Edith Maxwell's Blog, page 20

The Ultimate Bounty Hunter

Sherry: With any luck, I’m going to be on a plane today flying to Maine to spend the weekend with the Wickeds!

I’m so thrilled to have my humorous short story “The Ultimate Bounty Hunter” in the Three Strikes—You’re Dead anthology edited by Donna Andrews, Barb Goffman, and Marcia Talley. I wrote the story two and a half years ago. Originally, Barb Goffman thought about putting together an anthology set around Halloween, and I started writing my story.

I’m not exactly sure where my main character, Elsbeth, came from. Maybe I’d just re-read one of the Janet Evanovich books or maybe I’ve always just wanted to write about a bounty hunter. I originally thought about setting my story in Virginia but when I looked up what it took to be a bounty hunter here, there were too many requirements. I checked Massachusetts and voila, almost anyone can decide to be a bounty hunter.

I also wanted Elsbeth to have a complicated family so gave her a mother who is a high-powered defense lawyer and a deadbeat dad who only contacts Elsbeth when he needs money. Both come in to play in the story.

The set up for the story is that Elsbeth has been trying to capture a fugitive who didn’t show up for his court appointment. When things go horribly wrong on Halloween night, Elsbeth realizes a bad guy might be after her.

Barb eventually decided not to do the Halloween-themed anthology because she didn’t have time. However, she mentioned the sports-themed anthology that she was putting together with Donna and Marcia. It meant adding a sport to the story. I didn’t want to use one of the more familiar sports and I’d written about Ultimate in an early Sarah Winston Garage Sale mystery before I’d ever watched a game. Since then, my husband and I have attended several Ultimate Frisbee tournaments. It’s an exciting.

While I often struggle with figuring out titles, this one was a no brainer! There are nods to the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich which Elsbeth loves. I have to thank Stacy Woodson for editing my story before I turned it in. And to Jono Keyes who plays Ultimate Frisbee for the Australian national team. I ran my scenario by him, and he said it would work. Any errors with the game are totally mine.

Also having a story in an anthology along with all of these great authors is humbling: Alan Orloff, F. J. Talley, Kathryn Prater Bomey, Adam Meyer, Rosalie Spielman, William Ade, Maddi Davidson, Shannon Taft, Robin Templeton, Lynne Ewing, Barb Goffman, Joseph S. Walker, and Smita Harish Jain.

Readers: I love reading short stories right before I go to bed. Do you have a favorite time to read them?

Wicked Wednesday: May I?

Edith/Maddie here, writing on May Day from north of Boston.

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It’s (finally) the merry of month of May. In English, “You may,” or “May I?” entails permission. So let’s riff on that thought for our Wicked Wednesdays this month!

If you had an English-grammar stickler for a mother like some of us did, you might have had this conversation when you were younger.

You: Can I go to the mall?

Mom: You can, but you may not.

Ugh, right? We’re all adults here, so you probably don’t have to ask for others for permission very often. But what about yourself? Wickeds, what do you ask yourself permission to do? Take a day off, write in a new genre, let the cleaning/laundry/cooking slide? Dish!

Barb: I honestly don’t think of my relationship with myself in this externalized way at all. Am I weird?

Julie: Barb, that’s a loaded question this early in the month, LOL. I find that it isn’t as much asking as it is giving myself permission to work less, take a walk, grab a nap. I’m trying to get better about that.

Barb: Laughing! Okay, Julie. I withdraw the “Am I weird?” part of my comment.

Jessie: What a fascinating question! I am not sure that I think in terms of permission, at least not within myself. If I want to do I thing I am generally inclined to give it a go.

A Murder Most French: Guest Colleen Cambridge, and a #giveaway

By Liz, delighted to welcome Colleen Cambridge to the blog! She’s talking about her latest An American in Paris Mystery – and giving away a copy of the first book, Mastering the Art of French Murder! Take it away Colleen!

The second book in my An American in Paris Mystery series, A Murder Most French, came out on April 23, and I’m really excited for it to be out in the world.

The An American in Paris Mysteries are set in postwar Paris. My protagonist, Tabitha Knight, is a former Rosie the Riveter who moves to Paris to live with her grandfather and his partner. She’s a little lost now that the war is over and women aren’t “needed” to do “mens’ work.” So she goes for a change of scenery to the most beautiful and iconic city in the world (at least, in her opinion).

She is half French and speaks the language fluently, and when she meets up with another American expat whose name happens to be…Julia Child…Tabitha and Julia become fast friends. Julia is teaching Tabitha how to cook, and Tabitha is helping Julia with her French.

