When I completed my first mystery novel, Hung Out to Die, I quickly discovered that the novel would not stand alone. A synopsis was required.
As a freelance journalist and communications specialist, I’ve put together a lifetime of pitches and proposals. Still, I spent some time reading up on what makes a successful synopsis. Then I wrote my own.
My synopsis does not follow the traditional pattern, but most of the required elements are there. I wondered if this would pass muster. Overall, the people I shared the synopsis with liked it. One person didn’t like it at all and said it would never pass muster with publishers. I took a long hard look and, respectfully, disagreed.
This was nerve-wracking. I knew it would be easier to simply follow the path well taken, but I felt I needed to branch out. I entered a shorter version of my synopsis in the Synopsis Skirmish contest – and won. The judge (one of my favorite people) had this to say: The author’s handling of voice in this synopsis is so powerful, it made me want to read the novel right away. The synopsis is unusual and intriguing—a winning combination.
When the acquisitions editor at BWL (another of my favorite people) reached out to me requesting a full copy of my manuscript, she noted, “We were quite taken with your synopsis.”
The synopsis issue has driven home to me the need to listen to yourself, that inner voice that knows you better than anyone. At the same time, it has taught me more about flexibility and being open to feedback. There is nothing as helpful as constructive criticism (whether accepted or not) and editors are worth their weight in gold.
I thought I’d share my synopsis – my very first – with you. I’d love to know what you think.
Synopsis
Hung Out to Die: A Riel Brava Mystery
By donalee Moulton
Let’s start with the obvious.
Meet Riel Brava. Attractive. Razor-sharp. Ambitious.
Riel, born and bred in Santa Barbara, California, has been transplanted to Nova Scotia where he is CEO of the Canadian Cannabis Corporation (CCC). It’s business as usual until Riel finds the company’s comptroller hanging by a thread. Actually, several threads. It doesn’t take the police long to determine all is not as it appears.
Let’s dive beneath the surface.
Meet Riel Brava. Observant. Cautious. Psychopathic.
Not the Dexter-Hannibal Lecter-Norman Bates kind of psychopath. The kind who live and work among us, mostly unnoticed, often successful, always on full alert their differences will be uncovered. Riel is personable, even charming. He’s keen to understand how the human mind works, so he’ll blend in. After all, his goal is to be president of the United States. (An aspiration that will feature in future books.)
Let’s talk plot.
So Norm Bedwell has apparently hanged himself in his office at CCC. Emphasis on apparently. It takes Detective Lin Raynes mere minutes to suspect the obvious is deceiving and what appears to be death by suicide is actually a murder. Over the course of 13 chapters (there is also an introductory chapter), he works to uncover and discover who would want Bedwell dead and how they could have pulled the murder off.
He’s not alone. In an unusual pairing, Raynes and Riel work together to chase down leads – the bully who tortured Bedwell’s son at school, the mysterious orange truck that belongs to no CCC employee but was parked in the company lot the night Bedwell was murdered, the employee, who despite stringent security measures, has managed to steal weed from CCC and start a healthy little illegal business.
Raynes manages to engage Riel, albeit reluctantly, in the hunt for Bedwell’s killer, and in the process, the seeds of an unexpected and unusual friendship are sown. (These seeds will blossom in subsequent books.)
Various motives are explored through a number of suspects – revenge, fear, greed – but ultimately, it’s love that becomes the reason Norm Bedwell no longer lives. Unfortunately, the evidence is circumstantial. Raynes and Riel concoct a scheme to draw a confession out of the killer, but that plan is never put into place. Instead, Riel finds himself on the receiving end of a rifle in the ribs and a long drive to the middle of Nowhere, Nova Scotia.
Let’s look at the core cast of returning characters. You’ll like them all.
Tiffany Brava. Riel’s wife and loyal supporter. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, Tiffany knows Riel is not quite like everyone else – and why. For now, that door is closed. What’s openly obvious is her affection for her husband, her loyalty, and her acumen. Don’t count Tiffany out as the dumb blonde. Oh yes, she’s vegan.
Franklin Raynes. The Halifax Police Department’s lead detective on this case is Black, quintessentially Nova Scotian, and a consummate charmer. He can read the room and respond accordingly. He takes a shine to Riel, and also realizes how helpful the psychopath can be in solving this case. (Yes, Lin Raynes is privy to Riel’s deepest secret, but he doesn’t admit it to his new friend – just yet.) Oh yeah, Raynes also does this thing with his left eyebrow.
Senator John Williams. Tiffany’s dad | Riel’s father-in-law is the Democratic Senator for District 19. A seasoned and senior politician, Williams is a co-owner of CCC, although it’s not an asset he talks about with constituents. He’s brusque, except where his daughter is concerned, and well connected, even in Canada.
Zahra Bashir. A practising Muslim and savvy TV reporter who’s always on the lookout for the inside scoop. Bashir makes many of the other characters very nervous despite her friendly demeanor.
