My first manuscript was published while I was graduating from CSU Pueblo in 2008. The publisher was Ghost Road Press in Denver, CO. My editor was the fabulous Sonya who was an angel sent from my ancestors to restore my confidence and shine a light on my poetic voice. I adore her and Caleb Seeling at Conundrum Press who along with Sonya sent me a new contract to republish my first book of poetry, Crazy Chicana in Catholic City under a new book cover and ISBN but with the same contents. I of course said, yes.
One day at dinner in Denver with my publisher, Caleb, he asked me if I had another manuscript and I whipped my second poetry collection, Red Canyon Falling on Churches, out of my briefcase sitting at my feet. He published my second book with an exquisite book cover with a photo by Tracy Harmon, the prize-winning investigative journalist and Nationally renowned photojournalist, and my bff of 35 years, since we were college mates. She also does my headshots, promotional videos, etc. She is a goddess and a good human being.
In the meantime, I’m publishing poems, essays, and non-fiction pieces in anthologies and small presses. I am a published writer with a following of fans who think I’m kinda fascinating. I write about my ancestors, my dysfunctional family, my political activism, and my spirituality, my voice is strong, honest, shocking, and hilarious. I’m not bragging, I’m explaining who I am and what I write about. I write the truth even though it hurts it also heals. I’m a healer of sorts. A Chingona Corn Mother, ordained by the Universal Church, a mentor, a mom, wife, pet parent, liberal, radical feminist, and spiritual leader of my community. My community consists of members of the LGBTQ+ and the marginalized people of color, especially the immigrants asking for our help, the writing community, the social activists and hippies, the lesbian lovers, and the Pittsburgh Heroes, the indigenous ancestors who survived and gave me their survival skills. These are my people. I’m a poet.
I’ve workshopped in San Antonio, TX with Sandra Cisneros’ Annual Macondo Writers’ Workshop, with Denise Chavez in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with Francisco Aragón in Salt Lake City, UT, for the Smithsonian Our America: the Latino Presence in American Art, and in sunny Dillon Beach, CA for the first annual Chingona Writers’ Workshop.
My performances have included libraries, universities, bookstores, coffee shops, and cultural art centers in Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Pueblo, Salida, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Alamosa, and for the Department of Defense in Los Azores, Sicily, Kuwait, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Diego Garcia Archipelagos Islands.
My dream of being an author in the library in my hometown came true. The Rawlings Library in Pueblo has my books on the shelf between Rudolfo Anaya and Sandra Cisneros! I almost lost my shit when I realized I am a poet.
One more braggadocio statement if you will indulge me, it is amazing and I’m proud that I’ve won awards for my poetry but also that I’ve met and befriended so many generous writers in my journeys. Some of these amazing writers are professors at universities and have asked permission to read my poems in their poetry classes with their students. And the Albuquerque Poet Laureate, Jessica Helen Lopez. asked if she could read my poem, the Hat, in a performance. I was honored of course.
My life has changed in the last three decades since I became sober and I have to give credit to my husband for sticking with me through all the craziness.
Finally, I’d like to share the story of meeting the international icon, Sandra Cisneros. She was at the Rawlings Library in Pueblo doing a speaking tour. I met her and she shook hands with me and everyone in the room. I never thought she’d come back to the cheap seats but she did with a big smile on her face. I was impressed and a huge fan. I handed her my first book of poetry, Crazy Chicana in Catholic City. She asked me to sign it. I did. I forgot to breathe and almost passed out.
The next day at her reading she mentioned my book to the audience and talked about me for five minutes! Everyone with me in the front row, my friends and professors from CSU Pueblo stared at me with their mouths open. They cheered for me when Sandra told the audience they should buy my book. She asked if I had any copies with me. I said I had a box in my trunk in the parking lot. My BFF, Leslie the librarian extraordinaire, jumped up and shouted, I’ll fetch them. And off she ran.
I sold books beside Sandra. I had a shorter line. Afterward, she told me I want to give you an author blurb to sell more books. She said, your writing makes me want to write poetry. She also asked me to apply to her Macondo Foundation writer’s workshop. She said it’s competitive so keep applying until you get in. I applied twice and the second year was accepted.
My life has never been the same since I met Sandra. She is my angel on earth who lifts me when doubting my skills. She has introduced me to editors who have helped me improve my writing.
