Jennifer J. Chow's Blog, page 4

Book Review: Before and After the Book Deal

5 stars

Genre: Non-fiction

Before and After the Book Deal

Amazing stuff. I loved this book and wished it had been published when I was just starting out. It answers all the questions you want answered and veers into those unvoiced or even unknown musings. I particularly appreciated the dive into scenarios and experiences that might relate to your identity. It was also wonderful to get different perspectives and quotes from agents, editors, and writers.

A marvelous book bursting with knowledge and tips. 

Find more of my book ratings and reviews here.

Time to Restart

I’ve given up on resolutions for years now. I like to do a one-word focus for every new year instead. This time around the sun, I’m aiming to RESTART.

To me, this means having a fresh perspective on things and concentrating a lot on forgiveness. For others. But maybe even more so, for myself.

One tiny example of this: On New Year’s Eve, I didn’t have the planned fun festive celebration I had anticipated. Our family get-together got derailed by sickness (colds–though I, thankfully, didn’t catch anything). I had a very quiet NYE. When I tried to watch the ball drop, I couldn’t find the right channel. (I did find it later on YouTube.) The experience was annoying but…restart, right?

I’ve been trying to restart after things go sideways, especially when it’s stuff not under my control. But I think the word also works for mistakes that I make or deliberate actions on my part.

I took a much-needed break at the end of December to regroup (although I would happily take a few more vacation days). Anyway, I’m hopeful for this new year. Let’s leave the baggage of 2022 behind and restart! Happy 2023 to all!

December Already?!

How can it be December? The calendar must have sped up. I’ve conceded to this time warp, though, by beginning to listen to Pentatonix music.

For some reason, as a kid I used to really like “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Maybe it was the fun repetition or countdown of numbers. (Modern update: My nieces and nephews now do coordinated hand motions to the song.)

I also like reflecting over the year as it closes out, so here’s my writerly spin on the List of Twelve:

12 Drafts Drafting
Maybe I didn’t do twelve drafts, but it felt like it! I juggled a lot of writing projects this past year (some got shelved). These creative bursts included a nonfiction essay on cozy mystery writing, short stories for contests or anthologies, young adult light science fiction works, a cozy mystery manuscript, and a series proposal.11 Pentel Pens
I have this thing about pens. I’m big on trying and collecting new ones, but I will always go back to the tried-and-true Pentel for consistently smooth writing.10 Recipes a Reaping
Writing cozy mysteries with recipes in the back calls for a lot of experimental baking and cooking. Who knew it’d be so hard to get the ingredients and steps down? (Even then, I will still need my copyeditor to rework my formatting for recipes.)9 Boxes Stacking
I read a lot in 2021 since I was a judge on an Edgars Award committee. The official results came out during the Edgars ceremony in 2022, but I still had stacks of books piled at home.8 Meetings a Making
I set up and coordinated a lot of virtual meetings last year, not the least of these were for a nominating committee to find board members for a great organization, Sisters in Crime. Sisters in Crime is an inclusive community for all writers and supporters of crime fiction. (I was VP of it last year and currently serve as President.)  7 Kids a Speaking
One amazing event I did this year was speak to a middle school book club. A wonderful aspect of cozy mysteries is that the reading of them can cross generations. The kids were so welcoming to me and even wrote and drew a thank you card.6 Drinks a Posing
My brilliant marketing idea was to do bubble tea selfies with Death By Bubble Tea to showcase it. I’m not sure the photos got a lot of traction, but I did get to have some yummy drinks!5 Post-it Notes
Thanks to a workshop by Julie Cohen, I was inspired to get a stack of Post-its. I’m using them to plot, insert clues, and change timelines. Pro tip: Pull them apart from the side (not the top) so that the note stays flat when sticking to a surface.  4 Conferences
It was a heavy travel year with attendance at four conferences: Left Coast Crime, Malice Domestic, Bouchercon, and Surrey International Writers’ Conference.3 Flying Hassles
(See above.) I almost missed a flight because of the long lines. Happily, I’m now approved for TSA PreCheck—so worth it!2 Speed Datings
At both Left Coast Crime and Malice Domestic, readers sat at tables while authors (like me) rotated locations and shared about their books. Hope a few bookish love connections happened there!and a Cover Reveal on Social Media
Love working with Jane Liu and her artistic designs. The colors and mood of the latest L.A. Night Market Mystery, Hot Pot Murder , are fire!

