Melissa Lenhardt's Blog

HERESY Wins Audie Award for Best Multi-Voiced Performance!!

Good News! Heresy won an Audie Award, which is like an Oscar for audiobooks, for Best Multi-Voiced Performance! This is the first time one of my novels has won a major award. Of course, it wouldn’t have happened without the amazing voice actors who performed so brilliantly! Thank you Barrie Kreinik, Bailey Carr, Ella Turenne, Nikki Massoud, Natalie Naudus, Imani Jade Powers, James Fouhey. Thank you also to Hachette Audio for putting together this cast and production! It’s a very good audiobook!

It’s always a little scary, pushing play on an audiobook of your work. I’m always nervous that the voice won’t match the character voice in my head. When I heard Ella Turenne as Hattie I knew that Hachette had nailed it. I’m so happy, thrilled, beside myself with joy!

If you’re interested in listening to this award-winning novel (that sounds awesome), click on the links below!

When you download from Libro.fm you can choose which independent bookstore your purchase will be credited to. If you don’t have one, select my local indie, Interabang Books. They’ve always been very supportive of me and my work!

Download from Audible. If you purchase an ebook version, as well, Amazon/Audible will sync your progress so you can switch between listening and reading whenever you want! Or, you can do an immersive read and listen and read the audiobook (or physical book) at the same time. I’ve done that before and it’s very gratifying, especially when there are other languages throughout the text. (No foreign language in Heresy, unless you count Old West Vernacular.)

You can also borrow audiobooks from the library through Overdrive! If your library doesn’t have Heresy, ask them to stock it! I have it on good authority (a librarian) that librarians pay attention to awards like this and will add winners to its collection. So be sure to mention that Heresy won the Audie if you make the request!

Happy Listening (and Reading)!

~Mel

Laura Henry? Who She?

Hello gentle readers! I’m sorry that I’ve been absent from my blog for so many months, and I apologize for being a middling blogger, at best. But honestly, there’s been less going on in my professional life than in my personal life since Covid started, so there wasn’t a lot to share on the book writing front.

Laura Henry.

Well, that’s all about to change.

Tomorrow, Thursday, Dec 2, 2021, I have an Audible Original being released exclusively on, you guessed it, Audible. This is a little bit of a swerve for me. One, it’s a novella, and I’m here to tell you writing 25K words is just as difficult as writing 85K words. Two, it’s a full on romance. Three, and this isn’t as much of a swerve considering The Secret of You and Me and Heresy, it’s a lesbian romance. The biggest swerve is this book will be published under a pen name.

Laura Henry.

Why use a pen name? Not everyone likes romances, which is a shame because there are some brilliant writers writing romance right now. It’s not uncommon for writers to use pen names for different genres. Nora Roberts does it with JD Robb. Sometimes authors keep it secret, sometimes they don’t. I considered not letting anyone know this was my pen name, but since I wrote my coming out essay I asked myself, “Why?” Plus, there will be some overlap from the last two books to lesbian romance and I didn’t want to have to start 100% from scratch with finding new readers.

So, why the name Laura Henry? The last name is easy: it was my dad’s. There’s a bit more of a story with Laura. Yes, that’s the name of my main character in Sawbones, but that’s not why. (Though I hold Laura Elliston near and dear to my heart. I’ve spent more time with her than any other character.) When I was born, a month early, my parents hadn’t decided on a name. It was between Laura and Melissa. They drew straws and guess which one won? Lucky, too, because there were two Laurie’s in my class (with the same middle name, too), a Laura, and a Lori. There may have been more in my school. It was a popular name, is what I’m saying. When choosing a pen name it seemed the logical choice.

Going forward you can assume anything under the Laura Henry name is going to be a romance. Not sure if I’m going to write only lesbian romance or write m/f romance, too. It just depends on what I’m inspired by.

I’ll have links to buy/download the book, HOLD ME CLOSER, TONI DANZIG, tomorrow. Since it’s an exclusive and part of their subscription service, Audible does the marketing after the audiobook is released. Weird, I know. Until then, here’s the cover and the summary of the book.

I hope you give Laura Henry a chance to take you on a fun, holiday adventure! I hear she’s a pretty good writer. ;)

Fall in love with this funny, festive queer rom-com brimming with heart and holiday magic!