Denise Chavez won my heart at the Rawlings Library. I met her and she drew me into her magical world of literature. I’ve become an improved writer and human being because of my friendship with these writers. Linda Rodriguez introduced herself to me at AWP one year in Denver and invited me to join the Stiletto Gang after a few years of being friends on Facebook and emailing. She saved me hundreds of times because she had faith in me, I began to believe I could be a writer and not just a poet but a mystery writer.
I’m still revising my completed manuscript, The Colorado Sisters, but because I don’t want to write a good book, I want to write a great book, I haven’t sent it out to be published yet. It needs a good tweaking or two and then when my editor tells me it’s ready I’ll submit but not till it’s ready.
It’s not easy writing a great murder mystery. I might end up publishing it as a short story or screenplay. But wouldn’t it be great to have my first novel be a prize winner? Oohwee! I’d have a hootenanny and celebrate because I’ll have finished my first mystery and it can sit on the shelf with Rudolfo Anaya, Linda Rodriguez, Maria Melendez Kelson, Lucha Corpi, Katherine, Manuel Ramos, Mario Acevedo, and Stephen King!
Figures of Speech
/in Detective Parrott Mystery Series, Figures of speech, How to Write, Poetry, Reading, Saralyn Richard, Writing and the Arts/by Saralyn RichardFigures of Speech
by Saralyn Richard
An English major in college, I was required to take courses in Chaucer/medieval lit, Shakespeare, Milton, 18th and 19th century literature, and American literature, among others. Of these, the dreaded subject was Milton, mainly because the brilliant poet and author of Paradise Lost took full advantage of the vast body of history, philosophy, religion, politics, and literary criticism of the day, and analyzing and interpreting even a few lines of his work could send a person down a rabbit hole for eons.
I had read excerpts from Milton’s works in high school, and I’d found them dry and uninteresting, but when I arrived in my Milton class junior year in college, I had a whole different experience. Call it an awakening, a challenge, a puzzle—whatever—I delighted in the intrigue and purpose of Milton’s language, and I couldn’t get enough.
After the semester, I decided to continue studying Milton by undertaking two semesters of work, researching and writing an honor’s thesis. My focus of study was figures of speech.
Most people understand the function of figurative language and can identify and explain similes, metaphors, personifications, and analogies. Few, however, realize that these represented only a miniscule number of the figures of speech available for Milton and other writers of the Elizabethan and Puritan eras.
I could write treatises—or an honors thesis—about what I learned from books, such as George Puttenham’s The Arte of English Poesie, or Henry Peacham’s The Compleat Gentleman, but for this blogpost, I’ll say that I was astounded by the more than 456 figures of speech used by Renaissance writers of poetry and prose.
The literary devices included repetitions, inversions, comparisons, and rhetorical devices to tickle the ear and tempt the mind. Some of the more obscure, but popular, figures of speech were anastrophe, litotes, and anadiplosis.
Once I learned about them, I had fun hunting for them in Milton’s verse. Each find unlocked a bit of the magic that made Milton’s writing so memorable.
Fast forward to the 21st century, and I was teaching creative writing to students aged 55 and older at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. I introduced a unit in figures of speech, and we dug into definitions and examples of a variety of the lesser-used devices. I challenged learners to use some, like synecdoche and metonymy in their writing, and the results were amazing.
Also, when I read a work of fiction by an author like Poe, Tartt, Kingsolver, or Irving, and I find a turn of phrase that is particularly appealing, I love to deconstruct the language. Do you do the same? What is your favorite figure of speech, and which author do you think is especially adept at using figurative language?
Saralyn Richard writes award-winning humor- and romance-tinged mysteries that pull back the curtain on people in settings as diverse as elite country manor houses and disadvantaged urban high schools. Her works include the Detective Parrott mystery series, two standalone mysteries, a children’s book, and various short stories published in anthologies. She also edited the nonfiction book, Burn Survivors. An active member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America, Saralyn teaches creative writing and literature. Her favorite thing about being an author is interacting with readers like you. If you would like to subscribe to Saralyn’s monthly newsletter and receive information, giveaways, opportunities, surveys, freebies, and more, sign up at https://saralynrichard.com.
