C.J. Petterson's Blog: Book launch scheduled, page 9
April 2, 2023
She loved reading mystery series, so . . .
cj Sez: We have a guest today! AuthorKathleen Kaska is the author of a lighthearted, humorous mystery series—The Sydney Lockhart Mystery Series—set in the early 1950s.
One of the interesting twists of the Sydney Lockhart Mystery Series is that each book is set in a different historic hotel. The 6th mystery, Murder at the Pontchartrain, will be released this summer.
Kathleen graciously agreed to share her answers to some broad-ranging questions about her path to writing mysteries. Welcome, welcome to LyricalPens, Kathleen. When did you realize you first wanted to write? And whator who inspired you to write a series? Ididn’t develop a passion for writing until my late thirties. Once I got my teachingcareer off the ground and had some spare time, I spent it reading. The more Iread, the more I realized I wanted to write, so I joined the Austin Writer’sLeague, now the Writer’s League of Texas. I took creative writing classes, andI joined a critique group. My first three books were nonfiction mystery triviabooks about Agatha Christie, Alfred Hitchcock, and Sherlock Holmes.
WhenI started writing fiction, I planned to write a series because I love readingmystery series. Getting to know the characters is like making new friends.
What do you find to be the most difficult thing aboutwriting a series? Keepingthe material fresh. Sydney gets into a lot of trouble, and I have to becreative in staging new situations for her. I also have to add the right amountof background information in case someone reads the books out of order.
Have you ever indie published? Mybooks are traditionally published, but I published a short story several yearson Amazon. Right now, I’m writing a children’s book with my grand-niece, andonce that is completed, I will publish it on Amazon also. I’m having fun withthis because it’s something my niece and I can do together. She is six yearsold and is so talented.
You’re stranded on a deserted island. Besides food andwater, what are your three must-haves? Myhusband is first on the list. Not only does he make me laugh, I really like theguy. Am I allowed an entire library? If so, that is second on the list. Howabout a fully stocked wine cellar?
Is silence golden when you write, or do you like someaccompaniment…music, a TV program, some kind of white noise? WhenI’m writing at home, I need silence. Sometimes, I listen to music, but only todrown out any noise from outside. Fortunately, my husband is quiet, and wedon’t have a TV, so if you walked into our house, it would take a few minutesto realize that someone was even home. WhenI need a change of scenery, I go to a coffee shop, and oddly enough, thebackground noise there doesn’t bother me. Characters are usually composites of real and imaginedpeople. How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life—fromyour life in particular? Allmy characters come from my imagination. I tried designing or conjuring upcharacters, but it didn’t work. The same with plots. I’m a pantser. The plotdevelops as I write, and that’s what makes writing fun. For me, it’s likereading a book; I don’t know what will happen on the next page.
Real settings or fictional towns? Country or city? Oceanor mountains?
The historic Hotel Pontchartrain
MySydney Lockhart mysteries are set in real historic hotels, which I have visitedoften. So the setting is real. I do a lot of research to find out what happenedin each location during the early 1950s to get a feel for how it was back then.Then, I weave some historical facts into the story. Here are two examples; inthe first book, Murder at the Arlington(Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas), Al Capone used to have his own roomat the hotel, so gangsters played an important role in that book. In Murder at the Galvez, which takes placeon Galveston Island, I used an actual controversy surrounding the developmentof Pelican Island, a small nearby island. I put my own spin on the issue andused it as a possible motive for the murder.
What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has? Mycharacter, Ruth Echland, is Sydney’s wealthy, spoiled, annoying cousin. Shealways gets people’s names wrong and uses the wrong word. For example, in Murder at the Menger, instead of saying“bubonic plague,” she said “bluebonnetplague.” She never admits she is wrong and occasionally does it intentionallyjust to aggravate Sydney. She likes to play the bubble-headed blonde, but she’sreally sharp. I’ll share an excerpt from Murderat the Pontchartrain. Ruth has just arrived at the hotel:
Ruth held up the hotel’s brochure, kicked off her heels,and crawled into my bed. “It saysTennessee Williams wrote A StreetcarNamed Desire while staying here.”“Yeah, I heard that.”“I wonder which room he stayed in.”“The concierge could probably tell you.”“Why would any playwright name a streetcar Desire as part of the title?”“Go see the play.”“He could have named it Streetcar Named New Orleans or StreetcarNamed Louisiana.”“Ruth! He named it Desireafter the street in New Orleans named Desire.”“Why would anyone name a street Desire? What’s wrong with Oak Street or Elm Street, or MainStreet?”“I can’t answer that, Ruth. But you must admit that thetitle A Streetcar Named Main doesn’thave the same ring. It’s flat. Something named Desire has a sultry, maybe passionate or erotic feel.”“Hmmm, now that I think about it, why would anyone name achild Tennessee?”“I don’t know. Maybe he was born in Tennessee.”“Thank goodness he wasn’t born in Massachusetts.” Tell us about Murder at the Pontchartrain . . . where you got the idea and how you cameup with the hotel and the title. (Comingup with a title is a real challenge for me.) Booknumber five, Murder at the Menger, occursin San Antonio and New Orleans. I added New Orleans as a location because thestory involves horseracing, and in the 50s, Texas didn’t allow horseracing.While researching the book in New Orleans, I fell in love with the city and itsculture. I looked at a few historic hotels there and decided on thePontchartrain for book number six. I love its history and atmosphere; it justseemed to fit.
Any last thoughts? Myhusband and I love to travel and always look for historic hotels in which tostay. I have two criteria for selecting hotels for my books: they had tooperate in the early 50s and are still in operation today. I’m always on thelookout for these inspirational gems, so if your readers have any suggestionsfor a future hotel I can use, I’d love to hear them. (cj Sez: You heard her,folks: Send in those suggestions. Maybe you’ll be the inspiration for her nextbook.)