In this second installment, the two women are at a cooking demonstration class and a famous chef opens a bottle of rare French wine, tastes it, and drops dead almost immediately.

Since Tabitha has experience in solving murders (see the first book, Mastering the Art of French Murder), she of course gets involved again. After all, she was a witness to the actual death!

When I researched this book, I found out so many interesting things about how the French hid and protected their wine during the German Occupation. Wine is such an integral part of the French nationality that they took it very personally that Hitler and his Nazis wanted not only to take as much wine as possible—in order to humiliate the French—but also to destroy it. They forced the French to sell wine to them at low costs—or even took it outright. Hitler wasn’t a fan of wine, so he didn’t even want it for himself. He just wanted to destroy it because it was so important to the French.

The backdrop for this book, A Murder Most French, is about how creative and bold the French vintners were in trying to protect their wine. It’s fascinating the things that they did, the lengths to which they went in order to save their bottles of wine. Lots of that information is sprinkled throughout the book, as well as some cooking hints from Julia herself, and, of course, a good murder mystery to solve.

I hope you’ll check out the book! I’m giving away a copy of Mastering the Art of French Murder, the first book in the series, to a commenter below. This contest is open to US shipping addresses only, and the contest closes on April 30th at midnight Eastern time.

To enter, please comment below to answer the question: Have you been to Paris? If so, what did you love about it…and would you go back?

About Colleen:
Colleen Cambridge the pen name of a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She’s written in many genres over the years, but is currently finding her bliss writing historical set mysteries anchored by famous and interesting female celebrities (Agatha Christie and Julia Child). You can learn more about her over 50 novels at her website: colleencambridge.com

Welcome Erica Ruth Neubauer – on turning mysterious podcasts into fiction

By Liz, welcoming Erica Ruth Neubauer to the blog today! As someone who is obsessed with true crime podcasts, I love how a supernatural podcast inspired Erica’s newest book. Enjoy!

I listen to some pretty odd podcasts, which is good both because I find them interesting, but also because sometimes they offer up some good fodder for book ideas. I was especially excited when I listened to a podcast called Supernatural, and they had an episode dedicated to the mysterious case of Netta Fornario. Netta was a real woman who died on the Scottish Isle of Iona in the 1920s under mysterious circumstances. When she was found out on the moor, she was naked except for a cloak, lying on a cross that had been carved into the ground, and she was sadly dead. The time period was perfect for my series—which is set in the 1920s, and the topic of the occult was perfect as well, since spiritualism and the occult were hot at that time and something that I wanted to address in my series. 

And so, in book five of my series, SECRETS OF A SCOTTISH ISLE, Jane Wunderly finds herself investigating Netta’s death on that remote Scottish Isle. 

It was fascinating to research both Netta’s last days and her unfortunate demise as well as the Order of the Golden Dawn, which is the occult group that she belonged to. I was able to find books that outlined some of the rituals of the group, the political issues and rivalries that splintered the group, and the fact that W.B. Yeats had been a member years before Netta Fornario. It all made for a lot of interesting reading, as well as a lot of fun in creating the characters that would—in my fictional world at least—surround Netta in the days before her death. 

It was also fun to create a villain in this space. I’m always delighted to read a villain that you love to hate, and I found exactly that in Robert Nightingale, the man that Jane has been sent to Scotland to investigate. He was loosely based on a real-life member, but was largely a product of my imagination. On the other hand, it was also interesting to portray a real historical character for the first time, since once I learned that W.B. Yeats used to be a part of this occult group, I couldn’t let him off the hook—he had to return to the Golden Dawn for one last ritual. I did quite a lot of research on the Irish poet, and I hope that I was able to capture the man, even though his presence on Iona was entirely fictional—he’d long since left the group before Netta died. 

But ultimately, and on a serious note, I hope that I was able to do some justice to Netta Fornario herself. She was a complicated woman with unusual interests, especially for the time period, and looking back from the year 2024, it seems as though she had mental health issues that may have led to her death. In talking about it, I hope that we can continue the larger conversation about helping one another to seek help when help is needed so that tragic deaths like Netta’s can be prevented. 

Where There’s Smoke …Welcome Diane Kelly and a #giveaway!

By Liz, happy to welcome Diane Kelly to the blog! She’s a fellow St. Martin’s Press author and she’s here to talk about the latest in her House Flipper Mysteries. Take it away, Diane!

In my latest release, Four-Alarm Homicide, carpenter Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck take on a hot property – a former fire station they hope to not only turn into a trendy new residence, but to also use as the venue for Whitney’s upcoming wedding to homicide detective Collin Flynn. While I can only imagine the dangers and challenges firefighters face on the job, I have to admit that I enjoy fires—ones that are under control, that is. 

