For the last few years, I’ve been saying I want—no, NEED—to slow down. I’ve been pumping out books as fast as I could. 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 wearing on me. Back on January 1 of 2024, I announced that I was taking measures to let me slow down. And I am. I’ve cut back on travel, although to be honest, a big part of that has to do with Kensi’s heart issues and the twice-a-day pill she gets. But the key measure I’ve taken involved turning down a three-book contract to continue the Zoe Chambers series. Okay, don’t cry or send threatening letters. I turned it down FOR NOW. I did not burn bridges. I simply need a break from multiple deadlines one after the other. Also back on January 1, 2024, I mentioned 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 ...

Let's catch up from my last post. The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books was fabulous despite some inclement weather. My panel was indoors, and the rain didn't start until my signing beneath a tent was wrapping up. Photo courtesy of Martha Reed My "fellow thriller writer" panelists were awesome. The quotation marks are because I felt like a fraud being labeled a thriller writer, not because of the two gentlemen on the panel. They were legit. And kind. They made me feel like I belonged there.  I made it to my second appearance that day with time to spare. I did not, however, remember to take photos or ask anyone else to. The Pennwriters Conference was amazing as always. I spent some quality time with my fabulous friend, Hank Phillippi Ryan, who helped me brainstorm plot twists for a future book.  More recently, I participated in a local author book event in Waynesburg, PA, and officially launched What Comes Around at Mystery Lovers Bookshop. Next up is Noir UNDER th...

Here's a list of what's been going on. Helpless did not win the Agatha. My streak holds What Comes Around is now available in ebook and paperback. What Comes Around will be out in audiobook in July. I had a root canal, followed by a temporary crown, followed by a permanent crown. I finally got some contractual stuff settled (going back to my agent's death in November.) I've been trying to work on developmental edits for the next Honeywell mystery.  Here's a list of what's coming up. Thriller Panel at the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Cozy Panel at the Upper St. Clair Library, Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Pennwriters Conference, May 17-18  The parts I find ridiculously funny are the two panels on Saturday. First, because I'm double-booked and am praying I don't hit traffic getting from one to the other. Second, because I'm classified as a thriller author in the morning and a cozy author in the afternoon.  Those aren't t...

I've been busy. I turned in the next Detective Honeywell manuscript on March 1. Afterward, I spent most of the month taking care of boring non-writing stuff. Annual doctors' exams and tests that I'd been putting off. Tax preparation. Other necessary but uninteresting personal odds and ends. As the end of the month neared, Matthias and Emma were getting rambunctious inside my head, so I started drafting what is currently being called "Honeywell #4."  It was kind of fun having only that one book on my plate.  Of course, that didn't last long. Along came the cover art for the next Zoe Chambers mystery! I love it! Next, my developmental edits for Honeywell #3 arrived earlier this week. There aren't really a lot, but a few of them require a lot of thought. The changes will make it a much stronger book, but I'm now working on two different books at the same time. Draft Honeywell #4 in the morning, revise Honeywell #3 in the afternoon.  Oh, and my line edits ...

Last year, I failed miserably in my intent to slow down. This year, I'm taking measures to see that I will be able to slow down in the near future. We'll see how it goes. I realized yesterday that I can't yet talk about much of what's on my plate for 2024. I have a book deal sitting on a desk while everyone's off on holiday break. Until that contract is signed, I'm keeping quiet. Suffice it to say, I'm writing a book that should come out at the end of the year. More on that later. I'm teaching a couple of writing courses this year, one in January, another in November. Plus, I have a couple of workshops scheduled.  The 13th Zoe Chambers Mystery, What Comes Around, is scheduled for release in May. Stay tuned for more on that (cover reveal, pre-orders), too.  I have two other books to outline and one of those to write before the end of the year.  I'm sorry I'm being so vague. Basically, I'm saying, that in 2024, I plan to write two books and out...