Peggy Ehrhart's Blog, page 7
June 12, 2019
Tough Gals in Randolph
My sleuth, Pamela Paterson, is anything but a tough gal, but I enjoy speaking about the variety of female sleuths to be found in the contemporary mystery.
Last night I spoke to a wonderful group of mystery fans at the Randolph Public Library in Randolph NJ about mysteries in which the female sleuth is a PI or police detective--think Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone, or Jane Tennison--played by Helen Mirren in the BBC series.
When we look back at the history of the mystery form, we see that until recently female sleuths were usually amateurs, like Miss Marple, and their evolution into professional crime-solving roles parallels women's advances in other areas of life. Women's liberation had a powerful effect on the modern mystery novel!
Last night I spoke to a wonderful group of mystery fans at the Randolph Public Library in Randolph NJ about mysteries in which the female sleuth is a PI or police detective--think Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone, or Jane Tennison--played by Helen Mirren in the BBC series.
When we look back at the history of the mystery form, we see that until recently female sleuths were usually amateurs, like Miss Marple, and their evolution into professional crime-solving roles parallels women's advances in other areas of life. Women's liberation had a powerful effect on the modern mystery novel!
June 5, 2019
Christmas in June
I just signed a contract with Kensington for a Christmas-themed novella to be included in a volume tentatively titled THE CHRISTMAS CARD MURDERS. Two other Kensington cozy authors have been invited to contribute as well. Together, our three novellas will create a volume about the length of a typical Kensington mystery.
My contribution is to be, as the contract puts it, "a contemporary Christmas-themed novella featuring knitter Pamela Paterson, her neighbor Bettina, the Knit & Nibble club, a Christmas card, and murder."
I have until December 15, 2019 to write my novella and THE CHRISTMAS CARD MURDERS will be released in time for Christmas 2020.
My contribution is to be, as the contract puts it, "a contemporary Christmas-themed novella featuring knitter Pamela Paterson, her neighbor Bettina, the Knit & Nibble club, a Christmas card, and murder."
I have until December 15, 2019 to write my novella and THE CHRISTMAS CARD MURDERS will be released in time for Christmas 2020.
June 1, 2019
Kensington Anniversary Party
I was thrilled to be invited to the party given by my publisher, Kensington, last Thursday night to celebrate the press's 45th anniversary. It was one of those glamorous events that one fantasizes about when one is still at the stage of submitting manuscripts to agents and editors and wondering if one will ever be published.
It was held at a chic restaurant on 35th Street in Manhattan and featured amazing food. Buns containing slices of smoked bacon were a favorite! Servers circulating through the crowd with iridescent blue drinks in elegant wine glasses added to the atmosphere--and there was a DJ.
A chance to talk to my editor, John Scognamiglio, was the highlight for me.
It was held at a chic restaurant on 35th Street in Manhattan and featured amazing food. Buns containing slices of smoked bacon were a favorite! Servers circulating through the crowd with iridescent blue drinks in elegant wine glasses added to the atmosphere--and there was a DJ.
A chance to talk to my editor, John Scognamiglio, was the highlight for me.
May 26, 2019
Guest Post at Mystery Lovers' Kitchen
My recipe for Deviled Eggs Fit for a Queen is up today at Mystery Lovers' Kitchen: https://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/
There's a new post almost every day, so just scroll down if mine doesn't come up first. This website is the brainchild of my friend and fellow cozy mystery author Krista Davis. A group of writers take turns posting recipes--always with great photos--and guest posts like mine are frequent.
There's always a book giveaway too--just post a comment after the recipe for a chance to win.
There's a new post almost every day, so just scroll down if mine doesn't come up first. This website is the brainchild of my friend and fellow cozy mystery author Krista Davis. A group of writers take turns posting recipes--always with great photos--and guest posts like mine are frequent.
There's always a book giveaway too--just post a comment after the recipe for a chance to win.
May 19, 2019
Kings River Life Interview
If you're a mystery fan, you might want to add Kings River Life--"A California Magazine with Local Focus and Global Appeal"--to your online favorites list, as well as the sister site, KRL News & Reviews.
http://kingsriverlife.com/
https://www.krlnews.com/
Both offer abundant coverage of the mystery scene, including articles, interviews, reviews--and book giveaways.