Toni Danzig is a dirtbag—literally. There’s nothing she enjoys more than being out in the mountains leading adventure tours. On a well-deserved break over Thanksgiving weekend, she’s DJ-ing karaoke at the Dew Drop Inn when Audrey Adams takes the stage to sing the greatest middle finger break-up song ever, dedicated to her ex-girlfriend. It’s a perfect night that culminates in a transcendental experience in bed…before Audrey rushes out in the morning.

Monday morning, the holidays are in full swing when Audrey’s worst nightmare comes true. After the most memorable night of her life, she’s thrust together with the one woman who she hasn’t been able to forget—on a strictly-professional consulting project for her family’s business.

Meanwhile, Toni can’t believe her luck. Now she has the unexpected chance to win Audrey over, and she sets a goal to be someone worthy of this woman’s love and respect. Will they crash and burn like a bad karaoke performance—or will they be singing a duet before the holiday season is over?

Available exclusively on Audible on Tuesday, 12/2/21!! I can't wait for you to meet Toni and Audrey!

Day 202 - Discipline Pt. 2 (5 More Things)

1. Finishing the first draft of a MS should be cause for celebration, no matter how much of a trash fire it is. Mine is definitely a trash fire, but I can’t bring myself to celebrate something I should have been able to finish months ago. I’ve been told by many friends I need to give myself some grace, we’ve been in a pandemic and this past year has been an emotional trash fire for me, personally. Giving grace to myself if one of the hardest things I’ve ever tried to do, and I haven’t mastered it yet.

2. Motivation and discipline go hand in hand. The key is finding the motive that triggers the discipline.

3. Here comes the competing narratives for wellness and body positivity. The wellness industry— the diet industry with a woke name—is a scam. No doubt. And people should be able to be proud and accepting of their bodies whatever their shape and size. I am not happy with my body shape or size. I want to lose weight for a number of reasons; I feel better with less weight, I look better with less weight, I move better with less weight, I want to prove to myself that I have the discipline to achieve a personal goal I’ve set. I felt amazing last night after I worked out, and need to remember that whenever I want to slag off exercise.

4. It’s Cinco de Mayo today. Later, I’m eating tacos.

5. I was told recently to “look inward” by someone who thinks being self-reflective is reflecting on how right they are all the time. I’ve been looking inward for decades, constantly interrogating everything I say, every action I take, and willingly finding fault with myself for it all. It’s a real challenge breaking from that cycle, to see the good in me. To be who I am without trying to fit another’s mold of who I should be. A constant struggle. A different kind of discipline.

Day 201 - Discipline (5 Things)

Inspired by Summer Brennen’s 5 Things. I would say that this will be a regular thing, I want it to be. But that requires, well, discipline. Read on…

1. Discipline, once you’ve lost it, it is difficult to get back. I have all the time in the world now, with only my cat and dog to vie for my attention, to need me, and yet. I can’t bring myself to do tasks that used to come so easily to me. To sit my ass in the chair and write, even when it hurt. Instead I waste the day away. Reading the news. Playing candy crush. Doing things that need to be done but that won’t pay the bills (taxes). Running errands to get my life back to myself. Worrying about things before they happen. Stewing on things that have happened in the past. Being angry. Thinking about the future. Worrying about the future. Dreaming of a future.

2. I talk as though discipline is something I can regain, but I wonder if I ever had it to begin with? I suppose it takes discipline to write eight novels, but it’s been so long since writing was easy (Badlands was the last easy novel I wrote, possibly Secret). Since 2017 I’ve come to understand the it’s like getting blood from a stone writing adage. The only way past this block, or whatever you want to call it, is through it. I know that. But I feel like Andy Dufresne most of the time, using a dull rock hammer to tunnel out of my creative prison.

3. 2020 will definitely go down as the worst year of my life, but the years leading up to it were pretty awful taken as a whole, though there were moments of happiness in there as well. Moments when I could fool myself that things were getting better, that long term happiness was still possible. My mental and emotional struggles manifested into a thirty pound weight gain, ten a year. I call it my Trump weight, though he’s not to blame. Well, maybe partially. I’ve lost half of it, so things are looking up.

