August 2023
Vol. 258
Dear Ones,
It’s a good thing PA Paige nudged me this morning, because I’m so deep in deadline brain that I didn’t even notice it was newsletter time! And I have so much good news to share, too. But first, for my folks in Maui, my deepest sympathies. I hope and pray all of you are okay and unaffected. I haven’t been to Hawaii since I was fifteen, but I was deeply affected by the beauty and the friendliness of the people. I also bumped into Judge Reinhold coming out of a men’s room–this was only a few years after the release of FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, so you can imagine—and he gave me a “hi” and a wink and strolled away, and I was incandescent with joy. I bought a thin silver ring to commemorate the trip, and I haven’t taken it off since—it was the first piece of jewelry I ever bought myself, and it is incredibly special to me. I’m looking at it now and sending you prayers for safety.
Now, to the news... I just did a new deal, and more books are coming your way!
A VERY BAD THING will be out in September of 2024, hence the scramble to hit this very important deadline of September 1. Publishers need books as far in advance as possible for marketing and sales and printing and shipping, so I am determined to make it happen. The writing has been going extremely well the past few weeks, and I think you’ll like this one. I’m very excited to have made the jump to Amazon Publishing. I’ve long admired the books being put out by Thomas & Mercer and Lake Union, and I can’t wait to see what happens next! And don’t worry for a second about the books not being in print—there will be hardcover and trade for those of you who love that format, audio and digital, too, and all my favorite indies will carry them for you.
It’s funny, this story has been beating me up for months, and it’s only been in the last few weeks that I understand why. It’s really four different stories in one. I have three "detectives," as the parlance goes—a young reporter determined to make it big, the daughter of the murdered author who needs to know what happened to her mother, and the detective himself who is investigating the crime. There’s a fourth arm to this, but I don’t want to share just yet. Why do I make things so complicated for myself, you might ask? That’s a very good question. Mostly to see if I can pull it off... Dare mighty things, and all of that. But realizing each character is on a different trajectory and story arc and interweaving them, I figured out the shape of this story. It’s a screw. Relentlessly driving down into the wood as they get closer and closer to the truth.
I have a couple of new essays up on THE CREATIVE EDGE and two other fun items for you in the book news below. So let’s get to it!
🚨Even More Book News
Whiteout has a new cover! Isn’t it gorgeous? Since it’s the prequel to THE WOLVES COME AT NIGHT, I felt like it needed a tonal shift to match so it signals to the eye they go together. My longtime artist Kim Killion did the work and was so spot on it took 4 comps to hit the final. That’s incredible!
My short story X HOUSE will be available September 12 in the IN THESE HALLOWED HALLS anthology from Titan Books. Y’all. I had SO much fun writing this dark academic tale, and I can’t wait for you to read it and the whole collection, which is astounding. Get those orders in!
📚 What I'm Reading
The beautiful thing about deadline, I tend to read a LOT. Here are some of the books I loved this month.
Luanne Rice - LAST DAY
This is a wonderfully intimate suspense novel that simply blew me away. Luanne is an extremely talented writer. I never once felt like she didn't have control, and that held me in thrall. I can't wait to read more!
Jess Lourey - UNSPEAKABLE THINGS
Jess is also a brilliant writer, and I was captivated by this story. I started it on audio then switched to digital to gobble it up even faster. I have Quarry Girls up next from here.
Sara DiVello - BROADWAY BUTTERFLY
You know how much I love a great historical, and this one is dynamite! My blurb: “A rip-roaring historical mystery with a true crime at its heart, Broadway Butterfly captures both the seedy underbelly and the glamour of New York in the 1920s—flappers and murderers and plots and gangsters and intrepid reporters and gruff detectives abound—and provides a pitch-perfect whodunit. DiVello’s impeccable research and depiction of crimes and morality in Jazz Age New York will delight true-crime fans. Don’t miss this!”
Georgina Cross - ONE NIGHT
Another superb book out this month that I lent my name to...“What wouldn’t a parent do to uncover the truth about their child’s passing? In this atmospheric, gothic, beautifully realized story thick with tension that builds to a shriek, Cross establishes herself as a major player in the world of suspense. This book is so full of Christie-esque twists and turns, I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough. . . . Deliciously creepy.”
📊 Poll
I think we’ve discovered a sweet spot for book-length! The vast majority (over 80 percent) prefer their books between 300-400 pages (which for us writers means 75,000-100,000 words.)
This month, I'm curious about how you choose what to read next.
👩🍳 August Recipe: Flourless Chocolate Torte
Well, it's no surprise there's a cake recipe this month, is it? Hubby's birthday is at the end of July and I'm always looking for something delectable to make that we can both enjoy. And guess what? This is INSANE! (The key in this recipe is to make sure you let the eggs come to room temperature so they don't curdle...)
You can find all of my recipes here, and if you want some wine to go with the meals, The Wine Vixen has you covered.
🎉 Contest
Every month*, I draw a name from those of you who open the newsletter and send that lovely person a $30 gift card to the bookstore of their choice. It’s my way of saying thanks for being here. Enter below!
Last month's winner: Congratulations to darlene.vanhooser! Check your email...
It's been one heck of a summer. I for one am ready for fall, for the crisp nights and warm sweaters and boots, and a stack of good books. Send some prayers Maui's way, and I'll see you next month. Be safe out there.
xo,
Are you still here?
Here’s a kitten for your troubles!
Yayyyy!
Much as I love your new books, can I assume there are no plans to finish the Samantha Owens series?