David Clements. The recreational cannabis sector in Canada is heavily regulated. Clements is the federal DOJ’s contact for Riel. Their relationship is one of power and powerful expectations. Clements holds that power. A minor character, Clements plays an important role. He’s the first person to use a special word.
There are other characters introduced in this book who will also return but play a smaller role in this mystery.
Let’s look at the cast of characters in the book. You won’t like them all.
– Faye Bedwell, distraught and disrespected wife of Norm Bedwell.
– Bran Bedwell, the Bedwell’s 12-year-old son who takes a liking to Riel. Good grief.
– Thorne, media consultant and very protective of Riel.
– The bully and his parents.
– The poor sod who owns the orange truck.
– The killer.
What’s familiar about Hung Out to Die to make mystery fans feel at home.
– It’s fast-paced.
– It lays out a path of breadcrumbs that lead, ultimately, to the killer. First, of course, the path branches off in several misdirections.
– It creates suspense.
– It builds understanding and affection for key characters.
– It leaves readers wanting more.
What’s novel about the book to make the mystery stand apart and readers turning pages.
– It introduces a unique character that, ironically, we empathize with
– It’s funny as hell
– It’s written by an award-winning journalist who knows both how to tell a story and how to use words to maximum effect
Riel Brava: Vital Statistics.
Height: 6’1
Weight: 165 pounds
Waist: 35 inches
Age: 37
Spouse: Tiffany, the vegan
Job: CEO, Canadian Cannabis Corp.
Location: Elmsdale, Nova Scotia, Canada
Ambition: President of the United States of America
Favorite food: Donairs (definitely not vegan)
Top personality trait: Psychopath
Burning question: What the hell’s a chunderf**k
Synopsis Workshop
If you’d like to learn how to craft a successful synopsis, sign up for donalee’s online workshop on February 11 & 18, 2025.
This workshop will explore:
* what should go in a synopsis and why
* why and how to break the rules with care (and flair)
https://donaleemoulton.com/crafting-a-synopsis
About donalee
donalee is a professional writer from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her byline has appeared in over 100 publications across North America. Her most recent book Conflagration! won the 2024 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Historical Mystery Suspense. Her other books include a murder mystery based in Nova Scotia and a non-fiction book about effective communications, and she has more coming out this year. She is a longtime educator and currently offers a variety of editorial services and workshops to help authors hone their writing and get it published.
You can catch up with her on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Book
/in T.K. Thorne/by TK ThorneToday we’re traveling to meet T.K. Thorne!
T.K. Thorne wanted to make first contact with aliens. When that didn’t work out, she became a police officer. Although most people she met were human, some were quite strange…. Retiring as a precinct captain, she writes full-time. Her books include two award-winning historical novels (Noah’s Wife and Angels at the Gate); two nonfiction civil rights era works (Last Chance for Justice and Behind the Magic Curtain: Secrets, Spies, and Unsung White Allies of Birmingham’s Civil Rights Days); and then she turned to crime with murder and magic in the Magic City Stories trilogy (House of Rose, House of Stone, and House of Iron). Read below to find out where her books have traveled.
Belize or Bust!
A reader sent this picture from Belize! It was special to me because my husband had picked Belize as a place he wanted to go for our 20th anniversary. We stayed in a grass cottage in the heart of a tropical jungle. Howler monkeys woke us the first night at 3 a.m. We thought the world was ending! If you have never heard howler monkeys, horror movies used the sound for zombies!
One day, we climbed a steep Mayan temple for a breathtaking view over the jungle canopy. My husband had gotten a breathtaking view of my butt climbing ahead of him and thought it would be funny to take a picture. No, they never grow up, and no, I am not posting it!
The resort staff surprised us with a romantic anniversary dinner for us on board a pontoon boat and left us to float on the deserted lagoon by ourselves. Above, stars gleamed against a deep black sky like crystal dust. More than I have ever seen. I felt I could reach up and grab a handful. Then, our boat (which we had no way to steer) bumped into the shore and a mass of thick vegetation. Remembering the crocodiles we had seen on a previous night’s tour, we called for extraction.
How Deep Did You Say?
A few days later, we transferred to Ambergris Caye. At home, before the trip, my husband and I had gotten certified in scuba diving, planning to dive into the Belize Barrier Reef. It’s the largest reef in the Northern Hemisphere, but it’s accessible with only about a 40-50-foot dive. However, before our trip to the reef, an opportunity arose to dive the famous Blue Hole, which would mean going down 150 feet, way deeper than we’d ever been.
The Hole is over 400 feet deep and wide enough to be seen by satellite! I had cold feet, but by the following morning, I decided this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I would regret it if we didn’t go. We had to scramble to get headlights (it’s dark that deep down!) and make the group cast off.
Screenshot
At the Hole, we donned our gear and started down. I could feel the pulse beating in my temples as we went deeper and deeper. Strangely, there was no sensation of increasing pressure, but we were accompanied by a circling escort of sharks I only later learned were harmless nurse sharks. However, I also later learned that hundreds of divers have died in the Blue Hole, something I guess the sharks were aware of. . . .