4. Not thinking of someone, not talking about them, when they’ve been part of your life for nearly three decades will be a test of my discipline, but necessary for my mental and physical health. Hopefully it will lead to that elusive happiness I am chasing.

5. I’m one day away from matching my longest NYT crossword solving streak. Discipline for the win.

So, about those bi-weekly newsletters

LOL. Best laid plans, and all. I know you’ve been wondering, “Why haven’t I received a newsletter from Melissa Lenhardt lately?” Well, buckle in for a very brief update, and promises of doing better that I mean to keep this time. Pinky swear.

I’ve always hated the phrase, “It is what it is.” It’s such a give up, a relinquishment of any responsibility about what’s happening. Still, I’ve found myself saying it more often these last 9 months because if there’s ever an event that fits “It is what it is” it’s the Pandemic that Must Not Be Named. I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy, physically and mentally. This will end eventually and life will return with a new normal.

Current Release

My seventh novel, THE SECRET OF YOU AND ME, came out on August 4. It’s my first women’s fiction novel and it’s getting great reviews! All 4 & 5 stars on Amazon! I’m very proud of it!

Click here to order from Amazon*

If you'd like a signed and personalized copy, order from my local independent bookstore, Interabang Books. . Put in the notes on how you want me to sign/personalize the message. It’s not too early to buy gifts for the holidays, you know, and books are a great gift!

If you like audiobooks, I HIGHLY recommend downloading SECRET from you favorite audio website. Natalie Duke and Courtney Patterson are amazing as Nora and Sophie, respectively. Click here to listen to a little of Natalie’s narration.

Backlist News

HERESY has been optioned as a TV series by MGM! I’ve been sitting on this news for almost a year! It’s exciting, for sure, but don’t go setting your DVRs just yet. It’s still early in the Hollywood process and, I have to tell you, Hollywood moves pretty slow. The Pandemic that Must Not Be Named hasn’t helped. I have no additional news and when I do learn something I’ll probably have to keep it under wraps for months because Hollywood is also very secretive. Haven’t read Heresy? There’s still time!

Click here to buy a personalized copy from Interabang. Don’t forget to tell them in the comments box that you want it personalized and how.

Click here to buy from Amazon.*

*I’d rather readers buy from independent bookstores and support local businesses because Amazon is toxic to the publishing industry. But, I understand budgets and cash flow and it’s not always possible, which is why I include Amazon links.

Random Links

The New York Times has a daily feature called At Home that gives readers ideas about things to do, read, and cook during this crazy time we live in.

This simple Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs is a go-to recipe for me.

Thinking of escaping it all and moving to Antarctica? You’ll have to have surgery before you go.

How While You Were Sleeping hasn’t become a Christmas classic like The Christmas Story or Elf is really beyond me. It’s a wonderful rom-com with Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman at their most charming, and a hilarious family to boot. It turned 25 this year and I feel old.

That’s all for today. Have a wonderful weekend!

Supporting a Cause I Believe In - It Gets Better Project

Dear Reader,

On August 4, 2020 my first Women’s fiction novel, The Secret of You and Me, will be released. It’s a love story about two women, Nora Noakes and Sophie Russell, who were torn apart in their youth by prejudice and hate, and now two decades later, after life has taken them in very different directions, are given a second chance to find love when an unexpected tragedy brings them back together.

The Secret of You and Me is all about looking back at the choices you’ve made, or the choices forced upon you by friends, family & society, and how those choices have changed your life and shaped your personality. It’s also about looking to the future, the one you have versus the one you want and the sacrifices you will have to make for happiness.

I have zero objectivity when it comes to Nora and Sophie. I love them unequivocally. Possibly more than any other character I’ve written. (Just kidding Laura, Kindle, Rosemond, Garet, Hattie, Claire, Ellie & Jack.) But, getting to know Nora and Sophie gave me a deeper sense of empathy for a family member of mine who was closeted in our hometown. My relative’s denial of who they were, as well as the bullying they received throughout their childhood and teen years, led to a decade or more of self-destructive behavior and addiction problems. I’m happy to say that they are in a much better place now, with a successful career and buckets full of friends. My family’s love for them has never wavered.