Some of my favorite childhood memories involve roasting marshmallows over a campfire while on Girl Scout camping trips, and making s’mores. We also cut bananas in half lengthwise, filled the center with dark chocolate and nuts, and wrapped the whole shebang in tin foil before setting them among the coals to heat up. Warm, gooey banana boats were the yummiest! I also have fond memories of sitting in front of the fireplace at home, basking in the warmth and glow of the flames while listening to the crackle and hiss of the logs, often with a cat or dog by my side. I especially remember fires at Christmas. Though we didn’t use the fire to roast chestnuts like they do in the Christmas carol, we did use the fireplace to dispose of used gift wrap. The paper would go up in colorful flames, making cleanup easy.   

These days, I still love sitting in front of the fireplace or around the fire pit in our backyard, though I’ve traded in the marshmallows for a glass of wine or hot tea. There’s something primal about fire that makes me feel calm and safe, and the dance of the flames is mesmerizing. Our fire pit has become an occasional gathering spot for the neighbors, and gives us all a chance to catch up on each other’s busy lives.   

Do you enjoy sitting beside a fireplace or around a fire pit or campfire? Do you have a favorite fireside memory? Comment for a chance to win a paperback, Nook, or Kindle copy of Four-Alarm Homicide (winner’s choice of format). US and Canada addresses eligible.

Blurb: 

Carpenter Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are hot for a historical fire station in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood. With several interested buyers making bids, their hopes might go up in flames. Fortunately, their plan to preserve the building’s exterior and honor its past impresses the board of the historical society, and they’re awarded the unique property. A good thing, too, since Whitney and her fiancé, homicide detective Collin Flynn, have been unable to find a venue for their upcoming wedding, and realize the station would be the perfect place to exchange vows and host a reception.

The cousins have just begun the interior demolition work at the fire station when Joanna Hartzell, who lives in a townhouse around the corner, comes by with a plea for help. Joanna owns the right half of her building, which she proudly maintains in perfect condition. The couple who lived in the left side of the duplex passed away years ago, leaving their townhome to their seven adult children—none of whom will lift a finger or spend a dime to maintain the rapidly deteriorating place. Joanna asks Whitney and Buck to step in and work their remodeling magic—assuming, of course, they can convince the heirs to sell.

When Joanna later collapses at the fire station, alarm bells go off for Whitney. The recent headaches Joanna suffered point to an aneurysm, but Whitney suspects something more sinister could be the real cause. Can she and Collin put the clues together and catch a killer when all of the suspects seem to be blowing smoke?     

Diane Kelly writes funny mysteries featuring feisty female lead characters and their furry, four-footed sidekicks. When not writing, Diane enjoys walking her dog, playing with her cats, and hiking in the beautiful woods in her home state of North Carolina. Find Diane on her website, on Facebook, or @DianeKelly books on Instagram, Twitter/X, Pinterest, and TikTok.

Where the research takes you

By Liz, hoping the winter coat can stay in the closet from now on

There was a time when I really thought I’d become a cop. I’m sure it all goes back to my grandpa the detective. Even though his stories were G-rated because of my age at the time, I was still super intrigued about the whole thing as a kid. That interest bloomed as I got older and more into crime, which of course was a little distressing to my parents. 

Then I went through my X-Files phase so I actually thought about my prospects as FBI—I was really into Mulder and Scully—but abandoned that idea when I realized I’d have to leave my animals behind for a year to go to Quantico.

Then I went through a huge upheaval in my life and was trying to figure out what was next. I was going through a divorce and deciding what to do next. At the time, I was a journalist and spending a lot of time at police stations. I got caught up in the police logs, the stories, the insider scoop I was able to finagle out of some of the friendlier cops who’d decided I was trustworthy. I was right on the brink of applying for the academy. 

Then I decided I wasn’t sure how I’d do getting shot at, and thought that writing about it might be a smarter way to go. 

So I moved away and pursued my writing, and well, you’re probably caught up from there. 

But I never stopped wanting to dive into that world because, you know, I write crime and it’s helpful to know how things REALLY go down when you’re trying to write credibly. 

Which meant—research. 

I love research. Most writers do, right? They are great rabbit holes that help us procrastinate, for one. But we have so many different ways to get the information we need. 

I thought I’d do a recap of some of my favorite research adventures—and I’ve had a few of them!