Hello Again, Newsletter!

Will newsletters trend again? Last week, I posted about checking out Hive Social. Little did I know they’d soon shut down their servers to deal with fortifying their security. (No data was leaked. It’s a preventative effort, but it does put a damper on my usage.) Don’t get me wrong. Hive is still a pretty place to play around in, and I like connecting with authorly types there. But there is a learning curve, and the “Discover” page for me doesn’t populate with posts that I’m truly interested in.

So I’ve recently decided to put more effort into resurrecting my author newsletter. (Didn’t know I had one? You’re in luck. Here’s the link to the sign-up form.) I’ve managed this newsletter for years and have reformatted the sections and information over time. I now try to post bookish news, personal tidbits, and something extra for the reader (book recommendations, giveaways, etc.). My next newsletter will have fun holiday gift ideas.

Typically, I’ve sent these out on a quarterly basis because I didn’t want to bother folks. The general advice I’ve gotten, though, suggests that newsletters should be sent on a more frequent basis to get higher engagement and to not wind up in spam folders.

My newsletters used to be sent out on a seasonal rotation because….well, it makes sense, doesn’t it? Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer. Beyond not wanting to disturb people, I admit it: I’m lazy. It feels intimidating to produce a newsletter on a more frequent basis, but I’m going to try. Wish me luck!

I’m aiming for a monthly distribution. There is an extra financial nudge for me to do so–precisely when the bill rolls around for my newsletter service. (Sadly and gladly, my current number of subscribers have pushed me over the edge of the free version of the program I use.)

Truth be told, I do appreciate catching up with authors and friends through newsletters. I also enjoy receiving snail mail (postcards, letters, and holiday cards). There’s definitely been a downturn in the cards I get during the holidays. Personal note: I used to mail out cards myself but now only send out annual e-updates to friends and family.

Once upon a time, I’d have to clear the fridge or mantel to place all the cards I received. I even thought about stringing them across a room for decoration or creating 2-D Christmas trees out of cards. No longer. I don’t get enough to do so. But I still appreciate them–particularly the ones with musings about the past year. I’m hoping readers will also enjoy my reflections.

What about you? What kind of correspondence do you appreciate: electronic, letters, cards, or something else?

What’s the Buzz?

Hey, all! Author friends of mine are starting to explore the Hive Social app, so I figured I’d try it out.

Hive Social app icon

It’s been easy to navigate so far, with a few loading hiccups and screen flickers. Unfortunately, it’s solely a phone app. Well, you can use a phone emulator for your computer if you’d like–go research that if you’re really inclined. Otherwise, it’s available for Android and iPhone users.

I’ve been on the fence about Twitter for a while. I’m still unsure what I’m going to eventually do with my account. I always find that I’m playing catch-up with replies to my tweets, and the environment there can be toxic at times. On the other hand, I have found it a nice virtual water cooler to connect with other writers and publishing professionals. Those are my main contacts on Twitter, though once in a while, I’ll get a nice reader comment.

A few tips for those who want to join the Hive:

-When searching for friends, type in their username without the @ symbol

-Feel free to personalize your profile settings, including customizing colors and adding in horoscope signs

-Links can be pasted into posts, but there aren’t any previews, so adding in an image may be helpful

Wherever you are on your social media path, I hope you enjoy it. And if you’re on Hive, find me @jenjchow.

Small Business Saturday

November is a month that never fails to remind me to be grateful. Thanksgiving is probably one of my favorite holidays because of the appreciative spirit at the heart of it. (But I don’t mind eating tasty stuffing and delicious pumpkin pie either!)

Another important date in November happens on Small Business Saturday. Have you heard of this special day? This movement started in 2010, and it happens every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It’s a great opportunity for people to support small businesses and invest in their local communities.

I always associate Small Business Saturday with wonderful indie bookstores. When my young adult novel, Dragonfly Dreams, came out, one of my first events was at Petunia’s Place in Fresno. It’s a beautiful shop filled with reading material for the young (and young at heart). I even had the chance to connect to a few local authors while there.

I love how independent bookstores have their own special vibe. I recently visited Village Well Books in Culver City, and they have a cozy café that serves massive cups of tea. All the patrons appeared to be happily browsing the shelves or relaxing with a cuppa. I also give the store bonus points for the decorative ravens circling the ceiling.

