Edith Maxwell's Blog, page 107

Writing, Marketing, and a Double Giveaway

Happy New Year! Liz here, with guest Jess Lourey today – a great way to start the year, don’t you think? She’s celebrating the release of her new book, Bloodline . Take it away, Jess!

Bloodline, my 20th book, officially releases today. It’s coming on the heels of Unspeakable Things, which was my breakout novel. After eighteen years of writing and fourteen years of being published, I finally figured out how to tell the stories I was born to write. They’re true crime-inspired because I love the realism and the research. And just as importantly, they draw on my own emotional experiences because I think honest writing resonates, and I think there’s healing to be had (for writer and reader) if we dig into our truths.

I also developed both books (and many of my previous books) using something I call the Book in a Bag method. This method is based on the idea that every story is about the main character facing their greatest fear. So, when I begin a new novel, I first decide on my protagonist’s greatest fear. Next, I decide their A story (usually solving a crime) and their B story (their emotional arc). After that, I envision the inciting incident (the scene that sets them on the path of their A and B story) and the climactic scene (where their A story and B story come together and they face that greatest fear).

After that, it’s straightforward to map out the intervening scenes, which I describe in a sentence or two per scene. This method removes so much stress from the writing process because I know I’m on a sure path and can sink into the indulgent creativity I crave when writing. I’m so pleased with this method that I designed Book in a Bag kits for other people to use, and I’m giving away one to a commenter on this post.

But we know that good writing, unfortunately, only gets us so far. We also need viral marketing. I hit on something with Unspeakable Things that I replicated to great success with Bloodline: I send out era-specific review kits to a list of 50 or so reviewers that I worked with Dana Kaye at Dana Kaye publicity to develop. Unspeakable Things was set in 1983, so in addition to an ARC of the novel, I included an authentic Trapper Keeper (bought on Ebay) plus modern recreations of 1980s scented pencils, puffy stickers, candy, and lip gloss.

Bloodline is set in 1968. That kit includes fantastically authentic 1960s jewelry (found by scouring Etsy and Ebay), a small tub of Noxema, candy cigarettes, 1960s Betty Crocker recipe cards and matches (you’ll know why matches after you read the book), and 1960s-style nail polish. It is an amazing package, and I’m calling it the Perfect Housewife kit in honor of the book. I focused on getting that kit to Bookstagrammers, who truck in photogenic marketing, and I’m grateful for the loud and early buzz they’ve generated.

Want to see the kit up close and personal? One commenter below will get a Perfect Housewife kit mailed to them! I’d also love to hear your story plotting methods and your best marketing tips in the comments. Thanks for stopping by.

Readers, I have one of these – trust me, it’s awesome. Want one? Leave a comment below for a chance! Thanks for stopping by, Jess, and good luck with your new release!

So long, 2020!

By Liz, looking forward to ringing in a new year (as I’m sure the entire world is at this point)!

Happy New Year’s Eve, readers! We are all looking forward to turning the page to a new year, especially after the dumpster fire that was 2020

Cheers for another book birthday!

By Liz, looking forward to ushering the new year in…

As we wrap up our cheers theme this month, we’re still celebrating the release of Sherry Harris’s new Garage Sale Mystery, Absence of Alice. Congrats, Sherry – the Wickeds are cheering you on!

Julie: I’m so glad that we have something to celebrate at the end of this year!! Congratulations, Sherry. I can’t wait to read Absence of Alice. In book time, we’ve know Sarah for 3 years. What great adventures she’s had. Looking forward to her latest.

Barb: Congratulations, Sherry! I’m so happy to toast the birth of a new Sarah Winston book. Her arrival, timed as the days are getting longer, inspires me with hope for the New Year.

Edith: My copy is in at my local indy bookstore, and I can’t wait to curl up on the couch (if the attack kitten will let me) and dive back into Sarah’s life. So many congratulations!

Liz: Yay, Sherry! I can’t wait to read it – I love this series so much. Sarah feels like a good friend and I’m excited to spend time with her again!