Stone Teeth
At about 150 feet, we encountered the top of the underwater caves and swam around a three-foot-wide stalactite that plunged below us like a gigantic stone tooth, disappearing into the darkness. Not only had we descended into the water’s depths, but we had traveled through time. During the last Ice Age (about 10 – 19,000 years ago), the sea was below the cave floor, meaning 400 feet below the current sea level!
Though there was a tense moment regarding air supply, we made it back to the surface without becoming shark food. The next dive was the Reef, which was, in a different way, as dramatic as the Blue Hole. To my left, every square foot was crammed with diverse, colorful coral and marine life. I was mesmerized and could have stayed in one spot the whole time! To my right, the deep, almost black blue vanished into infinity.
We had other adventures, but too much to tell. So, when a reader sent the picture of my book as her beach read in Belize, it was a treat to learn Rose (the heroine of House of Rose) had also traveled there. I doubt her trip was similar to mine, but Rose had stuff to deal with:
Also available as Audio Books on Amazon or Audible.com
What Folks Are Saying:
“Thorne delivers a spellbinding thriller, an enthralling blend of real-world policing and other-world magic.—Barbara Kyle, author of The Traitor’s Daughter
“A deftly crafted and riveting read.”—Midwest Reviews
“Thorne, a retired captain in the Birmingham PD, grounds the fantasy with authentic procedural details and loving descriptions of the city and its lore. Readers will look forward to Rose’s further adventures.”—Publishers Weekly
“T.K. Thorne is an authentic, new voice in the world of fantasy and mystery. An explosive story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Pick up this story—you’ll thank yourself over and over again.” —Carolyn Haines, USA Today bestselling author of the Sarah Booth Delaney, Pluto’s Snitch, and Trouble the black cat detective mystery series
“Although House of Rose is speculative fiction, a kind of fantasy, T.K. Thorne is so knowledgeable about Birmingham and law enforcement that it is also, truly, a police procedural and a thriller—something for everyone. “House of Rose” is the first of a series which should be a hit.”—Don Nobles, reviewer for Alabama Public Radio
It’s No Secret by Saralyn Richard
/in Mystery/by Saralyn RichardIt’s no secret that I worked in urban high schools as a teacher, administrator, and consultant before becoming an author of fiction. So, when I wrote A MURDER OF PRINCIPAL, all of my close friends and colleagues couldn’t wait to see whether they would make an appearance in the book as a character.
The problem was, I had worked in lots of schools, so which one had I chosen for the setting of Lincoln High School? Which principal was the inspiration for R.J. Stoker? More intriguingly, who was the killer?
When people asked me, I gave my most enigmatic smile and said, “The book is purely fictional. Any resemblance to people, living or dead, is pure coincidence.”
Truthfully, when the story was just a glimmer in my mind’s eye, I called one of the principals I had worked with. I told him about the book’s premise. “People who know us may think that the principal is based on you. Are you okay with that?”
He said he’d be honored to be thought of as a character in my novel, even if said character were to be killed. I dedicated the book to him as a thank-you for being such a good sport.
Of course, the dedication fueled rumors that the book was not, after all, fiction, but a memoir of my time at that particular high school. When asked if character A was real-live teacher X, and character B was real-live administrator Y, I smiled enigmatically and said, “The book is purely fictional….”
And it is. Yes, there are scenarios in the book that occur in high schools, issues related to scheduling, discipline, curriculum, and instruction. That life is hard-wired into my brain after so many years.
Something amazing happened, however, when A MURDER OF PRINCIPAL was published. Readers began commenting that Lincoln High School was exactly like the school where they went, taught, worked. They could name real people for each of the characters in the book. And these readers hailed from all over the United States.
That spoke volumes about the universality of experience in high schools, something I had taken for granted and hadn’t considered.
Susan Van Kirk, another former English teacher and the author of Death in a Ghostly Hue, had this to say about the book:
“Ms. Richard was a school administrator in a large urban high school, so her story rings true at every turn. When Lincoln High School gets a new principal named RJ Stoker, it also gets a new agenda designed to shake things up a bit. He creates a student/parent-oriented plan to change the atmosphere of the school and chooses Sally Pearce as his assistant principal. Sally is like so many teachers I’ve known who are dedicated to the welfare of “their kids” and try to help them with far more than their English homework.
A fire in the school and the murder of Stoker starts this story off with multiple subjects of gangs, racial tensions, community grievances, and teacher-union politics. The kids are caught in the middle, especially the quarterback of the football team who’s resisting gang pressure and trying to protect his girlfriend. A second murder occurs, throwing Sally Pearce into the uncomfortable position of next in line…as administrator and possible murder victim.
Ms. Richard has masterfully created a gritty urban school atmosphere with pressures in every direction. The assistant principal’s intentions are clear, the stakes are high, and her fears are real. The school community is also a huge part of the conflict. By the time a few murders occur, you suspect everyone. Beautifully written and filled with realistic portrayals of urban school life.”
What book have you read that seemed more like true narratives than fiction? Did the parallels with real life increase your enjoyment of the novel?