As I continued to write SECRET, I discovered that Sophie’s story had many similarities to my family member’s story, and I realized how important it was to tell the unvarnished truth of being closeted in small-town Texas. It’s a story full of lies and secrets, doubts and hopes, disappointments and mistakes, and, in the end, acceptance, joy and love.

 I don’t want children and teenagers to have to go through what my relative went through. Sharing this story as an LGBTQAI advocate is a start, but I want to do more. Ten percent of my royalties for The Secret of You and Me will be donated to the It Gets Better Project.

From the organization:

The It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. Growing up isn’t easy, especially when you are trying to affirm and assert your sexual orientation and/or gender identity. It can be a challenging and isolating process – but, the good news is, no one has to do it alone.

I hope you will join me in supporting this amazing charity’s important work.

Click here to donate directly to the It Gets Better Project.

Click here to read more about The Secret of You & Me.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you fall in love with Nora and Sophie like I did while writing their story.

All the Best,

Mel

It Gets Better Project

Dear Reader,

On May 5, 2020 my first Women’s fiction novel, The Secret of You and Me, will be released. It’s a love story about two women, Nora Noakes and Sophie Russell, who were torn apart in their youth by prejudice and hate, and now two decades later, after life has taken them in very different directions, are given a second chance to find love when an unexpected tragedy brings them back together.

The Secret of You and Me is all about looking back at the choices you’ve made, or the choices forced upon you by friends, family & society, and how those choices have changed your life and shaped your personality. It’s also about looking to the future, the one you have versus the one you want and the sacrifices you will have to make for happiness.

I have zero objectivity when it comes to Nora and Sophie. I love them unequivocally. Possibly more than any other character I’ve written. (Just kidding Laura, Kindle, Rosemond, Garet, Hattie, Claire, Ellie & Jack.) But, getting to know Nora and Sophie gave me a deeper sense of empathy for a family member of mine who was closeted in our hometown. My relative’s denial of who they were, as well as the bullying they received throughout their childhood and teen years, led to a decade or more of self-destructive behavior and addiction problems. I’m happy to say that they are in a much better place now, with a successful career and buckets full of friends. My family’s love for them has never wavered.

As I continued to write SECRET, I discovered that Sophie’s story had many similarities to my family member’s story, and I realized how important it was to tell the unvarnished truth of being closeted in small-town Texas. It’s a story full of lies and secrets, doubts and hopes, disappointments and mistakes, and, in the end, acceptance, joy and love.

 I don’t want children and teenagers to have to go through what my relative went through. Sharing this story as an LGBTQAI advocate is a start, but I want to do more. Ten percent of my royalties for The Secret of You and Me will be donated to the It Gets Better Project.

From the organization:

The It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. Growing up isn’t easy, especially when you are trying to affirm and assert your sexual orientation and/or gender identity. It can be a challenging and isolating process – but, the good news is, no one has to do it alone.

I hope you will join me in supporting this amazing charity’s important work.

Click here to donate directly to the It Gets Better Project.

Click here to read more about The Secret of You & Me.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you fall in love with Nora and Sophie like I did while writing their story.

All the Best,

Mel

Happy Thanksgiving! - The Food Newsletter

If you’ve read more than one of my books, you may have noticed that in each one there is a big, pivotal food scene. I bring an ridiculously large number of characters together and drop clues and/or big revelations that move the story forward. (The reason I chose the above photo is because it reminds me of the food scene in BLOOD OATH.) I suppose it’s no surprise that gatherings of families and friends play such a large part in my novels since I love hosting those same gatherings in real life. Growing up, family holidays were always at our house and that desire to host holidays is still pretty strong with me.

I’m lucky in that it’s been years since we’ve had a disastrous family holiday. Everyone’s pretty much been on their best behavior. Even the holiday when a drunk relative brought homemade moonshine to the Christmas gift exchange that includes abstainers never rose to more than humorous disbelief. I know that we are lucky in that regard, and that Thanksgiving, and the holidays in general, are very difficult for those who have strained relationships with their family. Know that on this Thanksgiving, and during the holidays, my thoughts will be with you along with the hope that you can find peace and grace this holiday season with friends and loved ones.