The Writer’s Police Academy was one that stands out to this day. Edith and I went 12 years ago—I can’t believe it’s been that long—and it still stands out as one of the BEST events in my writing career. We did everything from crashing though doors with shields and rifles to learn how to sweep an apartment potentially full of lethal enemies, to uncovering a “dead” body in a shallow grave, to learning how to slip out of handcuffs. I walked away with not only incredible info, but so many story ideas.

In a related research effort, I went to a citizen’s police academy back in my old Connecticut town, where I went on a ride-along complete with lights and sirens, got to tour the SWAT mobile unit, learned that geometry actually CAN be used IRL when reconstructing traffic accidents and got to play with K9s. 

Then there was the dairy farm. For specific research for my Pawsitively Organic series, I went on a tour of the local dairy farm. I met the cows, I stepped in muck, I even got to check out the milking tank. The one thing I didn’t do was tour the manure pit, but I did get the full scoop on it and how it can be used in murder. It was so fascinating it does make an appearance in the book. 

I’m also lucky to have a friend who is a funeral director. Thanks to him, I’ve been able to watch the removal of a dead man’s pacemaker, an actual cremation, and examine the body of a guy who had been shot execution-style. (I don’t have pics, alas.)

And one last story I’ll share—in one of my earlier books that has not been published yet, I had a body that needed to be completely disposed of with no possible trace. So I learned all about how pythons can be a great disposal method—something about how they can swallow people whole and then digest even the bones. I visited the home of a wildlife rehabilitator who had a python in her basement. He had his own heated cage and everything. He was only big enough to swallow a small child, but it was enough to get the idea. 

(I don’t have pics of that either because I don’t like snakes and would not want to come across a random snake pic on my phone.) 

This is all making me nostalgic. It’s been a while since I’ve gone on a good research adventure—except, of course, for all the crystal stores I had to visit for Full Moon Mysteries.

Readers—and other writers—do you like hands-on research? What’s your favorite research story? Tell me in the comments!

Wicked Wednesday – Spring Cleaning, Wedding Edition

By Liz, happy to say we’re still celebrating the release of Torn Asunder, the 12th installment of the Maine Clambake Mysteries!

Congrats, Barb! I love reading these books – they make me happy. Since our theme this month is spring cleaning, I thought our final post on this topic could relate to weddings, which is the setting for the book.

I’ve seen weddings “spring cleaned” to the extent that there aren’t many family members left on the invite list. That aside, spring cleaning doesn’t have to be about purging, just simplifying. So Wickeds, how have you simplified some of the bigger family related events in your life, wedding or otherwise?

Edith/Maddie: First, congratulations to Barb! I’m excited to dive into the latest Maine Clambake. As for simplifying gatherings? In a word – I haven’t. My sons’ weddings were up to them and their brides, and both were lovely celebrations with their friends and our combined families. I gently encouraged them to invite far-flung uncles, aunts, and cousins, and they did, with several attending, even in Puerto Rico. The Thanksgiving and Easter feasts I host every year have always been a potluck affair, with me setting a pretty table and making a main dish (turkey for one and cold poached salmon for the other) and the usual crowd bringing the rest. We occasionally include the odd extra guest or two, but I love a full house.

Julie: My immediate family does our very best to get together at least once a year, which is tough with nieces and nephews grown, and my sisters and I living in different places. But we try. I’m finding as I get older I yearn for the big, messy family/friend events.

Jessie: Super congratulations, Barb! 12 in the series! Huzzah! Like Edith, I am all for big events. I love to entertain and do so with regularity. I have hosted a gathering every month for adult women friends and neighbors for six or seven years now and have no plans to cut back. I think in a world of often online connections, it is so important to maintain in-person experiences.

Sherry: I loved Torn Asunder so much, Barb! And look forward to reading the final version! I have a small family on both sides and a larger family on my husband’s side. But we are all scattered around the country so large gatherings are almost impossible.

Barb: Thanks, everyone! I think weddings should suit the couple being wed. My son and his wife had 16 people at their wedding in an intimate room in a beautiful restaurant. My son still says it’s the best wedding he has ever been to. My joke about my daughter’s wedding is that we should have started saving after our first meeting with her middle school guidance counselor when he used the word “popular” sixteen times. My daughter and her husband had a large and memorable wedding. Lots of people tell me it was the best wedding they’ve ever been to. But it wasn’t all on my daughter’s long list of friends. After a lot of discussion Bill and I decided to invite all his first cousins and their spouses from his large Italian-American family. So some of the big guest list was on us!

Readers, how have you “spring cleaned” family events?

Torn Asunder Released and a #Giveaway!