A New Year and a New Anthology
/in Anthologies, Paula Gail Benson, Romance, Short Stories/by Paula Bensonby Paula Gail Benson
Happy new year to all! I hope your reading and writing is bringing you much joy.
I’ve written before about belonging to the Lowcountry Romance Writers (LRWA, a chapter of the Romance Writers of America). I’ve continued to be a member, even though it is based in Charleston, S.C. and I live in Columbia, because its membership is so delightful, and its programs and projects offer some great opportunities to learn and practice the craft of romance writing.
Even though I have a few romantic short stories to my publication credit, I don’t consider myself primarily a romance author. My concentration lies more with mystery stories.
I do have great admiration for romance authors in their ability to work out unique stories following a fairly-well defined and expected structure. I also really appreciate their tremendous expertise in marketing their work. Not to mention that reading a good romance about fascinating characters facing strong, realistic challenges is a wonderful fictional diversion because you can always count on a happy ending.
For the previous two anthologies, I’ve enjoyed working on time travel stories. In Love in the Lowcountry, Volume One, my characters journey to Charleston of the 1930’s. My story in Volume Two has modern characters interacting with those living during President George Washington’s visit to Charleston.
For the upcoming Volume Three, which must involve a South Carolina vacation, I followed up on the antagonists featured in my story from Volume One. How do two very disagreeable folks redeem themselves and find they might have their own love story?
Are you a fan of Bill Murray’s movie Groundhog Day? Well, picture the former antagonists having to relive fifteen-minute time loops, each period taking them further back in history. Combine that with a connection to Edgar Allan Poe’s military service on Sullivan’s Island and you have my new story, “Poe Substitute.”
Please watch for news of Volume Three, which will be released in early March 2025. I’ll be bringing you additional updates as the time for publication approaches.
If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll check out our previous Love in the Lowcountry (A Winter Holiday Collection Book 1) (now available on Amazon Kindle for only $1.99—14 great stories!) and Love in the Lowcountry Volume 2: A Winter Holiday Collection (also available on Amazon Kindle for only $1.99—11 great stories). And don’t forget to celebrate with our LRWA authors the release of Volume Three in March 2025!
In summary
/in How to Write, Publishing, Uncategorized, writing life/by donalee MoultonAs a freelance journalist and communications specialist, I’ve put together a lifetime of pitches and proposals. Still, I spent some time reading up on what makes a successful synopsis. Then I wrote my own.
My synopsis does not follow the traditional pattern, but most of the required elements are there. I wondered if this would pass muster. Overall, the people I shared the synopsis with liked it. One person didn’t like it at all and said it would never pass muster with publishers. I took a long hard look and, respectfully, disagreed.
This was nerve-wracking. I knew it would be easier to simply follow the path well taken, but I felt I needed to branch out. I entered a shorter version of my synopsis in the Synopsis Skirmish contest – and won. The judge (one of my favorite people) had this to say: The author’s handling of voice in this synopsis is so powerful, it made me want to read the novel right away. The synopsis is unusual and intriguing—a winning combination.
When the acquisitions editor at BWL (another of my favorite people) reached out to me requesting a full copy of my manuscript, she noted, “We were quite taken with your synopsis.”
The synopsis issue has driven home to me the need to listen to yourself, that inner voice that knows you better than anyone. At the same time, it has taught me more about flexibility and being open to feedback. There is nothing as helpful as constructive criticism (whether accepted or not) and editors are worth their weight in gold.
I thought I’d share my synopsis – my very first – with you. I’d love to know what you think.
Synopsis
Hung Out to Die: A Riel Brava Mystery
By donalee Moulton
Meet Riel Brava. Attractive. Razor-sharp. Ambitious.
Riel, born and bred in Santa Barbara, California, has been transplanted to Nova Scotia where he is CEO of the Canadian Cannabis Corporation (CCC). It’s business as usual until Riel finds the company’s comptroller hanging by a thread. Actually, several threads. It doesn’t take the police long to determine all is not as it appears.
Let’s dive beneath the surface.
Meet Riel Brava. Observant. Cautious. Psychopathic.
Not the Dexter-Hannibal Lecter-Norman Bates kind of psychopath. The kind who live and work among us, mostly unnoticed, often successful, always on full alert their differences will be uncovered. Riel is personable, even charming. He’s keen to understand how the human mind works, so he’ll blend in. After all, his goal is to be president of the United States. (An aspiration that will feature in future books.)
Let’s talk plot.
So Norm Bedwell has apparently hanged himself in his office at CCC. Emphasis on apparently. It takes Detective Lin Raynes mere minutes to suspect the obvious is deceiving and what appears to be death by suicide is actually a murder. Over the course of 13 chapters (there is also an introductory chapter), he works to uncover and discover who would want Bedwell dead and how they could have pulled the murder off.
He’s not alone. In an unusual pairing, Raynes and Riel work together to chase down leads – the bully who tortured Bedwell’s son at school, the mysterious orange truck that belongs to no CCC employee but was parked in the company lot the night Bedwell was murdered, the employee, who despite stringent security measures, has managed to steal weed from CCC and start a healthy little illegal business.