Kathleen Kaska is the author of theawarding-winning mystery series: the
Sydney Lockhart Mystery Series set in the1950s and the Kate Caraway Animal-Rights Mystery Series. Her first two Lockhartmysteries, Murder at the Arlingtonand Murder at the Luther, wereselected as bonus books for the Pulpwood Queen Book Group, the country’slargest book group. She also writes mystery trivia, including The SherlockHolmes Quiz Book. Her Holmes short story, “The Adventure at OldBasingstoke,” appears in Sherlock Holmes of Baking Street. She foundedThe Dogs in the Nighttime, the Sherlock Holmes Society of Anacortes,Washington, a scion of The Baker Street Irregulars.
Visit her website to read her humorous blog,“Growing Up Catholic in a Small Texas Town,” because sometimes you just have tolaugh.
Kathleen is the owner of Metaphor WritingCoach. She coaches new and emerging writers and helpsthem discover their unique voices, and guides them as they learn the craft ofwriting and the art of storytelling. Kathleen also edits manuscripts andadvises writers on how to look for the right publisher.
ContactKathleen at: http://www.kathleenkaska.com https://metaphorwritingcoach.com/ https://twitter.com/KKaskaAuthor http://www.facebook.com/kathleenkaska https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B001K88UMQ https://www.instagram.com/kathleenkaska/
Murder at the Pontchartrain is available for pre-sale from the publisher and will be available at your favoritebookstore, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. (Pontchartrainpre-sale link click here.)
And here's a bonus...Kathleen’s protagonist,Sydney Lockhart, is leaving some intriguing clues and invites you into the book:
“I had good intentions. I always do. My boyfriend/partner, Ralph Dixon, and Ieloped—again—with the plan to tie the knot in New Orleans. Instead, Dixon’ssitting in jail for a double murder. I’m sitting in a Louisiana swamp, spyingon the Ku Klux Klan with Rip Thigbee, a ghost detective. My bubble-headedcousin Ruth is interrogating the hotel’s chef. My twelve-year-old charge, LydiaLaBeau, dressed as a voodoo queen, is entertaining the locals at Pat O’Brien’s. These are just some of the people I hang outwith. They’re all slightly unhinged and extremely odd. I’m Sydney Lockhart. I solve murders. Most ofwhich I’m the primary suspect. So mix yourself a Hurricane and join me inthe Big Easy for another historic hotel murder case.”
§§
cj Sez: Thankyou, Kathleen (and Sydney). We really appreciate your sharing thesebehind-the-scene tidbits. Lyrical Pens wishes you best-selling author sales andrave reviews for Murder at thePontchartrain . . . and all of the stories in your series.
That’sit for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do thesame. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
cj
➜Follow me on . . . ➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
One of the interesting twists of the Sydney Lockhart Mystery Series is that each book is set in a different historic hotel. The 6th mystery, Murder at the Pontchartrain, will be released this summer.
Kathleen graciously agreed to share her answers to some broad-ranging questions about her path to writing mysteries. Welcome, welcome to LyricalPens, Kathleen. When did you realize you first wanted to write? And whator who inspired you to write a series? Ididn’t develop a passion for writing until my late thirties. Once I got my teachingcareer off the ground and had some spare time, I spent it reading. The more Iread, the more I realized I wanted to write, so I joined the Austin Writer’sLeague, now the Writer’s League of Texas. I took creative writing classes, andI joined a critique group. My first three books were nonfiction mystery triviabooks about Agatha Christie, Alfred Hitchcock, and Sherlock Holmes.
WhenI started writing fiction, I planned to write a series because I love readingmystery series. Getting to know the characters is like making new friends.
What do you find to be the most difficult thing aboutwriting a series? Keepingthe material fresh. Sydney gets into a lot of trouble, and I have to becreative in staging new situations for her. I also have to add the right amountof background information in case someone reads the books out of order.
Have you ever indie published? Mybooks are traditionally published, but I published a short story several yearson Amazon. Right now, I’m writing a children’s book with my grand-niece, andonce that is completed, I will publish it on Amazon also. I’m having fun withthis because it’s something my niece and I can do together. She is six yearsold and is so talented.
Ialso wanted to learn the process of self-publishing because I coach many newwriters who’ve chosen the indie route, so I needed to be informed.
Where/when do you do most of your writing? Whileteaching full-time, I wrote in the morning before school, but my writingschedule changed once I retired. Now I write when the mood hits me.Iwrite either at my desk or propped up in bed with my laptop.
You’re stranded on a deserted island. Besides food andwater, what are your three must-haves? Myhusband is first on the list. Not only does he make me laugh, I really like theguy. Am I allowed an entire library? If so, that is second on the list. Howabout a fully stocked wine cellar?
Is silence golden when you write, or do you like someaccompaniment…music, a TV program, some kind of white noise? WhenI’m writing at home, I need silence. Sometimes, I listen to music, but only todrown out any noise from outside. Fortunately, my husband is quiet, and wedon’t have a TV, so if you walked into our house, it would take a few minutesto realize that someone was even home. WhenI need a change of scenery, I go to a coffee shop, and oddly enough, thebackground noise there doesn’t bother me. Characters are usually composites of real and imaginedpeople. How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life—fromyour life in particular? Allmy characters come from my imagination. I tried designing or conjuring upcharacters, but it didn’t work. The same with plots. I’m a pantser. The plotdevelops as I write, and that’s what makes writing fun. For me, it’s likereading a book; I don’t know what will happen on the next page.
Real settings or fictional towns? Country or city? Oceanor mountains?
The historic Hotel PontchartrainMySydney Lockhart mysteries are set in real historic hotels, which I have visitedoften. So the setting is real. I do a lot of research to find out what happenedin each location during the early 1950s to get a feel for how it was back then.Then, I weave some historical facts into the story. Here are two examples; inthe first book, Murder at the Arlington(Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas), Al Capone used to have his own roomat the hotel, so gangsters played an important role in that book. In Murder at the Galvez, which takes placeon Galveston Island, I used an actual controversy surrounding the developmentof Pelican Island, a small nearby island. I put my own spin on the issue andused it as a possible motive for the murder.