Now, let’s talk food because who doesn’t love food?

One of the good things about hosting is I have a bit of control over the menu. Family members contribute, but I always give them a little nudge in the direction I want them to go. Our Thanksgiving menu has settled into turkey, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, Spanish green beans, the “Red Tire Thing,” rolls, and dessert (pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate pie, pecan pie).

A little clarification: I live in Texas and we make dressing, not stuffing, and it’s cornbread dressing. There aren’t mushrooms, or oysters, or sausage, or any other kind of strange ingredients. My mother makes the dressing, without a recipe, and it is phenomenal. I make the turkey (and it’s shocking how easy it is; season it, put it in the oven and bake) and desserts. Growing up, we never had mashed potatoes because hello! We had dressing. But, my husband was appalled I wasn’t including mashed potatoes at our first Thanksgiving together so now it’s become a tradition at our family Thanksgiving.

Spanish Green Beans is my family’s recipe. I’m not sure where it originated, but it’s a dish my sister brings to every Whitley family Thanksgiving. It’s a nice switch up from the traditional green bean casserole and adds some much needed color to a plate that can be shockingly beige between the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and rolls. The “Red Tire Thing” is actually a cranberry jello salad. My oldest son, Ryan, called it the Red Tire Thing when he was young and the name has stuck. It’s delicious as well. When we don’t have the Red Tire Thing, my mother-in-law brings Strawberry Pretzel Salad, another jello dish. Hey, this is the south. We love our jello salads at potlucks.

Oh, and we have deviled eggs. Funnily enough, sometimes I forget to make the deviled eggs, just like I almost forgot to put it in this post!

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? Or a dish that is unique to your family? Share in the comments!

Below is the recipe for Spanish Green Beans and some foodie links you might be interested in.

In case you really need some alchol to get through the holidays: Thanksgiving Daiquiri, Cranberry Ginger Punch

According to Slate, you don’t need alcohol to be festive: Festive non-alcoholic punches

Roasting Fall Fruit Deepens its Flavors and Nourishes the Senses - I’ve been meaning to make this for weeks.

Polenta and Sausages for a Crowd

Roast Chicken and Plums - I’m a fan of sweet and savory and cooking meat with fruit. Not everyone is.

Vinegar Chicken with Crushed Olive Dressing - This sounds absolutely divine. I love roasting chicken thighs more than breasts, to be honest. How about you?

Sub some leftover turkey for the chicken with this Chicken Pot Pie recipe.

I’m not in charge of rolls, but if I were this is the recipe I would try: Fluffy Pull Apart Rolls

TRICIA’S SPANISH GREEN BEANS

2 Strips Bacon, chopped
1/4 Cup chopped onions
2 Tbsp chopped green pepper
1 Tbsp flour
2 Cups canned tomatoes, drained
1 can green beans, drained
Salt and Pepper to taste

Fry bacon, onion, and green pepper in heavy skillet until bacon is crips and onion and green peper are lightly browned. Add flour and stir. Add tomatoes and green beans, salt and pepper to taste. Place in casserole and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

Recipe can be made ahead and baked when ready to serve. Good with steak or barbecue or as a Thanksgiving side.

Have a safe and happy holiday. I should have some good book news for everyone very soon!

~ Mel

I wish I had more time to listen to podcasts

Last week was a WEEK, in a good way, personally and professionally. But it threw me off my schedule and when I did sit down at my computer to write I worked on my manuscript (MS) because I have a deadline, and I’m getting paid to write it. So, last week’s newsletter about podcasts has morphed into this week’s newsletter about best intentions and a list of the podcasts I wish I had more time to listen to.

I love podcasts. I really do. But, I listen to them in spurts. The problem is podcasts are just one more thing competing for my time. Reading, watching television, writing, podcasts, Twitter; I mean, there’s only so much time in the day. When I’m exercising (too rare) I need to listen to music to motivate me. I usually listen in the late afternoon when I’m cleaning the kitchen and cooking dinner. But, as my 17-year-old will tell you, my dinners have become a vanishingly rare since my oldest son went off to college. (He’s not wrong.) I almost wish I had a commute.