Raynes manages to engage Riel, albeit reluctantly, in the hunt for Bedwell’s killer, and in the process, the seeds of an unexpected and unusual friendship are sown. (These seeds will blossom in subsequent books.)
Various motives are explored through a number of suspects – revenge, fear, greed – but ultimately, it’s love that becomes the reason Norm Bedwell no longer lives. Unfortunately, the evidence is circumstantial. Raynes and Riel concoct a scheme to draw a confession out of the killer, but that plan is never put into place. Instead, Riel finds himself on the receiving end of a rifle in the ribs and a long drive to the middle of Nowhere, Nova Scotia.
Let’s look at the core cast of returning characters. You’ll like them all.
Tiffany Brava. Riel’s wife and loyal supporter. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, Tiffany knows Riel is not quite like everyone else – and why. For now, that door is closed. What’s openly obvious is her affection for her husband, her loyalty, and her acumen. Don’t count Tiffany out as the dumb blonde. Oh yes, she’s vegan.
Franklin Raynes. The Halifax Police Department’s lead detective on this case is Black, quintessentially Nova Scotian, and a consummate charmer. He can read the room and respond accordingly. He takes a shine to Riel, and also realizes how helpful the psychopath can be in solving this case. (Yes, Lin Raynes is privy to Riel’s deepest secret, but he doesn’t admit it to his new friend – just yet.) Oh yeah, Raynes also does this thing with his left eyebrow.
Senator John Williams. Tiffany’s dad | Riel’s father-in-law is the Democratic Senator for District 19. A seasoned and senior politician, Williams is a co-owner of CCC, although it’s not an asset he talks about with constituents. He’s brusque, except where his daughter is concerned, and well connected, even in Canada.
Zahra Bashir. A practising Muslim and savvy TV reporter who’s always on the lookout for the inside scoop. Bashir makes many of the other characters very nervous despite her friendly demeanor.
David Clements. The recreational cannabis sector in Canada is heavily regulated. Clements is the federal DOJ’s contact for Riel. Their relationship is one of power and powerful expectations. Clements holds that power. A minor character, Clements plays an important role. He’s the first person to use a special word.
There are other characters introduced in this book who will also return but play a smaller role in this mystery.
Let’s look at the cast of characters in the book. You won’t like them all.
– Faye Bedwell, distraught and disrespected wife of Norm Bedwell.
– Bran Bedwell, the Bedwell’s 12-year-old son who takes a liking to Riel. Good grief.
– Thorne, media consultant and very protective of Riel.
– The bully and his parents.
– The poor sod who owns the orange truck.
– The killer.
What’s familiar about Hung Out to Die to make mystery fans feel at home.
– It’s fast-paced.
– It lays out a path of breadcrumbs that lead, ultimately, to the killer. First, of course, the path branches off in several misdirections.
– It creates suspense.
– It builds understanding and affection for key characters.
– It leaves readers wanting more.
What’s novel about the book to make the mystery stand apart and readers turning pages.
– It introduces a unique character that, ironically, we empathize with
– It’s funny as hell
– It’s written by an award-winning journalist who knows both how to tell a story and how to use words to maximum effect
Riel Brava: Vital Statistics.
Height: 6’1
Weight: 165 pounds
Waist: 35 inches
Age: 37
Spouse: Tiffany, the vegan
Job: CEO, Canadian Cannabis Corp.
Location: Elmsdale, Nova Scotia, Canada
Ambition: President of the United States of America
Favorite food: Donairs (definitely not vegan)
Top personality trait: Psychopath
Burning question: What the hell’s a chunderf**k
About donalee
donalee is a professional writer from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her byline has appeared in over 100 publications across North America. Her most recent book Conflagration! won the 2024 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Historical Mystery Suspense. Her other books include a murder mystery based in Nova Scotia and a non-fiction book about effective communications, and she has more coming out this year. She is a longtime educator and currently offers a variety of editorial services and workshops to help authors hone their writing and get it published.
Why Reading Out Loud Is Good for You
/in Author Life, Book Clubs, cozy mystery books, indie publishing, Mystery Series, Romantic Suspense, Samantha Newman Romantic Mystery series/by Gay YellenOver the weekend, a series of New York Times articles about the pleasures of reading aloud sent me thinking backwards and forward again. Backwards to my earliest memories of listening to my Mom or Dad read Horton Hatches the Egg or some other wonderful classic to me.
Those lovely moments are imbedded deep in my bones. I’m certain my love of reading was born in those happy times.
The article stated that reading aloud benefits both the reader and the one being read to. Whether you read to a child, or a sick person in need of a distraction, it is an act of kindness—love, really—that provides a rare, intimate connection as you experience a story together.
Which brings me to another memory.
A few years back, my husband spied a 135-chapter, 615-page edition of Moby Dick lurking on our bookshelf. I’d slogged through the book in high school English class.