What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has? Mycharacter, Ruth Echland, is Sydney’s wealthy, spoiled, annoying cousin. Shealways gets people’s names wrong and uses the wrong word. For example, in Murder at the Menger, instead of saying“bubonic plague,” she said “bluebonnetplague.” She never admits she is wrong and occasionally does it intentionallyjust to aggravate Sydney. She likes to play the bubble-headed blonde, but she’sreally sharp. I’ll share an excerpt from Murderat the Pontchartrain. Ruth has just arrived at the hotel:
Ruth held up the hotel’s brochure, kicked off her heels,and crawled into my bed. “It saysTennessee Williams wrote A StreetcarNamed Desire while staying here.”“Yeah, I heard that.”“I wonder which room he stayed in.”“The concierge could probably tell you.”“Why would any playwright name a streetcar Desire as part of the title?”“Go see the play.”“He could have named it Streetcar Named New Orleans or StreetcarNamed Louisiana.”“Ruth! He named it Desireafter the street in New Orleans named Desire.”“Why would anyone name a street Desire? What’s wrong with Oak Street or Elm Street, or MainStreet?”“I can’t answer that, Ruth. But you must admit that thetitle A Streetcar Named Main doesn’thave the same ring. It’s flat. Something named Desire has a sultry, maybe passionate or erotic feel.”“Hmmm, now that I think about it, why would anyone name achild Tennessee?”“I don’t know. Maybe he was born in Tennessee.”“Thank goodness he wasn’t born in Massachusetts.” Tell us about Murder at the Pontchartrain . . . where you got the idea and how you cameup with the hotel and the title. (Comingup with a title is a real challenge for me.) Booknumber five, Murder at the Menger, occursin San Antonio and New Orleans. I added New Orleans as a location because thestory involves horseracing, and in the 50s, Texas didn’t allow horseracing.While researching the book in New Orleans, I fell in love with the city and itsculture. I looked at a few historic hotels there and decided on thePontchartrain for book number six. I love its history and atmosphere; it justseemed to fit.
Any last thoughts? Myhusband and I love to travel and always look for historic hotels in which tostay. I have two criteria for selecting hotels for my books: they had tooperate in the early 50s and are still in operation today. I’m always on thelookout for these inspirational gems, so if your readers have any suggestionsfor a future hotel I can use, I’d love to hear them. (cj Sez: You heard her,folks: Send in those suggestions. Maybe you’ll be the inspiration for her nextbook.)
Kathleen Kaska is the author of theawarding-winning mystery series: theSydney Lockhart Mystery Series set in the1950s and the Kate Caraway Animal-Rights Mystery Series. Her first two Lockhartmysteries, Murder at the Arlingtonand Murder at the Luther, wereselected as bonus books for the Pulpwood Queen Book Group, the country’slargest book group. She also writes mystery trivia, including The SherlockHolmes Quiz Book. Her Holmes short story, “The Adventure at OldBasingstoke,” appears in Sherlock Holmes of Baking Street. She foundedThe Dogs in the Nighttime, the Sherlock Holmes Society of Anacortes,Washington, a scion of The Baker Street Irregulars.
Visit her website to read her humorous blog,“Growing Up Catholic in a Small Texas Town,” because sometimes you just have tolaugh.
Kathleen is the owner of Metaphor WritingCoach. She coaches new and emerging writers and helpsthem discover their unique voices, and guides them as they learn the craft ofwriting and the art of storytelling. Kathleen also edits manuscripts andadvises writers on how to look for the right publisher.
ContactKathleen at: http://www.kathleenkaska.com https://metaphorwritingcoach.com/ https://twitter.com/KKaskaAuthor http://www.facebook.com/kathleenkaska https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B001K88UMQ https://www.instagram.com/kathleenkaska/
Murder at the Pontchartrain is available for pre-sale from the publisher and will be available at your favoritebookstore, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. (Pontchartrainpre-sale link click here.)
And here's a bonus...Kathleen’s protagonist,Sydney Lockhart, is leaving some intriguing clues and invites you into the book:
“I had good intentions. I always do. My boyfriend/partner, Ralph Dixon, and Ieloped—again—with the plan to tie the knot in New Orleans. Instead, Dixon’ssitting in jail for a double murder. I’m sitting in a Louisiana swamp, spyingon the Ku Klux Klan with Rip Thigbee, a ghost detective. My bubble-headedcousin Ruth is interrogating the hotel’s chef. My twelve-year-old charge, LydiaLaBeau, dressed as a voodoo queen, is entertaining the locals at Pat O’Brien’s. These are just some of the people I hang outwith. They’re all slightly unhinged and extremely odd. I’m Sydney Lockhart. I solve murders. Most ofwhich I’m the primary suspect. So mix yourself a Hurricane and join me inthe Big Easy for another historic hotel murder case.”
§§
cj Sez: Thankyou, Kathleen (and Sydney). We really appreciate your sharing thesebehind-the-scene tidbits. Lyrical Pens wishes you best-selling author sales andrave reviews for Murder at thePontchartrain . . . and all of the stories in your series.
That’sit for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do thesame. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
cj
The Haunted BookShop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The HauntedBookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Follow me on . . . ➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
March 26, 2023
How many of these award winners have you read?
cj Sez: Congratulations to the winners and the nominees for Sisters in Crime Lefty Award winners! These novels should definitely be on your To-Be-Read list/stack.
From the SinC press release:
Sisters in Crime salutes the four Lefty Award Winners, who received their honors last week at Left Coast Crime in Tucson. Here's a complete list of nominees with winners listed first by category.
