Looking Back on 2024

For the last few years, I’ve beensaying I want—no, NEED—to slow down. I’ve been pumping out books as fast as Icould. Two or three a year. Now, I know writers who write even more than that,and I’m in awe. But for me, the old cliché “all work and no play” was wearingon me. Back on January 1 of 2024, I announced that I was taking measures to letme slow down. And I am. I’ve cut back on travel, although to be honest, a bigpart of that has to do with Kensi’s heart issues and the twice-a-day pill shegets. But the key measure I’ve taken involved turning down a three-bookcontract to continue the Zoe Chambers series.

Okay, don’t cry or send threateningletters. I turned it down FOR NOW. I did not burn bridges. I simply need abreak from multiple deadlines one after the other.

Also back on January 1, 2024, Imentioned a book deal sitting on my desk. As you probably already have heard,that was another three-book offer, this one for the Detective Honeywell series.I’ve already written two of those, which are in the pipeline. The first is thebook that was supposed to come out last week but is now on hold. The second hasbeen turned in to my editor. I expect both to be released later in 2025. I haveone more on that contract and it’s not due until December 1, 2025, leaving mewith plenty of time.

I’ll share my thoughts on what I’ll dowith that time in tomorrow’s “Looking Forward” post.

As for what else happened in my cornerof the world in 2024, I attended Malice Domestic where I received my seventhAgatha nomination and seventh loss. That’s okay. I’ve embraced the nominee role.

Simply the Best Panel: Agatha Best Contemporary
Novel nomineesI also attended and taught at the Pennwriters Conference. 

Dinner with friends at the
Pennwriters ConferenceI flew out to New Mexicofor the first time since before the pandemic to spend time with my dear friendLeta. I did a lot of local personal appearances, talks, book festivals, panels,etc. 

The Greater Pittsburgh Book Festival
Thrillers PanelI taught classes. I celebrated the release of What Comes Around,the 13th Zoe Chambers mystery and the only book I had come out thisyear.

Personally, as I mentioned, Kensicontinues to be a priority. She’s like the Energizer Bunny in that she keeps ongoing. And I treasure each furry moment with her.

The biggest change was my husband’sretirement. I should say partial retirement. After a month, he went back andcontinues to work two days a week, which keeps both of us sane.

As for what’s ahead in 2025? To becontinued…