But, podcasts are pretty cool. You can find one on just about any subject you’re interested in. (Quality may vary.) True crime, fictional podcasts (which are basically the modern version of old radio shows), politics, books, culture, music, comedy, news, crafts. You name it, there’s a podcast for it.

When I do listen, here are some of my favorites:

NYT Book Review - hosted by Pamela Paul, this weekly show usually consists of an author interview followed by a roundtable of NYT book journalists talking about what they’re reading and what’s going on in the publishing world.

Book Riot Podcasts - If you love books you really can’t go wrong with a Book Riot podcast. They have genre specific podcasts, a weekly new books podcast, and a series called Annotated that takes a deep dive into all sorts of interesting, sometimes arcane, book related subjects.

Stuff I Missed in History Class - Exactly what it says it is. Unsurprisingly, since women have been written out of history, there’s a lot of episodes about notable women. It’s one of the best podcasts out there, IMO. It’s been around for a while so the archives are immense, and broken down by era.

Business Wars - I just discovered this one but like what I’ve heard so far. It is exactly what it sounds like: deep dives into some of the biggest business rivalries. Nike versus Adidas. Netflix versus Blockbuster. The Cereal Wars! (Who knew it was a thing?)

KERA Think with Krys Boyd - Think is a daily two hour show hosted by Krys Boyd on the Dallas NPR station. Boyd interviews a wide range of guests on a wide range of topics. She’s a phenomenal interviewer.

Women Who Travel - I discovered this when I was researching my current book. Hosted by two Code Nast Traveler writers, it focuses on women in the travel and hospitality industry, with a special focus on solo travel.

Articles that caught my eye:

Did you know that audio is the fastest growing segment in the publishing industry? In the age of ear buds and audiobooks, they want to be the voices in your head

I tried this and it totally works: How to fold a fitted sheet (video)

The NYT has sent a traveler off in the world to visit 52 places in 52 weeks. It’s an interesting series. Here he talks about giving up the battle for the perfect sunset photo.

Is there any other newsletter that will include a link about bog bodies? I didn’t think so.

Wondering how you can help the environment? Just add water products might save us.

Romantic comedy isn’t dying, but on streaming it’s settling for good enough. The modern day Nora Ephron can come along at any time now. Truly. We need lighthearted happily ever after movies now more than ever.

Um, this story is bonkers. The Dark History behind this year’s bestselling debut novel.

That’s it for this week! If you know anyone who might enjoy my newsletter, send it on to them. If you have questions for me about writing or publishing, or comments, simply reply to this newsletter. If I start getting reader questions regularly I’ll include a weekly Q&A in the newsletter.

Hope you have a fabulous week!

~Mel

STILLWATER - Let's talk about that ending

Authors, editors, agents—really everyone in publishing—tell authors “don’t read reviews.” “Reviews aren’t for authors, they’re for readers.” They’re not wrong. There’s a lot of self-preservation in the advice. Reviews can be frustrating, cruel, and just downright ridiculous. Like a one star review because of a delivery delay. Or the one star review I received for Heresy because a reader thought the book was defective when really just had deckled edges.

But, I also think that a well written critical review can help authors. So I read them. Well, I mostly scan them these days. I’ve been lucky enough that my books consistently get four star averages, with the exception of Sawbones (not really sure why; again I skim the reviews) and Stillwater.

The most consistent complaints I get in reviews of Stillwater is that readers hate the ending. Readers feel cheated, they say the ending is a cliffhanger, and just a way to get them to buy the second book. They’re not wrong, but they’re not completely right, either. Everyone comes into a book with their own ideas, their own expectations. I let some readers down with the ending, and I respect their opinion. But, I needed some blog content and I figured “What the heck? I’ll tackle the Stillwater ending.”

First, some background

Stillwater was the second novel I completed. When I finished it, I opened up a new document and started writing The Fisher KIng (TFK) immediately. I think I wrote 40K words on TFK in two months. The story just poured out of me. I knew from the beginning that it would take three books for me to tell the story of Buck Pollard’s corruption, and Jack and Ellie’s journey. When I flowed right into writing TFK, I hadn’t even gotten an agent. I wrote an ending for Stillwater that would leave an agent wanting more, knowing all along that if it sold, the publisher/editor would want to change the ending.

