by Paula Gail Benson I was so happy to see the return of Ted Lasso because I had missed the characters, storylines, and vicarious visit to the British football (soccer) world. But, I must admit another joy of watching the series is the fashion. People who know me well recognize my obsession with purses and […]
by Paula Gail Benson What better way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence than to read stories about the people whose lives created the history of our country? Denise Farnsworth, Sherry Shindelar, and Susan F. Craft have each contributed a novella to Freed by the Frontier. I’ve asked them to introduce […]
by Paula Gail Benson As Killer Nashville approaches at the end of August, I’ve been binge watching Nashville, the musical/soap opera drama TV series that aired on ABC from 2012 until 2016 and on CMT from 2016 to 2018. It’s now available to view on Netflix. From the beginning, the episodes chronicle the careers of […]
by Paula Gail Benson During this summer, I’ve taken some time to indulge in the joy of watching older, black and white films. I remember when I was growing up, a channel ran Bette Davis movies every Saturday afternoon. I learned to love her in Now, Voyager, Watch on the Rhine, The Little Foxes, Jezebel, […]
by Paula Gail Benson Two organizations have posted calls for short stories and are accepting submissions this summer: Malice Domestic 2027 and Bouchercon 2027 (to take place in Washington, D.C.). Here are the basic requirements along with the websites where you can find additional information. Anthology | Malice Domestic Ltd Malice Domestic 21: Anthology Submissions […]
by Paula Gail Benson Just looking at the title of this message, what do you think it’s about? Could it be about starting the practice of writing on a schedule? Might it provide ideas on how to maintain the practice? Could it discuss what is the most effective time for a daily writing habit: pre-dawn, […]
by Paula Gail Benson It’s that wonderful time of year again when writers and readers who love Agatha Christie style mysteries gather in Bethesda, Maryland, for Malice Domestic. Next weekend, the Agatha Awards will be presented. Please help us begin the celebration with some brief interviews with the Agatha-nominated authors in the categories for Best […]
by Paula Gail Benson With March coming in like a lion and continuing to exhibit changeable weather, why not enjoy a virtual vacation by taking advantage of some great reissued short story anthologies? Edited by Michael Bracken and Gary Phillips, Jukes and Tonks (originally published by Down and Out Books, April 18, 2021, and issued […]
by Paula Gail Benson At the end of February, I journeyed to Summerville, South Carolina, which is a growing metropolis of about 53,000 people located a little more than 20 miles from Charleston. I went there for the 2nd annual Book Festival sponsored by Main Street Reads, an independent bookstore located in the center of […]
by Paula Gail Benson I remember seeing the 1942 black and white movie Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Bing ran an inn that only opened on the holidays. In 1952, Kemmons Wilson named his chain of hotels Holiday Inn after the movie, seeking to give guests the same special relaxing accommodation experience. […]