Jessie: Super congratulations on your latest release! Nine Sarah books is an amazing accomplishment! Your books are always such fun that a new release is always a reason to celebrate! As a side note, I simply adore the title!

Sherry: Thanks Wickeds! I’m so lucky to be on this writing journey with all of you! I love you all!

Readers, how excited are you for Sarah’s latest adventure? Leave a comment below!

Absence of Alice and a Giveaway

I’m thrilled to be celebrating the release of the ninth Sarah Winston Garage Sale mystery, Absence of Alice. As I was thinking about writing this post, I started wondering about the number nine. After all cats have nine lives, babies are born in nine months (give or take a few weeks) but surely the number nine must have other significance.

Here’s a little of what I found.

Number 9 is an amazing number; if the number 9 is multiplied by any number of single-digit, after adding together the two digits of the product always get 9. For example: 9×3 = 27 = 2 + 7 = 9; 9×9 = 81 = 8 + 1 = 9; 9×5 = 45 = 4 + 5 = 9 and so forth.

The number nine is important in Norse mythology. The god Freyr was made to hold off on marrying Gerd for, you guessed it, nine days. When Odin hung himself from a branch of Yggdrasil, peering down into the dark waters beneath him, he stared downward for nine long nights, at the end of which he was permitted to see the secrets beneath.

There are many myths about nine maidens. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_maidens_(mythology)

Many ancient cultures regarded number nine as a symbol of perfection, unity, and freedom.

I wish I would have looked all this up before I wrote Absence of Alice because it might have been fun to incorporate some of this in the book. I was particularly struck by the idea of perfection, unity, and freedom.

Sarah is far from perfect and in Absence of Alice she is tested in a way she never has been. Sarah has always valued unity or loyalty to her friends be they old or new. She also is consumed with the concept of freedom since Stella her landlady and friend, has been kidnapped and it’s up to Sarah to free her.

Readers: Do you have a favorite number? I’ll give away a copy of Absence of Alice to someone who leaves a comment.

Absence of Alice:

For bargain hunter extraordinaire Sarah Winston, starting life over in Ellington, Massachusetts, has been a true trash-to-treasure success story, except when there’s a run on dead bodies…

Sarah’s latest client, Alice Krandle, is sure she has a fortune in antiques on her hands. She’s already gotten a generous offer for the whole lot before her garage sale has even begun, but she thinks she can earn more with Sarah’s expert help. The problem is that while Sarah’s sorting through items from decades past, her landlady, Stella, faces a clear and present danger.

Stella’s kidnapper has contacted Sarah with a set of instructions, and “Don’t call the police” is at the top of the list. But they didn’t say anything about Sarah’s friend Harriet–who happens to be a former F.B.I. hostage negotiator…

Signed copies are available at One More Page Books.

The Gift of Giving

Hi Wickeds! Since we just celebrated Christmas and we’re technically still in the season of giving, I wanted to talk gifts today. I love spreading holiday cheer – one of the lovely things about Christmas this year was spending it with kids, something I haven’t gotten to do in years. It’s nice to see them so happy with their presents, and especially nice to see them happy with something I’ve given them. It got me thinking – what was the best gift you either gave or received this year?

Edith/Maddie: Mine is one I haven’t had a chance to deliver yet, but I will soon. When my sons were young, we had a boxed set of twelve little hardcover books of the Tales of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. My boys loved reading about Peter, Mrs. Tiggywinkle, Chippy Hacky, and all the other characters, and I did, too. I got the same set for my three-year old great goddaughter this year, except her family is in quarantine because of an exposure. During our joint family Zoom on Christmas Eve, I told her I’ll bring her gifts as soon as I can. She said, “You can throw them to me. I will catch them.” “Through the screen?” I asked. “Yes!” I can’t wait to snuggle up with her later this year and read the stories over and over.