Check Out The Agatha Nominations
/in Uncategorized/by Paula Bensonby Paula Gail Benson
Whether or not you can attend the fabulous gathering of Malice Domestic at the end of this month, be sure to check out the marvelous novels, books, and stories that have received prestigious Agatha nominations. You’ll have some delightful reading. (NOTE: click on the short story for a link to the text.) Here’s a list:
Best Contemporary Novel
WINED AND DIED IN NEW ORLEANS, Ellen Byron
HELPLESS, Annette Dashofy
THE WEEKEND RETREAT, Tara Laskowski
A CASE OF THE BLEUS, Korina Moss
THE RAVEN THIEF, Gigi Pandian
Best Historical Novel
DEATH AMONG THE RUINS, Susanna Caulkins
ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORD, Celeste Connally
I HEARD A FLY BUZZ WHEN I DIED, Amanda Flower
TIME’S UNDOING, Cheryl Head
THE MISTRESS OF BHATIA HOUSE, Sujata Massey
Best First Novel
GLORY BE, Danielle Arceneaux
THE HINT OF LIGHT, Kristin Kisska
DUTCH THREAT, Josh Pachter
CRIME AND PARCHMENT, Daphne Silver
MOTHER-DAUGHTER MURDER NIGHT, Nina Simon
Best Short Story
“THE KNIFE SHARPENER”, Shelley Costa, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Jul/Aug 2023
“A GOOD JUDGE OF CHARACTER”, Tina de Bellegarde, Malice Domestic 17, Murder Most Traditional
“REAL COURAGE”, Barb Goffman, Black Cat Mystery Magazine #14
“TICKET TO RIDE”, Dru Ann Love and Kristopher Zgorski, Happiness is a Warm Gun
“SHAMU, WORLD’S GREATEST DETECTIVE”, Richie Narvaez, Time in San Diego, Bouchercon 2023
Best Non-Fiction
FINDERS: JUSTICE, FAITH AND IDENTITY IN IRISH CRIME FICTION, Anjili Babbar
PERPLEXING PLOTS: POPULAR STORYTELLING AND THE POETICS OF MURDER, David Bordwell
A MYSTERY OF MYSTERIES: THE DEATH AND LIFE OF EDGAR ALLAN POE, Mark Dawidziak
FALLEN ANGEL: THE LIFE OF EDGAR ALLAN POE, Robert Morgan
Best Children’s/YA Mystery
MYRTLE, MEANS AND OPPORTUNITY, Elizabeth C. Bunce
THE SASQUATCH OF HAWTHOURNE ELEMENTARY, K. B. Jackson
ARANA AND SPIDERMAN, Alex Segura
THE MYSTERY OF THE RADCLIFFE RIDDLE, Taryn Souders
ENOLA HOLMES AND THE MARK OF THE MONGOOSE, Nancy Springer
Writing Idiosyncrasies by Debra H. Goldstein
/in Uncategorized/by DebraWriting Idiosyncrasies by Debra H. Goldstein
I don’t believe in writer’s block, but I do believe certain conditions have to be right for me to be creative.
I envy my friends who successfully produce one thousand or more words a day. The ones who explain that if “you don’t put your bottom in the seat, you’ll never have anything to show as an author.” If I try to follow their method, I agonize and then end up throwing out most of what I’ve written. For me, an idea must germinate internally until it reaches a point that the muse can’t hold it back. Then, and only then, can the words magically flow from my brain to my fingertips.
Still, having the words ready to flow isn’t enough. I need to have background music when I write anything of consequence. For me, that is usually show music or artists whose songs tend to be more lyrically oriented. The music can’t be rock or heavy metal. Words are key. Sometimes, I just keep playing the same album or two repeatedly until I finish the book or story. The irony is that the same set of songs or albums usually won’t work for the next project I take on.
Then, there is the setting. One chair may be good for a particular book, but the room and chair don’t feel right for something else. Today, I futzed around wanting to write some blogs in the sunroom/office where I usually write, but nothing flowed. Although the weather is in the sixties and sunny today, I walked into my living room, crawled onto the couch, and lit the fireplace. The mood was set. I started writing and somehow four hours have passed.
Tomorrow, I want to work on a new proposal that has been kicking around in my head. Of course, I have no idea how long it will take me to know it is ready, what music is necessary for it to flow and where I should write it. Do you have any idiosyncrasies when it comes to writing or doing any other things in your home or worklife?
Sasqwatch!
