I'm currently riding a triple-decker high that is incredibly rare in the world of hard-working writers. Most of the time, the path to publishing is a struggle. We begin by struggling to write a book. Yes, it's fun, communing with those imaginary characters filling our heads. But the part about creating a complete story that entertains not just ourselves, but hopefully readers, is a struggle. We take workshops and webinars. We read craft books by the dozen. We study and try to implement what we've learned. Eventually, if we're lucky and persistent, we're able to type THE END.  Then we struggle to revise and refine our words before struggling to find an agent and/or publisher for the book. Then we struggle to find readers. All the while, we're back struggling to write the NEXT book.  And so on. And so on.  I've been incredibly lucky to have repeatedly made it through all those struggles to reach this high point in my career. As I've already stated, I'm...

I am over-the-moon thrilled to announce that The Devil Comes Calling has been nominated for an Agatha for Best Contemporary Novel. If you're thinking this ever gets old, it doesn't. For the 7th time, receiving the news brought me to tears. Yes, this is my 8th nomination. The first time, I screamed. The poor woman on the phone was probably deaf for at least 24 hours. But after that, I've cried in grateful joy every time.  It's stuff like this that gets me through the current world situation and over a foot of snow outside my door. Thanks to Gabriel Valjean for the second graphic.

Happy New Year! We somehow survived 2025. Now it's time to make a plan for 2026. For me, that means writing. Of course. But it also means getting out to talk to readers and celebrate the new books. Let's start with the BIG event of the year. I'm giddy with excitement about being the 2026 Guest of Honor at Malice Domestic in April. I still have to go to their website and make sure my picture is still there...that I didn't hallucinate the announcement. Part of me can't wait. The other part wants to ease up to the big weekend, savoring every moment, because this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime honor, and I know the actual event will fly by in a flurry of activity. Besides Malice, I have work to do.  In January, I have a couple of in-person book signings for The Devil Comes Calling and No Stone Left Unturned. The first is a joint launch party with my friend, Debut Author Sharon Wenger, at Mystery Lovers Bookshop on Sunday, the 11th.  The second is an informal hang-out-wit...

It's New Year's Eve and as I have almost every year, I'm taking some time to reflect on my Looking Ahead post from this past January.  The biggest question mark a year ago was the status of books 3 and 4 in the Honeywell series. As you likely know, both have recently been released with tomorrow being the "official" release date of No Stone Left Unturned in print. After the shaky start, I'm especially happy to have these two out in the world.  I had a relatively full schedule of appearances all year, despite not having anything new out.   Malice Domestic was especially fun because it was announced that I will be their 2026 Guest of Honor! More on that in tomorrow's Looking Ahead post.  I succeeded in turning in the standalone, however, my agent sent it back with lots of notes. I'm still working on it.  I also succeeded in completing Honeywell #5. At least the first draft. I submitted it by my deadline and now have it back, also with notes, these from...

I’ve frequently been asked, usually by writers still trying to find their way, how many drafts I write of a book. I never have a good answer. Or when I give one, I inevitably make myself a liar while working on the next book.   But right now, I’m starting on Draft #4 of my current Work in Progress, which, by the way, is due to my publisher on December 1. However, my Draft #4 is likely very different from your Draft #4.   Let me break it down.   The first draft is a free-for-all. I may or may not have an outline. If I do, it’s sparse and not carved in stone, so I’m slinging words on the page to see if they work or not. It often sucks. But even Draft #1 isn’t a rough first draft by the time I reach the end. Each day, I re-read the previous day’s work and make tweaks before I start fresh. Once a month, I send pages to my critique group for feedback. I may or may not incorporate that feedback while I’m still powering through the word-slinging phase, but there are alwa...

It’s been 18 months since my last book release. Prior to that, the longest I’d gone between books had been 12 months. In my world, it feels like decades! I mean, it never gets old. This is my seventeenth published novel, and it’s still a rush!   And yet, I admit, I’ve felt a bit subdued leading up to this one. And confused.   What am I supposed to do? How does one promote a new book?   As if I’ve never done it before.   I think I finally figured out why I feel this way, and it goes beyond the length of time since I did it before.   This book release, like the previous two Detective Honeywell novels, is digital only. For now. While a large portion of my readership gets their books on digital platforms, it doesn’t feel 100% real until I hold the print copy in my grubby little hands.   Don’t get me wrong. I’m thrilled for all of you who are huddled over your phones and iPads and Kindles reading my book today. I love you all beyond words.   H...