If ever a book begged for an abridged version (I thought back then), Melville’s was a good candidate.
So I was amazed when my spouse took the book to bed with him. I figured he’d be snoozing by Page Two. But, no.
“This is amazing,” he exclaimed. “The writing is great. I feel like I’m there! Can I just read this part to you?”
Thus began a new nighttime ritual. And through his enthusiasm, the story, the characters, and the descriptions in a book that I’d found tedious and old-fashioned in my teens came alive for me, too.
I loved falling asleep to the sound of his voice as he read Melville’s words.
It turns out that grown ups enjoy hearing stories spoken out loud. An entire audiobook industry seem to be alive and well these days, and apparently some people actually enjoy falling asleep while listening to them.
The NYT piece also reminded me of my left-over to-do list from years past for my Samantha Newman Mystery Series. Only Book 2, The Body Next Door, is currently available in audio, which you can buy or sample for free on Amazon.
The first and third books do not have audio versions. This is due to: 1) a change of publishers, and 2) a voice artist who is no longer available, which means that Samantha’s “voice” would change for each book.
Producing audio books is a time-consuming, expensive effort, and I have another book or two to write. And before you suggest an AI generated voice solution, I’ve heard a few samples, and they sound a little creepy to me. I’m still wrestling with the issue.
(Readers and and authors, I’d love to know what you think I should do about audio for the other two books. Please comment below.)
I’m a wholehearted fan of reading aloud, even if you’re only reading to yourself. Extra points if you do, because reading aloud burns more calories and tones up your lungs and voice muscles.
Like most things in life, reading a book can be even more fun when you share it with someone you love.
Killing Off Those Characters
/in Donnell Ann Bell, Author Life, author promotion, Detective, How to Write, Mysteries, Short Stories, The Stiletto Gang/by Donnell Ann BellNew Year
/in author promotion, New Years Resolutions, Romantic Suspense, writing life/by Bethany MainesNew Year, New Plan
There’s a lot of “New year, new plan!” going around in January. And to be fair I’ve been working on the plan since last year, but this month it’s time to get some of the details worked out. I know a lot of writers like to wing their social media calendar and a few who like to plan to the last detail. I’m somewhere in the middle. Social media works best when it’s responsive and done live. However, my life works best when it’s scheduled and I don’t have to think about it. And marketing generally works best when it’s coordinated and scheduled in advance, so working out a calendar of what happens when becomes more crucial.
What is the New Plan?
Coming out in 2025 is the complete Valkyrie Brothers Trilogy. This Seattle rom-com mystery series specializes in happily ever afters, witty dialogue, and bad guys who get punched in the face. And also, somehow meeting your true love in an elevator. Elevator Ride—Book 1 of the Valkyrie Brothers Trilogy—is an age-gap romance with a sexy ex-Marine and a feisty paralegal who may have gotten herself chin deep in trouble. Between Floors—book 2–is an action-packed, grumpy-sunshine romance with a wealthy single dad who gets stuck in an elevator with the hippy nanny candidate he just rejected. And Emergency Exit—book 3—is a fake engagement romance with a savvy tech investor and a quirky emergency management specialist who has a very good reason to hate jumbotrons. Laugh along with the Valkyrie Brothers as they fend off the bad guys and find love.
And while the Valkyrie Brothers are making their debut, I’ll be working on more paranormal romances! Some of you who follow me on social media may have heard me mention this fabulous idea I had about a giant demon exploding through the floor of a charity gala. (Trust me, it’s going to be great!)
So, the plan is to market, advertise, and shove the Valkyrie Brothers at everyone, while I type my little fingers off on next years paranormal romances. I’m also excited to see the Stiletto Gang’s new feature “The Sisterhood of the Travelling Books” come to life as we take one day a month to feature a new book from one of our Gang members. (You can check out some of our books on the Books Page now!) And I’m hoping to be accepted into a few anthologies with some romance and crime short stories.
That Sounds Like A Lot.
It does, doesn’t it? But, I’m hoping that by scheduling in advance and scheduling some down time in advance as well, that it won’t be overwhelming. We’ll see what I say in June. Possibly by then I will be chucking everything out the window and heading for the beach. Wish me luck for this new year. I’m sure I can use it!
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Learn more about the Valkyrie Brothers
Twenty-six floors. Two professionals. Sometimes love only needs one Elevator Ride…
Vivian Kaye has been tasked with serving a cease-and-desist letter to Rowan Valkyrie—the most hated tenant in Seattle’s Hoskins building—but when she ambushes the seasoned security professional in the elevator, she ignites a powder keg of tempers and attraction.
Pre-Order on Amazon: CLICK HERE
Read more: bethanymaines.com/valkyrie-brothers/
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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of action-adventure and fantasy tales that focus on women who know when to apply lipstick and when to apply a foot to someone’s hind end. She can usually be found chasing after her daughter, or glued to the computer working on her next novel (or screenplay). You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.