1. Lefty for Best Humorous Mystery Novel ✫ Ellen Byron, Bayou Book Thief (Berkley Prime Crime)Jennifer J. Chow, Death by Bubble Tea (Berkley Prime Crime)A.J. Devlin, Five Moves of Doom (NeWest Press)T.G. Herren, A Streetcar Named Murder (Crooked Lane Books)Catriona McPherson, Scot in a Trap (Severn House)
2. Lefty for Best Historical Mystery Novel (The Bill Gottfried Memorial for books covering events before 1970) ✫ Wanda M. Morris, Anywhere You Run (William Morrow)Dianne Freeman, A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder (Kensington Books)Catriona McPherson, In Place of Fear (Mobius)Karen Odden, Under a Veiled Moon (Crooked Lane Books)Ann Parker, The Secret in the Wall (Poisoned Pen Press)Iona Whishaw, Framed in Fire (Touchwood Editions)
3. Lefty for Best Debut Mystery Novel ✫ Ramona Emerson, Shutter (Soho Crme)Erin E. Adams, Jackal (Bantam Books)Eli Cranor, Don’t Know Tough (Soho Crime)Meredith Hambrock, Other People’s Secrets (Crooked Lane Books)Harini Nagendra, The Bangalore Detectives Club (Pegasus Crime)Rob Osler, Devil’s Chew Toy (Crooked Lane Books)Jane Pek, The Verifiers (Vintage Books)
4. Lefty for Best Mystery Novel ✫ Kellye Garrett, Like a Sister (Mulholland Books)Laurie R. King, Back to the Garden (Bantam Books)James L’Etoile, Dead Drop (Level Best Books)Gigi Pandian, Under Lock & Skeleton Key (Minotaur Books)Louise Penny, A World of Curiosities (Minotaur Books)Alex Segura, Secret Identity (Flatiron Books) §§
Not able to be there but would like signed copies? Pre-order copies from The Haunted Book Shop and request they have them signed for you on April 14. https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
§§
That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99. P.S. The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
From the SinC press release:
Sisters in Crime salutes the four Lefty Award Winners, who received their honors last week at Left Coast Crime in Tucson. Here's a complete list of nominees with winners listed first by category.1. Lefty for Best Humorous Mystery Novel ✫ Ellen Byron, Bayou Book Thief (Berkley Prime Crime)Jennifer J. Chow, Death by Bubble Tea (Berkley Prime Crime)A.J. Devlin, Five Moves of Doom (NeWest Press)T.G. Herren, A Streetcar Named Murder (Crooked Lane Books)Catriona McPherson, Scot in a Trap (Severn House)
2. Lefty for Best Historical Mystery Novel (The Bill Gottfried Memorial for books covering events before 1970) ✫ Wanda M. Morris, Anywhere You Run (William Morrow)Dianne Freeman, A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder (Kensington Books)Catriona McPherson, In Place of Fear (Mobius)Karen Odden, Under a Veiled Moon (Crooked Lane Books)Ann Parker, The Secret in the Wall (Poisoned Pen Press)Iona Whishaw, Framed in Fire (Touchwood Editions)
3. Lefty for Best Debut Mystery Novel ✫ Ramona Emerson, Shutter (Soho Crme)Erin E. Adams, Jackal (Bantam Books)Eli Cranor, Don’t Know Tough (Soho Crime)Meredith Hambrock, Other People’s Secrets (Crooked Lane Books)Harini Nagendra, The Bangalore Detectives Club (Pegasus Crime)Rob Osler, Devil’s Chew Toy (Crooked Lane Books)Jane Pek, The Verifiers (Vintage Books)
4. Lefty for Best Mystery Novel ✫ Kellye Garrett, Like a Sister (Mulholland Books)Laurie R. King, Back to the Garden (Bantam Books)James L’Etoile, Dead Drop (Level Best Books)Gigi Pandian, Under Lock & Skeleton Key (Minotaur Books)Louise Penny, A World of Curiosities (Minotaur Books)Alex Segura, Secret Identity (Flatiron Books) §§
CLASSIC PIECES RETOLD is available for pre-order!
In this sixth installment of the Mobile Writers Guild Piecesanthology series, members pay homage to some favorite classic works now in the public domain—novels, short stories, and poems. (I have retold two Agatha Christie short mysteries.)
Mark your calendars for the book signing by multiple authors at The Haunted Book Shop during Mobile’s April 14 LoDa Art Walk.Not able to be there but would like signed copies? Pre-order copies from The Haunted Book Shop and request they have them signed for you on April 14. https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
For Amazon purchases, click here: Buy CLASSIC PIECES Now
§§
§§
That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
cj
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99. P.S. The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
March 19, 2023
In the Did'ja Know Department
cj Sez: CLASSIC PIECES RETOLD is available for pre-order!
Buy CLASSIC PIECES Now
In this sixth installment of the Mobile Writers Guild Pieces anthology series, members pay homage to some of their favorite classic works in the public domain. Inside the pages of this book are tributes to the authors’ favorite novels, short stories, and poems. (I have retold two Agatha Christie short mysteries.)
FYI readers and writers, your lesson for the day
David Morrell says, “Thrillers strive for heightened emotions and emphasize the sensations of what might be called an obstacle race and a scavenger hunt.” Will Jack be able to save the bus passengers before the villain detonates the bomb (Speed)? Will Nick prove Amy framed him for her disappearance (Gone Girl)?
Best Selling Crime Writer, Libby Fischer Hellman, writes, “Suspense is not so much what is happening, as what may happen. It’s about anticipation, often anticipating the worst.
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99.
P.S. The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page
➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor
➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson
➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
Buy CLASSIC PIECES Now
In this sixth installment of the Mobile Writers Guild Pieces anthology series, members pay homage to some of their favorite classic works in the public domain. Inside the pages of this book are tributes to the authors’ favorite novels, short stories, and poems. (I have retold two Agatha Christie short mysteries.)