I’m thrilled to announce today’s release of Torn Asunder, the twelfth novel in my Maine Clambake Mystery series. I loved writing this book, which takes place entirely on Morrow Island, the island in Busman’s Harbor, Maine where my protagonist, Julia Snowden, runs the Snowden Family Clambake.

To celebrate, I’m giving away a signed copy of Torn Asunder to two lucky commenters below.

Here’s the Description

In Barbara Ross’ award-winning series featuring sleuth Julia Snowden and her family’s coastal Maine clambake business, Morrow Island is a perfect spot for a wedding—and a Snowden Family Clambake. Julia Snowden is busy organizing both—until a mysterious wedding crasher drops dead amid the festivities . . .

Julia’s best friend and business partner, Zoey, is about to marry her policeman boyfriend. Of course, a gorgeous white wedding dress shouldn’t be within fifty yards of a plate of buttery lobster—so that treat is reserved for the rehearsal dinner. Julia is a little worried about the timing, though, as she works around a predicted storm.

When a guest falls to the floor dead, it turns out that no one seems to know who he is, despite the fact that he’s been actively mingling and handing out business cards. And when an injection mark is spotted on his neck, it’s clear this wasn’t caused by a shellfish allergy. Now, as the weather deteriorates and a small group is stranded on the island with the body—and the killer—Julia starts interrogating staff, family members, and Zoey’s artist friends to find out who turned the clambake into a crime scene . . .

Appearances

I’ll be doing some appearances this spring-summer and love to meet readers! Each listing below provides links to sites where you can get more information.

Friday through Sunday, April 26-28, 2024 in Bethesda, MD, I will be at Malice Domestic. Registration required. I will be moderating the panel, “Cozies: All in the Family,” with Donna Andrews, Olivia Blacke, Maya Corrigan, and Maddie Day on Saturday, April 27, from 10:00 to 10:50 a.m. in Ballroom A.Saturday, May 18, 2024, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Groveland, MA. I will be at the Kensington Cozy Con, sponsored jointly with Jabberwocky Bookshop and the Langley-Adams Library. I will be on the Wicked Authors Panel with Maddie Day, and Cate Conte from 1:00 to 1:45 pm, and will be available to chat and sign books all day. Pre-registration is suggested.Thursday, June 13, 2024, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in Scarborough, ME. I will appear with Maine authors Dick Cass and Kate Flora in an interactive Making a Mystery panel at the Scarborough, Public Library.Friday through Saturday, June 14-15, 2024 in Portland, ME, I will be at at the Maine Crime Wave. Friday evening is free and open to the public. Saturday requires pre-registration. I will be teaching the workshop, Examining the Bones (that Hold your Story Together): The Structures of Mysteries and Thrillers, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. I will also introduce the keynote speaker, Juliet Grames, SVP and Editorial Director at Soho Press, and participate in the last panel of the day.Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in Southport, ME. I will be speaking at the Southport Memorial Library.

Additional talks and panels are in the works so be sure to check the Appearances page on my website.

The Giveaway

In my head all the time I wrote the Maine Clambake Mystery series, Julia was worried about a diner having a massive allergic reaction to shellfish. When I got to book twelve (and six additional novellas) and hadn’t used it yet, I knew the omission had to be remedied.

Readers: Do you or does anyone close to you have any serious allergies? Or food allergies–serious or merely inconvenient? Answer the question in the comments below or just say “hi” to be entered to win one of two signed copies of Torn Asunder. Winners will be notified on April 30. Sorry, US only due to mailing costs.

Best First Novel Nominees

Edith/Maddie writing from a finally spring-like north of Boston.

With spring comes the annual Malice Domestic convention, which celebrates the traditional mystery, a genre all the Wickeds write in. I was honored this year to be invited to moderate the Best First Novel panel on Saturday at 11 AM. The late, great Margaret Maron used to hold this position every year, presenting the best of the newest crime fiction authors to the world. Many of the Wicked Authors were finalists in the category when they were starting out.

I thought I’d introduce this year’s nominees to you all early!

Remember, if you are at Malice this weekend, you’ll have the chance to vote for the winner. The books are all so different from each other, and all are terrific reads. In alphabetical order we have:

Danielle Arceneaux, Glory BeKristin Kisska, The Hint of LightJosh Pachter, Dutch ThreatDaphne Silver, Crime and ParchmentNina Simon, Mother-Daughter Murder Night

I asked my authors a few questions. Their answers, in the order in which I received them, follow.