/in Author Life, Movies/by Bethany MainesThe Sasqwatch Film Festival
Last year, I connected with a Canadian film director who was looking for a fast, funny, crime-centered short script. Of which I had… zero. But what I did have was a stack of short stories. So I transferred one of my short stories to script format. He loved it, optioned it (that’s put it on hold in movie terms) and then produced it. It was a fantastic collaborative process and I loved seeing what he did with the script. Once the short film was complete, it was submitted to a variety of film festivals (including Sasqwatch Film Festival). Unfortunately, I wasn’t near to any of the festivals that accepted the film. And I wanted to see MY movie on the big screen.
But finally…
Then it got accepted into the Sasqwatch Film Festival in Vancouver BC. Which is well within driving distance for me in Washington State. So we farmed out the kiddo to my brother and invaded Canada! And then, after four hours sitting down in the car, we sat down in a darkened theater and watched Suzy Makes Cupcakes and a slate of other shorts.
So, it’s about cupcakes?
No. It’s about crime. And cupcakes. But mostly it’s about a woman who got married young to an abusive jerkwad who works for a crime syndicate. Suzy wants out of the life and away from her husband, but how to do that? Well… you come up with a plan, you make some cupcakes and then you see where the day takes you. But you do it all in twelve minutes or less because this is a short film after all. The short story version of the story made it’s debut at Noir at the Bar in Seattle and you can hear me read it in the recording from KUOW.
Was Sasqwatch everything you hoped?
Yes, actually it was. While it was a bit weird to hear people saying words that I made up, it was so fantastic to see it on the big screen. The director Jayson Theirren also flew into town and we got to meet in person for the first time. Afterwards, we all got drinks and talked movies, movies, movies. Then my partner and I went out for dinner, ate too much, and had a lovely evening out in Vancouver sans child. So basically, it was all that I hoped for and more.
Has Spring Sprung for You?
/in Book Clubs, Cozy Mysteries, life, Mystery Series, Romantic Suspense, Samantha Newman Romantic Mystery series, Spring, Stress relief/by Gay YellenExactly when is Spring supposed to begin? I looked it up, and here’s what I found:
The vernal equinox in 2024 arrived on March 19, but that date varies year to year. It hovers somewhere between the 19th and 21st of the month, and is marked at the moment the sun is directly facing Earth’s equator. This is also known as Astronomical Spring.
But, because science allows the date to vary, I’m thinking it’s okay if Spring starts for people like you and me whenever we are able to feel it.
We’ve enjoyed the new season around our home for a few weeks now. Gardens are in full bloom. A multitude of songbirds greet us with their cheery melodies every morning, just like the ones Samantha Newman hears when she visits Serenity Ranch.♥
This past weekend made Spring feel official for me, with opening of the annual Kite Festival that takes place in our favorite public park. There’s something wonderful about a day when people of all ages gather on vast green spaces to share a picnic and fly kites.
A live band played upbeat music while children ran around, testing how far they could roam free. They squealed with delight. You couldn’t help but smile at the joy of it.
Those icy winds are gone. Gentle breezes flow. We’re unencumbered by winter coats and jackets, scarves and gloves. The world is refreshed.
Hooray!
What is the first sign of Spring where you live? And, when was the last time you flew a kite?
Here’s wishing you a very HAPPY SPRING, full of sunshine, flowers, celebrations, and laughter!
Gay Yellen is the author of the award-winning Samantha Newman Mystery Series including: The Body Business, The Body Next Door, and The Body in the News!
Find her on Amazon, BookBub, Facebook, or contact her at GayYellen.com
It’s Subjective
/in Author Life, Donnell Ann Bell/by Donnell Ann BellI now return you to Monday’s blog.
Today is my husband 69th birthday. We’re having a grand time visiting with family, watching NCAA Women’s College Basketball, and awaiting tomorrow’s eclipse. For Les’s birthday, I bought him a new pair of running shoes and his sister bought him bottle of Hungry Jack Microwaveable Syrup.
Why you may ask? Les likes his syrup hot; she obviously noticed the misshapen syrup bottles in our pantry.
Something I’m excited about during this trip is a brainstorming session I had with my nephew. I called him a couple of weeks ago for help regarding a scene I’ve been trying to write. My nephew, a former marine, is seriously mechanically inclined. He works graveyards, and we were missing each other’s calls. Today he showed me how a character could siphon gas. So much better than a phone call. I only hope he returned the vacuum pump to my brother-in-law’s car. 😊
Long walks, too much food, it’s what makes birthdays and family reunions worthwhile. Overall, I would say my husband’s birthday has been an overwhelming success. With the following exception . . . Les was walking in the neighborhood, happy as anyone can be turning 69, when he bounced into the house and proclaimed, “Guess what, it’s Zeke’s birthday today, too!” Until my sister-in-law announced, “Zeke is a dog.”