§§
FYI readers and writers, your lesson for the day
David Morrell says, “Thrillers strive for heightened emotions and emphasize the sensations of what might be called an obstacle race and a scavenger hunt.” Will Jack be able to save the bus passengers before the villain detonates the bomb (Speed)? Will Nick prove Amy framed him for her disappearance (Gone Girl)?
Best Selling Crime Writer, Libby Fischer Hellman, writes, “Suspense is not so much what is happening, as what may happen. It’s about anticipation, often anticipating the worst.
§§
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99.
P.S. The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page
➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor
➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson
➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
March 12, 2023
DST and Mobile Literary Festival report
cj Sez: Daylight Saving Time is here.
Did you remember to Spring Forward one hour? I did then forgot to actually do it.
§§
Literary Festival Small banner I had a wonderful time at the Mobile Literary Festival yesterday, an event that shines the spotlight on local authors and poets, both traditionally and self-published.
SRO in "Children's Books..."
The Festival was well attended. Published prose authors and editors conducted workshops, poets read from their works, and a TV crew even showed up to interview the woman behind the MLF: Jodie Cain Smith.
The Haunted Book Shop had a pop-up book store presence where attendees could buy books by local authors and have them autographed on the spot. Guess who didn’t get her books there. Sigh. Family life kind of interfered. Authors needed to get them to the library by Friday before the conference, but I was left without access to my vehicle to transport them on Friday.
On the plus side, I did get to sit in on the “Pantster v. Plotter: The Great Debate” workshop. I was interested in the in-depth descriptions and analyses by the writers of both processes, but I think I’m still a pathfinder.
The Mobile Writers Guild “Pitch War” panel (authors, editors, agent) critiqued twenty-nine pitches. I’m thinking the MWG needs to offer a hands-on/practice workshop on what agents expect to see.
All of that in one day, and it was free! The Festival was sponsored by the Mobile Writers Guild, the Mobile Public Library, and The Haunted Book Shop. Thank you and sa-lute. (Psst: I heard there are already plans in the works for next year.)
I’m happy to repost the gorgeous cover of the Mobile Writers Guild upcoming anthology, CLASSICS RETOLD PIECES, in which I have retold two Agatha Christie short mysteries.
Stay tuned for contributor spotlights and a release date, coming soon.§§
That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
cj
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, my fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99. P.S. The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Follow me on . . . ➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
Did you remember to Spring Forward one hour? I did then forgot to actually do it.
§§
Literary Festival Small banner I had a wonderful time at the Mobile Literary Festival yesterday, an event that shines the spotlight on local authors and poets, both traditionally and self-published.
SRO in "Children's Books..."
The Festival was well attended. Published prose authors and editors conducted workshops, poets read from their works, and a TV crew even showed up to interview the woman behind the MLF: Jodie Cain Smith.
The Haunted Book Shop had a pop-up book store presence where attendees could buy books by local authors and have them autographed on the spot. Guess who didn’t get her books there. Sigh. Family life kind of interfered. Authors needed to get them to the library by Friday before the conference, but I was left without access to my vehicle to transport them on Friday.
On the plus side, I did get to sit in on the “Pantster v. Plotter: The Great Debate” workshop. I was interested in the in-depth descriptions and analyses by the writers of both processes, but I think I’m still a pathfinder.
The Mobile Writers Guild “Pitch War” panel (authors, editors, agent) critiqued twenty-nine pitches. I’m thinking the MWG needs to offer a hands-on/practice workshop on what agents expect to see.
All of that in one day, and it was free! The Festival was sponsored by the Mobile Writers Guild, the Mobile Public Library, and The Haunted Book Shop. Thank you and sa-lute. (Psst: I heard there are already plans in the works for next year.)
§§
I’m happy to repost the gorgeous cover of the Mobile Writers Guild upcoming anthology, CLASSICS RETOLD PIECES, in which I have retold two Agatha Christie short mysteries.
Stay tuned for contributor spotlights and a release date, coming soon.§§
That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
cj
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, my fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99. P.S. The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Follow me on . . . ➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
March 5, 2023
It's a cover reveal !
cj Sez: I am beyond thrilled to share the gorgeous cover of the Mobile Writers Guild upcoming anthology, CLASSIC PIECES RETOLD, in which I have retold two Agatha Christie closed-door mysteries.
Another beautiful cover design by MWG member, Steven Moore
§§
Great topics, excellent faculty, shopping and networking breaks, longer lunch break.
§§
For your reading enjoyment
Carrie Dalby's Possession Chronicles
§§
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, my fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99.
P.S. The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page
➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor
➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson
➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
February 26, 2023
Stop in for a fresh point of view
cj Sez: Lyrical Pens is excited to present a guest post today.
DARLENE DZIOMBA
Welcome, welcome to Lyrical Pens, Darlene. I think your unique comparisons and descriptions of your journey to publication will help everyone visualize the struggles of an aspiring writer. Carry on . . .
“ People say, “What I know about, fill in the blank, wouldn’t fill a thimble.” Five years ago, when this crazy thought of “I should write a book” popped into my head, I could probably fill a thimble with my knowledge of writing a book. I had written long papers in Graduate School, so I understood how to outline and general rules of grammar. I had read thousands of mystery books and knew a story needed a protagonist, a villain, a plot, and some red herrings.
Shots can be fun, but more education was in order. I turned to Sisters in Crime. I took online classes, zoomed into webinars, and lurked across multiple list servs. I revised and rewrote, and wrote some more. My knowledge level expanded, and I could easily fill a six-ounce glass. I got to around forty thousand words and patted myself on the back. I was doing a great job. However, I wasn’t sure what to do next. I was not ready to start submitting this work to agents. At least I knew that much. So I went to someone whose knowledge could fill a ten-gallon punch bowl, a librarian with a published author in the family. He introduced me to a host of people who were happy to read my WIP and give me more feedback. Armed with a ten-ounce wine glass of knowledge and my 74,000-word manuscript, I started submitting to agents. Then I emptied glass after glass of wine as I listed between listening to crickets and receiving rejection emails.
