The Deer Ate My Flowers🌺
Welcome to the spring edition of Over a Cup of Coffee. My tulips should be poking through by now except the deer ate them all. Who knew they could be so tasty?
Death of a Fox is coming!
The next Cabin by the Lake Mystery, Death of a Fox is due for publication on May 16th from Level Best Books. It’s spring on Lake Larissa and as the lilacs and wildflowers bloom, Jamie is drawn into intrigue at an abandoned, TB sanatorium. Was a murder committed within those crumbling walls? What about the rumored ghost?
Here’s what Gregory Stout, Award-winning author of Lost Little Girl and The Gone Man has to say about it:
Death of a Fox is an engaging and absorbing mystery that draws the reader in and hangs on right through to the surprising and satisfying ending. I enjoyed this book thoroughly.
Cover reveal coming soon!
Not Ready for TikTok
Recently a friend asked, “As a published author, what’s the one thing that’s hardest for you?” The answer isn’t facing the blank page or creating a plot or characters. The hardest part is once the book is finished and out in the world, promoting it. Every year since my first Cabin by the Lake mystery, Death of an Editor came out, I dutifully buy a book on how to promote and I attend classes, Zooms and workshops on it. I’ve learned about creating a website, establishing a “brand” and using TikTok. I have a website thanks to a savvy daughter, but the “brand” has escaped me. As for social media, I signed up for Twitter and it felt like I was on a stage in front of an empty auditorium tweeting to the janitor. I’m told TikTok is the new social media rage but I barely know how to answer my cell phone when it rings. I can create characters and plots but not videos. For better or worse, I’ll have to stick with Facebook.
Women of Mystery
With thousands of new titles published every year, I am not alone in being bewildered about how to get books to an audience. This year, I have teamed up with two Puget Sound mystery writers who are dealing with the same issues. We call ourselves Women of Mystery and offer talks, readings and advice to both readers and writers. Charlotte Stuart is the former president of the Puget Sound Sisters in Crime and the author of the Discount Detective series and the Macavity and Me Mysteries. Roxanne Dunn has published two books, Murder Unrehearsed and Murder Undetected. Among the three of us we have years of experience with putting the words on paper, finding a publisher (at last!) and all the joys and pitfalls of a writing life. If you are interested in hearing from us, we can be contacted at: 3womenofmystery@gmail.com.