Mother-Daughter Murder Night: Nothing brings family together like a murder next door. Mother-Daughter Murder Night is a big-hearted mystery about three women–a grandma, single mom, and teenage girl–who must work together to solve the murder of a naturalist who washes up dead in the coastal California marine preserve they call home.

Nina, how long did it take you from when you first started writing this book until you got a contract for it?

I wrote the first draft in six months. I revised with beta readers for two months. It took another two months to sign with an agent, and eight more months to edit the manuscript to be strong enough to sell. We signed the contract with William Morrow in summer of 2022, roughly 18 months after I started writing.

Other than getting the call about your Agatha nomination, what has surprised you about being a debut mystery author?

I didn’t write Mother-Daughter Murder Night intending for it to be published. I wrote the first draft as a love letter to my mom, who was struggling through stage 4 cancer treatment. Creating this story was a positive escape for both of us during that hard time. I wrote the main character to be an outrageous, superhero version of my mom–an older woman with cancer, leaping out of bed to solve a crime. It wasn’t until the first draft was done–and my mom was feeling stronger–that I considered trying to share this novel with the world. Every step of publication has been a surprise and a delight, from getting the contract, to learning it was a Reese’s Book Club pick, to reaching the New York Times bestseller list. And every time, I call my mom and share the good news. This book has given us both so much joy and healing through a tough time, and I’m honored that it is now bringing joy to other readers, too.

What words of wisdom do you have for aspiring first-timers?

Write. Involve others (friends, family, editors, pets) who will encourage you to write, and ignore those who discourage you or make you question yourself. Writing is a vulnerable, audacious act, and you need as much courage as possible to keep going. Remember–the only person who can stop you from finishing your story is you. 

Dutch Threat: When Jack Farmer, a graduate student at the University of Michigan, is sent to Amsterdam to do historical research in the Begijnhof, a residential community for elderly women living alone, romance and murder are the last things on his mind. But then he meets Jet Schilders, the young nurse who cares for several of the Begijnhof’s residents. And then one of Jet’s charges is brutally murdered, and Jet becomes the police’s prime suspect….

Josh, how long did it take you from when you first started writing this book until you got a contract for it?

I must be the slowest novelist in the history of novelisting. I lived and worked in Amsterdam during the early 1980s and often ate lunch in a beautiful, peaceful spot called the Begijnhof, a residential community for women (mostly elderly women) living alone. I came up with a plot for a murder story to be set in the Begijnhof, but I was terrified by the prospect of trying to write a novel, so I put the idea on hold. I occasionally made half-hearted attempts to write the book, but it wasn’t until Genius Book Publishing approached me last year (on wonderful author David Dean’s recommendation) and asked me if I had a novel that I finally buckled down and wrote Dutch Threat. So, from the time I first started working on it until I got a contract for it took, ahem, roughly forty years!

Other than getting the call about your Agatha nomination, what has surprised you about being a debut mystery author?

I feel a little guilty about the nomination. EQMM published my first short story way back in 1968, so I’ve been a professional crime writer now for fifty-six years. In fact, though, Dutch Threat actually is my first novel, which means that I am eligible for the Agatha.

What words of wisdom do you have for aspiring first-timers?

I don’t think anyone’s ever come up with better advice than the first two and last two of late science-fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein’s “Five Rules for Writers.”

You must write.You must finish what you start.You must put it on the market.You must keep it on the market until sold.

I disagree with Heinlein’s third rule, which is: “You must refrain from rewriting (except to editorial demand).” I’m not so arrogant as to think that my first drafts are perfect, and I wouldn’t recommend that aspiring first-timers be that arrogant, either.

The Hint of Light. In the wake of her son’s death, Margaret Dobrescu struggles to keep it together, overwhelmed by her grief…and her guilt. But soon after, her husband admits that Kyle once confessed to having a daughter. Clinging to the hope that some part of her son is still out there, Margaret searches for her rumored granddaughter. As she digs deeper and deeper into her son’s life, she discovers that her own secrets can’t stay buried forever.

Kristen, how long did it take you from when you first started writing this book until you got a contract for it?

From story idea to publishing contract took almost four years. I started drafting this novel as my 2018 NaNoWriMo project. To break my path to publication down even further, the novel took me one year to write, two years to edit (with the help of my critique partners, beta-readers, and literary agent), and one year on submission before I received the offer I accepted. Though The Hint of Light was my debut novel, I’ve written four other novels.

Other than getting the call about your Agatha nomination, what has surprised you about being a debut mystery author?