I had outgrown my glassware, and it was time to pivot. Through all the learning and networking, I met many self-published authors. I researched platforms.
I established a business to collect royalties and pay for writing expenses. (A person can dream that the royalties will one day cover the expenses.) I grabbed one of the empty pinot grigio bottles and filled it with my knowledge. I had a book, and I knew how to self-publish it. Clues From The Canines was released. I didn’t want to stop learning at 750ml. If the royalties are going to pay the expenditures, one needs to know far more about Marketing and Publicity than I did. My fellow writers at the Guppies and SinC Grand Canyon Writers were there to help.
With enough knowledge to fill a three-liter wine box, Up Close and Pawsonal, the second book in the Lily Dreyfus series, will release on March 4. 2023. In this book, Lily Dreyfus will enjoy an outdoor concert until shots are fired from a passing SUV, critically injuring two bandmates. She is drawn into investigating the crime to help cope with PTSD and to avenge the death of the band member who was her coworkers’ nephew.
Darlene is a member of Sisters in Crime National and several regional SinC groups. She combined her passion for the written word and animals into the Lily Dreyfus series. Darlene volunteers at the Animal Welfare Association, a New Jersey animal shelter, where she chats with the dogs while completing her assignments. She has a 30-year career in Finance at the University of Pennsylvania and is an avid reader, gardener, and traveler. Darlene lives in New Jersey with her four-legged best friend, Billie.
Find and follow Darlene on these sites:
www.ReadDarlene.com @ReadDarlene1facebook.com/read.darlene.7 ReadDarlene@hotmail.com
Buy Up Close Now A casual evening of listening to music by a local cover band turns into a murder investigation when a drive-by shooting destroys the tranquility of the night and critically injures two of the band members.
Lily Dreyfus, stressed and unsettled from having been at the concert, is informed that one of the dead band members is the nephew of her coworker at the Forever Friends Animal Shelter. Lily will leash together a set of seemingly unrelated events to seek the perpetrator and make them heel.
That’s it for today’s post, folks. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
cj
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, my fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99.
P.S. The print copies are out of stock . . . EXCEPT AT The Haunted Book Shop. This indie bookstore has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Follow me on . . . ➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
DARLENE DZIOMBA Welcome, welcome to Lyrical Pens, Darlene. I think your unique comparisons and descriptions of your journey to publication will help everyone visualize the struggles of an aspiring writer. Carry on . . .
“ People say, “What I know about, fill in the blank, wouldn’t fill a thimble.” Five years ago, when this crazy thought of “I should write a book” popped into my head, I could probably fill a thimble with my knowledge of writing a book. I had written long papers in Graduate School, so I understood how to outline and general rules of grammar. I had read thousands of mystery books and knew a story needed a protagonist, a villain, a plot, and some red herrings. I sat down and began my outline. I am a plotter. Hats off to the pantsers out there. I need a plot. Then I started writing. I wrote and wrote and wrote some more. I had what published authors would call a very long synopsis. There were more pages than a synopsis, but I was nowhere near book-length. I signed up for a Writers Workshop to get feedback on my progress. Ten talented writers, one a published author provided me with volumes of feedback. My knowledge level overflowed the thimble and topped off a shot glass.
Shots can be fun, but more education was in order. I turned to Sisters in Crime. I took online classes, zoomed into webinars, and lurked across multiple list servs. I revised and rewrote, and wrote some more. My knowledge level expanded, and I could easily fill a six-ounce glass. I got to around forty thousand words and patted myself on the back. I was doing a great job. However, I wasn’t sure what to do next. I was not ready to start submitting this work to agents. At least I knew that much. So I went to someone whose knowledge could fill a ten-gallon punch bowl, a librarian with a published author in the family. He introduced me to a host of people who were happy to read my WIP and give me more feedback. Armed with a ten-ounce wine glass of knowledge and my 74,000-word manuscript, I started submitting to agents. Then I emptied glass after glass of wine as I listed between listening to crickets and receiving rejection emails.
I had outgrown my glassware, and it was time to pivot. Through all the learning and networking, I met many self-published authors. I researched platforms.I established a business to collect royalties and pay for writing expenses. (A person can dream that the royalties will one day cover the expenses.) I grabbed one of the empty pinot grigio bottles and filled it with my knowledge. I had a book, and I knew how to self-publish it. Clues From The Canines was released. I didn’t want to stop learning at 750ml. If the royalties are going to pay the expenditures, one needs to know far more about Marketing and Publicity than I did. My fellow writers at the Guppies and SinC Grand Canyon Writers were there to help.
With enough knowledge to fill a three-liter wine box, Up Close and Pawsonal, the second book in the Lily Dreyfus series, will release on March 4. 2023. In this book, Lily Dreyfus will enjoy an outdoor concert until shots are fired from a passing SUV, critically injuring two bandmates. She is drawn into investigating the crime to help cope with PTSD and to avenge the death of the band member who was her coworkers’ nephew.
There is still more to learn about the craft, and I will continue to gain knowledge as the Lily Dreyfus series expands. In August, I will attend Killer Nashville. By the end of the conference, I’ll have enough knowledge to fill a small barrel of bourbon.”
/ / / /
Darlene is a member of Sisters in Crime National and several regional SinC groups. She combined her passion for the written word and animals into the Lily Dreyfus series. Darlene volunteers at the Animal Welfare Association, a New Jersey animal shelter, where she chats with the dogs while completing her assignments. She has a 30-year career in Finance at the University of Pennsylvania and is an avid reader, gardener, and traveler. Darlene lives in New Jersey with her four-legged best friend, Billie.