New Year, New Reads: Setting Your 2025 Reading Goals
/in Debra Sennefleder, New Years Resolutions/by Debra SennefelderJanuary is a time of fresh starts, renewed motivation, and setting intentions for the year ahead. If you’re like me, reading is a core part of your life, and what better way to kick off 2025 than by setting some inspiring reading goals? Whether you’re a voracious reader or someone looking to rediscover the joy of books, here are some ideas for New Year reading resolutions to help you make 2025 your most bookish year yet!
1. Read Outside Your Comfort Zone
We all have our favorite genres (hello, cozy mysteries!), but sometimes it’s fun to branch out. Consider adding a thriller, a historical novel, or a non-fiction book to your reading list this year. You might discover a new favorite!
2. Set a Number Goal
Want to read more books this year? Setting a specific number can help you stay on track. Whether it’s 12 books (one per month) or 50 books, make it a goal that excites and motivates you. Don’t worry if life gets busy—any progress is a win!
3. Support Indie Authors and Bookstores
Independent authors and local bookstores need love, and supporting them can add meaningful books to your shelf. Make it a resolution to read at least a few books by indie authors or buy from your favorite neighborhood bookstore.
4. Create a Reading Ritual
Turn reading into a self-care practice by setting a regular time to read. Maybe it’s 20 minutes before bed, a Sunday morning with coffee, or during your lunch break. Consistent reading time helps you unwind and ensures you’re always making progress on your TBR pile.
5. Start a Reading Journal
Track your thoughts, favorite quotes, and reviews in a reading journal. Not only does this make reading more intentional, but it’s also a great way to reflect on everything you’ve enjoyed throughout the year.
6. Join (or Start) a Book Club
Reading can be even more enjoyable when you share it with others. Join an online or local book club to discover new books and engage in lively discussions. Can’t find one that matches your interests? Start your own!
Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget to Read for Fun
Goals are great, but remember that reading should always be a joy, not a chore. Don’t feel pressured to hit a number or complete a list if it’s not serving you. If you’re loving a book, savor it. If you’re not, it’s okay to set it aside. The best resolution is to keep the joy of reading alive all year long.
What are your reading goals for 2025? I’d love to hear them in the comments below!
Happy New Year, and happy reading!
Special Guest – Catriona McPherson, The Bride Saw Red
/in Guest, characters, Mysteries, Mystery, New Release/by Sparkle Abbeyby Sparkle Abbey
Today we welcome a very special guest back to the blog and she’s chatting about the latest in her A Last Ditch mystery series – Scotzilla.
Catriona take it away!
SCOTZILLA opens at a wedding and we find Lexy Campbell, protagonist of six previous novels about the Last Ditch Motel, whom readers know to be a pretty laidback sort of a person, in full bridezilla mode, breathing fire and turning the air blue because her daisy-style flower fairylights don’t have five petals, which would have been acceptable, or even four petals which would have been an outrage, but three. Three! Like that last-minute, I-don’t-really-care, sales-point gift-flower the orchid. Or like irises. Pond flowers. As if Lexy is supposed to get married under a web of stinking fish lights!
Chapter one was a lot of fun to write. Even more fun was going back to six months earlier at the start of chapter two and slowly charting the gestation of the monster and the rise of her friends’ dismay at what they’re witnessing, alongside the seeds of the murder plot.
I don’t even think I’ve made her over-the-top. Anyone who reads Carolyn Hax has seen brides this uncorked and I heard of a real life example where my niece offered to pass on her wedding reception fairylights to a friend, in a spirit of generosity and in recognition of how expensive weddings are. The friend burst into tears at the news that someone else was having fairylights at their wedding before she did. Ummmmmm.
Not every bride, mind you. Another niece of mine got married this summer and arrived at the venue only to discover she’d forgotten her veil. Enh, she got married without a veil. And yet another niece (I’ve got a fair few) proudly wore white shoes that cost a tenner because, and I quote, “They’re going to get wrecked and I’ll never wear them again.” That’s my girl.
I never wanted a wedding of my own, and I don’t regret not having one, but that’s not to say I don’t sometimes enjoy them. At a good wedding, I love the ceremony, the speeches, the catch-up with family, sitting out “All the Single Ladies” and getting up for “Solid as a Rock”, the cup of tea that’s served after a couple of hours of dancing, along with savoury and sweet pastries, the tiny wee baby boys in kilts, the post-mortem on the way home . . . (Who was it who said that in a happy marriage you never tear each other down; you tear other people down together? Not me.)
What don’t I love about weddings? Or – to put in another way – what makes for a bad wedding? Well, when you think one of the couple is making a mistake. That’ll do it. (I’d love to be at a wedding where someone objects, soap-opera style. Does it ever happen in real life?) A terrible DJ who wants to look cool and won’t fill the floor is a bit of a drag (see above: Beyonce/Ashford and Simpson). If there are enough Scots to warrant ceilidh dances but not enough to form a critical mass of people who know what they’re doing; that’s frustrating. Getting stuck with really hard-work people who make no effort to have fun but won’t stop hanging around you. (Same reason I’d never go on a cruise. I would be in the next cabin to and the same table as a crashing bore with no boundaries. And they’d live in the next town when we all got home again.)