It’s subjective, right?
About the Author: Donnell Ann Bell writes both romantic suspense and multi-jurisdictional taskforce plots, Her single-title romantic suspense novels, The Past Came Hunting, Deadly Recall, Betrayed, and Buried Agendas, have been Amazon bestsellers. Black Pearl, a Cold Case Suspense was her first mainstream suspense and book one of a series, and a Colorado Book Award finalist. Her second book in the series, Until Dead, A Cold Case Suspense, released in May of 2022, was voted Best Thriller in 2023 at the Imaginarium Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
April is National Poetry Month FYI by Juliana Aragón Fatula
/in Uncategorized/by Juliana Aragon FatulaMy first manuscript was published while I was graduating from CSU Pueblo in 2008. The publisher was Ghost Road Press in Denver, CO. My editor was the fabulous Sonya who was an angel sent from my ancestors to restore my confidence and shine a light on my poetic voice. I adore her and Caleb Seeling at Conundrum Press who along with Sonya sent me a new contract to republish my first book of poetry, Crazy Chicana in Catholic City under a new book cover and ISBN but with the same contents. I of course said, yes.
One day at dinner in Denver with my publisher, Caleb, he asked me if I had another manuscript and I whipped my second poetry collection, Red Canyon Falling on Churches, out of my briefcase sitting at my feet. He published my second book with an exquisite book cover with a photo by Tracy Harmon, the prize-winning investigative journalist and Nationally renowned photojournalist, and my bff of 35 years, since we were college mates. She also does my headshots, promotional videos, etc. She is a goddess and a good human being.
In the meantime, I’m publishing poems, essays, and non-fiction pieces in anthologies and small presses. I am a published writer with a following of fans who think I’m kinda fascinating. I write about my ancestors, my dysfunctional family, my political activism, and my spirituality, my voice is strong, honest, shocking, and hilarious. I’m not bragging, I’m explaining who I am and what I write about. I write the truth even though it hurts it also heals. I’m a healer of sorts. A Chingona Corn Mother, ordained by the Universal Church, a mentor, a mom, wife, pet parent, liberal, radical feminist, and spiritual leader of my community. My community consists of members of the LGBTQ+ and the marginalized people of color, especially the immigrants asking for our help, the writing community, the social activists and hippies, the lesbian lovers, and the Pittsburgh Heroes, the indigenous ancestors who survived and gave me their survival skills. These are my people. I’m a poet.
I’ve workshopped in San Antonio, TX with Sandra Cisneros’ Annual Macondo Writers’ Workshop, with Denise Chavez in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with Francisco Aragón in Salt Lake City, UT, for the Smithsonian Our America: the Latino Presence in American Art, and in sunny Dillon Beach, CA for the first annual Chingona Writers’ Workshop.
My performances have included libraries, universities, bookstores, coffee shops, and cultural art centers in Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Pueblo, Salida, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Alamosa, and for the Department of Defense in Los Azores, Sicily, Kuwait, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Diego Garcia Archipelagos Islands.
My dream of being an author in the library in my hometown came true. The Rawlings Library in Pueblo has my books on the shelf between Rudolfo Anaya and Sandra Cisneros! I almost lost my shit when I realized I am a poet.
One more braggadocio statement if you will indulge me, it is amazing and I’m proud that I’ve won awards for my poetry but also that I’ve met and befriended so many generous writers in my journeys. Some of these amazing writers are professors at universities and have asked permission to read my poems in their poetry classes with their students. And the Albuquerque Poet Laureate, Jessica Helen Lopez. asked if she could read my poem, the Hat, in a performance. I was honored of course.
My life has changed in the last three decades since I became sober and I have to give credit to my husband for sticking with me through all the craziness.
Finally, I’d like to share the story of meeting the international icon, Sandra Cisneros. She was at the Rawlings Library in Pueblo doing a speaking tour. I met her and she shook hands with me and everyone in the room. I never thought she’d come back to the cheap seats but she did with a big smile on her face. I was impressed and a huge fan. I handed her my first book of poetry, Crazy Chicana in Catholic City. She asked me to sign it. I did. I forgot to breathe and almost passed out.
