routine fairly well! I never went as far as Dulcie did in my education, but I spent my years in the library as an undergraduate! For Code Grey, I did research both book
Q. What kind of research did you do for Dulcie’s life and daily routine? Were there any surprises when you were doing your research?
A. By now, I know Dulcie’s routine fairly well! I never went as far as Dulcie did in my education, but I spent my years in the library as an undergraduate! For Code Grey, I did research both book
Kings River Life calls Dulcie "charming"! Thank you!
"Author Simon delightfully exposes the eccentricities prevalent in the Ivy League institution and deftly plots out an academic mystery." Wow, how lovely! Thank you! (To read the full review, click here.)
August 23, 2015
Great Escapes blog tour for "Code Grey" starts today!
I've got a full slate of interviews, reviews, guest blogs, and more for Code Grey.
Click through to my tour's home page for live links!
August 24 – Frankie Bow – Interview
August 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Spotlight
August 26 – Babs Book Bistro – Guest Post
August 27 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – Review, Interview
August 28 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post
Click through to my tour's home page for live links!
August 24 – Frankie Bow – Interview
August 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Spotlight
August 26 – Babs Book Bistro – Guest Post
August 27 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – Review, Interview
August 28 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post
August 19, 2015
A dark, brooding new cat mystery...
Like cats? Like dystopian fiction? Want something a little darker? Can you wait until next year? That's when my new "The Ninth Life" will kick off a new series with Severn House. Here's the teaser we're sending around...
Three figures, shadowy against the light. That’s all I remember from my past life, as I am dragged, dripping and half-drowned, from the flood. My saviour, a strange,
Three figures, shadowy against the light. That’s all I remember from my past life, as I am dragged, dripping and half-drowned, from the flood. My saviour, a strange,
August 17, 2015
Unveiling ... the "books in order" page!
Finally! Over at my home site, cleasimon.com, I have a page that tells you about each of the series and lists the books in order (with original publication dates). No more wondering if you've missed one! No more trying to figure out what comes next! Yay! Also, it's now mobile friendly!
August 14, 2015
"Really appealing" said the Literary Yard. Thank you!
The Literary Yard notes how unusual it is to have a mystery without a murder. But still, it says, "Code Grey" is "really appealing and keeps the reader engaged." How nice! Read more here.
August 13, 2015
Chatting with the great Caroline Leavitt!
NYT best-selling novelist Caroline Leavitt had me over at her blog, Leavittville, to talk process and progress in fiction and life! Drop on by!
August 9, 2015
For the love of Mary Stewart
I had an unhappy bookstore situation yesterday that prompted me to write this for a mystery readers list I'm on. Then I thought, hey, may as well post it here. Are you a fan of Mary Stewart? Of another author who is no longer valued (or perhaps never got the respect you think she should have)? Read on!
I hope the list will allow me a little rant.
I am lucky enough to live in an area with
I hope the list will allow me a little rant.
I am lucky enough to live in an area with
August 8, 2015
"Fascinating" says librarian Lesa Holstine. Thank you!
Librarian Lesa Holstein reviews "Code Grey" today on her book blog. She begins, "Clea Simon takes readers into the world of scholars and book theft in her latest Dulcie Schwartz feline mystery,Code Grey. ... concluding, " a mystery involving stolen and missing books, is a fascinating search for answers. And, I'm particularly fond of one of Dulcie's new friends, a librarian, Mr. Griddlehaus. In