Find and follow Darlene on these sites:
www.ReadDarlene.com @ReadDarlene1facebook.com/read.darlene.7 ReadDarlene@hotmail.com
Up Close And Pawsonal
Buy Up Close Now A casual evening of listening to music by a local cover band turns into a murder investigation when a drive-by shooting destroys the tranquility of the night and critically injures two of the band members.
Lily Dreyfus, stressed and unsettled from having been at the concert, is informed that one of the dead band members is the nephew of her coworker at the Forever Friends Animal Shelter. Lily will leash together a set of seemingly unrelated events to seek the perpetrator and make them heel.
§§
cj Sez: Darlene, your journey to get Up Close and Pawsonal ready to launch is a super example of dogged determination, discipline and attention to detail for all aspiring writers and perhaps a learning moment for readers. Thank you for sharing on Lyrical Pens, and we wish you best-selling author sales and rave reviews for Up Close and Pawsonal.That’s it for today’s post, folks. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
cj
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, my fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99.
P.S. The print copies are out of stock . . . EXCEPT AT The Haunted Book Shop. This indie bookstore has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Follow me on . . . ➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
February 19, 2023
Lots of interesting tidbits for writers
cj Sez: Sisters in Crime upcoming events
Members are required to sign in to register for the webinar. Non-members are invited to register for the webinar; however, you must establish a Guest Non-member account on our site so that you can sign in to register. Creating your account is a one-time process, and you can sign in with the same credentials for all future webinars.
§§
"Eleanor Taylor Bland was the author of fourteen book-length works of crime fiction between 1992 and 2007. The books featured Marti MacAlister, a female police detective and an enduring and beloved heroine who went against the grain of stereotypes related to African American women in much of U.S. popular culture."
§§
§§
From the latest blog post at JaneFriedman.com: How Writing Your Synopsis Can Fix Your Book
§§
Here’s a Mobile Writers Guild anthology chock full of a variety of short stories that transcend its popular holiday theme.
The Ebook is sale-priced, too!
Buy Mardi Gras Pieces
§§
The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
These two published authors use very different methods of writing. One is an avowed plotter and the other is an unapologetic pantser. Hear how each works and then listen to them discuss how they might not be that far apart after all. Every writers needs to find the system that works for them!
Members are required to sign in to register for the webinar. Non-members are invited to register for the webinar; however, you must establish a Guest Non-member account on our site so that you can sign in to register. Creating your account is a one-time process, and you can sign in with the same credentials for all future webinars.
§§
"Named for the late, pioneering African American crime fiction author Eleanor Taylor Bland, the award is intended to support the recipient in crime fiction writing and career development activities. The no-fee submissions are open to any crime writer of color who has not published more than ten short works or two novels. More information is available at www.sistersincrime.org/EleanorTaylorBland "
"Eleanor Taylor Bland was the author of fourteen book-length works of crime fiction between 1992 and 2007. The books featured Marti MacAlister, a female police detective and an enduring and beloved heroine who went against the grain of stereotypes related to African American women in much of U.S. popular culture."
§§
§§
From the latest blog post at JaneFriedman.com: How Writing Your Synopsis Can Fix Your Book
§§
NEXT WEEK . . .
Stop by Lyrical Pens on February 26 when we feature a guest post by Darlene Dziomba, writing about her five-year journey to get “Up Close and Pawsonal,” the second book in her Lily Dreyfus series, ready to launch.
§§
For your reading enjoyment
Here’s a Mobile Writers Guild anthology chock full of a variety of short stories that transcend its popular holiday theme.The Ebook is sale-priced, too!
Buy Mardi Gras Pieces
§§
That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
cj
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, my fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99.
The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Follow me on . . . ➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
February 12, 2023
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler
cj Sez: No problem if your Cajun French is rusty: “laissez les bon temps rouler” (pronounced "Lay-say le bon tom roo-lay") only means “let the good times roll.” The excitement kind of looks like this:
The Mardi Gras parades in and around Mobile just keep on rolling, and rain can’t dampen the enthusiastic crowds with hands reaching out to catch the throws flying off the floats.
Revelers are taking home lots of loot: moon pies, plush toys, cups, glowing necklaces, Star Wars swords, and, of course, beads!
The Mobile Writers Guild is sponsoring a Writing Scholarship contest calling for submissions of short story fiction written by students in grades 6 through 12 in Mobile and Baldwin counties.
The process goes like this: Write your story, edit it, get it proofread (the more eyes that read it, the better), polish it some more, and submit the manuscript to the Guild by February 26 for a chance to win a ca$h prize. (Be sure to follow the instructions.)§§
For your reading enjoyment
And the Ebooks are sale-priced, too!Buy Valentine’s Day Pieces Buy Mardi Gras Pieces
§§
That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
➜Follow me on . . . ➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
The Mardi Gras parades in and around Mobile just keep on rolling, and rain can’t dampen the enthusiastic crowds with hands reaching out to catch the throws flying off the floats.
Revelers are taking home lots of loot: moon pies, plush toys, cups, glowing necklaces, Star Wars swords, and, of course, beads! §§ Only two weeks to go!
Hey, all you young writers (and your teachers) in Mobile and Baldwin, AL, counties, the last date to submit a short story to the Mobile Writers Guild for the Tracy Hurley Fran Driscoll Contest is only two weeks away.
The Mobile Writers Guild is sponsoring a Writing Scholarship contest calling for submissions of short story fiction written by students in grades 6 through 12 in Mobile and Baldwin counties.
The process goes like this: Write your story, edit it, get it proofread (the more eyes that read it, the better), polish it some more, and submit the manuscript to the Guild by February 26 for a chance to win a ca$h prize. (Be sure to follow the instructions.)§§
Also happening in two weeks . . .
Stop by Lyrical Pens on February 26 when we feature a guest post by Darlene Dziomba, writing about her five-year journey to get “Up Close and Pawsonal,” the second book in her Lily Dreyfus series, ready to launch. §§
For your reading enjoyment
Here are a couple of Mobile Writers Guild anthologies, chock full of a variety of short stories that transcend their popular holiday themes.