I’ve long since understood that during the drafting stage, authors tell the story to themselves, and the editing phase is when the authors adapt the story to appeal to readers. What I didn’t appreciate until I was working with a publisher was that the goal of the developmental editing phase is to engineer the readers’ experience as they progress through the book. While I thought my novel was already in strong shape when it sold, under the expert guidance of my publisher’s developmental editor, I took my novel to the next level.

What words of wisdom do you have for aspiring first-timers?

No matter how many books you’ve written, whether or not you are represented by an agent, and how well your published work is received, you will suffer from imposter syndrome. All authors do. It may recede for a bit, but it’s always ready to hijack your psyche with the next phase of writer’s block, query rejection, or bad review.

To help combat this, I suggest keeping a Wall of Fame. In my case, it’s a Word document in which I record every writerly milestone and compliment I’ve ever received. Even in the middle of a query rejection, you might find some gem to cling to. Whenever my impostor syndrome ramps up, I scroll through my Wall of Fame to boost my morale and remind myself that writing is subjective, and yes, I can weather this, too.

Crime and Parchment. Rare books librarian Juniper Blume learns of an ancient Celtic manuscript in her Chesapeake Bay hometown. A book that shouldn’t exist. She’s held off on returning home since her grandmother died, but as a librarian, her curiosity is greater than her grief. Instead of unearthing the book, she discovers a body. Driven for answers and to reconnect with her estranged sister, can Juniper solve the mystery and mend family ties?

Daphne, how long did it take you from when you first started writing this book until you got a contract for it?

There are two answers: about ten years or six months. Ten years because I first started writing about Juniper and Azalea around a decade ago. I was intrigued by the concept of a rare books librarian as well as a historic bed and breakfast. It was in 2013 that my husband and I visited Ireland and saw the Book of Kells at Trinity College in person. That’s when I learned that this gorgeous book had lost its bejeweled covers a millennium ago.

Six months because, after several starts and stops, I put the book aside. I wrote a history book, changed jobs, and had a baby. It wasn’t until my kiddo was entering kindergarten that I had enough brain space to attempt writing again. This time, the book flowed. Like a deluge. Finishing the first draft took about six weeks, give or take. Then I pitched it on a Twitter (which I also hadn’t used in a decade!) during #PitMad (the hashtag was short for pitch madness) and soon ended up with my agent Cindy Bullard of Birch Literary. By the spring, I had a deal with Level Best Books for the electronic and print versions of the book and Blackstone for the audio.

Other than getting the call about your Agatha nomination, what has surprised you about being a debut mystery author?

It still feels unreal. That others would care about the idea bouncing around my head is quite surreal. I’ve written non-fiction history books before, so I knew what it was like to go through the publishing experience, but it’s still different from creating a new world entirely from your imagination. In my history books, I felt like I was sharing other people’s stories. I was a curator of their tales. I loved that, but it’s worlds apart from sharing your own.

What words of wisdom do you have for aspiring first-timers?

Don’t give up. Like many writers, I’ve been writing my whole life. I even minored in creative writing in college. Back then, I never considered writing mysteries, as I was interested in literary fiction. I didn’t start exploring mysteries as a genre until my early twenties. It took a lot of time to unlearn what had been drilled into me during my creative fiction classes in undergrad. There wasn’t much interest in genre fiction, and it was all about avoiding tropes. So many of my initial stories lacked a plot, and the characters weren’t particularly memorable.

What helped me were a few things. First, I took classes with Noreen Wald (Nora Charles) at the Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Maryland, near Malice Domestic. Mystery author (and Agatha winner) Alan Orloff was in my classes, just getting his start. However, it would take almost twenty years from when I started those classes to publishing my book. There is no set timeline. 

I also joined Sisters in Crime, including both my local Chesapeake chapter and the Guppies (Great UnPublished) chapters. I cannot stress how incredible of an organization Sisters in Crime is, and I’ve been involved with several associations during my career. Everyone is so caring, and the organizations provide incredible resources for its members. Learn more at www.sistersincrime.org. 

Third, I read extensively in my genre of cozy mystery. I read not just for enjoyment but also to study how established authors developed their plots, created their characters, and placed their clues. It’s not like I took notes, but I paid attention to the structure.

Glory Be. It’s a hot and sticky Sunday in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Glory Boussard has settled into her usual after-church routine, meeting gamblers at the local coffee shop, where she works as a small-time bookie. Sitting at her corner table, Glory hears that her best friend—a nun beloved by the community—has been found dead.

When the police declare the mysterious death a suicide, Glory is convinced that there must be more to the story and, with her reluctant daughter in tow, launches a shadow investigation in a town of oil tycoons, church gossips, and a rumored voodoo priestess.

Danielle, how long did it take you from when you first started writing this book until you got a contract for it?