Sherry: That is so sweet Edith! I just got the loveliest note from a reader who read my books to his mum who was a librarian and organized the rummage sales at her church. It is the best gift. I still have tears in my eyes and I will cherish his words forever.

Jessie: How lovely, Edith! I loved those books so much as a child and I still find them so charming! And Sherry, what a delightful note to have received! I I was able to give a gift of a set of books to one of my son’s that he loved as a child too! Somehow he lost it in a move at some point and was delighted to have a new copy!

Liz: I love these stories. In the same spirit as Sherry, I got the sweetest card in the mail from a reader – she had made magnetic bookmarks for me and wrote me a sweet note about how she loves my books. It made my whole week!

Barb: The best gift this Christmas was one I neither gave nor received. Santa brought a mini-basketball set for a certain two-year-old. I don’t know how he knew, but it was the best gift ever.

Readers, what was the best gift you gave/got this year? Tell us below!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

From all of the Wicked Authors, we want to wish all of you very happy holidays, whatever you may celebrate! We are grateful for all of you and hope you have the best possible holiday season!

My Christmas Wish For You

News Flash: Judith Rycar is the winner of Maddie Day’s Murder at the Taffy Shop! Congratulations, Judith, and please check your email.

Liz here, with a really special post today. Our good friend, John Valeri, has a lovely tradition of writing beautiful Christmas poems every year to send to friends. This year, I asked him to share his poem with all of you. He told me he’d written this one as a song – maybe we’ll get him to record it for us! Enjoy.

My Christmas Wish for You
John B. Valeri (2020)

It’s that time of year again

I think of family and friends

Whether near or far

You’re always in my heart

I wish that I could see you now

But circumstances won’t allow

Yet if I look within my mind

I know I’ll always find

That memories live on always

Whether past or present days

No matter what the distance

The heart knows no resistance

Chorus A:

Here’s my Christmas wish for you

That peace, hope, and love anew

Take root deep within

And then we can begin

To let go of our sorrows

And look on toward tomorrow

With peace, hope, and love anew

My Christmas wish for you

It’s that time of year again

I can still remember when

The nights weren’t quite so long

And I knew where I belonged

I wish that I could hold you close

But there are reasons no one knows

That challenge our beliefs

Still I think we can agree

That memories of better days

Sustain us now and always

Because at our own insistence

Our hearts know no resistance

Chorus B

Here’s my Christmas wish for you

That peace, hope, and love anew

Take root deep within

And allow us to begin

To let go of our sorrows

And look on toward tomorrow

With clarity of mind

Knowing we will find

Bridge:

The greatest gift we can bestow

Is to let each other know

We’re still together when apart

If we believe it in our hearts

Repeat Chorus A:

Here’s my Christmas wish for you

That peace, hope, and love anew

Take root deep within

And then we can begin

To let go of our sorrows

And look on toward tomorrow

With peace, hope, and love anew

My Christmas wish for you

It’s that time of year again

I think of family and friends

Whether far or near

I can feel you here

Because no matter where you are

You’re always in my heart.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year! From John and all of the Wicked Authors!

Spreading Holiday Cheer

By Liz, looking forward to all the upcoming holiday festivities! Today we’re talking about holiday cheer – because who doesn’t need a lot of that right now, right? So tell me, Wickeds, how have you spread holiday cheer this season? Or have you been on the receiving end of some holiday cheer? 

Julie: I will confess, I’m late to the spreading cheer efforts this year. I spent some time at my parents’ summer house, and didn’t get home until mid-month. I’m thinking that New Years may be where my efforts lay this year. Today is the birthday of my nieces, two of my favorite people on earth, so I’ll be spreading some cheer with them over Zoom later today.

Edith/Maddie: Happy birthday to the girls, Julie! I made rum balls and Mexican Bridecakes and got them sent off to son #2 in Puerto Rico. That was a major cheer-spreading effort since my hand still isn’t up to full holiday baking. I have more ready to give to #1 son and his wife when the weather allows us to meet up outdoors for some Christmas cheer.