The next day at her reading she mentioned my book to the audience and talked about me for five minutes! Everyone with me in the front row, my friends and professors from CSU Pueblo stared at me with their mouths open. They cheered for me when Sandra told the audience they should buy my book. She asked if I had any copies with me. I said I had a box in my trunk in the parking lot. My BFF, Leslie the librarian extraordinaire, jumped up and shouted, I’ll fetch them. And off she ran.
I sold books beside Sandra. I had a shorter line. Afterward, she told me I want to give you an author blurb to sell more books. She said, your writing makes me want to write poetry. She also asked me to apply to her Macondo Foundation writer’s workshop. She said it’s competitive so keep applying until you get in. I applied twice and the second year was accepted.
My life has never been the same since I met Sandra. She is my angel on earth who lifts me when doubting my skills. She has introduced me to editors who have helped me improve my writing.
Denise Chavez won my heart at the Rawlings Library. I met her and she drew me into her magical world of literature. I’ve become an improved writer and human being because of my friendship with these writers. Linda Rodriguez introduced herself to me at AWP one year in Denver and invited me to join the Stiletto Gang after a few years of being friends on Facebook and emailing. She saved me hundreds of times because she had faith in me, I began to believe I could be a writer and not just a poet but a mystery writer.
I’m still revising my completed manuscript, The Colorado Sisters, but because I don’t want to write a good book, I want to write a great book, I haven’t sent it out to be published yet. It needs a good tweaking or two and then when my editor tells me it’s ready I’ll submit but not till it’s ready.
It’s not easy writing a great murder mystery. I might end up publishing it as a short story or screenplay. But wouldn’t it be great to have my first novel be a prize winner? Oohwee! I’d have a hootenanny and celebrate because I’ll have finished my first mystery and it can sit on the shelf with Rudolfo Anaya, Linda Rodriguez, Maria Melendez Kelson, Lucha Corpi, Katherine, Manuel Ramos, Mario Acevedo, and Stephen King!
Book People
/in Author Life, Cozy Mysteries, Uncategorized/by Mary Lee Ashfordby Sparkle Abbey
We spent the weekend at a wonderful writers’ retreat aptly named “Only Books in the Building.” It was located at Honey Creek, a lovely southern Iowa resort. and though this was the first year for it, based on our experience, we know that it will continue to grow.
There’s just nothing better than spending time with other writers and with readers who love books.
There were panels of authors “Romancing the Book,” “Murder They Wrote,” and “Paths to Publishing” as well as breakout sessions to discuss craft and publishing. There were sessions on “Characters Who Keep Secrets,” “Storytelling in Non-Fiction” as well as on plot, revision, and finding your theme.
Murder They Wrote Panel
The sessions were fabulous and there was a wide range of genres represented but overall the theme was all about story and how that applies to romance, mystery, memoir, and more. But best of all there were tons of opportunities to talk books!
It was truly everything we hoped for in terms of getting away, hanging out with other writers, and recharging our creative batteries. We’ve attended conferences, book festivals, writing retreats, and other book events but this one really fit the bill for an informative yet relaxing weekend of talking books!
Do you have a favorite book event that you attend? Please share and tell us what you love about it!
Sparkle Abbey is actually two people, Mary Lee Ashford and Anita Carter, who write the national best-selling Pampered Pets cozy mystery series. They are friends as well as neighbors so they often get together and plot ways to commit murder. (But don’t tell the other neighbors.)
They love to hear from readers and can be found on Facebook and Pinterest, their favorite social media sites. Also, if you want to make sure you get updates, sign up for their newsletter via the SparkleAbbey.com website
Clicking Our Heels: Our Secret Passions
/in Clicking Our Heels, Secret Passions, Uncategorized/by DebraClicking Our Heels: Our Secret Passions
How many of us have ever had a secret passion? Did you act on it or do you keep it buried within yourself? We thought it would be fun this month to delve into the secret passions of the Stiletto Gang members and whether they ever acted on them.
Lois Winston – I have two. I wanted to be an astronaut, but NASA wasn’t interested in vertically challenged candidates prone to motion sickness. I also wanted to be on Broadway, but Broadway wasn’t interested in singers who can’t sing, actors who can’t act, and dancers who can’t dance. Go figure!