That’s such a hard question, because I started writing this at the beginning of the pandemic, a moment when time felt artificial and unreal. I suppose it took roughly two years from the start of the book until I had a contract in hand, and then it was published ten months after signing the contract, which I’ve learned is pretty fast in the publishing world. 

Other than getting the call about your Agatha nomination, what has surprised you about being a debut mystery author?

I’ve been surprised at how carefully people have read the book. As I’ve done other panels, readings and a few Zoom book club meetings, people bring up very specific details. For example, my protagonist Glory Broussard loves Patti LaBelle.  It has come up in reviews, and a virtual book club even played her greatest hits before the meeting started for everyone in the waiting room!

What words of wisdom do you have for aspiring first-timers?

Get to work and take yourself seriously. The publishing business is flat out hard – no one avoids rejection and discouragement. Getting an agent and landing a deal may feel impossible, and yet there are new debut authors every year. Why not you?

Readers: What debut novels have you loved? Have you read any of these five mysteries? Questions for our authors? If you’ll be at the convention next weekend, be sure to stop any of of us and say hello!

Welcome Daryl Wood Gerber: Writing a Mystery with Magical Elements is a Challenge – and a #giveaway

By Liz, happy to welcome our friend Daryl Wood Gerber back to the blog! She’s talking about magical mysteries today to celebrate her newest Fairy Garden Mystery, A Twinkle of Trouble, and I love this conversation. Take it away, Daryl!

Choosing to write a mystery with magical elements is a challenge, but a delightful one. Facing the reader’s suspension of disbelief is always daunting. Plus, let’s face it, an amateur sleuth is a pretty hard sell. I mean, come on, how many of you have tried to solve a crime and actually gone out to investigate? Not many, I’m assuming, so trying to get readers to believe an amateur sleuth is curious as well as courageous is not easy. You have to create a story (a series) that draws the reader to the characters, the location, and more.  Now, when you add in a magical being, be it a fairy, a witch, or a ghost, wariness in the reader magnifies. Right?

So what will it take to convince a reader to go on this journey? Why should I even attempt to write it?

Here are my top three reasons why I chose to write the Fairy Garden Mysteries:

I love the characters.  When Fiona, the righteous fairy, came to mind, I was enthralled by her. For such a small young being, she was savvy and curious and brave. When she and Courtney, the owner of Open Your imagination, a fairy garden shop, team up, they’re fearless. Well, almost. Exploring this relationship and encouraging each character to grow has been a rich, rewarding experience. It has also been a delight to create my fairy’s background, her limitations, and her eagerness to learn new things. It’s a whole new world for me to explore. 

2. Choosing the right town to set my story in wasn’t too difficult. I have always loved visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea, a charming coastal town in California. It’s magical and bursting with creative energy. After the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, Carmel became a haven for artists and authors.  They wanted a town that would support the arts. The sidewalks are cobblestone. There are gingerbread-style houses and shops. The beach is within walking distance. And the courtyards and secret passageways, for which Carmel is known, are captivating. Creating the courtyard where Open Your Imagination sells its wares and the shop itself, with its patio fit with twinkling lights and burbling fountain, was vital to me in order to craft this magical environment. 

3. To begin my journey, I really dug into the art of fairy gardening because I wanted Courtney to be a maven for those who wanted to make their own. What is fairy gardening? Think of it as doll-housing for gardens. In each of mine, I create conversations—one or two fairies interacting or communicating with other magical creatures. FYI, you don’t need a green thumb to make a fairy garden. You can make them using fake plants or you can construct them at the base of a tree or you can install one in a tea cup. Your imagination is what matters. It was this imagination that spurred me on whenever I was writing my story. Which garden technique would Courtney highlight? Which character would open his or heart to the magic and see a fairy? 

It has been pure fun writing this series. My inner child has been set free.  

Question, dear reader. What do you like to do that opens your heart or mind to wonder? Do you like to read about magical creatures? Fairies? Witches? Ghosts and goblins? Shape shifters? If so, which his your favorite? One commenter will receive a choice of the first 4 Fairy Garden Mysteries, paper or e-book plus some swag.

About Daryl:

Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber is best known for her nationally bestselling mysteries, including the Fairy Garden Mysteries and Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense including the well received The Son’s Secret, Girl on the Run, andthe popular Aspen Adams suspense novels. Recently Daryl, who loves a challenge, published a Christmas romance, Hope for the Holidays.  Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, garden, read, and walk her frisky Goldendoodle. Also she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website or find her on social: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok or Goodreads, BookBub and Amazon!