A big thank you to the editor, Lorie Hamm, for featuring KNIT ONE, DIE TWO this week, as well as an interview with me.
https://www.krlnews.com/2019/05/knit-...
Please take a look--and enter for a chance to win a copy of KNIT ONE, DIE TWO.
http://kingsriverlife.com/
https://www.krlnews.com/
Both offer abundant coverage of the mystery scene, including articles, interviews, reviews--and book giveaways.
A big thank you to the editor, Lorie Hamm, for featuring KNIT ONE, DIE TWO this week, as well as an interview with me.
https://www.krlnews.com/2019/05/knit-...
Please take a look--and enter for a chance to win a copy of KNIT ONE, DIE TWO.
May 16, 2019
Talking About Writing
I had a great time this afternoon talking to a group of interested readers at the Montville Township Public Library in Montville NJ. My topic was "Crafts, Cooking, and Cats: The Contemporary Cozy Mystery."
I learned that the cozy mystery is indeed a very popular form--at least with the twenty-five people who came out for my talk, and they agreed with me that this could have something to do with the fact that real life becomes less cozy every day.
I have several more library talks lined up for the summer. If you live in northern New Jersey, you're welcome to join us. Just check the Events page on my website (www.PeggyEhrhart.com) for date, time, and place.
Then check the relevant library's website. Some like people to register in advance.
I learned that the cozy mystery is indeed a very popular form--at least with the twenty-five people who came out for my talk, and they agreed with me that this could have something to do with the fact that real life becomes less cozy every day.
I have several more library talks lined up for the summer. If you live in northern New Jersey, you're welcome to join us. Just check the Events page on my website (www.PeggyEhrhart.com) for date, time, and place.
Then check the relevant library's website. Some like people to register in advance.
May 8, 2019
Getting Ahead of Myself
The third book in my Knit & Nibble series, KNIT ONE, DIE TWO, just came out last week, but last week I also submitted book #5 to my wonderful Kensington editor. And I just heard back from him yesterday that he's read it and likes it.
So A FATAL YARN is on track for release next April.
The next step, and one that I can hardly wait for, is that I'll get a peek at the cover Kensington is hatching--pun intended. Since the book has a release date near Easter, my editor suggested I link my plot to that holiday. I had a lot of fun figuring out how eggs could be a clue to a murder, and I suspect eggs will figure in the cover design--as well as one or more cats, a baked yummy, and yarn.
Luckily the Kensington artist who has been doing my covers is wildly talented and imaginative!
So A FATAL YARN is on track for release next April.
The next step, and one that I can hardly wait for, is that I'll get a peek at the cover Kensington is hatching--pun intended. Since the book has a release date near Easter, my editor suggested I link my plot to that holiday. I had a lot of fun figuring out how eggs could be a clue to a murder, and I suspect eggs will figure in the cover design--as well as one or more cats, a baked yummy, and yarn.
Luckily the Kensington artist who has been doing my covers is wildly talented and imaginative!
May 2, 2019
My First Goodreads Blog Post
I'm very happy to have this way to connect with the Goodreads community!
Tuesday was a happy day for me. I turned "Knitting Mystery #5" (its working title) in to my editor at Kensington. The actual title is to be A FATAL YARN. It's due for release next April and it has an Easter theme.
The next Knit & Nibble mystery to be published is another holiday-themed one: SILENT KNIT, DEADLY KNIT. It will appear next November, just in time for Christmas. It's already up on Amazon and available for preorder.
And KNIT ONE, DIE TWO is officially out as of now. Many thanks to readers of advance copies who have already reviewed it!
Tuesday was a happy day for me. I turned "Knitting Mystery #5" (its working title) in to my editor at Kensington. The actual title is to be A FATAL YARN. It's due for release next April and it has an Easter theme.
The next Knit & Nibble mystery to be published is another holiday-themed one: SILENT KNIT, DEADLY KNIT. It will appear next November, just in time for Christmas. It's already up on Amazon and available for preorder.
And KNIT ONE, DIE TWO is officially out as of now. Many thanks to readers of advance copies who have already reviewed it!