And the Ebooks are sale-priced, too!Buy Valentine’s Day Pieces Buy Mardi Gras Pieces
§§
That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
cj
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, my fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99.
P.S. The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Follow me on . . . ➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
February 5, 2023
Feeling a bit maudlin
cj Sez: Well, there you have it. I’m nearing another milestone and feeling a little maudlin. A birthday is coming up later this month. I have to say I’m kind of awed with the years I’ve accumulated. 
I'll admit to being on the far end of middle age, so staying active is primary for me. I haven’t taught an aerobics class in years, but I still enjoy taking an hour-long class of low-impact circuit training twice a week and an hour of yoga once a week.
The rest of the week I get my rear out of the computer chair and spend time being physical around my house and two acres of yard. My goal for 2023 and beyond is to keep on keeping on.
Here’s an encouraging quote from author Babette Hughes (In case you’re wondering, she’s way older than me.):
“Age is not a disability, it is a second chance at life. I’m 92 years old and Post Hill Press has just published my three-novel Kate Brady series; (The Hat; The Red Scarf; The Necklace); I’m working on my fourth novel (Searching For Vivian) and fifth book, and am a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post.”
Five years after that quote, in 2020, Hughes published 97 Speaks: Lessons From the Decades. It was her eighth book and second memoir.
P.S. I plan to spend my birthday eating chocolate cake and taking advantage of free lunches and free desserts at more than one restaurant.
§§
Timely anthologies and on sale, too.
§§
That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
cj
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, my fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99. P.S. The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Follow me on . . . ➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
I'll admit to being on the far end of middle age, so staying active is primary for me. I haven’t taught an aerobics class in years, but I still enjoy taking an hour-long class of low-impact circuit training twice a week and an hour of yoga once a week.
The rest of the week I get my rear out of the computer chair and spend time being physical around my house and two acres of yard. My goal for 2023 and beyond is to keep on keeping on.
Here’s an encouraging quote from author Babette Hughes (In case you’re wondering, she’s way older than me.):
“Age is not a disability, it is a second chance at life. I’m 92 years old and Post Hill Press has just published my three-novel Kate Brady series; (The Hat; The Red Scarf; The Necklace); I’m working on my fourth novel (Searching For Vivian) and fifth book, and am a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post.”
Five years after that quote, in 2020, Hughes published 97 Speaks: Lessons From the Decades. It was her eighth book and second memoir.
P.S. I plan to spend my birthday eating chocolate cake and taking advantage of free lunches and free desserts at more than one restaurant. §§
Coming soon . . . a Guest Post
Be sure to stop by on Feb. 26, when Lyrical Pens will feature a guest post by Darlene Dziomba, writing about her five-year journey to get “Up Close and Pawsonal,” the second book in her Lily Dreyfus series, ready to launch.§§
Timely anthologies and on sale, too.
Buy Valentine’s Day Pieces now
Buy Mardi Gras Pieces now§§
That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
cj
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, my fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99. P.S. The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Follow me on . . . ➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
January 29, 2023
And the news just keeps coming
cj Sez: Wanted, Readers and Writers. The Mobile Literary Festival returns (after the enforced pandemic hiatus) to the Ben May Main Library on March 11, 2023.
For readers and writers of all genres and skill levels, the Mobile Literary Festival aims to inspire and educate. And attendance at the workshops and author panels is FREE! Check back with the Lyrical Pens weekly posts for more info.
§§
It’s awards season all around the country—movies, TV shows, theater, and BOOKS! Malice Domestic has announced the nominations for the upcoming Agatha Awards.
From the Malice Domestic site:
“The Agatha Awards celebrate the traditional mystery, best typified by the works of Agatha Christie. The genre is loosely defined as mysteries that contain no explicit sex, excessive gore, or gratuitous violence, and would not be classified as "hard-boiled."
There are too many wonderful nominees/books to list them all, but you can look for their names here: https://www.malicedomestic.org/agatha-awards.html
I know many of the nominees, some of whom are members of writing groups to which I belong, so it’s impossible for me to have fingers crossed for the win for just one of them. So I’ll say, Congratulations to all and win or no, I send you all best wishes for wonderful reviews and sales.
§§
Everyone in Mobile, Alabama, has a Mardi Gras story. In the Mardi Gras Pieces anthology, the second installment of the Mobile Writers Guild Pieces anthology series, the guild members share their stories—some true and some fictional, some funny, some touching, and some downright chilling.
So don your beads, deck yourself out in purple, gold, and green, grab a Moon Pie or some King Cake (be careful not to swallow the baby), and coffee or tea and relax while you experience a little bit of the Mobile Mardi Gras tradition.
Valentine’s Day is coming up, too, and the Mobile Writers Guild created the Valentine’s Day Pieces anthology as the perfect gift. Amazon blurb:
“Love is in the air, but so is something else . . . In this third installment of the Mobile Writers Guild anthology series, our members celebrate the traditional romantic aspect of Valentine’s Day with sweet and funny stories of hearts, flowers, and kisses, but they also explore the darkness that surrounds the day with a few tales of intrigue, madness, and murder."
And the anthologies are sale priced, too!
Buy Valentine’s Day Pieces now
Buy Mardi Gras Pieces now§§
That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for your health and safety.
cj
No inflation here: THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, my fast-paced, exciting suspense/thriller ebooks, are low-, low-priced at $2.99.
P.S. The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜Follow me on . . . ➜Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
Book launch scheduled
DEADLY STAR is scheduled to launch on Feb. 18. You can't tell from this type font, but I'm excited!
DEADLY STAR is about a vaguely dysfunctional couple who, when sharing an imminent danger, find common ...more
DEADLY STAR is about a vaguely dysfunctional couple who, when sharing an imminent danger, find common ...more
- C.J. Petterson's profile
- 12 followers
