Looking Ahead...

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-with-the-author lunch thing at Walden's at 1709 in my hometown of Burgettstown, PA.  

Beyond that, I have edits to work on this month for Honeywell #5. I'm also participating in Sisters in Crime's January Jumpstart, which is like the old NaNoWriMo. My goal is to complete 75 pages of the standalone before the end of the month. 

I have some workshops to teach in 2026, including one that's completely new. I'll be putting that one together in February.

Heading into the rest of the year, my focus will be on getting that standalone whipped into something worthy of submission, interspersed with more rounds of edits on Honeywell #5. 

With those tasks complete, I have another standalone thriller waiting to be outlined. 

On the personal side, getting back in shape is high on my priority list. I'm not concerned with losing weight, just with staying healthy. Travel will again be limited, largely due to my sweet fur baby, Kensi, who needs her pills. She is so good about it when I'm the one stuffing those tiny things down her throat, but she's not at all cooperative for anyone else. It's the price I pay for still having my sweet girl with me. 

Much of what happens next is out of my hands, but I'm excited and eager to see what the year ahead holds. 

Happy 2026!


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