Festive Reading

"A new challenge is near." (fortune cookie saying) Here's how I celebrated during my much-needed break from writing over these last few weeks. I read. For fun! Sometimes I like measuring my vacations by the number of books I've read. It gives me an indication of how much lovely time I spent between the pages of a book. Also, it fuels that inner competitive streak in me. (In elementary school, I once won a reading contest hands-down--and got handsomely rewarded with a gift card to a local … [Read more...]

Virtual Bouchercon

There is such a thing as conference fatigue. I had a fabulous time this past weekend with 900 or so other friends checking out Bouchercon 2020. Though I didn't get to travel to the state capital and frolic in Sacramento, I still got to attend the event virtually. The highlights of the event were: Pre-taped videos: High-quality video interviews with amazing people like Walter Mosley, Anne Perry, Catriona McPherson, and the past presidents of Sisters in CrimeLive presentations: Unique … [Read more...]

Wordless Wednesday: Festive Mayhem anthology

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Tips on Virtual Speaking

Whew! I just finished my first virtual reading last Thursday. It was a fun time with other great authors (see flyer below). Plus, it even raised much-needed money for a Minneapolis nonprofit & an amazing bookstore. After this speaking experience, I tweaked some advice for typical real-time readings and learned to: 1) Look at audienceWhen speaking to a live audience, it’s definitely good to break contact from the page and visually connect with listeners. A few of the other authors … [Read more...]

#BookReview: The Astonishing Color of After

The Astonishing Color of After 5 stars Genre: YA magical realism Pros: Addresses the complexities of griefProvides multiple cultural referencesUses sensory poetic language Cons: Repeats color themes that may be distracting What an amazing and heart-wrenching book! I'm really glad I picked it up. It ties in cultural significance with the accuracy of feeling like an in-between girl straddling two worlds.  I love how real the novel gets about grief and the ways we … [Read more...]

Wordless Wednesday: Festival of Books

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Festival of Books

Hi, folks! Just a quick note to say I'll be at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books THIS SUNDAY (4/22) from 4pm-5pm! If you're checking out books and authors on the USC campus, come swing by. I'll be at booth #367 (Sisters in Crime). Thanks! P.S. Here's a pic of me from last year: … [Read more...]

Angels Flight Reading

"Meaningful relationships bring meaning to life." It's nice to live in a city pulsing with culture. Once in a while, I'll pop by a reading. Sometimes they're held in cool places like Clifton's Republic, complete with stuffed animals. (Clifton's is a rebooted historical cafeteria that features woodland decor.) My impetus to go was my friend Siel Ju's newest book, CAKE TIME. Winner of the 2015 Red Hen Press Fiction Award, it officially launches April 6th, but I got a freshly minted … [Read more...]

Book Blast

"Your career plans look bright." Just a little FYI that Dragonfly Dreams is listed on the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Book Blast page. The site features hundreds of new titles, covering the interests of toddlers to teens. Go ahead and check out my page! If you click on the heart and "like" it, you'll hear a rousing cheer.   Also, don't forget that I'll be at the Manhattan Beach Library tonight (7pm) on a mystery authors' panel. … [Read more...]