Please donate to the Surrey International Writers Conference as part of your holiday giving! They provide professional development opportunities for writers from around the world, BUT they recently endured a financial hit that could prevent the conference from returning in 2026. gofund.me/a2f353fa5

How do you balance romance in fantasy without it overtaking the plot? #fantasywriters #amwritingfantasy #writingcommunity

Hi, I'm looking for readers to join my reviews team! ✨ You: Someone who like mysteries, quirky characters, dark humor, and free books. I'm currently looking for readers for Book 1 and 2 in my Mira Mimpi series. If interested, please fill out the form: preview.mailerlite.io/forms/176256...

I've spent a lot of time thinking about this fascinating exchange Colbert had with Dua Lipa, when she asked him about the role his faith plays in his comedy.

“The difference between the right word and almost the right word is like the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.” ~Mark Twain Diction = word choice AND it is important because the right word can establish mood, tone, style, character, & setting. #art #booksky

With any media honestly. 🙃

What’s the first step to outlining a mystery novel? Start by brainstorming the profession, personality, & personal wound of your sleuth or main character. This will help you determine the setting whereupon you'll be able to extrapolate other key characters and plot points for an outline. #booksky

Overwhelmed writing your novel? Find a mentor or writing partner. Plan ahead. Schedule breaks. Divide tasks into smaller chunks. Focus on one scene per day. This will ensure steady results. Plus, celebrating consistent wins (even when small) builds momentum and fuels creativity. #writingcommunity

Is it okay for a cozy mystery to have a large body count? Yes, but every murder must drive the plot, affect your sleuth, and alter the community. Use the link below to learn more about this concept and more! How to Craft a Killer Cozy Mystery: books2read.com/craftkillerc... #WritingCommunity

Did you know that Dr. Watson is Holmes's foil? His emotional yet practical nature is the perfect contrast to the eccentric yet detached analyses of Holmes. Foils contrast or act as a mirror image of the protagonist although their precise relationship depends on the conflict. #writinginspiration

Detective Approved Deals: Free #Mystery Reads! Calling all mystery lovers – Check out 50+ FREE cozy, mainstream, #paranormal, historical, and spooky mysteries! Authors give them away in hopes you'll want more. Find your next favorite series! books.bookfunnel.com/allaboardfor... #books #CozyMystery

"There is, in any great opening line, a mini-conflict or tension that is strong enough to carry the reader to the next step in the narrative." —Donald Maass

If the clues and sleuth are clever, the story shouldn’t require a ton. In contrast, if all the clues are obvious or fail to emerge organically, rewrite. Each clue should be subtle, serve a purpose, and connect with others in a manner that logically tells the story of the crime. #writingcommunity

In our latest podcast for Patreon subscribers, we talk setting in noir with three RHP contributors: Gabriel Hart, Joshua Murray, and Gabriela Stiteler Join our Patreon today and listen to this great discussion:

Deceptive Justice - the second book in the Victoria Justice Mysteries - is out now! Order Victoria's next adventure: mybook.to/VictoriaJust... "A fun, read with twists and turns you never see coming." ~Pamela Samuels Young, author of Failure to Protect #cozymystery #cozymysteryseries #booklovers

Thank you to the NCRA for supporting the Victoria Justice Mysteries about a court stenographer turned amateur sleuth! Enjoy this excerpt from my interview in the JCR July 2020. Read full interview here: www.thejcr.com/2020/07/28/n... Buy Victoria Justice Mysteries here: mybook.to/VictoriaJust...

It's the weekend, so what project are working on? And how did you get started? I'm Team C! How about you? #WritingCommunity #Writinglife

You’re the director, creator, and writer of your story. Every plot twist, every rewrite, every hard-won chapter is part of the journey. Writers don’t just tell stories. We live them. 📚 #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife #Writers

Wise words from @maris.bsky.social - Repeat after me: “It is none of my business what readers say about my book on Goodreads. It is none of my business what readers say about my book on Goodreads.” lithub.com/pep-talks-th...

Did you know you don't need to purchase a book on Amazon to review it? If you support Bookshop.org or your local brick and mortar. This is crucial news. Plus, it's Summer Reads season, so support your favorite author. #amreading #fictionreaders #readingcommunity ajthenovelist.com/how-to-leave...

Myth: You must have a fully formed outline to start. Fact: A loose outline is perfectly fine. Simply concentrating on the goals, motivations, & conflicts the characters face in each scene still gives you a direction to go. How do you get started on your novel? Let me know in the comments below.

How to Write a Press Release #CreativeWriting #AuthorLife #Storytellers #amwriting #writingcommunity

A developmental editor looks at structure, voice, content, & clarity. Copyeditors check mechanics and logic. The proofreader would look for typos and misspellings that slipped by the copyeditor. #fiction #writingtips #writingcommunity #aspiringwriters #novelists ajthenovelist.com/everything-y...