Mary Lee Ashford (1/2 Sparkle Abbey) – My passion has always been writing so that’s not much of a secret. I will say, however, as a recent retiree that I’ve discovered an interest in history and genealogy that I just never had the time to pursue when I was working full time. It has led to some fun discoveries!
Barbara J. Eikmeier – I’d love to draw. I took informal lessons at one time and think I can draw if only I’d apply myself.
Dru Ann Love – No.
Debra H. Goldstein – For years, I wanted to be a comedian (and I can still be pretty funny once I have a microphone in my hands), a politician, or a writer. One out of the three isn’t bad.
Donnell Ann Bell – Probably my deep-seated wish for all people to find justice, forgive one another, and not turn to violence when they can’t have it. That’s why I write to release my passion to right this crazy world.
Anita Carter (1/2 of Sparkle Abbey) – It’s not a secret, but I’m passionate about the beach! Living in Iowa, beach life couldn’t be more dormant!
Gay Yellen – Even before I could read, I was making up my own poems. I wrote for a living (for magazines and businesses) beginning in my late twenties. Books were my passion from childhood, so as a published author, I suppose you could say I’m living the dream.
Saralyn Richard – I yearned to be a writer for many decades before I arrived at the place and time where I could fulfill the dream.
Lynn McPherson/Sydney Leigh – Improv. Just started taking classes and I love it!
T.K. Thorne – I always wanted to be an artist and paint. During Covid, I started playing with it and to my surprise, I wasn’t as awful as I thought I would be. It has given me many hours of joy.
Bethany Maines – Nope. I pretty much try to do all my passions. You only get one shot at this life—do it while you can.
Debra Sennefelder – I don’t think so.
BOOK COVERS-Eeeek
/in Book design, Ideas, Mystery, Susan P. Baker, The Stiletto Gang, Uncategorized/by Susan P. BakerBOOK COVERS–WHAT A NIGHTMARE!
When I first started out, back in the dark ages (1980s) before the Internet—heck—before home computers, I was as naïve as a newborn baby. I joined Mystery Writers of America, the chapter that met in Houston, and met some lovely, well-published authors.
I didn’t know squat (except what I’d read in magazines and books I’d purchased). I needed all the encouragement I could get, and I did get it. After a while, I was writing and submitting and, of course, receiving rejections, learning craft (we’re always learning craft, right?) and discovering what’s-what in the traditional book publishing business. There was no real self-publishing then (though there were, as now, vanity publishers), or as we call it now, Independent Publishing.
One of the things I found out from some of these published authors was that the author had no say so over her cover no matter how many books she’d written and published. You took what you got. Oh, the stories I heard. One particularly lovely author of over 140 books, Joan Lowery Nixon (1927-2003), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Lowery_Nixon, who became a pretty good friend, regaled me with stories of her experiences regarding the covers of her books. The story I remember most is when she set a book in pancake-flat Houston, but the cover had mountains in the background. She said she’d had many “discussions” with the publisher before the book came out, to no avail.
My first published book, My First Murder, which St. Martin’s Press, Inc. published, had a colorful cover, which other than there being what one could assume was a dead woman on the cover, had no relation to the story. By that I mean the cover was in the style of Mexican art. (I like Mexican art, don’t get me wrong.) The book was set in Houston and Ft. Worth.
My First Murder, St. Martin’s Press, Inc.
The third cover of My First Murder. I didn’t keep copies of the second.
Some years later, my small press publisher contacted me one day and asked me what I wanted on the cover of the book they were putting out. You know, I had never given it any thought, my experience having been that I had no choice. One of my friends said if I was going to come up with a design for a cover, I should be paid. What did I know? I gave the publisher ideas, but by the time I sent in photographs and more information about what I thought, they had taken my original idea and run with it. The cover wasn’t that good. Years later, I’ve been re-publishing some books myself (of course I have my rights back) and am on my fourth cover for my first one.
The fourth cover of My First Murder and I hope the final.
Anyway, now, years and a number of covers later, as an “Independent” author I have sole control. There are days I wish someone else had the responsibility, so I’d be off the hook. It’s not easy coming up with ideas. I’m a writer, not an artist. I’m about to put out the 6th in my Mavis Davis series and have been racking my brain. The title is The Underground Murders. If any of you have an idea for a cover, without knowing the plot, PLEASE contact me asap.
You may contact the author at Susan@susanpbaker.com.
Susan is the author of fourteen (14) books, mostly mystery/suspense, but not all.