Ellie Alexander's Blog, page 2

Annie’s Spiced Gingerbread Cookies from Holiday Homicide

The holiday season is almost upon us, and so is the release of the fourth book in the Secret Bookcase Mysteries—A Holiday Homicide! Mark your calendars for November 20th, and get ready for Annie’s latest mystery that’s filled with festive suspense, twists, and cozy intrigue. Now, I know I’ve always been a “no Christmas until after Thanksgiving” person, but the Tech Guy is making it hard for me to stick to my rule this year. He’s a die-hard Christmas fan, and now that I have a holiday-themed book...

Reality Writes Ep. 01.18: Book Title Tactics—Baking Up the Best Names

Hello, fellow cozy mystery buffs and pun aficionados! It’s time for another cozy episode of “Reality Writes.” This week, The Tech Guy and I dive deep into the art of book title creation in Episode 01.18. Ever wonder why some books grab your attention right from the shelf? It’s all in the title! From the agony and ecstasy of brainstorming to the final publisher edits, titles are a huge part of a book’s success. Coming up with book titles is one of my favorite parts of the writing process.

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Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Bisque Recipe from Death at the Dinner Party

Hello!

I am thrilled to announce that the third book in my Secret Bookcase Mysteries series, Death at the Dinner Party, is now available! I can’t thank you all enough for your support of this new series and for joining me on another bookish adventure with Annie, Pri, Penny, Fletcher, Hal, and the whole crew at the Secret Bookcase.

In Death at the Dinner Party, our amateur sleuths find themselves embroiled in a mystery at a farmhouse dinner party when a storm knocks out the power—and someon...

Reality Writes Ep. 01.15: Stirring the Plot—Why Food Writing Matters

Hello, Darlings! Episode 15 of Reality Writes is here, and it’s one you won’t want to miss. We’re diving into one of my favorite topics—food and writing! Join The Tech Guy and me as we explore how I choose the delicious recipes featured in the culinary cozy mysteries of my Bakeshop Mystery series. From indulgent coffee recipes to treasured family favorites like raspberry Danish and mocha almond buttercream torte, this episode is packed with culinary inspiration.

I’ll take you behind the scene...

Berry Tart Recipe from Death at the Dinner Party

I’m so excited that Death at the Dinner Party, the 3rd book in my Secret Bookcase Mysteries, is hitting shelves on September 30th! In this one, Annie and the bookstore crew team up with her new friend, Penny. They’re hosting an immersive mystery dinner with a decadent (and maybe deadly) menu. Picture something like Clue, but with more twists, turns, delicious food, and a berry tart or two.

Speaking of food…let me introduce you to a dessert perfect for this occasion—the Bloody Berry Tart! This...

Reality Writes Ep. 01.13: Letting Go—Things Writers Can’t Control

Hello, Darlings! Welcome to Episode 13 of “Reality Writes!” I’m here with The Tech Guy, and in this episode, we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of the publishing world.

We discuss the limited control some authors have over covers and distribution, why you should contact booksellers instead of authors about damaged copies, and how indie authors are shaking things up in the digital space. We also share some personal stories and answer burning reader questions.

So grab your favorite drin...

Easy Orange Cardamom Scones Recipe

I’ve been in a scone mood with the upcoming release of Sticks and Scones on August 20th. My current obsession is these orange cardamom scones. I mean, anything with cardamom is a win in my book.

True story. We changed the title of Sticks and Scones after multiple rounds of edits and after I had created the recipe list. There was not a single scone to be found in the story, though, so I had to go back through and make sure Jules and the team at Torte had them featured on the menu. These scones...

Catch up on episodes of our Reality Writes Podcast!

Happy 4th of July for my readers in the USA! Have you fired up your grills yet? There isn’t a new episode of the podcast this week, so you can get caught up on episodes while waiting for a new one to drop next week. The Tech Guy has a surprise episode in store and will be riled up and ready to go to explain how writers and readers can stay safer online. After a recent giveaway adventure on my Facebook page, he’ll be talking about hacking, phishing, and scams, oh my!

Do you have topic idea...

Reality Writes Podcast Ep. 01.03: Writing is a Real Job

Happy Thursday! The next episode of my new podcast, Reality Writes, is live! This week the Tech Guy and I are talking about writing as a job. Is writing a real job? We’re chatting about the hard realities of carving out time for writing (especially when you’re first starting out) and breaking some myths about the work that goes into crafting a book and sending it out in the world. No, really, it is a job!

I’d love to hear from you! Have you enjoyed any of the marketing efforts we cover in...

Reality Writes Podcast Ep. 01.02: Will it Stick?

Happy Thursday! The next episode of my new podcast, Reality Writes, is live! This week the Tech Guy and I are diving deep into the world of book marketing efforts and how we strive to keep up with the ever-changing trends. We’ve experimented with numerous strategies over the years to get my books in front of readers and to continue nurturing this wonderful community that we love.

In this episode, we’ll share insights into what has worked wonders for us and what didn’t quite hit the mark. ...