What's the best writing advice you've ever ignored? #writingcommunity #writerslife #amwriting

Instead of brainstorming, research, drafting, revising, & editing...I like to think of fiction writing as (ideas x patience) + time/revision. Show some love if you agree. Otherwise, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. #fictionwriters #fictionwriting #amwritingfiction #writingcommunity

Propaganda about writing I’m not falling for anymore…tell me yours in the comments. #novelwriting #writerproductivity #writingcommunity #creativewriting #aspiringwriters #aspiringnovelist #writerslife

Super proud to share my (second!) speaker invite to the Surrey International Writer’s Conference this fall: October 22 through October 26, 2025. Comment "INFO" to hear more! Virtual attendance is available: www.siwc.ca/registration/ #writingconference #writingcommunity #writingadvice #fictionwriters

#MysteryLovers Get ready our favorite modern-day detective is back on the small screen debunking murders - 12/12/25 youtu.be/sRqU2276eaQ?... #amreadingmysteries #mysteryreaders #amwritingmysteries #cozymysteries

It’s #FridayReads time! Let’s boost all signals. Repost this and lets us know what to repost for you. I’m sharing the novel that started my career. The first barrio noir! Dark magic. Violence. Santa Muerte. Dogs with human eyes… www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316... bookshop.org/p/books/zero...

Victoria is back! Preorder TODAY! "A fun, read with twists and turns you never see coming." ~Pamela Samuels Young, author of Failure to Protect "Deceptive Justice is a rousing romp of clues and quips even before the crime occurs." ~Cheryl A. Head, author of the Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series

Listen, literacy is key. I don't mean just reading literacy. Financial literacy. Emotional literacy. Social literacy. There's so much. And we need all of it.

Psst… take 12 seconds away from doom scrolling, to take a deep breath and relax with these sweet otters 🦦 🔊 🎥Nature

#bladerunner #music #vangelis #timemachine

What do you think the best thing about a library is?

Welcome! Whether you want to read a mystery or learn how to write one, I've got you covered with my Writer Productivity series & Victoria Justice Mysteries. Find your favorite: books2read.com/poeticjustice books2read.com/craftkillerc... books2read.com/MasteringSus... books2read.com/KillerDialogue

Writing = (Ideas x Patience) + Time/Re-envisioning

Every chapter you finish is a quiet rebellion against giving up. #writingcommunity #indieauthors #authors

“You can make anything by writing." –C.S. Lewis

Simon & Schuster imprint will no longer ask authors to obtain blurbs for their books www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j... Thoughts?

Author Business Coaching Minute. What would make you love being in business as an author? #authorbusiness #authorgoals #authorincome #authorprofit #authorstrategy #profitableauthor

Not that I'm trying to stir things up but I think the thing that's most mystifying to me about the writers-who-don't-read bit is like, writing involves solving a lot of problems, and it's much easier to do that if you look at lots of examples of how other people solved them. Why reinvent the wheel??

Our March 2nd guest will be Robert Rotstein, the USA Today best-selling author of We, The Jury, a Suspense Magazine 2018 Best Book. He’ll present The Lawyer as Author: From Chaucer, Balzac, & Kafka to...Rotstein?” Register before noon on Friday, February 28th. www.eventcreate.com/e/robert-rot...

Day 14 of BLACK HISTORY MONTH! It’s also FEATURE FRIDAY and who better to have on this duo spotlight than Kellye Garrett. She is not only a stand out author, she is also an outstanding human who I admire a great deal. Amazon www.amazon.com/stores/autho...

Pinned post: My debut murder mystery MORE THAN BLOOD will be published by Minotaur Books in 2026. (When not writing, my alter ego conducts choruses and teach music to college students.) If you like mysteries, haunted houses, and/or socially awkward protagonists--my newsletter signup is here 🙂:

Happy Valentine's Day! 💖💖💖

✨ COMING SOON ✨ Auction to benefit ❤️‍🔥The Transgender Law Center❤️‍🔥 Bidding opens MAR 26 Bidding closes APR 1 #TransDayOfVisibility More details incl. who we are, why now, and how to donate: www.32auctions.com/writers4tran...

It's not too late to win books! Learn more on my blog. jackielaytoncozyauthor.com/2025/02/10/i... If you want to enter the giveaway, here’s the link: www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display...?

It's more important than ever to support your public library. #Libraries are community. They are about opening minds and opening doors. Get a library card, and check out books. Download Libby. Libraries need the stats for funding, which is now uncertain. And thank your librarian. We love you.

Unlock the secrets of thriller writing with ITW’s Online Thriller School. This FALL program includes weekly instruction from prominent writers & industry professionals. Classes held T/TH from 2-3:30pm EST. Interested? Visit thrillerwriters.org/programs/onl... #WritingCommunity #ThrillerWriters