November 26, 2022 marks the next Small Business Saturday, when I’ll be at another bookshop, Flintridge Bookstore. The shop will be putting on a special event, which will showcase authors and local artisans. Find out more about the event through this link.

I have friends who live in the area, so I’ve definitely asked them to join me and check out their local bookshop. Flintridge Bookstore has a fascinating history; it opened in 2007 and offers books, toys, stationery and even core literature for the La Cañada Unified School District. It also has access to an Espresso Book Machine (EBM) for authors interested in self-publishing services.

Hurrah for these amazing indie bookstores! What local businesses do you love to frequent?   

Book Review: Till Death Do Us Port

5 stars

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Till Death Do Us Port (March 7, 2023)

A delightful book. I love the strong cast of recurring characters that Lansing uses. It’s especially fun to have mother and daughter helping each other on this one. I also appreciated the maturity and growth that happens in Parker. What’s great about this book/series is that Parker gets to be philosophical, to sort things out, and to confront her fears. The premise behind this novel—a botched wedding—was done with ease and skill. 

A wonderful mystery that again intertwines a vintner’s knowledge and a heart-warming cast.

Find more of my book ratings and reviews here.

Surrey International Writers’ Conference

Honestly, I thought I might be too conferenced out to enjoy SiWC. I’d already attended three writing conferences this year and was ready for a break. The organizers, though, were so lovely and inviting. Plus, Canada!

The forecast was rain, so I didn’t get to leave the hotel much.

I did take a quick walk to the local park, marveling at the fall foliage along the way (see my Instagram account for more photos), and even discovered a black squirrel (check out my IG reel)!

At the conference, I was busy with panels and presentations, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Hope the audience did, too!

Photo credit: Pamela Samuels Young

I also got the chance to meet published authors I admire and inspiring pre-published writers. Some of the best times were had during informal chats and relaxed meals.

Hallie Ephron and me

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! And check out the fabulous hashtag: #thisdaywewrite

Canada, Here I Come

It’s been years since I’ve traveled internationally (thank you, pandemic). Later this week, though, I’ll be heading to Canada. To Surrey, BC–my first time there!

I’m grateful for the chance to attend the Surrey Writers’ International Conference. It’ll be a lot of fun, and I’ll need to turn on my conference mode.

Since it’s been so long, I had to make myself a checklist of items to think about:

-Passport: Oops. I found out that my passport had actually expired, so I had to renew it. This required the dreaded task of taking new pics. (Factoid: Costco no longer offers this photo service.) No matter how hard I try, I feel like my passport photo looks very much like a mugshot.

-Weather: I needed to check the temps at my new destination. I’m unfamiliar with the Canadian climate, so I had to do research. Turns out the forecast is . . . rain. Hope this SoCal gal handles it well!

-Luggage: I readily admit that I’m not super strong. I’m all about lightweight luggage I can handle by myself. This, of course, may be outweighed by all the stuff I need for traveling overseas (see above point about weather).

-Currency: Oh, wait. I can’t just take over my American dollars? On the bright side, I’m happy to have my credit card company do all the work. Credit cards are portable and can auto-convert the currency. Also, I’ve heard that rideshare apps should be able to work internationally–guess I’ll find out soon.

-Local flavor: This is the best part of visiting a new place. I love seeing different sights (though I might be mostly at the hotel because of the conference). I’m hoping to at least squeeze in some good snacks and local goodies.

Any tips on things to do/eat/buy in Canada? And have you traveled overseas recently?

Goobne Chicken

I’m a sucker for fried chicken. I even had a cousin who worked for Kentucky Fried Chicken (discount, anyone?). Recently, though, I’ve had friends tell me about the original KFC: yes, Korean Fried Chicken.

I also love this version. What I like is that they’re usually smaller drumettes I can enjoy. They’ve also got a delicious marinade–something garlicky, soy saucey, and spicy (if you prefer).

I’ve been hearing about roasted Korean fried chicken, so I thought I’d check out Goobne. To be fair, the roasted version is tasty, but it’s not the same as fried.

They do have a crispy version that’s supposed to mimic the same crunchiness–I applaud them for giving it a decent try. The skin did stay crispy, and it even had a kick to the sauce, but it’s still not a replica. Sorry. But I’m sure it makes for a healthier alternative.

Happy eating, friends!