Barb: I baked my usual cookies, doing a fair amount of math to cut the batches. Then Bill and I drove around the area dropping off small tins to friends, which is what passes for a “fun outing” 2020-style. I also did my usual cards and Christmas letter. The card order was hung up at the company due to covid protocols and shipping issues. For a while it looked like they would be Valentines cards. Watching as the estimated delivery date was pushed back day after day sent me spiraling. Bill and I have an expression for these occasions, “It’s not about the dishes,” ie it’s a free-floating frustration that has latched onto a specific event. It was never about the cards. But they did show up and have been sent out and may arrive at their destinations sometime in the “Christmas era.”

Liz: I haven’t done much cheer-spreading either, Julie! But I do love buying gifts for the people in my building – our property manager and our facilities director who work so hard all year long. I gave them chocolates and gift cards for coffee (what else??). Usually I add the guys who valet park at our garage to the list, but sadly, they haven’t had any work since the start of the pandemic. Hoping they’ll return to the job soon so I can give them so “happy to see you” gifts!

Sherry: I put my Santa Claus collection out earlier than normal this year and our very minimal outside lights. We will stick with our usual Christmas Eve routine of eating pizza and driving around to look at lights. Although we may have to do that a night early because it is supposed to rain. We watched Die Hard last night for our first Christmas movie.

Jessie: I love all your ideas for spreading cheer! One of the things that make me feel festive is to pot up paper white narcissus and amaryllis bulbs hoping they will burst into bloom for the holiday season. This year is coming along beautifully for both! I also love making seasonal cookies with my kids. One of my beloved sisters sent me a surprise advent calendar that she filled with sachets of delicious seasonal teas and so many mini skeins of yummy sock yarn! It was so thoughtful of her!

Readers, what about you? How have you spread holiday cheer this season? Tell us in the comments below.

Is It Written in the Stars?

Last night Jupiter and Saturn were closer together than they have been in the past four hundred years. I’d been looking forward to this event since I first heard about it a month ago. We drove to the VRE (Virginia Rail Express) parking lot and stood on the top deck to get our first glimpse. We weren’t the only ones there. You can see it with the naked eye, but binoculars helped. When we got home we realized that despite the trees we could see it here too. If you missed it yesterday, you can try again for the next couple of days.

My fascination with the stars started as a child. I remember laying out on our driveway on warm summer nights, staring up at the stars with my best friend. In my sixth grade science class we did a section on astronomy. One night we gathered on the playground of our elementary school and our science teacher pointed out constellations. Orion the Hunter has always been a favorite, but maybe it’s because he’s easy to spot.

I still love to go out and watch meteor showers. One of the best was when we were in Idaho visiting my husband’s family on their small farm. There is very little light pollution. We took blankets and pillows out onto the lawn and we saw so many falling stars.

If you do an internet search on star myths you’ll find almost every culture had their own myths. How many times have you wished upon a star? Star light, star bright, first star I’ve seen tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight.

There’s something so comforting about myths and storytelling. Like many authors, I’ve been writing stories since I was a little girl. One was inspired by a chair in my sixth grade science class. The screws looked like eyes and a scratch like lips. The chair in the story came to life and I had to battle it.

I still love telling stories and am thrilled the ninth Sarah Winston Garage Sale mystery will come out right after Christmas on December 29th. As I was thinking about writing Absence of Alice, I wondered what would happen to Sarah if the people she usually depends on—the police, Seth, and Mike the “Big Cheese” Titone–weren’t available to her. I also wondered what would happen to her relationships with them in the aftermath. That is what the story is centered around.

I don’t really believe our destiny is in the stars, but I won’t stop looking up at them as people have done for thousands of years.

Readers:  Do you love star gazing?