I did get an agent with Stillwater and when it sold to a publisher and we finally started editing, I told my editor I knew we would need to change the ending. Her response: “No! I love it.” She explained that the second book would be coming out the next year, so the ending should be fine. Made sense to me.

Now, I don’t want to overly criticize my editor who was a lovely person and I enjoyed working with her very much. But, the publisher was a general fiction publisher, and she edited a wide range of books and topics. I don’t think she was as tuned into mystery readers expectations as an editor at a dedicated mystery imprint would have been. This was my first publishing experience, and I relied a lot on other people’s opinions, figuring them for the experts. My instincts told me to change the end but I didn’t. Ultimately it’s my book and I take full responsibility for not trusting my instincts.

With all that said, the two most frequent complaints is that 1) I didn’t solve the mystery and 2) the ending was a cliffhanger. I’ll give the critics the second point. it does read like a cliffhanger, at least in regards to the central relationship between Ellie and Jack. The thing is, with just a few changes, a couple of more sentences, maybe a paragraph or two, and I don’t think anyone would complain about this. If I ever get the rights back to these two books, the first thing I’m going to do is to smooth out the ending. I won’t change it, but I will tie the ending into a better bow. (Chances are I’ll never get the rights back. Hence this blog post.)

As for the criticism that I wrote the ending like that to make people buy the second book (which is inevitably followed by a complaint about the ebook price being too high) of course authors want you to buy the next book. That’s how we make a living. But, I didn’t write the ending with the intention of manipulating anyone into buying the next book for a higher price. I have no control over the e-book prices. (I think anything over 9.99 for an ebook is too high, too.) But, I know a lot of people get Stillwater on sale in ebook form so seeing that $12.99 price is a shock. I totally get it, and I’m sorry. But, TFK price is totally out of my hands.

Now as to the “the author didn’t solve the mystery” complaint. We’re going to have to agree to disagree.

Mild spoilers for the ending of Stillwater

There are two central mysteries in Stillwater: the double murder of Gilberto and Rosa Ramos, and the forty year old murder of Claire Dodsworth. By the end of the book we know who killed Gilberto and Rosa, who ordered the killings, and why. Jack and Miner have also pieced together the events they think happened with Claire’s murder. But, since it’s a forty year old case and the people who were there are dead or senile they may never now what exactly happened for sure.

Why did I make that choice with Claire’s murder? Because that’s real life. Murders go unsolved. There are theories that the authorities can’t prove. No one is brought to justice. This is especially true for cold case files.

The discovery of incriminating evidence for another crime in the search of Buck Pollard’s house near the end of the book muddied the waters, too. This discovery is essential for the overarching story of Buck Pollard’s corruption but I can see how adding that in would frustrate readers with certain genre expectations.

What I didn’t fully appreciate when I was writing Stillwater and we were editing it, was that for mystery fans, justice being served at the end of the book is as important to mystery readers as the Happily Ever After (HEA) is to romance readers. Because of the open endedness of Claire’s case, and Buck Pollard’s disappearance, mystery readers felt cheated.

I could go into justifications such as ‘powerful men get away with bad shit all the time.’ But real world injustice is precisely why mystery readers expect justice in their fiction.

So, what about the third book?

Readers have emailed me and asked if I’m writing a third book and when it’s going to come out. The answer is yes, there will be a third book. I have no idea when it will be published.

Here’s the thing about publishing: if people offer you money, you write what they want. That’s why I’ve been writing historical and women’s fiction for the last few years.

There’s another reason. I severed ties with the Stillwater/TFK publisher a couple of years ago. (That’s another post. Maybe.) That means that the Jack McBride mystery series is an orphan. When I finish the third book it will have to go through the submission process and with it being an orphan from other publisher? Who knows if mystery publishers will bite. There is always the option to self-publish, which I don’t really want to do, but I will if we can’t find a home for Jack and Stillwater.

As soon as I finish my current MS, I won’t be under contract for anything and I’m going to write the third Jack McBride mystery. I’ve started it, and I know the story. Cross your fingers that it will flow out of me like The Fisher King did. The double cross your fingers that it will find the perfect home.