What don’t I love about weddings that I probably shouldn’t admit to? Home-made vows. Love the speeches for the toasts, but oh my God the throbbing emotion of a home-made vow makes my toes curl so much I could snap my dancing slippers. (Although, I immediately start to remember exceptions to this rule. A wedding last summer had the sweetest and funniest vows anyone ever spoke – things like “I will always drive you anywhere you want to go because you hate to drive”.) But, usually, home-made vows. Also – the photographer. The time it takes, the hanging about for everyone, the knowledge that no one is ever going to look at 99% of these pictures. Ever. And if there’s a videographer too? Guess.
So my nightmare wedding would be an ill-suited couple of Instagram influencers, who wrote rhyming vows, blew most of their budget on the photographer and videographer and are determined to get their money’s worth, saved a few pennies by letting a relative – huge fan of modern jazz – be the DJ, banned all children, didn’t allow speeches, and one last thing. Where is this hellacious event taking place? Where else? At a “destination”.
Unless anyone wants to convince me that destination weddings are a great idea. No? Tell you what then: let’s really get going on this calamitous event I’ve started designing. What else does it need? I haven’t touched on the menu . . .
Here’s a little bit about SCOTZILLA
Lexy Campbell is getting married! But in the six months of planning it took to arrive at the big day, she has become . . . a challenge. Friendships are strained to breaking point, Lexy’s parents are tiptoeing around her, and even Taylor, her intended, must be having second thoughts.
Turns out it’s moot. Before the happy couple can exchange vows, Sister Sunshine, the wedding celebrant, is discovered dead behind the cake, strangled with the fairy lights.
Lexy’s dream wedding is now not just a nightmare: it’s a crime scene. She vows not to get drawn into the case, but the rest of the Last Ditch crew are investigating a bizarre series of goings-on in Cuento’s cemetery and every clue about the graveyard pranks seems to link them back to Lexy’s wedding day. Will the Ditchers solve the case? Will Sister Sunshine’s killer be found? Will Lexy ever get her happy-ever-after? Not even Bridezilla deserves this.
Thanks so much, Catriona, for stopping by. We love stories set in Scotland and we love Catriona! So needless to say, we already have our copy of Scotzilla!
Serial awards-botherer, Catriona McPherson (she/her) was born in Scotland and immigrated to the US in 2010. She writes: preposterous 1930s private-detective stories; realistic 1940s amateur-sleuth stories about a medical social worker; and contemporary psychological standalones. These are all set in Scotland with a lot of Scottish weather. She also writes modern comedies about a Scot out of water in a “fictional” college town in Northern California. SCOTZILLA is book number seven of what was supposed to be a trilogy. She is a proud lifetime member and former national president of Sisters in Crime. www.catrionamcpherson.com
Clicking Our Heels: What is the Dream Book You Always Wanted to Write?
/in Author Life, Clicking Our Heels, Novels, Publishing, Writing and the Arts/by DebraClicking Our Heels – What is the Dream Book You Always Wanted to Write?
Authors dream of the day their work will be published and hopefully, read. There is nothing as exciting as holding that first published piece, but sometimes it isn’t the writer’s dream book. In fact, the second and later published works may also not be the one the author hopes to someday write. Today, the gang talks about the dream book each always wanted to write. Maybe one response will become a New Year’s resolution.
Saralyn Richard – The story of my grandparents and the 1900 Storm.
T.K. Thorne – I’ve never obeyed the “rule” of choosing one genre and have always written whatever I’ve wanted, which has resulted in an eclectic set of books from the ancient past to the 20th Century civil rights struggles to a magical current day, to the distant future. Perhaps I could have sold more books had I obeyed the rule, but I don’t regret it. I’ve learned so much from each of them.
Barbara J. Eikmeier – I have three memoir topics I want to write. My army wife stories, my nurse stories and what I call the pie project which is about the year I baked 60 pies while teaching myself to make pies.
Lois Winston – The next NY Times bestseller.
Gay Yellen – I’ve been doing research for a historical fiction on a subject that grabbed me almost a decade ago and won’t let go. It centers on a critical point in history that has been underrepresented in literature but has affected greatly world cultures around the world.
Donnell Ann Bell – The one that is in mothballs right now. It’s so hard when it’s in my head and begging me to tell the story!
Debra H. Goldstein – A woman’s fiction book.
Debra Sennefelder – An epic fantasy.
Mary Lee Ashford – I’ve always wanted to write a big bold women’s fiction book. You know the type. Women overcoming big obstacles with grit and humor. And friends. I’ve got notes…maybe someday.
Donalee Moulton – Whatever one I am working on at the moment. Sadly (or gloriously) the moment passes, and there is another dream book waiting in the wings.
Dru Ann Love – I have none.
Anita Carter – A suspense heavy book with a complex plot. Maybe someday…
Bethany Maines – A high fantasy novel. I’ve been poking at one for several years. It’s not my genre, but it’s one that I love. Maybe one day I’ll move it to the front burner.