Here’s the back cover copy: For bargain hunter extraordinaire Sarah Winston, starting life over in Ellington, Massachusetts, has been a true trash-to-treasure success story, except when there’s a run on dead bodies…

Sarah’s latest client, Alice Krandle, is sure she has a fortune in antiques on her hands. She’s already gotten a generous offer for the whole lot before her garage sale has even begun, but she thinks she can earn more with Sarah’s expert help. The problem is that while Sarah’s sorting through items from decades past, her landlady, Stella, faces a clear and present danger.

Stella’s kidnapper has contacted Sarah with a set of instructions, and “Don’t call the police” is at the top of the list. But they didn’t say anything about Sarah’s friend Harriet–who happens to be a former F.B.I. hostage negotiator…

Signed copies of my books are available from One More Page.

The Murderer and the Author #giveaway

Breaking news – Laurie Pinnell, you’re the winner of Thankful Thursday giveaways! Congrats! Please message our Wicked Authors page on Facebook with your mailing adress!

Edith here, writing from a chilly north of Boston.

When I first started being published over a decade ago, a very different Edith Maxwell was the first result returned in any Google search. This Edith wasn’t an author – although she has books written about her. No, she was a young schoolteacher in Virginia who in 1935 was convicted at age 21 of murdering her apparently abusive father.

She even has her own Wikipedia page.

Naturally, I was intrigued. I poured over the Wikipedia article and other historical documents.

I read Never Seen the Moon, a true crime account of Edith’s life by Sharon Hatfield. The Hearst news machine took up Maxwell’s story, and she became a sensational scandal. She was pardoned five years after her conviction, in part due to an appeal by Eleanor Roosevelt.

I also read Sharyn McCrumb’s novel about the other Edith, The Devil Amongst the Lawyers, which lifts the story, changes the names, and focuses on the role of the journalists.

Which is all fascinating. But none of it helped me as an author, especially after my books started coming out in 2012. As time went by, because of blog posts, news articles, and my own web site, Google hits started yielding more of me and less of the Edith of a hundred years earlier.

But I still wanted my own Wikipedia page. Once in a while I searched the site for author pages. Sure, Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky have their own pages. Louise Penny, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Hallie Ephron. No surprise there. But Jeri Westerson has one. Sheila Connolly, too. And Toni L.P. Kelner. The careers of these last three, while ahead of my own, didn’t seem so different from mine, especially as time went by.

So, how could I rate a page, too? My older son knows quite a lot about Wikipedia, having immersed himself in it during college fifteen years ago. I asked Allan if he could help. Bless his tech-savvy heart, he agreed. I drafted a, well, draft. He implemented.

Alison and Allan this fall

But Wikipedia refused it. We tweaked. They rejected. Okay. I let it go for a while. Then, this fall, I thought, “But I won the freaking Agatha Award. Shouldn’t that count for something?” Allan – who works full time, has a wife he adores, and a busy life baking sourdough bread, bicycling, winning trivia games, and much more – agreed to dig in again. He thought the page needed more external citations to give it credibility with the wikipowers that be.

To my delight, a few weeks ago he said it had been approved! Got your bubbly ready to pop open and pour? Voila – I present you Edith Maxwell (author).

I love the “Not to be confused with…” line under my name, which was added by Wikipedia. I write about murder. So far I haven’t been accused of committing one.

But apparently I did commit something wrong the other night. Anyone can edit a Wikipedia page, and I have an account. I spent a full hour adding more external links and details about both my writing career and my personal life. Some site monitor reverted all of it. Gah. Like I have an extra hour to waste at this time of year. Maybe next year I’ll study up on the fine details of editing and try again. I guess it’s good their monitors are keeping a close eye on amateurs like me.

For now, I’m an entry on The Free Encyclopedia and it’s a damn fine Christmas gift. Allan, if you’re reading this, I don’t need anything else!

Readers: Do you use Wikipedia? Did you learn anything new or surprising on my page? I’d love to send one commenter a copy of Murder at the Taffy Shop, which will be out in wide release at the end of March, and a book mark to anyone who wants one (send your mailing address to me at edith@edithmaxwell.com).